The Tenderizer Trail Race Report
This past weekend, I had the experience of a lifetime. Most of you are aware I am in the middle of trying to get ready for the biggest feat I have ever accomplished in my young racing career, a half marathon, followed up by a full marathon not even a day later. This weekend I had 14 miles to log. But, early a couple weeks ago, a friend had invited me to participate in a trail race. I was like, heck why not. I know from dabbling in trail runs,that it was something I enjoy, and it would be a lot different. So, I approached coach about it. She said I am fine with it as long as you can hold back and not go hard. I was like a deal is a deal.
Early Saturday, I woke up and got my first 6 in. Then I came home, cleared out the watch data, and then loaded up and headed to the race site.
So, I get there and finally find the place to check-in. Right away, I am in hog heaven. I jump outta the truck. The RD (race director) had shown up in a AIRSTREAM trailer. Then, to beat it, there were a ton of long hair souls out there. Were talking backwoods country, right up my ally. Then, if that weren't enough, they were playing Classic Country music. The likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, etc. It was a great Environment.
We lined up and headed out. The first .2 were on a concrete path. We then hooked a right hand and into the woods we went. Once in, it became quickly apparent that I was going to be forced to come off my tempo. As we started, it pitched VIOLENTLY up hill. And it climbed for a LOOOONG time. The first basically 2 miles were straight up hill. then miles 3-4 were along the lake. It was so peaceful and so calm. It was a very foggy morning . So I basically got to watch the fog gradually burn off the lake. It was the most surene settings ever.
So back story, we lost both my grandparents a few years ago. We have always said that Mamaw was a redbird and Papaw was a bluebird. I sware to you, I saw both Mamaw and Papaw the entire first 3 miles. I guess they were there to make sure I got up and over the hardest part of the race without incidents.
Once I got through that, the rest of the course seemed to flatten out, but the conditions were still as slick as heck , and I basically had to keep a very long slow tempo just to make sure I took care of my body.
A little over 2.5 hours after I started, I popped out of the woods. I was the LAST person out and honestly didn't know what would be left of the finish line. But, too my surprise, I was greeted by a nice group of folks. It was a great finish.
Once I got done, I still had 1 additional mile to log, so I treated it as a cool down mile. Nice and slow. I got it logged. 14 miles for the day COMPLETED!
Overall I had a absolute BLAST in my first trail run. It was incredible. I def will be going back to run another couple trail runs this year. I had a ball. I felt like I was in my element.
So, that is it in a nutshell.
Until I talk to you next time:
From one "Idiot" to another:
John
IRC #2148
