The Gristmill Grinder

[Penguin]

Well race day finally came and I managed to survive and here is proof:

Grinder finish.jpg

Eight months of pretty serious endurance training and I still look like a middle linebacker. At 6' 2" and 235 I felt like an old slow dinosaur surrounded by all of these quick furry mammals. But I managed to finish all 13 miles and 2100' of vertical gain. Honestly I had a blast and was pleased as punch with how I did.

At the start everyone took off while I was still warming up. I started 50 yards behind everyone... and then they just ran off and left me. 3/4 of a mile down the road when I turned onto the trail there was literally no one in sight lol. But I was a bit dinged up and was determined not to come out of this thing injured so I was a bit cautious for the first 5 miles or so... still, I'm not really that good so no worries. At the 1st aid station 2.75 miles in my wife thought I had gotten lost! At 5.5 she said I was looking strong but still 15 minutes behind the back of the pack which was strung out over a couple miles or so of trail.

The next few miles were downhill and level and to my surprise I actually caught a few folks and passed them. Then came the big climb of the day, about 1.5 miles at 5% grade. By this time I was cruising and having a good time. I had a good rhythm going and thought I would surely catch some folks but never did. At the 10 mile aid station Heidi told me still looked strong so I gulped a couple cups of water and took off.

The last 3 were pretty brutal. A fierce climb followed by a mile of really dangerous footing of rocks and tree roots. Then another mile climb to the finish. There were a handful or two of poor souls who were walking and staggering along but I still felt pretty ok and went on by to the finish. Had a total blast and did something that I had wanted to do for 15 years. Trained for it twice when I was twice the man I am now and got injured both times. Never made the start line.

Hell I might even try this thing again next year if I'm healthy.

Will