Racing thoughts

As down, I sit her to jot this all down, my thoughts are racing. and my racing thoughts seem to be about racing and this all consuming summer series! Last week, I survived yet another 5K in the hot, hot sun. I got my best time ever and still only managed a 6th place in my age group finish. BLAH. It really stunk because the first place finishers in the two age groups behind me had times slower than mine! What the heck???!!! Since when are the old girls the fast ones? I got out sprinted up a hill in the very end by 2 people. We all finished withing one second or less of each other, but man was it ever disheartening. With that in mind, I decided to step away from my summer series and do a 5 mile trail run- an inaugural event- in my hometown area.

I was more than a little scared, I will freely admit. I don't trail run. It did spur me to train pretty thoroughly this week (I had a 30 mile week!) and I showed up not really knowing what to expect, but more than ready for the break from the pack I usually run with, around, and from. :) It turns out, it was a great experience.

First of all, it is so much cooler in the woods. Literally. The shade was wonderful and sunglasses were unnecessary. I shed my iPod for the third time this week and it was ever so liberating. I am learning to run without music and that seems to not be a bad thing. It felt good to be at one with nature and running the way my body seemed to be intended.

Of course, there are always drawbacks and the biggest one I found to trail running is that it is horribly difficult to pass on the narrow trails. Believe me when I say, I am not the world's most patient individual, either. So that aspect was a little rough on me. The hills were steep and tough to negotiate in places, but I did it.

And imagine my very pleasant surprise when I was nearing the end and begging a volunteer to PLEASE tell me it was almost over and she said "honey, you're almost there and you're only the third woman!" Of course, my competitive nature overcame me then and I bolted for God only knows how long and finished third female over all!!!

Maybe I will trail run a little more often.