These things are great! I show up, pay 20 bucks, then about 30 minutes later they hand me awards.
Last night's T.N.T. series had us back at Eagle Creek, but on the east side of the resevoir. I was lucky to get 3 peeps to run in the event with me. Me and Papa getting geared up.
We all got there so early, that we had to sit around and wait for about 40 minutes for the start.
The race director emphasized the first 400 meters of the race was pretty technical so if you were wanting to be competitive, you needed to be sure to run this portion. Several people were jogging out to check this section out. I opted to just deal with it during the race instead of previewing some gnarly terrain that may lead to worries. They had a record turn out of 120 entries, which made for a packed start. They tried to thin us out again before setting us down the trail, but I don't think it worked very well. Regardless, I was able to start close enough to the front that I didn't think it made much of a difference. What did make a difference was the side stitch I got at 1.25 miles. My body reminded me that I forgot I had a race today and a bowl of soup for lunch isn't enough fuel. For about a 1/2 mile, I ran with my right arm up in the air stretching out my side and my left hand digging into where the ache was. It was miserable. I wasn't feeling that this race was going to turn into anything special. I just put my head down and ran until I saw the finish line.
The course was not too technical. A few stair sections, but mostly flat. It was an out and back, but this time, not a direct view to see who's in front of you. I had no idea if I was mid or lead pack of chics. The unoffical results monitor doesn't give genders and ages, so you can't even use that. Just have to wait it out. So Papa and I did. And.... winner winner chicken dinner again!
The 3rd place overall female was in my age group, so to share the wealth, she's not eligible for age group awards. I'll take it! 2 more of these things left... maybe I will actually train. (Yeah, probably not) A shout out to Smug Mug for all the free photos. Wish more races and photographers were that generous!
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