Snowfest Trail Race

The other week there was a Winterfest going on at our local State Park. I was debating whether or not to go because I had just taught a spin class followed by a yoga class and I was a bit tired. My sister was planning to go to do an article for the newspaper so I thought I would tag along. 

During the day they had many festivities taking place and the one of them was a 3.5 mile trail race.
I have never run this race before but thought I'd give it a try. I have run trail races before but never in these conditions. 

Right at the start there were already icy patches that were pretty slick so you definitely had to watch your footing. In addition to the ice, there were some snowy parts as well that you had to be careful at because you couldn't see the tree roots underneath you. Some of the course I wonder if it was even part of a trail because there were so many rocks with moss on them which again made for slick spots. Maybe it was more manageable in hiking boots, but not in running shoes.

There was a huge incline about a mile into the race. So big that people decided to start walking up it. I thought Is this a hike or a trail race as I continued to power up it. Alot of the course was single track so it was hard to pass runners if you wanted to. Although a man and his dog managed to pass me. I couldn't let a dog beat me so I made sure I got ahead of them!

Throughout the course there was a lady that would pass me, then I'd pass her, and we would go back and forth for awhile who was in front of who. I kept thinking I would just trail behind her for awhile and give myself an extra push at the end when I needed to. We finally were running the last stretch together and she said to me thanks for keeping me honest you really pushed me...good job! I told her good job as well as I continued to give myself an extra push at the end to make sure we were not neck and neck.  

I finished 2nd female overall. I was kind of bummed but couldn't be too mad despite the conditions I was running in. I was talking to a few runners afterwards and they said this year the conditions were nothing compared to years pass with many inches of snow on the ground and much more ice. I couldn't imagine that!

All finishers received a half bottle of wine. The top 3 overall finishers also received a giftcard for Sheetz as well. For the younger participants that were under 21 they received $5.00. I thought that was a nice gesture.  I would have been happy with 5 dollars. 

After the race they had a huge spread of tasty treats such as cookies, sandwiches, and homemade chicken corn soup. We each had a bowl of soup to warm us up and then checked out the other events that were going on that day! 

I have done several trail races but this by far had to be the most challenging one. Good thing it was only 3.5 miles. I'm glad I did it, but have no desire to run it again! 

What was the most challenging trail run you have done? -L