2018 Harbison Trail 50k Race Report

8^th Harbison 50k Race Report   Saturday January 7, 20018

The 8^th running of the Harbison 50k was the coldest one yet, with start temps in the mid-to-upper teens. The snow that hit the SC coast stayed away, and the course was in good shape. I came into this event with decent training, at least until 3 weeks before when the frigid temps hit Minnesota (below zero without the wind!). The two weeks before the race I ran a total of twice (under 10mi total). My legs were certainly fresh for the race! The other issue I have been having has to do with shoes…my Hoka Challenger ATRs that I had tried out in August worked well, but was getting up there in mileage (~550). Running 15+ miles in snow with yak trax and then testing out a newer model left me with a sore big left toe. Seems the newer Hokas put a little too much pressure there. I ended up trying out some shoes I had bought last year, mistakenly buying a different model than my usual. So I tried out some Asics 1000 GTX. Even with only 4 runs in them before I traveled south, I decided that was the best option I had. Another weird pain showed up once I got to SC. I am guessing it was from walking to work in my work shoes a couple of days, but the soles of my feet were sore for the 3 days leading up to the race. I was honestly getting nervous. (Soreness ended up disappearing that Friday)

Day before the race was busy as I worked, went to Augusta, GA to visit family, then went to Columbia for packet pickup and stay the night at the race hotel. All was good for the race as I got a ride from a friend from Greenville (Michael) that I hadn’t seen in a few of years – always good to catch up with him. Met our friend Terry and eventually made it to the starting line (after almost forgetting my water bottles in my drop bag).

So Michael and I started off together at an easy pace down the gravel road and into the woods. We stayed together until the 1^st aid station. I didn’t realize people’s water lines were freezing until Michael mentioned it a few miles in. It slipped my mind to tell people to have it underneath one layer of clothing. That is one thing I learned quickly after moving to MN almost 3 years ago.

2 hrs before start at the hotel.

So we hit AS1 in 58min, where I grabbed a few chips and a cookie and walked out while I ate. I’d see Michael on some switchbacks for the rest of the loop, so I knew he was always only a couple of minutes behind. I really expected to see him later on. There were still a few people nearby at this point.

The 2^nd AS had been moved further from where it had been the last 2 years (due to a locked gate). I had planned to run with just one hand-held bottle, but with this change (and having already traveled south without my UD vest), I borrowed a 2^nd handheld from another friend. That made me feel much more comfortable (I drink a good bit when I run).

I ran solo for much of this, only one or two times spending any significant time near people. Passed Terry thru here as she ran the 25k.

It was about an hour to where the previous AS had been, then the ~15 min loop, and another 10 min to where AS2 now was. Still feeling fine. (2:23 overall) A wonderful volunteer filled up a bottle with Gatorade as I grabbed my usual PB&J square, chips, and Oreo and kept moving. I moved ok thru here for a while. My legs were a getting a little tired (and some minor groin soreness), so I walked some of the gentle hills as I eventually caught up to another 25k runner. We had a similar pace for a while, then she unfortunately took a spill while in sight of the finish area. She was fine. Found out later that she wasn’t the only one – Terry had also fallen near there and scraped her face. So I got to the halfway in 2:57. Was slower than last year by 5 minutes. Didn’t need anything in my drop bag, so grabbed some food, had some (too hot) soup, and got back on the trail (just missing Terry and Michael, who were within 3 minutes of me).

2^nd loop started with a walk as I ate, then an alternating walk/run. I was still moving decently, passed a few runners and got passed by a few early on. In my mind, I was a bit slower thru here since I ran practically all of the first section the first time thru. I ended up 17 minutes slower as my right knee started to feel it. It always seems to appear during this race – it has to be because of the winding trail and I have no trails that mimic that – my legs are on the weak side. You’d think I’d learned my lesson after so many races here. Anyway – about 20 miles in after 4:12. (Note – creek prior to the AS was completely dry this year, whereas last year I had to jump and it was still ankle deep).

This section after AS1/4 usually feels endless, but I was prepared this time and moved better on the downhills/flats. Saw fewer and fewer runners. Ran this entire section 14 minutes slower than lap 1 – which was a huge relief as last year there was a 23min slowdown!

I don’t think anyone passed me on the last section. It seemed shorter than the first time thru, which is always a pleasant surprise! I was checking the time and was hopeful to break 6:30. I only knew my 33min section for lap 1 was going to be closer to 40, but I am clueless as to knowing where I am in relation to the finish until I see it.

