Race #7/17 Afton Trail Run 25k

This year was my first year running the Afton Trail Race 25k. I have ran out at Afton about a dozen times and felt the most comfortable going into this race as I knew what to expect on the course. The only variable that was unknown was the weather as I have heard stories of how hot and humid this race can be. The weather turned out great! It was hot but not humid and with the breeze it felt even cooler than the predicted 80 degree high temps.

25k UMTR Members running and volunteering

25k Start

I know that I should not start in the front of the pack as I am a back of the pack runner. I ended up about in the middle. After announcements and instructions we were sent on our way. With the amount of runners this is a slow start as we all try to funnel onto the double track trail. A little walking occurred until the bottleneck slowly started to clear. Typically if I start too far forward (normally pulled along by visiting with my fast running friends while we wait for the start) I then watch as runners pass me by. This can get discouraging at the beginning of a race so I am trying to pay attention to where I start my races.

It is always nice to start a race running downhill.  This does not last very long, however, as we hit the first set of hills. My plan for the day? Run the flats and descents and walk the hills. This mostly carries me through in all my trail races. I suppose if I ran the uphills like some of the front of the pack runners I might finish with quicker times but knowing my luck instead I would not finish at all! So safer for me to stick with my plan. Have you ever noticed that most of the photographers seem to position themselves at the top of a hill? How can I get good running pictures going uphill? If I run for the picture I just look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame and if I walk, well am I really running this race (says the non-trail running friends) after all?

I have noticed that as I run further distances and more miles it is taking me about 3 miles to start to loosen up and feel good about my run. Today was no exception. The calves were tight and I think if my muscles in my legs had a brain of their own they thought I should not be running this race after all. After about 3 miles they finally started to loosen up and get with the program. It is always a waiting game for my muscles to finally figure out that I am not quitting. 

Climbing Campground Hill. Note: taken while walking up the hill!

The bench at the top of Campground hill is really inviting but I did not sit down, I promise!

Running the Prairies; the breeze kept this part of the race cooler than average for this time of year.

I ran with my Nathan Hydration pack (I have the H20) today in the hopes that I could save time by not stopping at the aid stations. I did pass up the first two aid stations, although I grabbed some fig newtons running by the second aid station so I would not have to take mine out of the pack. Shaved off a few minutes with that strategy! I did end up stopping at the next two aid stations (this would be the Break the Stigma sponsored aid station, of course). I thought I should start drinking some heed just in case I needed it. Woman does not live on water alone in these types of races you know. I also needed to get my Break the Stigma T-shirt from Julio. This was very important as I certainly did not want to walk back to the aid station after completing my race! I guess I am just lazy that way.

I know other runners are setting A, B or C goals. I think with all my races I basically figure out what avg pace I need to maintain to set a new PR and then a goal of  "it better not take me longer than X hours!" For this race the new PR goal was 3:36 or better. This was based on the first time I ran this loop last Spring or Summer. To be fair, however, that time I actually ran 16 miles in 3:37 as we were running the loop backwards and my running partner and I took a wrong turn and had to turn back which added that extra half mile. I finished this race in 3:25:09 officially so I will count this as a new PR for this course. My average pace finished out at 13:20 whereas the average pace for that last loop was 13:38 (had to check just to be sure!). I did decide that I would run this race on feel rather than checking my Garmin and average pace. I set the watch to mileage and current pace and resisted the urge to check my average pace. I wanted to see how I did on feel instead. I figured being that I had a side ache on my last few miles I must have been pushing myself fairly hard, either that or I had too many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the last two aid stations! I have noticed a correlation to side aches and eating protein too close before running.

What's a race without at least one selfie?

 

The wonderful view of the river!

The never ending river stretch. Where is that hill so I can walk again??

Need to learn how to stop the Garmin watch without looking down for better finish line pictures!

As usual awesome race shirt and I just love the race bib with my name on it!

Race Finishing Stats:
Overall 280/341
Women 114/154
Master Female 39/46

And there you have it. A back of the pack runner! I will have to take solace in the fact that I am running farther and faster than the average person sitting on the couch!

As with all of Rocksteady Running races the quality and organization for this race was exceptional. The volunteers were awesome and the party after the race was enjoyable. With the level of craziness in my life right now both at work and home it was great to be able to stick around and talk to other runners and just hang out after the race. I think this is what I enjoy about these trail races the most is the feeling of community in addition to the enthusiasm and positivity of those involved.

Next up is Eugene Curnow Marathon on the Superior Hiking Trail from Duluth to Carton, MN.