Roots, rocks, hills, rain, mud, knee deep stream crossings. What more could you ask for? #fountainheadregionalpark is always a challenging place to run, but even more so in a downpour. Its tough for me to run 9:30 miles here on a dry day and today dry ground was a rare treat. The last two miles of the @ex2adventures Fountainhead #trail10k were covered in mud so slick it felt like running on a skating rink. I think my weakest area today by far was the downhills. I was so afraid of going head over heels or sliding down them on my ass that I slowed down way too much and lost a ton of time. Plus the rain fell harder and harder as we ran and we were all totally drenched by the finish. Trail race distances are notoriously ballpark estimates and this “10k” was well over 7 miles. Maybe next year they should just call it an 11.5k. I know I was feeling the extra distance. I kept my spirits up though, giving encouragement to mid and back-of-packers when we crossed in opposite directions and chatting with the aid station volunteers. Really happy that I persevered and still managed to get 3rd place in my age age group. On a day like today, I’ll take that, 10:56/mile pace and all. Now I need a hot shower, so badly. #runblr #fitblr #trailrunning #summerracingseason #5ktraining #trailracingisfun (at Fountainhead Regional Park)