Ended up just under 6:31 on my watch (6:31:03 by the clock). Someone did come up behind me on the last trail section and told me to bring it in…he tried a sprint past me at the end, and probably technically beat me by a half second, but they gave it to me…didn’t make any difference.

I was very happy to see my wife and daughter at the finish. They support my running and allow me to do my long runs on Sunday morning guilt-free.

So finish #8 here! Race 131 overall. 22^nd ultra and 34^th race of a marathon or longer. 50 (marathon or longer) before age 50 is still possible, but will need to do more than the 2 I ran in 2017.  I have plans anyway…

2017 Harbison 50k Race Report

This was to be my 7^th running of the Harbison 50k (January 7. 2017), and as I am the only one to run the previous 6 – there is some pressure to continue it (but it’s a good thing). After staying in Columbia the night before the race the last two years, I had planned to do that again. The weather made it more interesting as a rain/sleet/snow storm was heading for us. Through my friends in Greenville, I got hooked up to ride down Friday with 2 people (Shannon and Angela) I ‘knew’ by their running I’d seen online. It all worked out great and we had a good drive down and a nice dinner. Picked up a free buff at packet pickup too!

It was a little cool to start, around 34° at 7:30am, but would get colder throughout the day, down to 28°. Not the coldest it had been…I had texted with the RD a few weeks prior to race day, and he commented that we had had every type of weather – rain, sun, cold, hot, mud, everything But snow on race day. I told him I’d see what I could do as I had moved up to St. Paul, MN back in 2015 and although our winter wasn’t bad at all, we did have snow at the time.

So – race started off fine with just a light rain. I settled into my own pace. The course was a bit different from 2016, but running the Stewardship Trail so early in the race still throws me off from those first few years. After 4 miles or so – I started to feel some soreness in my top/front right hip. Not bad, but enough to make me think about it. It also wasn’t long before the rain turned to sleet and then to a light snow! Enough to cover the ground…it was kind of cool and went on for a good 90 minutes of the first loop.

At about 13 miles, my right IT band started to bother me. It seems my IT band acts up more at this race than it should…anyway. Just before the turn toward the start/finish area, I saw Sergio and Shannon and they were looking good! At the gazebo at the halfway point (15.5mi in 2:52), I rolled my legs some, but that helped for maybe half a mile. Kept trudging along, but it was mostly walking. Left IT band started to get sore, and the front/top of my left foot. Once something starts, more things just add to it!

Most of the snow was gone for the 2^nd loop, but it was quite a bit muddier.  

Last AS food/mud

The 2 creek crossings were deeper than I’d ever seen (about shin-deep). My Speedgoat socks and my Montrail Mountain Masochist Outdry shoes made it seem like my feet were not wet at all – that was nice!

I didn’t really run with anyone after the first 10 miles or so – but I never mind that. A good 10+ people passed me the last section or two, but I was always confident I’d finish.

I came into the finish, running, for my 7^th finish in 6:39 (3:47 for the 2^nd half). The RD is always awesome (Thanks David – hope you continue to recover from your car accident)

Was good seeing some of the SC crew again!

After a full day flying back home, in which all the sore spots during the run were still sore, the day after that, I was pretty much fine. I took it easy and just used a rowing machine that week before going out the following Saturday for an easy loop around the lake (mostly clear of snow). Had no issues, and training could continue for the Chippewa 50k in April (I had registered for it in 2016, but had to cancel with injury and lack of training).

Here are my past Harbison Times:

2 ‘good’ years, 3 ‘average’ years, and 2 ‘bad’ years. Hopefully 2018 will be another ‘Good’ one!  

2015 Harbison 50k Race Report

January 3, 2015 Harbison 50k
So this was my fifth straight Harbison 50k at this 5th annual event, held at Harbison State Forest near Columbia, SC. There were supposed to be a few other 5-time runners at the race, but I was the only one to show up.
Spent the night with my family at the host hotel near the race (both a first for me for this race), and had a nice group dinner with some other Greenville runners-Kerrie, Michael, Terri (and her sis!). Race day morning was pretty low-key...just hung around and talked with a few others I knew (Chris). Wondered where Viktor and some others were...
Very happy not to have driven down that morning.
Temps were nice just around 49° at the start, and had a new course this year as a true 2-loop design, bypassing the Lost Creek section, added the Eagle trail, and extended the Firebreak trail.
Started off on the gravel road and found my pace, not too concerned with anyone else then. Hit the trails toward the front of a group including Terri and Kerri. Dropped a Gu at some point and that whole line passed me. Good thing I didn't need to stop at the first AS (52min)...passed most of them back right there.
At some point - I joined up with Hilary, settling in right behind her, with Kerrie always within a few minutes of us. Hilary is a very strong runner and I was lucky to be feeling well enough to keep up with her. I was going to hang on as long as I could.
I was so engrossed with either our conversations, keeping up with her, or something - that I didn't even notice that we had already gone thru Spiderwoman the first time around. Guess that was a good sign!
Made it thru the Halfway point in 2:42. That was a good 10 minutes faster than when I ran my fastest Harbison in 2013 (half at 2:52). Going back to 2014 - I had not raced since January 2013 and ended up shuffling/hiking the last ~17 miles of the race. My finish time was 7:36. I was secretly hoping to take 2 hours off that time.

