30km ATB Training Plan so far

Well, we are about 2/3 of the way through the training plan for arguably the greatest bucket list race, Around the Bay 30km in Hamilton, Ontario.
Longer than a half-marathon, but not as long as a marathon it's a great next step for someone like myself who has run multiple half-marathons, met a goal PB and now, looking for a new challenge.

I'm writing this reflection post now (though I have been thinking on it for a few weeks) as we've just passed a new threshold. I keep saying "we" as I am running most of my runs with my sole sister whom I will be running the race with, Lisa.

16km in my neck of the woods

A very cold, windy 22km- still smiling

gorgeous, sunny, 24km1

Our long run training runs have now gotten into the distances that give us automatic PRs, farther than we've ever gone before. Before this training schedule our furthest distances were half-marathons. Last weekend we ran 22km- longer than a half, but not by much. This weekend (yesterday) we ran 24km. Wow. It's truly incredible what the body is capable of.

I'd like to share the lessons I've learned, and better understood, as a result of this training plan so far.

1. There's no such thing as bad weather, only soft people. 

A runner's favourite compliment is, "you're crazy". I've been called crazy multiple times when I gleefully tell people the distance I plan on running, especially when combined with the time of day (as it's either early on a Saturday, or Friday evening after a looooong week of work). But now, I've added a new level of crazy, winter running.
I've never done any formal training for a race in the winter before. Usually my winter running is maintenance miles and mostly treadmill miles. I knew the saying, I accepted that I must be a "soft person" then because I hate being cold, and the wind and the snow, no thanks! BUT, I continue to find no matter how cold or miserable I've been outside during the day (hello yard duty, bleh) once I get all dressed for a run and head out I find the weather become irrelevant and not such a big hurdle as I had thought.
Sure, weather adds a new challenge and certainly can increase the difficulty, but that just leaves me with a greater feeling of accomplishment, strength and preparedness because hey! race day can't be THAT bad, right?

2. If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go with a friend.

I have cherished the time together with my training partner Lisa. She's an extremely busy woman who gives of herself tirelessly. She's a principal, french teacher, kindergarten teacher, mother, sister, daughter, wife etc. Whenever we spend time together she's busy doing multiple things at once. Except when we run. Sure, she will pick up the phone if a family member calls, but for the most part there are no distractions, just the two of us and the road.
I have mixed feelings each week as we plan out of long run. Part of me dreads it. I know the time and physical toll it's going to take on my body. I know it's winter, its cold, we usually run Friday night after work which often means more of our run is in the dark than in the daylight. But I know as soon as I am done I will grab her in a great embrace, we will waddle into the house, put our legs up the wall and giggle as we are filled with pride and the feeling of accomplishment.
We've been through quite the conditions, cold, wind, driving snow, thick snow covered roads, oncoming traffic, slushy wet roads, you name it, we've had it. We've both had runs where our tummies don't agree with us, and runs where our entire body says "i'm tired. this week had taken it's toll on me". We walk when we need to, we take pit stops when we need to, and we slather voltaren before bed like it's going out of style. We love texting each other the next day over our different muscles who have decided to protest.
When you choose to walk it can feel like defeat on your own, but when you choose to walk with a friend you feel like you're putting that person first, knowing they are pushing through not to let you down, afraid to admit the need to allow the body a reprieve. It's always easier to take care of a friend before acknowledging our own needs.
Both our respective mothers have expressed their displeasure with us running this far, in this weather, at night in the dark but have admitted that the only thing giving them peace of mind is that we've done it together.
I could not have done this alone.

I've actually fallen in love with winter running. There's a beautiful simplicity in the preparation. It's a bit of an oxymoron as packing my gym back for an after school long run means ramming a whole bunch of items in, but it completely takes the thought out of capris vs shorts vs pants and tshirt vs tank vs long sleeve vs sweater etc. If it's winter, it's cold. I'm packing thermal tights, my overpants, long sleeve shirt, sweater, jacket, mitts, hat and 2 buffs. I don't have to think about it, I just have to put on "everything I own" (so the expression goes, of course it's not true, I've got running gear for days) and go.

Race Recap: Baden Road Races

This face says it all...I'm done...(yet only half way..)

