Race Review - Viking Winter Dash

This is our second year doing this race.  I was skeptical due to getting misdirected last year but it was still a fun course.

This year.....the experience was less than pleasurable.  I, once again, signed up for the 15K and Matt and Missy did the 10K.  The day was unseasonably warm again which was fine by me.  There was a huge hog on the pit for the runners to enjoy after the race.  The check in was pretty flawless.  So we waited.  Only major complaint up to this point was the porta-pots.  They had 4 and 1 was very unstable and one had no toilet paper. With as many people at the event, a few more would have done wonders.

So, we are off.  I was doing good until I hit mile 2.  Yes...mile TWO.  I knew I was going to have a hard time of it.  The sun was growing steadily warmer and I was growing steadily tired, already.  At the turn around for the 10k runners (4.5 mile-ish), I contemplated turning back.  I was having some mild stomach cramps and I just felt like I hit a wall.  I pushed through.  I felt like I was moving through molasses.  I got to the turn around and headed back.  The area was beautiful and warm.  However, I was miserable.

I knew my problem.  The week prior, I did a 5 day liquid detox then at Friday night then the race Saturday morning.  I had no fuel in me.  I was dehydrated and my body was trying to shut itself down to rest.  Trust me, I contemplated it.  I saw a few large rocks and thought - "I am just gonna sit here and they can come get me".  But I mentally kept saying - one foot in front of the other.

As I came to the huge hill at the end, I see one person standing on top.  It was Matt.  He saw I was limping and struggling and came down and walked with me.  He said how proud he was of me and how good I was doing.  I felt miserable.  But I crossed the finish.  I was even first in my age group (out of 2 I think haha).

The moral of the story - some runs are great; some runs not so much.  All that matters is the start and finish lines....and that you cross them both.

Only one pic with this one, the pain of me crossing the finish...and the support of Matt in the background

So the review of the event Viking Winter Dash:
Terrain - predominately trail
Organization - organized fairly well, better than last year
Cost - $40/$60
Time of the race - 11am
Overall - nicely done
Swag - a medal and a long sleeved shirt
My Time - not sure
Race #4 (64 total to date)