Brrr-lingame 10-mile Trail Race

Saturday, 2-22 - Brrr-lingame 10-mile Trail Race, Charlestown, RI.  I arrived early and undecided about the weather, but with the promise of warming throughout the morning, my choice of shorts, long sleeve and singlet was good.  After checking in and touching base with the WTAC crew, including future WTAC members Greg Hammett and family (Ha! Totally need to bring an application next time...), as well as the TNT guys, I got my wardrobe options settled and went out for a short warmup.  Ended up running with some dude named Nick, who was running the race as his first trail race.  Nice, welcome aboard!  As we lined up, was able to chat briefly with BLS, Monica, James, Mike, Rose B., Tony, and a slew of other runners.  Race director and all-around fast dude Mike Galoob gives us last minute instructions and we're off!

The race starts, and we run across a field to the woods, where things get real narrow real quick.  The 5 and 10-milers are in the same group, so it's a case of "go at your own pace, not those around you..."  Paul Gray had asked me what pace I was shooting for, and I said 9:30-9:40, and he said he'd hang with me.  I went out fast, and he stayed with me, and I felt pretty good so I stayed at that pace, figuring I'd bank some time for when I slowed down later...

I spent the first loop (5 miles) learning the course, as I'd never run it before.  Rolling single-track, with occasional techical sections, but otherwise very runnable.  At the halfway point (start/finish), I was ahead of my goal at 44:20, and realized I had a chance at a sub-1:30 race?  Tough going back out for a second loop, but it's something I can deal with.  Several races have had that, and I'm okay with it once I leave the aid station.  Thankfully I ditched my hat and gloves on a picnic table and motored on.

Once I was into the woods again, I was basically on my own for the rest of the race.  No snow or ice on the trail, sweet single track to run, and the Sun came out!  There were three dudes ahead of me that I focused on, and gradually caught up to for miles 6-9, but they lengthened the gap in the last mile.  I purposely wasn't checking my time until toward the end, and knew a sub 1:30 would be close, but I got it.  I finished the race well, and had a pretty even set of splits the entire race, so it was a consistent performance!

Quickly changed up, and got caught up with everyone's results, and was able to catch Beth's finish, along with Monica:

Monica B. getting shots for the Enquirer...

"Hey, I feel pretty good!  Think I'll go out for another 4-10 miles..."

Congrats to my WTAC brethren, who all ran solid races.  Great weather, great course, great day.  Good turnout, and a successful 4th Trail Race series.  WTAC won beer!  What are the odds?  Met up with the gang at a clandestine location (outside the park gates) to grab a couple bottles of victory beer, and headed out!  Great day!  Happy Spring, ya'll!!!

Ottimista!  Great day!!!