Frosty Trail 3-hour Winter Trail Race - Saturday, January 19th, 2019

It was a good day to stay in bed.

..so of course I didn't.

Instead, I was up in the dark hours for a morning that looked like this:

Maybe the tape will act as another layer of insulation for my feet?

Big honkin' bowl of oatmeal. T.Ho's coffee. Tanker's first real trip out of the house in almost 2 weeks. The snow started on our way up to Camp Heidelberg, and would continue all day.

We were the 3rd vehicle (apart from the race director) to arrive.

Despite getting there in plenty of time, I was a slow-moving walrus in the cold air inside the Rehkopf Building.

Both Tank and I still in our heavy down coats, even inside.
(Photo by Race Director Patrick Campbell)

So slow, in fact, that not only did I not manage to get my usual flaily warmup done - I actually missed the start by about 10 seconds. I'd just gone for one last pee and was tugging one of my mittens on when the horn sounded outside. Whoops.

I pulled my other mitten on as I trotted down the stairs and out into the parking lot to begin my first lap, along with a few other people who'd been similarly taken by surprise by the start. After the first lap, I stopped in at the aid station to get a smooch and my phone to take some photos of the course.

Not to mention a dork and a sweetheart.
Note that I'm already frosting up after ~15mins.

Through the upper woods

Conditions weren't great. The snow wasn't deep, but beneath it lay some ice on the driveway down to the woods, plus the much-more-concerning deeply footprinted frozen mud from the awful mess that was the 2018 Horror Trail 6-hour last October. In some places the lumps and ruts from the mudhole we stomped were 3"-4" deep, which could easily destroy my taped-up ankles or send me arse over teakettle unless I was very cautious.

Feets don't fail me now..

I managed not to blow the turn into the woods this year!
So used to going down around the pond at Horror Trail..

Lumbering along
(Photo by Race Director Patrick Campbell)

I honestly don't remember much about individual laps of this one. I kept things pretty simple with a soft-sided water bottle in the back pocket of my jacket (to keep both it and my hand from freezing, as would be the case with my usual hand bottle), and a flask of 4:1 dilute EFS Liquid Shot in the other back pocket. I'd take a slurp off the bottle on uphills and ended up refilling it twice, and I'd have a swig off the flask every 30mins, finishing it just after 2hrs.

Obligatory shot of the big stinkin' hill

Winding along

The worst parts of each loop for ankles were the straightaway before the sketchy downhill and the exit of the upper woods to the long downhill.

This is the straightaway - I know it's impossible to see the true topography of the trail

Difficult to even see the trail, let alone the sketchy downhill

The climb out of the woods to the driveway had the deepest snow all day

The worst part of all, though, was really the wind. It blew the falling snow sideways across the field to the north of Camp Heidelberg so you'd be fully in its blast as you came up or down the driveway - the snow would stick to anything it touched, turning the soft nose wipe on the back of the thumbs of my mittens into icy sandpaper.

And the wool tube I wore to keep my face and neck warm into a frosty mess.

The wind only got worse in the last hour, freezing my now-sweaty mittens solid as I struggled to keep my hands safe from the chill - I'd pull my thumb out of its solo garage and make loose fists inside the mitts to warm up, but would of course have to use all my digits in order to manipulate my bottle and gel flask.

You could still see a layer of ice on my left mitt even minutes after I went indoors.
Also: a bit of cat hair. Every cat owner knows it gets everywhere, and turns up at the oddest times.

Having jammed, tweaked, and generally abused both of my ankles multiple times, I was in a bit of rough shape but actually managed to keep moving pretty well. I had spent the first hour more or less just farting along (literally, at times - sorry to anyone I crop dusted!), putting in about 4 laps before stopping to fill my bottle. It took me until about 2h10m to finish the next 4 laps (filling my bottle again after the 7th), and I wondered if I'd have time to get in 3 more of the 2.12km course to make this one go to 11.

Up the driveway to the far side of the building.

The aid station out front of the Rehkopf Building
(Photo by Race Director Patrick Campbell)

You know it's kind of a lousy weather day when the aid station smarties are starting to melt in the snow

At 2h38m I was in the main woods on my 10th lap, sucking back an Endurance Tap gel with one of the last sips of water from my bottle to give me a boost for the last push. Coming through the end of my 10th lap at 2h44m I knew I had just shy of enough time to finish a full one, and hated the thought of the horn blowing to signal the end of the race just as I was about to round the building one final time.

