Mud, Rocks, Roots, Splat, and Deer

So today I went on my first really authentic trail run. New shoes ready. Mickey was going "off road". Yes, I know some of you that know me have been thinking that it would never happen, but it did. After years of running many pavement training miles and races, it was time to get off the pavement and onto the path. It was awesome! No stoplights. No Kwik Trips. Just the sights and sounds of nature at its best. Weather was fantastic!

I have been wanting to branch out and try a few new things and trail running is one of them. It was everything I had hoped for and more. Talk about a new challenge. This is running at a new level. Every inch of the way was a challenge. Of course, now I'm hooked on this too. Can't wait to get out there again.

I've got to thank Andy, Adam and Monica for introducing me to this adventure. Also, for not running away and leaving me out there with my bottle of Perpetuem. Mud was everywhere on the trail as well as rocks and roots. Deer were all around us. They didn't seem to mind and probably thought it was amusing that "pavement man" was on the trail. There are few sights as amazing as seeing deer out in their natural habitat. Wow!

There was one slight missed step though that I will simply call a lack of understanding of where I thought the trail should be and where it actually was. I tripped and fell flat on some rocks. Knees hit, then elbows, then the chin was next. There was a hush. Then the age old question everyone asks, "Are you ok?'. Yeah, I'm ok. I thought it would be fun to splat on these rocks just to make my day more interesting. After it was determined that I was only kind of bleeding and that I should just wipe it off so we could get going (Thanks guys), we continued our run and I really didn't feel that I was hurt at all except for the scrapes. Lucky, yes. But the way I see it, it is the first of many encounters with the ground as I try and improve my skills as a trail runner.

Thanks Andy, Adam, and Monica for getting me off the pavement and onto the trail. It really was a great day! A whole new world of adventure has just opened up.

Forward we go! May your roads and trails be happy and safe!