The trail running part didnt last long.
My run turned to a jog turned to mostly a hike, at least on the uphills.
But heres the thing about trail running: Trail runners wont let that happen.
Because trail runs take place on, well, trails, runs will typically have organizers called sweepers.
We finished the three mile loop in about an hour, and I genuinely felt proud.
Im not a trail runner, I confessed to one of the sweepers.
…
Are you running on a trail?
Then youre a trail runner!
Listen, runners love to say stuff like this to novices.
My goal: Running a 10K at theKodiak UTMBtrail running festival in Big Bear, California.
Are you running on a trail?
Then youre a trail runner.
Despite the fact that I was not racing, I wanted to hit the trails.
The flaw in the plan?
It also took place in the elite-level ski mountains of Utah, which meant steep inclines at high altitude.
…
I had no idea what I was getting into.
While this is certainly some trail running, it was definitely not the case at Speedgoat.
So, my first lesson bringing up the rear on a trail run?
Expect to get up a hill any way you’re free to.
Sure, trail runners will run up hills.
That was a notion I had to get over during pregnancy and my postpartum recovery.
Switching between the paces and terrains felt natural, especially because my group followed my lead.
My next lesson was that trail running in the back of the pack is not a solitary endeavor.
I have never, ever completed a three mile run chatting the whole time.
But even during the moments of huffing and puffing, the sweepers and other last participant kept me company.
I got to know my group to the point that we hugged and exchanged contact information at the end.
Expect to stop and smell the roses
There were also moments for reflection and fun.
A great thing about trail races?
Theytake place in nature.
Basking in where you are is part of what its all about.
But the accomplishment I felt at being the absolute last person to cross the finish line surprised me nonetheless.
Theres just something about knowing youve gone up a mountain that gets you high on life.
I knewtraining for a 10Kwhich was more than twice the distance of my three mile loopwould not be easy.
…
Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.