So, I gave'er.

In a wee bit of weather.
(Photo by Tanker)

What's actually quite encouraging is that my legs had some 'er to give - while my damaged right ankle might still be problematic (to say nothing of the left, which has been giving me intermittent grief since 2016), it seems I might have managed to cobble together a bit of fitness again. I was able to run up the hill out of the main woods to the driveway and then up the driveway itself every single lap, and I was able to push quite hard on that last lap as the clock ticked toward the 3-hour mark.

I rounded the building with about 30sec left to go, and came to a halt. There was no way I'd make it to the 200m marker, so my race was done.

Just after finishing, in the best of company.

More-or-less official distance: 11 laps / 23.32km

(No results have been posted as of this writing and I didn't hear any announced,

so I have no idea how I did in the field)

(Full workout data here)

EDITED Feb 1/2019 - I guess I was 3rd place female!
3/10 Women - 6/14 O/A
(Official - or as official as they get - results are here)

Now, here's the stupid part.

I went back out again.

I make bad decisions.

Because of the 100 runs in 100 days challenge, I wanted to get a double in - it's been a bit difficult to do so lately, and with the on-course support and the folks doing the 6-hour still out there for a bit of company it was really the perfect opportunity.

What's not to love?
Except maybe the increasing wind across that open field..

Trail conditions had not improved in the hour-and-a-quarter I was indoors changing, hydrating and snacking, though. The snow had only increased its rate of accumulation, and there were fewer runners on course now to stomp it down.

The blowing snow across the field accumulated in waves on the driveway

20mins in vs 4h20mins in - a lot less visible debris on either side of the big stinkin' hill

I took it easier on myself as I trucked through the additional laps, walking wherever I wanted but still running most of each lap just to keep myself warm.

Winter wonderland status: achieved

It really was quite beautiful, if you could see it through the blowing snow.

By the end of my second lap I was at 35mins - well over the 30min minimum for it to count as a "run" in the challenge - but since I hold myself to a minimum of 5km for the 100 in 100 challenge, I headed 'round the parking lot and into the woods again for a 3rd and final lap just to make things square.

Even though my face was this red from the howling wind before the end of my 1st lap, when I dropped off my phone with Tank.

I'd known what I was in for - this was from 12:37pm, about 40mins before I started running again.

I almost seriously regretted that final lap, as I nearly bailed - I was trying to blow a snot rocket while coming out of the upper woods, caught my right 2nd toe on a lump of frozen mud, and pitched forward while windmilling my arms. I was just barely able to stay upright, but things in my hips and legs definitely got a bit jarred with the awkward stagger on uneven ground. I took the rest of the lap very cautiously, and actually felt better in a few minutes for having run/walked it out than if I'd stopped.

Further snow comparison

One more time up the driveway

That whole thing about having company to make things easier? Not so much. Between a low turnout for the 6-hour (9 people?) and a couple having cut their day short due to the conditions, I spent almost the entire 52 minutes and change trucking along by myself. I think I actually saw other runners twice, both times while heading up or down the driveway where there's 2-way traffic.

When it's cold enough to turn sport drink to ice, can you blame anyone for bailing early?

In any case, I didn't die and got my 40th and 41st run in on day 36 of the 100 runs in 100 days challenge. 

Very pleased I decided to wear my insulated jacket for the second go 'round!

There were no lasting effects from either the lumpy ankle wreckery or nearly yard sale-ing myself - I was actually able to run the next morning (at -16c with 50+kph wind gusts, but sunshine!), though not until after I'd shoveled out the driveway.

Recovery?

..and then I finally made breakfast.

Ragged

I'm not in great shape.

And this trail knows it.

Since Stride Inside, a number of factors have come together to beat me down.

First and foremost, Tanker went for surgery on Monday, January 7th. That was stressful for both of us, but was fortunately successful and he's in recovery. Unfortunately, the recovery will be rather long - he's off work for 4 weeks, then will be on light duties at the warehouse for another 4 weeks after that.

He has a long path ahead.

I was able to take the day of the surgery off to take care of him, but had to return to the office the next day - I do payroll for a couple of dozen companies, so this struck at my busiest time of the year as I scramble to complete year-end reconciliations for each company to ensure they will not end up owing anything (on which there would be penalties and interest). Since Tank was essentially bedridden for the first couple of days, this meant I would run up a thermos full of soup, a few bottles of water, and a cooler bag full of ice packs before leaving in the morning to try to tide him over until I could get home again.

