... And I don't mean dynamite, unless you are talking about my rocket speed. KIDDING. I signed up for my first TNT "Tuesday Night Trail" series through a group, Planet Adventure Race, that I do a lot of races with. A number is not who I am, but in this context, I'm cool with it.
I laced up, pinned on, and waited for BA, my sole RSVP for the event, to arrive. Planet Adventure does a ton of events of varying distances, but still for this 5K, they brought out all the digital equipment. It was nice to see. The course was a "lollipop" in the words of the race director. I was envisioning a normal-facing-lollipop where I wouldn't get to see the lead pack during the race. No expectations anyway, so whatever. I was out to have fun, get a $20 workout and keep in the back of my head there were awards to be given. Before the race, we were warned a single track was less than 200 yards away from the start. Ok, fine. Jumping ahead a bit, THIS emcee was sooooo admit about having a 3.1 mile race so we had this big loop at the end. Why not reverse it or move the lines so you thin out the pack BEFORE the single track as much as possible since my watch said 3.0? Just a suggestion. Maybe I'm just becoming a great tangent runner?
Race start, single trail, a few ups and down, then after about a mile you are on a dirt/grass/old/broken path to the turnaround. When I saw the first runner come back at me, I decide to bait myself to see what "female" place I was in. I *shocking* haven't been running much lately so I knew not to expect much but still wanted to challenge myself. As I approached the turnaround, I was the 6th place female. WTF? I knew these races were small, but sweet. Last time, I won my age group, so at that point I was feeling like I might get something. It was motivation to see what I might be able to achieve in the moment without planning for it. So I started to attempt to "reel them in" as I remember Herbie from my high school track days. And that's what I did. 5th and 4th were fairly easy to get to. Not taking anything away from them, I just found my "speed" that I needed. Then the 3rd place girl was in my sights. There was a kid & another guy in front of me before I could get to her. I found the spot to call "On your left", which I still feel douchie for saying, but it has its purpose and I was now behind her. Another key spot of a ravine seemed to slow her down, so I took advantage. I could hear the finish line announcers so I felt like if I kept her behind me, I was solid for 3rd. And......... then this slim-lined-chick (I got chick'd) passes me with 100 yards to go. She appeared to weigh 1/2 of what I did, so whatever. I was still content with what I had accomplished. Crossed with 28:17 on my watch. A really good day for me on a virgin trail at 3.1ish.
BA actually knew a few peeps at the race, so we all milled around then most decided to leave. Which is cool, however, I wanted to see if my female-competition-counting had any merit. Sadly, the crowd dwindles when the race field is less than 100. See all the fans....
Luckily BA introduced me to a new potential racing partner for us and he stuck around to see if the award ceremony was anything to write home about. Well....
he needed to become my official photographer. *Shyly bragging* You are reading the blog of the TNT Trail Race Eagle Creek West 2nd Place Overall Women's placer! Gotta plaque to prove it! Turns out the chick that chick'd me and another in front, were in the "non-adult" division. So long 4th, hello 2nd. Hell ya I'll take it! Might even turn it into a belt buckle to motivate a few folks!
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