Part of the Waterloo Running Series, the Baden Road Races take place in the Township of Wilmot and more importantly, just a few minutes away from my soon-to-be-sister-in-law's house. For Christmas I let Rachel know I wanted to run a race together and we agreed on this one. I ran the Rememberrun in 2014 which is also part of the Waterloo Running Series, and was interested in running more as it was well-run (haha) and had many nice added touches.

The Baden road races include a 7 mile, a 5km, a 1km and a kids 200m. The signature event is the 7miler that runs down the road towards tower hill. I shouldn't say runs "down" as it felt all up hill...both ways.

I was impressed right from the beginning. The event starts and ends at the Wilmot Recreation Complex in New Hamburg. The start time isn't until 9:30am. Not only did I get to sleep in, we got to wait in a warm area with lots of indoor washrooms. Bonus!

The finish line is inside, right in the arena. This is great for spectators but also for participants as you can watch and cheer on other finishers and feel cheered on as you finish.This event would be great for spectators due to the indoor aspect. There are many races I've run in unfavourable weather where my poor parents had to stand for extended periods of time getting cold or wet.

Rachel and I ran the 7miler; her mother also decided morning of that she too would run it, so she slipped over around 8 to register and then returned home. Our spectator was Rachel's dad and he did a great job getting photos and being at the start, near the finish and at the finish with the camera.

Just finished! Smiling because it's over!!

The course itself is easily the most challenging I've run. A 7mile equals 11.3km which isn't as long as a half-marathon but shouldn't be dismissed as a short distance as it is just that much longer than a 10km. I didn't intend to run this competitively as I'd just had my goal race, the Goodlife Half Marathon two weeks prior, and a fast 10km at the Sporting Life 10km the weekend prior. This one was to be a fun experience with my sister-to-be. I didn't take it too seriously in preparation with extra rest or any form of energy chews in advance of running. I had my music fairly low and one headphone out so we could chat.

One of my favourite shows to watch is Four Weddings and I despise when the brides judge overall experience on weather as this is a factor that no one can control. However, I will say, my overall experience of this race was greatly impacted by the weather. Rachel said last year was hot and humid which made the race a challenge. Well, this year was the opposite. It was cold, windy and rainy. It was about 9 degrees and dropping, feels like 6. The wind however was strong. In the first km a girl in front of us lost her hat as it blew off her head nearly tripping me as I was watching the spectators. On the out and back course it never seemed to be at our back or beneficial. On the way back it was a brick wall to push into. Add into the brick wall a driving rain that no matter how low I pulled my hat was still smashing into my face and that was what we had to run through.

The course has an up and down hill within the first 2 km, and from there is consistent uphills that slightly level out and rise up again. Just when you think you've reached the "hill" that this race is known for, Rachel notifies me that this sharp right turn onto a gravel hill is actually the hill before "the hill". At the bottom of "the hill" is a timing mat as the fastest hill time winners (male and female) receive a pair of saucony shoes. The actual hill is so straight up that we decided to walk it. I never walk in a race but I had nothing in me from all the other million hills that led up to this hill. At the top you can seemingly see for miles. I was notified this is the highest point in southwest Ontario. I can attest to that! At the top you get to ring a big brass bell then head back down again.

We're coming!

Where's the top? Just look down says Rachel

Seriously? Dying...

Sister pulling ahead to ring the bell!

You'd think this would be the turning point in more way that one as you now get to head downhill but with my muscles and lungs being shot (I was certain I was going to puke) and the hill being so steep and gravel it was a challenge getting back down the hill again. Of course, then the driving rain/wind started and the way back seemed to last forever, especially once we hit the long, gradual uphill with 2.5km to go. I actually felt like I couldn't go on any longer. I told Rachel: "you go ahead if you want, I'm holding you back" but being the good sister she is, she stuck with me. I realized you can't "race" three significant distance races three weeks in a row. The last km didn't feel as brutal as it levelled out and the end was in sight so the speak. It wasn't actually as it finished indoors but I could see the building and that was enough for me.

We crossed the finish line side by side and had identical times of 1:01:11. There was live music at the finish line as well as quite the spread to eat. They had watermelon, bananas, bagels, grapes, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and pizza!! Lots and lots of pizza. Though it was 10:30/10:45ish and I wasn't hungry I figured I should eat knowing this would be my lunch and lately have felt nauseous a few hours after racing, potentially due to not eating. I was excited to get a coffee and the watermelon for sure. The pizza was also delicious.

At the finish line after getting medals. Thankful for hot coffee!

