Saturday morning was the Cold Feet 10k, a local trail race through the Greenbelt on Staten Island. Even though I’ve lived on Staten Island a good part of my life, I always seem to forget how expansive the trail network is here – there’s over 2800 acres of trails, parks, and natural areas. It’s amazing!
It was the first trail race I’ve done since this 25k last year and only the second time I’ve been on the trails in over a year. For a long time, I was only focused on big(ger) races – mostly those organized by NYRR. I don’t really know why I was shying away from smaller races for so long – the last two I have run have been smaller (with under 200 runners) and I have LOVED them.
I woke up to huge snowflakes falling outside. Not exactly the weather conditions I was hoping for…but snow is 100x better than freezing rain. With a 10am start time and the race only being about 15 minutes away, I was able to stay home until 9:15! No early wakeups or leaving in the dark. Score.
I’m still exclusively breastfeeding my youngest so I pumped as soon as I got up in the AM and then nursed one last time before I left to ensure I could comfortably be gone for a few hours (oh the joys of motherhood! =) ). The race began at the Latourette Golf Course Clubhouse so I was able to stay warm inside until about 15 min before the race started. Another Score. There was plenty of volunteers handing out race bibs, long-sleeved t-shirts, and our race swag – a box of Ferrero Rochers. Score #3.
It was just so refreshing to not deal with long lines, parking issues, huge crowds (The thought of the NYC Half in a month is already giving me the shakes…).
I did a mile or so warm-up to stay warm and get my legs loose. Thankfully, it wasn’t terribly cold out – upper 20s – which was nothing compared to the last 10k I did. And it had stopped snowing. But for some reason I was freezing - maybe it’s because I haven’t run outside in three weeks :/
The race started right at 10am. I knew the trails were going to be a bit wet and muddy from talking to the SIAC president (Mark) during our quick warmup. Almost ALL of the snow that we had gotten last weekend (over 12″) had melted over the previous few days resulting in a super wet, sloshy (is that a word?) course. But I was not fully prepared for what greeted me about a half mile in:
A good portion of the course looked like this picture. Thick, deep, slippery mud. There were also some pretty cold water crossings which resulted in my feet being frozen most of the run. By the time we were finished my shoes, legs, and pants were 100% covered in mud…which, in my opinion, is exactly how you should look after a trail race =)
Somehow my shoes look clean in this picture:
The course was awesome. It had a good mix of flat straightaways, steep uphills, and big downhills. It was extremely well-marked with yellow tags on the trees and an occasional arrow pointing us in the right direction. Despite not seeing the runner ahead of me for parts of the race, I never missed a turn (which always seems to happen to me during trail races).
There were a TON of volunteers along the course – ensuring we were following the right course, giving us helpful pointers for the next stretch of trails (rocky, slippery, etc), taking a lot of awesome pictures, and cheering for us. And even though it was a small, local, short trail race, there was an awesome table of water, gatorade products, and fuel options just past mile 3. It was one of the best and most fun races I’ve done in a long time.
I don’t have exact splits from the run on Saturday. There were a few points where my Garmin went in and out due to poor satellite reception. Some points I was moving pretty fast (1st mile: 7:14…last .8 miles: 6:37)…other parts I was barely breaking 10. Within about 1/4 mile of the start, I took the lead for females and maintained it the rest of the way.
I finished in 49:01 (7:54 pace) – good enough for first female and 12th overall! The first two finishers were the fastest finishers the course has ever had! 6:19 pace for a pretty tough trail 10k is amazing!
First place male and female won a year’s membership to the GreenBelt Conservatory (Staten Island foundation), a snazzy trophy, and a set of running clothes from Patagonia. Score. Score. Especially since the entry fee was only $30!
I was SO glad that I finally got to meet my friend, Jen. We’ve been texting, msging, tweeting, etc for months now and despite both living on Staten Island had yet to nail down a day to meet up! She kicked butt Saturday!! And yes, I am in Saucony – head to toe =)
*Note: Photos of the trails and of me running are courtesy of King of the Mountain Events FB page*
Did you race this weekend?? How did it go?
Ever run a trail race? Did you look as muddy as I did?
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Congrats on an awesome race. Can’t believe your awesome time on the trails! Woo hoo! I’m running my first trail race this Saturday in Mississippi. It is fun to go into a race without any expectations or time goals for a change. I’m a little nervous but really excited. There has been a lot of rain recently and I’ve heard there could be knee deep water in some parts. Yikes!!! xo
Jesica @rUnladylike recently posted..Happy National Banana Bread Day
Congrats on your win! Awesome pace for muddy trails! Those pics are awesome and remind me why I love trail running as much as I do.
Alison @ racingtales recently posted..Everyone’s a Winner Baby…
Thank you for joining us at Cold Feat and for the great recap on your blog!
