Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Draper Trail Days Race and a local 5K

This weekend was so much fun.  It was busy but I loved every minute of it.  I feel like I recovered better from this marathon than any other.  Wednesday morning I woke up feeling really good.  All the soreness was pretty much gone so I took off on a 15 mile bike ride.  I had to do it fast now that kindergarten is out and my workout time is limited.  I did the same thing Thursday morning and finally lifted again Friday morning.  It seems like it's been a long time since I've gotten a really good weight session in.  Then Friday night I did a local 5K to benefit a lady who has leukemia.  I went in with the attitude of just taking it easy and having it be a shake out run, but halfway in I was feeling good and Heather and I picked up the pace a little and finished strong.  25:30.  Not a PR, but I felt like it was a good time and a good effort.



So glad to be running with my bud again!

All the friends from our neighborhood that showed up to support her.
Jodi, Mike, Rob, Heather, me, Tim, Cheryl, and Heather 

We'd never make it as Rockettes!

The next morning, bright and early I met my brother, Tom for a trail run.  He was doing the 10 mile and I decided to do the 7 mile.  I debated doing the 4 miler since it was one week after the marathon but thought if I took it slow, I'd be o.k.





One of the best parts was that I got to meet up with Josh, Susette and Julia, all blog buddies to run with them as well.


I love this girl.  She is wise beyond her years and is planning on running a 50 mile trail race this fall!


It was really congested at the beginning of the race.  Beautiful single track and with all the races starting at the same time, it didn't thin out for a while.  My brother, (mr. speedy) took off and we settled into a nice pace.  The trail went up and up and up but it was gradual and the trail was nice dirt with a lot less rocks than I'm used to.  We took a slight detour and saw Ghost Falls.  The weather was perfect with it being overcast and in the high 50's.







Before I knew it we were at the point where we had to part ways.  I was feeling so good that I thought about going on with the group on the 15 mile run, but my head told me that I needed to be smart and take it easy.  That decision was the hardest part of the whole race.  I knew that my climbing was done and the rest was downhill and I was sad.

This is where we parted ways



My best pouty face

So sad to leave my buddies


The after sweaty picture

 The rest of the race was short.  I made it back to the finish line one minute after my brother finished his 10 mile run.  He did awesome and it was so great to see him.  We ate our bread, drank our drinks and said goodbye.

It was such a great weekend.  I wasn't sore and knew that I could have done the 15 miler or this one faster, but am proud of myself for playing it smart.  I was happy with my pacing as well.  It was a great race, one that I'd love to do every year.  It was marked well, even though I almost took a wrong turn a few times because I was busy talking to Julia.  Good thing there are other runners out there that were paying attention to us and directed us to the right trail.

Julia talks in her post about her reason for loving the trails.  I can understand exactly what she's talking about.  I love being in the mountains, in God's creations and experiencing them in a way I never would take the time to do otherwise.  The best way that I can explain how I feel about the trails vs. the road is to compare it to music.  Road running to me is like rap music.  I like some rap music.  I get in the mood for rap music sometimes.  It has a steady beat, it's loud and aggressive.  Running on the road is great for when you want to just run and zone out.  It's great for setting a new PR.  Trail running seems more like a symphony to me.  The rocks and obstacles are like the strings.  Add in a stream to jump over and hills and the scenery and it's like the horns and percussion instruments are added.  The tempo constantly changes, the intensity has crescendos and the variety of it all is what makes it interesting and beautiful.  It lures you in and can carry you away.  The trails do that to me.  It feels more like a dance rather than just pounding out the miles.  And even though I can't explain it very well, I can't get enough of them.

How do you feel about the trails vs. the roads?  Which do you like better and why?

15 comments:

Jean said...

What a wonderful weekend!

I was wondering, what shoes have you been wearing since your injury? Those look like they may be Merrell Pace Gloves, my favorite shoe!

susette said...

Oh Wow! I love the music comparison. What a beautiful way to think of the trails. You are so right. I'm going to be thinking about symphonies now when I'm out there in the hills.
I noticed that I had far less aches and pains after this 15 mile trail run than a normal half marathon. Definitely love the gentleness on my body running on the trails.
You are a running machine. I didn't realize you had run another race in between your marathon. Wow and Wow!

Julia said...

YESSSS. perfect description! wow. i think thats exactly what i was trying to think about when i was comparing roads versus trails. the trails feel more fluid to me...there is variation but it all goes together in a peaceful, calm, relaxing and fluid motion. The road race often feels choppy, hard, pounding, etc. It was funny because I did a 10k free race yesterday and from the second we took off i just felt like my mind was all "go, go go goooo" and it was overwhelming to me. I just wanted to catch my breath and enjoy myself but it felt like there was no time. haha!

i agree that i think i will appreciate a good balance of both types in the future. but the trails definitely have something magical about them that may have me slightly partial toward them right now.

also. i would say that 25:30 is a very speedy 5k my friend! you amaze me!

abbi said...

Great weekend! I enjoy the trails as well. I don't completely hate roads though either but there is something about being out in the middle of the woods!

Life After Swimming said...

Love that you rocked the sweat pink top! :) Looks like a great time, and a great run!

Rachelle Wardle said...

First of all wow major congrats on the 5k! You totally crushed that Jenn. And just 6 days after a marathon? I think you are superwomen and am so so happy to see you out running and doing what you love.

I love all of the pictures and stories from your trail race and I think the music comparison is wonderful. I am really itching to get on the trails this Summer and you and Julia have really inspiring me.

Cotter Crunch said...

congrats!! its so good to see you running and smiling. Especially with Julia!

Coy Martinez said...

I THOUGHT that was YOU in those pics on Julia's FB page!!! I was like "hey, that's Jen!!" Julia is awesome and I'm so glad I met her!

For me, there's no comparison. I think there are different types of runners. There are those that love the pavement and the challenge of just going full out and going fast. I think that's ok if that's what you want. I started running trails over a year ago and even though it was a rude awakening I loved it. Took me almost 3 hours to run a half and I loved the challenge. You're right, it's a symphony! I love taking a look around, the different terrain. It feels easier on my body too. I'm just about over road races. I have a few more on my bucket list and then I might go straight to trails only :)

Raina said...

Great job with the 5k! A week after a marathon? Wow.
You look SO happy. That's really good to see :)

I am excited to try trail racing this summer/fall. It will take me a bit out of my comfort zone with running, but I love the woods.

Cory Reese said...

That trail run looks so, so fun! I'm sad I missed it.

I'd take trails in a heart beat. I love the constantly changing scenery, the concentration involved, and the surface is easier on my knees and feet.

Great job over the weekend!

Laura Boll said...

I'm so glad your running is going so well, sounds like a perfect weekend! I would love to do more trail running- I think I would really love it, but there aren't many options around me right now, and I don't have the extra time to drive places with L in the picture...hopefully someday!

Unknown said...

Jen, I really like your take on trail running vs road running. Classical for trails, pop for roads. Beautiful analogy. I must run more trails. Have a grand day.

Anonymous said...

the trail run looks awesome!

Louise Cunningham said...

I love reading your stories and seeing all the pictures. You are an amazing athlete! Your blog is great, and so I'm nominating you for an award. If you would like, the details are here: http://www.runnersramblings.com/2012/06/lovely-blog-award.html

Evelyn said...

I'm also wondering what shoes you were wearing. I've been a five finger girl, but want a tad more cushioning, so I just ordered the new Merrell Access. Have you found that your feet have widened since running barefoot a lot? I love your blog. You're such an inspiration!