Overall: How I lived in Iowa for three years without running this is beyond me. Well actually, it was because the first two years the race was sold out (year 1) and I was hurt the next one (year two). Still, this one should be on your bucket list. If you're in or around Iowa at this time of year, do yourself a favor and sign up for this one.

You'll see lots of people in costumes out here, which is always fun. If you want to run a decent pace, you'll need to get way up front at the start, since the course bottlenecks fairly quickly. The first three miles were, honestly, quite boring. Gravel roads and fields are your scenery and path for the start. Then you dive into the woods on some beautiful single track where you hit the first of several river crossings. The first is the only one where you can jump across rocks and not get wet.

After that, you'll have hills (some VERY steep) and more river crossings. You'll get wet and muddy, but you'll have a ton of fun. We had a chilly and windy day, but overall a good one for late November. Don't be surprised if you get snow and ice for this one though.

T-Shirt - The race shirt isn't the best, but it isn't the worst. But that's all you get. Other than the food at the end, which is super-duper good, hot, and overall just great.

Aid Stations: Non existent.

Course Scenery: Any course that sports single track will get a good rating from me. But really, the single track, farms, and fields encompass just about everything there is to see in Iowa. And you get it all on one 7 mile loop!

Expo: It's efficient, that's for sure. But it's nothing special.

Elevation: This was actually one of the harder courses I've ever run. The hills aren't long, but boy are they steep. Plus, most come after the river crossings, so they'll get muddy and slick in a hurry.

Parking: I was told by so many people to get there early. You can only get to Living History from one road, so it does fill up quick. But I had no issues (other than a flat tire...but that's a personal problem). Easy in and easy out for me.

Race Management: These folks know what they're doing. The expo and post race aren't flashy, but they're efficient. And when you have about 7,000 runners, efficient is the most important.

You better believe I'll be back.