Hudson Highlander. Not so bad despite a terrible start, parallel error on the approach to #1, witnessed by Peggy, Susie, Torie, probably cost 3-4 minutes. So I didn't get to see if it was a good route or not (most people went left of the line, up the big valley).
By myself to #2, ok until the trail was no longer helpful. For some reason I thought it might be better running down along the edge of the marsh at the end, but it was basically terrible. Got to 2 just after Phil and three or four others, that raised morale a bit as I thought I might be dead last....
By the time I got to the vicinity of 3, there were at least 8-10 folks spread out over the slope, all a little too low and too far left, it seemed. Nailed the control, didn't think others saw me and I wasn't going to yell - I didn't really want to run in a pack and this seemed a chance to get away. Though I did give Phil a heads-up on the way by.
The rest of map 1 was ok, company on and off from a couple of adventure runners that I'm sure I was helping.
Then the trail run. Got my right ankle again about 1/3 of the way, hurt pretty good for quite a while, then calmed down some, but I was favoring it the rest of the way, especially taking it careful on any downhills. Not quite sure what I keep doing to it. I'm landing on it awkwardly, the ankle rolls, sharp pain mostly under the front of the heel (almost as if I'm getting plantar faschitis), but later in the day there is no swelling and hardly any pain just walking around. So anyway, the trail run was a little slower than it might have been, plus I was getting tired.
Then map 3, No good route to #11, so I went pretty straight and got lucky, the couple of trail segments were connected in reality and I made excellent time through the green. Passed JJ and Joe here without seeing either of them. The rest of Pole Brook was straightforward, just dealing with a sore ankle and tiredness. Started this section in 19th, finished in 11th, never was aware of passing anyone, by myself the whole time.
Finally map 4, looked like just hard work. Just kept plugging away, mostly walking, running when flat or down as long as footing wasn't too bad. No mistakes. By myself here too.
Reasonably satisfied afterwards. Main complaint was some chafing on the inner thighs, not feeling bad when on the course but very sore afterwards. But it will heal in a day or two.
Tough course, or so it seemed, even though the best got around pretty quickly. Guess I'm just out of shape, fat, and old. But I already knew that.
Reminder to self -- plan is to celebrate my 63rd on the 15th by dredging out some old photos in the week leading up to it. I've not hesitated to make fun of others, time to laugh at myself a bit.
Highlander map 1.
Highlander map 2.
Highlander map 3.
Highlander map 4.