I finally did well in a trail race. I probably could have done better but I was worried about staying on trail so I stayed behind this one guy for most of the race and only passed him when I was fed up with how much he was dieing. Fell twice, once into watery mud, second rolled in dirt, neither were bad falls. The trail was very runnable compared to the last 2 trail races we did. There was one hill on the way out that was extremely steep and long. Not even the winner ran that one. Then it was rolling but pretty technical the whole way. Ran through a stream for 1/2 mile and the leader, who had gotten lost, repassed me going ridiculously fast given the terrain. I really enjoyed the course. On the way back there was a hill that probably gained the same elevation that the big one on the way out did, but it was longer and so not as steep and I only walked a small portion of that. At this rate of improvement, I'll be beating bedoukian in trail races in no time (I know he is gonna read this, and either fake confidence or admit that he is scared). He also got much more beat up by this race, which was all part of my plan so that he won't gain fitness on me. The competition was great at this race. I had people around me the whole time pushing me and I caught one guy in the last mile who had been way ahead. But then a different guy passed me in the last half mile. This is my favorite trail race so far. Did a 3.3 mile recovery jog. Felt surprisingly good except for carrying the large dinner I ate prior to the run.
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