I've been looking forward to the inaugural running of the N.U.T.S Trail Half Marathon because it was on the same trails that I like to run on after work. The trail conditions were great in my opinion. The cloud cover helped keep things cooler so the heat wasn't too bad.
I arrived a bit early and waited in my car trying to see if I knew anyone else. I recognized a few guys I have seen at previous races. I enjoy the trail races because they are low key, smaller, and simple. Everyone is really genuine and friendly.
I knew I needed to pace myself so I settled in with a small group with a good pace. I was able to meet a few people in the group. I stayed with them to the top of Strong's Canyon because the pace was perfect, and the company was good.
I've run the next section of the trail many times so I knew what to expect from Strongs to the Beuss Trailhead. On the switchbacks going up I talked with a gentleman that I've met several times at Buffalo Runs. I love how nice the trail runners are. I passed the elites going the opposite direction before dropping down into Beuss and was surprised to see the first woman not too far behind the first two men. I dream of running that fast, but it won't be in this lifetime. Anyway, I filled my two little bottles at the Beuss aid station and headed back up the canyon. I knew from previous runs that I would need to hike the middle section until the trail broke out of the canyon.
I think I paced myself really well. I started cramping in my quads at the top of Beuss, but was able to get it under control. My favorite part of the BST is going down from the highest point just North of Beuss, crossing the streams at Strongs, Waterfall and Taylor's Canyons and the trail through the scrub oak and maples to Rainbow Garden. There are only a few inclines and the rest is open up the throttle and let it go. I passed a handful of runners and had a P.R. (like everyone else) for the race. Hope to do better next year.
My post trailrun race goes like this; drink a mountain dew and eat handful of M&M's and try not to talk too much because I usually don't make sense. Find the people that I paced off of and thank them while trying to make a few friends. I enjoyed talking to some of the runners after the race and putting some names to faces that I've seen around or heard of. I think that those who put the race on and the volunteers did a great job so kudos to them. | 