If you enjoy running but get bored really easily, I highly recommend trail running.
I have never had a race fly by as fast as the Long Play Trail Race did this morning!
Ryan and I awoke at 5 a.m. and I ate a quick breakfast of overnight oats before we drove an hour or so to Lake Townsend Regional Park in Brooksville, Florida. Since we weren’t really familiar with the area, we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time to arrive at the park, check in and pick up our race packets. We arrived with about 40 minutes to spare before the 7 a.m. start.
I was actually glad we arrived when we did, because we were able to hang out with some of the runners who were there to run the 33.3 mile loop on the trail before they took off at 6:30 a.m. Talk about amazing!
It was quite a chilly morning (upper 30s/low 40s) and I wore lots of layers.
Ryan was smart and left his hoodie in the car, but I wore my jacket and a long-sleeve pullover (the gray Old Navy one I got a few weeks ago) and ended up overheating a bit after two miles. As a Florida girl, I clearly haven’t mastered dressing for cold-weather running!
Upon check-in, Ryan and I realized that this race was going to be very laid back. The man running the race said that it was going to start a little late and that the five mile distance we signed up to run was going to run a bit long on the course. He warned us to expect to run closer to 5.5 miles and we appreciated the head’s up. It was a chill group of runners and no one seemed to mind the delay or longer-than-anticipated course.
Ryan and I lined up at the start line with our group of five mile runners and a group of half marathon runners. We started together, but when we hit the first water station, we turned around and headed back while the half marathoners continued on. It was an out-and-back course and ended up being right around 5.3 miles.
The course has us running in quite a bit of sand, but most of it was hard-packed and not too soft. The soft areas definitely slowed my pace, but the chilly weather had me feeling quite zippy and the entire race absolutely flew by.
When we approached the turnaround, I realized only one woman was heading back to the start at this point, which meant that there was only one female ahead of me. Though I’m typically not a competitive person in the least, once I hit the halfway point and began running back toward the start, a bunch of the runners who were running toward the turnaround started saying things like, “You can catch her” and “Go get her” which made me want to push myself to see if I could.
I caught up to her with about 1.75 miles to go and held onto my lead through the end. The race was quite small and I’m not a super-fast runner by any means, but it still felt pretty cool to be the first female to cross the finish line. That doesn’t happen to me often… or ever!
Distance: 5.29 miles Time: 48:07 (9:05/mi)
Ryan also ended up placing first in his age group! We were both awarded some pretty snazzy hats.
I’m already researching more trail races because we had such a good time this morning. The Long Play Race team sure knows how to put on a fun race!
Trail running is pretty darn awesome.
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Congrats on being the first place woman, how awesome! I’ve never heard of trail running, but I will have to see if we have it up here.
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com
Congrats! That’s so fun that the two of you did that race together AND both place first!
Congrats on the race! That is so exciting that you both placed first! 🙂
Running trails is definitely the way to go! I’ve run my longest distance (8 mi) on a trail run and you feel like a kid at camp or something. Congrats on being the first female to finish!
i love the way you described it… and i totally agree. it almost feels more like a game than a run b/c you’re always on the lookout for something that could cause you to trip!
Congratulations! Looking into trail runs today 🙂
Congratulations on winning! That’s awesome! I will have to find a trail run to do somewhere; I love running outside on trails!
Well done Julie that’s wicked!bet Sadie will love the new trail runs too 🙂
Well done on being the first woman to cross the line! I have ever done a trail run, but will seriously consider it if I find a local one. I am England I’m sure there will be some!
That jacket is from Old Navy?? OMG it fits amazingly! Just like LuLu lemon. I’m obsessed. Old navy here I come 😀
I think the top layer is Lulu Lemon and the pullover underneath is Old Navy (?).
Yay hats! Haha, that’s so great that you got first! I know that you don’t really focus on competing in running, but every once in a while, being first is kinda fun. Glad ya’ll had a good time!
Great job! I need to find a small race so I can win, just to say I did it! I signed up for a trail half marathon in June that I am excited about! I run around the Teddy Roosevelt Island as a break during my long runs but the loop is only about a mile and a half, can’t do that too many times! I am planning on driving out to some trails after my normal half next weekend to start training for the trail run! It is definitely way more enjoyable!
Congrats! That’s awesome – being the first female to cross the finish line!
