My Trail Racing Experience (2012 Busa Bushwack Trail Race)

Several years ago, I was looking for a different running experience because I had grown tired of road running. My brother who lives out in Santee, CA suggested we try a trail race at Mission Trail Park. It was going to be a 9 miler through the park. I don't remember a lot about that race other than that it was challenging and fun at the same time. I moved out here to Westborough, MA shortly after running that race and never thought about another trail race until 2 months ago when a friend suggested I sign up for the Greater Framingham Running Club's Busa Bushwhack Trail Race.

I thought about it for a few days and then decided to do it. I wanted a different challenge. I had been keeping my mileage up and was feeling well trained to tackle a 10 mile trail race. My friend and I chose to sign up for the 10 mile race rather than the 5.3 miler. I mean…we are seasoned runners. 5.3 miles wouldn't be enough of a challenge. It is amazing what runners will talk themselves into when there is more than one discussing a given race. I figured the distance and the hills on the route wouldn't be impossible to conquer as I had been running hills on my normal training runs. What I didn't think about were the rocks, roots and dead leaves on the trail and how that might affect my speed and well being.

I kept up my training runs on the weeks leading up to the race. I made sure that all of my routes had several difficult hills to simulate the terrain of the upcoming race. I did my speed work as well. So when I arrived at the starting line to begin the race, I felt prepared and excited about the race. I had set absolutely no goal for myself in the race. I wanted to finish and not be bleeding at the end. Plus since it was the first time I was running this race I was assured of a PR. I knew it was going to be a great run.

The first 3/10 of a mile was on a neighborhood street that led to the entrance to the Raymond J Callahan State Park. Callahan State Park is an 820-acre wooded park. It has seven miles of marked trails and is used for activities like fishing, hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. The entrance we were filing through was off of Major Hale Dr. It was so narrow that the runners had to stop and go through the gate single file before heading up the single track trail. It was a little bit of an annoyance but did not really affect anyone's time.

Once I got onto the trail, I started to pick my way past the slower runners and tackled the first of several easy hills. The trail was strewn with rocks, branches, leaf litter and even a few exposed roots. I kept telling myself to pay attention to the ground to avoid tripping and falling. I am glad to say that after 4 miles I had had a couple of stumbles but no wipe outs. Of course as I had that thought my foot clipped a root and I sprawled out onto the trail more embarrassed than hurt. I brushed myself off and started off again telling myself to pay better attention.

 

I was really enjoying the fall leaves (what was left of them) and the solitude of the park. There may have been about 200 runners running the 10 mile route but there were several sections of the race where I was either alone or only in view of 1 or 2 other runners. It was nice to be running a race but having time to get lost in nature and my own thoughts.

 

As I started down a particularly steep hill lost in my thoughts, I noticed my Garmin had loosened on my wrist. I reached over to tighten it when my feet slipped on the leaf litter and down I went again! This time on my butt. My Garmin flew off and I slid about 25 feet down the trail. I gathered myself up and went back up the hill to find my Garmin. I couldn't see it anywhere. Just as I was about to give up a group of runners started down towards me and the lead guy says, "Garmin!” He grabbed it and handed it to me as he went by. I shouted, "Thanks!" He responded, "I should have hit stop so you don't lose time." I chuckled to myself as I headed back down the hill. Now I was bound and determined to not fall again the rest of the way.

 

I only had about 4 miles to go. As I approached the 6 mile point in the race I came upon the toughest hill of the race. Most of the other steep hills, I was able to shorten my stride and keep running. This one was never going to allow me to run any part of it. I tried but ended up walking up it. As I was passing another runner struggling up the hill, she muttered "Who was the sadist that created this route?" I laughed and replied, "I don't know. But we are the masochists who paid to run it!" She didn't even laugh as I crested the hill and left her in her misery.

 

The next couple of miles were mostly downhill and I was really starting to get into a good rhythm. I figured I would be able to get to the flat final portion before we headed back onto Major Hale Drive and really open it up for final push to the finish line. As I reached the level portion of the trail, I started to pick up my pace since I was feeling great. Unfortunately Mother Nature wanted to humble me once more as I clipped a good sized root and was slammed down onto the trail with my right knee hitting a rock with some force. It was really painful as I stood up. Another runner stopped to make sure I was alright. I thanked her and started to walk gingerly down the trail. I was mad at myself for not paying better attention to the trail. I was in pain. Yet, I was determined to run the rest of the way and take my aggravation out on the rest of the trail all the way to the finish line.

