The 2003 Vermont 50 was held in a torrential downpour. There was so much mud on the trails that the runners were beating the mountain bikers, who were handicapped by the need to carry their bikes through the worst of it. 

Even without a bike, I was slower than Death, though he was kind enough to wait for me at the finish with a bottle of Gatorade.

Ray Charbonneau is a runner, writer and blogger