I arrived at Huntsville State Park on Friday afternoon with Robert (an HCTR member and Rogue coach).  Robert was heading up the Hill Country Trail Runners aid station for the race, so we set the tent up and unloaded some materials.  Friday was a nasty, rainy day and I was sure it would carry into race day as well.   Saturday morning was cold with no rain in sight.  We started at 7 a.m and ran the first 9/10 of a mile on a stretch of pavement before launching onto single track.  I swore to myself I would back off and let others hammer the lead on the first loop.  I was unable to keep my promise and I took the lead after the first mile or so.   The ground was surprisingly dry considering the heavy rains the day before.  The terrain was more sand than dirt, this definitely helped with drainage.  The slightly rolling course winds through tall pines and hardwoods making its way around a muddy yet pretty lake.  This time of year the woods are bursting with color and sound, one guy even commented on how he felt as if he were Hawkeye on the set of Last of the Mohicans.   While I did not feel like Hawkeye, I knocked out the first of two loops in 1:50.  I was shooting for under 4:00, so I felt great about my split.  I was still in the lead, but #2 was only seconds behind me.  I was so excited in fact, I forgot to take a hit off of my inhaler as I bounded past my drop bag.  I realized this once I got a few miles into the second loop.  At this point I was running head to head with my contender and we were carrying on a small conversation.  I had the severe urge to pee (I had been holding it for an hour or more), so I told him I would catch up and watered a tree.  I started back up and turned on my iPod, the thing started crackling and eventually phased out (cheap ipod headphones do not resist sweat).  A few minutes later I started feeling the tightness in my chest I got at Grasslands, this is when I realized I forgot to use the inhaler.  I tried not to let the fact that breathing was getting increasingly difficult bother me and continued to push on.  By the time I reached the first aid station, #1 was now a few minutes ahead of me.  By mile 6 of the second loop, #3 and #4 passed me by.  I continued to slow down until breathing became easier, then I pushed on.   My slower pace allowed me to continue successfully, I finished comfortably in 4:15.  My legs feel great, my lungs thank me, and I have a camouflaged race shirt and a plaque to remember my finish. A note about the Five Finger KSO's:  Extremely comfortable, a 100% improvement over previous models.  All I need is some Body Glide on my feet and they are happy as could be.  Although this course was sandy, I did not get anything inside the shoes, they were as clean as could be when I removed them after the race.  I think I will be wearing these a whole lot more. Next race is Rocky Hill Ranch 50 mile, in two weeks.  Oh, actually, I have the Toughest Race in Texas 1-mile with Matthias (my son) next Saturday.  His first race, he is super excited!!! I told him if he does well on this, I will sign him up for more and get him some little minimalist trail shoes.