A recap of my first trail run race...
LorinaLynn
Posts: 13,247 Member
Whoa. I run some trails in my neighborhood. I'm used to hills. I'm used to uneven surfaces. I can scamper over roots and fallen trees and not miss a beat. I grew up running through the woods in the Poconos.
But I was NOT ready for this!
It knocked the poop out of me, humbled me, wore me out... I wanted to quit in the first mile. The course looped back around to the starting point after a bout a mile and a half, and I actually stopped to tell my husband I wanted to drop out, but I knew I'd be mad at myself if I did. So I caught my breath, let just about everyone get ahead of me, had a drink of Gatorade, and got back into it.
And I can't wait to do it again! There are few better feelings in the world than reaching the top of a hill (mountain!) and running back down, because it's not so much a run, as it is a bouncing, bounding skip... like a joyful mountain goat.
This particular race was handicapped by age/gender, so we went out in waves. I don't think they're doing that again next time, and I'll be glad if they don't. The running group that sponsors this race is mostly full of pretty damn good runners. I'm pretty good... but not pretty DAMN good. Plus, I'm less than one month shy of a new age group, and my current group is the most competitive for women. So I got left in the dust (ok, mud, in this case) pretty quickly. They had volunteers throughout the course, but I was worried I'd get lost. I felt better once I finally caught up with some other runners.
Some photos. All smiles at the start...
On my way into the woods...
And coming back out again about 40 minutes later.
But NEXT TIME... I'll wear my hydration belt instead of carrying a drink. I'll carry my phone with me, too, not only so I can take a few pics along the way, but to send a text let my husband know I'm still alive. I was at the end of the pack, and he was convinced I fell down a ravine or got bit by a rattlesnake or got eaten by a bear. And next time I'll be prepared for insane inclines.
Longer recap on my blog: http://www.isthisbliss.com/first-trail-race/
But I was NOT ready for this!
It knocked the poop out of me, humbled me, wore me out... I wanted to quit in the first mile. The course looped back around to the starting point after a bout a mile and a half, and I actually stopped to tell my husband I wanted to drop out, but I knew I'd be mad at myself if I did. So I caught my breath, let just about everyone get ahead of me, had a drink of Gatorade, and got back into it.
And I can't wait to do it again! There are few better feelings in the world than reaching the top of a hill (mountain!) and running back down, because it's not so much a run, as it is a bouncing, bounding skip... like a joyful mountain goat.
This particular race was handicapped by age/gender, so we went out in waves. I don't think they're doing that again next time, and I'll be glad if they don't. The running group that sponsors this race is mostly full of pretty damn good runners. I'm pretty good... but not pretty DAMN good. Plus, I'm less than one month shy of a new age group, and my current group is the most competitive for women. So I got left in the dust (ok, mud, in this case) pretty quickly. They had volunteers throughout the course, but I was worried I'd get lost. I felt better once I finally caught up with some other runners.
Some photos. All smiles at the start...
On my way into the woods...
And coming back out again about 40 minutes later.
But NEXT TIME... I'll wear my hydration belt instead of carrying a drink. I'll carry my phone with me, too, not only so I can take a few pics along the way, but to send a text let my husband know I'm still alive. I was at the end of the pack, and he was convinced I fell down a ravine or got bit by a rattlesnake or got eaten by a bear. And next time I'll be prepared for insane inclines.
Longer recap on my blog: http://www.isthisbliss.com/first-trail-race/
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Replies
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Nice! Great photos! Once you start, there is no going back!
Using a sling to carry your bottle makes it easier (I prefer the one made by Camelback because it gets small enough to fit my tiny hand, but Nathan, Ultimate Direction, and UltraSpire also make nice handheld slings). I used to always use a waist pack but had an incident at a race with some bloating and incompatibility. Now that I am used to the handheld I prefer it. For long runs, I will use the handheld and wear my Salomon pack.
Once you bump into that next AG you'll start getting some podium finishes. Happened to me a few times :happy:
Congratulations!0 -
Love this, thanks for sharing!0
