I've always wanted to run this race and finally got the chance. I wanted to do some speedwork this weekend and the race sounded a lot more fun than mile repeats.
I took off with the 4 young guns (see pictures below) at a very quick pace...I saw 5:24 on the Garmin early on.
Eventually, we got off the paved path and started heading up the trail to the top of Bald Hill. By the time we got to the top of the hill I was running in 3rd and 2nd place was in sight. At the bottom of the first downhill I was right behind him. He was running well on the flats and ups, so my plan was to stay with him and pass him on the next downhill. Well, I changed my mind and ended up trying to break him on the second climb to the top of Bald Hill...didn't work...he passed me back! But I caught back up on the downhill and passed him fairly easily. I finished over a minute behind the winner in 31:38...but I did run the tenth fastest time on the course according to Ultrasignup. Cary Stephens and crew put on a great race. Photos were taken by Greg Johnson.
I was feeling a little guilty for skipping mile repeats, so I ran a couple 5:30 miles after the race.
