So this morning I ran my first, and most likely my last, trail run. I started off okay, but boy was I in for a treat. I set out for 10 miles with a small crowd of runners familiar with the course. I tried to keep up for the first2-3 miles in fear of getting lost. It was great weather! A little windy, but it was beautiful. The trail was covered in leaves, and obviously various logs every once in awhile. I think it was around mile 4 when I was basically alone and left to my own devices. Soon enough, I was looking around enjoying the scenery, and what do you know, I fell flat on my face. Scrapped up my knee and elbow like a 10 year old girl.
At that point, I felt completely defeated. Not only were the hills kicking my ass, but now the dirt. I kept on trucking, praying I would catch up. I could see people in front a little ways ahead of me, and some people coming up behind me. I stick with two people for a good two miles and then lost it. My knee was bleeding, sticking to my pants, and oddly enough, the impact on my knee was messing up my hip.
Sure enough, I keep thinking to myself, “Keep going. You can do this. Mind over matter. You got this.” It helped. A little run/walk and I finished.
In an unfamiliar area, I quickly searched for a Panera, not only for food, but for a damn bathroom to wash my hands, face, and knee. It was a pretty brutal race; saw a deer, ran through a creek or two, my soggy feet were the highlight after my fall. But hey, I went out and crossed the finish line. Although it was never on my bucket list, I think I’ll cross off trail run. It’s safe to say I’ll be sticking to road races.
Mind Over Matter Mantra 