Once race weekend hit all I could think about was "WHY did I think this was a good idea?!" The weather report called for a messy wintery mix so naturally I was just dreading it. But off I went to packet pickup. And it was quick. I was second in line when I arrived, and quickly got my shirt and bibs (one for timing, the other showing that I was running the 10k.)
On race morning, I dressed warmly in my Flyout tights and jacket and wazzie wool baselayer from Oiselle, along with my Balega blister resist socks and hat and my favorite buff twisted and flipped into a hat.
Since there was only one water stop that you passed by at the 1.5 mile and the 4.5 mile points I also grabbed my handheld water bottle. I decided against gloves (big mistake.)
I got to the starting area a little less than an hour before gun time, used the bathroom and by the time I got out I started seeing some familiar faces from a local running group that I hadn't seen in awhile. (I had been laying low lately over the winter and doing a lot of my runs on the treadmill.) I took a few moments to catch up until it was time to line up. My hands were freezing so I spent entirely too much time with my hands in my armpits feeling like Mary Katherine Gallagher (minus the smelling part.)
Once we lined up it started lightly snowing and I knew we were in for an interesting race.
The race starts out on the Little Patuxent Branch Trail a little ways from the Guilford Pratt Truss Bridge which I feel like I've run at least a hundred times. From there you cross a street (normally scary since drivers fly down the hill, but not so much with cops there to stop traffic) go up a hill then turn to pick up the trail and essentially follow the perimeter of the cleared trails. (Obligatory link just in case you want to see the course map.) This part I haven't run as much, but it was marked out well with large arrow signs since it loops around a little bit.
At about the halfway point of the race, the sleet started. It wasn't so bad on the trail portion of the race, but once we got closer to the finish, the freezing rain started and the pavement started feeling really slick especially since I was wearing trail running shoes.
The course itself was challenging but doable and great for beginner trail runners, especially if you have the chance to try them on your own beforehand. (Case in point, my average pace was about 2 minutes faster than it was on any of the loops during last year's Ragnar Trail Relay.)
At the end of the race you're handed a bottle of water, and a pint glass with the race logo with a ticket for a hot beverage (either coffee or hot chocolate.) Then opposite the coffee they had post-race snacks that were the usual--chewy granola bars and chips. (For a $30 10k, I wasn't expecting much.)
(The Balega Blister Resist socks were perfect.)
Overall, if you're a winter runner and/or enjoy trail races I'd recommend doing this race at least once. It's inexpensive ($30!) and it sells out fast. It was crowded, but tolerable because you could still easily pass people if you were patient. The course is easily accessible if you want to try it out beforehand and is a great way to try a trail race before race season even starts.
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