overtaking haynes

was SUPER nervous to do a race less than an ultramarathon with my lack of speed training. didn't want to get discouraged but i decided i couldn't pass up a unique and fun sounding trail race less than 30 min away. 

I got to the race which was on the sound, remembering i had done triathlons and duathlons starting from this very 150 acre park in high school. i expected the race to start at 10 but it didn't start until 10:30. my 1.3 mile warmup at 9:45 was pretty much worthless. i did happen to relieve myself in the woods and some woman reminded me that the bathrooms were still open. only in greenwich! i was deep in the woods and no one could even see anything. it's not like it's poop! anyways there was another greenwich person moment that i thought was funny as well. the people are so rich there and feel entitled i guess.

 the race was advertised as having hay bales and logs to hop over and there were quite a few of those. the course was much hillier than i imagined being right by the water. no big hills but some 15 or so foot rises and some terrain that was just going through the woods without a trail. i looked at the starting line and didn't notice anyone who looked ridiculously good and the previous years winning time was over 30 mins so i thought i should at least finish in the top 10. there were what seemed like a couple hundred people. we took off up hill and aside from a kid that looked 15 i was leading. i was then leading for the first half mile thinking what is going on. that soon changed which made me more comfortable actually. the first mile was like 5:40 something on my watch and i knew that was too fast. i was in 3rd place after the first 1.2 miles. top 3 got free shoes. i felt weird pushing myself again. it didn't hurt but it felt uncomfortable and i didn't feel like i could go any faster. overall i was happy, i finished in under 31 minutes, my gps watch said the course was no more than 4.9 miles. i definitely lost speed but wouldn't say i died at all. i was able to drop the young kid at mile 4 who i was sure would out kick me. The winning time was 28 something and i was about 30 sec from getting free shoes which would have been nice.

i think it's funny how nervous i get after not having raced in a while. it's not like it matters. drove home ran 2.6 with kristin and made sure i kept running after to go over 10 on the day since 70 mile weeks are the goal these days.