Killer Trails

I made my way out to run some trails again today (technically yesterday I guess). This time, I ran the trails around Forbidden Drive. The schedule called for a progression run with 2 miles easy to start and 8 miles hard after that. Running trails is hard, so I didn't quite follow the workout, but I think I got the same effect.

I started off at Valley Green with a big climb. I tried to take it easy, but I knew it would be tough. I ran this early section before and it was flat after the beginning rise. That part was fun and I ran at a good clip.

It was after that where things got interesting. I went up and down and up and down, over and over again. I ran through an assortment of different areas, including next to a golf course and through a section of pine trees. I even ended up hitting a dead end to the trail in someone's backyard.

I led the run club on Tuesday night and felt like I was in good shape. I am, when compared to most of the running public. Trail running is a whole different animal. All the rises and descents are very taxing. I was incredibly gassed by mile 5 and unsure how I would even complete the run.

My times dropped significantly with each mile. I still managed to run most of the uphills, but they took a lot out of me. I did have to walk briefly over a couple of them. What really was tough was when you would descend and find the trail ended and then you would have to run back up it again. That happened a couple times.

I figured I wouldn't get lost, but I elected to take my cell phone with me in a small holder that I had. I wanted to have it, just in case I fell or something like that. There are some steep and dangerous sections of the trail. I dropped my phone on a downhill and luckily didn't break it.

I was so lost once again, but it was fun anyways. I knew there were really only a few trails and they all generally ran along the creek. I did end up crossing the creek at some point. I'm not even sure how that happened.

As I was close to the finish, I came across the small creek that I encountered last time I ran the trails there. This time, I decided to cross it. I couldn't find a good spot to go across without getting wet. The water was only ankle deep though. The best section appeared to be directly across the trail. I ran over there and found the water to be cold.

After that, there was another steep uphill. I was burnt out by that point, so I walked briefly. When I got back to Valley Green, I then ran a short out and back to complete the final 3/4 of a mile.

It's amazing that I'm considering running a 50 mile race on trails that I'm sure will be much tougher than this. I'm glad that this workout and that type of race provides quite a challenge. It's a whole different level of conditions from where I'm at now. I need to make it a point to get at least 2 of these tough trail runs in a week. They should really improve my road running. This workout seemed almost as taxing as the marathon itself and my body didn't get the wear and tear.

Trail running has become so much fun, but now it is back to the roads. Tomorrow will be an easy 8 mile run. Most likely, I'll head out after work. I was out pretty late tonight and don't think I'll be recovered by tomorrow morning. I'll probably head back out to Kelly Drive. Hopefully this weekend, I can get to some trails in the Poconos.

10 miles - 1:44:58 (10:29 pace)