Swim: 20.1 miles
Bike: 157.7 miles
Run: 52 miles
Obviously I have been swimming, I rode my bike outside for the first time in over a month+, and I have been getting into the habit of running everyday. My runs have been short and sweet. I am enjoying them while they last since I know it is only up from here, both in volume and intensity. I have already been warned my off-season training will break down to be about 50% running so like I said I am enjoying my short runs while I can. One of the things I really enjoy doing is trail running. I did not know I enjoyed trail running until I moved to Charlotte. Trail running in Charleston consisted of running the West Ashley greenway, a non-paved flat trail running 8 miles out of town. It skirts behind some neighborhoods and strip malls before it snakes back towards the marshes and water the lowcountry is famous for. Unfortunately since I left I think the greenway has been paved so much for that little piece of running paradise.
![]() |
Found on http://www.panoramio.com/photo/68504355 |
![]() |
Found on http://chfmag.blogspot.com |
"Yes you can choose, but not the 4 mile option :-)."
Soooooooo I opted for the 9 mile instead. I also came to the realization fast cross country runner types in speedo-like running briefs often enter the short distances so really any way you look at it the 9 mile was really the best option. Getting ready to race was super easy and maybe took all of 5 minutes. I will never get over how much easier it is to race just one sport at a time. After milling about it was finally time to hit the starting line and even 5 minutes before the run started I had no idea which direction I was supposed to run in. It became fairly obvious pretty quickly and I just hoped to follow the masses. When the horn went off we darted to the trailhead. I was expecting a gut wrenching sprint to "get the holeshot" -the highly technical term where one sprints to avoid the bottleneck at the trailhead, no doubt coined by a dude- so I kinda sprinted but then I kinda didn't. Two girls were ahead of me entering the trail. The one closest to me was being super conservative which was probably smart because when I came to the first bridge I almost ate it by completely loosing my footing my first step onto the bridge. Screaming hysterically for a moment I gathered my wits enough to grab hold of the caution tape. Angels started singing, I didn't eat dirt, I knew I was saved. I caught the conservative girl quickly and passed her and unfortunately probably not with the proper trail running etiquette. Nevertheless I ran on and eventually caught the heels of a guy who ultimately tripped on root and faceplanted right in front of me. I stopped to help him but I still took the opportunity to pass him . . . . ![]() |
Hey, don't judge. |
I ended up winning the 9 miler for the women. Not a bad trail race debut and definitely not a bad showing for my first race back. I will take it and I may just sign up for a few more.