My time isn't what I wanted, but that's what happens when a half-marathon turns into a 15-mile race. The Port Gamble half-marathon is part of a trail racing series through the logging areas Aaron and I run sometimes. It's the third race, there's another in October. Probably 100 runners involved, which is pretty good, and it was an ideal day to race.
Race starts out with hills, but they weren't too extreme -- about 4-5 decent climbs in the first 3 miles. I went into the run knowing I wanted it to be more 'workout' than 'race' so I took it easy through 3 miles, didn't try to stick with the pack. After the hills I settled into a pace I liked and helped me pass people, though it varied a bit because parts of the course were really winding singletrack. It was fun to run through those, but with all the roots and turns it's tough to keep a consistent pace. About 5.5 miles I caught a pack, it was the second pack behind the leaders and who I'd been looking for during the race. I trailed them by 50 yards or so, waiting to make a move after the half-way turn around. We passed the leaders (it was a lollipop course with a one-mile loop at the middle) right about 6.5, which I figured was really good. I caught the pack at that point, and made the mistake of the race. I was feeling good and stuck right on this group of three guys heading downhill. We flew down a really steep hill we weren't supposed to go down. We finally end up at a road and all realize we've missed the turn, and a few others followed us. Which is frustrating enough when you don't have a 3/4 mile climb back up to get on course. So we turned around, one guy and I left the pack and pushed back up to gain the ground back. Later it sounded like the volunteers had been pointing the turn to people, but no one was there when we came through.
We met back up with the course, but by then I'd made my second mistake. We pushed too hard uphill out of frustration, so miles 8, 9, 10 (the miles on the course, I mean) nailed me and took the wind out of my sails. I lost touch with the guy I was with (I saw him again around 10.5 or so, but couldn't move on him) and slowed my pace. Around 11 miles I finally felt my pace again and started to move, but then it was really frustrating to be passing people I had left at 3 miles. I had a decent last few miles, passed a few more people but was pretty tired by the finish. My legs responded pretty well to the whole thing though and I didn't die or anything, and like I said it was a beautiful course to run. I don't know my overall place, but I was third in my age group (not that impressive since the lead pack was all 18-year-old kids, it seemed like). Still, not bad for running close to 15 miles.
Cooled down a mile afterwards. Then, just like a Logan race, they had a 'drawing' for prizes in which they called every number possible until everyone left got a prize. I got new socks, which made up for the fact that race shirts were NOT included in the $20 entry fee. (Though a "medal" for my age group prize was. It looked like an elementary school class art project. The name of the race was written on with crayon.) All in all, a great way to start the week.
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