So, the thing that looked like a fairly well groomed dirt road was, in fact, a trail. Much of it looked like a jeeping trail in Moab, with big boulders and holes and huge hills. I've never been trail running ever, so I was ill prepared. It's so fun though, jumping over the rocks and sailing down the hills that you really don't notice time going by or how hard you're working. It wasn't until I got to the pavement at mile 12 that I realized I couldn't lengthen my stride. My glutes and hamstrings were just tight as a knot. There was a spot right at the top of the highest point on the trail section where you could see out in both directions and it was right when the sun was coming up. It was so beautiful I had to stop for a sec and just take it in. I wished I had taken my phone for that. (When I got to the car, I looked at my phone and Ron had been messaging me, thinking that I would have my phone on me facebooking about it! I'm so sure. : ) )
I got to the pavement thinking I was feeling pretty good, and I was in second place of the women. That kind of inspired me to try and push it a little. I kept saying to myself that I run 17-20 miles on a regular basis, and it just won't be that big of deal. I was drinking that disgusting Heed electrolyte drink (tastes like corn syrup, but supposed to be great during a race) and a lot of water, but I was stayed totally cramped up the whole rest of the way. THEN the road we were running on had no shoulder and no road closures, so we were running on the slanted sides, which really killed my ankles and knees. I was in so much pain at different points that I was sure I wasn't going to finish. I just felt like I couldn't quit though. I hobbled along the rest of the way. It wasn't until mile 28 that a group of 3 women passed me. I was bummed, but at the same time felt like I was really just lucky to be that close to the finish line. Brother, what was I sad about!? That would have been fun though, to have taken second. There were only 75 people running it total, so it doesn't say a whole lot, but still.
I always think it so funny to see the people passing me. I look at them from behind and they honestly look like they are moving so slow, but they're passing me! It makes me realize how slow I'm going and makes me laugh. Then there's always the guy in the cotton Tshirt and basketball shorts and shoes that don't even look like running shoes and he's flying past everyone at mile 15. There was a Mr. Uber-Tech there too, with all the latest and greatest shoes and clothing and accessories that was also passed by Mr. Basketball shorts. It is a great statement about how not to take it all too seriously. (Mr. Uber-Tech was rubbing himself down with one of those massage sticks at the end. He just didn't want the gadget fest to end.)
So I came in 5th of the women. My time was 5:35. It could have been much worse, so I'm happy. Ron was driving the route to find me and met up with me about the last 1/2 mile. Josh and Noah got out and ran the rest of the way with me. That is always my favorite part. One of them commented on how slow I was going and how easy it was, and I told him it's because I hurt so bad. Then he asked, "So why are you doing this, again?" I just said I was wondering the same thing. I told Ron when I was done that I was never going to do anything like that again. I seriously didn't ever want to ever put on a pair of running shoes again. I'm sure now I will, but I don't know if I'll ever do that race again. There just is no training that prepares you to run on a slant like that. I couldn't take it and I couldn't figure out a way around that. I think I'm going to ask the race director what the secret is.
I'm really not tempted to work harder and run more trails and try and do it better next year. I got home and just felt so glad I could stay home in the mornings and clean my house! I don't have to go running! Yeay! I think I had a running overdose and now I'm cured. I started cleaning today but realized I really can't bend or get up and down the stairs. I think I will wait to clean for a few more days.
I'm signed up for the St. George Marathon in October.
