So Saturday was my first Trail race, the CMRA (Colorado Masters Running Assoc.) Stone House 8 Miler. Unbeknownst to me, I had a great preview of it a few Sundays ago when we checked out Bear Creek trail (photo above). We did nearly the same route, with a few big differences … the last time we followed the paved path since it had just snowed and we didn’t want tons of mud on our shoes or falls from muddy slipping and sliding. We also started a mile further in. We also did not have 6 water crossings – yes, you read that right – SIX water crossings.
The night before I got a txt message from my running buddy telling me there were 3 water crossings and wondering about carrying garbage bags or whatever for our shoes. I’m not quite sure what it says about me, but this barely phased me. I just scanned some running BBs to figure out strategy and the message was clear – just run though it. Water drains out, feet dry, you move on. So I heeded their advice and brought nothing more than my normal gear to the race.
We ran through almost all trails and, yes, 3 water crossings. I think in my mind I had these as streams that were just about dry and would just get my feet wet, maybe, but I was wrong. I was up to my knees. But just like they’d said, feet got wet, water ran out, feet got dry. All three crossings were in pretty quick succession which was nice. Then we climbed. And climbed. And there was a super annoying spot where I was SURE I was done climbing … and I was wrong. We didn’t start our descent. We had a switchback. Then, happily, we did finally descend. There was about 100ft of ice I tiptoed over, but overall, my downhills were great. Luckily I’ve run trails before and I could keep a really good pace.
Since I didn’t know the course, I wasn’t positive I’d have to ford the streams again, but I did. The second time wasn’t any worse really, but it did feel colder and it fatigued me in a way I haven’t experienced before. And with that fatigue, I took a spill (no biggie – lots of leaves to break my fall, didn’t have a mark on me) and I knew I had to dial my speed back a little so I could pick up my feet more. So I did and I finished in about 90 minutes overall. For a person like me who hates hills, I felt like my pace was crazy good.
The “finish line” was a nice informal gathering … a couple of water coolers, some chex mix and little chocolate chip cookies. One corporate-type person there handing out samples of Honey Milk (yummy!) at a card table. Very chill. A really nice race. And now I think I might just have to join the CMRA.