Rumble Fish

I returned to the trails in late summer.  And immediately fell in love with it all over again.  My trail running friend, Steve, sent me a link to a local trail race, Raven Rock Rumble.  He and another friend were planning to do the 5 mile option.  Since I knew I would have a flat 10 miler and a hilly half marathon under my belt by race date, I selected the 10 mile option.  Silly, silly girl am I.
Leading up to the race I was very relaxed and excited about it.  Not nervous and feeling unsure of myself like I get with a road race.  I was looking forward to running with a crowd on new trails.  My biggest concern was getting lost or missing a trail marker.  Trail races seem to have more stories and a special camaraderie that is different from road races.  And there's less focus on records and speed.  It's more about finishing it in one piece and enjoying the scenery.
Race day came.  We carpooled down to Raven Rock State Park in Lillington.  The parking area was in a field 3/4 mile from the park so we had a chance to stretch our legs after the car ride.  We milled around - went to the bathroom, got our bibs and chips. 

Jessi and me zip tying our chips.

Then it was time to line up for the start.  The start lines were staggered and started 5 minutes apart.  The 10 mile course was a figure eight (the 5 mile course was the left hand loop of the eight) and we started with the right hand of the eight so theoretically when you came to the intersection of the loops most people were off the 5 mile course.
The first half was pretty amazing.  I paced behind a guy with neat red shoes for the first mile.  As soon as the single track opened up a little, I passed him and two ladies who were clearly planning to walk even the smallest of hills.  I paced behind another guy for the next couple miles.  The course was beautiful.  I kept thinking, "wow, I'm actually doing a trail race, finally!".  I had to keep reminding myself to pay attention.  Rocks and roots abound.  And the leaf cover made it tricky.  Mile four was ugly.  Big downhill made with stairs - you get no rhythm on these - and slick rocks.  The advantage here is that it's a turn around section so you can see the people ahead of you making their way back up.  At the bottom of this hill is a gorgeous overlook of the river, but you can't take too long.  That hill is waiting for you to ascend somehow, someway.  Steve was done with the five mile race which I had been hoping for.  I gave him my gloves and he snapped a picture at the midpoint. 

Pretty scenery.

He gave tips on the last half of my course - which was the course he just finished.  Super helpful advice!  I saw Jessi finishing up her race, she looked positive.  I told her Steve was waiting and kept on moving.  Because this race is at a state park it remains open to the public.  I did encounter people out on hikes with their dogs and such.  A group of teens was on a hike, moseying (spelling?) their way along the trail.  The guy in back would yell "runner!" and they'd scoot out of the way for you to pass.  They were not deterred from their mission by the 200 plus runners that would have to pass them that day.
I cruised along through my last few miles with no one around, I couldn't see anyone ahead of me or behind me.  The trail followed a creek.  I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.  That this was what I was meant to do.  At the same time I also felt like I missed a sign.  I was feeling uncertain in my solitude.  And then I recognized the hill I had come down for this loop.  Once out of the woods and into the open area I had a surge of energy.  The finish line!  And Steve yelling my name.  I'm sure Jessi was too but she doesn't have quite the same volume.  First trail race done.  And I felt fantastic.
I grabbed a PB&J and banana from the post race area.  We walked the 3/4 mile back to the car and cracked open some homebrew.  A very delicious way to toast our hard work.  I couldn't have asked for a better experience - good trails, beautiful weather, and friends to enjoy it too.