RumbleRoller Gator review

About six weeks ago I received the Rumble Roller Gator for review.  As many of you may know, I'm a huge fan of foam rollers.  Over the years, I've graduated from a simple foam roller to a much more structured foam roller.  While more expensive (typically $40-$150), a quality foam roller last a lot longer and give you better massage than a regular foam roller.  I've used numerous over the years as seen below.

You can see my obsession with foam rollers and there are lots of choices on the market

The RumbleRoller rollers are very solid, high quality rollers that should last you for your running career.  I will say that these rollers are not for the faint of heart as they really dig into your muscle, as they should, compared to a simple foam roller.

Big knobs versus small knobs

As shown above, in comparing the original RumbleRoller to the Gator, the knobs on the original are much larger.  They provide a much deeper massage into the muscle.  While i think the original is a great roller, many probably cannot handle how it feels until you get used to it.  The Gator is much better in this regard.

While the Gator also has knobs that give a nice massage, they don't dig into you so hard.  You can really slow down on the roller when using it so that you can work on a particular area.  The Gator is also better suited for home use and is not really travel friendly like the Original.

Smaller knobs

The roller itself has the same high quality materials from the original roller.  I think that it will stand up for years of abuse.  I've gone through numerous other brands and RumbleRoller has yet to wear out on me.  To give you an idea of use, I use a roller before and after every run and I also use it every evening before going to bed.  I also use it each morning that I don't run and sometimes more after marathons or longer races.  I use it even if NOT injured.  I'm sure I use a roller much more than your average runner but I also feel it helps keep me running healthy.

Quality product

RumbleRoller suggests rolling normally or holding the roller stationary while shifting your body (Cross Friction as they call it) against it to create shear forces.  This allows the roller to help pull tissues apart.  In my opinion, this helps you recover quicker.  I've always felt that the roller helped me get out the following day even if I didn't feel like it.

Close up of the knobs

If you have not used a foam roller before and are considering getting one, I think the Gator is a great option to try out.  For me, there are not a large amount of products that I feel I can't live without for running.  A Roller is one of them.  Interested in learning more?

Check out their Website.

Check out their Facebook page.

Check out their Twitter page.

Check out their Instagram page.

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!

Disclosure:  I received a Rumble Roller Gator in exchange for this review.

Seamus O'Possum's 30k Race Review

Short Version
Finished in 3:12:46 (official time); new PR since this was my first 30k race
Overall Place:  43/91
Men 40-49:  18/37
Men Overall:  32/50

Timed race #121

It was a long day for me.  I drove the longest I've ever driven race morning - over 3 hours!  Ran the race and then drove home.  The course was super muddy and made it challenging.  The park is pretty nice although I didn't bring my camera with me for this race.  It's probably not a race I'd run again.  Not that it wasn't organized but there wasn't anything special about it to bring me back.  If you have not run it before, it's one to run though and I'm happy that I did it.

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Long Version
Registration/Packet Pickup/Start Area
My day started by leaving my home at 3am to get there in time for packet pickup and the race.  It took me three hours to get to the race.  I could have left at 4am and had plenty of time to get there but the weather was looking iffy so I decided to leave extra early.  I didn't need to since I ended up being the first one there (ha, figures!).  Registration was on Ultrasignup and very easy and I registered for the lowest price of $65 on New Years Day.

Delaware State Park, Delaware, Ohio

Packet pickup was very easy as this was a small race so I got my packet in literally minutes and then went back to my car to take a quick nap and stay warm before the race started.  The race did have a nice fire going by the start though.  You could also pick up your packet the day before, at the local brewery, if you were coming in from out of town.

Packet pickup was right at the start area so I was ready to go after picking up my packet.  I literally sat in my car until 5 minutes before the start which was nice since it was a little chilly out but otherwise a perfect morning for a trail race.  The race gives their money to the Special Olympics, a great cause, and they had a local athlete get us started.

