Visiting an old friend with some new friends

     I am not sure why I refer to the trails I have spent so much time on as "old friends".  Maybe it's the heart and literal soul (sole! ha! -Steve) I have put in on mile after mile of them.  It could be the uncounted conversations with friends, hiking, running, and snowshoeing among the trees and hills and wildlife encounters.  Maybe it's the intimate knowledge of each bend and hill and certain features that stand the test of time.  This  perfect climbing tree, that used to be covered with Tanglewood vines shaped like a heart.  Year after year my kids would clamber over when we reached it and we would stop to take family photos.  This steep hill that seems to go on forever. I remember on a walk after my grandmother died it was the perfect epitome of how I felt, the insurmountable grief that you just had to get through step by heavy step.  The group campground clearing where we had a big campout with many friends and their children every summer for years.  I can see the ghosts of our children, running, laughing, and sword fighting with sticks. When I am on this trail I remember walks hand in hand with my dear friend Patricia, discussing families and children and hopes and dreams. This is Brighton Rec for me, these trails and trees have watched my family grow, have been there with their peace and comfort as I navigate life's trials.  So yes, I see them as a friend that I return to again and again.   

    I have been to many trail races on other trails but there has only been a few on Brighton Rec.  And for the first time there was a fall race, Deadfall trail race.  I have been sticking to shorter distances during my cancer journey, not wanting to push myself too hard.  The shortest distance for Deadfall was 10k (6.2 mi) and I knew I could do it with only a little train up, if I stuck to a hiking pace.  I feel comfortable pushing myself in a 5k, but I didn't think it wise to try to run the 10k especially at Brighton Rec which has some major hills, and trip hazards.  What I really looked forward to was the fall colors. And as an added bonus some new friends from CUUB would be there also hiking, so I wouldn't have that "back of the pack" depression that so often hits when I am not able to push myself to go faster.  It would also be a nice challenge and the longest distance I've done in years.

Signing up for a fall race you kind of cross your fingers and pray it won't be rainy and cold.  After a couple beautiful fall weather weeks this week the temps took a nosedive and this morning was a chilly 35 degrees.  Hilariously we all arrived bundled for winter hiking.  But the sun was shining and still providing a bit of warmth, I had my layers going knowing it would start to warm and we would probably not need the puffer jackets after the first hour or so.  

What a beautiful day to hike and talk with friends. Sharing stories and vacation plans and just enjoying a wonderful sunlit trail.  The Blackwood Racing Company did an excellent job setting this race up.  Lots of snacks both salty and sweet, fruit and soda at each each aid station.  Really it was Ultramarathon  level aid that I don't normally see at a shorter race.  The trail was very well marked and though I am intimately familiar with Brighton Rec trails both hiking and bike, there were some unusual twists and turns hopping on the road and Torn Shirt bike trail for a bit before getting on the hiking trail to create the correct distance.  Thank you Russel for all of your hard work marking the trail. We found it very well marked and had no problems staying on course. 

It is races such as this that lift me up and fill my soul.  There is a peace in the woods that is hard to find anywhere else.  "Into the woods I go, to lose my mind and find my soul."

  I did try to keep a steady pace.  It was a little bit of a push for me.  I didn't have a particular pace goal and there was no timing for this race, just what your own watch said.  No age awards just whichever female and male finished first at each distance, so no pressure to go fast.  But I get competitive and it is a race, and part of a race is to challenge yourself.  So still hiking but I wanted to keep it going pretty steady.  I did manage to do a slightly over 20 min mile pace for six miles. Even with a couple aid station stops, stops for pictures and layer removal, and one fall on a root that I swear jumped up to suddenly trip me. Thank you Claudia Tori, founder of Team Crash, I am reminded that yes I am a member! I think it was a respectable hiking pace and for me it felt like a bit of a push.  I did jog a couple times on smooth trail and tried to run the end, but I think I spent a lot of my energy getting through the 6 miles and found it almost impossible to pick up pace to run in the last .2.  So overall an excellent race, and a beautiful time with friends, sharing memories.  I couldn't ask for anything more from a lovely fall day in the woods!