Gentle swells and puffy clouds combined to make a pleasant crossing thru the channel. It was the first time to see whales up close. The captain saw them and announced it on the intercom. We followed them for about 20 minutes while they spouted and slapped their tails on the surface. It was great, even if they didn't show more than their backs, and well worth the late arrival.

The clouds thickened in the late afternoon and it started raining about 2:30 am. Still raining when the 5:30 boat departed and light rain at the 7:30 start. The clay/mud was so churned up it looked like a wet hog pen. Each step produced a little popping sound and several people who wore loose shoes found their heels pulled out of them. Ever try to stand on one foot on a hill in slippery mud and try to put a shoe back on? Several people did during the fast 16 min. first mile. There was a man running barefoot--no mud buildup, but didn't see him after about 8 miles. The rocks probably hurt him on the downhills.

Sometimes we could run on the buffalo trails beside the road and in the grass. The mud and dead grass built up to an inch or more and weighed as much as combat boots. So much for my pretty New Balance 810's. Managed to fall without injury on the last steep muddy hill before Little Harbor. We were slipping along at a 13/14 min. average by this time. The road material and the drainage improved so my group was about 2:55 at the Eagles Nest-half way point. The roads thru hay fields and wild flowers turned a little more muddy and even pump house hill (18 mi.) was welcome--even the pavement at the crest. We entered clouds at the higher elevations and didn't get to see the beautiful view of Avalon Harbor. No amount of stomping would remove the mud and grass from our shoes. I stood in a little trickle of water crossing the road and it helped a little. Scraped off some and then everyone had two little mud streaks up their legs and back. The overall woman winner said she didn't fall but lost a shoe three times!

The only other OTHTC member present was Dave Harvey. He is usually faster and was out of sight thru the middle 14 or 15 miles. Caught him at an aid station and managed to stay ahead down the steep, rocky fire break road to the Wrigley Memorial. Nobody passed me on this stretch, in contrast to about 60 people last year. The times were generally 40-50 min. slower than last year. My 5:48:34 was second worst for me and good for 2nd age group award. Before you make too much of this-first place was ahead by 44 minutes! Recovered well and may go back for #11 next year, if it isn't raining.