Organic Runner Mom

I’m bringing home the bacon!

First Overall Female at the All Out Trail Run in Claremont, New Hampshire! I can’t believe it! I’m not sure that I have actually ever won a race before. How cool and I actually got to bring home the bacon because the prize for the winners was a selection of bacons, sausages, cheese and mustard from North Country Smokehouse.

I went to this trail race with my sister in law Kelly. The All Out Trail Run is a part of the Western NH Trail Running Series. We got up on race morning with plenty of time to get to the race. I always like to be a little early when I am not sure where a race is taking place. For breakfast I had my usual pre-race instant oatmeal, it’s what settles in my stomach the best. My back was still feeling a little stiff from my SI joint issue from two weeks prior so I was hoping it would be okay for the run.We headed to the race and pulled up into Moody Park, a pretty park in Claremont, NH. The park has a lovely trail system for walking, running and mountain biking.

We were pretty much the first ones to arrive at the race. We got our bibs and then just hung out and waited for the race to start. The race seemed to have more men than women and a whole bunch of kids too. There was a kids race but all of the kids participated in the regular race. What I love about trail running and racing is the low key nature. Despite the race having a planned start of 9:00 the event organizer waited a few extra minutes to give everyone time to use the port-potties.

We all lined up in the grass and got ready for our trail adventure. The race started and quickly headed into the woods onto single track trail. I was quickly in the lead for women and running with a boy and an older gentleman. We traded places for awhile in the woods. The trail was lovely winding single track with some hills, one in particular that was a bit challenging called “The Gravity Cavity.”

In all the total course gain was 456ft so not too bad for hills. As far as hills go I have been working on quickly picking my pace back up at the crest of the hill and up over the other side. Pacing for trail races can be tricky.

I may have gone out too fast the first mile but I felt good. My first mile was 7:51/mi followed by 9:27/mi, 9:45 min/mi, 11:21 min/mi. The course was just under 5 miles. The weather was pretty goof for the race, overcast and in the 70’s but it was quite humid so felt a bit like a rainforest in the woods. At one point I kind of rolled my ankle but was able to shake it off which was good. Overall I felt relatively strong during the race despite not having done much running over the previous two weeks due to hurting my back.

I’m bringing home the bacon! All Out Trail Run #RaceRecap! #runchat #bibchat #running

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The course was shorter than advertised so I was pleased to discover that the finish was closer than I had thought. I picked it up a little at the end but could have had a bigger kick if I had known the finish was so soon. When I crossed the line I was excited to find that yes indeed I was the first woman! How fun to win a race! Kelly had a great time running too and it was even her first trail race!!!

I would definitely do this race again. The course was well marked and beautiful. I hope to do at least one other trail run in this race series if possible! The race also had a great raffle at the end and although I did not win a raffle prize they had some awesome prizes like a new pair of running shoes!

What is the most unusual prize you have ever won at a race? Do you like to trail race?