The KrrBrrr

 I had an interesting morning running The Krrbrrr race (Knik River Break-Up Ramble Run) through the mud and the muck, the stickers, trees, brambles, and the moose and horse poop. It's a crazy trail race that consists of a 5 mile loop through the messy flooded, muddy mass of ATV trails that connect Sullivan Road to the Jim Creek, Knik River drainage. Runners have to contend with ATV's, moose and occasional horses as they forge their way through the currently mostly flooded trail system. Negotiating my way around the gigantic flooded areas required bushwhacking through fallen trees, and hoards of gnarly wild rose bushes with nasty thorns that grab onto everything. I made sure to wear heavy long pants to avoid arriving at the finish a bloody mess. Runners, or in my case, walkers (I'm a chicken) can run as many loops as they want in the 8 hour allotted time. Like the previous 2 years, I was quite satisfied to call it a day after completing one loop still standing and not covered with mud. Heartier runners amazingly accomplished multiple loops. I'm proud of them! It's really a lot of fun and a challenge to find one's way from one pink flag to the next even though there may be a 3 foot deep moat between the 2 flags. I was slow and careful enough to actually arrive back at the start finish line without even getting my feet wet. My studded running shoes were covered with mud though. There was ice beneath many of the muddy sections and those studded shoes were perfect to help keep me from toppling over like some of the faster runners did. I love doing it just to have a little visit with the other runners. They inspire me.