Best...Run...Ever! 9.9mi barefoot trail run. I've had longer runs, harder runs, faster runs, but this was my happiest run!
Went back and found the grassy, sandy part of the trail. I knew where to find the trail head from the satellite map. Traipsed through some waist-high grass, and I was there. First good sign, no gravel! It was grassy and wet, with high grass on either side. As I was jogging along, I wondered if anyone used this part of the trail. Horse apples! So this was also used as a bridle path. Leapt over them. The trail had two paths from the tire tracks of the ranger's truck. This side looks clear, oh no it isn't, how about here? Nope! Leaping side to side. So, got some agility work in, too!
Eventually got to a small stream, no biggie, about ankle deep and 10ft across. While I thought about some BPR (barefoot puddle splashing), there was too much gravel in and around the stream. Who put all this gravel here?! So walking, walking, stepping gingerly about 50 ft.
Then came upon a fork, where the trail goes in a big loop. Looking on the map, there's suppose to be a river on the left. I go left. Never saw the river, just more of this. The trail was nice grassy, compact sand/dirt. Accidentally startled and scared away two deer. Then came upon a man-made canal, crossed over. Trail started getting a bit sandier. Whoa, who put this 10ft strip of 2-3inch rocks here?! More trail, then power lines?
Map shows the trail running underneath them for a while. Worried briefly that the electromagnetic field might mess up my chi. Well, I'm not a cow, so I proceed under the crackle of the high power lines. (Dama, I briefly thought about following them to the power plant, but I could see a residential area and big fence in the distance. Yes, I know it would make a wonderful story...)
More trail, then came upon another canal. Okay, map says go along it for a while. Paths along either side. I chose the one that looks less rocky. Looks like I choose well, as I see footprints in some nice soft sand. Cloven prints, those must be from the deer. Four toes with paws, must be a companion for the shoddie who wore the hiking boots. Got a kick out of it thinking that I was leaving my own footprints, for the shoddies to see.
Going back was more of the same, running along the power lines, going back across the first canal, then the stream. I felt bad for the shoddies. Did they have to take off their shoes and socks? Poor shoddies! Then I saw that there was a big branch placed across on one side. Clearly, the shoddies had made it across, too.
Then saw the first and only person, a fellow on a mountain bike. Nice guy, exchange pleasantries, and of course he says, "Barefoot?". I tell him, "it's the newest thing!" "Oh yeah? Must take some time to adjust." "Yes", I say and also mention the strengthening that is often needed.
Then I continue on, backtracking a short part of the trail. Do some sprints. Horse apples? Almost forgot about those. I didn't remember there being so many, leaping side to side again. During the whole time, I was also using the mapping feature on my Garmin 305, to make sure that I was following the right path, by comparing the contour of my route to the map. Worked wonderfully.
ThomDavid, you'll be glad to know that during the whole run, I was smiling. Well sort of, I was more focused on breathing, but if I wasn't, then I'd be smiling for sure. I finally got back to the car, thinking that I'll definitely be back again!
Went back and found the grassy, sandy part of the trail. I knew where to find the trail head from the satellite map. Traipsed through some waist-high grass, and I was there. First good sign, no gravel! It was grassy and wet, with high grass on either side. As I was jogging along, I wondered if anyone used this part of the trail. Horse apples! So this was also used as a bridle path. Leapt over them. The trail had two paths from the tire tracks of the ranger's truck. This side looks clear, oh no it isn't, how about here? Nope! Leaping side to side. So, got some agility work in, too!
Eventually got to a small stream, no biggie, about ankle deep and 10ft across. While I thought about some BPR (barefoot puddle splashing), there was too much gravel in and around the stream. Who put all this gravel here?! So walking, walking, stepping gingerly about 50 ft.
Then came upon a fork, where the trail goes in a big loop. Looking on the map, there's suppose to be a river on the left. I go left. Never saw the river, just more of this. The trail was nice grassy, compact sand/dirt. Accidentally startled and scared away two deer. Then came upon a man-made canal, crossed over. Trail started getting a bit sandier. Whoa, who put this 10ft strip of 2-3inch rocks here?! More trail, then power lines?
Map shows the trail running underneath them for a while. Worried briefly that the electromagnetic field might mess up my chi. Well, I'm not a cow, so I proceed under the crackle of the high power lines. (Dama, I briefly thought about following them to the power plant, but I could see a residential area and big fence in the distance. Yes, I know it would make a wonderful story...)
More trail, then came upon another canal. Okay, map says go along it for a while. Paths along either side. I chose the one that looks less rocky. Looks like I choose well, as I see footprints in some nice soft sand. Cloven prints, those must be from the deer. Four toes with paws, must be a companion for the shoddie who wore the hiking boots. Got a kick out of it thinking that I was leaving my own footprints, for the shoddies to see.
Going back was more of the same, running along the power lines, going back across the first canal, then the stream. I felt bad for the shoddies. Did they have to take off their shoes and socks? Poor shoddies! Then I saw that there was a big branch placed across on one side. Clearly, the shoddies had made it across, too.
Then saw the first and only person, a fellow on a mountain bike. Nice guy, exchange pleasantries, and of course he says, "Barefoot?". I tell him, "it's the newest thing!" "Oh yeah? Must take some time to adjust." "Yes", I say and also mention the strengthening that is often needed.
Then I continue on, backtracking a short part of the trail. Do some sprints. Horse apples? Almost forgot about those. I didn't remember there being so many, leaping side to side again. During the whole time, I was also using the mapping feature on my Garmin 305, to make sure that I was following the right path, by comparing the contour of my route to the map. Worked wonderfully.
ThomDavid, you'll be glad to know that during the whole run, I was smiling. Well sort of, I was more focused on breathing, but if I wasn't, then I'd be smiling for sure. I finally got back to the car, thinking that I'll definitely be back again!