Long run #2: Chubb run

RUN: 13.6 miles in 2:40-ish. First run of the Chubb trail. 3700-3800 feet of climbing.

In looking for how to get to the chubb trail head, I came across many reviews: most challenging, most difficult in area, eats bikes, rocks, climbs, and more. I signed up for a race on a trail described as the most difficult in the area?!? Cool!

This was my first viewing of the chubbie trail. I was supposed to meet some other runners but I must have ended up in the wrong parking lot. Never saw them but found out later they were there. I didn't even know if I had the right trailhead! But I waited a bit, the whole time getting less and less excited about the run. I realized I was looking forward to the social as much as the run.

Disappointed I headed out thinking I'd get at least 10 miles in. I started at Lone Elk, which is the flatter end of the 7 mile trail. Great trail with hills, switchbacks, a river view, some mud, but over all the first 3.5 miles were fairly flat. Then the hill! The garmin tells me it was a 400-500 foot climb.

I'd been running alone and not liking it much. I was tired and a little bored But as I hit the hill I came up behind 3 other runners and caught up to them. We get chatting (too rocky and steep for running, so we were picking our way up at a fast walk) and I learn that one of the runners was the founder of the DC run!!! WOW! He founded the race in '99 and RD'd for 5 years. I was able to answer most all of my questions and more. They were a great group and as we finished off the last 9-10 miles I learned that they were real ultrarunners! One guy had finished 13 100-mile races, another did international 4-6 day adventure races. Their stories made IMWI seem like child's play. And best of all, they were a positive group. Appreciative of "every day above ground being a good day". At one point facing an optional hill, it was "no guts no glory". (After hearing that I had no choice but to follow them up.)

And what a wonderful run in the end! How amazing to just happen upon 3 guys who let me run with them, and all of them having experience with the DC or similar races. And what a great feeling to just be accepted, sometimes I worry about being the Girl or being too slow or being the drag--but none of that mattered today. It was just run, love the trail, enjoy the day, and have fun.

NUMERICS:

SWIM 0y (not happy with this)

BIKE 29 miles

RUN 43.6 miles