Javelina Trail Run at Night

Javelina 100 (25k for me)
Oct 15, 2011, 6:00-8:30 pm.

I have been vicariously running trails for years, so when I struck up a conversation with Mary Knott at the gym, and she invited me to go out on the trail with her, I jumped at the chance!

After trying out several different trails with her, I decided that it really was as fun as it sounded in other people’s blog reports!

Noah took me out on his mountain-biking trail a couple of times too. He would ride ahead of me but wait up for me every once in awhile.

Although Ive wanted to do this for a long time, I didn’t quite have the determination to do it on my own. So its been nice to have some company!

Trail running isn’t highly social- it seems you need your space to pick the best footing. But it often involves allot of driving TO the trail, and then knowing there are friends close by- I prefer not to go it alone.

I was very excited to try my first official “trail race” last Saturday night. I wondered if it was such a good idea to do my first trail race at night, in the dark. But I was anxious and it sounded like a fun adventure.

Now that I think about it, I did do the night trail portion of Ragnar last year- so maybe this isn’t as novel as Ive been feeling. But in my head it was my first trail race and my first night race.

When I got there I was alone for a little while. I was so happy to see Mary and her husband, Dan show up. Dan showed up to support Mary- they have an awesome team- last week she was supporting him at Kona Ironman!

There was no “seeded corral”, so I worried that elbows would be flying in the beginning as we tried to find the right order. But it seemed to fall into place in a very orderly fashion. I didn’t feel like I passed or got passed very often.

I tried to wait as long as I could to turn my flashlight on. I had a headlamp, but it didn’t feel like enough. Noah told me that our flashlight, even with a new battery, would probably only last an hour and a half.

I only got a couple miles in though before I felt like I needed it. When I saw someone up ahead of me turn their light on, I felt justified in using my own as well. Luckily it lasted me to the end!

The field spaced out quite a bit, and there would be lengthy periods where I couldn’t see anyone ahead or behind me! Not even their flashlight! So I often felt like the only one in the dark on a mountain. A little scary, and I think it drove me to keep a fast pace.

I worked into a pace that felt comfortably challenging. I couldn’t look at my watch to see what that pace was- I had to watch the trail and stay focused! Three times I caught my toe and lurched forward. Three times I felt like I was going to face plant. But luckily I was able to run out of it all three times.

Even though running alone was a little nerve racking, I found that when Id get close to someone else, that their light would give me a headache and make me feel dizzy. So it was better to control my own space.

The aide station was about 8.5 miles into the race. I looked forward to the aide station, just knowing that I could refill water and would be close to finish after the station. The aide station was stocked with all kinds of fruit, candy, salty snacks, even pumpkin pie! I ate half a banana while they refilled my water bottle for me. Aide station volunteers rock!!!

The more technical part of the trail was the first half, and in the last several miles the trail smoothed out allot and I was able to pick up my pace. Especially since I knew that I was nearing the finish.

When I crossed the finish line there was a nice group of supporters there to clap and cheer. They sent me to the table for food- again a very nice spread of food- even pizza!

They asked if I was going to go out for a 2nd loop or if I was done. When I said that I was done, they gave me a finisher’s glass. I was confused about receiving the glass- did this mean I won??? But no, everyone gets the glass!

Dan tried to convince Mary and I that one of us needed to get back out there and do a 2nd loop. There was a prize for first place girl in every distance. And the first place girl in the 25k distance was done. So 50k prize was up for grabs! But we politely declined.

I wanted to finish my first trail race feeling GREAT! And, I was anxious to text Noah and let him know that I successfully completed the loop. And to text my Sweat Sisters who were anticipating a finishing text!

I can’t wait for my next trail experience. Noah says that he likes mountain biking because he feels like he is flying. I think this is why I like trail. I like the scenery, but what about when it’s dark? The ups are fun and challenging and then I am rewarded with downs where I feel like I am flying. I really love the rolling hills. The variety keeps things fresh. I like the focus that I have to dedicate to finding the best footing. And whether I can fully appreciate the scenery as I run by it, I still like the feeling that I am out there in nature. It feels right.