I stayed with Hilary thru the next AS (this time faster than lap 1, 49min) at mile 21. It was in the next few miles that she left me. Kerrie was still right there behind us (we had flip-flopped on and off for awhile) but then she also went ahead to stay. I moved well a lot longer than I usually did at this race and knew I was i for a good time, My left knee was nagging me some, and I did walk some, but my motivation was still high as I went thru the last section. Not having been down Eagle Trail before that day - I wasn't entirely sure how much further I had. A few other people passed me on that last section, but I was still thrilled as I came down the finishing stretch. My wife and daughter were there to see me finish, and the RD (David) shook my hand, gave me my finisher award, and called out my name as the only 5-time finisher of the race.

Finishing chute

Greenville 50k Finishers

4th Harbison 50k Race Report

The Harbison 50k was on January 4, 2014 and held at Harbison State Forest in Columbia, SC, but with a different Race Director than the first three events. RD David Nance did a wonderful job of continuing the success at this event Dan Hartley had begun in 2011.

This race was going to be like no other that I have done. Out of the 9 marathons and 10 ultras I have completed, I had never gone into a race this under-trained. How undertrained? I had zero miles in September and October due to a foot issue. In November (with some custom orthotics to alleviate the pressure/pain) I began my personal “Couch to 50k in 10 weeks“ program. After one week of only walking, the next 5 weeks went almost as expected, getting up to a long “run” of 10 miles. That was my longest run since April! Then I got sick with a 105° fever, and blurry vision from my antibiotics. That was 10 days off from running. (A month+ later now and I still have that lingering cough.) Just over two weeks before race day, so no time to really do much but try to get some running back in my legs. I knew I would spend much of the race walking and I had an expected time in mind even though I had no earthly idea how my legs would respond as the miles went on.

Race day brought mid 20’s at the start, clouds all day and it got up to maybe 45° - the shivering went away as soon as we started, right on time at 7:30am and it was never bad after that. 2 miles of service roads led us to the twists and turns of the Lost Creek Section. I walked many of the short hills and it was easy to quickly catch up to the small group just ahead of me as we went down the same small hills. The 2^nd section was very runnable and I was still ahead of my “prediction” by 12 minutes. I typically walk very fast, so I was not losing as much time as I walked a bit more as the miles went on. Still moved well thru Spiderwoman and the rock garden. It was after the 3^rd aid station that I was starting to feel the decline. I made it back to the start of the Lost Creek section (mile ~16.6) to start the second loop in 3:30. Although it was 38 minutes slower than 2013, I was happy to have made it that far and fully expected then I would be able to finish. I was going to walk it in from there as my left hip and inside left thigh began to affect my ability to run. I was able to shuffle on the downhills for the next few miles, but as the discomfort increased after that, my walking got slower and my ability to shuffle on the downhills became non-existent.

The aid stations were, as always, terrific! This year I mostly subsisted on potato chips, pb&j and cookies. Reminder to self – M&M’s when temps are in the twenties are quite solid. Also - can’t forget the hot chicken soup at the halfway mark! 

I was pretty much on my own after the very first aid station. Other than people usually passing me rather quickly, there were only two or three occasions where I had any lengthy conversations with people. I am completely comfortable out on my own and enjoy the solitude. 

At every aid station on the 2nd loop, I kept counting down the miles to the next one (and the finish) - that was my incentive. I knew based on my pace difference from the first loop that I would be close to 7:30, but that came and went during the last section. I was able to muster a trot those last 200 yards as I finished in 7:36!! (and one whole minute slower than my "expected" finish). I was thrilled with finishing, even with walking the last ~17 miles!

