This was my second year to run the Frost or Fog 10 mile event. I had last run the race in 2014. My goal for this year was to, of course, earn a PR. The weather was questionable going into the event, but come race day we had chilly temps but thankfully no rain!

When I had run the race in 2014, I was not expecting a trail race with a 500 ft. climb, so I wasn't prepared. This year, however, I knew more of what I was getting myself into. My friend, who completed the race with me in 2014, opted to do the quarter marathon route (6.55 miles) since she wasn't physically prepared to do the 10 mile route.

My new goal, therefore, was to complete the 10 mile route faster than what it would take her to do the 6.55 mile route. Despite the 500 ft. elevation gain at miles 4-5.5, I was able to earn a PR and I passed my friend with 1.5 left to go in the race! Not only that, but I placed third in my age group and won some sweet gloves!

Overall, a fantastic race with beautiful scenery, great swag, and awesome fellow runners!

From what I have heard from others, the Carnation, WA Beat the Blerch was much better than the Sacramento Beat the Blerch. Meeting Matt Inman (The Oatmeal) at both race packet pick up the day before and at the race was exciting. Completing my sixth marathon in less than four years was exciting. Purchasing my bib from a fellow races for half the price was exciting. Completing the actual race, however, was lackluster.

The course was a huge letdown. At one point I was literally taking selfies with sheep grazing on the field adjacent to the path. We stayed on the path, which felt as though it was in the middle of nowhere, for about 15 miles! I saw a blerch at the starting line and a blerch at mile 23, but no blerch in between. Perhaps a blerch could have broken up the monotony of the course?

One of the only positives of the course was the fact that it began and ended at Raley Field. It was fun to have a finish line down on the field. Sadly, however, when I crossed the finish line, my watch read 24.8 miles as opposed to the 26.2 advertised course distance. Nearly 1.5 miles off?! How'd that happen?

In the end, would I recommend this race to a friend? Yes, only because one would hope that the next time around it would be better.

This was my second year in a row to complete the Avenue of the Giants marathon. It is an "L" shaped course. The first half is out and back for 13.1 miles and then the second half is also out and back for 13.1 miles. The second half is also what is the half marathon course. It always feels good to pass half marathoners! This race is a small race that only had 509 full marathon finishers in 2015. The scenery of the course is unbeatable! Running along the Avenue of the Giants with the huge, majestic evergreen is priceless!