Course
This was a 30k race that was mostly on trails.  The trails were not extremely technical but there were technical parts on the course.  The first 10 miles were all on trails with the out and back.  It was interesting because there was a place where you needed to tear out a page from a book to prove you had been there.  The race never asked for it but it fun to do that.  There should have been a volunteer there though to tell us what to do.  I asked some runners that had run it before.  At least have a sign that says turn around and go back.  There were some volunteers before heading to this portion and they also helped you get back on track to head back to the starting area too.

Overall the course was not extremely hilly.  There were lots of little rollers but nothing really that steep except where you run by the dam wall and had to run up it and down it but it was nothing really.  The course was extremely muddy and there were bits of snow but overall the course was clear.  As we ran more, the course become more muddy.  There was no avoiding it and my shoes were wet after about 3 miles for the duration of the race.

Course info

There was a 10 mile option and a 30k option.  If you ran the 10 mile, you ran the first portion of the out and back course and finished.  If you were running the 30k, you went past the finish line after 10 miles and continued to run another 8 mile out and back.  I really enjoyed the first 10 miles of the race and hesitated as I came back in to just stop there but I came here to run 30k.  Had I lived in the area, I would certainly run the 10 mile option again.

Map - out and back for 10 then out and back for 8

The second out and back portion took you through some trails, running on the side of the road for 1.5 miles or so and around a parking lot in the park, crossing a river (which was very low this year) and then up to a dam wall where you ran that for about a mile or so.  It was all grass and you could tell that people run there regularly.  The dam was pretty cool actually.  I wish I had brought my phone to take a picture of it since it was so large.  Here's a picture I found online:

Dam at the State Park

As I mentioned, this was really the only hilly part and you can kind of see below how the elevation dips and goes up around 13-14 miles.  We basically ran to an aid station and then turned around.  I will say that there were lots of signs and ribbons to help us stay on track but the area after we ran by the dam to the aid station and back was quite confusing.  The race should have had someone there to direct people as there was one area that you crossed and people were going in different directions.  I followed the runners in front of me but it almost seemed like I missed part of the course.

While it was cool to run along the dam wall, it was freaking cold in this section.  It was really windy and next to the freeway so I was happy that I decided to keep my jacket and gloves with me.  I also put them in the car and would have been freezing had I done so.

Elevation

Splits

As mentioned previously, we ran about 1.5 miles along the park road.  While you could have ran on grass, it was difficult because it was tilted to one side so I ended up running on the cement, as most other runners did too.  About mile 14, my IT band started to give me issues.  I have no idea why other than I ran the race much faster than I've been training.  Also, the mud made for difficult footing and could have made the IT band angry.  You can see that I slowed down quite a bit after mile 14.  

After I finished the race, and it showed me at 17.5 miles, I figured either I missed part of the course at that second turn around or the course was short.  In reviewing other runners results on Strava, it appears that I was in line for distance with all the other runners so I don't think I missed any part of it.

The theme for the race was definitely mud!  This is the muddiest race I've ever run.  For those of you in Michigan, I would compare it to The Legend half marathon when it's really muddy but much more muddy.  It seemed we were constantly running through thick pasty mud that was wet and slippery.  I actually really enjoyed it.

Muddy!

Aid Stations
The aid stations were fantastic.  The volunteers were awesome and asked us what we wanted as we ran up to them.  They were friendly and helpful.  The aid stations were stocked similar to an ultra race with lots of regular food and not just gatorade and water and GU.  In fact, I didn't see any GU which is fine by me.  I'd rather have regular food like an ultra.  I only took some pretzels but they also had cookies, candy, pickles and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Really well done!

Finish Area
The finish area was the start area.  In addition, it was also an aid station so for those that ran the 30k, you started there, hit it at about mile 10 then finished there.  The finish was perfect since it was right next to the parking lot as well so you were nice and close to your car.  There was an after race party at Stass' brewery with chili and beer but I missed it since I opted to head home after the race, given my three hour drive.

