On Tuesday, my friend texted me and asked if I wanted to do a 22-mile trail run with him on Saturday. I considered it for a minute, checked the website and then decided that 22 might be a bit ambitious for my first trail run but hey, 11 should be easy! I recruited Alyssa, Kabri, and Naomi into coming to play with me (and Aron would be there too).
Bright and early on Saturday morning, we headed down to Huddart Park in Woodside for the Coastal Trail Runs’ Crystal Springs event.
Alyssa and I were both a bit nervous about the fact that this race was pretty much up a mountain. See, I get tired on the hills of Golden Gate Park and those are anthills compared to this. I was committed to walking up all the big hills and just trying to have fun.
Showing up, the vibe was TOTALLY different than road races. People were friendly but also hardcore. Some of these people were the “I eat a 50K for breakfast every Sunday” types and they scared me but also made me kind of want to be them. We got there just in time to see Aron off on her 22, then Naomi left for her 5 and Alyssa and I were left with trail expert Kabri who went over the ins and outs of how this whole shebang worked.
I was kind of terrified.
Soon, they said “go” and we ran about 0.1 mile just to stop for a few minutes in a complete bottleneck as the runners entered the trail. No one cared, it was chill. No screaming or “I’M SUPPOSED TO BE RUNNING SUB-8 PACE!” or anything else—we were all joking and laughing. Soon we were en route and running along a fire road.
The first two miles were nice—slow, calm, rollers but no mountain, yet.
Then the mountain hit.
I am not strong on hills. Okay, I LOVE rolling hills. I thought CIM’s hills were PERFECT, I’d take that over a flat course any day. But big hills? I kind of sputter and die and have passed out cold on the side of the road before you even realized I wasn’t behind you anymore. So then we started climbing a mountain and I sputtered and died. Somewhere between mile 2 and 3 I was actually trying to formulate a way to tell Alyssa that I was turning around and going back.
Mile 1: 12:35
Mile 2: 12:11
Mile 3: 13:03
But then we hit mile 3 and I realized it was three miles back to the start for M&Ms or three miles up a hill to the aid station for M&Ms so I might as well give it a go.
.
Damn, that thing was hard. I was walking a ton and wasn’t even recovering on the walks because it felt more like speed hiking. I realized how ignorant I was of trail running and how I really had no idea how to pace myself, when to walk or what strategies to use at all! It’s such a different mental game. I felt very humbled by my inability to conquer nary the smallest hill on the course. I really didn’t think we would ever get to the top. But eventually somehow we did.
Mile 4: 16:16 (yes, really…)
Mile 5: 15:48 (yes, really…)
Mile 6: 19:00 (…)
I took a gu at mile 4.5 – I usually gu every 6 miles in a race, but it had already been over an hour by the time we got to mile 4.5 and more than three hours since I’d taken in any calories so it was very much needed. Though, gel on the trail tasted disgusting for some reason—I wanted real food. And at mile 6 (aid station) I was rewarded.
PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY AND OREOS. This may have been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Ever.
I dropped one of the oreos on the ground and picked it up immediately—no way was I letting that go so easily. I put it in my glove that I was carrying to save for the way back. Yes, I ran 3 miles with an oreo in my glove. Best decision ever.
I also ran into Dorna from Lazy Chick Runs Too at the aid station! I knew she looked familiar. So funny! She was also getting beat down by the trail like I was but remained happy – it was great to meet her!
Going back was so fun. Downhill! Me wanting to fling myself off the mountain turned into me actually having a really good time. A and I were talking about Ogden, running downhill, what hurt (everything) and the general jabber and the last four miles went by quite quickly. Yes, four. The course was actually ten miles. Following in the theme of running races much shorter than advertised. Kabri, who came in fourth in her AG, finished 20 minutes ahead of us and also clocked 9.5 miles. The mystery of trail running.
Mile 7: 11:24
Mile 8: 11:42
Mile 9: 11:57
Mile 10: 9:06 (WOOOOOOOO!! SUB 10!!!!!!!!)
Overall, it took me 2 hours and 13 minutes to run ten miles. That is a 13:20 pace. Some people finished the marathon and 50K at sub-8 pace! I have such newfound respect (and awe and disbelief…) for trail runners. What a different mental game! But at least there are things like cookies at the end.
Afterward, I felt like I’d run a marathon or ten. My ankles were stiff, knees were angry, shoulders sore from keeping me upright. I felt like an old woman! But I am so glad I did it. I am looking forward to running more trails. It really is beautiful. I just need to learn the mental game and really not care about the fact that I’m doing more hiking than running. : )
And then lunch was fries and an unpictured Banana Oreo Snow with large tapioca from Quickly heaven.
Fun stuff. I’m going to have to do this again soon. Once everything doesn’t hurt anymore.
Courtney
Ever done trail running? What do you prefer – road or trail?
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So hilarious!! You wrote the report I wanted to write! i think I might just link people to read yours instead of writing anything myself.
