My First Siberian Express Trail Race

My first Siberian Express was today.  It is 7.45 mile trail race at the Kickapoo State Recreation Area in Illinois put on by the Kennekuk Road and Trail Runners club (KRR).  It is always at the beginning of January, so the weather is a big question mark.  And it is about a two and a half hour drive from home.  So it has always been tough for me to decide to do it.  But this year they had a special reduced price and I decided to go for it.

We had icy rain/snow during the night which turned to rain in the morning and throughout most of the day with temps in the mid-30s which made for a very muddy and slippery course.  But it was a lot of fun running through the slop through the woods.  But being my first time, I really didn't know what I was getting myself into.  The first half was pretty easy as long as you didn't mind the mud and puddles.  Once your feet got wet it didn't matter how many more puddles you had to run through.  But, oh, the second half!  A couple of monster slippery hills and slanted trails made staying upright a large task.  Needless to say I went down a couple of times and by the finish I was carrying a lot of Kickapoo mud with and on me.  But it was great time nonetheless and a great challenge.  And as always, KRR puts on a fantastic race!