He couldn't exactly make it out to a frozen waterfall to ice his swelling.

When I'd get home, on top of making a fresh, healthy dinner for us as always, I'd also have to do all the chores that I'm so grateful he usually takes care of: feeding the cats, washing the dishes (we don't own a dishwasher), cleaning out litter boxes, putting out the garbage and recycling, and all the laundry...and there's a LOT of laundry right now, since the weather has turned cold and I'm running 7-8 times per week in it.

These conditions call for a little more than shorts and a sports bra.

While Tanker has made progress and is literally back on his feet again, he's still barred from lifting anything heavier than a bottle of water - he now feeds our kitties before I get home, but I have to do at least some of the dishes as I cook with heavy cast iron pans, and the garbage, kitty litter and laundry are all tasks that require lifting. Because he hasn't yet been comfortable in the car, or standing or walking for extended periods, I also have to run errands like going to the farmers' market and grocery store by myself. Since he usually comes with me and helps quite a lot - we split up at the grocery store to get what we need more quickly, and he carries the bags at the market while I deal with cash so there isn't quite as much juggling required - it takes a lot more time and effort.

Like fighting my way upriver.

The biggest problem I'm having, though, is the addition of 12+ hours of driving each week, and the associated loss of my naps. Because our workplaces are very close together and our hours are similar, Tank usually does the 80-ish kilometer drive each way from our house to Mississauga and back Monday to Friday. I usually nap on the way in and way home, to supplement the handful of hours of sleep I get during the week. Instead of those naps, I now fight my way through rush hour traffic on the 401, operating on even less sleep (as it takes me more time to get everything done when I get home) and trashing my legs with the clutch-brake dance on the 401.

Fionn helping me make dinner

Despite not having to be in the GTA until 9am (as opposed to 8:30am, when Tank's shift starts), I haven't been able to sleep in as I usually eat breakfast in the car while he drives. Now I have to eat at home and take the few extra minutes to make a cup of something caffeinated to keep me alert before I go. Since winter has struck with a vengeance this week, I've had to get up earlier and earlier in order to make it to work on time; then, on top of having to brush snow or scrape ice off the car every morning this week, there's been a lane closure at Hwy 6N since Tuesday morning that has the highway down to a crawl. So, I get even less sleep in an attempt to make it to my office for 9.

When I do get here, I often find myself stuck - I usually have a coffee with Tanker on his 3pm break by taking my lunch at that time, but between my normal work, payroll year-end, and some other projects that have come out of nowhere, I've struggled to get away from my desk at all. I'm supposed to have an hour for lunch and leave work at 5pm: this week especially, I've been taking my lunch at more like 3:45pm and working until at least 6pm.

Though I have still been running on my lunch, and got to explore a path along this lovely little creek on Monday.

I didn't even make it to mu Mum's last week - we usually visit her every Wednesday evening to give her some company, help out with some chores, and put the garbage out as she had limited mobility. I did stop by this week, but only after putting in 2 hours of overtime. Once I'd finally managed to get the trash out (another thing that Tanker usually handles, bless him) and chatted for a bit, it was 10pm by the time I got home to start dinner.

Just to add to the stress of it all, while I was hanging laundry on Sunday evening our sweet girl Esme came into the room to use the litter box, and dropped a poop streaked with blood. I couldn't take her to work with me (nor could I take a day off), so I collected the stool, double bagged it, and brought it to the office (which it proceeded to stink up, in spite of my precautions) to drop at the vet's office Monday evening. This also saved us having to bring her in, as she has panic attacks in the car.

She seemed fine other than the nasty poop, but I was extremely worried.

The vet called Tuesday morning to say they'd found worm eggs in the sample, so of course now all 3 of our cats needed to be wormed. They asked if I could bring in the other 2 for a checkup as they hadn't been to see this particular vet, but I pled helplessness as Tanker is barely even allowed to pick up our 6 month old kitten, let alone help me get our old 20lb tomcat Karma into a carrier and into the car. The vet took pity on me, so agreed to dispense the worming medication based on the weight of the cats so I could pick it up Tuesday evening.

