Grasslands Half: The Return of Mud

March weather in Texas is pretty unpredictable, and trail running can be pretty unpredictable. Combine those and you have March 21st and the Grasslands Trail Half Marathon. You just never know what you might get.  In my five years of running it, I have seen just about every condition one could imagine.  In 2010 it was my first trail race and it was pouring rain with temperatures in the 40s (and dropping).  It was snowing by nightfall! I reluctantly returned the next year only to find a super dry trail with tons of sand and warm conditions. I wasn't there in 2012, but Mr K ran the marathon and dealt with terrible heat.  In 2013 we had thunder and hail (and the famous Mr K quote "if the hail gets much bigger, take your hydration pack off and cover your head with it).  I was rewarded with perfect trail conditions and weather in 2014 and ran a smoking PR that day.  And then that brings us to 2015...and unusually wet spring....and the return of the mud.

Team K Shoes

It has been raining and raining and raining this spring.  Or at least it seems like a bunch of rain coming off of a couple of years of drought conditions.  I held out hope that the trail would drain before the race on Saturday, but I knew that the chances were not good.  My fears were confirmed as we approached the race and caught a few glimpses of the trail as it crossed the road - huge puddles of mud!  Thankfully it was not cold so I knew that it would not be an exact repeat of 2010, and I was determined to have more fun than I did on that day.

Post Race with Ninja and Elaine

We found many of our friends at the start and then the race was on.  Almost immediately I found my feet covered in mud and felt myself slipping and sliding in the mud.  I was instantly annoyed and thought about how nice it would be to just turn around.  I know people who love running in the mud, it just doesn't bother them - heck, they are even good at it!  But not me, it really just annoys me to the core.  I had a quick talk with myself and decided if I didn't change my attitude it was going to be a long and miserable day. I also reminded myself that I had friends going 26.2 and 50 miles in that mess - surely I could slog through a simple 13.1 miles.  Mr K had gotten ahead of me, but was waiting and said that he would be hanging out with me.  He likes the mud better than I do and I have no doubt that he could have left me behind on several occasions.

So. Much. Mud.

Because of the rainy weather, I have not been able to get on the trails as I intended this spring and I could feel that taking its toll a bit.  My shoes were covered in mud and became quite heavy after a while.  We even stopped a few times to "wash" them off in a clear puddle - now they were wet and muddy.  Some sections of the trail were so bad that I feared losing a shoe as I could feel the "suction"of the mud pulling against my shoe!

I kept on smiling and talking to those around me and soon enough we were at the aide station near mile 10 where Lesley had Oreos and M&Ms for us.  I could have just hung out there for a while, but she would not let me stay.  Knowing that there were only 3 miles left gave us a bit of a pep as we headed towards the finish line.

Always nice to see Byron at the race

The last mile or so of this race is always a challenge mentally as the trail takes us right past where our cars are parked before taking us back into the woods again.  The mud got thicker again through here which doubled the beat down.  I was so thankful to see the finish line and even more thankful to see that we made it in just under 2:50.  A far cry from my worst race out there (3:35 the first year) and also a far cry from my best (2:12 in 2014).

Posing with Stude

Our friends were there to cheer us in - turns out that Stude won the whole thing and Drum was second female.  I hang out with a fast crowd, y'all.  The Barnwells, the new race directors, did a terrific job providing us with an enjoyable race experience - they even provided the mud for free. The post race BBQ was delicious and well worth the time on the trail.  I can't decide if Grasslands is "the race I love to hate" or if it is "the race I hate to love," but I keep coming back year after year despite the unpredictable conditions.  I suppose that is all a part of the fun.

Grasslands Trail Half: The Race I Love To Hate

This race happened exactly a month ago now, I can hardly believe that I let so much time get by before sitting down to blog about it.  Grasslands Trail Half and I have a long and storied history together, it was my first trail race ever back in 2010 and it was a truly harrowing experience.  It was pouring rain, temperatures dropped to the 30s, the winds were roaring, I had mud up to my ankles, and it snowed by nightfall.  It took me over three and a half hours to finish that race and I probably would have DNFed if I could have figured out a way for someone to rescue me from the woods.  As awful as it was, I felt pretty darned proud of myself for even starting that race.  Then 2011 rolls around and the conditions could not have been more different: warm, humid, and the driest March on record.  All of that mud from 2010 was now a thick sand....just like a beach except not a drop of water to be found. Tough going, but much better than the previous year.  I ran myself to an hour and eight minute PR and had a lot more fun.  I missed the race in 2012, but 2013 brought chilly temperatures, light rain, and eventually hail.  I was able to eek out a 20 second PR despite the challenging conditions.  Oh Grasslands...why so fickle?

