Cat's Tail Trail Marathon

My training had been quite limited since the Escarpment Trail.  Despite this, the weather would provide the largest obstacles on today's marathon trail run with temps in the high 30s, rain and wind.

This would be the first running of the Cat's Tail.  I found this quite appealing since it incorporates the most technical trail in the Catskills (Slide to Cornell) along with the new section of the Long Path that connects Wittenburgh with Phoenecia.  

The things I will remember most from this run are cold hands, wind, cold rain, cold feet, slippery rocks, a fall, a tweaked back, salted potatoes at one of the aid stations, tired legs and remembering to not forget my rain jacket the next time.  

Somehow I managed to finish the 26.5 miles in just over 7 hours and 30 minutes.  I seriously considered turning around once I reached the summit of Slide.  Instead I found a nice group of runners to persevere with and finish.  

My hands were too cold to take many pictures so here is some video that captures the essence of it all.