I'm leaving town for a couple days so I need to blog so I don't forget. The race is over and it went well, better then I thought. The course was hard though, everyone agreed it was a hard course which made me feel better. I was in second till mile 5 then got past by 2 women who were flying down this scree hill and I never saw them again. The weather was great, not too hot, overcast and windy. Do not do this race on a hot day, there is no shade. We took a big loop up over the oquires down into the valley and all around some dirt roads then back up and over down some canyon into Camp Williams. It was a lot more walking/hiking then I would like, but it was too steep to run. We gained 2,000 feet in the first 4 miles and lost it all by mile 9. The hills were steep and rocky and the flats were out on hot, gravel roads. i learned to run ultras you need to master the art of the speed hiking and shuffling. Mile 18-22 were back up and over the Oquires again, ahh. The views were amazing, the flowers were beautiful and we saw even saw some wildlife. There was mountain lion poop all over so don't run up there alone! I felt pretty good till miles 29 and then the pain started. My toes, ankles, knees and hips all started to hurt. From 28 down was all down hill but by then my legs hurt. I had good music and met some cool people to talk to to pass the time. I met a guy whos done several ultra who told me it's all about making your body to run when it does not want to. He's right. It was fun, I probably would not do that course again, although some people loved it. The Moab or antelope 50k would be much better. I can almost imagine running a 50 now, I'd just have to slow down even more. I don't know if I want to run that far tjough, this may be enough. 100's no way! It was fun, glad it's over, time to rest! I do need to mention I really tried to carbo load all week and drink a ton. I also had a good breakfast, and kept making my self eat and drink all day which really helped. Besides the pain after mile 29 I felt good. They had HEED to drink at the aid stations and I loved it, I need to get some. It was really good! I carried my own water in a hand bottle carrier and it was great, filled the bottle at all 4 aid stations. I tried an ice bath for the first time after the race and so far feel o.k. Only one little blister and no injuries, yea! | 