Not long after the results were posted and I saw my time was good enough for a 3rd place finish in my category (F25-29). Also in my category was Rachel who unfortunately got 4th because though our times were identical, alphabetically I come first. Though they don't have finishers medals they do have age category medals and new this year they allowed you to line up to receive your medal, rather than wait for the ceremony.

Sad sister...but check out the spread of food being brought home. She's the real winner!

Overall, the race is a great, challenging course that I wasn't prepared for. The weather certainly added to the challenge and running on tired legs didn't help. I was thankful for the chance to run with my sister and will be looking for a chance to run another run in the Waterloo Running series.

Race Recap: Sporting Life 10km

After the race!

This is my 3rd year running the Sporting Life 10km and first time running the same event for the 3rd time. Sporting Life is such an all-around great race and one that I intend to participate in year after year as long as I can. Here's why:

Great course
Great cause
Great Atmosphere
Well Organized

When you sign up for the race the early bird cost is $40 and you get a $35 sporting life gift card as well as a discount code for New Balance. I've never done a race before that essentially pays you to run it. Speaking of which, if you raise $250 for the charity sponsor Camp Ooch, you get reimbursed your registration cost!

Mostly downhill the course runs down Yonge Street and has so much to look at. Just shy of 7km the course turns west and zig zags slightly until it runs over a beautiful bridge where you cross over the train tracks and have a great view of the CN tower. It then turns and runs down below an overpass and over the finish line. It has a tracking mat at the halfway mark which is neat to compare the first half to the second half of your race.

With runners in the 10's and 20's of thousands it's such an incredible feeling to run down a major city street with fellow runners. You almost feel like you're moving as a group, as if you're a small part of something much bigger than yourself. Of course, there's so much truth in this as the event supports Camp Ooch, a camp for kids with cancer.

No person should have to endure what cancer does to a body, to a spirit, to a family. No person let alone a child. I've learned first hand the every day impact of childhood cancer on a child, his brother and his parents. It was Mr. Rogers who said, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" Even though childhood cancer is scary, places like Camp Ooch and the people who run it bring light to the darkness, they are the helpers. I've heard about the constant events and special moments they create not only for the children who have cancer but for their siblings and parents as well. I will continue to support this fantastic organization.

In the past the event struggled with natural congestion that comes from 20,000+ runners but over the years has refined the process so well that it all runs (in my perception) seamlessly. I add in the bracketed disclaimer as I run in the first corral and therefore when I cross the finish line, get my medal, water and food I am not battling the bulk of the participants. However, I can see from the way they've continued to tweak some locations of medals and other after party items that they are further improving the event year after year. The best choice they make is colour coded corrals being released at least 5 minutes apart to relieve congestion on course.

This year the weather was ideal. It was cool, about 6-8 degrees. They pushed the start time to 7:30am which was early, but a better chance of cooler temperatures ideal for running. No rain, slight breeze. Being one week after a half marathon PB and unable to walk proper for the bulk of the week I didn't know what to expect. I took my GuChomps and decided to give it what I had. Right from the start my watch was off so I decided to switch to the second page of my Polar M400 and manually mark my kms as I passed the markers. This is a plan B strategy as it truly only gives me pacing feedback at each km marker so if I'm slower than desired all I can do is try to improve for the next km. I'm basically running blind other than that brief feedback. Running by feel doesn't really work either because who knew what these legs would feel this close to a half marathon PB. I did notice the side pain pretty soon in which made me make a mental note that I need more cardio in my life (harder runs, hills, something else). I miss going to my bootcamp class, it was the best cross training.

Unflattering race photos

I was pleased to cross the half way point at 22:58 (my 5km PB is 22:50) but the second half didn't go as well with my blind kms (2 of them being over 5min/km) and then crossing the finish at 47:37. My personal best was on this course two years prior at 47:20. I wasn't mad to be 17 seconds off a PB, in fact I was pleased to be so close to it as it's been a long time since I've gotten anything close. It gives me hope for a potential at a 5km PB in the future. I ran strong and I felt pretty good after. When I got to medals and saw my boys, time somehow didn't matter in the least. I am blessed as a teacher to teach some of the greatest kids. One of them has watched his younger brother battle and beat cancer and for the past two years their family has handed out medals. Getting my medal from them means more than any other moment of this race.

