Notes
The race started promptly at 8:30 and 2 guys went to the lead. 1 was a 30k guy who was just getting position, the other was a guy Drew had raced before so we knew he was decent. He took off hard and got probably 50m on us quickly. Drew, Retro, and I had grouped by 1/2 mile or so, though I was clearly the one setting the pace. We hadn't really talked about goals/strategy beforehand to see if we were trying to race together, but I certainly had the goal of beating the course record (whether in 1st or not), so I tried to keep the effort strong.
The first mile was a long downhill which facilitated our fastest mile of the whole race. Of course, a long uphill ensued for my slowest mile. At the top, we could see the leader again and I got confident but also complacent as I was sure now he would come back, but I also think he gained some ground and we settled into our pace. 2 more hills followed at mile 3 that led to Retro dropping back. Drew and I were doing some talking as well, he was happy with our pace but wasn't sure about his back, particularly on the downhills.
The 1st Aid Station was a little past 4 miles, and I was looking forward to seeing the leader on the short out-and-back. Instead, we see him stopped at the Aid Station getting water! This got my adrenaline going and I officially began my chase. The next mile was downhill and I gradually picked it up. Drew dropped off and that encouraged my move. And upon finding the leader, I picked it up even more. He seemed resigned to lose when I told him I was in the 15k, but I am rarely comfortable enough to just run with someone, so I continued my hard move assuming he would lose hope. Little did I know that I was making this move at the bottom of the long prairie hill. Good thing I was feeling great, but I still slowed down drastically around halfway up upon realizing how far this hill was. But I did get the Segment record so... good for me.
With a gap, I checked my watch to see myself at 6 miles and sure of myself in continuing strong for 3 more, especially knowing the main hills were behind me. Still, I checked behind every 5min or so, wondering if Drew or someone was having a strong finish. I focused on catching (and surprising) the 45k runners and not slowing down too much on the hills. I held it together and finished with my goal of a course record (Previous was just over an hour I believe, though 1 stud had run something like 1:54 for 30k a few years before). I had a couple minutes chatting with a random Luther Runner Alum (and realizing how soaked I was from the humidity) before being surprised to see Retro come in 2nd; and he apparently had spurred Drew to action to get 3rd for a clean sweep. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, Retro has always shown his ability to not fall apart and Drew probably only runs trails/hills when I'm around.
Obviously happy to have accomplished my goal and also to get the win. And with that, I got my biggest payday ever: $25 for the win, $50 for the course record, and $100 for the fastest lap of anyone (which obviously prefers the 15k races but a 30k guy has won it before). Hopefully, this is some good prep for the Army 10 Miler as I'm assuming I won't be able to find a race until then.
P.S. Didn't really describe the course. All doublewide trail, mostly grass with one solid dirt rut through it. Then some just dirt and prairie sections as well. There also seemed to be sand sections just on the uphills, or at least that was the only time you'd notice. Some mud but could have been much worse. This was 1 big loop around a lake. In conclusion, a cool race that I'd only sort of heard of before. Would do again.
*Pleasant Creek Trail Race