Have you ever tried to give a pill to a cat that doesn't want it? Fionn was just fine, and even Esme didn't put up much of a struggle, but my old buddy Karma was not having it. He stuck a claw under the cuticle at the base of my middle finger during the second attempt, drawing blood. He spat out the third attempt, and on the fourth he struck out with his paw and sunk a claw right to the hilt into my right ring finger, prying it with all of his considerable strength away from his face (as I tried to hold his mouth shut so he'd swallow the damn thing). I spurted blood, and he spat it out anyway before running away to hide under the bed.

It's probably not a great sign when you end up with blood pooling under the skin beside a deep laceration within seconds.

To make matters even better, after looking to the internet for help on how to get this worming medication into him - particularly as they'd all need a second dose a fortnight later - I was told that they're flavoured  tablets and "most cats and dogs will accept them as a treat". I grabbed the bag of treats Karma loves, laid down on the floor beside the bed, and offered him a treat. He gobbled that up, then I tried the tablet...which of course he ate without issue. I gave him another treat to make sure he'd swallow the pill, then got myself up off the floor. So delighted that I got mauled for no reason whatsoever.

He's still my big chunk of cuddly floof though.

As I had touched on previously, I'm still running on my lunch breaks - it's about the only thing that's keeping me even halfway sane, and I'm still doing what I can to creep up the ranks of the 100 runs in 100 days challenge by putting in doubles on weekends. I was actually hoping I might make top female this year, but I recently found out that the one woman ahead of me - with whom I was more or less keeping pace over Christmas and New Year's - either works from home or is a stay-at-home mom, and was being limited by her kids being home for 2 weeks over the holidays. Now she's putting in triple and even quadruple run days during the week, while I just slip further and further behind.

Oh, and did I mention she's in California? Definitely not dealing with the ice, snow and frigid temperatures we're getting here.

Though she also doesn't get to see sights like this sunset down the icy Speed River.

Any one - or even two together - of these things I could probably brush off, even when compounded by the everything-is-exhausting fatigue after the Stride Inside 6-hour. But honestly, coming all at once has run me absolutely ragged, and the worst part is that it's keeping me from being the person I strive to be. I want to be a patient, loving caregiver and wife to Tanker while he recovers. I want to keep a nice house for him while he's stuck in it, other than a short walk outside each day. I want to give our kitties the best possible life - one where they're all healthy, happy and thriving. I want to do my job well, and meet all of my deadlines. Finally, I want to train at a higher level so I can have a better season than I did last year, and take on some big challenges in 2019.

I feel like I'm failing at all of it. I'm so tired I had to pull off the road on the way home last night to take a 15min nap in my car because I literally could not keep my eyes open. The exhaustion and stress have driven me into survival mode, so I can't be the supportive wife and caregiver that Tank needs. I'm nowhere near as competent at the daily round of housekeeping chores as he is, so things get forgotten - I realised this morning I hadn't even checked the mail this week. I feel like a terrible pet owner for letting worms take hold of our Esme, especially since it's so likely that Fionn - an innocent little 6-month-old kitten - is infected as well. I was late to work twice this week, so despite all the late evenings I feel like a terrible employee. I'm barely hanging in the top 40 overall of the 100 runs in 100 days challenge, despite my best efforts to be consistent - even running the day after Stride Inside.

I've also been less kind than I should overall, and I feel awful about the way I've responded to this situation overall. I know you're probably laughing at my whinging right now, if you've even managed to read this far without giving up in disgust - so many people have it so much worse, and I'm crumbling under the pressure of far less than any single parent goes through for years on end. I'm ashamed of who I am as a person, and my lack of ability to cope with adversity.

Running has been my solace - if there's a silver lining, it's that running from my office (instead of Tank's warehouse, where I usually drop off the car on my lunch break) has allowed me to explore some new routes in Mississauga. In theory, I should also be happy that I will be able to do so with friends tomorrow at the Frosty Trail 3-hour. Unfortunately, it's difficult to look forward to running in this:

Mrph.

My number one goal will have to be to keep myself in sufficiently good condition that I'm still able to get everything done around the house this weekend - I can't be reduced to walking sideways down stairs if I have laundry baskets to carry. I'd like to try to wait an hour after the end of the 3-hour and then head out for a second run with the folks doing the 6-hour to make it a double, though I know it will be difficult to convince myself to do so in the biting cold and wind, and may have to forget about it if I'm feeling beat up; chores don't care if you had a race, they still need to be done.