Getting my medal  from these two sweet boys

I grabbed my water, gatorade, bagel, banana and stood in line for some clif bars. I thought about the new juicy blister I had brewing on my right foot below my big toe and how this would be the last race these running shoes would run (just bought my next pair the day prior). The after party area is always a great time with high energy and lots to do and see.

My boyfriend Mark has now officially become my personal spectator. After doing a top-notch job last weekend at the Goodlife Toronto Half Marathon I knew this weekend would be no different. I had a great plan that we'd park at the start, he'd see me off then subway down to the finish line.

I'm in my corral and he's on the outside because there was security ensuring only red bibs went into the first corral

Well, I thought it was a great plan. Last year I ran with my cousin and his friend. We had no spectators and we subwayed back to the start line after we were done so it seemed like an easy thing to do. What I didn't think about this year was that the race was now starting half an hour earlier (the subway doesn't start running until 8am on weekends). So Mark unfortunately missed me finish and the two of us set off walking towards one another and met up somewhere on the waterfront. Even when I have terrible plans he still goes along with them in order to support me. He's pretty great.

After the race all I wanted was an iced coffee from Mcdonalds. Yum! Though I am not a "mother" myself I still call myself a dog mom to this beautiful fluff ball!

My Zoe girl

Overall I chalk this year's Sporting Life 10km up as another great success! I can't wait to sign up for next year's event!

Race Review: Run Blue Mountains

Sunday October 18, 2015 was the annual Run Blue Mountains race in Thornbury, Ontario. This race hosts a half marathon, 10km, 5km and kids 1km race as well as a 5km walk. This is the 3rd year I have participated in this race and the second time I have run the 10km course.

Receiving my finishers medal

I have had so much fun at this race in the past and this year was no different. The race has such a small town, tight knit community feel to it. The run is organized by the Thornbury Rotary club and touted as "a run through apple country". The course follows scenic rolling countryside on a combination of paved streets and gravel roads with beautiful views.

The race has been very well planned out and is one of my favourites as it has so many special and unique touches. Let me share them with you.

The race is hosted at the Beaver Valley Community Centre which is a beautiful indoor facility with washrooms and plenty of space to sit and keep warm pre and post race as well as for spectators. From a spectator perspective this is one of my parents favourite races because of this key fact.

Day of packet pick up

Packet pick up was easy and simple as though they have 5 different events, they are all clearly marked and colour coded so it is easy to do pick up day of. The race kit comes with your bib with chip timer, kleenex and some food samples which are useful to throw in my purse for later. This year the "swag" was a running toque which I think is a great idea. My first year it was a beautiful long sleeved shirt and last year I was somewhat disappointed in the short sleeve tech tee that seemed to be so common from every race I've run. I appreciate that they make these little changes each year and are ever improving. I wanted to commit the faux pas by wearing something new the day of but realized the race hat didn't have a pony tail holder. So, I reached in my purse, grabbed my jackknife and made my own ponytail holder. Just call me Macgyver.

This year was unique in that Friday night and early Saturday we were hit with a good 10cm (at least) of fresh snow. I was a little excited as the prospect of running in it. Temperatures were around freezing and not too cold. There also wasn't much wind. I accepted that the snow would make the surfaces a little more difficult to get a firm footing and that a personal best was likely out of the question.

A run through a snowy apple country

The organizers decided to host announcements indoors. They have a local pastor start the event with a prayer and the singing of O Canada. Then we all went outdoors for a fun warm up that you can't help but participate in. This year they decided to have a mass start of all distances, which I thought was another great choice. They lined us up quickly and sent us off. There wasn't too much standing around waiting.

Great energy from the warm up crew

Everyone warming up: even more important this year!

I am familiar with the course having run it last year. Though it's essentially a large rectangle there are quite a few small twists and turns on the course. The race has ample volunteers on course to ensure the safety and direction of participants.

What a difference a day makes! Friday morning volunteers collect apples for participants and spectators

I was even more appreciative of them in this less than favourable weather. There were many points during the race that the large falling snowflakes make it impossible for me to see ahead of myself without constantly blinking. Yet the volunteers stand in place for 3+ hours.

Awesome volunteers on course

They have great signage with colour coordination and arrows to best direct runners. It is quite a pretty course too (albeit hilly), my favourite part being a downhill that crosses a now pedestrian only bridge with beautiful views of the Beaver river.

