Notes
Temp 57 Wind 23 mph.
Back to Klaus Park for some more trail running. Missouri Running Company and New Balance sponsoring a two-race series to promote "fast hiking". AG series winners get a new gazelle jacket which are about $70, so hey, nice change of pace and a little fun while I take some down-time from the hard-core stuff.
Get loose by jogging with Hammer and Terry S. Split up to do some drills. Hydrate and change into some trainers I put machine screws in the soles of and take a run through the first section of the course which is XC before jumpin onto the actual trail. Hit a couple of surges for good measure. 2.06 miles in 19:29.
As usual, folks blast off the line when the actual race starts. I hold back but am still moving way too fast (6:15 clip) when I check the Garmin at the top of the first small hill. Slow down, but still go through the first mile at 6:36, which is probably almost a minute a mile too quick. Lots of runners in front of me and will be difficult to pass on the single-lane trail. Only one guy (Captain Paul) is in my AG, so will just relax and see how many come back to me. Spend the last half of the race picking people off as they fade. Got hung up three different times and could not get around. Each time, front of the pack picked up all the ground I had gained. Had moved up to fifth after about four miles when ND XC runner Clayton M. faded. Pulled up side-by-side when his folks yelled at him and he surged. Go kid, not what I'm here for today. He threw up at the finish line...hee. Funny, but he's a good kid. Ended up crossing the finish line in 5th OA. Time of 32:31 and I had 4.47 miles on my Garmin. RD Kelpe said he didn't know the exact distance of course, but we all thought it was going to be closer to four miles. First in 50-59 AG, so show up next month and just hang with second place guy and the jacket is mine.
Did a 0.61 cool-down with A-Wad in 6:03. Ankles a little wobbly back on solid ground. A-Wad lit up when he found out he'd won his AG. Old national champions still get a thrill I guess. Hand-made AG awards are more than cool. Best race tee of the year. Wife got some nice race photos. What a fun way to spend a fall afternoon.