I am gonna give you my book version since I didn't get to stick around and share war stories...

What a FANTASTIC morning! First of all, I am getting my sorry butt out of bed earlier from now on. It was great see everyone before the start, go potty w/o the lines and not feel rushed, not to mention the 50 foot walk to the car. You veterans must be wearing off on me, sweet! I had an excellent race. Went out on the first loop w/ THE Posse. I have to say there is nothing more pleasurable than putting in a couple miles w/ the Crabster, Leah, and Dano. Reenie even graced us for the first 10 minutes or so. The positive attitudes, conversation and general niceness really puts a spring in the step! Don't let Crabby fool you, she's the coolest "Mean ole B---h" around. :-)THEN, along came Chris Matus from HCTR w/ this crazy business of WALKING the uphills in the first mile. Hmmmm, interesting race plan... Hmmmm, he's training for Palo Duro (50 miler), I'm training for Pikes Peak (long power hike), more hmmmmm AND he is pulling away from us. I think, maybe he has an interesting approach, maybe this is a training run and not the real race I am working towards, maybe I should try something new... And the traitor takes off, see ya Posse, hopefully later as opposed to sooner but we'll see how it goes... Chris and I are now power walking all the uphills and HAMMERING, as only the HCTR guys can, the downhills. I can't actually keep up w/ Chris on the downs but fortunately they are short enough that I can make up the ground when we come onto the flats or start a new uphill. I am terrified I am going to fall we are going so fast and I keep thinking "you haven't been on a trail in two weeks this is crazy!" Each time I catch back up Chris says "that was fun" and I think this guy's psycho and gonna kill me! At the first aid station I feel like I am getting into the swing of things and feeling more confident on the descents. I still have a lot of self doubt that I am burning too much energy starting and stopping but I stick to the new plan w/ Chris. After the aid station I sped up a little on the flats to put a few seconds between Chris and I so I have tinkle time at the S/F.

Tinkle I did just before arriving to the thunderous applause of all the volunteers! You would have thought I won the damn thing, even confused myself for a minute and started chatting w/ a few people before thinking to myself, "Hey, dumbass, you are in the middle of a race here, more run, less mouth and Chris just left w/o you!" Off I go, amazed at how strong I felt and no longer concerned w/ whether or not I am actually burning more energy, by starting and stopping the run. Who cares, I am having fun and I feel good. By the back half of the second loop I realized, I felt REALLY good and it might be time to begin the second phase of this little experiment. Off I went again, saying bye to Chris and finished the second loop still feeling good and bolstered by the fact that only Duane managed to lap me this time.

Arriving at the finish for my second thunderous applause which could only mean I had now actually won the race twice. Paul (hubby) was there, looking good for a sometimes runner. He tackled his 10K in a respectable 1:11, not bad for a guy who runs 4 times a month! Got my high five from the boss and was off for my final loop w/ Paul at my side giving me his race report. He considered hanging for another loop but I told him that the other Elite runners in my class may become disgruntled if I had a pacer for the final loop. At our level we take the competition VERY seriously, not like Sisson, Duane, Marty and Kent who just move along enjoying the scenery and smelling the roses. Us Elite's, you know who you are, have to follow the rules when we are going for our third win in a single day! Or maybe he turned back because I told him I was going for 1:06 on the final loop and his first was 1:11, hard to say but regardless I pushed on alone... Now I was running most of the hills and still hammering the downhills. I couldn't believe how good I felt compared to the Maze where the entire final loop was survival. Through the aid station, took my final magic pill, some watermelon and pressed on, picking people off left and right, ok left not right and maybe it was only 5 people but it still felt good! When I came onto the ridge I couldn't believe how fast I was moving and how good it felt with my third win lurking just ahead!

3:41:01 yesterday versus 4:10:08 at the Maze! WOW! They were even still making burgers when I got there, SWEET! Chris is da MAN! Thanks for the new race plan, encouragement and company!

Only bummer was having to leave as soon as I finished to catch the plane back to my kids in FL. I mentally debated taking a later flight but then I would have had to change planes and I didn't think I would be up for that later in the day. Sorry I wasn't there to cheer everyone else in but I promise to head the spirit squad in Bandera and at the Belt.

Sisson, another EXCELLENT race, well worth the SW award ticket I used to come back, can't think of better people or a better way to spend a Sunday morning! Thank you so much to all the volunteers AGAIN! I noticed that most of the faces were the same as the ones we saw at the Maze, above and beyond to work two races two weeks apart. Just shows what a great guy Sisson must be to foster such support, he must being using the Farm...

Congratulations to everyone for finishing!