Hitting the trail...

It's one week until the North Face Endurance Challenge.  One week until I return to the marathon field for the first time since before the back injury.  One week before I spend a day of commaraderie with a great friend conquering another goal.  I couldn't be more excited.  There's just a couple pesky details to take care of first...like getting in a few trail miles before running a trail marathon.

Serenity, thine name is a winding path
through the woods

Trails are very different from roads.  Trails are softer and more forgiving for bum knees.  Trails are more tranquil and relaxing.  Trails offer more interesting obstacles like fallen trees and water crossings.  Trails use slightly different muscles.  Trails also remind me that I am human and gravity likes to fell those who don't show enough respect for tree roots that randomly appear in front of your toes.  Its been a while since I've really hit the trails and we really needed to get in at least one solid trail run before North Face.  So Brie and I trekked out to Rosaryville State Park for some time with the trees, wildlife and every cyclists in Prince George's County (at least there were a lot).

This little dude decided to block the
while path...

If you've ever run or hiked Rosaryville, you know it is both easy and hard in the same 9 mile loop.  Its not very technical, but it throws up some hills when your legs start screaming in the heat and humidity.  We hit the trail before 7am.  Thank goodness, otherwise we never would have got a parking space because it started getting busy shortly after we hit the trail.  The trail itself was nice and dry...it could have been muddy....but also really quiet for the first several miles.  No people, no birds, okay a few squirrels, but otherwise just the sounds of two 30-something chicas chattering away and their shoes pounding the dirt.  It was delightful.  We did have a few sightings of the local wildlife throughout the rest of the run...one deer, one box turtle, one snapping turtle and a gazillion squirrels (and a gazillion males on mountain bikes).  Perhaps we'll see a wider assortment next week. 

I will tell you.  It's great to have a running buddy who already knows 90% of the good and bad that comes along with you and can still tolerate multiple hours in close proximity.  It makes running that much more enjoyable.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  10.75
Time:   2:10:46 (average pace of 12:09 per mile...slower than usual, but we just took our time)
Location:  Rosaryville State Park
Feeling:  sluggish legs after 7, need to hit the nutrition mid-run next time