My plan was simple: try to average 8 minute miles, and I will be close to 50. I Gunther Hubert got too far ahead, I knew I would be in trouble as he ran just over 50 last year.

Having the motivation of Gurney, Chris and Ken helped me know, I wasn't the only team member suffering.

Bang! we are off, just before we got off the track, the pace was high as was the heartrate, I was at 161, but Gurney replied 168......wow, too fast too soon? I took a comfortable gate, that seemed a bit fast, but I could handle before we started the real climbing. I knew Roots was tight and the passing room was nill, so I squeeked ahead of 2 runners just before it. Mile marker 1, I was 7:30. I expected near 9, so I was ahead of schedule and figure I doomed myself already. Mile 2 was the toughest, as it had North Boundary climb and Big Rock Climb in it. I made up ground on the climbs jockeying with The British fella in mountain shoes. We traded back and forth a few times and ended up running an 8:30 for mile 2. I was at 16 minutes in 2 miles, I now figured I had a sub 50 locked up as long as I didn't blow up, so I was in a good mood. at 18 minutes I took a hit of water (thanks Dan and Dana), and dumped one on my head as my heartrate ranged from 173-186 the whole race. Mile 3 was an 8:00 mile, as was mile 4. Knowing the terrain was great, as on the downhill I kept seeing another body out front to chase down. Mile 5, was the downhill mile that I managed to get done in 6:00 ( I need to re check the mileage as that seemed fast). There was 2 guys ahead of me, I wanted to pass before the finish, so I decided to pick up the pace and pass them on lower loop, so I could dust them on the stairs. I got a decent gap on the first one, but oly managed 20 yards on the second youngster. I bounded up the stairs with full anticipation of running them. I started strong, skipping 2 stairs with each stride, quickly resorting to skipping one stair, then jogging up 1 step at a time. Finally I started walking when the kid passed me......I couldn't respond. I shook the legs out on the toboggan chute to finish in a respectable 47:16 and a 3rd place for my age group.

My day was capped after seeing Gavin and the twins run through the woods and smile as they crossed the line.

Big kudos to Brian and PTO for a great event. Thanks to Foot Stetson for the Syrup and getting the Tuesday Noontime crew out for a stroll in the woods....