The one time during the week that I tried to push slightly harder than I would on an easy run ended with me falling about six times at Red Mountain Park. Other than being a little scratched up and having to eat dirt every time I took a drink from my water bottle, there was no permanent damage.
To make this run even more exciting, I had my first snake hurdle. When I jumped over it, and it slivered, I realized it wasn't just a tiny stick. So the snake is probably smaller than a Twizzler, but I'm still counting it as a major trail running milestone. You only have your first snake dodge one time. After that, it's old news. Unless you're Madonna.
I ramped up my trail running this weekend to prepare for a race that I decided to shoot for during spring break. We're heading to Florida to visit my mom and friends, and while I'm there, lucky me, there will be a trail marathon in Inverness, Florida. Sounds swampy, right? It will be my first trail marathon (somehow in my trail adventures, I skipped that distance), and Plan A is to not get eaten by an alligator. Plan B is to finish, and Plan C is to have fun. Notice that fun is the last goal, but I do consider finishing alive more important. Anyone else going to be there? I'm currently trying to talk this blogger into it. Any other Floridians up for it?
Now, for my Alabama friends.
My coach is opening up a training center dedicated to runners, and there's an open house this Thursday night. If you live in or near Birmingham, you should come check out the open house. At the center, they'll have personal training, physical therapy, sport massage therapy and more, all dedicated to runners. What's even better, the staff are runners, so they understand our crazies. No need to hide our freak runner flags in this joint.
Last, I have a giveaway that I'm super excited about. Some of you already know that I won an entry into the Southeastern Trail Series, a set of seven trail races over seven months, designed to build up mileage to prepare you to run your first 50K at the end of the series. The race director, David Tosch, is an incredible guy who you can read more about here. To summarize, he has rocked out some solid 100-mile races over the last several years and has started setting up races to help people have similar positive experiences in trail running.
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I first met him and his wife at the Mt. Cheaha 50K. It seemed like every time I came to an aid station or a turn in the road, there was this super smiley couple clapping and cheering us on. I assumed they were related to someone running near me. Why else would they be smiling so much and seem so genuinely excited? Turns out, they were just there to cheer on all of us that day, blood relative or not. Also turns out that their excitement that day wasn't unique. Every time I've talked to them, they exude that genuine constant excitement about trail running and supporting this growing community. At Mt. Cheaha's 9-hour mark, I was driving out of the park, and they were still there grinning and cheering as the last runners pushed it to the finish.
If you're one of those people looking to get started in trail running or looking for incentive to get started, then this is a giveaway for you. Today's giveaway is for an entry to the first race in the series, the Tranquility Trail Run on April 13 at Oak Mountain State Park. There will be a 3- or 6-mile option. I know this giveaway has a more limited audience as it is location specific, but I'm really looking forward to sharing these trails with some of you Alabamians (or anyone else who is looking to kick up some Bama dirt).
To enter: Leave a comment here or on Facebook telling me that you want to win.
* Like Southeastern Trail Runs on Facebook. Leave a comment telling me you do.
* Follow Southeastern Trail Runs on Twitter. Leave a comment telling me you do.
* Follow (or already follow) Yo Momma Runs via Google Friend connect. Leave a comment telling me you do.
And for those of you who have told me that it's hard for you to leave a comment, I'm turning on anonymous commenting for the time of this giveaway. Bring on the spam! But hopefully it helps all of you who want to enter to be able to do so with less hassle. If you comment under anonymous, just be sure to leave your name so I know who to contact if you win. And as I mentioned above, I'll count any of your Facebook comments too.
Thanks and good luck!
*Edit: I forgot to add a closing date. Oops! Let's make Monday, March 18th, the last day for entering. I'll let random.org pick the winner and announce it on Tuesday.
I totally skipped a trail marathon too. I did 2 50K's last Summer before finally doing my first trail marathon later in the Fall. 50K's are such a blast huh? Have fun with your giveaway. I wish I lived closer and I would join you! You seem like a fabulous cheerful running partner!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like there are more 50Ks out there to choose from. And the 50K is like the 5K of road racing for trails.:)
DeleteA snake is a snake - they are scary no matter what the size!
ReplyDeleteI wish I were one of your Alabama friends, trail races are always fun!!
I agree, which is why I didn't put my hand next to it for size comparison. Can baby poisonous snakes (not that this was one) hurt you? Must research this!
DeleteYes, baby venemous snacks are often more dangerous because they can't control their venom delivery yet! Adults will usually give you a dry bite (you still want to go to the hospital) because it takes a lot of energy for them to create venom, but baby snakes don't know how to do that yet, so you will get all the venom!
