Race with me at the Camp Big Timber XC 8k. We had gotten the first snow of the season the night before, which made for perfect cross country conditions. The route, hosted at a Boy Scouts camp, featured three creek crossings (per lap, 2 laps) and some short but punchy hills (which were conveniently left out of the course description). I learned a couple of things about myself. I’m terrible at knowing what pace to run out of the gate (after the first couple hundred meters, I was in third but I finished at 14th). And I’m very much a rhythm runner. The twists and turns and ups and downs of a cross country course really threw me off and I felt like I was constantly running way too hard while also never ever feeling fast. But I had a lot of people to work with on this course, and the cross country promise of this course certainly delivered. I had come in to the race thinking that I had a chance of winning my age group (which would have earned me a free pair of socks), but a lot of fast also-old dudes decided to show up today, and my effort only got me an age group fourth. I would have needed to do a threshold workout today anyway, and an almost 40 minute romp through the woods was a nice change of pace from my usual 6x6’. Included with my entry fee was a flannel shirt with the race name embroidered on the arm, which I think is my second favorite race swag that I’ve ever gotten (Tokyo marathon post race towel-poncho is number one). There was also a pancake breakfast post-race, as well as a Boy Scout bonfire. I ended this week 81 miles. Last week was 77 miles. And those might be my two highest mileage weeks in the last year or maybe longer. Overall, I’m feeling good . Hat @pathprojects collab hat Long sleeve @salomon Tights @banditrunning Socks @swiftwicksocks Shoes @salomonrunning S Lab Pulsar 3 Gloves @asics Watch @corosglobal . Disclosures. I paid for my own bib and transportation. No one paid for their brand to be featured in this video. No one previewed this video before it published