Race Report: Xterra Merrimack River 10 mile trail run

This was fun! And to think we didnt do it cuz we thought the weather would be bad!
Started off tough. I had diarreah all night. Didnt sleep well, got up early to more. Stopped to get some meds on the way down to the race. It took about 1 hour 20 to get there, Jen drove. So very little coffee and only a bit of water this am, too scared to eat r drink much. I did eat a maple nut cliff bar though, knew I needed some gas in the tank. No idea why I have this problem! but have been feeling tired and sore and slow this week. Fighting something off?
Surprise when we got there! We got T-shirts! The race started off great. The miles seemed short as the first mile splits were 8:40, 8:45 and 9:00. Then I didnt see a mile marker at 4 and the hills got technical. People were coming back down the hills as we went up and we had to move over. There were plenty of muddy places and one long water run with the water up to our knees. But contrary to the nasty weather forecast, the sun started to peak out! I did about 23 minutes for mile 4 and 5 combined. Had a bit of water and turned around to go back at mile 5. I was just thinking how fun this all was when I turned my ankle on something, not sure what. The pain was excrutiating! I walked on it though. People were so nice. The people I had been runnning and chatting with stayed to keep me company, make sure I was OK, others were stopping. but then I thought I was going to throw up or pass out. I had to lie down! Lying down was a bad mistake, not sure if I did more than sit but I got the worst asthma attack I ever had. Weezy in and out. I know that when I do get these it is because I have stopped running. I was asking people if they had an inhaler. Someone asked me if I was safe. I said yes, but then thought about it, unsure. Finally everyone went on without me. I got back up and started to run/walk. Watching very carefully where I put my foot. I managed to get to the finish, even passing a few people. IN a time of 1:49. Amazing! Only lost around 10 minutes there I think. Mile 9 and 10 were at about 9:44 pace, each. Jen was waiting for me, concerned as I had been right behind her and she thought I was having problems more due the illness I had started the race with! I was so proud that I finished in spite of a sprained ankle! I even ran on it quite a bit. I felt great. Some pain but the pace was comfortable. I was upset that it happened. At the time, I swore off trail and adventure races but I love them so much that now that it is over, I will do it again. I know I will. No medical tent at the race. Someone gave me a ziploc and showed me the ice and I filled the bag and tied it to my ankel with a shirt and kept it elevated the whole way home. It stiffened up a bit but seems ok, sore and stiff but not badly sprained. I look forward to doing this race again next year!