Thanks to all the support out there, good seeing Sully, Drew, Michelle, & Bill with great finishes - and congrats to the 2 others who have also finished all 4 Harbison 50k's: Viktor and Seth! See you next year - hopefully, with just a little more training.

Finisher!

First miles-near the back

At the back of this early "train"

After going off course early-Viktor passes me again.

by the Broad River...

Firebreak trail

Walking it in...just past halfway

Sulley running strong

Michelle always enjoying being out there

3rd Harbison 50k Trail Race Report

This years (2013) race took place on the first Saturday in January again, on the 5th. Temps were in around 30° at the 7:30am start. I had come into this race with 10 weeks of mediocre training. Lack of motivation, ITB and knee issues, travel, and some family health issues all kept me from the desirable training for running a 50k with some sense of positivity. My left knee had gotten to the point one full week out that I couldn't go 4 miles without me feeling it. I decide then to run no more before race day (Should maybe have done that when it started back in early November). I had still averaged 24 miles/wk in the 9 weeks leading up to this event since the Spinx Marathon Oct 27th, but my long weekend runs only consisted of: 14, 11, 16, 9, 11, and a 13 miler over that time frame and 3 weekends with Zero miles. I had only had 1 of those all year before this stretch. But - I was at the starting line with no expectations except to finish (more hopeful, than an expectation).
The course was different for the 3rd year in a row, starting off on a gravel road for almost the first 2 miles before heading onto the trails. My co-worker Marty and I started off comfortably in the middle of the pack and everyone sorted themselves out well before the singletrack started. It took those first 2 miles to get the hands to stop hurting from the cold, but the temps ended up perfect for the duration. The Lost Creek section was very windy and runnable. My left knee started to wake up at mile 3 and I popped an Aleve for the 2nd time ever in a race. We came to the 5.8mi aid station in 57min and that knee never became more than a minor nuisance. Quick food grab and we kept on our way.
The rest of the way, heavenly aid stations were every 3.5-3.8 miles apart, so very easy to guess how much more to go between sections to refill on pringles, m&m's, oatmeal creme pies and more! Continued my habit of bringing a camera and took a few pictures along the way. Gently rolling hills were the norm for this section and we continued our same pace to AS2 at 9.4mi in 1:33. More fuel!
The next section had the infamous Spiderwoman II trail, the only part of the 2 loop course that I'd call tough. It's only a 10min section, so relatively minor in the scheme of things. Marty and I were still together at the mile 12.8 AS after 2:12.
The next section, taking us to Mile 16.6 and more than halfway, had some new sections, as we overlooked the Broad River (Bluff Trail) a little more on some tight trails before some wide service roads bringing us back near the start and the same 1st AS.
I did take a second Aleve thru here as a just-in-case measure. My left knee wasn't hindering me and wanted to make sure it wasn't going to.
2:52 for the first loop, and soon after Mile 17, Marty went ahead as my Right knee started to give me problems. Where did that come from? Was I favoring my other knee? Is it something about these trails that my knees don't like (see my 2011 post HERE ).

Anyway - that slowed me down for the rest of the race, but I was surprisingly able to run much of it. I had no typical issues: lower back was fine, hips were good, no muscle tiredness. Feet were good too for the most part.
The 2nd time thru those sections were ~7-10 mins slower, and Spiderwoman got my heart rate up this time around. I was running mostly by myself, but there were others around as I passed some (William) and got passed (Chad H, Lester, William!).
The course was perfectly marked with flags and "paint" dictating turns, but that didn't keep me from meandering past a clearly marked turn and heading down a hill that quickly looked foreign. 2 guys behind me also yelled to me as I stopped and wondered where I was. One other guy came into the last aid station at mile 24 from a different direction (likely bypassing the section with Spiderwoman).
The last section I was feeling motivated to finish it, and powered my way as best I could. I for once had a good feel for where I was and what was coming up, and I was trying to do the math in my head to break 6hrs, my goal last year and was originally my goal this year before my training-wheels fell off in Nov & Dec. The last aid station had said 4.4 miles, but I was pretty sure it was 3.6 - and that makes the math even more difficult. Regardless, I knew as I got closer that I would have it. I made the 2 last turns and hustled down the last trail to the road crossing, skipping over the logs (and right there my calf wanted to tighten up) and stopped at the finish in 5:54.
2nd fastest 50k and ~40 minutes faster than the previous Harbison races.
I will be back for #4 next January!
(Having issues adding photos, but have plenty on Facebook

   

Harbison 50k Race Report

(Apologies to those waiting for the Paris Mountain 20k Race Report - I will get to it! Promise.)

