It had to happen this way, didn’t it? I knew when signing up for the 10 mile loop (10.41 miles, to be exact) of the Psycho Psummer “Run Toto, Run” Trail Run that it would be brutal. I’ve volunteered at aid stations for this race twice and both times it was extremely hot.

It is called “Psycho Psummer”, after all.

But in the week leading up to the race, the temperatures were very unseasonably moderate…because it just would not stop raining.

A couple of years ago I ran this course for the winter version, Psycho Wyco Run Toto Run, right after a massive snowstorm that stopped the city dead for two days and then quickly melted, leaving the course a muddy disaster. I was overconfident because of a 13.1 mile race the November before, had not trained well, and the course destroyed me. My legs hurt for days. The course kicked my proverbial behind.

But this time would be different. The course would be hard packed and I would only have the heat to contend with. What could go wrong?

Remember that rain I mentioned?

Ben Holmes, Trail Nerds maestro, had told us in an email earlier in the week that the course looked fine, with the exception of the first two miles, which are part of the bridal trail. Horses and the constant rain had left that two mile section a mess.

And then we had torrential rain Friday night, the summer heat returned on Saturday, and the race began.

The above picture is my legs and shoes just past that muddy two mile section. To call it a mess would be selling it short. Heaven knows how bad it was at the start, but after the 20 milers and 50K runners had their go at it, it was an often deep, wet, slick course that was hard to walk in, let alone run in. Early on in the race I was digging in the mud to help free the shoe of the young lady in front of me who was locked tight in the trail’s grip.

Let me quickly interject right here that I had a lot of fun running (mostly power-hiking) the course. And the return of the heat was not a bad thing as there was a great breeze and even at noon it felt really nice in the shade.

The trail eventually relented and gave us several miles of slightly muddy, hard packed surface to run on, before surprising us with a long, long stretch of even worse destruction, on a lot of steep hills, for the last 3+ miles of the race (my estimate based on where aid stations were located).

As you can see, my legs and shoes did not look markedly improved when I crossed the finish line. Just prior to hitting the last leg of mud, I was having an internal conversation with myself about how the course had beaten me the first time, I was certainly NOT beating it this time, but in the end we might find ourselves at a draw.

Ha, the trail knew what was coming and I could swear I heard giggling on the wind. Perhaps that was just trail-induced hallucinations. At 3 hours and 20 minutes for 10 miles, the trail kicked my hind quarters solidly and repeatedly. [Keep in mind, I ran a non-trail 10K, 6.2 miles, in an hour and six minutes not many weeks back, and 9:30 mile average 5K two weeks ago].

It is always a thrill to hear the sounds of the finish line before you see them, and that was certainly the case today. My mom and dad, pictured in the opening photo, my wife Mary, and my daughter Tori (pictured above) were there to see me off and to greet me upon my return. I’m so grateful to have a supportive family and I was excited to see them after crossing the finish line.

Had to have someone to show off these muddy legs to!

They were just as bad behind.

Speaking of “behind”, mine was covered with mud from the boot print the trail left as it was doing its butt-kicking.

I did less running than power-hiking, found myself crawling hands and feet up a few hills at times because of how slick they were, and only fell twice, so not bad for a day where so many of us runners looked more like staggering drunks on the trail than athletes as we tried desperately to keep our footing.

I noticed several of the 20 milers had dropped down to 10 miles because of the rough conditions, which I completely understand. This one is meant to be a real challenge, and it proved itself to be that today.

I felt tired, but pretty good, after the race…until about 15 minutes later, when I reportedly had turned a very gray shade of pale and took myself off to sit by a tree for awhile. My wife ministered to my afflictions with a cold towel and my parents and daughter were very understanding about my need to cancel our planned visit to Westside Local. Another time!

So, Run Toto Run course 2, Carl 0…well, maybe not really.

I met some very nice people on the trail, which is always a plus. And as miserable as this may all read to those of you who don’t run trails, I truly did have a great time. I was proud of not stopping and resting along the way, keeping forward momentum going even if it meant walking. The trees in the park are beautiful and the wind was quite refreshing and welcoming. And a handful of hours post-run, all I can think about is how much of an adrenaline rush it is to start and finish a race like this.

I was so impressed by all the great and enthusiastic people who volunteered for the aid stations. Thank you all so much.

And thank you to Ben and Coco and Melanie for all the support, and to you and all the other folks who took care of the trails ahead of time, making sure we were not running through nettles, poison ivy, or fallen trees.

The Trail Nerds organization is a class act, and I’m privileged that they call the Kansas City area home, because my favorite races these last few years are all due to their efforts.

I sit here typing this in the ultra-soft race shirt you see pictured above. Kudos to Ben Holmes, these shirts are so comfy. And soon I’ll be enjoying a post-race meal and a Stewart’s root beer out of my Psycho Psummer glass (which is also a very cool, fun shape…again, nicely done!)

The yellow sticker says it all, “10 miles of Trails & Trials”.

It was that.

When can we do it again?