Trail run learning curve

I was a really great student today!
Here is what I learned...

When signing up for a 10K:

Double-check that it really is a 10K... 7 miles is not a 10K. I would have been very happy had it been 6.2 miles!
Is this race on pavement or on a trail? If on a trail, what kind of trail?
Learn a little more about the route - what does the word "hilly" mean?

When on a trail run:

An Ice Age Trail was formed by glaciers, thus the word "hilly" means just that - lots, and lots, and lots, and lots of hills. Training in town with only 2-3 hills is NOT the same thing.
Trail runners find it perfectly fine to walk up hills. How sweet is that!? It is the norm to walk hills (unless you're the crazy 1st place runner).
Trail runs include many sticks, rocks, and very wet mud. Work hard to stay up-right after biffing it on one of the three mentioned. Take time to walk off the muscles that caught your almost fall - they don't like you otherwise.
Running on leaves is almost like running on snow.
Wear a knee brace if you have knee problems. Going down hills does not equal happy knees.
A (hilly) trail run is a great work-out! Take time to enjoy the m&m's when home. :)
Did I mention to make sure you understand what the word "hilly" means!?! I think I ran all of 1/2 a mile of "flat" ground. When they say hills, they mean HILLS.

See, I learned a lot today! :)

I had a great run/uphill walking with a teacher pal of mine at the Chippewa 10K on the Ice Age Trail today. I was happy to mark not only a 10K off of my list, but also a trail run! Not sure I would ever do a trail run again, but I do hope to do another 10K, preferrably on very flat, solid ground! I had hoped to run the whole race, but still feel very accomplished even though I had to do some walking.

Thank you to Brandy for inviting me to the race and staying with me during my slow joggin speed! And Thank you to my in-laws who watched Caleb while I was running (Jon had to work today)!!!! And now we are all busy painting furniture for the boys room. Fun Saturday! :)

Hope you all had a wonderful Saturday!

In Christ,
Mara

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