Dances with Dirt 50K race results and review

Another ultra under my belt!  The weather was cold and wet, just the way Randy Step prefers it. 

The DWD events are such a challenge.  They are not just any trail race.  The course takes you off into the woods, through mud, through various water crossing, up a river, lots of up & down, on to technical trails full or rocks/roots/hills and you have a blast while doing it.

I ran this event last year and had so much fun that I couldn't wait to do it again this year.  I knew it may not happen since I had just given birth in June but signed up anyway hoping I could tough it out.  and tough it out I did.

We started with a group of 8 and finished with a group of 6 (the other 2 finished about 40 minutes after we did).  Having such a fun group to run with not only helped the miles fly by, but it helped me in the end when the last few miles really start to break me down mentally.  We crossed the finish line together in 6 hours 21 minutes and 40 seconds in the pouring cold rain.  5 minutes slow then last years time but that didn't matter.  5 out of 6 of us placed in our age groups!  I placed 2nd out of 8 in mine (30-35).  Our awards were folding camp chairs.  Pretty sweet award if you ask me.  I am disappointed in the shirts this year.  Last years shirt fits so nicely.  This years shirt fits awful and the material seems off. 

Official results:
Time: 6:20:50
Pace: 12:17
Age Group: 2/8
Overall (females): 11/52

Here is a photo of us on the easiest, yet my least favorite part of the race.  it's the gravel "rail trail".  I'd much rather be on the trails in the woods! (I am in the middle w/ the black & orange.  my dad is in the red).