Last night we ran after-dark from shelter 10 at WyCo Park. The intent was to do two 5-mile loops on the hilly, rocky, rooty, and off-camber singletrack trails. Eight Trail Nerds showed up, two of which were newbies. One of the newbies, Robby, had just gotten out of the Army. The other newby was a fast young gal that is the new Mizuno rep for the region.
I started us out a little faster than normal, because that part of the trail is faster than the rest, and you have to "make hay while the sun shines." The new gal knew that Kyle and I were half-crazy for having run 100-milers before, but she asked us if we were crazy enough to run on spooky, unlit singletrack at night, by ourselves. I said, "how do you think Kyle and I met, 5 years ago?"
We hit the long 1/2-mile downhill at a brisk pace, and while nearing the bottom, we heard huge wings beating and crashing through the trees. The newby gal was freaked out, so we stopped and looked up with our flashlights. It was a flock of about 80 - 100 wild turkeys that had bedded-down in the trees for the evening. She asked what other surprises lurked out there, and I said, "flying monkeys of course." After all, this is Kansas, and we are on part of the "Run Toto Run" course.
She seemed to enjoy her run immensely, and the other newby did, as well. And I didn't hear any whining about the pace from "the usual suspect"...(a young guy that normally whines and drops out early). He saw that a "girl" could hold a conversation while running up and down steep hills quickly, while not tripping onto her face. (It was good for him). He even ran a second loop with us, something he never does.
The second loop felt great. Five of us continued on. We ran it in the opposite direction, and it was a little slower-going because of the course make-up. All in all, a great 10-mile trail run! My broken toe gave me some fits on the downhills, but other than that, it was not too bad. (The throbbing has stopped, for the most part).
Training note:
Leg weight workout in the gym this morning.
Stationary bike and abs workout tonight.
Total miles so far, this week: 51
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10 comments:
So what time are shooting for at Rocky?
I always shoot for a "finish." You've got to run how you feel on the day of the event and just hang on, when it comes to hundreds.
Here's my record, there, the last 3 years:
2003 23:52
2004 23:04
2005 24:56
Dirt,
Here's my race reports for 2004 and 2005:
http://www.tejastrails.com/docs/Rocky_rpt1_2004.html
http://www.tejastrails.com/docs/Rocky_rpt6_2005.html
Wild Turkeys? That probably would have scared the crap out of me as well. I probably would have stuck near the gal so she could protect me. Too bad she was not a Brooks rep instead of Mizuno.
Those wild turkeys can be loco, even if you're not drinking wild turkey! I miss them from the New York woods. Now I just get rabid skunks(I never thought I would see more skunks in the desert).
Why don't you just cut the front off of the shoe with the broken toe, that way it won't jam? Just don't stub it on a rock or root of course. ;)
that's my kinda gal!
sersly, those wild turkeys are huge -- non? i would have been running for cover like a screamin' mountain wussy... or, um, sea-level pussy.
channeling my inner Jim Carey ala Ace Ventura Pet Detective part deux:
'it's in my hair, it's in my hair....'
Yea, it usually takes a "girl" to teach the boys a good lesson!
I'm in awe of your new girl member! You guys disturbed those poor turkeys. That would be a bit spooky though!
I had read your reports before. I just didn't know who you were. Small World.
I'm in awe of the new girl, too. This "new girl" is used to running sub-six minute miles on her paved runs. The only way I can stay close to her is to have her run on rough and spooky trails.
The turkeys shewed themselves away, when they heard us galloping through the woods. Flying Monkeys are much harder to spook, though.
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