Familiar territory on a new terrain... I went on a trail run

About a month ago I posted a blog about finding new running partners (you can read it here).
The summation of the blog was that, as a new runner, you shouldn't be scared off when a more experienced runner invites you along to one of their runs.

Well, I had to re-read it myself this morning because I was back in the familiar territory of being the slower, less experienced runner who had been invited to do a trail run with someone who sets a cracking pace. (This person also writes a fabulous blog of her own called Running in the Rain. Check it out here.)

I was a bit nervous especially as my leg is still letting me know that it's not 100%.
But I also thought that I could do with that little push and so I was very excited.

We set off.
There was some road, some mud, some rocks, some dirt, some grass - Yep enough mix to classify this as my first trail run
Oddly enough, I have lived in this town for 14 years and I truly never knew that most of the tracks we ran today even existed.

And yes, it was at a cracking pace for me, but I kept up (or did you slow down Kate?)
I never asked but I think at some points Kate knew that I was still behind her simply because she could hear me breathing so heavily!

As my leg doesn't particularly favour going downhill yet there came a point where I stopped to stretch and my running partner surged ahead to a turnaround point.
It gave me a great opportunity to get the photos in this blog (although I am annoyed that the one I got of Kate speeding down the hill didn't save on my silly phone).

But I did get the below photo which show what a great place we live in and what a beautiful path we ran and the glorious Winters day that we had.

 

Before I knew it we were done.

I can see why trail running appeals to people. The more I reflect on today the more I wonder if trail running is where I'd like to head to next. It still allows you time to think but it is also like a game with the terrain - you have to think about where you will place your feet rather than simply place one foot in front of the other.

Mmm, something to ponder.

I couldn't not put this photo. This beautiful rainbow lorikeet even popped in when I was stretching  and I only wish he'd posed a bit so that you could see his colour better


Oh and please really do check out the Running in the Rain's blog. You won't be disappointed.