![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVgwHOLs-XyLX3v3dUkTizozLC4VHyLHS2u8huCwiYdU6xtgj9S1tdp5mMPhdZ5E3xvl1E929t9kNwCEWrS2GA9fYqwXGgmEDd4qyHL-ZqD7UFFNOd24dw6OmC_f7-phNDvqmY8cS7Rw/s1600/2015-04-25+07.49.56.jpg)
Late last August I backpacked into Blind Lake and I ran the Half-M race course from my camp. I quickly realized what a challenge it was going to be. The elevation changes are constant with few extended flat stretches. Some of the hills just take it out of you. On that initial run, I ended up walking several sections. Of course, having hiked about 8 miles with a pack the day before probably didn't help this effort.
Heading into 2015 I was watching the website ready for sign-ups as I knew this was one of my highlight races for this year. I also looked into the Serious Series and decided that would be a great way to turn 2015 into a year of the trail races. I signed up for all three of those races and to top it all off, I also got into the North Country Trail Marathon. What a line-up for this year!