My Double Trouble

This past weekend (actually june 26th) I ran the Double Trouble 15k/30k trail run. The race was managed by the same person who managed the Ugly mudder, which I blogged about previously. The race is set in the scenic french creek park (which apparently has a national monument of a furnace... ehh?) and is either a 15k or 30k race. The trick with the race is that you can decide to run either the 15k or 30k during the race. If after the first loop you feel that you would like to do another... you can!! needless to say, because of my lackluster training, I was in no shape to run 18 miles on a hilly, rocky trail.

similar to the ugly mudder, I started off quite fast to get ahead of the crowds before the single track started. (note to the reader, I took a 3 week break between writing these two sentences) however, unlike the ugly mudder, I didn't slow down after the first quarter mile. For some reason, most likely pride, stupidity, or both, I tried to keep up this pace for the next two miles. I am guessing I was somewhere in the top 15 at this point. After mile two, I realized that there wasn't a chance I was going to keep up my current pace for another 7.3 miles. I slowed my pace somewhat drastically and went into "tried to finish to maintain your dignity" mode. It felt like I was getting passed by nearly everyone on the course, but by mile 8 I didn't really care... I just wanted to finish. Kristin came to cheer me on at the race (thanks, btw, you are the best!!) so I had to finish, so I just trudged on to the finish at what seemed like a 15 minute pace. I believe I finished in the top 25% with a time of just under 1 hour and 27 minutes. just under a 10 minute pace... which I thought, considering the tremendous heat and lack of training, wasn't too shabby. I don't think I can make this years half-wit half marathon but maybe at next years ugly mudder, I can bounce back and maintain my "goat" nickname.

After the race, i had some very intense soreness in my lower legs, on the outsides of my shins, just above the ankle. I could barely even touch that part of my shin without yelping like a puppy. I can only venture to guess that the muscles that were so sore were stabilizer muscles or something and the rocky terrain overworked these.

For those that are keeping track, I did finish the rear wall a couple weeks back and i think it looks pretty darn good. I did some weeding around there and laid some mulch so hopefully the garden bed will stay clean. I now need to start attacking the jungle that is the rest of my back yard... (more to come on the status of my ankle and other exciting subplots)