Ok, so when’s the next one? I want more Oreos.
Alyssa recently posted..Race Recap: NYE Dash (Almost) 5k
Way to finish strong! But thanks alot for making me want an oreo
JANE recently posted..Steady As She Goes.
The spread I’ve seen at aid stations really makes me want to get out and do a trail race.
I saw Aron’s race report and the elevation profile at the beginning of the race looked brutal. Props to you!
My exact thought Courtney!! I have a love hate relationship with trail races. I absolutely enjoy running on forest, scenery is gorgeous, it’s better for our joints. But man, I felt slow, and defeated! It really humbles me! It was GREAT meeting you and Alyssa!!
Lazy chick recently posted..Crystal Springs Trail Race- An humbling experience
Omgosh I loooove this report
so glad you guys had fun out there and got to play on the trails! LETS GO SOON 
Aron recently posted..Not Just 2012 Goals
Congrats on that! Trail running is a totally different game than road racing. I prefer trails, much more interesting and fun despite the occasional rolled ankle.
hippierunner recently posted..If Only: Kale Tacos
Looks like you guys had a blast! The only trails I know near me are straight up, so I guess I could get in some good practice
How did this compare to Big Sur?
Beth recently posted..Comfort Food: Mashed Potatoes with Mushroom Gravy
it made the hills at big sur look like speed bumps!
Great race report! I’ve done 2 10Ks at that exact same park the past 2 years, it is a great park to run in. Such awesome scenery. Good call on doing the 11 miler instead of the 22 miler, 22 just seems too long in that park!
Aren’t the hills massive in that park? Those hills are the hardest hills I’ve ever done in my life!
The snacks at coastal trail runs are always awesome!
Sounds like overall you enjoyed yourself at the race!
I’ve always liked trail running, maybe because one of my main first memories of running is running the trails for track practice freshman year of high school. Ever since I’ve always liked running on trails, and have enjoyed hills. I think hills really strengthen your whole body, when I get healthy I’m going to go back to running hills a lot.
http://nellyontherun.blogspot.com/2010/12/woodside-10k-trail-run.html
Nelly recently posted..Fiesta Bowl weekend
Yes! hardest hills everrrrr.
but i loved it!
I’ve never done a trail run before. I would LOVE to try it. I live in the flat prairie lands in Canada so I don’t think there are any mountains here. I’ll pretty much do anything for M&M’s and cookies…
Stephanie @fitmomtraining recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Becoming Boundless
so would i
Awesome job! I was considering doing the 11 miler, sad I missed out!
Jamie recently posted..Arts and Sciences 5K
next time!
I ran a Brazen trail 10K last summer…..I’m glad I did it, but I think I’m WAY too weenie to ever do it again!
Angela recently posted..#wheniwinthelottery
Thank you for inviting me to run this race! It was hard but I kinda liked it! Next time I promise to save some cinnamon rolls for you – I guess this means I’m sticking to the short races…
lol, don’t worry I was in a college football pool and I remember that UCLA played Illinois in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl! I remember that I picked Illinois I think. At least you got to see your team play locally! (even though I heard it was some pretty bad football, lol) Hopefully the tailgate was good though!
Nelly recently posted..Fiesta Bowl weekend
This makes it sound pretty spectacular! I am so bummed I wasn’t there but am so glad you enjoyed your first trail ‘race’! Yay! Great write-up
XLMIC recently posted..Easy Fitness and Beauty Solutions…Now Available
Thank you for posting these pics. you guys did a nice job, I’ve never tried that before. I hope I can do a run like that soon.
Gary recently posted..Smokeless Ashtray Review
I kind of like trail running. Not that I’ve done it in years, but I remember it was easier on my feet.
Plus, it’s prettier than cars driving by.
I was actually planning on going on a trail run this weekend!
Way to go though! You did great!
Wow, sounds rough! As a former cross country kid, I love trails. However, I haven’t done one that goes up for so long! That’s nuts. Oreos and pb&j were a good call though. That makes it almost worth it. Or does it?
Tiff recently posted..Holiday Baggage
Oh goodness, I did a race in Huddart park last year and it was HARD. It was only a 10k, but it was straight uphill for the majority of the race and it was pouring rain and horribly muddy, and it was actually one of the most fun races ever!
Kathryn @ Flopoodle recently posted..Kale Chips & Protein Powder
I’ve never done a trail run but it looks awesome! Cannot wait til it warms up in chicago
Trail running is HARD! The aid station food definitely makes all the pain worth it!
Cate recently posted..Quinoa and Pistachio Stuffed Acorn Squash
That sounds so hard but looks like fun! I want fun aid stations like those on my next run! P.s. you are awesome!
Grace recently posted..Girly Fun in Bradenton!
3 miles of trail running while holding onto an Oreo…girl, I would have ground that thing into a paste after a single mile. Congrats on finishing such a long run. Good eats are well deserved after that!
I love your photos. Thank you for sharing this event. By the way, those snacks are nice.
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