Bit slow on posting - but I did the North Face - Endurance Challenge - Midwest Regional - 50K on 25OCT.

I struggled coming to terms with with my DNF at IMWI this year especially after having a really good year previously there - so I needed to take on a serious challenge to restore some confidence.

I had never done a 50K nor have I ever done a trail run, so seemed to meet challenge criteria.

My goals for the race were to finish (hopefully not last) and run a consistent race (12 min pace). Ya that is pretty slow, but seemed realistic based on training on the course.

Pre race prep was good.
Fair amount of rain leading up to the race - so muddy and slick conditions expected.
Race morning a bit rainy and upper 30's - warmed up to 48 by the end of the race.

Course is hilly and by hilly I mean hilly - uses horse trails and the Ice Age trail. The Ice Age trail is basically a single track - fairly technical in spots.

According to my Garmin there was over 18,000 feet of elevation change. So, over 9,000 feet of climbing. 42% of the time climbing, 42% descending and 16% flat.

I stayed with my plan and pace - and within a 1/4 mile of the start I was in dead last place. Lots of people were pretty anxious. Slowly I did catch a few people as the day wore on.

Very scenic - when have the opportunity to look up rather than at the rocks and roots and such.

Very muddy conditions - ankle deep stuff in sections.

About 5 miles in my knee started to ache. I have had problems with it the last few weeks. I actually did not run at all the week leading up to the race to try and rest it.

Nutrition/hydration was good - did 1 gel an hour and 1 sports drink/hour - Accelerade was on course. It was 5-6 miles between aid stations - so about an hour or so at my anticipated pace. I carried 1 bottle water and 1 with Accelerade plus gels etc.

Planned to take 2 min at each aid station - did that for the first 3 and upped it to 5 on the last 2 - that extension was due to my knee hurting.

Actually starting running again at each aid station really hurt. Once got another 1/4 mile in it settled down just to something more manageable. Luckily I did bring some meds to take the edge off.

The struggle was from mile 22-27 there were some nasty steep hills - forced to walk on a couple of them. Could have used a rope!

Got to the last station - tried a couple of pretzels and that immediately upset the stomach. But was able to run through it. Now only 4 miles to go!

Sprinted to the finish with a blistering 10 min pace! I knew I was sprinting - tho no one else could tell!

Crossed the line at 6:26:27.
My overall pace was 12:22 - Moving pace was just under 12
M40-49: 20/21 (Not last!)
Male: 67/91

So overall I am happy with how the day went - My time splits were very consistent. Achieved all the goals that I set out for.

It was a tough race. But restored my confidence.

Took last week off.
Will do some casual training for the next week or two and then off-season training begins!