Amenities
The race did a great job with amenities.  For your registration (which the race sold out by the way), you received a well marked course except for the part I mentioned at the dam.  They had great aid stations.  You received a Winter hat, a car sticker with the race logo on it, a custom bib (the M below was for sweatshirt size)

Car sticker, Winter Hat, Custom Bib

You also received a custom race shirt that is a nice design and color.  For me, I don't prefer the REALLY huge logo, not because of how big it is, but because of how it will likely make you hot when running in it given how large it is.  It would have been much better if they just made a nice 3x3 inch logo on the chest.

Race tech shirt

Instead of finishers medals, you received a finisher sweatshirt that you received after you were congratulated for finishing by the race director.  They also have a tradition where you sign the pole of the race finish line so I'm permanently affixed to the race.  Ha!

The sweatshirt appears to be made quite well and is very comfortable.  I'm wearing it now as I right this race review.  While the logo is large on this too, it's not a big deal given you won't be running in it and the logo is really cool looking too!

Sweatshirt as finisher's gift

Organization
Outside of the portion of the course that was confusing, the race was well organized.  The website has any answers you had, the start was easy to find, the course overall was marked well, the volunteers did a great job and knew what to do.

Overall
Overall, it was a nice race.  The course was overall a fun run and you could really run it fast as it was not extremely technical.  I'm not sure I'd drive the same day there and back.  It would have been more fun had I been able to stay for the after party that was at Stass' brewery rather then heading on the road home.

Success!

If you are interested in running it, check out the Possum Races website.  They also have a 50k option coming up in May.

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!

Disclosure:  I paid for this race with my own funds.  All opinions are my own.

Panasonic Wings Wireless Bluetooth Headphones review

A few weeks ago I received a pair of the Panasonic Wings Wireless Bluetooth Headphones for review.  Here's what I received:

Panasonic Wings

Headphones, charging cord and soft case

First a few of the features of the headphones:

• Ultra-light Bluetooth sport clips for high-impact training, indoors and out
• Premium 9mm neodymium drivers for full rich bass and natural treble and voices
• IPX 4 waterproof shielding for water and sweat resistance
• 3d Flex design and quick-fit adjuster bend to your ear and keeps headphones in place during vigorous training
• Quick charge:  up to 70 minute playback with 15 minute charge (6hrs full charge)
• Connects to iPhone 7, syncs seamlessly with iPhone/iPod/iPad and Android devices
• Includes ultra-soft S/M/L earpads, USB charging cord and travel case

The headphones themselves are very light and have a couple adjustments you can make on them to fit well.  As you can see below, the cord itself has an adjustment at the back of your head to fit this how you wish to be comfortable.  I personally didn't feel the need to adjust this but it is nice to have that option for people that like the cord a little tighter or don't want it hanging on the back of their neck.

In addition, the headphones themselves have flexible tubing that allow you to pull the piece that goes over your ear towards your head.  This is needed to keep them from moving around.  I found that once I had the headphones adjusted, they did not move around while I was running.  I also used them to lift weights and it's kind of nice having them be wireless and my phone does not have to be close to me.  I found that I could move about 25 feet away from my phone without any interference with the music.  I also tried them with my iPad just to watch a movie on Netflix and they worked great for this too.

Fully adjustable

Given the adjustments for volume and on/off are at the side of your head, it did take a little getting used to which button was what since you can't see it.  It took me a few runs to get used to this especially for changing songs.  You need to use the same buttons as the volume to change song.  After a few runs, it was fairly easy.

Adjustable volume and on/off

I used the earpad size that is set up with the headphones but they are very easy to change sizes.  The headphones are very comfortable to wear for long periods of time and, since they don't move when running, you don't notice them much.  I will say that the earpads do go into your ear which provide excellent sound but they do tend to cut out most of the exterior sounds.  While that is great for listening to music, you really need to be more aware of your surroundings while running outside.

