#2 of 13 in 2013 Trail Races || Caesar Creek State Park Recap

13 in 2013, 2013 Goals, 2013 Race Recaps, Fit Gear, Goals, natural running, Newton Running, Running, Trail RunningFebruary 11, 2013Comments: 33

Topo Adventure Sports Trail Series

Saturday, February 9, 2013
Caesar Creek State Park (Topo Trail Run Series)
Waynesville, OH
Weather – upper 20s with beautiful blue skies
Distance: 6 miles
Finish Time: 1:12:55

My goal for this race was to find a pace that I could run consistently including uphill. I remember thinking about my pace and being ok with this is my pace for now. Run a little faster with each race and I’ll be happy. Basically I told myself to stop comparing myself to the other runners and start comparing my progress to my progress.

Have you ever had words said by a stranger that just made your day? At the turnaround I recognized one of the runners. She was a runner that I had seen over the past 2 years at trail races that Chad and/or I had run. I knew her name and that she has run something like 75 ultras. Amazing! As I turned around to head back to the finish (and before she continued the longer distance) she yelled,

“You would make a great ultrarunner! Your pace and stride are great!”

Seriously? She made my day and I told her so. She had no idea I was training for my first 50 miler. Needless to say I thought about what she said and smiled the rest of the run

Although blurry, and with the exception of the closed eyes, the look on my face shows exactly how I feel when running on trails.

Love my new trail shoes! Newtons did not disappoint!

How could you not enjoy a run on a day like this!

After the finish Chad and I joked that the banner on the fence was the expo. Gotta love no frills racing.

Run date.

Next race in less than 3 weeks!Think my luck can hold out for another beautiful day? I’m 2 for 2!

Who else raced this past weekend? Do you have a race coming up soon?

Tagged: 13 in 2013, 2013 Goals, 2013 Race Recaps, fit gear, goals, natural running, Newton Running, running, trail running

Comments: 33

Katie Hearn February 11, 2013 at 7:24 pm Reply

Wow! Looks like a beautiful run! More power to you for training for an ultra! I am in the midst of training for my first full right now. You can read about the horrible run I had this weekend on my latest post–I’ll spare you the details right now, lol.
Katie Hearn recently posted..Mile Marker 22: Love/Hate
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 3:58 am Reply
  
  Thanks Katie! Sometimes I can’t believe I think I’m going to run 50 miles. Yikes! off to find out about your “horrible” run. We’ve all been there
  jillconyers recently posted..13 in 2013 || Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Giveaway
Christine February 11, 2013 at 7:47 pm Reply

You look so happy!! I”m glad you are feeling better and enjoying running!!
Christine recently posted..My first DNF
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 3:58 am Reply
  
  Thanks Christine
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Tina@GottaRunNow February 11, 2013 at 9:49 pm Reply

What a great trail race time! I love it when other runners are so encouraging!
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 4:00 am Reply
  
  Thanks Tina! Trail runners are exceptional with encouragement and support
  jillconyers recently posted..13 in 2013 || Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Giveaway
Sherry February 12, 2013 at 1:41 am Reply

That looks like a beautiful place, and beautiful weather too! What an awesome compliment by the other runner – especially going into your ultra year!
My next (2/13) trail race is in a couple of weeks – a rocky sandy coastal run!
Sherry recently posted..Heeding Alberto’s Advice
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 4:01 am Reply
  
  A coastal run sounds amazing! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
  jillconyers recently posted..13 in 2013 || Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Giveaway
Andrea February 12, 2013 at 6:01 am Reply

Those pictures are gorgeous!! It looks beautiful!!
Andrea recently posted..First Day Of Anesthesia
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 4:02 am Reply
  
  It was more beautiful than I had hoped for a winter run! No gray skies! Woohoo!
  jillconyers recently posted..13 in 2013 || Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Giveaway
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama February 12, 2013 at 7:28 am Reply

Well done! I love the compliment…would definitely make me smile for days.

