Sugarcreek 10K Trail Run - Run10k

This was my first trail run ever. I've done a few triathlons that have you run on trails for a bit, but this was the first running race that was completely on trails. Previously, I've tried to avoid trails because I'm pretty susceptible to rolling my ankles. But I was planning on running around 50 minutes tonight anyway, the race was about 10 minutes from my house, and it would count towards the Grand Prix Series my running club has going. So I sucked it up.

I didn't know what to expect so that first mile I just sort of took it easy and hung back. I just kept repeating to myself "Don't break an ankle". I also tried to keep thinking, just a training day, just a training day. I hit the first mile in 8:09.

At that point I was feeling pretty good and the trail, though muddy, seemed to be in decent shape, so I aired it out a bit. I always took it slow on the rocks crossing the streams though. I had zero desire to run through the stream so I just gingerly stepped across the rocks. Yup, I'm a ninny.

Mile 2 went by in 7:44 and Mile 3 in 7:41. I passed a lot of folks on the big hill. I always seem to do well on the uphills.

A few people blew by me towards the end of the first loop, but they were doing the 5K and just kicking it at the end. The second loop was muddier and lonelier. I seemed to have settled into my pace and did Mile 4 in 7:39.

I slowed down a fair amount for Miles 5 (8:05) and 6 (~8). I guess the earlier hills caught up to me (maybe the swim to?). 3 or 4 people passed me between Miles 5 & 6, but I caught all but one on the last hill. As we headed towards the finish I thought if I sprinted I could catch the guy who had passed me and the guy I had chased for almost the entire 2nd loop. But I just didn't have the will. I think I probably had some energy in the tank, but I don't think I gave 100% effort.

If I had gone at this 100% I would have spent a lot less time avoiding the puddles/creeks and I would have hit the first mile a bit faster.

Hit the cookies and water while cheering on people as they finished.


I had sort of decided I would just race this as a training thing and not put forth my "A" race effort. It was pretty hard to keep the competitiveness in check though. At one point on the first loop I passed a guy, which caused him to immediately speed up and pass me. I let him go until we hit a pretty decent sized hill. I blew past him up the hill and never saw him again. The competitive part of me imagined that I crushed his will on that pass :)


The ORRRC always puts on fun inexpensive races. I'm glad I joined up!