I found a local group called D.I.N.O. that hosts a bunch of trail races around the Indy area. This past weekend, I took part in their first 15K of the season at Eagle Creek. I've done a few sprint triathalons there but never a trail race so I was excited to see what the park had in store. Since I had no clue what I was getting into and since my longest run to date had been 6.5 miles, my goal for the day was to run 10 minute pace with no walking. Doesn't sound hard, but my legs were screaming from my weights session at the gym a few days prior. I wasn't there to race, just to get a good run in and have some fun.
I got to the park a little later than I had wanted, but this wasn't a large race so I was able to hop right in line and get my bib and chip. Wait... no chip? Didn't realize how low tech this race would be. They used the tear off strip from the bib to log your time at the end. Didn't think chips were that expensive these days since they build them into your bibs now. As I'm pinning the bib on, they announce the 15K will start in 5 minutes and asked any 5K runners in the bathroom line to let the 15K'ers go ahead since they started 10 minutes later. So I hopped into the bathroom line just to empty the tank a little bit more and ensure a stop-free run in the woods.
While at the start line, I learned that the 15K was actually 3 loops of the 5K race. Huh? That didn't excite me much, but now I had 2 more goals. 1) Don't get lapped by a 5K'er during my 1st loop. 2) Don't get lapped by a 15K'er during my 3rd loop. We counted down and were off. Within 20 yards, we were confronted with a nice muddy 30 yard stretch. People were losing shoes, slipping, sliding everywhere. I stayed as far right as possible running into branches trying not to get stuck. There were a few spots like this on the course, but mostly it was pretty good conditions. Here's one part of the trail where we crossed a road then headed back into the woods.
The first loop went really fast and I felt pretty good. I was trying to keep tabs on different landmarks to keep myself motiviated during the next 2 loops. There were a few stair sections, some bridges, a gnarley ravine, and some mud pits. When I woke up it was 34 degrees and by the time we started running it was 50. I still like my layers but I was getting warm after the first loop. Luckily, one part of the course was right by where I parked, so I ditched a few items by a tree and kept moving for loop 2. 2nd loop was a bit slower and my legs were wanting to walk, but I kept on. By the 3rd loop, all the mud pit areas were even more trashed having 4 sets of runners go through them. My shoes at the end...
They clocked me at 1:23:44. I was happy with that. Just need to get miles on tired legs to prepare for my first ultra in a few weeks. I even ran the 1/4 mile back to the car as more punishment. Big Whoop, I know. As I drove out of the park, I snapped a few more brown shots. It was pretty bare out there.
The map makes it look really green.
I think D.I.N.O. put on a good organized race. I'll be back to partake in more of their events. I didn't hang out for the grub or awards after. I had to get to my next sporting event of the day... bowling. I got home, ate while I stretched, cleaned up, and barely made it to the start of the bowling tournament for my company. I don't claim to be a great bowler and especially after a 15K. I was just tired and by the 3rd game was sitting down between my 1st and 2nd ball. Averaged a 113 for the day. Fine by me. I went home and slept the rest of the day and night thanks to some magic sleeping pills since I had another race the next day...
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