Psychodelic 5K, Ice Version - RR

What: Psychodelic 5K, Ice Version
When: January 16, 2011 @ 9:00a.m.
Where: Wyandotte County Lake Park
Why: A lot of FUN
Weather: cloudy and 16F
Finish Time: just under 34:00

This event was put on by the Kansas City Trail Nerds. For pre-registering for the race I received a mug:



After picking up my bib and mug, I headed back to my Jeep to stay warm:



I had about an hour to kill before the race started so I decided to spend 30 minutes keeping warm and then 30 minutes walking around outside to get the muscles moving.

About 15 minutes before the race I put on a pair of Yaktrax XTRs for traction and walked around taking general pictures:


Looking off to the side of the course.


Looking through the finish chute. It was an out and back course so we ran through it shortly after the start.


Trail Nerds and Mud Babes flag near the shelter.

The race started and we were on our way.





I started way too far back, but decided it wasn't a bad thing since it gave me time to warm-up and ease my knee into the race.

Eventually there was too much walking going on so I started looking to pass.




The lady in the pink getting ready to go down the hill was being very cautious so as soon as I made it down the hill I sped up to pass her.

There were a lot of loose rocks and roots hidden under the snow, but somehow I managed to avoid them all. I knew this was going to be a slow race overall since there is about 1,200 feet of elevation change throughout the race. This is also part of the course for the 50K I'm registered for next month.





A gentle incline


Nice downhill that we'd have to run up on the way back.




Another gentle incline






heading downhill


Getting ready to pass


Next runner to catch.


Downhill heading to the turnaround point.


Ran around the field to head back


Heading up


The ascension begins.


It's a walkin time


Getting ready to pass in the snow on the right.


Pass completed




Uphill time again


Time to pass soon


Final photo.

I had 1 person pass me after the turnaround, but passed about 20 myself. It was a blast. I made the last pass up a final uphill by running in the deeper snow on the left of the trail. I managed a kick to the finish and didn't even notice the clock while crossing the finish line.

Some people may be wondering how the Yaktrax XTR fared, good and bad. I had great traction, but noticed at about the halfway point that a chain connecting the spikes had busted on both feet. My right foot had the rear left chain holding down the heel come apart, while my left foot had a middle chain holding down the front spikes come apart.

For being labeled as "extreme," construction is poor. This was my first time running in them. What happened is that the links are just clamped shut and came apart during a downhill section. Very poor design and I'm not happy that they broke about halfway through a 5K on their first outing.

The race was a blast though and I'll update with official pics as soon as they're posted.

I hope you enjoyed the pics.

Eric