So this is the shirt I SHOULDA bought during my last VA Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon. And it’s also the shirt I SHOULDA worn at my race this last Sunday.
The company is One More Mile Running and I get absolutely NOTHING if you buy something from them. (Come to think of it, I should talk to those guys about some kind of finders’ fee–but I digress.)
I love the hilarious shirts this company makes. Going to an expo for me is like going to Vegas is for some people. I give myself a certain (small) amount of money that I know I will throw away on super-fun running gear on the (likely) chance that I will have a great time while wearing said gear in the future. Actually, in this light, the odds are far better than Vegas, but again…I digress.
So I did NOT buy the shirt but I did INDEED have the experience the shirt indicates at a race this past Sunday at one of my local running club’s signature events.
Explanation:
Each year our awesome local running club, the Kennekuk Road and Trail Runners, hosts an event called the Wild Wild Wilderness Run. Runners from all over the midwest descend upon our lovely little hamlet to challenge themselves on the Wilderness Trail.
See, the thing is, the Wild Wild Wilderness Trail Run includes at least one portion of trail that is not really a trail for human beings. True, some deer and squirrel may have ventured up the side of that beast, but humans…not so much.
And the OTHER thing is, THIS year I knew that beast was coming. I ran the stinking trail last year. And I heard from my friend–let’s just call her Ami (because that’s her name)–that the run was SO much easier when you knew what to expect. Just so you know: she totally lied. (A different experience, but NOT easier! Still love you though, Ami.)
So now in the interest of Truth, Justice and the American Trail-Running Way, if you’re EVER considering the Wild Wild Wilderness Trail Run, you should know THIS is TRULY what to expect:
7.55 miles (or 7.45 miles, depending on the race year) of some of the most beautiful trail in the region. Including:
3.5 initial miles of relatively bumpy, grassy trail, in and out of the woods. Wear your deet during tick season. Basically an enjoyable but moderately challenging run. Followed by…
4 miles of hell on earth. A mountain fit for certain animals, but definitely not people. Creeks to leap over. A slippery bridge to run across. Hills, hills and more hills. A “stairway” built into the side of a nearly-vertical hillside just before mile seven–that conveniently had its STEPS removed this year–where you are basically sliding up a rooted-mud-hill.
Essential Aside Advice: Try to strategically select the people who are running in front of you and behind you as you face these natural obstacles. Sliding down a mud-hill onto the head of the helpful, but completely unsuspecting, gentleman behind beneath you as you lose your footing on one of these obstacles is not the most polite way to make new friends. Even if he does promise that he won’t let you fall down the hill. As you are practically sitting on his head. *sigh* Well, after hitting solid ground, at least there’s plenty of motivation to pick up the pace and get outta there as fast as you can after that little getting-to-know-you adventure.
And back to the shirt. See, while the front-half of the shirt would have been me on Sunday, the back-half of the shirt would be me TODAY. After my rugged adventure. While trying to walk or move quickly. Thank goodness for my friend, Ibuprofen.
And regarding the WWW Run. Would I do it again next year, even after all of the muddy drama? OF COURSE! Maybe even several times next year. Because, come to think of it, it wasn’t really that tough after all. Yeah, in fact, it was more like awesome. Kinda like childbirth is awesome the farther you get away from it.
I’ll be there. Probably with a cool new shirt. And definitely with a strategy that calls for me making new friends in more lady-like ways than sitting on some poor stranger’s head.
P.S. As proof that I should have known better and for the entertainment of the historians among you: Here’s the post about a couple of last year’s trail runs: Trail Runs Before I Knew Better
[…] I did try the “New Thing” on Monday. And it was pretty hard. Some of it had me muttering not-so-nice-words at that little pixie on the TV. But I did survive it, and it certainly wasn’t as hard as a 26.2 mile marathon. Or a 30 mile ultra. Or even that crazy race I did a couple weeks ago. […]
MommyGoGo,
Race Director of the Wild Wild Wilderness checking in – glad you enjoyed the race and looking forward to you running it again next year.
Took the opportunity to enjoy some of your other writings – kudos!
Regards,
kestrou
Thanks Kevin and I’m so glad you had a chance to stop by and visit here at Go Mommy! You and the Kennekuk crew put on consistently top rate events and you make our community proud. An honor to have you stop by my site and I hope you’ll visit again soon.