Trail Running Is Simple And No Frills. 2013 Woodsy Seattle Race Review.
In all honesty, the shirt design initially piqued my interest in the Muscle Milk Woodsy. I remember first seeing it at a running store in October. Yes, a simple, no-frills logo on a bright long sleeved shirt is enough to turn my head and consider a race.
In addition to my interest in the Woodsy shirt, I'd been thinking of signing up for a trail event after joining my friends (and trail running inspiration) in April for a couple five-mile runs from the Sky Country Trailhead. After testing the trails with my Asic Gel-Nimbus road shoes, I purchased a pair of Vasque Pendulums for the trails.
In October I ran a half marathon in California. Afterwards, while still basking in post-race euphoria and the brisk, sunny California morning, I asked my fiance, Dan, if he'd like to run the Woodsy. Together we decided to give it a try, not thinking of the fall weather and temperature difference between California and Washington state.
Being fairly new to trail running we went with the half Woodsy (5 miles) as opposed to the full Woodsy (10 miles).
Race day arrived along with torrential rain and a high wind advisory. As race volunteers volunteers stood in the rain and runners darted around mud puddles from the parking lot to the registration tent, we both began to question my judgement. We picked up our shirts and bib numbers before retreating to the warmth of our car to wait until the 10-minute preface meeting. The rain died down as the start drew near and the weather didn't seem like it'd be that bad after all.
Less than 30 seconds into the course I eyed 'Lord Hill' and again wondered what I was doing as I faced a 500-foot long hill with a 29 percent incline, and together Dan and I shared a laugh before the air was sucked from our lungs. As I neared the top, still sucking wind, I wondered what the rest of the course might look like.
After a few more moderate hills and a few walking breaks, the course leveled out and we hit our stride sandwiched in a pack of other runners. My concentration turned toward the terrain, my foot placement and attempts at avoiding frequent smatterings of mud puddles. I breathed, watched the ground and though of nearly nothing else. In a way it was a bit like forced meditation, until our sprint at the very end for a 01:02:10 finish.
Trail running is simple and no frills — and it's caught my attention — kind of like the design on the race shirt. It's just the trail and you running to the sound of rustling leaves, creaking trees and the deep breathing of a few fellow runners.
