Temperature: high 30s, low 40s, no wind, after 3 hours got rain. Cloudy.

Terrain: hills and rocks, very little flat, rock free paths

Run Organization: very good

Overall Opinion: an AWESOME workout and challenge, great experience.

Lessons learned:
* vest was too much, got hot, then to carry the vest for 10 miles was bothersome.
* Gloves and headband was removed, but later put back on.
* Hammergel flask worked for entire 15 miles. Needed pocket for e-caps.
* 10 oz water bottle not quite enough for 5 miles if the temperatures were any higher.
* trail shoes were good, though a tad too wide, too roomy, except toe box.
* Next year do extra quad workouts as if going snow skiing.

The story:
Did one trail run in November (really spectacular), thought I'd run another at a shorter distance. 15 miles in 4 hours (okay, 3:59:45) that should tell you how difficult this "run" was. You spent more time walking up the incredibly steep hills. I don't see how a horse can climb all those hills (the "park" is also an equestrian park). Okay, so the better runners finished in 2+ hours and the REALLY good runners ran TWICE the distance in 4 hours.

Gun fired, or something, suddenly everyone took off like it was a 5K run. Geez, I commented, "what, is this a race or something?", I only got a couple of laughs from my compadres that were pacing themselves like me. Yes, I did pass a few later! but, not many.

I guess it was flat for about 12 minutes, so a decent warmup. Then a taste of a hill, runnable, then the next hill, runnable, but nah, everyone around me walked, we knew we had better save our legs. I later passed a woman who was always getting ahead and she admitted she couldn't lift her legs anymore. Gosh, I wonder if she finished.

Soon, VERY soon, the hills were crazy, steep, 45 degrees to 55-60-80 degrees? wish I knew so I could let you see how challenging this was. And the rocks, wow, everywhere. Finally I'd get relief, flat, no rocks, for maybe 50 yards, once maybe was 100 yards! That is when you'd try to make up some time, but geez, then I noticed things hurt! My Plantar Fasciatis, my knees, my hips!

They said no water crossing, liars! Okay, so we didn't have to get our feet wet, thank goodness, but you had to be careful (like you didn't always have to be careful!).

I did fall once, backwards, and caught myself with my arms, STUPID, I kindof strained my GOOD swimming shoulder, ugh! (it's okay now)

There was not much talking to be done. Just focus, what exactly where every step was going to be and what might be the next step. And I didn't want to be alone out there, so I made sure to stay around other runners. Well, at least one man. I left the other 4 women after the 5 mile water/aid station. He took off, then my main goal was to catch him. That was fun. I kind of like chasing people. When I caught him it seemed he was too slow for me. But, I mostly enjoy the social aspect of these runs more than trying to beat someone or make some time limit.

The middle third, miles 5-10, seemed to be the easiest. I got my second wind and was having fun.

The last third, miles 10-15, I was pretty much alone, but liked it then because I was starting to curse. My hot spots under my big toes and the balls of my feet were really hurting. I ran faster just to try to #1 keep off my feet and #2 get to the finish faster. This part was flat for a few miles. THEN .... geez, more steep, steep hills and guess what, it started raining. Okay, now I was getting cold, fortunately it was not a down pour, so I was just damp. But, the dirt was now wet clay !!!! The next set of hills, I had to almost go down backwards, sideways for sure, the rocks (the stationary ones) were now slick. I was scraping mud off the bottom of my shoes, suddenly a runner appeared, scared me since I had not seen anyone for a while. He FLEW over the rocks and down the hill!!! I thought, wow, I want to see how he does that. I ran around the next corner and he was no where to be found.

Finally, flat, road type area, but heavy dirt road, now wet. I'd run for about 50 yards with feet that got heavier and heavier. I couldn't run on my midfoot anymore with that mud and weight, so my plantar Fascia in my right foot was starting to kill me! I'd have to stop and scrape the mud off. Once I had to remove my shoe to get big dirt clods out. Then trying to tie your shoes with freezing hands! ha!

Okay, another flash went by me. HOW do they do that! I told him he looked strong (a lesson I learned at White Rock Marathon Relay run), he thanked me. I thought, Okay, I'm going to try to run like him. I DID! I stayed on his ankles, I just thought stay as long as you can, well, low and behold, there was the finish line! (okay, so I was probably 400 yards away, you can't tell since there are so many trees and curves)

Yea, I was done! I finished strong and was extremely happy I was finished! Now I was really freezing. Thank goodness my friends from Run On in Dallas had a warm van sitting at the finish line and they invited me in!!!! Thank you my good buddy Traminator, Bob and Chuck!

My knees were not happy during the run, I felt like they were always bent, going up a hill, going down a hill. So, my left knee is in bad shape, I've iced and iced. My quads are so sore I have to support myself to sit down, especially, well, you know, the toilet!

My Plantar F survived. I had better be stronger after this workout!

So, now, do I run Motorola or not? Sure wish it was on the dirt.

Thanks to the organizers, the trails were marked wonderfully, good to have the markers low and high for most of the time you are looking down!

An after the fact note: Tuesday morning I had one of those...well, light bulb things. I understand why, yes why people want to run all these miles... it truely is a form of meditation. Now as I read more about meditation I think about running.

Technical Stuff - Clothing: Wore tights, shorts, long sleeve shirt, vest, much needed bandana for nose, headband (winter one), trail shoes.

Nutrition: One flask of Hammer Gel for entire run. Ate a few pretzels from aid stations. One orange slice at mile 10. I had Sustained Energy in my drop bag at mile 10, but did not feel the need for it.

I took 2 e-caps prior to start, did not have a pocket to carry them with me. I thought it would be cold enough, but later feared I was wrong since I was sweating. But, never had any muscle cramping. Perhaps due to the varied terrain and muscles having a chance to stop working for an instance.

Did not dehydrate or have any symptoms of dehydration as I have in previous runs. No potty stops needed, felt urge to pee near end, but didn't.

Breakfast was one piece of multi grain, sun flower seed toast with about 1 1/2 tbl spoon of peanut butter and 1 boiled egg. 1/4 cup of coffee.

Energy felt fine, just my feet hurt. That is ALWAYS my problem !!!!

My nose felt problem-some for me. Geez, I was continually blowing snot, bet runners around me just LOVE to hear a woman snort her snot to the ground. Lovely, but I can breath once more! Since I now practice nose breathing, I really need my nose clear!

Layne Roach