The 2011 Harbison 50k took place Sat January 8th at Harbison State Park, near Columbia, SC. Never been there, but it is only 1 mile from I-26. Very convenient. Got there too early soon after 6am while it was still dark out and one single planet shining down on us. (Note to self - bring headlamp for these early morning events). A campfire was going, which was a very nice touch to keep the runners and volunteers warm. Got my bib (#48), tshirt and goody bag (Ultrarunning and Trail Runner Magazines) and got my stuff situated warm in my car. Got my drop bag ready with extra shoes, socks, some Gu, some warm clothes for afterwards as this aid station was the halfway point and right at the finish area.

As light began to break, there were a good number of runners in the 50k (~90 or so signed up) and 10k. Met up with Mark C whom I ran with at Chattooga. We were both unsure of our fitness level going into this, but we weren't putting pressure on ourselves and just out there to see what we could do and enjoy it all.
Race started right at 7:30am, with a 0.2 stretch up to the 50k/10k split. We entered the Lost Creek section for 5.8 miles of twisty rolling trails. Leaf coverage wasn't too bad and the single track trail had you watching your footing for roots and rocks. Mark and I ran together this whole section and the miles went by rather quickly with us both feeling pretty good. The day was not as cold as we had expected. The day was windy (and we could hear it often), but we were mostly shielded. I had removed my gloves after 15 minutes and my jacket after 4 miles or so. It stayed around my waist until the halfway point. We hit the Aid Station #1 at 5.8 miles in ~1:03. Took me a whole 30seconds to fill my water bottle and grab a handful of potatoes, peanut M&M's, pretzels, chocolate covered graham crackers, a saltine and potato chips. The volunteers must have thought I was a madman the way I grabbed it all and took off, saying bye to Mark as I walked quickly out of there.
Next section was ~3.4 miles long, starting on the Stewardship Trail and Middle Connector Trail. This section was nice, still rolling along, with fewer tight turns than section 1. Popped an scap and a Gu during this stretch and tried to drink plenty of fluids. A girl running behind us in the first section came upon me thru here and took her a moment to realize I was the one who had been wearing the bright orange jacket. (It sure makes me easy to spot!). She eventually went past and was gone. For the majority of the rest of the event, I was alone. It was kind of nice being in the middle of nowhere for hours and hours...but the miles go by faster when you're chatting with someone, or just being behind someone. Got a glimpse of the Broad River and some rocks in the water thru the trees which was unexpected. Got to AS #2 in another 37 minutes (9.2 miles, 1:41 overall). Did my usual fill up/grab and was out of there. No point in wasting time standing around and not moving forward.
Section 3 was 3.3 miles, technical and twisty starting out straight up the Midlands Mountain Trail (no switchbacks here, just up), a little out and back down each side of a riverbed, then a 0.75 loop on Spiderwoman II, which was the hardest section with some steep hills. One section here (or was it just after AS #3?) was tight up on a ridge, covered with leaves making it slippery too. Aid Station 3 came up soon after and the volunteers there took the water bottle from you and filled them up! Very nice!! At this point, I felt I had taken too much advantage at the aid stations as I felt full. Never took more than 1 or 2 different foods from here on out (mostly the chocolate graham crackers, potatoes and at the last one before the finish - a chocolate brownie). Time here was 38 minutes (2:19:29 thru 12.3 miles). Still felt good. My right hamstring had a little twinge here and there, but nothing serious and not affecting my stride at all. My initial goal was to get out of Aid Station #4 and start my 2nd loop. Then I would be pretty certain of a finish. 1 more section to get thru first.
Section 4 was interesting...Back onto the Mountain Midlands section, followed by a "bike section". Taking a sharp right, we hit a wide service road for a bit of a climb. Saw a couple of people ahead of me and was slowly making time on them. Another turn and ran thru a firebreak section, with most of the underbrush gone from a controlled burn (didn't notice the signs on the first pass). Another flat/downhill section, an uphill, a turn onto another service road, then a nice path towards AS #4.
Jason was supposed to be at #3, but he was here instead. Ditched my jacket, picked up 2 more Gu packs, a small handful of goodies, and off I went - ~15.8 miles in (37 min section; 2:56:42 thru the halfway).
At this point I was feeling confident in finishing. There were 2 guys (Ty and David) ahead of me and I caught up to them at the 10k split. Spent the next section either right behind them or within sight. We walked every uphill and the miles slowly ticked off. Slowly. My right knee began to bother me somewhere thru here. Running, especially anything downhill got difficult fast. I started (too soon) doing the math and counting down the miles. Got to the aid station in 1:19 (Mile 21.6, 4:16:12), a good 16 minutes slower than round 1. The sun was overhead now and there were a few sections where it was right in your face. Had to shield my eyes a few times to see where I was going. That also made it warm and I took off my long sleeve shirt and tied it around my waist. Eventually took off my head band too and pushed my sleeves up on my technical shirt.
This next section I was able to shuffle at times, but running was not fun, so I mostly walked this. May sound odd, but I tried skipping and it felt just fine. Didn't do it much as roots would have made that more interesting, plus, I was really trying to keep a normal gait. I did pop an Advil (or whatever they had) at the next aid station (25.0, 5:04:25) after a 48 minute section. So I was slowing down about 3min/mile from the first pass. It was sort of easy to predict these sections as they all took me about the same time the first time thru (37, 38 and 37mins). Did the math and was hoping to come in before 7 hours. I knew the third section would be tough and I walked it almost entirely. I never really knew where I was in relation to the next aid station and I only had my watch to guide me. Clueless on my pace as well, just knew it was slow. One girl had passed me (last aid station?) and on the out and back along the riverbed, she was ~3-4 minutes ahead. Another guy was ~3 minutes behind me. That was motivation enough to stay ahead, keep moving forward. My muscles really felt fine and walking could have been just a nice stroll in the forest, but that stupid knee thing. Every blue moon or so, I'll have a random knee thing, but it's so rare I don't even qualify it as recurring.

