Several months ago I registered for a 10k that was scheduled for this morning. During my last 10K, I missed my goal time by a stinking 34 seconds. I viewed this as my rematch. I knew that it was a trail run, but because I believed what was on the web site, I thought I may just have a shot at that PR.
From the web site: “This is a beginner friendly trail run located in the beautiful Fyrne Lake Farms. This course has very little technical terrain. Most of the course is flat or downhill.”
Let me just say this. LIES!!!!! ALL LIES, I TELL YOU!!!! ALL LIES!!!!!!!
I realize that a lot of the technicality of today’s run wasn’t anyone’s fault. It rained Thursday and Friday before the race, and dirt + rain = mud any way you wanna look at it. Also fallen leaves + rain = slickness. But the part about flat and downhill? Yeah, that’s where the lies come in.
Uh-huh. Flat my lily white ass.
At least they got the “beautiful” part right. Because it. was. BEAUTIFUL. I wish I had taken my camera because looking over the bluff with the trees all changing colors… it was breathtaking.
Anyway, I think it goes without saying that I didn’t come anywhere CLOSE to what I would have run had this been a road race. Given that this was my first trail run EVER, I’ll take what I got and go with it. I’m really not sure that I’ll be participating in anymore trail races though. It obviously takes someone much more coordinated than I to be able to navigate trails successfully. If there was a hole or a loose rock or a hidden puddle on that course, you can bet it was me that found it. I can definitely see the appeal of training on trails, but I don’t think I have any interest in racing one again. I’m just an asphalt kind of gal.
Next up: St. Jude Half Marathon!
herbie on the run 
hahahaha!!! this is why i'm scared to death of trail races and immediately click off any race site once i see the word “trail”!! i am soo soo not coordinated. i trip a lot just on flat concrete.
i better meet you on st. jude weekend!
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BAHAHA that elevation map is ridiculous! Good job getting out there, you will get your 10k PR next time out I'm sure of it 😉
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Love it! They always lie! But running in the beauty of nature, if we weren't slowed down by the terrain and 'technicalness', we'd miss much of it. Trails are the best 🙂
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I love trail runs so much, but I have given up on running them for time. Just enjoy the scenery, and ALWAYS expect hills, ha!
🙂
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Trails are such a different animal. They are fun but I don't think you can ever compare times on them, they will all be different and WAY different than roads, but congrats on the race, hopefully you still had a great time!
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Uh, yeah…whoever called that course flat should be fired. I'm more into the road than the trails too.
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Congrats on your first (of many?) trail run!
I hate it when races lie about the ease/flatness of the course.
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I am actually pretty afraid of trail racing (and training) do to my extreme klutziness! Congrats on your first trail race! You will get that rematch and smash it!
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downhills yes! however, seems they forgot the uphills! 😦 at least it was pretty!
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That elevation report makes me die a little bit inside.
At least you've ran a trail race! one up on me!
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holy nutz that is so not beginner friendly unless they are walking and maybe someone is pulling them up the hills 🙂
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