Trail Running in Texas, Y'all

To say that I had never had a "good" day to there would be a huge understatement.  I waited until a week or so out before signing up this year, not sure if I was willing to fight through another year of cold and mud.  Wouldn't you know it, they put rain back in the forecast the minute I clicked the register button?  Luckily it held off and I finally got some good running conditions out on that trail.  I had only run trails once this spring, but I was still hoping that I could manage a PR - even if it was just seconds faster than last year.  I traveled to this race solo, as Mr K was in the final stages of training for Ironman Texas 70.3 and was spending time on his beloved bicycle.  Of course, I found plenty of frunners when I got there and we were eager to get this race started.

Always great to see Mark L (photo: Mark O)

I only checked my watch on occasion just to get a feel for how I was doing as far as time goes.  I ran what my legs wanted to run and enjoyed picking people off on the single track - a feeling that one does not get when racing on the road.  The trail still had its usual sandy spots and there were tons of ruts from the horse tracks, but it was about as good as it gets at Grasslands.  I needed a quick pit stop at the first aide station (around mile 4), but soon found that I had made up the ground that I lost.  I probably rolled my left ankle four times during the race, but I never once fell.  My lack of recent trail running was showing!  As I was topping off my handheld at the second aide station (mile 10ish) the marathon leader came speeding by.  I fell in behind him and just to see how long I could keep him in my sights - guess what, it wasn't long. I had 3.5 miles left and I could tell that I was on pace for a solid PR - time to bring it home!  There are some nice flat stretches during this section, but the last couple of miles were uphill.  These miles always seem so hard and extra cruel as the parking area and finish line are within sight.  

Trail running is dirty

I gave it all I had in the final push across the finish line and was thrilled when I checked my watch - 2:12:43 --- a fourteen minute PR!!  I finally feel like I got the best of that trail and I was so pleased with my efforts.

Happy Runner at the Finish Line

I enjoyed a delicious plate of post race BBQ and made myself comfortable in Alicia's camp.  Alicia was in the process of running 50 miles and I wanted to make sure to see her between her loops.  Make sure you click on over to Alicia's page to read her story.  It is a good one!  I was reminded, again, of what incredible people surround me.

Alicia on her way to 50 mile greatness

So there you have it: Grasslands. The Race I Love To Hate.  Or is it The Race I Hate To Love?  Depends on the weather forecast.

Grasslands Trail Half: A Worthy Rematch

After a solid eight months of very structured road running, Mr K and I unofficially made March our "trail month" -- hitting local single track dirt trails for all of our long runs.  It made for a whole bunch of fun and also a great change of pace from the grind that the road can bring.  Trail Month also served another purpose for us as we would be running the Grasslands Trail Half on March 23.  Grasslands and I go wayyyy back to 2010 when I ran it as my first trail race.  It was an awful day full of character building as the temperatures plummeted into the 30s and several inches of rain was dumped on the area....eventually turning to sleet and then later snow.  Typical Texas Spring.  I was fairly certain that I had caught hypothermia and I was also certain that I never wanted to set foot on a trail again.  However, once I was home and warm I was pretty darned proud of myself for tackling something so far out of the norm for me. 

That being said, it took me a full year to return to the trails, but I finally got back out there at Grasslands 2011.  The day could not have been more different--instead of mud we ran through some intense sand.  It was like running on a dry beach, such a different challenge than just one year earlier.  I missed Grasslands 2012 due to a conference, so I was happy to get out there for another rematch with my old foe.


Does A Runner Girl Poop In the Woods? Not This One!

It was rainy and chilly when we arrived, but nothing like the weather in 2010 so I wasn't too concerned.  This was a very special occasion for Mary (bringer of cupcakes for my birthday races) as it was her 50th birthday and 1st trail race!  Mary celebrates her birthday like no other and I laughed as I overheard her tell half of the porta potty line that she was celebrating today. 