So here I come into AS#3 at 28.5 miles, 5:56:50 into the race (52min section, 14 min slower than earlier in the day). The guys refill my bottle for me again (so many thanks!), I grabbed a muffin and out I went. Something happened thru here. I was able to run. I had it in my mind that 20 min miles would be pushing it to break 7 hours, or to even break 7:23. The way I had been going, it could've happened like that. But no. I was able to run!! Still walked the uphills and the bluffs section, but on the flats and even gentle uphills, I ran and felt fine. I was watching my back the entire time on the straightaways, assuming someone was going to come up on me with the pace I had been going at for so long. Eventually - I saw the girl that had passed me earlier, and a guy in front of her, a good minute ahead after making the turn off the firebreak. I soon came up to him as he has definitely walking more that I was (at the moment). I gained on her up the hill and caught her walking just past the last service road. We knew we were close. She was fine, and she was going to run at the finish. 



Finishing the Harbison 50k in 6:43



I did see two more guys coming up quickly behind me, so I kept going and put it into another gear I didn't realize I had, 31+ miles into an event. Thought I heard steps behind me and saw the finish ahead, there was no stopping me. Got into the finish chute, thumbs up to Jason and company, and ended in 6:38:04. A 41 min ending section was only 4 minutes off my earlier time. So a 45 minute PR on what I'd call a moderate course (more on that in a later post).

Post race notes:

Can't say enough how well organized everything was. Course was marked with flags, ribbons and signs. Aid stations had Everything (I skipped the hot soup, PB&J, and so much more), all the volunteers were excellent/cheerful/encouraging. Dan did a fabulous job and should be proud! The course is excellent and I would recommend this to anyone who likes trail running. 

Hung around and saw Mark (and others) finish. Missed Psyche and Charles before and afterwards. Nice chats with Byron, Jason, Joe and Seth. It'll be a little bit before I get my photos developed from the race (I took ~15 photos during the run. I'll add them then).

Physically, next day right now - feel good other than my right knee - up and down stairs are an issue. Muscles: hips slightly sore. That's about it. No blisters, no cramps. May lose a toenail or two (haven't really had that happen before, so we'll see!). A few days off (snow storm coming and temps down in the teens) to recover and I'll take it from there.

Funny - during the few miles of walking, I had it in my head that I didn't need to do anymore of these, but again, not 10 minutes after finishing, I was already talking about the Enoree 40 miler.

Random musings I recalled later:
-into an aid station calling out #38. When they said a female's name, I remembered I was #48. Was a little out of it at that point (2nd time thru AS #2?).
-No falls, and only 2-3 trips/stumbles. Unlike me (but thankful) not to fall.
-Jason offered up telling us our positions on the course halfway in, but the two of us there didn't want to know.
-Handful of bikers out there to dodge.
Results are up at http://www.ultrasignup.com/. 34 out of 72 finishers. Not sure how many DNF's.