Mission Accomplished...Almost

I feel like I've been hit by a truck.

I managed to slog my way through the Swinging Bridge 35K yesterday morning. That's right - 35K. I know I signed up for the 50K, but I didn't make the cut-off to continue on. I blame the volunteers for not letting me go on. Just kidding. I shuffled in to the start/finish at a whopping 5:43. Last year I managed a 4:03.

I had a hunch I wouldn't be able to go on physically before the race started. With a month and a half of ankle injury, I haven't been able to train more than once or twice a week. This was my longest continuous run (I managed 35K roughly during Mark Junkermann's 24 Hours of Momentum, but that was broken up with dinner and sleeping) since last year's Bel Monte 50K - with or without my gear. Anyway, the ankle was sore from the first step onto the trail and stayed that way through 21 miles of mud, 30 degree creek crossings and leaf-covered roots. Not to mention numerous fallen log crossings as difficult as an Army Basic Training Obstacle Course. But that's why it's a fun race.

It was definitely a good race to photograph. Although there aren't any stunning landscape photo ops, the out-and-back format allows for plenty of participant photos. Of course you could set up at the creek crossings and more visually interesting places and wait, but then you wouldn't be me. In fact, even if you didn't want to join the race and still wanted to get to these good sites, you would probably have to put in 2 or 3 miles. I did luck out however, and got two of the faster guys coming across together. I wish I had camera in hand when the group of 4 took off their shoes to cross the deepest creek. In fact, they did this both out and back. They looked like they were stopping for a relaxing picnic. Testament to my sluggish running speed, the first four runners were on me before I could unpack the camera. I figured I had another mile before I saw anyone. Sorry guys; slow down next time! Check out the photo slideshow.

My only disappointment was that it was supposed to snow and I saw nary a flake. One of these days...