It was not raining as we headed out, but the thunder was rumbling and a few flashes of lightning could be seen.  I was afraid that I was overdressed, as I warmed up fairly quickly, but was feeling thankful for my heavier shirt by the end of the race.  They say that it isn't a trail race unless you get lost...and we did....all of us....approximately a half a mile into the race.  Womp. Womp. 

Celebrating  with Katie, Mama C, & Mary--Birthdays and First Halfs for them!

I focused on running a comfortable pace and enjoying the scenery.  I feel like such a different runner on the trails, there is no stress about pace or splits, it is all about fun.  We made it to the first aide station (4 miles in) without too much excitement (after getting lost), but after that things got more interesting.  As soon as we headed back onto the trail we began to get pelted with small hail.  Now THAT is a new running weather first for me.  I could feel the wind pick up and the rain began to fall a little bit harder.

As the rain continued to come down the trail condition began to worsen.  The thick sand and clay mix together to make a fantasically slippery mud!  I was hoping for a new course PR, but wasn't sure if that would happen between getting lost and the mud.  I had to slow way down in a few spots, but kept my forward momentum going.  Another wave of hail came and I laughed as Mr K instructed me to cover my head with my hydration pack if it got any bigger.  Forunately it never got larger than pea sized.

Pre Race With Mr K

After the second aide station (around mile 10) we focused on hammering home the final 3.5 miles.  The race is called a half marathon, but it is really 13.5 miles--a little more for your money, I suppose.  My legs and back were getting pretty fatigued at this point, but I knew that the end was near and that kept me pushing forward.  We hit an open section near the dam and I was really able to pick up my pace and open my stride.  It felt so good to stretch it out like that!  In a cruel twist the final couple of miles were uphill, and felt alot harder than they probably should have.

When the finish line was in view I opened it up and gave it all that I had for the final kick!  Mr K thought that I was trying to pass him, but I was not racing him that day.  I knew that a new course PR would be a matter of seconds and I wanted it pretty badly at that point...and I got it!  Looking back at the old data, I can see that I ran about 2 tenths of a mile further this time and still got in about 20 seconds faster, even with the mud.  I'll take it!

After the race we had great time hanging out and cheering everyone on to the finish line.  I am very proud of Katie as she ran her first half marathon EVER! And also of Mary for her first trail half marathon on her 50th birthday--what a tough day for both of them to take on that challenge. 

 DRC Post Race Reunion with Stude

There is just something about Grasslands that keeps me coming back each spring.  The course is not exceptionally beautiful and the weather is usually nuts, but we all have our sentimental favorites and I suppose Grasslands is one of mine.

(Thanks ALWAYS to Mama C for the awesome pictures!)

Grasslands Trail Half Marathon....How did I miss those cows??

Please excuse my tardiness with this blog...there was no easing back into life after spring break! I have thought about writing it everyday, but either didn't have the time or the energy to get it done. I am happy to be sitting here now, ready to get it done.

Many of you know that I had a terrible experience with this race last year. It was my first experience with trail running and I just didn't have a good time. Those were probably the 13 hardest miles I have ever run--even walking was a challenge at times because the mud was so thick. It was so cold too, I thought that I might have had frostbite when it was all said and done. So many runners that I know love trail running, but I just wasn't sold on it after that experience. I was hesitant to sign up this year and it took some talking from Erik and some of my running friends. I am glad that I did though because the experience this year could not have been more different than last year. The weather, quite possibly, was the most noticeable--it was already in the 60s by race time and would just get warmer. And, incidentally, this is the driest March ever for the Dallas area.

Another difference was that through Daily Mile and Twitter I already knew a handful of friends who would be running. Greg, Corina, and Michelle were running the marathon and Libby and Stacy were running the half marathon. Erik and I laughed about how different our mindset was as we drove out the the LBJ Grasslands in Decatur. Upon arrival we immediately saw Libby and Stacy (whom I met in person for the 1st time). There wasn't much time to get our packets and gather our gear before it was time to meet up at the start line.

I made Erik promise not to leave me and I promised him that I would not be a big baby like last year. He made the perfect pacer for me as he stayed just ahead of me the whole time and I just tried my best to keep up. He was kind enough to loop back at times and to wait for me at the aide stations. The mud from last year was gone...however...it was replaced by sand. Don't get me wrong, the sand was better than the mud--but it sure made running difficult at times. I felt as if the energy was being sucked out of my legs and drained into the heavy sand. Fortunately the entire course wasn't sandy, it came and went for stretches at a time.


