Trail half marathon

Who wouldn't want to get up early Saturday morning, drive an hour from home in the pitch dark, and run around in the woods just as the sun is coming up? Oh, and it's 20°F!

Well, I realize not everyone. And probably not everyone should. But there were plenty of us who did, and lived to tell about it!

I ran the Ignite Trail Series Marathon/Half Marathon Saturday at Chain O' Lakes State Park in Northern Indiana. It was damp and frigid, dark until 10 minutes before the start, and I still had no idea what conditions I would be running in or where I really even was.

But it was a blast!

I finally received the Athlete's Guide the day before the race, and there were a few people I knew who were also running the half (including our pastor, and Jane's boss). It ended up being a well-marked beautiful course through hills and trees along lakes and wildlife, and I had no trouble reminding myself to smile and take it in throughout.

 

We left home just after 6:30am and headed north. I always forget how dark it gets in the country, especially on unfamiliar roads. There were more trump signs than stop signs on the hour trip, and finally we entered the park grounds and followed neon markings until we came to a parking lot beside a big white tent. There was the familiar sight of porta-potties lined up. The race place.

I got registered, pinned on my bib, and we sat in the car and tried to keep warm until it was time to go. Finally 8 o'clock arrived!

Perhaps the biggest hill is right at the start. I'd been told to walk up the hills and run down them. At first I was like, "Yeah, whatever." Before I was halfway up this first one I discovered the soundness of the advice. Woof!

After that, though, I was soon rolling along and through some of the most breathtaking scenery this state has to offer. These were some late night thoughts I posted (and then removed) from Facebook:

Man, I loved that half marathon trail run today. Temperature is just a matter of clothes. I loved running downhills like a child, and walking up hills full of wonder and awe at the beauty of our surroundings. At my age I care way less about my time than enjoying the surroundings. And it was grand. Slower seems to always be better. Remembering to smile…. I can’t remind myself of that enough.

Anyway, I finished in like 2 hours 25 minutes. Apparently I got third in my age group (who knew?!?). I know I did a couple miles at an over 12-minute pace, but I also got moving at a pretty good clip coming down hills under an 8-minute pace a few times. I also think the results page showed there were 80-some half marathoners and 60-some marathoners (who did two loops of the same course). And... while there were only two aid stations along the route (plus the start/finish line), wow did they have some nice food! Cheeseburgers, pulled pork, toasted cheese and peanut butter with bacon sandwiches, cheese cake, chips, soup, and who knows what all else! This Ignite Trail Series group seems to have quite the dedicated volunteers.

So, after all the anxiety beforehand, it was a pretty fun time and I hope to do this race again. I was -as always- glad to have the lovely Lady Jane waiting for me at the finish line to snap this pic. Once I found the guy who had the medals and downed a pulled pork sandwich, we headed back home where I showered, napped, and then we worked a concert that night. A good day!