RustyTF2

34.75m@7:59 pace.

Where do I begin... Lost satelite about 1' into the race and had to restart watch. Followed the flags left instead of going straight up Badger canyon about 1m into the race, even though I knew it was supposed to go up Badger Canyon... just couldn't get over the tons and tons of pink flags we were told to follow that were off the the left. After going about .3m off course I was called back by another runner behind me who realized no one was coming with us, hurried back and found ourselves at the back of the pack, fighting through everyone. About 2.5m in both of my shoes had come untied. Forgot to double knot. Stopped and tied them, then picked it up maybe a little more than I should have with 30+ miles to go. I caught Malachi Schramm turning left from Dallas towards Candy, and he thought he was in first. Later, on Jacobs, I caught Pete Hawkins, who told me he was in second and the guy in blue about a quarter mile ahead of us was in first. I didn't catch him until the beginning of the Jeep Trails (13 miles in?). Finally I had regained my lead, but worried I may have done so too abruptly. I then just tried to coast for what felt like a really long time. Plan was to coast easy until the downhill on Candy, then push again. Only problem is that by the time I was climbing Candy, I felt totally beat. Walked most of that climb. Didn't run too fast down Candy, then had to walk most of the Dallas side of Badger. With 10m to go I thought I would keep my average below 7:40... but all the walking kept that from happening. Eventually finished in 1st, about 4:37 for 56k worth of running (55k had I stayed on course). 2nd was 9 minutes behind, I believe. Ran out of fluid and gels with about 2 miles to go. Ran with Salamon Ultra sense 5 set vest with both 17 oz flaks full- 1 with water and 1 with orange Glukos drink. Took 7 Glukos gels and 1 pack of gummies throughout. If I want to race competitively in the future in 50k, I'll probably be beter off with handheld(s) and waist belt. The full vest really bounced a lot the first half of the race going down hills and felt like I was carrying unneccesary weight. Overall, a great experience that I am so happy I decided to take part in. Bravo, BMC!