Time again for the Dirt Inspires Half Marathon in Nisene, a route consisting of some of my favorite trails.
Ready to race? Well, first we have to primp in the parking lot:
pre-race parking lot modelling
And now we’re ready! Good thing we’re all here at the starting line now. Wait, we need one with Michelle:
ready!
Ok go! And off we went, to the hearty cheers of our friends and volunteers, first all together and then self-sorting into our personal paces, up the trails we went, up and down and up and down and again up the trails we went.
So that’s a summary of the course for you. 
See, there is blur! I am running! Well anyway, this is Hoffman's Loop
I hadn’t really been running much over 6 miles, so I didn’t know how much pain I was to feel, but actually once past the 4 mile mark (buddha bridge, beginning hoffman’s loop) I started to feel really good. Hoffman’s loop is a beautiful single track trail which winds its way up the hill, and then down and down. I love even the up, doing whatever combination of walking and running would allow my heart rate to stay in the “non-asthma” range. (Yes, I say that every blog post, but it’s true)
By the time the trail turns the corner to “the elevator” I had a great pace. And down I went! And then I tripped over a root, did the windmill-arm thing, rolled my ankle and torked my knee. (But I did not fall) So the rest of that wonderful trail I did with somewhat less abandon, in the interest of avoiding a med-evac story.
The way back down is the same as the way up, and I must say the Porter trail, hosting two creek crossings and some fairly steep terrain, definitely felt different on the way back. Funny, though my legs felt weaker, my lungs felt stronger, so it was kind of an interesting comparison.
The last creek crossing had Terri and Buzz both coaching me to just walk through the water. “I enjoy to balance on the rocks” I explained, proceeding to walk across the slippery rocks instead, to their murmurs of “Oh! Well I guess you do.. ” sufficiently impressed (I assume) by my rock balancing prowess.
When I got past the park entrance kiosk and was making my way up the very last hill, a volunteer engaged me in conversation and ran with me up the hill and through the parking lot, releasing me to descend to the finish line. I am indebted to him for keeping me on pace, even pushing me ever so slightly to a strong feeling, if not fast, finish.
Yay! What a great event. Love those trails. Let’s do it again.
showing off our medals and totally tubular accessories- that would be the very cute purses and belt made by Totally Tubular Design
If your shoes don't look like this afterwards, you're doing it wrong
Tags: beautiful scenery, forest, Half Marathon, trail running