Another great race weekend!

After work yesterday, we drove out to Huntsville for the Rocky Raccoon 25k. Neither of us had been out there before, so it was something different for us. I was hoping to make it there by 7:30pm in time to pick up our packets so that we could sleep in a little extra this morning, but no such luck. We arrived in Huntsville around 7:45 and set about finding something for dinner. There weren't many choices for a pasta dinner, so we settled on a buffet (which ended up having pasta) instead. It was good, quick, and close to our hotel so it was a good choice. Once we arrived at our hotel, we were surprised to learn that it had just opened less than 2 weeks ago. As a result, our room with a hot tub in it wasn't ready yet, so we got a regular suite instead. If you ever find yourself in Huntsville, I highly recommend the Holiday Inn out there! We settled in for the night and watched some tv before calling it a night.

Since we were running the 25k instead of the 50k today, we got the benefit of some additional sleep since our race didn't start until 8am. What a treat! We even got to take advantage of the complimentary breakfast at the hotel before leaving for the race start. It was a short drive over to Huntsville State Park where we were greeted by this sign shortly after driving through the park entrance...
Needless to say, it freaked me out.

We arrived at The Lodge and picked up our packets then sat in the car for awhile to stay warm. The start was very near the water which was covered with fog.
In true trail running fashion, the race start was somewhat anti-climatic. The race director made a few announcements then sent us on our way. There were several hundred folks running and we spent the first mile on the road before entering the trail. I didn't really have a race plan for today other than to just run by how I felt, especially since I wasn't exactly sure what the course would be like. I thought 2:30ish would be a good "A" goal though. The course ended up reminding me a lot of Bastrop (which I always enjoy!) - lots of pine trees, roots, and sand (not that I enjoy running through sand though), but with less rollers. The first half of the course had several long straightaways (uphill and downhill) and I really got to let loose with several sub 9 minute miles here. I couldn't believe how great my legs and cardio felt (running at that comfortably "fast" pace). The second half of the course was more winding, over bridges, and through swampland (which K dubbed as "Alligator Alley"). My miles were slightly slower here due to the terrain change, as well as likely to my complete lack of nutrition (other than a few chips for salt at aid stations) and inconsistent hydration. I don't know what I was thinking! I was feeling so good (and I wouldn't say that I ever really bonked) and I think I got caught in the mindset that I'm "only" running 15.5 miles so it's not that important as it had been on my longer long runs. Lesson learned. I made it through though without the GI issues that I usually have (thanks Stephanie for the tip about taking Immodium pre-race). Anyway, I still finished feeling quite strong with a major kick at the end (so I know I had way too much left in me) and met my goal with a time of 2:34. I know I could have run faster too.

K did not set out to race today, rather he wanted to run easy and enjoy himself. He ran easy, but I don't think he enjoyed himself. We didn't hang around long after the race was over, but we stopped at the HCTR aid station on our way out of the park since it was near the road. We talked to Joe and Robert for a bit. Joe asked me how I liked the course and I told him that I really enjoyed it. He said that whenever I am ready to move up to the 50-mile distance then he directs a 50 and 100-mile race out there in February (also called Rocky Raccoon). Well, I think I'm ready (for the 50-miler). Yes, you read that right. That is my next goal race, and I've already mapped out a training schedule for it which fits pretty well with some other running and non-running things going on in the next couple of months. I'm excited!!!! (I think that K is less excited about it than I am though. And, no, he has no plans to run that distance...ever).

On our way back to the hotel, we passed the HUGE statue of Sam Houston on the side of the highway.
We were fortunate to get a late check-out at the hotel, which worked out perfectly for K to get to watch the Ohio State game before we headed back to Austin this afternoon.

All in all, the trip was a success! And, I'm looking forward to doing it again.