Slip-Sliding Away

Reyna F

No, it is not Tough Mudder, although I might do that next. I am talking about something classic – trail running.  First let me tell you that I am not a trail running expert. For that matter, I am not even a running expert.  I consider myself a running newbie.  I started running sporadically when my son was born because pushing him in the jogging stroller was a great way to exercise. But once he could sit in the bicycle seat, I gave away the stroller.  That was the end of running until I decided to do triathlons five years ago.

I appreciate running as an efficient and minimalist exercise modality.  In less than one hour, I can get an intense cardio workout that is also bone building.  But don’t tell anyone: I would rather be biking, hiking, skiing, climbing… I probably shouldn’t say that to a bunch of runners. Please don’t kick me out of the club.  Why do I enjoy those sports? Because I love speed.  When I am cycling and skiing, I prefer going fast. What is the best part of going uphill?  It is the downhill on the other side.  Even hiking has this aspect.   When you see me hiking, it is a fast walk up and a speedy jog down. I feel like I am flying when running down a mountain.   Last month when I was hiking in Harriman State Park with my husband, an injured man asked about the fastest way down.  Charlie said, “Just follow her.” 

Since I started running regularly, I have stuck to the bridle paths in Central Park.  And I would dream about running on real trails.  This winter I did a long run through Van Cortlandt Park to Inwood Park, which whet my appetite for real trail running.  Jumping over logs and avoiding tripping on rocks makes the run much more interesting.  Then I found out about the Berkshire Memorial Day Marathon Trail Race.  It coincided with the bicycle trip I organize yearly for the New York Cycle Club (NYCC).  Would the cyclists be upset if I run instead of bike ride?  I have been going to the NYCC Berkshire weekend since 1989 and have been coordinating it since 2004.  I deserved to do something different.  So I signed up for the 15 kilometer trail run race on May 26.  I also had the option to sign up for the marathon the following day, but I wanted to ride at least one day with the club (good excuse!).

The day before the race was wet, and it rained the night before.  Fortunately, the day of the race was dry and warm.  There were 107 people in the race.  This was the smallest race I ever ran. I am used to the crowded NYRR races.  I enjoyed the camaraderie and competition of a small group.  We lined up and waited for the horn to blow.  I was in the back of the line chatting with friends when the boom started the race.  Lesson number one: In a small race, unless you want to run slow or don’t care about your time, move up as close as possible to the start.  Particularly when the clock and timing does not account for when you actually cross the starting line.

The race began on an uphill which caught many by surprise who did not pace themselves.  After 1½ miles it leveled out and then went downhill. Then uphill, then downhill, and so on. There were some uphills that were so steep that walking up was faster than running up.  And some of the downhills were so slippery you had to walk or else slip and fall.  At about five miles, there was a turnabout.  It gave me the opportunity to see the lead runners walk up the hill as I ran down it.  That made me feel better – If they can walk up, so can I.  Unfortunately, I passed one accident.  There was a young woman on the trail unconscious and being tended to by race volunteers.  I had no idea how they were going to get her out. An ambulance could not get through the trail.  Apparently, she regained consciousness and was walked out.  I don’t know if she was down because of a fall or a medical condition.  That is a danger of trail running.

Towards the end of the race, there was a one mile descent – I was loving it.  I took pleasure in running straight through the mud and puddles.  It was a good thing my shoes did not get stuck in the mud.  A friend told me that once happened to her.  She had to stop and put her muddy shoes onto her muddy feet.  That is another risk of trail running.  If we went barefoot, that wouldn’t be a concern.

At this point, I saw Tanglewood. Hurrah, the finish line is close.  I thought it was all downhill until the finish line. But I was wrong.  I had to run up a hill, across a field, then down again. No problem. I was almost done.  Then at 1:41:01, I crossed the finish line as the 7^th woman.  I felt great.  It was much more difficult than the Brooklyn Half that I ran the prior weekend, but much more fun.  I went to stretch afterwards and as I bent over, I saw that my legs and sneakers were caked with mud. Being Tanglewood, there was a very nice and clean restroom to wash up in.  While cleaning up, I chatted with the #1 and #2 women who agreed that this race was more difficult but more enjoyable than the Brooklyn Half.  What surprised me is that they traveled to race in Brooklyn.  And they must have been surprised that I traveled to race in Stockbridge, MA.

We don’t really need to travel for trail races. Van Cortland Park has their Thursday night at the races (but they are only 5K). I am on the look-out for longer trail runs that are within one hour of the city. Who else wants to trail run and doesn’t mind a few rocks, logs and mud?

-Reyna F