Hey Gang,
 
Wish y’all could have come to this one.  I absolutely LOVED the park and trail.  This is way high on my “do again” list.
 
Everything was beautiful with the leaves changing color.  The trail itself is a mountain bike trail and while it is not “groomed” it is well beaten down by the bikes and I didn’t have to stare at my feet the whole time to keep from tripping.  Still some roots and rocks but not brutal and the trail was completely clear of leaves (courtesy of the bikers I guess). 
 
The course surprised me in that it was a lot more hilly than I expected.  In fact there really wasn’t much “flat” stuff – maybe 20% of the course??  The rest was constant up or down with lots of switch backs to take full advantage of maximizing elevation change.  For example everywhere there was a gully, the trail would go back and forth down across the gully and then up the side to the top as often as it could.  Probably gangs of fun for bikers but tough on us runners.  I got my legs some good up and down training though.  Some of it was so steep (and red clay) I don’t know how I could have gone up and down if it was raining and slick.  OK – I could have definitely gotten down.  Up would have been a hands and knees deal…….
 
I didn’t do as well as I had hoped but figuring the hills did about as well as I could expect – around 6:57.  At least I came in under 7 which became my goal about half way through the last of three loops.  The course was three 10 mile loops with a one mile out and back to start.  This included a nice big hill which it turned out was a warning of things to come.  The first loop was right at a 12 minute pace and I felt good so I was hoping to hold this pace.  13:24 for the second loop – oops started too fast.  Third loop was right at 15:00 pace and I was really dragging at the finish.  So this means I did a poor job of pacing myself.  Oh well.
 
There were only 17 in the 50K.  They had awards 10 deep and a “dead dog” for the last one in each race.  With 6 women and 11 men in the 50K everyone was guaranteed to win something!  I got 7th – consistent with my usual finish of about 2/3 of the way back.  They also had a 5 mile, 10 mile, and a 20 mile route – something for everyone.
 
The race was well organized and with three aid stations on each loop well supported.  The volunteers were really friendly and helpful, and it was obvious they knew what they were doing.  They were great.  They had a big pot of chilli (not too spicy) with all the trimmings and assorted liquid refreshments at the end (including bottles of wine!).  These guys know how to do it right.
 
John and Melissa Tremont were there and did well.  In fact Melissa came in second in the womens 50K!  And to think I knew her when she was merely mortal…  She has been smoking em lately. John was right behind me and finished just as it started to drizzle.
 
Anyway – like I said, I’d like to go do this one again (and get the rest of you guys to come along!).  Maybe next year??
 
Foot Note – I just went back and read Henry’s BIG DOG report from a couple years ago.  Was it in the same place?  This was at Lincoln Parish Park 3 miles north of Ruston.  I think Henry said he ran at Lake Claiborne.  Or did they just change the name of the park or something?  He also ran 6 mile loops and we ran 10 mile loops.  I sure got the impression that this was the place where they usually have the race though.  Either way I agree with Henry – plenty of ups and downs.