Joined
·
9,052 Posts
<span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:medium;">Umstead Trail Marathon</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:medium;">If you want a well organized super supported race, you need to run this. Set at Umstead Park in Raleigh, NC, this is a beautiful race with some single track trails but mostly wide bridle trails and lots of elevation to keep you occupied.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:medium;">The weather reports had been showing thunderstorms and sever winds leading up to race day but they changed to be more favorable the night before. As Ieathills4meals, Alemma and I drove to the park it was not raining-very good omen. Sadly as we were waiting at the start to get going the downpour started. It only lasted about 10-15min but enough to wet everyone down pretty well.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:medium;">I'll admit as we stood around packet pick up and the start line, I was getting very nervous. This was a small marathon, less than 200 people so there weren't the host of people that I'm fairly certain I can beat <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> Nope these were "runner" looking people, trail runner people, lean, mean fit looking people. WTF was I doing there? They have a 6 hr cutoff w/2 intermediate cutoff points. Okay so I haven't ever taken 6 hrs but with trails? I've been pulled off the only trail race I ever did for not making the cutoff. Yeah I was a little nervous.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:medium;">The girls were still in the door way of the cabin when we started so I took off assuming that they were right behind me but no luck. I never actually did see them again until much later <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:medium;">About a mile or so in, we veered off the main course for the single track. Now I love this shit!! I’m very new to trail running and not extremely skilled at it but you get to run like a kid! Ya know that episode of Friends where Phoebe runs? All spastic and what not? That’s me trail running-tromping through the mud, flying over roots arms outstretched, this is FREEDOM! Even better, during this part of the race, I was passing people.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:medium;">I ran probably the first half solo and it was ok. I talked to anybody that passed in either direction, all the fantastic volunteers, myself, etc. About mile 12.5, started the OMG hill and hills. Mile 12-18 were tough. I fell in step with a trio, Tim and married couple Wendy and Ashby. They are regulars to the park and knew every nook and cranny which was very helpful. We walked up the sick hills and ran the other parts, we talked and chatted miles away. This is the first marathon that I didn’t hawk at my Garmin every second. It was nice.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:medium;">Tim and I ended up pulling away from the couple b/c Wendy was feeling one of her injuries a little too much. By this point the fear of the 6 hour cutoff had passed. I knew I would make it. There was still a ways to go, more hills, more walking, but miles passed. At mile 22 I think there was a 2 mile out and back where we got to see everyone either in front of us or behind us and it was fun to cheer to Larry and Daniel the crazy Marathon Maniacs, Alemma and Ieathills4meals, and other characters I had met along the way.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:medium;">About mile 25, Tim and I decided that was time to kick it. Cars were starting to exit the park past us so Tim let me get in front as we ran toward the finish. A long 1.2 miles but the volunteers and finish racers cheered us on. I came across at 5:02 and he was right behind me. Not a PR but for a course like this HELL YA I’ll take it.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Oh and I officially became a Marathon Maniac today</span> <span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;">J</span></span></span>