Most of all, I need to try to practice more kindness - I may be having a bit of a tough go, but the people (and pets) around me deserve the best I can give them. So, I'll stagger on regardless, and try to be better.

Two weeks down - two more to go.

Stride Inside 6-hour Indoor Track Ultra - Saturday, January 5th, 2019

It takes a special kind of idiot to show up for an ultra both under- and over-trained. I, friends, am just that idiot.

Oh look, a curve! I wonder if I'll see one of those again any time soon..?

It wasn't especially encouraging when I stepped out of bed onto a sore ankle. Nonetheless, I skirted up, made some oatmeal, and proceeded to support the families of those hard-working kinesiology tape producers in the hope their fine products would in turn support me.

Confidence inspiring, no?
(Not pictured: another strip on my right high hamstrings/adductors, 'cause noone wants a photo of my butt.)

Off to Marden and the track with a T.Ho's coffee in hand, we arrived just before 8am - not long after the race directors themselves, as the track doesn't open until 8. I got my race kit - with a soft Stride Inside tank top, a Happy Trails porcelain mug, a packet of Endurance Tap gel, a single-serve packet of Skratch Labs drink mix, and a tiny bag of jellybeans in the reusable Happy Trails bag - and my number, in the new smaller format that made its debut at this race. Good stuff!

The rest of the hour before race time was the usual greeting of friends, swinging of limbs, use of washroom facilities (which are both ample and beautifully maintained at the Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre) and whining about being approximately 60% kinesiology tape by volume. My only goal was to try to make an ultra of it by running more than 42.2km - some rough math-ing told me that 200 laps would do it, equaling 43.0km by Race Director Jeff's 215m measurement of the inside lane with his treadwheel.

Pre-race meeting and announcements, one last pee, then strap on the timing chip and away we go.

Reza - pictured beside me - ran an incredible race!

There's not a whole lot to say about this one. I was happy to run - and sometimes walk - with friendly people all around me. I got to chat with folks I'd not seen for awhile, and get acquainted with some others I was just meeting.

Hanging out with Chocolate Race Director Andrea - can you believe this amazing woman ran 500+km at Vol State and another 250km at the Gobi March all in July of 2018? 

The start/finish/timing mat area, heading counter-clockwise

I actually started the race off a little hungry, despite a solid bowl of oatmeal doused in OUTRace manager/administrator Pierre's maple syrup in the wee hours, so began nutrition around 25mins in with a swig of EFS Liquid Shot from a flask I left on the window ledge by the track entrance. I had left my bottle there initially as well, but the dry air of the track had me picking it up by the 15min mark and running with it for the rest of the day. I was also smart enough (!) to set a small flip-top bottle full of S!caps on the ledge with the flask, and started taking one per hour (-ish) at the 30min mark. Everything else stayed in the UltraCoolerTM in the room off the foyer, where Tanker was operating the aid station with his usual efficiency and friendliness.

So many people owe so much of their racing success to this guy right here <3

Of course, it couldn't be all sunshine and rainbows - my stupid ankle started to whine by a half hour in. It shut up for awhile here and there, but definitely complained early and often - during the last hour it was basically a constant force tempting me to pack it in. The right hamstrings that had been causing me grief seemed to hold up ok with the tape, but when we changed direction from clockwise to counter-clockwise at 90mins (half an hour after the end of the 1-hour race ended, but just as the 3-hour race was beginning) my left hamstrings/adductors got grouchy in the exact same spot. Oh, and I developed a hot spot under my left big toe - same spot as that shoe/insole combination had generated one at the Niagara Ultra, despite them never giving me grief in between. Booooo.

My braids also apparently started wicking sweat from my head and depositing it on my boobs.
I literally had no idea until I saw the photos afterward.

Nutrition clicked along pretty well, taking in something every half hour or so - generally a slurp of EFS Liquid Shot on the 30's and some real food on the hour. All told I had 5 S!caps (I think I missed the 3.5hr one..), a full flask of EFS (25m through 3h30m), 2 of my salted maple crisp rice squares (1h, 3h), a piece of back bacon (2h), 2 chunks of banana (2h, 4h), 2 Endurance Tap gels (4h, 4h30m), then a chocolate outrage caffeinated Gu gel for a bit of jet fuel (5h) and finally 2 clear gummy bears at 5h30m just to keep me going. About 950cal over the 6 hours, or 158cal/hour. My belly felt fine the whole time, though I did get hungry again by 3 hours in and stayed that way. I had brought turkey wraps with mustard and chocolate chip cookies, but in the former case I didn't want to stop long enough to eat one (as food is not permitted on the track, I tried to finish eating in the aid station room and only bring water on course), and in the latter case I was just damn lazy - I hadn't opened the box of cookies and just couldn't be stuffed to do so. They remain un-opened to this day.

