Trail Run Recap and Grand Prix

When it comes to running for me, sometimes it's just about finishing. But in the case of my trail runs, even just finishing has put me in third place for the Grand Prix. Let me start with a recap of the two October trail runs that I talked about in my running update post.

Way back on Columbus Day I ran the Fall Festival 5K Trail Run at Lawson Lake. It was a beautiful and warm sunny day, easily in the 70's by race time. My time was an incredibly slow 43:47 (14:06 pace). There are some parts that are very steep and required walking, or should I say climbing. I also was overdressed for the weather. I came in 37 out of 47 runners. That was Ok because 1) I finished and 2) I was not even close to last place. So I was satisfied.

Completely unrelated picture of mums near my office. 

Last Sunday I ran the 15th Annual Squirrely Six (miles) at Thacher Park. That is held in conjunction with the Hairy Gorilla Half (marathon) and is a fun Halloween-themed trail run. On Sunday, as forecast, it was pouring rain. My time was 1:26:57 (14:30 pace).  I came in 147 out of 165 runners.
It was not cold once we started moving; in fact it felt really good. Just like Lawson Lake, there were some steep uphills and downhills that I walked. That, and being super careful running in wet leaves and mud is what led to another slow paced run. Again, I was happy with my finish.

These two trail runs were my ninth and tenth races of 2019.

On Saturday afternoon I volunteered to set up and help decorate. Saturday was just gorgeous and the park was jam packed with people enjoying a great fall day.

Now about that Grand Prix....

My running club has something called the Grand Prix Trail Series. The Grand Prix encourages trail running and trail volunteerism.  You are in competition with others of your gender / age group.  That slow time at Lawson Lake still earned me 5 points in the Grand Prix Trail Series. Helping set up Saturday earned me a volunteer point and running on Sunday earned me 6 Grand Prix points as well.
I am solidly in third place in my gender / age and in the running to win something wonderful and exciting like a cap or a water bottle. Ha! 

So it's funny how I can finish near the back of the pack and still be in third place in Grand Prix.  And that matters to me!