Snowy gravel roads meant sloshy, slippery downhills 

The weather made it challenging for my personal support team (Mom, Dad, Mark) to see me coming through the driving snow. Though I was wearing notably bright blue pants, I finished the last 200 meters by weaving in and out of 5km walkers. Luckily they were still able to see me finish but were unable to snap any photos.

Girl guides handing out food and water to finishers

All finishers receive a beautiful finishers medal and are greeted with water, bananas, almonds and raisins in the finishers chute. I headed inside to what could only be described as an after party! There was live music, food, beer and prizes.

This husband and wife made beautiful music together

Within the registration fee all racers received a lunch. It was apple baked beans, salad and a bun. I am not a huge fan of chili or of eating right after a race. (Give me an hour and I'm ready to eat the house). My boyfriend Mark is beginning to learn the benefit of attending my races in the way of food. I was glad he was able to eat the meal as it was prepared with love for sure.

Where's Waldo? (me)

I also like this race because they have a podium and they celebrate the top 3 finishers in each age category (10 year increments) of all 3 race distances with a zipper pull style medal that can be attached to the finishers medal. They also reward an apple pie to the first place finisher in each category. Last year I got first in my age category and this year was no different.

Mr. Wentworth-Stanley handing out awards

The race is made that much more special and unique largely in part to one wonderful and charismatic man named Jeremy Wentworth-Stanley. He is an Investment Advisor and his financial donation helps cover race costs so that all money brought in can go directly to the Rotary Club. Mr. Wentworth-Stanley participates each year and greatly enjoys handing out medals and pies to the top 3 finishers in each category. Last year he got word of it being my birthday that day and he had the whole hall sing Happy Birthday to me. This year when I went up to receive my award I said, "Thank you, again" to which he questioned, "again?" and I explained last year's interaction. He asked if it was my birthday and I advised that it was the next day yet he still had everyone sing to me, yet again. He was trying to embarrass me but little does he know, the spotlight and I are good friends.

It's little touches like these, unique people, a friendly atmosphere, great organization and volunteers that make this race a success and one that I intend to participate in for years to come. Great job, Run Blue Mountains. I will see you next year, though I don't think I can call it my birthday run any longer.

Race Review: NorthFace Endurance Challenge 5k

The NorthFace Endurance Challenge lives up to its' name. The race has distances including 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, 50k and a 50-miler. It is a trail running series that tests a runner's endurance with challenging terrain and constant elevation gains and falls. Last year the series came to Canada for the first time and I was unable to participate having lived in Alberta for the summer.

This year I wasn't missing out! My partner in crime Heather and I signed up with 2 weeks to go and threw together a rough "training plan" by which we set dates after work to get together to run parts of the course as we both work at Blue Mountain Resort where the race took place. 

We signed up for the shortest available distance, the 5k, as we didn't have much time to prepare and neither of us had ever run a trail race before so we thought we'd enter with caution...sort of. 

Trail running and road running are related but they are unknown relatives. My parents both come from large families (6 and 7 kids) and as a result I have a copious number of cousins. There are some I couldn't pick out in a crowd or even name. That's the relationship trail running has to road running. You struggle to find connection between the two.

Heather and I "trained" 4 times on part of the course. We ran up the one trail and down the other. Most runs came out at about 4ish km. Though we struggled through our training runs we saw definite improvement each time in our overall pacing. We learned that trail pacing is nowhere close to road pacing. When signing up for the event you have to estimate a finish time. Both of us, confused and never having ran a trail race put down 35minutes. My 5km PB is 22:50 so I thought, add some time because of the hills and terrain, sure 35. I should mention the winner of the 5km ran the event in just less than 35 minutes. We were WAY off! When reading online information about trail running I read somewhere that trail pacing is sometimes more than double road running. I can attest to the truth in that statement!

