Notes
Loop splits (1:29:15, 1:28:56, 1:39:40). I believe I was 14th after Loop 1, 10th after Loop 2, and 8th OA.
First loop (10.3m) felt great. Started raining mid-way through the 2nd loop which made the going tough. The dirt/clay parts of the course became cookie dough with a couple of inches of heavy mud caked on my shoes...like running with concrete boots. The final 12 or 13 miles, I was completely on my own...only passing the occasional walker from the 10M race. Still felt okay after the second loop but I suspected that a strong finish was not in the cards. I was fine through the first aid station on the final loop, but soon realized that the end was near.
Around the 3:30 mark (mile 25), I achieved one of my goals for this race. For the first time, I found my limit. I walked an uphill section. Ran down and kept going for awhile, then I was walking all the little hills. Tried to keep the walks to a minute, but they were necessary with higher frequency as that final hour wore on. Despite my dead quads, I was surprised to not get passed by a single runner and managed to run in the final half mile for 8th overall. Marathon split was 3:52. I lost 11 minutes over the final 6 miles.
Very proud of the effort and for what I learned about myself as a runner. I loved running the trails and definitely want to do more trail running. I'm not going to commit to longer distances just yet, but I definitely feel that I have unfinished business with the 50k.
What I learned this race:
* For over-distances, if it feels like the right pace, then its too fast.
* Running with a group is better than running my pace, +/- 10s.
* Dry foods only at aid stations (Pop-tarts will choke you out).
* Drop bags are largely unnecessary for this 50k