I'm a winner!

I did something this weekend I never thought I'd ever do.  I WON A MARATHON!  The Woodstock trail marathon to be exact.  The field was very small with only 47 females and 67 males.  They also had a 5 mile race, half marathon (very popular), 50K, 50 mile, 100K and 100 mile.  Its a hippy themed weekend full of running and camping. 

I went into this race with the intention of using this as a training run for Dances with Dirt 50K on September 21st.   We ran the first loop in about 2:07/2:08.  I don't have the exact numbers since I forgot my Garmin.  Which ended up being a huge blessing!  I was able to run by how I felt versus being absorbed in the numbers showing on my wrist. While out on the 2nd loop, we came to an aide station and I was told I was 3rd female overall.  That is all I needed to hear.  I kicked in into high gear, dropped my dad and focused on pushing hard these last 8 or so miles. 

I crossed the finish line in 4:13:44 with a 9:41 pace.  Not bad for a trail run, that's for sure.  I was then told I was first female overall!!  I knew I had passed a few females out on the course, but I didn't pay attention to which event they were running.  I had to wait to receive my trophy since they needed to verify it.  My dad ended up finishing 20 minutes after me.  This is unheard of!  He is SO strong on trails, so for me to finish ahead of him was a big surprise, let alone it being 20 minutes ahead of him!  He ended up taking a nasty spill on a downhill and jammed his shoulder into a downed tree.  He was feeling a little rough after the race, but is fine now. 

I had one of the BEST trail experiences ever!  I felt fantastic out on the trail.  I had fun!  I didn't fall, which is always a plus when trail running.  and I FREAKING WON A MARATHON!! 

Here are my official results and a few photos from the day.

Finish Time: 4:13:44
Pace: 9:41
Age Group Place: 1/7
First Female Overall: 1/47
Overall Place: 10/114 - yep, only 9 men finished in front of me!  How sweet is that?!

me with my trophy

me & dad

 

 

close up of the tag on the trophy