I’ll link to our facebook page so more folks can enjoy! (BTW, if you Patagonia swag doesn’t fit, you are welcome to exchange it at the SoHo store).
Dorothy Reilly
Greenbelt Conservancy
sigreenbelt.org
Congrats on a great race! Looks like fun and I agree, that’s what you should look like after a trail run
Maria recently posted..Eating Plans….Yeah or Nay?
You looked great coming down the trail, very strong. And of course, Your outfit was super cute! Have you been trail training a lot recently, or do you regularly get out on trails versus road?
Crystal@TheFastFitRunner recently posted..Bumpdate – 18 weeks!
congrats!! that is so awesome!!! first place! bad ass! you look awesome running those trails and so happy with your medal, love that pic of you!
jobo recently posted..On true love, and the a-ha realization of self-worth.
Way to go!!! what an awesome race and great finish time! I love the prizes, that’s awesome especially for a small race. I have only done one trail race (there aren’t many good ones close in Texas) but this made me kind of want to try another one!
Lauren @ The Unlikely Runners recently posted..The One With Land Of Oz Training {week 9}
I unknowingly did my first 5k as a trail race. Had no clue there were differences between the two (road / trail) prior to this 5k. It was hilly and quite the challenge for my first 5k!
Deana recently posted..My Day Thus Far…..
So so awesome Michele and congratulations!! Looks like so much fun!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Lessons from Ski School – Part 2
Congratulations, Michele!
Hyedi recently posted..No longer a cruise virgin.
great job! It looked like a lot of fun. I’ve never done a muddy trail run…which I’m ok with because I hate getting my shoes all muddy.
Renee recently posted..Happy {belated} Birthday to ME!
Wow! First female!! Great race! That was some serious mud too. But I think if I knew a big box of Ferrero Rochers was waiting for me I could handle almost any amount of mud! Excited to follow your NYC Half training!
Tia @ Arkansas Runner Mom recently posted..Coming Out of a {Mini} Slump
Congrats, Michele! I love the race photos of you- you look so strong!! First place is fantastic, and some pretty awesome prizes. Yay!! I’ve never done a trail race… I need to try one some day…
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..The Pursuit of Superwoman
What a fun race! I so miss trail running. Unless you count the bridle path as a trail?
Jess recently posted..Say it, Do it! {it’s not always a love affair}
Great job! I have never done a trail race but that did look like a lot of fun. I did a race on Saturday and it was only 18 degrees outside. It took forever to finally feel warm.
Congratulations again! You did awesome!
Lisa recently posted..What If…
Great job!!
No races this weekend, just training.
My husband loves trail races. I haven’t tried one yet, maybe this will be my year.
Natalie recently posted..A much better run.
Go You! That is awesome! I love trails but I’m also pretty good and falling hard on the downhills. What an awesome time!
Katye recently posted..CHAMPS!
You go!!!! That is AMAZING. I feel like I would have been minorly freaking out being the first female. And I feel you about the BFing. Thankfully Anne is weaned but shew. That is a lot of planning.
Emily @ FitMamaInTheCity recently posted..What’s For Dinner?
Congrats on your first place finish. You are amazing as always. Loved how cute you looked!
Robin recently posted..Pushing Yourself in Training and a SparklySoul Winner
That looks SO fun!!! I love trail running!
That is awesome!!!! Total muddy badass!
Kristin recently posted..Week in Review
Congrats on your first place female finish! That’s a great accomplishment! I love smaller races, too. It’s nice sometimes to not have to navigate around huge crowds of people.
Beth @ Running with the Sunrise recently posted..Long Run Reward = Fro Yo
Way to go! I can’t believe you said 20′s isn’t THAT cold. I’d pretty much curl up in fetal position and cry. I have only done a couple of smaller local races, but I liked them! I am going to try doing less of the big box races this next year. This year they are still new to me and have a lot of sparkle.
Did an 11mi LSD on Saturday and walked around the mall for 4 hours shopping yesterday(does that count?)
beka @ rebecca roams recently posted..Valentine’s Day + Perfect Occasion for #RecipeFriday
Great race! Congrats! And, thanks for posting the PDF of Greenbelt. I am dying to get back out onto the trails and glad there are many close to us!!
I’ve never done a trail race .. So afraid to twist something because I’m clumsy
Kat recently posted..Motivational Monday – Featured Sneakers #19
Yes! Congrats for rocking it! So happy for you. That is a killer pace in those conditions–you had to have been slogging, slipping and sliding at points. Pretty sure you’ll be finding mud on your body for a few days judging by the pictures!
Great job and loved all the pics!
misszippy1 recently posted..Hardest week (ever?): done!
Congrats! Great race. And awesome prizes! I love doing small races for that reason: better prizes and better chance of placing to get the prizes!
I’ve only done one trail race and it was not wet so still got a little dirty but not bad!