BTW – super jealous of your trail. Looks beautiful!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Why I Love Running
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 4:04 am Reply
  
  Thanks Angela! It did and still does when I think about it I have a love-hate relationship with Caesar Creek Park. The trails are beautiful for running but they’re also the most difficult.
  jillconyers recently posted..13 in 2013 || Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Giveaway
Heather February 12, 2013 at 8:29 am Reply

What a great run – and I love it when random strangers throw compliments like that. I can exactly imagine the glow it left on your face
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 4:05 am Reply
  
  Thanks Heather! There is just something about trail runners that make them exceptional at encouragement and support
  jillconyers recently posted..13 in 2013 || Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Giveaway
courtney February 12, 2013 at 9:09 am Reply

great job jill and what a wonderful compliment! congrats on a great race!
courtney recently posted..hello marathon hunger… aka holy crap i’m hungry
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 4:06 am Reply
  
  Thanks Courtney! Lov the title of your recent post. Off to check it out
  jillconyers recently posted..13 in 2013 || Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Giveaway
misszippy February 12, 2013 at 9:30 am Reply

Sounds like a great day out there for you. Awesome complement and it sounds like it came from someone who knows!

I did 20k of trails this past weekend as part of a 50k relay. The conditions were bone dry, so the going was quite easy out there. So much fun, and yes, it made me anxious for my fall 50k!
misszippy recently posted..Post-run slug
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 4:10 am Reply
  
  It was awesome! Nice job on the 20K. Chad and I are doing another 12-hour relay this summer.
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Heather (Where's the Beach) February 12, 2013 at 9:31 am Reply

Way to go on that run! My running partner wants to try a trail race. I think I’m far too klutzy LOL.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Impromptu Virtual Race – Kyle’s Krusade 5k
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 5:11 am Reply
  
  Thanks ! You should try a trail run Heather! I bet you will like it and it’s a great way to break up training. Let me know if you do and what you think
  jillconyers recently posted..13 in 2013 || Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Giveaway
beka @ rebecca roams February 12, 2013 at 9:51 am Reply

It looks so chilly! Congrats on a great run! I’m glad you like your Newtons. I just picked up a pair last weekend and will begin transitioning into them. I’m excited!
Ran RockNRoll St Pete this past weekend and still trying to debate on which race to do in March. Three on the same day to pick from!
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- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 5:15 am Reply
  
  Congrats on RnR St Pete! One word of advice even though you didn’t ask for it be patient with the transition. It’s very gradual to stay injury free. Do you have the Natural Running book by Abshire (sp?)? If you do, consistently use the form drills and strength drills as part of your transition.
  
  Three races to pick from is a good problem to have
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Kierston February 12, 2013 at 10:01 am Reply

Actually, I do!!!
Kierston recently posted..The Ontario Championships: The Prep has Begun…
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 7:06 am Reply
  
  You do? Have a race? When?
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Mindy @ Road Runner Girl February 12, 2013 at 3:05 pm Reply

Great job Jill! That scenery is amazing!!!! Gorgeous!!!
Mindy @ Road Runner Girl recently posted..Sole2Soul Sweetheart Scoot!
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 7:06 am Reply
  
  Thanks Mindy! It was amazing
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Jen February 12, 2013 at 5:11 pm Reply

Great race Jill
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- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 7:06 am Reply
  
  Thanks Jen!
  jillconyers recently posted..13 in 2013 || Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Giveaway
Sarah M February 12, 2013 at 8:22 pm Reply

A train run (not race) is on my bucket list for this year, hoping to try it out in April. If I don’t have trail shoes, can I just run in my every day running shoes?
Sarah M recently posted..Killer workouts!
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 7:11 am Reply
  
  Hi Sarah. Until this last race I wore my regular running shoes and it worked fine but the trail shoes made a huge difference. See if you like trails and if you do and want to run them again I would invest in the shoes.
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Jody - Fit at 55 February 12, 2013 at 9:46 pm Reply

Amazing! You are amazing! Love the pics & that encouragement – how cool is that!!!
Jody – Fit at 55 recently posted..Gratitude Monday & a Healthy Heart!
- jillconyers February 13, 2013 at 7:07 am Reply
  
  Thanks Jody!
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Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More February 13, 2013 at 9:56 am Reply

Nice trail run! And I like your new shoes, too.

I ran a 5K as my #1 of 13 in 2013 this past weekend. New PR for me! It was also my daughter’s first race and she won her age division!
http://whinelessbreathemore.com/2013/02/09/will-run-for-cupcakes/
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