Headphones have 3 sizes to choose for the earpad

Charging was very easy.  All you do is pull up on the access to the USB charging plug on the headphones and plug the other end either into a computer or a USB charger (as seen below with my Apple charger)  I do like the fact you can charge the headphones for 15 minutes for a quick charge in case you are running low and didn't realize it when you needed them.

Charging

In regards to fit, the one drawback that I had with these is the ability to use them when it's really cold outside.  Not that the headphones didn't function in the cold weather, but they are not comfortable at all while wearing a beanie.  The beanie pushes the headphones too hard in your ears.  I tried to find a comfortable fit but just couldn't get it.  For those in cold weather climates, this means you probably won't be using these while running outside.  As a bonus, the last couple of weeks have been amazing in Michigan with temps in the 50's and 60's so I got to use these more than I thought I would outside.  They are great on the treadmill though and when you are just wearing a regular hat.

Not the greatest with a beanie

Overall, I think they are good option for warm weather running or use inside and it's awesome to not have to worry about a cord getting in the way.  I can get my music started from my phone and put the phone away for the duration of the run which is very convenient.

Interest in learning more?

Check out the Panasonic website for more information.  MSRP is $99.99.

Have a great day and....Keep Running

Disclosure:  I received the Panasonic headphones in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a particular opinion other than an honest one.

2016 review with exciting races coming in 2017

Well another great year of running.  I ran less but still got in 1,500 miles.  I raced less (16 races and only one marathon and 6 half marathons).  I blogged much less this year and did less race reviews and less product reviews.  I didn't take the opportunity to review every product put in front of me like I had in the past and I stopped writing reviews on races I've already ran in the past.  I didn't see the purpose in writing a review again since it's obvious if I signed up again that I liked the race.  I only posted 19 times this year including today's post.  I used Instagram much more than anything this year.  I had more fun and really enjoyed the year of training and running.

The upcoming year will be filled with more running thanks to a couple challenging races including a very hilly (over 5,000 foot of gain) marathon in New York and a very hilly 50k in the U.P. (my second).  It will also involve much less beer (I know crazy!) as I try to get in shape for these very difficult races.  I look forward to what the year has in store for me in regards to running and wish you a very Happy New Year.

Have a Great Day and....Keep Running!!!!

Nathan Giveaway winner!!!!

The contest is over and we had a nice variety of entries through the Blog, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

The winner of the Nathan giveaway is Kyle B.

Congratulations Kyle - please email me at jeff@detroitrunner (dot com) and I'll get your contact information to Nathan so they can send you this great package!

Thanks to Nathan for Sponsoring this great giveaway!

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!

Nathan National Safety Month Review and Giveaway!!!

A few weeks back, Nathan sent me a few of their products to test out for National Safety Month.   I hope you do what you can to stay safe out there when running.   These products will certainly help.

They sent five things that help runners be more safe for me to review as well as to giveaway the same for a lucky Detroit Runner reader.  Here's a look a what I tested and I'll go in order of their products above:

First up is the Neutron Fire Headlamp.

Runner's Headlamp

Honestly, I was a little worried about this because of how small it was but there was no concerns here at all.  The headlamp is definitely smaller than what I'm used to running with which is a welcome change.  You barely know that you are wearing this headlamp!  The headlamp has a white light setting that is low (25 Lu), medium (45 Lu), high (90 Lu) and sprint (115 Lu) giving it various levels of light.  It also offers a strobe (45 Lu).  I pretty much used the medium or high depending if I was running with another runner and didn't need the brightness or high if I were running alone.  In addition, there is a setting for green, blue or red lights as well to help you see.  The light is fully adjustable so you can get it to the tightness you want to wear it.

The light takes 2 AAA batteries and lasts up to six hours on high and 90 Lumens is more than enough to see the road or the trail.  I typically run trails, where it's REALLY dark early mornings and it does a great job leading the way.  The lamp is adjustable so you can have light going further out or tilt it down so it's closer to your feet.  It's also water resistant and I ran one morning in the rain with no issues at all.

The next product Nathan sent was the Hipster.

