The End of the Trail

The 2009 Trail Run Series officially ended Saturday with the third and final run. In this series you could run a 5K (about 3.2 miles) or farther. I chose to run the 5K in all three races. Are you kidding me? I would have never attempted anything more. In the first one, I lurched along this vicious course in 29 degree weather with a wind chill factor of 19. I fell and there was no one there to see/help me as I was in the wilderness and far removed from the rest of the pack. Yes we do indeed have wilderness in San Angelo. Who knew? In fact, I thought the "trail run" meant we would be running on a trail.......like a dirt road. NO! NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! It was rocks, rutted roads, grass, rocks, old four wheel drive trails, rocks, motocross trails and rocks. Did I say rocks? As I started on my first run, I became furious that I had gotten myself into this mess and with my niece as "my partner" I did not feel like I could quit. I did seriously think of quitting, however, after I fell (for what seemed like two minutes). BUT there wasn't anyone around to CARRY me back so I had to keep going. I think that is part of the plan. When it was over and I had crossed the finish line (finally) I was surprised to find that I had finished first in my age group. And I WASN'T the only one in my age group. Felt pretty good (except for the growing bruise on my leg and knee from the fall). So, I agreed to run in the next one. Fast forward two weeks. The weather is beautiful and the number of runners has increased dramatically. The director announces that he has "changed the course" a little. Once again I am furious. BUT, this second trail was so much easier. UNTIL I fell AGAIN!! And this time, a real ouchy!!! Ripped my leggings and a portion of my leg AND my hip. But I persevered and crossed the finish line SEVEN MINUTES faster than I had previously. Finished first in my age group...........I am starting to like this.............. A LOT!!! Fast forward two more weeks to this last Saturday. It is freezing cold with winds out of the north at THIRTY NINE MILES PER HOUR. They have changed the course AGAIN and much of it is going to be on a road BUT we are running INTO that wind. It was so cold. I decided to just "coast." I had already asked God the night before and that morning to hold on to me and not let me fall. So, I just got all calm (except for the incessant shivering) and hit the trail. Came in first AGAIN and DIDN'T FALL OR EVEN SLIP ONCE!!! For all of the drama, I felt such a sense of accomplishment and pride that I had managed to complete this series and stay in one piece. And of course getting the water bottles, winners' certificate, and the T-Shirt didn't hurt either. So, I left that morning at what I thought was the end of the trail. But not so. There are 5K fun runs every month starting in March and going through June at least. Some months there are more than one. I not only plan on running in some, if not all, of them but also plan on running in the 8K (5 miles) Run in the Sun in May. Who knows, one day I might even do a half-marathon. See you on the road and Happy Trails!!!