Dex-
I enjoyed my first 50 this weekend. Suprisingly, considering early trail conditions, I only wiped out once. Hit a slick tilted bridge and down I went.
It was interesting to see the trail conditions change as the day went on. In the beginning we were trudging up the hills (just trying to get traction) and then mud skiing the down hills. By the 3rd loop, the sun started coming out, and the mud was getting packed down. Even the one sandy part of the trail was packed down by then.
I struggled through my 4th loop. On the 5th loop I was drafting two ladies (Tina and Yvette) from Iowa City, and my pace and spirits picked up. At a couple of points in the last loop, Tina was doing flips and Cartwheels.
My kids met me at the last 100 yards and we crossed the finish line in 12:57ish.
Huge thanks to all the race volunteers! You guys at the ad stations keep us running and smiling.
Kirby