Big Dog Trail 10k
We left Montgomery to drive to Auburn about 6:30 and arrived around 7:20. I picked up my shirt & bib and got in line for the bathroom. Pam got there while I was waiting. We talked for a while, I put the stuff I didn’t need in the car, and when announced, we walked to the start.
The start was confusing because we lined up in a field beside the finish line. We took off, and I tried to pass as many people as possible who were going slower than I wanted to run because I knew it would be tight once we got to the trails. When we first got to the trails, I tripped and fell but bounced right back up.
The girl in front of me was my rabbit for a while, and when she found a spot to pass someone, I’d pass them, too. I stayed behind her nearly until the first water stop (~ mile 2). She started slowing down, and once there was a wider spot in the trail, she stepped right and told me to go on by. I thanked her and ran on.
At this point I was still feeling pretty good. It was incredibly humid under the trees, so I was sweating profusely, but mostly felt okay. I didn’t take water since I was running with my Camelbak, but by the time I finished, I was wishing I had taken a cup to dump on myself.
The middle third of the race had a lot of switchback turns winding up a hill. I passed a few more people, mostly ones who stopped to walk. I caught up to another group of runners, as mush as a single-file line can be considered a group. Then we emerged from the trees and ran on a gravel road up a loooong hill. All the others stopped to walk, but I kept pushing on. None of them ever caught up. It was rough, but I still felt fine.
At the top of the hill was the next water station (~mi. 4). Once again, I relied on my Camelbak and ran through it. We entered the woods again. Just after I passed the water table, the goosebumps came. I felt okay otherwise, though, so I didn’t slow down any more than my tiredness required. The last 2 miles were really tough. The hills and sharp turns continued. At one point I touched my forehead and noticed that it was salty. I didn’t think about until I finished that that meant that I had stopped sweating.
There was one more hill close to the end, and I caught another lady who walked near the top, but as soon as she crested, she started running again. I just didn’t have enough gas left to catch her. Usually I have a pretty good kick at the end of races, but i just didn’t have anything left.
I admit that I was disappointed in my time at first, but after talking to Pam and thinking over it, you can’t really compare trail running to road running. Since I placed 2nd in my age group, I know I did well considering how tough it was for me. I did have a good time, too, which is what has always been the most important thing to me concerning running.
Afterwards, there was a table where you could get a free water bottle if you signed up for an email list, and my hand was shaking so much I could barely write legibly.
Oh, they gave these cool rock plaques to the top age group winners (but not to 2nd or 3rd). I got a gift card to the running store that put on the race. The next time I’m passing through on my way to Georgia, I’ll have to stop by and use it.
but failed to notice this baby at mile 10. There were quite a few people that walked. I passed more people here, but some of them passed me right back on that steep down hill. I run slower down hills than I do up them.
