<h3><em>Sometimes...the important thing is to just GET OUT THERE...</em></h3>
It's a new year...with a new set of goals...and a new reason to <strong>get out there</strong>. With such lofty goals as a 22 hour 100 miler... no training opportunity can be passed up. That said... when presented with the opportunity to run a half-marathon in an otherwise mostly race-barren month... who am I to say no? So, off I went to Plymouth for Winter Warlock 2017.

Let's just say... it didn't go exactly how I thought it would... in a number of ways. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about that. <!--more-->

<em>(Disclosure: I was provided a complimentary registration to this event - this was not payment or compensation of any kind, nor did it influence my review. As always, all opinions are honest and my own.)</em>
<h3><strong>I'm a race junkie.</strong></h3>
Anyone that knows me knows I love a good race. They're fun, and they're a great opportunity to <strong>get out there</strong>, push yourself, and see where you're at. <strong>Competition</strong>, whether against yourself or others, is the true litmus test of your current fitness level and athletic ability. So, like I said...when presented with the opportunity to run a race...I just can't pass it up. Not every race, however, is the most spectacular event to land a permit.
<h3><strong>I always give the benefit of the doubt.</strong></h3>
I can't help myself, really - <strong>I'm a bright-sider.</strong> When you preach positivity for so long you kind of can't help but just live that way on a daily basis. <em>It's my curse, </em>what can I say? So when a race isn't perfect...I tend to downplay shortcomings, make up excuses, and sugar-coat mistakes that were made. Sometimes, yes, there are perfectly reasonable explanations... and sometimes, <em>sure</em>, its understandable how something happened... but sometimes...
<h3><strong>You have to call it like you see it.</strong></h3>
When I ran Winter Warlock this past Sunday...I had mixed feelings. I decided it was best to stick as close as I can to my "5 Keys To A Great Race" as a means to rate the race...and we'll see where the chips fall. So...<strong>let's dive right in.</strong>
<h4><strong>Pre-Race - 7</strong></h4>
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<h4>Race Day -</h4>
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<h4><strong>The Course - </strong></h4>
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<h4>Swag / Support - 7</h4>
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<h4>Post-Race -</h4>