Well I wasn't expecting much out of this race. I'm a horrible downhill runner and figured I wouldn't have much of a chance at winning. But, I figured I'd try my best to not run with my normal arched back running form and try to get my shoulders and hips forward so as not to fight gravity. But that didn't last long, I run faster getting forward like that but it's so uncomfortable I can't sustain it for much longer than 400 meters at a time, and I end up leaning back again and slowing down. It was funny after the race my wife said, "Don't get offended by this but yours and Ken's downhill form is night and day. You just look awful!"
It was a decent field through four runners. It was Ken, Teren, Jon Kotter, and me. The race got started and I dashed to the lead. I led for about a half mile until we hit a steep stretch. The other three gained 10 meters on me on this steep section. Then it flattened out a bit again and I zoomed back to the front. I was in 1st at the mile with a 4:22 split.
Right then my stomach really started rumbling and I had GI problems the rest of the way. In case anyone is wondering, having GI problems and running a fast, jarring downhill race don't mesh well. I had two choices, slow down or mess my shorts. I opted for the former.
The other three guys put 30, yes 30 seconds on me almost immediately in the next mile. I was 4:40 for mile two and Ken told me after he was 4:12. My stomach was really hurting and I was looking for somewhere to stop for a potty break. Nowhere looked good yet so I kept trying to run as fast as I could under the conditions. Mile 3 was 4:37.
During the next mile there was a port a potty a few yards off the road and I had to stop and use it. I don't know how long I was in there but I figure it was about a minute looking at my split for that mile. Afterward I was able to run a bit faster now, at least until the last half mile when my stomach started hurting again. Miles 4 and 5 were 5:28 and 4:21.
So I finished in 4th and immediately ran into the trees to find a secret bathroom. Jon ended up winning, with Ken 2nd and Teren 3rd.
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