Do you run obstacle races? Or maybe you are a fan of Color Runs? Or do you break up your running with other sports and do triathlons? Today’s topic on Tuesdays on the Run is “Adventure”. Patty, April, and I want to know how you shake things up and step out of the road running rut.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m primarily a road runner. I don’t have a lot of real trails near me and I’m not willing to drive to go for a run. I’m also a klutz and have been known to trip on a completely flat surface, so trails are just an accident waiting to happen for me. And you’ll never find me willingly getting muddy on a run.
But, I have stepped off the road a few times. I ran the Deschutes Dash 10K in Bend, Oregon a couple of years. The course description said “trail along the river”. My interpretation of that was paved path by the river, because, umm, that’s what I have by me. Umm, no. It turned out to be my first trail race. LOL.
My second adventure off the road happened during the Dust Bowl five half marathons in five days. The first day was a trail that I hated. The last day was a trail that I loved. Apparently the conditions have to be just right for me to actually enjoy a trail.
The only time I have intentionally run a trail race was the North Face Endurance half marathon. It was kind of not a half marathon. Instead, it was 14.5 miles. When they offered to top up my water bottle at 12.9 miles because I had another mile and a half to go, I nearly sat down and cried. Yeah, not one of my better moments.
Finally, recently I ran Ragnar. Although none of my legs were on trail, there are definitely trail sections. And I think I deserve some cred for running surrounded by fields in the middle of the night.
That’s it. See, I told you I’m a road kind of girl. How about you? What have you done outside of the typical road race? And did you love it or hate it?
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I did a cross country running series earlier this year and really enjoyed it, but I’m definitely more of a road running girl as well 🙂
Stacey recently posted…Race Report: Presque Isle Triathlon
Road races are great because they tend to get more support along the course too – people cheering and helping them through it. I don’t know if I would ever want to do a distance trail race (like a half), but the 10K distance is fun! In 2010 I ran the Buckeye Classic here in Columbus, which is run in and around the hills of a metro park. It definitely can be challenging because of the terrain, but it’s a lot of fun too. I’d like to add some more trail races into my calendar but I don’t consider them equal to road races for PRs, etc.
I don’t really have any time this morning to blog about adventure but I’m hoping to get to it tonight! Will link back up when I do 🙂
Jess recently posted…Change of Scenery
My most adventurous event was Ragnar. 🙂
Coco recently posted…My First Pure Barre Workout
I’m generally a road runner too ( although I do many training runs on a trail). Last summer I did my first and only trail run but only because I was looking for a 10K race to get a time for corral placement for a bigger race.
Meranda@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…How to Navigate the Confusion that is Rock n Roll Philly
I did North Face this year and I only enjoyed it because of the company. I wouldn’t intentionally sign up for one again. I’m definitely a road girl! I’m always desperately worried I’ll twist my ankle that I’ve already has surgery on and it spoils it for me.
Ha! I like the accidental trail races. I tend to run roads more often, but my heart is on the trail.
Larissa recently posted…7-day reset
I love the bit about accidental trail runs 🙂 The first couple times I did a trail run I thought it would be paved too because the “trails” around here are paved too. It was definitely a challenge but I ended up enjoying the scenery and slower pace once I accepted it. It’s still just a once in a while thing for me though.
Chaitali recently posted…Tasty Tuesday – September Bestowed Box
I have the season pass to a local trail racing company, so I’ve done 10 this year (9 with them – one each month – and then I won an entry into a wicked trail run up in WI). I love it! No speed pressure, no PR pressure, just gorgeous settings!
Heather recently posted…20 miles. DONE!
the most adventurous I have gotten was when I did the color run this past april. I tend to stick to the road races as much as possible. There are a lot of trails near me but I tend to lose my footing every time I try to run some of them and end up hurt so I gave that up pretty quickly 🙂
Heather @ Divas Run for Bling recently posted…Ready or Not: Race Week Tips to Make Your Race a Success
Ha! I think I did the exact same thing at that last water stop at the NFEC!! The guy said to me, “welcome to trail running honey”…i wanted to punch him.
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…MCM Training week 12 recap
I LOVED doing Ragnar. Definitely outside my comfort zone. I’d like to try a trail race one day…but I’d probably concuss myself. Not the most graceful.
Steph recently posted…RESP with RBC: Helping my kids plan for their Future
I’m definitely a trail runner at heart, but since we moved there are no trails that I care to drive to in the wee hours of the morning. My first marathon was a trail marathon and I loved it! They definitely present a different type of challenge but they are such an adventure! I hope to do another trail marathon in the future, but will need to get creative with my training 🙂
Amy @ Life to the Full recently posted…Taper Week + Apple Everything
I sometimes do trails when we have hill sessions and honestly I don’t love them. Maybe because the coach always chooses the ones with roots and ruts and huge stones sticking out waiting to roll your ankle. I’m pretty sure I’d love trails if the trail was fairly even and without diabolical obstacles.
Char recently posted…Another Important Life Lesson
I would definitely have sat down and cried if I was told I had another mile and a half at the 12.9 mark of a half marathon!