Just a quick report.  What about Bob and I decided to brave the recent epic deluge and participate in the:
The race occurs in Morgan Monroe State Forest.  I am not an outdoors person and I found the course map something vaguely similar to trying to read Greek:


Bob and I (or probably just me) decided to do the Mini.  All proceeds from this race are used to continue the work on the local trails.  The race weather was perfect and I decided that it would be a great long run.  There was no taper and the plan was at least for me that we would "leave no man behind."

I used to hate trail running in my previous three attempts.  Something different happened this time.  I started to appreciate the focus required during the run.  Unlike running street races, trail races require constant analysis on where to put your next step.  You are looking for land mines everywhere and plotting the best path through the trail.  It is never boring and often fun as you run through creek after creek.  I still struggle mightily with the downhills and can feel my quads shred with every hill.

Bob did not share my joy.  At some point I mentioned to him that we should do the Tecumseh Trail Marathon in December.  Bob responded by telling me that this would be his first and last trail race.  Since he was running behind me (I cannot verify this) but I think he flipped me off (this feeling was based on the tone in his voice!).  Perhaps Bob was feeling this way because:


we did 8294 feet of climbing!  Yes, it was that bad and yes, Bob has finally started speaking to me again.  At one point, Bob told me to go on without him.  I explained to him that I was not racing and in my mind this was merely an excuse to get a long run in on a different course.  I said, "we leave no man behind."  At the very end, I did sprint off when Bob mentioned that he thought a woman was coming up behind him.  There was no way I was going to let a woman pass me at the end.  So yeah...the last mile I did abandon Bob. 

Despite not racing, I did finish first in women 40 and older.  I did suffer from the climbing the next few days with sore quads.  Despite the hills in my daily runs, they are nothing similar to the switchbacks and pitches of a trail run.  I definitely need more practice.  All in all, it was a good day! 





    

  

 

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