The Hipster

This is a product to allow you to run with your phone, gels or any miscellaneous items.  Personally I didn't think it was good for storing a key since there is no clip or zipper.  It was, however, outstanding for carrying your phone on your run which, of course, keeps you much safer.  I have the iPhone 7 and you can see from the picture on the right that it fits perfectly.  I know that many of you worry about running with this for fear of it bouncing around, however, the fact this fits well around your waist at your hips keeps the phone against you and it does not bounce.  It has several openings to store things on the front (which I found best for the phone), the sides and back.

I've run over 60 miles with it and you can't even tell it's there.  I found myself checking during the run since I could not tell if I still had my phone with me!  One of the best running belts I've ever tested and I'm so excited to have this on my runs now.  Previously I've rarely run with my phone but now I do all the time.  Not only is it safer to run with your phone, but you get an opportunity to take pictures on your run like this one I took on today's 10 mile run.

I wouldn't have been able to share this without having The Hipster

Next up is the Speedshot Plus Insulated bottle.

Nathan SpeedShot Plus Insulated bottle

I have always run with a handheld bottle since I started running 6 years ago.  Even on short runs, I really need water during the run and bottles help keep you hydrated.  This one is nice for several reasons:

• It's light
• It allows you to take 12 ounces of water with you (plenty for up to ten miles for me)
• It has reflective parts to help you be seen at night
• It's insulated to keep your drinks cold
• It's got a nice hands free grip to it so you don't have to hold it hard allowing you to forget you are holding a bottle

As you can see from the pictures above, it's got a nice wide opening for drinking.  It also has an angle at the opening to help make it easier to drink.  It comes with a pouch on the front to allow you to store keys or gels and I'm always carrying a key and car fob since I drive to the trail.  The lower left picture was taken with my iPhone 7 in the front.  I had to stretch it to get it in there but it did fit.  Of course, if you have the Hipster, you don't need your phone in this.  I was even able to put my lightweight gloves in there from this mornings run once I warmed up.  For me, it's the perfect size for most of my training runs.

Next I tested the Mag Strobe.

The Nathan Mag Strobe is an extra light you can use either on the front of your shirt or on the back to help cars see you.  While the light itself is small, it can project light up to 2400 feet so cars see you coming or them coming up from behind you.  It's one extra precaution you can use especially while out running on the roads.  In my experience, you cannot have enough reflective gear, lights, headlamps on especially when you are running roads early in the morning or late in the evening.  I sometimes have 3 or 4 items to help me be seen and still cars don't see you!  This is especially true for 5am runs where drivers are still asleep and not looking for you.  It runs on a watch battery and clips to your clothing with a built in magnet.

Last but not least, I tested the LightSpur RX.

LightSpur RX

This is a nifty little light that clips onto the back of your shoe.  The light stays on because there are little spurs that rest against the shoe to stay in place.  Personally I think it's better suited for road running than trail running but it worked well for both and stays in place.  I say this just because sometimes you brush up against things on the trail.  The light itself is bright and you can change it to blue, green or red and it can be a steady state light or flashing.  I actually prefer the flashing light since cars tend to see you better when the light you have is flashing.  It's also rechargeable so no need to replace batteries.  As you can see, I have it plugged into my iPhone charger and the cable that comes with the LightSpur.  The light will last anywhere from 8 to 16 hours depending on if it's on continuously or on strobe.  This is one of those products I put in the category of using with several other safety items like the Mag Strobe and the Headlamp.  It's nice to have something that is lighted in back of you in case a car comes up behind you.

Overall, these are a great set of products to help you be safer when out running whether it's light out or dark.  All of the Nathan products are high quality and I can tell they will last for many years to come.

Nathan wants you to SEE and BE SEEN.  So who's interested in winning this great Nathan package?  Here's how you can win:

1. Post a comment on how you stay safe while running in the dark on this blog or on the Detroit Runner Facebook page (1 entry)
2. Post a comment on Twitter and tag @detroitrunner1 and @nathansportsinc telling us how you stay safe while running in the dark.  Use hashtag #FireUpYourRun as well. (1 entry)
3. Post a comment on Instagram.  I'll be posting about the giveaway there as well. (1 entry)

Three ways to win!  Good luck to all.  I'll announce a winner on November 15th and have Nathan send out your package directly to you.

