Here we go folks! It’s TRAINING SEASON! Can I get a “hell yeah”?! Today was the first official training run for the HAT Run 50k. Being the clutz that I am, I was hesitant (and still am) about taking my non-graceful self off the roads and on to the trails. Thankfully, while I had some very close calls, and would-be wipe outs saved by the runner in front of me (thanks Reds & Frank), I actually did okay today. Trail running is not easy! My butt is still burning from all of the hills this morning and I know it’s just going to get worse from here. Wait, let me rephrase that…It’s going to get more challenging from here 🙂 But, I’m okay with that, ’cause by the end of the season, I’m going to have a rock hard ass!

While I spent most of the time at the back of the pack, I really didn’t care. What I wanted to accomplish today was to make it out of today’s run without injury. The trails weren’t as muddy as I thought they would be until the very last stretch, so this was a nice surprise. I did get a shoe full of water when I tried to cross a small stream very early on and it sucked. Brand spanking new shoes and socks all squished up with cold creek water…and I still had 2 more hours of running to do. Oh well, I guess I better get used to it. Did I tell you how much I HATE wet squishy feet?

Anyway, I think the best way to tell you about today’s run is in pictures, so here goes!

Let me start with my beautiful shoes!! Yes, I know they look like they’re on the wrong feet in this picture, but they’re not. I ended up with New Balance and picked them up last night at Charm City Run. I REALLY didn’t want to get them dirty today, but hey…that’s what they’re for. Besides, my old shoes are old, dead, and not made for trails. Better to have sure footing than worry about getting them dirty.

And they got dirty.

This was taken at the top of the first hill we climbed. The view was beautiful!

And then we went down hill.

And then straight. 😉

Then back up!

And around the water.

You know what I’m going to love about this training? It’s that the world is our playground!

And my old running friends are there to play…

And there are new friends to be made…

And best of all, with every training run we have, I can almost guarantee that I’ll see a little piece of heaven in the views provided by Mother Nature. It’s going to be AMAZING!