Keep Moving Forward

I headed up to Pekin, IL to McNaughton Park on Saturday morning to get a look at the trail and remind myself what I am in for on the 14th. I met my friend Howard, who will also be running the 50, at Starbucks around 8:30. It was 28 degrees outside. We drank some coffee, talked a bit about our training a bit, then headed out.

We got to McNaughton Park and stepped out of the car and got blasted with about 25 MPH wind. We hurried up getting ready and took to the trail to get out of the wind. The trail is in pretty good shape. Most of the trail is dried out and packed down. There are a few very muddy spots, some very slick down hills with little or no traction, and a few spots of standing water in various parts of the trail.

Below are some pics I took along the way, just to give an idea of what to expect this weekend. I hope it sheds a little light on the course for those who have not traveled to the great mid-west!! :)

Start/Finish

initial decent into trail

Flat area around a field

early climb

first water crossing (looking back across). you would be running the opposite direction this pic was taken.

this climb will have a rope to assist race day

part 2 of the rope climb, once you are at the top of hill using the rope, you move to this section for a little more gain

what goes up must come down, this is the backside of the rope climb

some flat area to make up some time

Howard "surfing" down a very slick section

climb after water crossing

The weather is supposed to be in the 50's this weekend, which will be a welcome change over last years records heat and the record lows we experienced this weekend. I have posted more pictures which can be seen here. Also on the McNaughton site, they have been tracking trail conditions for the last few month from the perspective of Courage the dog, who's been giving frequent updates.

Have a great week and I look forward to meeting some new folks and seeing some familiar faces!