Mr. Toads Wild Run 20k Trail Race 2017; Race Report #22

     Every year on the first Saturday of December the Bakersfield Track Club hosts a trail race known as Mr. Toads Wild Run. The reason for the name is the last 3/4 mile is downhill in a curvy high banked turn trail known as Toads Gulley. This year the race start was much warmer than usual so we were all in shorts for the race.
     Robin, Andrea, Aden, David, and myself along with many other friends were entered in the 20k, while Trevor was attempting the 5k. At the last minute, Trevor opted to forego the race and drive to Clovis to help with some family yard work which left just us 20k participants.

Andrea, Robin and myself prior to the 20k start.

     I did my usual warm-up, but not too much as this would be a long race for me based on my current training situation. My longest recent run had only been 10 miles to date. The 5 and 20k started together, and I took off slowly, determined to not burn myself out in the first few hills. I also opted to carry Tailwind as my drink for the first time in a race. It wasn't long before the races split and I found myself out by myself for what seemed like miles. I was careful to make sure I didn't try to run up the big hills this time. I had made that mistake in previous years. I talked to runners that I passed as I cruised along the course. I felt better as the race progressed. Soon enough I came upon the infamous "bastard hill./" It was at this point I saw Aden who had already run the hill and was heading back looking good firmly in a top 3 overall position. I power walked up the hill, then ran the rest of the race. I think I even did negative splits since I walked the hills at the beginning. I ended up finishing 16th overall, third in my age group. Aden finished second overall and first in his age group. With some consistent training, he has loads of potential.
     Meanwhile, Robin and Andrea were busy having fun hiking the uphills and running the downhills. They amused themselves taking selfies, then adding special effects during the race.

Robin and Andrea playing around during the race. 

     I grabbed a quick snack after finishing and set out running the course backward to finish with Robin and Andrea. This meant I had to go uphill in Mr. Toads gulley. I mostly hiked as I encouraged runners finishing the race as I went. I found them about 1 1/2 miles before the finish laughing and having a good time. I ran and walked downhill to the finish with them.They both finished in a time of 3:22:57.  I checked the results and got my age group award which was a cool beer glass. We had a brief rest and snacks before heading to Pyrenees Basque restaurant for some post-race nourishment. 

We had lunch in the bar at Pyrenees Basque Restaraunt. 

     According to my new rating system, I give this race a 4 IPA rating.The course is tough enough to be an IPA course. I had to knock it down a beer because they held the raffle for prizes while runners were still on the course, and I knocked it down another beer for not having a free beer after the race for the adult participants. The race is fun and close, so I look forward to doing it again in 2018.