Greetings from the Middle of Nowhere, Florida (errr… Brooksville)!  Meghann, Kelly (Meghann’s sister), Abbie, and I are checked in our hotel and anxiously awaiting our big race tomorrow — a 15.0 Mile Trail Race

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The race is in Withlacoochee State Forest, which is absolutely beaaautiful.

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OK — backtracking a little bit…. Kelly and I carpooled to the race location together.  Before we left, I had a bowl of cereal.

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And a bunch of grapes in the car.

 

We arrived in Brooksville around 5 PM and met up with Abbie and MeghannThis was my first time meeting Abbie, and she is so sweet and interesting!  She is actually racing the 50K version of the race tomorrow (like 31 miles)…. isn’t that loco!?  Plus, she gave me this awesome "Easter Basket" upon my arrival:

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A running CD mix tape, tons of yummy bars, instant oatmeal, peanut butter… OH MY!  And she made these amazing pineapple donut holes (which are raw).  I had one of these:

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We drove to the race start to pick up our numbers and packets. 

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I love the Crooms’ shirt!

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And then we decided to go out to dinner…. we originally intended to go to this lovely Italian place, but it was closed for Good Friday. 🙁 We ended up randomly selecting this very Southern BBQ place.

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Yea… we’re in hicksville right now.

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I looooove BBQ!  The homestyle type is the best.  I ordered 1/2 BBQ chicken (which I only about 1/2 of), corn on the cob, half a roll, and baked beans.

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Dinner was delicious, but it really didn’t hit the spot for some reason.  I definitely didn’t feel like I had eaten enough pre-race carbs, and neither did the other girls.  We stopped at the grocery store on the way home and grabbed a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked FroYo, which we ate in our hotel room. 😉

 

My 1/4 a pint:

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And now…. maybe we’ll go explore the hotel pool! And snooze on our double beds and watch TV.  :)  I’ve got a SERIOUS case of pre-race nerves, but I know I’ll be just fine.

 

Stay tuned for the post-race recap!  I’m taking my camera on the trail (yes, seriously), so maybe I’ll have some cool pictures of myself huffing and puffing on the trail.  🙂

 

Good night!

{ 31 comments }

 

  • Laura April 10, 2009, 5:48 pm

    I love BBQ!

    You will be more than fine for the race! How cool to have a race in such a beautiful location. 🙂

    Have fun!

  • VeggieGirl April 10, 2009, 5:49 pm

    Great stuff!!

    Lovin’ those raw donut holes.

    GOOD LUCK!!

  • Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) April 10, 2009, 5:54 pm

    It looks like so much fun!!! Have a fabulous race!!

  • K from ksgoodeats April 10, 2009, 6:01 pm

    GOOD LUCK!! You guys are amazing!

  • Leah April 10, 2009, 6:02 pm

    Enjoy the rest of your night! Can’t wait to see a post-race recap! Have FUN!

  • Run Sarah April 10, 2009, 6:13 pm

    You will do awesome! Have fun at the pool!

  • Alex April 10, 2009, 6:14 pm

    Good luck tomorrow! I am jealous of how gorgeous it looks!!

    Also, a 50k = 31 miles, just like a 5K = 3.1 miles!

  • Red Head, Yellow Dog April 10, 2009, 6:14 pm

    Love BBQ! The best places to eat BBQ are def the hole in the wall places!

    If you move to NC you will have to experience the eastern NC/Western NC BBQ rivalry!

    GOOD LUCK CAITLIN!! you’re going to do great!

  • Haleigh April 10, 2009, 6:54 pm

    Yum… BBQ and Ben and Jerry’s!! Good luck on your race tomorrow!!

  • Annie April 10, 2009, 6:57 pm

    good luck at the race tomorrow!!!

  • SweetPea April 10, 2009, 7:05 pm

    Good luck and have fun!

  • Life Coach Jen April 10, 2009, 7:13 pm

    Good luck! You’ll be fine, try to relax and breathe and get a good night’s sleep!

  • Niki April 10, 2009, 7:20 pm

    Good luck!! I’m sure you will do GREAT!!

  • teacherwoman April 10, 2009, 7:24 pm

    Good luck tomorrow! And, most importantly, have fun!

  • Lindsay April 10, 2009, 7:54 pm

    I’ve totally taken my camera out with me on nearly every single run! Even a marathon! Though my hand did get tired after a while.

    Have fun tomorrow and good luck!

  • *Andrea* April 10, 2009, 8:07 pm

    GOOD LUCK!!!! it’s so great that you have three other girls to run with. have fun together and go hard! i bet you’ll do great.

  • Matt April 10, 2009, 8:14 pm

    Good luck!

  • Susan April 10, 2009, 9:10 pm

    It’s so fun to read about the same event from three different people! Have an awesome race, and I look forward to the report, complete with pictures!

  • Justine April 10, 2009, 9:57 pm

    Have fun at the trail race tomorrow and good luck tackling those 15 miles!

  • Thinspired April 11, 2009, 2:32 am

    Best of luck tomorrow–you girls are going to do great! I'm glad you got a little help from B&J, too 🙂

  • ~Jessica~ April 11, 2009, 2:36 am

    Good luck with the race! The trail looks absolutely beautiful and I’m sure you’ll do briliantly.

    Yeesh, I can’t imagine running 31 miles…my knees would die. Actaully, 15K is very, very impressive ~ I can’t manage more than 7.5 miles before my left knee and hip decides to, well, die! You’re such an inspiration battling through injuries and work-induced fatigue to run this race!

    ~Jessica~

  • Mica April 11, 2009, 4:09 am

    Good luck tomorrow!

    Love the picture of you guys with your race shirts.

  • Nate April 11, 2009, 5:40 am

    This trail run nonsense is really cutting into your drogging time. Good luck with the run.

  • D10 April 11, 2009, 5:41 am

    Have a blast. Trail runs are so much fun.

  • Aimee April 11, 2009, 5:56 am

    It looks like it will be a beautiful race. Enjoy it 🙂

  • Kristi @ Sweet Cheeks April 11, 2009, 6:11 am

    You are going to do a wonderful job! What a neat race!

  • completelydelicious April 11, 2009, 6:42 am

    Wow what an awesome location for a race! Good luck!

  • Oh She Glows April 11, 2009, 7:34 am

    thats so awesome you are bringing your camera!! Can’t wait to see the recap! You are going to ROCK IT!

  • Amy April 11, 2009, 7:53 am

    I can’t wait to hear about the race-good luck!!!

  • Bec April 11, 2009, 8:06 am

    hope you are having a great race day!

  • Adi (oatonomy.com) April 11, 2009, 8:10 am

    You will destroy it Caitlin!! Can’t wait for your recap!

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