Race #5/17 Chester Woods 10 Mile Trail Run

Location; Eyota, MN

I went into this race under a lot of stress due to some major events happening in my life beginning just a week before the race. I had originally signed up to run the 50k and had dropped back to the 10 mile distance a while ago when we decided to go on vacation to the Grand Canyon just one week after the race. I was glad I had made this decision in light of the difficulties that arose. On the morning of the race I was ready to lose myself in some trails with an easy trail run/race.

This course is where I completed my first 50k race last Fall and have fond memories of the trail. It is a 10 mile loop that includes many different trail conditions including some asphalt in the park, section of gravel which then turns into horse trail with wood chips. There is plenty of dirt double track trail and a good portion of prairie with some sand thrown in for good measure. The elevation change on this course is mild compared to Afton or Superior so it is a very runnable course.

I arrived at the race debating with myself if I should attempt a PR (last year ran this in 1:58:11) or just enjoy my race. I rode down with a new friend from Red Wing that I had told about the race so the drive down was enjoyable. Met up with many trail running friends at the race and the time until race start went quickly after registration.

Road through the park run to get onto the trail

This years course was changed slightly for the 10 milers so we had to run a loop around the parking area which turned out to be about a mile on asphalt. I ran this much too quickly with an average pace of about 9:38. This is much too quickly for a 10 mile trail race but everything was feeling great. I was happily surprised that I did not experience the calf tightness that I have been experiencing lately during the first two miles of my runs. I had been using "the stick" to roll out my calves so think this may have helped greatly.

The weather was overcast with the threat of rain but other than hearing a few booms of thunder the rain held off for the entire day, including after I was done running the race.

Overcast skies

Nice double track trail

I ran this race alone but chatted with fellow runners as I passed them or they passed me. I was happy to be out running and was in a good place emotionally considering recent events. I was hoping I would see a few of the 50k runners I knew out running the course and saw quite a few on the various out and back loops on the course.

Coming out of the prairie loops headed for the big hill

I remembered this hill being larger last year but with Superior under my belt this turned out to not be as steep as I recalled.

Overall this race went well and I did end up with a PR finishing the race in 1:54:51. I stayed for several hours when the race was over visiting with many of the UMTR trail running friends, having a beer and just enjoying the down time and nice weather.