Things went off pretty well at the start.  My game plan was to push a little harder at the beginning and hopefully build a good cushion at the start of the race.  I did this race a few years back and finished just over 11 and a half hours.  This time my goal was 10. I didn’t even come close.

I was pushing hard, and at one of the aid stations I made my first mistake of the day.  That was to check my time with the time on the board at the aid station to see how far I was up on the cut off times.  I thought I would have a huge lead but instead to my dismay I was only a half hour up.  This killed my spirits and it showed.

I don’t remember many specifics about this race after that, but I remember eating something that did not agree with me around mile 20 or so.  I thru-up a few times and many, many runners passed. If it wasn’t for that LUS finishers jacket I would have dropped out there, but I had to finish, I needed that jacket.  I Finally regained focus and some energy around mile 30 from there I tried to keep a good pace up and got through pretty well.  The dreaded loop came and went.  I actually enjoyed this part of the course and passed many runners.  Then as many other runners I noticed a trail of blood on the leaves and made a comment to another runner, well if there are bears out here we don’t have to worry im sure they are following that person.  Little did I know it was a very serious injury.  I came up on this runner about 2 and half miles or so from the finish.  When I got there 3 or 4 people were already helping her out.  I told them since there were already enough people there I would head down as quick as I could and send help up.  I ran as hard as I could to the finish.  It seemed like forever.  Im sure it did for those helping this poor girl as well.  I crossed line let David know what was happening up the trail and they sent help.  After I knew things were going to be ok for her I finally got to celebrate my finish.  I really enjoyed this race and the whole LUS series.  Even though Holiday Lake we ran in a snow storm, Promise Land we had the hardest rain I have ever been out in, and then of course MMTR with the cold.  All I can say is bring on Hellgate!!!!!! 

Thanks to everyone, David Horton and of course the great aid station workers.