Crazy Legs 10K+

We were asked to run this race as ninjas and bribed with free entry fees. (I would be willing to run almost any race dressed as a ninja for a free entry- but I will be buying a new balaclava that isn't made for 20 below).  

We did have to get up painfully early- 4am to be exact- but it was worth it.  We both felt completely recovered from the 50K from last weekend.  

It was an amazing hidden gem of a race run by Paul Stofko (@crazylegs121) who comes back from Indiana every year to organize it.  http://www.prerace.com/races/event/30112/Crazy-Legs-10k--Trail-Run---Loveland-CO.  Paul is an ultrarunner as well as a really great guy.  He also organizes many trail races in Northern Indiana.  The race was in Loveland at Devil's Backbone Open Space. http://www.co.larimer.co.us/parks/openlands/os_devils_backbone.htm

The trail connects to Horsetooth mountain trail and the Blue Sky Trail.  The trail was approximately 50% packed dirt and approximately 50% rock.  The trail is a geologic marvel if you like rocks. Beautiful views of sandstone in the distance and sedimentary rock layers on a slant to make running a little more interesting.   I found a great blog that talks about it in detail: http://blog.twoknobbytires.com/2008/09/19/devils-backbone-open-space-wild-loop/.  It was an awesome race- not extremely fast due to the canted rocks, but fun and beautiful. 

photo by Paul Stofko @crazylegs121

photo by Paul Stofko @crazylegs121

Here is a great race report video from Jerry Armstrong at trail and ultrarunning.com: http://trailandultrarunning.com/crazy-legs-10k-race-report/

We both ended up having great races and both finished 2nd in our age groups.