My First Trail Run

                After committing to running the Pi Day River Rotation Half Marathon, I quickly found a training plan for beginners on Runner’s World. It was a 10-week plan that I kept up through the mobile app. I started training on sidewalks around my apartment for the first month of training. My training plan had me running four days a week-3 short runs and 1 long run. It was my first time running outdoors during the winter and all its crazy temperatures. I quickly learned about clothing and what to wear when running in below freezing temperatures with irrational wind chill. I even made a news story about what to wear and how to run safely when there is ice. It’s posted for your laughing pleasure.  I made it up to 8 miles on the sidewalks.

                Then one Saturday in early February I had the opportunity to run the trail where my half-marathon was with a group of runners called the Trail Hawks. My nerves were really high since it was my first trail run and first group run. I also needed to run 10 miles, which I wasn’t confident about.

                We took off on the trail and I was following right behind the leader. The group immediately started chatting about life, catching up with all the other members of the run. I didn’t do much talking, but lots of listening. (I was worried that I wouldn’t be fast enough for the person behind me.) The Trail Hawks were hilarious! I enjoyed every minute listening to them. We finished the first loop, took a quick rest stop and went out on a second look on the trail.

                                                                       My first trail run!

                Somewhere very early in the second look, I passed the run leader. One of my concerns about running this trail race was that I wouldn’t be able to pass people. So I tried passing the run leader just to see how easy it would be during race day. It wasn’t the brightest idea since I had no idea where I was going, but the group followed along and made sure I was going in the right direction. I finally reached 10 miles and left the group to finish their longer run. I was ecstatic that I could keep up with the group. It also eased some of my fears about running with large groups of people. I wasn't quite hooked on trail running yet, but it didn't take long until I was.