The NorthFace Endurance challenge is a whole weekend thing. Saturday the 3 longest events take part. The 50 miler heads out at 5am, and the 50km and marathon follow after. A friend I grew up with ran the 50 miler. He is a trail running lover. I think he is ridiculous but in a way with a lot of respect behind it. Extremely athletic kind of crazy is better than some other kinds of crazy :). The Endurance Challenge has live tracking features you can sign up for. I tracked Adam throughout the day. He ended up finishing in around 11hours and 22 minutes. I couldn't even imagine ever in my lifetime running for 11+hours, not even on flat, even terrain let alone these trails. 

pre-race chats with fellow Blue Mountain employees and friends

more BMR ladies and friends

So Sunday morning the half marathon, 10k and 5k were held. Though I was disappointed on Thursday with my packet pick up being just a bib and shirt I was pleased upon arrival on race day to see how many sponsor booths were set up. Post race we got lots of great swag including free socks, lots of food, coffee and more. 

swag

We started in wave 1 right at the beginning. I felt a little like a wolf in sheep's clothing.  I am not a trail runner, I am a road runner and here I am lining up right at the front. Dean Karnazes puts on these events. Though I don't know who he is I can recognize him to be a pretty accomplished person. Google him and see that he is the ultramarathon man. He stood at the front with the mic and before sending us off asked who was there for their first ever trail race. Heather and I both raised our hand and he kind of flinched and said "enjoy the pain". He knew we were in for worlds of pain and so did we, but not fully. You brain is good at wiping out pain directly after experiencing it. If it weren't that way I wouldn't run long or fast ever. 

Getting ready to run!

At 9:15 we were off and instantly on uneven terrain and headed up. We didn't realize the beginning of the race headed up the ski runs and across on of course a gradual incline. Heather and I ran and ran and ran and couldn't understand how we still hadn't made it to "the grind" trail we had trained on. By the time we finally reached it we were already wiped. The weather was better than anticipated- not rainy or lightning like predicted. Rain would make the trails very difficult. However it was hot and humid. There was a breeze in the open areas but also hot, hot direct sun. As soon as we headed into the trees of the trail the air movement went away. 

As we went up the hill our running slowed to a walk many times. But we noticed that everyone was walking, I guess its common in trail running due to the challenging terrain and elevation gains. My body started to warn me that the heat was getting hard to handle. My head felt so hot and big. I started to feel swimmy in the head and dizzy. Then, as we got closer to the top I started to get cold shivers. I knew what that meant and tried my best to ignore it. At the top I was excited to see my friend Adam cheering us on. I saw him again at the finish as well. It seemed many runners from the previous day's longer distances were there to cheer on runners for the Sunday distances. 

A friend since Kindergarten!

I was so happy to finally get to the top where the trails are at least flat...sort of. Having practiced these trails were beneficial to know an end was in sight. When we finally made it to the water station I was so excited, I half drank a cup and poured the other half on myself. Then we headed for the downhill section.

Downhill has always been my weakness. I don't trust my balance or leg strength to catch myself. Though I have improved in our short two weeks training! Heading down I had a hard time getting my head focused, I was still fighting the dizzy disorientation from the heat and was having a hard time watching my feet pick their next foot fall. It felt like I wasn't in my body anymore. I tried to explain this to Heather so she wouldn't be disappointed in my performance and letting her down.

Finally the finish was in sight, we grabbed hands and made our way across the finish. I instantly got myself a water bottle and downed it.  Post-race we got our swag and though the food table included skittles and m&ms I passed them up thinking that 5km wasn't worthy of those kinds of treats. I got myself a kicking horse coffee which weirdly enough on a hot day was really nice post-race. 

My watch said our race was actually 6km long. It also told me Heather and I had hit our fastest overall average yet (it certainly didn't feel that way) Our average pacing according to my watch was about 8:36min/km. This is crazy to me that that was our best and exciting for us considering I'd normally run about 5:00-5:30min/km on any given training run. 

The photographers were fun on the course- it was nice that they interacted with us and seemed to enjoy doing their job. There was one that made his presence known to us as we approached so we could prepare a smile to cover the pain and feeling of death. 

The course was well marked with flags matching with bib colours. The finishers medals all had the same medal and different ribbons matching the colour of the distance. 

After the race I was still able to make it to church to hear part of the message (yes, in my running clothes!) and then to Wendy's (a post-church Sunday tradition). 

Overall I really enjoyed this race and intend to do it again next year. Whenever I can run local I will and do. I haven't decided if I'd like to run the 5km again and properly train and dominate (prove something to myself....maybe set a goal of a 1st place age category finish (this year I was 3rd in my age category)) or push myself distance wise and go for the 10km. I have a year to decide. 

I am so glad I got to chance to meet a distant relative of a sport I love so much. It has grown my love of running in ways I didn't know it could grow. I am definitely looking forward to integrating more trail running and trail races into my running future.