XTERRA Trout Creek Trail 15K, Thonotosassa, FL 1,1

Elevation Gain: 125'; High Point: 50'

March 6, 2011 - After racing the Snickers Half Marathon yesterday in Georgia and driving to Tampa, I arose early without much soreness to race in this local cross country race in slightly swampy woods with lots of palmettos. I found my place in line with the other couple hundred starters and found running easier than yesterday from the get go. While it felt more fluid it was obvious I didn't have a full tank of gas to work with. The last time I did a 15K at Gasparilla in Tampa seven years ago I finished in 1:02, but the frequent changes of direction on the sandy single track trail made it impossible to get any momentum for a faster tempo.

I seemed to bog down at a slower pace throughout the run, mostly due to my deficit of energy. I know I could have finished faster had I been fresh, but nonetheless may only have gained a few minutes. Bottom line is still my age. I finished in 52nd of 224 finishers in 1:21:56. Temps were between 66 and 70 degrees and humid, so I was soaked to the bone, and then some, but I enjoyed the warmth of a winter race and the challenge of the shorter distance. Now I'll be able to slow it down some and prepare for some ultras coming up.