Pictured: a sloth in a somewhat convincing human suit.

I did take my phone out on the track for a single lap (as you can probably tell from the insipid selfies), then ditched it so I wouldn't have to carry it anymore. I tried to keep moving pretty efficiently most of the time, but I know I did hang around the aid station room much longer than I would have if I'd had any real performance aspirations. Smooches seemed more important than one more lap.

It's not my fault - he really gives amazing kisses!

It got more and more difficult to keep myself running as time wore on. With no runs of more than an hour's duration for almost 2 months, plus a recent dramatic increase in overall mileage with virtually no rest before the race, it rapidly degenerated into a bargaining game: run 15 more minutes until the change of direction, then you can walk. Run 10 more laps, then you can walk. Then it was run 9 laps, walk 1...then 8 laps, and walk 1...then 4 laps and walk the 5th..

Just strollin'

After each walk break it became increasingly challenging to stir myself into a run again, particularly past the 4 hour mark. Given my lack of long runs in recent weeks it wasn't terribly surprising; to be honest I was actually a bit astonished at how well I was able to keep moving right to the bitter end, even though it hurt like hell as everything protested. Even a muscle in my chin went all weird and twitchy, as well as the usual suspects like hamstrings, glutes and my crappy, cranky ankle. My crankle. Yeah, that's it.

Hurtin'

I also rather needed a washroom in the last hour, possibly spurred by the caffeinated gel I took at the 5-hour mark to try to regain some semblance of sentient life. I did not, however, bother leaving the track except to grab those two gummy bears at 5.5hrs for a bit of sugar to finish the day; I just couldn't be stuffed to waste the time when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get in the 200 laps I wanted.

With about 20mins to go, I saw Tanker out on the track and decided to invite him to walk a lap with me as he'd done last year. He'd disappeared by the time I came back 'round, but I asked Race Coordinator Heather to grab him for me and bring him out to take a lap, which she kindly did - we walked lap #198 together, then I actually got myself running again and finished my 200th with about 12mins left to go.

Crap - what do I do now?

If you know me at all, there's only one answer: stagger on regardless. I figured I'd try for 205, but even with walking #202 I still had more time, so I pressed onward - I actually ran the final 6 laps straight, despite not having run more than 3 without a walk break for some while beforehand.

Official distance: 208 laps / 44.72km @ 8:02/km

6/18 Women - 26/44 O/A

(Full results are here)

Sporting my snazzy new medal and so, so happy to be done.
Workout data - only from an activity tracker rather than GPS - is here.

I strongly suspect I may have had a lap or two missed - I know other people definitely did, and my 2nd lap shows a time that would have allowed me to complete 2, with no recollection of having walked at all on my 2nd lap. The timing setup apparently has its limitations, but I'm quite pleased with what I was able to tally anyway. 

The best part of all was definitely afterward, though.

Jet tubs full of Epsom salts and curious kittens should be part of everyone's ultra recovery.

In spite of the horrible soreness in my ankle/achilles throughout the day and particularly the final hour, I was able to get out for a short, slow run around noon the next day, and have run every day since until today (I'm taking my damn Friday off, thank you!). I've also begun working with a new physiotherapist who has some ideas about treatment for my crankle, so here's hoping he and I can make some progress!

As for the race itself, it's a fabulous way to get a solid long run in during the depths of winter (though it wasn't particularly wintry on this occasion), and the Happy Trails team does an amazing job of ensuring a fun, welcoming event that will send you home with a smile on your face and a load of great swag. Race Coordinator Heather even hand-made the trophies for 1st-3rd place men and women in each race: now that's love for you! They also raise funds for a variety of charities along the way; Stride Inside specifically helps to support a shelter for women in crisis. Happy Trails have a ton of new races on the docket - plus many returning favourites - in 2019, so I hope you'll consider joining in the fun!

Putting my new mug to good use with a life-giving cup of coffee before the next day's slow, hurty run.