Start to Finish

First, this includes a long overdo race report from the Twilight Trail.

The second annual Twilight Trail 8-k went off without a hitch. Well, there was the incident with the flour, but that was resolved. More on that later.

I started off and worked with Pat to mark the course. He devised an oversized shaker bottle which was filled with flour. We marked every possible turn on the course where someone could go astray. Right before we started though, it began to rain. We didn't get a hard rain in the park, and a lot of it is under the trees, but we were worried that the flour would wash away. Oddly, this is precisely why the park wanted us to use flour. So, after a few hours of shaking, and lining, the course was ready to go.

People were arriving (except a few from the west or downtown where it was apparently Noah-worthy flooding. So. the start was pushed back a bit, which would prove useful. I went for a warmup with a few other Striders and much to my surprise, there were no markings on the course all the way up to the big hill. @#$! So, I ran back, to the start to tell Kate. I reloaded the shaker and with the help of another volunteer, went along and relined everything. I managed to get back to the start with a little time before the first runners left.

By this time, everyone was there, so I found my teammate and readied for the start. However, I was by this time, completely soaked and in need of a new shirt, which I probably should have gotten. Oh well. The race started and as last year, each wave was launched with cheers and applause, a real treat for everyone (execept of course for the last group, which had the largest gap to make up and no crowd of runners. Oh well, the price of sort of youth.)

Some of the people ahead of me at the start surprised me, but I was about where I expected at the hill. Oh man, the hill. Former Orange X-C coach Keller would be proud. This is a long, steep, now muddy climb that doesn't really level out for another half mile or so after the crest. So, I plugged away at it, but it seemed to take more out of me than usual, maybe the earlier running/lining adventures were having their way with me. Still, I made it to the top and did my best to hold the pace.

One reward I enjoyed at the top was that I started to pass the slower runners who started before me. After I settled into my pace, I began passing more and more, and eventually other Striders, some of whom I managed to cheer for as I passed, others who managed to cheer for me as I passed.

I was really feeling it by halfway. I was in dire need of the second water stop and it was a help before the long downhill. The rain, winding road, and gravity made the descent treacherous as ever. I think there was another waterstop at the bottom of the hill, but I missed it. Just around Squire's Castle was the 4th mile mark, so the end was coming and not a moment too soon. I had pulled my shirt bethind my back to get some ventilation, but fully planned on returning it to the proper placement shortly before the finish. I probably should have done it earlier. I was caught on camera with it pulled back ala 1988. Oh well, at least I'm not drooling on myself this time....am I?

The finish couldn't come soon enough. After crossing the line and staggering around for a while, I regained my composure and balance and enjoyed the massive post-race spread and party.

I enjoyed food and drink and the company of other runners who had shared in the experience. Most people seemed pleased with their times, everyone was pleased with the race.

Two Twilight Trails done, two years with the running group in the books. Will it be another year the next time the race comes around or will it be a chance to return and see my friends again? Either way, sign me up.