Cougar Mountain Trail Series

5 miler - May 20This was a fun race -- though a bit painful. I'm not nearly as fit as I am used to being, but I'm trying to "run for fun" and trail running is a great way to do that. I'm hoping to do as much of this series of races as possible. I finished second in the 5 mile run.

7.5 miler - June 10
Today I ventured back to Cougar Mountain for the 2nd race of this series. This time I was still feeling hesitant and concerned about my current fitness level. Still, I was encouraged by the way the race began. I found myself in the front right away, and was hoping to "cruise" to an easy/uncompetitive win. 20 minutes into the run, I was surprised to find that I still had company -- and he was running strong. The course was full of hurdles to jump (downed trees) and hair-pin turns.
This "0ther runner" passed me quickly and decisively -- surging ahead until I lost all visual contact with him. At that moment I began to worry about those who were behind me and the long, lonely run that was still ahead. Sometime later, at about 25 minutes, we came to a long, steep series of downhill switch-backs. As I zig-zagged downhill I was surprised to hear the lead runner somewhere ahead of me. I was gaining quickly and soon realized I had nearly caught up with him. In fact, at the bottom of the hill, I had re-gained contact and realized I was back in the race. Too bad there was another uphill - and this runner (Adam Airoldi - 21 yrs. old), quickly pulled away. Next downhill - I caught him again. Next uphill - he pulled away from me - but not as much or as quickly. I began to think ahead and realized that if he was slowing down on his uphills perhaps I could eventually hang with him on the uphill. Well, that finally happened -- on the last hill of the race. When we reached the top of the hill I was right on his heels and we began a .3 mile "drive" for the finish. On the final stretch it was an all out sprint. I put it into "high" gear and tried to surprise him with a final surge and lean at the finish. We crossed the line side by side. I wasn't sure who won. Our times were identical: 48:57. The finish judge told me I had been "outleaned" after 7.5 miles of exciting racing. Oh - well! It was a lot of fun. I felt good about it - especially since I felt like an "old man" (37 years old), taking on this college runner from Michigan (home for the summer). I had hoped for the win, but when you know you've given 100%, there are no losers. So whatever you're doing today -- give it your best shot -- "Run the race to win". It's exciting even if you fail to "win", and you'll have the satisfaction knowing you maximized your potential.

10 Miler: July 8
This morning the sun was shining brightly and it was time for race #3 in this series of four races. Having finished second in the first two runs, I was determined to win this one. I have been training consistently and feel as though I am slowly getting back in good shape for racing.
This race was difficult. I was a bit sore from a hard week of training -- plus this course was really challenging. Long steep hills, technical downhills and lots of switch backs. I ended up leading from the gun, with one person hanging gamely with me for the first 15 minutes of the race. I let him pass me at that point, but when we came to an aid station he stopped to drink and I passed him. After that he hung with me for a long time but never passed me again. I pulled away on the last couple of uphills and won by about one minute. This win secures my overall points victory for the series -- but I still plan on running hard at the final 13 miler on August 12th.

Final Results -- As the truism goes, "When you say yes to one thing you say no to something else." The trip to Mexico ended on the day of the Cougar Mountain 13 miler - the final race of the series. As Mexico team leaders, we could not come home early, so I missed this race. If I had run it, I would have won the series easily, regardless of my finish. By missing the race, I forfeited the series. A small sacrifice compared to what we experienced in Mexico.