Wells Outrageous Ouabache Fifteen - Run5 Mile

I haven't been running much so I didn't push myself too hard on this. Mostly I just enjoyed the beautiful weather and the lovely trails. The trails aren't very rugged - only a few small hills and not very many roots to contend with. Very pleasant overall.

Going over the tall straw bales was a little tricky. I had wanted to toss both legs over the top at once but I'm not tall and/or strong enough to pull that off. At least not at that point in the race. I ended up stepping over the top one foot at a time. I then tried to jump down as quick as possible. My left leg about gave out when it hit the ground but I managed to recover - which is realllly good, because I don't know what I would have done if I had fallen three races in a row.

Actually train for the event? I think I'm going to add these trails into my regular Saturday long runs. I did my long runs at the park last year anyway, I just stayed on pavement the whole time. As long as the ground is reasonably dry, there's no reason not to get a nice change of scenery once and a while. Plus, it'd be good experience if I want to do the Pokagon Oly in the spring.

Short walk back to the shelter for lunch.


The fact that I haven't been training with any seriousness since BoilerMan in September. Part of that was to recover from injuries but it's not a valid reason anymore. My shoulder is even well enough to be swimming again (finally!). It's still not at 100% yet, but it's good enough. Oh, but it's dark when I get home now and it's just not quite crappy enough outside for the dreadmill to be appealing. I'm just full of excuses.


This was a great race! The trails are reasonably even, you have a bit of silly fun with the straw bale thing, lots of post race food (bison or beef burgers, corn bread muffins, chips, cookies, apples with optional carmel, smores, veggies, beans, cocoa, cider, etc), blazing hearth fires to warm up to post-race, and a beautiful location (I admit, I'm bias since I've been coming to this park since before I can remember, but it really is nice, I promise!).

Also, lol at the do-rag placing prizes. When Dad and I talked to the race director, he said they thought they were just ordering regular hats..like toboggans I suppose, but they came in late and they didn't have time to return them. So they just handed them out without explaination. Hahaha.