I got about 300 words into an email message to a more experienced trail runner than I, asking for advice on whether I should plan on a 25k in April – in Minnesota, when I decided to just suck it up, pick a first race and a plan, and get out running.
Complaints that got me writing included “it’s too damn slippery,” “yo my lower limit is positive double-digit degrees, factoring IN wind chill” and “the idea of watching the Mississippi freeze is more attractive that that of 2 hours on a dreadmill.” They’re all valid but they enmire me. I just have to figure out what I want to do.
So, I went out and I ran yesterday, over lunch. It helped that it was 25 out, and sunny, but it was plenty slippery in spots, and plenty of work. Still, so much fun. A nice jump-start to my 2008 run plans. A great justification to the tasty pasta dish we fixed for dinner, later.
The Trail Mix race looks fun, but I may have to alter my April vacation plans, to do it. Hmmm. There’s a half-marathon out near where we’ll be traveling, at that time (in a warmer part of the country I might add). Maybe.
I liked Trail Mix, but then again, I won it (the 50K, not the 25K). I’m not sure I’ll do it this year, though. It was VERY muddy last year, so “too damn slippery” is relative.
2+ hours of battling mud isn’t for the weak-willed, that’s for sure. But it would be a good way to build that will. >>I will be traveling in NC the prior week, and just found out about a half marathon nearby that looks appealing:>http://dismalswampstomp.kalerunning.com/>>The t-shirt value alone is pretty appealing!>>I think my main concern is that if surface (and air) conditions continue to be so nasty, I’m going to end up logging most of my miles before that race on a treadmill. So, a flat pavement course in Virginia is more appealing than Trail Mix for a variety of reasons.