August 27thI needed a race for the month of August, and there was a 5k in Forest Park that I was going to do, but at work one day I heard a co-worker talking about a race that was in Weldon Springs and was a trail race. I had not done an official trail race before so I looked it up. They offered a half-marathon and a 5 mile option. I looked through the pictures from last year and it looked fun. I decided to run the 5 mile trail race instead of Forest Park since it was much closer to where I live, and a new course (I had run the Forest Park course before, and didn't want to deal with the parking and traffic there).
I was excited, yet nervous going into this. I had looked at the course and the elevation changes, there were some very steep up and downs that worried me. Last time I "ran" on a trail my ankles hurt a few days after because of the uneven ground, additionally, I don't have trail running shoes. I figured it couldn't be that bad though, since it's on a hiking trail. The race is capped at 200 people so I knew it wouldn't be a big race, especially through trails. Also, looking at the times from the previous year I thought that it would be easy to place. Little did I know that would not be true...
The morning of I got up early and did my normal routine when Corey is out of town...let out the dogs, fed them and got ready. Well I did not manage my time correctly...I was ready so early! I figured oh well, let's get out there so that we don't run into any issues.
I picked up my packet there, along with my swag (a sticker and an awesome trucker hat - can't wait to wear that one!). On the way in I ran into Mike (who was part of the River to River Relay team this year). He was running the half, we said our good lucks and went on our way. After picking up my packet I went back to my car for a bit. The race started at 8, but they would only let so many through every 2 minutes, and the 5 milers would be last to go, so I knew I had some time. I ate my Gatorade blocks and headed to the shuttle around 7:45.
I got off the shuttle and my co-worker said my name. He introduced me to his wife, and we chatted for a few minutes. They were both headed for the half marathon so I said goodluck and they went to line up. Us 5 milers stood to the side and watched the half marathoners take off.
When it was our turn I stood in the 8:30 min pace (going off road pace). Instead of the 2 minutes between groups they went around 1 minute each, so we took off around 8:11.
Things started out great, it was a narrowish path, about 2 wide, and some branches here and there. I kept up with 2 women, we passed 2 guys and kept on our way. Then it started changing, the course started going up and down, narrowed to one person wide and more branches and rocks jumping out. I continued to keep up, turning my ankle at least twice jumping down some of the hills. We even started passing some of the slower half-marathoners (they would have to stop for a second and let us pass). Eventually we hit an uphill...it was all rock and very steep, I could not run it with the shoes I had on, I did what I could and eventually switched to walking up it as fast as I could. I let the guy right behind me pass, yet continued to keep up with him until the next hill. I had to walk again, the rocks were just to unstable for my road running shoes and inexperience of running trails.
I was having fun though, it was fun jumping around and weaving in and out of trees, etc. I was still feeling good, I slowed down a bit and let the women and guy I was following go (around mile 3.5 - at another uphill). I knew I was over halfway so continued to run on the downhills, flats and slow inclines that were not rocky. I passed some workers who took pictures and saw a 5 mile marker, so I knew I was close...I started hearing people at the finish and of course...ended on an uphill (luckily not a rocky one). A race director was standing on the hill cheering us up telling us it was just around the corner! I charged up the hill as fast as I could and finished around 52 minutes for 5.5 miles...definitely not my best time by far, but with the course and my inexperience I was stoked! I had finished, and had so much fun.
I grabbed my beer and pretzels and watched others finishing, and half marathoners running through until the award ceremony for the 5 milers. Once they started I didn't think I had a good enough time to place, and when they got to my division the second place girl was one of the ones I was following, so I didn't think I had come in 3rd...but YEP...I did! I finished third in my division and was so excited! The girl handing out the awards had recognized my name from Facebook when I shared their post saying I was nervous and excited. I won a 1 year membership to the St. Louis Track Club, and an ice pack (not to mention my awesome medal that all finishers got). I am hooked on trail running now! I have to start strengthening my ankles, and get some trail running shoes, and I'm in!
Day later update: my ankles hurt quite a bit, and so do my hips...different muscles and unsteady ground, but totally worth it!
Official course pictures to come from the St. Louis Track Club once they upload them :)
Peace, Love and Running 🏃
#seejessrun #runtheyear2017 #runningwithoutlimits #sltcrunning
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