Rogue Trail 10K

Kim talked me into running the trail race at Reveille Peak Ranch, she sold it as a Swim, Bike, Run, CAMP weekend like we did in Sommerville a few years ago. Unfortunately, she ended up with bronchitis and didn't get to come, Ingrid ended up riding in Gatesville, and Del couldn't bring a bike since he had to go straight to the airport on Sunday after the race. So it was mostly a camp, hang out at RPR, and trail run weekend.

Jeff and I scouted some potential bike routes on the way out, not a lot of luck, the "best" looking road was mostly gravel and had gates across it!

gate that I opened (and closed) so we could drive on the county road

We went through a couple gates but eventually just turned around and went back to the main road. We got out to RPR and chose a campsite, then hiked around part of the run course and Jeff mountain biked while Del and I SUPed and played in the water. We watched the sun set and the stars come out from the roof of the pavilion after Ingrid got there.

Del and I SUPing

Jeff at a creek crossing

Sunset

Waiting for the start

 I had never done a trail race before and very little trail running. So my only goal was to not get hurt! When people started lining up for the 10K start, I went way to the back, unfortunately that meant I had to walk some of the single track at the beginning. The course was beautiful but pretty brutal too.

Mostly uphill and lots of rough rock to try and run on. About a mile in, I ended up in front of 3 or 4 other runners and we stayed together most of the run. It was actually tough to stay on the course and I had to stop and look for course markers a few times. I also had to stop to look at the view a few times. By biggest concern about the race (aside from getting hurt) was that I'd spend tons of time trying to get out of the way of the fast 30K runners. About mile 3, a few of the fastest 30K runners started to pass us, but they were all really nice and getting out of the way wasn't really an issue at all. At the last water stop, most of our little group kept going, but Mandy and I decided to take a detour up to Decision Point where the owners of RPR got married, totally worth it!

Pretty flowers, and that's Mandy behind me

Mandy and I ran the last 2 miles to the finish, my first trail 10K was actually just over 7 miles, but I had a great time, made a new friend and I'm thinking about doing another trail "race".

Mandy and I finishing