Story
Another technical trail course today after yesterday’s Lime Hollow, which meant my legs were a bit tired 
.
My A goal: finish without getting hurt. B goal: run hard. C goal: find blueberries!
Well, read on to see how I did.
This was my ninth course and I had the most trepidation heading in because I heard it was a doozy.
The mud was consistently 4-6” thick, there were literally thousands of rocks, roots, and divots along the path, and by late summer, the trails were at times so overgrown they were near impossible to spot or push through (read: waist-high grasses and brambles).
However, it was perfectly meditative to concentrate on one step after the next. And the wildlife did not disappoint!
These cow friends were nearly blocking the path, and as I ran past, one led a stampede down the hill. Exciting and terrifying!
The mud was so deep there were literally pools within it containing frogs!
Farther down, it housed a toad:
Not pictured: a small garter snake that slithered under a bush when I got close.
The trail names were entertaining (especially hearing the RunGo voice lady say them). I used to live in the “South Slope” neighborhood in Brooklyn, so seeing this trail sign brought me back.
As for the C goal, I found wild blackberries in the first couple of miles.
It wasn’t until halfway that I found an area with low bushes and some (unripe) blueberries. Does it count if I didn’t get to eat them?
I also saw these nuts (?) strewn around the forest floor and would love it if some Challenger helped ID them!
The views were epic, especially in the long field near the end (mile 7 I think?)
As for my B goal: I ran as hard as my tired legs could carry me, and felt good about the effort.
And my C goal….I anticipated mud, so I took a “before” shot of my legs and shoes.
By mile 8.25, with a quarter of a mile to go, my legs weren’t looking too bad, but my shoes were definitely caked in many layers of mud. However, my poor tired legs couldn’t clear another root, and I went flying face first into some fantastic mud.
So the “after” shot does not even capture the full scope of mud (I.e. the entire front of my body, including arms and hands).
However, I don’t think any major damage was done aside from a little scrape to one knee.
Gonna call that a win!
The best part, however, was running into @tonya-engst and @adamengst at Cinemapolis and recapping the whole adventure before the Barbie movie started! (And Everyone must see this film).
But since my first year in the challenge I fell more like 2x/course I’m very happy to take 2x total!
Last course Done! 
Well everything really 
)