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!

Disclosure:  I received all 5 products from Nathan in exchange for a review and giveaway.  All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a particular opinion other than an honest one.

Thru the Leaves Trail Half Marathon race review

Short Version
Finished in 2:34:50 (official time); no new PR
Overall Place:  21/36
Men 40-49:  6/6 - really - I suck!
Men overall:  14/22

Timed race #117; Half Marathon #43

A fun half marathon in Bloomer Park in Rochester Hills.  This is a park I train in regularly but I have not run the hills that we did in this race.  Great way to see new parts of the park that I've not run much.  Nice small race.  Old school pull tag timing.  Awesome sweatshirt.   Had a great time.

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Long Version
Registration/Packet Pickup/Start Area
Registration was online and very simple.  I decided at the last minute - that week - to sign up for the race so it was a bit more expensive that what I could have paid.

Packet pickup was race morning only given the small race.  No need to go to this one early as there is plenty of parking.  I was there WAY too early.  Bloomer charges $5 for their daily pass.  Funny thing is this is the first time I've ever been in Bloomer with my car since I usually run from a couple trailheads on the Clinton River Trail into the park.

Bloomer $5/day

The race was at the Hilltop shelter.  It was kind of misty out but the temperatures were good for running.  The race was all set up and very organized and ready for the runners.  I got to meet Tim who I follow I Strava and we chatted a bit as well as saying hello again to Christian before the race started.  I love really small races!

Packet pickup on race day

Course
I knew that we would be running more hills than I'm used to running in the park so this ended up being a much slower course for me.  It didn't help I went out so fast in the first mile either.  There is a couple miles on the course that I run regularly so it was nice to see that and also fill in other miles with some areas that I have not run much.  The race did a great job with finding a variety of trails to run.  One small loop in the beginning and two large loops.

Splits/course map/elevation

The race started out with a little asphalt through the parking lot to get to the trails.  It spread out any crowd at the start.  The 10k and half marathoners all started at the same time.

A little asphalt at the start

The half marathon runners had to run a 0.75 mile small green loop first and then come around and run 2 pink loops.

Spread out the crowd

White markings are the cross country teams and were not to be followed.  We followed pink flags.

Onto the trail

The great thing about Bloomer is there are a variety of trails including wide track, two track, and single track.  It really is a nice park and I'm happy to be so close to it.

wide track

The race did an awesome job at marking the course.  I never felt like I was going to get lost off the trail.

Single track

It was kind of a dreary day out so pictures didn't come out that great.  It was perfect running weather but was a bit humid out.

We had to go up stairs twice and it made for an interesting course.  The stairs were really wet so you needed to watch your footing.

Stairs - twice

Down stairs

It's always nice when you are familiar with parts of the trails.  Frankly, I felt that I didn't run this course that well.  I was expecting to run it much faster than I did since I knew the area well but I just didn't have it in me today.

Great area by the river

Wide trail

Regardless, I really enjoyed the course as the race did a super job putting together a course that had some nice variety as well as it was challenging.

Part of my regular route

More of my regular route

The swamp was super green and this picture didn't even do it justice.

Swamp we ran through - just kidding

There was a longer stretch of wide track that was nice and flat too.

wide trail

I talked to a friend, Pam, as she zoomed past me!

Pam passing me!

White lines are the cross country route

The first loop went faster than the second loop but it seemed to go by quickly.  The race had an aid station at the start/finish line for the half marathon runners.

Time for another loop

Signage to mark where to run for the half marathon was nice.  I didn't get a good picture but the race was directing the 10k runners and half runners at this split since we had that extra 0.75 small loop.

