Day 3,002 —Got my Butt Kicked on Route 66! — with a PICTURE of a CAT in the WILD #774

It was uplifting to have my wife and daughter there as the race started. My daughter was so cute. She started running at the beginning with everyone! 

I went out faster than I should have. I was desperate to get some miles done before I started to think too much about the race. 

I was in the lead with another runner, Sam, the first two laps. He is the first streak, ultra-runner I have met at a race! Very cool.  

By hour 4, I was in survival mode. I just was going slower than I wanted and was feeling upset at myself for not pacing better. I had listened to an audiobook and was taking too much time between laps. By hour 5, I saw Dave who I have done races with before, and we talked and ran most of the next lap together. 

Talking to him was a nice boost and gave me some motivation to push it as hard as I could at the end. 

I ran as hard as I could for one more long loop (2.4 miles) before I switched over to the short loop (.33) for the last 12 minutes. I was finally passing people again and making up for lost time.  

It was a fun environment, and the aid stations was filled with options and all the volunteers and workers were friendly and helpful. It was also cool to be able to see your current ranking displayed on a screen each loop. 

I finished 8th overall. Not a win, but I did my best and ran the entire time. I slowed down and took pictures when I wasn’t having fun, so I am counting this race as a success: It was my first 6-hour race. And, I had a good time.