DeleteI already follow you on Google Friend
ReplyDeleteI already follow you on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like you on Facebook too.
ReplyDeleteI like Southeastern Trail Runs on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI follow @SETrailRuns on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'll be in the ATL celebrating my daughter's birthday when this race takes place.
I like supporting this blog and SE Trail Runs so if my name is chosen I'd like to donate the entry to the next Alabamian who posts a comment in this blog. I hope that's okay with you, Lisa.
You're awesome! Definitely OK with me.
DeleteYour run is a bit far away for me!!! I haven't yet dodged a snake on a run yet but dodged a python on my bike last week and a baby snake that had been run over by a car today - not my favourite thinks but they are probably more scared of us ....Glad you are having a break and taking it easy w your running ... and your dustballs!
ReplyDeleteA python?!!!! Holy heck! Now that is serious dodging.
DeleteThis isn't an entry, just a random comment...did you see the thing on the BBC about an influx of BIG, nasty mosquitos in Florida??? Good luck dodging them!!! I hoovered today...but skipped a particularly unexciting part of the living room. Totally with you.
ReplyDeleteI've got to get on the cleaning because my sister and mom are both coming to visit after spring break. So excited, but need them to not feel like they are visiting a hoarder.:)
DeleteI would love to win this trail race entry! As I have a race budget, it would allow me to put one more race on my schedule!
ReplyDeleteNot an entry (unfortunately) but have so much fun in Florida! I'm sure you'll be fine, and surprisingly, alligators are often more afraid of you (unless it's a momma) than you are of them. They usually run away when they sense you're near. can't wait to hear about your run!
ReplyDeleteI knew that someone would know the answer to the snake question! Thanks! And the whole time we lived in Florida, I never had an alligator encounter. Maybe that's why.
DeleteI want to win the trail race and do it with you on April 13th!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow SE trail runs on twitter
ReplyDeleteI liked SE trail runs on fb
ReplyDeleteCleaning? Yo Momma Ain't Got Time For Dat! She is too busy traversing plains, crossing raging rivers and dodging wild animals. Has Runners World Done Their Photo Shoot Yet? Of course, sign me up... I wanna be like Yo Momma, minus wiping bottoms. You name it, I stalk Yo Momma! Blog–O–Rama, Facebook, Twitter. I have even followed Cherabundi and Southeastern Trail Runs in Facebook and Twitter. Yep, that's me hogging the pen, stuffing in the fishbowl. That should be good for at least 7 entries... Scottie P
ReplyDeleteYay, it worked!
DeleteI would love to win this! I'm from Huntsville and would love to make the trip down for this race!
ReplyDeleteI like Southeastern Trail Runs on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI like Yo Momma Runs on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI follow Southeastern Trail Runs on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow Yo Momma Runs on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow Yo Momma Runs via Google Friend connect
ReplyDelete(You have the coolest giveaways!)
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/RunSweetPotato/status/311513323785035776
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the snake jump - well executed!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, please! I'd love an excuse to do more trail running! (and the race is the day before Brian's birthday! -which must mean yours is close too!)
ReplyDeleteAlready like you on fb.
ReplyDeleteLiked SE Trail Runs on fb.
ReplyDeleteHey, does the trail run entry include air fare? If so count me in! Ha. I'm going to do my first trail race in May after my first marathon. Go hard or go home I guess. Eek about the snake. I encountered a frozen dildo on a run this past winter, does that count? LOL
ReplyDeleteI wish! I can throw in a couch to sleep on though. And NOOOOO, that is so scarier than a snake.
Delete(Not entering the giveaway). Just wishing you luck with the Florida race. After my Florida race a couple of weeks ago, I don't envy races in FL any more. :-(
ReplyDeleteThe high is supposed to be 81 that day. Scorcher -- as far as running is concerned.
Deleteso, apparently The Husband joined Team Yo Momma re: that trail race. Did you bribe him?
ReplyDeleteI have jumped one snake and he was already dead (a Copperhead) and I still count it as my trail running cred;)
ReplyDeleteI follow you and would love to run the OM race...it is in my back yard almost...my neighborhood backs up to the park. Great and challenging place to run.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Becky
I've been thinking about putting this on my calendar so yes, I would love to win an entry!
ReplyDeleteAnd I follow you on FB...
ReplyDeleteAnd via Google Friend connect (and in my soon-to-be-defunct Google Reader)
ReplyDelete