For years, my wife and I have been seeing flyers for Lost Dutchman at our local running store. For years, we kept finding excuses not to make the drive to Arizona to run this race. Well, 2016 was different, we have been racing so much lately, we couldn't NOT hit the road for this race.

Leaving home a little later than anticipated, we made the trek down yonder way, hit Phoenix as rush hour traffic was waning, and was able to get to the expo with limited time until it closed up. Some of the vendors were already packing up, or gone, but the race staff were amazing. We were checked in quickly, and efficiently. Our awesome LONG SLEEVE tech shirts were put into our bags, and one of the staff members was standing by the course map, giving intel on what to expect.

Anticipated weather reports were a little more friendly than previously reported. Still, I had my hydration pack, and handheld bottle ready, just in case.

Race morning arrived & my wife, who was doing the half, dropped me off at the buses. While doing such, the LEO that was assisting in the parking was jokingly rushing me, there were no cars behind us, that I needed to hurry up. HURRY UP! HURRY UP!

In that rush, I realized I made a big mistake about 20 minutes later. I forgot my watch in the car. My wife wasn't paying attention to her phone, and didn't check her text messages. My phone was too low to use to track my run, so I figured I would run (technologically) blind.

After a bit of a drive to the start line, we got out, and were greeted by a grid of fires to help keep us warm. Runners were enjoying some warm beverages, the fires, and before long, so was I! Talking with some runners about this race, other events we have completed, and future plans, a runner wearing a race shirt for one on my 2016 calendar (Whiskey Row) and I were talking a bit more.

Before the start, I took in the awe inspiring sunrise over the Superstition Mountains, with the saguaros and desert scrub slowly becoming illuminated. My phone could not capture the views, in any way that did justice to them.

The announcement was made, time to get into the starting corral. There was an effort to organize runners into pace groups, with signs held high. This attempt is much appreciated, as the walkers that line up at the start of races are frustrating, and dangerous.

It did not take long before we started!

For the first 6 miles, we were running downhill, on a well maintained dirt road. We were about 2 miles into the race, when we saw a group of runners running up the course, guessing they missed the buses, and had to run 6 miles to the start.

By the bottom of the dirt section, we had just about a 10k behind us. Whiskey Row shirt guy gave me a heads up about our split... much faster than I had planned to run. What the heck, It felt great, let's keep it going! The two of us ran together until mile 15, or so, when he stopped to snack at an aid station. Not wanting to stop, I figured I would keep running until he caught back up.

So, I kept running. And running. Picking up a cold, wet towel at one aid station, draping it over my neck, and continuing on. Each aid station had awesome volunteers, but those giving out cold towels were my favorite!

There was a section with an out-and-back through a neighborhood. On my return trip, I spotted Whiskey Row shirt guy again, he yelled out the overall time, to that point, as I was about a mile ahead of him. Wow, I was moving well, unexpectedly well.

At mile 21 or 22, somewhere in there, I was getting warmed up again, the towel was dry, and I couldn't fight the urge to walk a little. After a brief walk, I tried to pick up the pace again, swapped out the dry towel for another cool, cold, dripping wet towel. It was like second Heaven.

Shortly afterward, we were making a little climb, and approached "The Wall" - a prop the organizers add to the course, so you can "bust through The Wall" for a great photo opp. The scenery is amazing there, with mountains, and cacti in the background. Of course, the photographer was tired by then, and didn't get a shot of most marathoners going through the prop, got some after, but not with the prop wall in the shot. Very disappointing, as I was looking forward to that photo.

The last couple miles, it seemed like the thermostat got turned up. My hydration systems were running low, my legs were heavy, and that last hill looked like a mountain (maybe a 25-30 gain). Pushing through, I rounded the final corner, and put some effort into finishing strong.

One of the things my wife and I were hoping for on this race, was for me to have a chance to see her on course. I miscalculated each race's start time, so I was only able to see a few half marathoners. However, it was awesome to see her at the finish line, as I entered the chute. I finished only a few minutes off of my PR, which was very shocking.

The after race event was great. They had quizzes for prizes on the stage, a veritable bounty of food, photo ops with 'old miners & a ghost', along with some vendors giving out samples & massages.

Really wish we hadn't waited so long to participate in this race!