Well marked course

We passed by the Velodrome a couple times as well.  If you have not seen it, when you run at Bloomer sometime, you should check it out, it's really cool to see this.  I'd love to see a bike race there.

Passed by the Velodrome

Below was one of the most beautiful parts of the park up near the top of the mountain bike route.  You didn't want to get too close to that edge - it was a really big drop down.

Awesome area

The mountain bike course was really fun to run and I was happy to be running it down instead of up!  Haha!  Actually it might have been easier on my knees had we run this up!

Down we go!

It took some maneuvering to run these in the downhill without wiping out on your face.

Switchbacks

 They did level off though even if we then had to run over logs.

Logs to jump

Or run along logs, as is the case of this log bridge below, which was really fun by the way.

Log to run over

The course really kept you on your toes at least for the first 3 miles of it.

Don't fall right

The second time around on this and I was mostly alone so it made it a little easier.  I wasn't as worried about running into someone.

fun part of run

The course by the river was really nice.  Given all the rain we had, the river was flowing quite a bit and was really high too.  You could hear it the entire time you ran by it and that's not always the case - at least when I've trained there.

Back by the river

I was surprised to see how high the river was but was happy to see it didn't require the race to modify the course due to flooding.

The river was very high given the rains

Single track

I always love running by the water whether it's a river or a lake.

River flowing

We got to cross several wooden bridges as well.  It's really fun to run these but you needed to be careful since they were pretty wet.

Bridges

We experienced a little mud on the course but nothing really that bad.

Little mud

Mile 6 or 12 

Wet area

My shoes got soaked and stayed wet about a 1/2 mile for this portion of the course.  With all the rain we got in the last couple days, I was surprised that this is all that we really experienced for wet trails.

Shoes got a little wet here

A little more mud and wet

The mud and wet always make for an interesting race.  For those running the 10k, you only had to run this once and it was near the end of the loop so not that big of deal.  It was actually the first time my Skechers really had any real water in them and they did drain off the water pretty well.

Playing in the mud

Almost done

Before I knew it, I'd run 2:30 hours!

Finish

Aid Stations
Ed and Nikki and their daughter were helping out at the aid station at the top of the stairs.  It was nice to see some familiar faces as I came through the area.

Ed and Nikki volunteering at aid station 2

There was also an unmanned aid station for anyone that wanted additional water.  Good idea.  As mentioned, the other aid station was at the start/finish area.

Unmanned aid station 3

Finish Area
The finish area was right back at the start.  The race had bananas and fruit bars as well as water for the runners.  Pam and I talked for a few minutes but I was soaked and getting cold so I didn't stay around too long.

Finish area

Amenities
For your race entry (I paid $65 plus fees), you received a flagged course with finish line food.  Timing was pull tag given the small size of the race which made sense and the time pretty much matched my watch.

Bib

You also received a finisher medal with the race name on it.

Medal

Medal close up

While the medal was not a really exciting design, I can see that the race chose to spend their money on the sweatshirts.  They did a great job with the sweatshirts.  I like the color and they are made well.  It's also awesome to have something other than another tech t-shirt.  Awards were for the top 5 overall who won a nice medal pint glass.

Great sweatshirt

Organization
Organization of the race was well done.  The race website had information on the race as well as race day information.   The director did some announcements before the race (although they could use a microphone).  The course markings were excellent.  The aid stations were good and well placed with great volunteers.  The finish line was well organized.

Overall
Overall, I'm glad I decided to run this race.  I hesitated to run it just because I do run Bloomer for my regular training runs, however, I'm really glad that I did.  I ran some parts of Bloomer that I've not run before which is nice.  The course was very nice and had some real challenge to it.  There were more hills than I thought.  The sweatshirts were awesome and I'm happy I ran it just to get one of those.  The race, Move-It Fitness, did a great job.  They also have numerous other races throughout the year and I'm sure I'll run more of their races in the future.  If you are looking for more trails races, this is one you should check out.

Another finish!

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!

Disclosure:  I paid for this race with my own funds.  All opinions are my own.