Mud & Muck

Posted in gear, races, trail by Nate

A snow-then-melt-then-rain-then-freeze-then-melt cycle has left our Southeast Michigan trails in interesting conditions. A quick 6 miler on Saturday dampened even my waterproof Solomon XA’s. I even managed to get mud on my upper body, don’t ask me how.

Sunday was my first trip to the Potowatomi Trail, and I’m happy to know with certainty what my Sunday plans will be for the foreseeable future. I did all 19 miles in a record slow time (3:40). I’m factoring in an extra 1.5 miles since I got lost three times (the signs/markers were knocked over or just missing in some spots), and I hiked a bit, stopped on a few of the very great bridges and just relaxed, absorbing everything. This is definitely the best trail I’ve run since the Keweenaw Trail Running Festival last year.

The path was ‘accented’ with ice, mud, almost sand, pretty commanding hills, a few overflowing ponds, and fully blocked by knocked down trees in other spots. Additionally, it rained for a solid hour – but I didn’t mind a bit. Things were just too good.

Next Sunday will be a 13 mile practice loop for the Running Fit Trail Half Marathon. Conditions permitting, hopefully a goal of 2 hours is not overly ambitious for someone as slow as me.