Nice mile pace! Trail races sound like a lot of fun. I am so clumsy, though. I just bet a tree would trip me 😉
It’s odd to see pictures of you out running in warm gear! Normally you’re all shorts and tank tops!
So cute! I bet you and Ryan felt pretty proud of yourselves after dominating the race! Congrats! 🙂
Congratulations! What a great way to finish up your first trail race!
I have a trail run lined up for June 14, 2013. I got a free entry from Active Advantage so I figured I had nothing to lose by giving it a try. My only concern is hurting my feet on the terrain (my ankles are as weak as wet toilet paper) but I figure that every runner needs to do at least one trail run once in their life, right?
whoot! congrats!
last night I actually had a dream that I won a contest on your blog. I got noodles or something. 😛
Congrats on the trail run! We have plenty of trail runs here in Tennessee! I have not particpated in one but you may have encouraged me to try it!:)
ah congrats that is soo awesome!!! I am glad the race was fun and no tripping was involved ;)! I love your lulu zip up!!
Congrats on first place! As a fellow not-speedster, I can relate to your excitement. I won my age group in a 5K yesterday, which was so shocking! I’m never fast enough to win anything! Glad you enjoyed trail running 🙂
Awesome job!! Trail running is SO much fun! I went this weekend too and am so excited I found some awesome trails to run a short drive from my house. I think me and my roommate will be making it a Saturday tradition!
Looks like fun! I’ve always wanted to try train running. And you AND Ryan BOTH placing first in your age groups? That’s insane..ly awesome. Nice job!
Congrats on your finish!!
My first trail run seemed very chill and laid back as well. Perhaps that’s the mentality for trail races vs. road races? I don’t know, but it was definitely my speed. 🙂
I’m not a fast runner, so I enjoy running the races that aren’t as popular, makes me feel like an olympian when I place. lol
This looks like a lot of fun!!
Trail running sounds awesome! Congrats to both of you on your win – and snazzy hats haha. PS I have that same lulu zip up jacket. It’s the BEST for running in the cold.
Oh brilliant!!! Well done! I’ve my first trail run in June but it’s likely to be hella competitive! I’m just in it to take part 🙂
Congrats! That is awesome! Must be a great feeling
Great job! Sounds like fun. I did an off road half marathon a couple years ago that was super challenging due to loose sand. It was awesome though! I am also going back and forth between the 5k or 10k trail race at Moss Park in Orlando on March 30. I may do the 10k after reading your review of your race! It’s not that far from Ocala so if you are interested I am hosting a giveaway for the 5k or you can check out the website http://www.mastersofallterrain.com!
You should try to the Trail of Payne 10K in Paynes Praire, it is about 25 minutes north of Ocala and a fun 10K. Should be next weekend or the week after. Some sand, good trails, a little paved road but overall a really nice mix.
The trail running race looks like a blast! Great job on catching up to the girl! I’ll have to be on the look-out for one!
Congrats! I’m not a fast runner either, so I totally understand where you’re coming from!
Congrats on your finish! I have been running for a long time now and just recently got my feet wet with trail running and even joined our local trail group. I am running my first trail half marathon on Sunday and although I am a bit nervous, I am so excited to finally be able to experience running a half on the trail. It’s so peaceful to be out there.
Trail running is addictive and my absolute favorite activity!
Since moving to Edmonton, all I’ve done is run on trails. It’s completely changed my outlook on running! I no longer dread it; I savor getting out into nature. Five miles fly by. I really encourage everyone that isn’t a ‘runner’ to try it – it will certainly change your perspective! So glad you had a great experience!
Great job you two! Sounds like fun 🙂 Haha
ha! that’s so awesome. congrats girl. maybe i should look into trail racing too. that sounds like a lot of fun:)
Where did you get your pink Mizuno Wave Rider shoes that you have on in these pics? I love the color.
Thanks.
Congratulations!! How sweet that you both placed first 😀
Trail running is definitely where the fun is at 😉 And mastering the art of cold weather running when you live in a predominately warm state is difficult! I live in Arizona and I’ve learned to just start out a run or race freezing (which totally blows for 10-15min) and then you’re perfect. Congrats on winning the race!! Regardless of how big the race was, it’s always fun to come in first.
My teenage daughter told me about your site. Read this trail run blog and enjoyed it. I started trails at the end of last year and have had fun. Your posts are upbeat – thanks & enjoy your runs!