 

When I finally emerged from the park onto Major Hale Drive, I picked up speed to the point where I was running at a 7:30 per mile pace. I passed several runners and finally made the turn to the finish line. I crossed it at 1:39:51. My right knee was pretty sore and caused me to limp a little as I headed over to grab some water and a bagel. My time put me 109th out of 166 finishers and 15th out of 19 finishers in my age category (50-59). Not bad considering how many times I crashed and burned along the way and for only my second trail race.

 

I did learn a few things that I will try to remember the next time I run a trail race. Maybe they will help you as well if you decide to take your racing "off-road". They are:

 

1. Wear the Right Running Shoes. I ran in my normal shoes. They worked fine on the leaf litter and packed-dirt path. If I were to make trail running a habit, I might look into trail-running shoes because they provide more protection for my feet.
2. Start Slow. Like any race, I should have started a little slower at the beginning. I think my falls coming later in the race were due to my legs getting fatigued from running on all of the uneven surfaces.
3. Adjust My Stride. The only way to prevent tripping over roots and rocks is to lift my feet — especially my toes — slightly higher than I normally would when running on pavement. 
4. Look Ahead More Often. By looking at the trail about 10 feet ahead I will be able to see the upcoming terrain and avoid any obstacles. Maybe it will allow me to complete the race without falling.
5. Remember that Walking is OK. There are just some hills that are too steep to run. I know that there are experienced trail racers who walk – why can’t I.  

It was really a fun and challenging race. I finished it and despite the final nasty fall I was not bleeding. Mission accomplished! I am planning to add trail races into my running calendar next year. Winter is on its way so the trail running season is effectively over. Spring is only 5 months away and I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities to find a trail race somewhere nearby. If you are in the Framingham area next October, think about joining me for the 2013 Busa Bushwack Trail Race. I will be the guy lying across the trail as you run by.

 

Oct. 1 – 6.10 miles (54:53, 8:57 pace)
Oct. 2 – 3.20 miles (24:24, 7:42 pace) – Speed Work
Oct. 4 – 6.30 miles (50:20, 7:56 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct. 5 – 5.10 miles (43:51, 8:36 pace)
Oct. 6 – 7.20 miles (1:04:49, 8:57 pace)
Oct. 7 – 10.10 miles (1:28:55, 8:49 pace)
Oct. 8 – 6.20 miles (56:32, 9:05 pace)
Oct. 9 – 3.20 miles (23:52, 7:28 pace) – Speed Work
Oct. 11 – 6.20 miles (49:33, 8:00 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct. 12 – 6.20 miles (54:28, 8:57 pace)
Oct. 13 – 11.10 miles (1:37:30, 8:47 pace)
Oct. 14 – 8.20 miles (1:13:08, 8:55 pace)
Oct. 15 – 6.20 miles (58:13, 9:23 pace)
Oct. 16 – 3.20 miles (23:56, 7:29 pace) – Speed Work
Oct. 18 – 6.20 miles (49:30, 7:59 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct. 20 – 4.80 miles – Mt. Greylock Backpack
Oct. 21 – 3.40 miles – Mt. Greylock Backpack
Oct. 22 – 6.20 miles (58:54, 9:30 pace)
Oct. 23 – 3.20 miles (23:56, 7:29 pace) – Speed Work
Oct. 25 – 6.20 miles (49:30, 8:00 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct. 26 – 3.50 miles (32:27, 9:17 pace)
Oct. 28 – 10.00 miles (1:39:51, 9:59 pace) – Busa Bushwhack Trail Race
Oct. 29 – 4.20 miles (38:36, 9:14 pace)
Nov. 1 – 6.20 miles (56:21, 9:05 pace)
Nov. 2 – 6.50 miles (58:58, 8:57 pace)
Nov. 3 – 8.10 miles (1:09:10, 8:32 pace)
Nov. 4 – 10.20 miles (1:29:34, 8:47 pace)

Total Miles: 167.2 miles
2012 YTD Miles: 1,264.3 miles