Sulphur Springs Trial run

[Decker]

Had beautiful weather today for the Sulphur Springs orientation run. Around 100 runners turned up for the event. There was a fast group, two medium groups and a slower group. I stuck with the first medium speed group. Aside from the washrooms being unavailable in the morn (after a 1 hr drive to get there) it was a great day. As I expected, the constant hills were challenging and quite muddy in spots since it rained yesterday through the day. I went through two gels and half my nuun mix. Most people wound up power walking most of the steep hills. I may have walked a few more than that :). Seems I have my hill training work cut out for me. The event was well organized and felt like a second free race with so many people taking part.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Mud, glorious mud! Looks like you put your shoes (and legs) through a great test. Sounds like a great turn out too. You're still very speedy despite those hills! So, think you'll be hooked on this trail runnng malarkey after your initial fuel by fire into it?

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I enjoyed plowing through the mud I have to say :). I did not feel very speedy, in fact I think I may need to reset my watch to record differently for trails, I think it kept cutting out as I walked the many hills. Overall it was a great experience and its really good to know the route sections now. Theres a few of us already planning weekend trail runs now so, yes. Also my shins were happy today on the softer turf

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

That was what I found on my first trail race. I was barely moving up at the top of the first steep hill, it auto paused then took a bit to restart so my final time wasn't accurate. That was when I realized auto pause isn't a great feature for these runs. I don't worry about it now and take my stops and picture taking time as all part of the journey (there's always at least one selfie with the great scenery and then at least a couple more scenery shots while I take in some food or drink mid-run). That has stretched over to my road running too. Last week I had to wait for a stop light but didn't worry about the fact that my watch just kept ticking over. It was just a great excuse to take a breather...and carry on when the light changed.

Yay! Your weekends will never be the same 😁. It is a great excuse to get out and spend some much needed time submersed in nature. I love the distractions of the wildlife, bugs, flowers and I agree, my legs may be tired, but not as sore as they have been with all the road running I've been doing again. My legs will be happy to hit the trails again.

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Excellent! 🤣 it's not really "muddy" unless your shoes are sinking up to your socks... 🤣🤣🤣

Did they discuss trail tips? If not there's free Salomon trail vids on youtube.

It's a whole new world 👍😁

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I watched a few video trail tips but I have so much to learn. I will look for the Salomon series, thank you

[Irish-John Marathon]

I've stayed at the Arlington there!

It's quite an interesting and worth a peep if you get time Decker

Best wishes for your muddy hills

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Irish-John]

Small world eh John? Yeah its a really beautiful area.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Looks like lots of fun!well done!😊x

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Ali. I think I like the mud 😜😁

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done Decker - sounds as though it was tough but I suspect you will go back for more...! 😀👍

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra. I was painfully slow but it was good fun so yes, more trails I think