Orcas 25k – Dionne H

Race: Orcas Island 25k – http://www.rainshadowrunning.com/orcas-island-25k.html

Runner: Dionne H

Date: 1/30/2016

Location: Orcas Island

Distance raced and other options: 25k. 50k is one week later and the 100 miler is two weeks after the 50k.

Results:  127th place, 53rd female in 3:49.51

3 Bests: The scenery/location, how well the race is organized, awesome race director and volunteers.

Not so much:  How chaotic the parking lot can be when people try to get in and out in the same time as runners start to come back.

Weird factor: I have not done a lot of trail races but I found it odd when I was in the middle of nowhere all of a sudden there is this little kid cheering up on us from high up on the tree. I guess the family must have lived in the area or something.

Highlights of your race: This is my only trail race I have done. I really love the fact that the trail is well marked but not so much that you feel like it’s been staged. I still feel like I run deep in the woods with a very well sense of direction. This way I can totally enjoy the run and not to where I should turn next/direction.

Lessons for others: Learn about the race profile and elevation gains helps me set up my pace and expectation. Therefore I get to enjoy the race even more. And making sure you dress properly is very important, it will either make it or break it.

Aesthetics: It is probably the most scenic run I have ever had. Everything is in one package: beautiful, serene, the moss, the water, the mountains.

Difficulty: There is a part that I found it difficult for me because I am not used to it. The tough hill, Power Line, is definitely something that I wish I had trained for. The downhill part of the trail is fun but can be challenging when it is wet outside. It is not as technical but the turns can slow you down.

Organized and well run: This is definitely a well organized race.