At the start line with Libby

We both really enjoyed the race, having conversations with people along the way and enjoying some pretty scenery. I appreciate the trail running scene as it is much more laid back than road racing--the whole attitude is much more chill. There were only 2 aide stations on the half marathon course, but wow--it was like a buffet at each one. We are talking oranges, fig newtons, candy, chocolate, fruit, and hydration.

I found the run to be quite challenging and felt just plain TIRED at times. There is alot more climbing on the trails than on the road and I could really feel that in my legs. Sometimes I felt as if I could fly and sometimes I felt as if my energy was zapped (perhaps that was the sand). I had to slow and catch my breath after some of the climbing sections, but I worked hard to keep Erik in my sights and not slow him down.

I was surprised at how much of the course I remembered from last year. I thought that I had blocked it all from my memory after all of the troubles it had caused me. I am also surprised at how fast the miles click by when running on the trails--it is impossible to focus on the distance when you are scanning the terrain for your next step. Erik found a burst of speed in the last mile and crossed the line about a minute ahead of me. I am happy to say that we got 13.47 miles done in 2:27--a full hour and eight minutes faster than last year. That time also fell within what I had been told--to add about 20-30 minutes to your typical road race times.


We made it!

Even though the race was done, the fun was just beginning. Erik and I gathered up our chairs and a cooler and waited for our friends to finish their races. We had a great time cheering for Libby, Stacy, and Michelle (Greg came in just after we finished so we missed him) and especially Corina. This was a very special race for Corina because it was her 3rd marathon in 90 days and it would qualify her for Marathon Maniacs status. Congrats Corina!! We also enjoyed watching the 50 milers pass by us on their course....50 miles?? Who does THAT?!


The Grasslands Gang

It feels so good to have the trail running monkey off of my back. I understand what everyone has been talking about and why trail running is so cool. I am so glad that I gave Grasslands and trail running a second chance because I think that the trails will fill a void in some of my current training. I just know that the terrain and the little dips and climbs will make me stronger. Not to mention all of the new friends I am making--I even went out to run some more trails last weekend--stay tuned for the story of the newly formed Beer and Bagels Trail Series. We had our first run on Sunday and have one in the books for April.

Oh, and the cows....as we were talking after the race the marathoners mentioned the cows that they saw. I thought that the cows must have only been on the marathon course, because I sure didn't see any. Erik was quick to inform me that we passed several big cows very near the trail. How the heck did I miss those....

The Race With a Sense of Humor

On Saturday Erik and I will be embarking on the Grasslands Trail Half Marathon. This will be our first trail race and I am really looking forward to it. The website includes a welcome letter that they require everyone to read. I really appreciated the humor in the letter and thought that I would share some of it here:

"The half marathon is 13.5 miles. Yes, it is longer than a true half marathon, you'll live."

"The marathon will cover 2 loops which together equals 26.3 miles. Consider the extra .1 miles on the house, as we did not charge you for that one."

"The loops have been GPSed by many, and the distance on the maps are a consensus. When you cross the finish line don't show us your GPS and show us we were wrong. This is a trail race, you are lucky we let you wear a watch."

"When will the results get posted? Sometime before next year's race. Relax; it is not the end of the world and we are pretty good about it."

"What can I do to get disqualified? Be mean to the volunteers. They will all have pepper spray, so we don't recommend this."

"Can I bring my dog? Absolutely! We are very dog friendly. They can race, and they can be in the Start/Finish area. Also, if you register your dog and pay the entry fee we will give them a finisher's medal and a bib."

Being a bargain hunter, I appreciate that I am getting an extra .4 miles for free! I am excited to try something totally different and I am not bringing any time expectations into this race. I haven't done much trail training, so my goal is to have fun and try something new. This is another attempt at getting outside of my comfort zone--something that is important if I want to grow as a runner and an individual. I understand this race to be runner friendly and an introduction to trail running and ultra marathons (there is a marathon and a 50 mile race at the same event, YIKES!). Hopefully I will have a fun report to share with you later on this weekend. Stay tuned!