Fitness Friday || Devou Park Trail Run Recap

#FitFluential, 13 in 2013, 2013 Goals, 2013 Race Recaps, Blog Hop, Challenge, Fit Approach, Fit Gear, Fitness Friday Blog Hop, Girls Gone Sporty, Goals, Newton Running, Running, Sweat Pink, Trail RunningFebruary 1, 2013Comments: 49

#1 of 13 in 2013 Trail Races

running the Topo Trail Run Series

Saturday, January 26, 2013
Devou Park (Topo Trail Run Series)
Covington, KY
Weather – 18 with beautiful blue skies
Finish Time: 1:50:09

I think it’s been over a year since I ran on trails. I naively forgot how tough it is. This race was 10 9 miles of what seemed like nothing but switchbacks. The runners in this series are serious trail runners and amazing athletes. They navigate the uneven terrain with such ease. There is a distinct personality difference between trail and road runners. Not that one is better than the other, just different. The support and encouragement of trail runners, even the fast ones, is amazing!

Running 13 in 2013

I couldn’t have asked for better weather in January.

Running 13 in 2013

This was all I needed. I remember a time when it was comical how much stuff I thought I needed to run.

Running 13 in 2013

There was an unusual calm going into this run. I’m sure it has something to do with my mindset when I run trails compared to street races. It helped that the park was beautiful.

Running 13 in 2013

Run date. Even in the cold Chad was ever so patient with my picture taking.

Running 13 in 2013

Trail races have a tendency to be no frills. No “official” start line. No bling. No food or drinks at the finish line. No music. No shirt. No expo. How did they know what distance we were running? A strip of colored tape of course. Admittedly I’m more of an “all the frills” kind of runner but I love being on the trails.

Running 13 in 2013

I didn’t run a PR. I was cold, hungry and seriously needed to stretch. None of that seemed to matter. I can’t put into words how I felt and how much I enjoyed this day. 

Newton Running

If I’m going to run at least 13 trail races this year and training for my 50 miler will be more trails it was time to buy trail shoes. The day after the race the running store was on my to-do list. I love my Newtons for street running so I decided to do the same for trails. I can’t wait to try them out.

Running

Love this :)

How was your first month of 13 in 2013? Do you prefer all the frills racing or no frills? Do you take pictures of running signs or bumper stickers?



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Comments: 49

  1. Sandy Cooper February 1, 2013 at 6:46 am Reply

    Good job Jill! I love how excited you get about the little things surrounding your races.
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  3. Fancy Nancy February 1, 2013 at 7:22 am Reply

    I would love to say that I am not all about the frills but a great goodie bag thrills my heart! I was registering for a race yesterday and it said there was no goodie bag and I will admit I was a little bummed!!! My first month of 13 in 2013 was awesome with 3 virtuals!! Great job on your first trail this year!
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  4. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast February 1, 2013 at 7:41 am Reply

    Congrats on your race! I still have not done a trail race, but it’s on my to do list at some point. I like the simplicity of it, too. Have a great weekend, Jill!
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  5. Angela @ Happy Fit Mama February 1, 2013 at 8:04 am Reply

    Great job! I love the tape markers – definitely no frills. I’m hoping to do a trail race this year. Sounds tough but fun!
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  6. Kat February 1, 2013 at 8:18 am Reply

    Haha a sign for fast runners ;) what a patient hubby, gotta love that they embrace blogger wives ;) … That should be a new reality show…
    Kat recently posted..Ready to be a Warrior!My Profile

  7. Kierston February 1, 2013 at 8:32 am Reply

    I’ve actually never seen a running sign! Next time I see one, I will take a picture of it :)
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  8. Emily February 1, 2013 at 8:32 am Reply

    I’ve never ran a trail race! I know my fiance really wants to though because he’s used to them from CC in high school :) I run my first 13in13 tomorrow!!
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  9. Barb @ A Life in Balance February 1, 2013 at 8:49 am Reply

    I love trail races! Though I’m going to have to live vicariously through you until my ankle heals. Thanks to my stinking cat, I badly sprained my ankle this week.
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  10. Jen February 1, 2013 at 9:44 am Reply

    Congrats on the race :) Love the parking sign!
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  11. Michelle @ Running with Attitude February 1, 2013 at 9:59 am Reply

    Great job Jill! February starts my racing quest for 13 – can’t wait!
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  12. Christine February 1, 2013 at 11:07 am Reply

    Great job on the race! I like the mind set and low frills of the trail races, however I miss my bling!!
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    • jillconyers February 3, 2013 at 4:10 am Reply

      Haha Me too Christine! I mentioned it to Chad after the and he explained to me what running “truly means” and it didn’t include bling! I just laughed and said I still want the medal :)
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  13. Danielle K February 1, 2013 at 12:00 pm Reply

    Great job! I’ve never done a trail run before, but that could be because Orlando doesn’t really have many trails :) I got one race down for 13 in 2013 and it was fun. Can’t wait for my races next month!
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  14. Cecilia @ MommiesRun February 1, 2013 at 12:47 pm Reply

    Good job Jill! I ran my first trail race a couple weeks ago and it was hard! I loved it though! I’ve done one out of my 13 but the numbers are about to pick up quickly in February and march!! I can’t wait!
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  15. RunawayBridalPlanner February 1, 2013 at 2:40 pm Reply

    Congrats on your first race of the year! I love trail running, my favorite one was up in Alaska! As for the frills of racing, sometimes I really like it, and sometimes I could go either way. Guess it all comes down to what they are giving out, LOL – but I do need to watch for cool running signs now!!!!
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  16. Sherry February 1, 2013 at 2:47 pm Reply

    Congratulations on finishing your first trail race for the year Jill, I ran my first in 13 on the same day as you – other side of the world though!
    It is tricky trying to PR on trails as they vary so much, unless you run the exact course it is hard to compare – I’ve decided I’m happy as long as I gave it everything.
    Funnily enough I went shopping for trail shoes after my race too, but came home with a sports bra instead! It is the perfect sports bra for me, so I couldn’t pass it up. Trail shoes can be next week! I’d love to hear what you think of your Newton trail shoes.
    Sherry recently posted..The Tussock Traverse – Race ReportMy Profile

    • jillconyers February 3, 2013 at 4:17 am Reply

      I love the irony that we both ran our first, on trails and on the same day. I admit that I think of PRing on trails but compared to other trail races. When I first started trail running I compared my trail times to my overall best running times streets included. That was a sure way to never PR in trail races. What sports bra did you buy? I’m still looking for the perfect running bra.
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  17. Jody - Fit at 55 February 1, 2013 at 5:48 pm Reply

    That is the funniest sign!!! From what I read on the Hoka site, the ultra & trail people do seem to encourage each other… I would say shoes specific for trails might be in order! ;) Congrats!!!
    Jody – Fit at 55 recently posted..1 Move for Core, Chest, Triceps, Balance & more!My Profile

    • jillconyers February 3, 2013 at 4:19 am Reply

      Thanks Jody. It’s weird. Street runners are nice and whatever but trail runners are super supportive and encouraging. It’s the personality differences and that adds to the fun of running both streets and trails.
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  18. Erik February 1, 2013 at 6:32 pm Reply

    Yay Jill! It’s never too early to play around with nutrition in a race situation for your 50 miler. You said you finished hungry, so next race of around the same distance, or longer, bring something to eat with you to see how it sits!
    I haven’t tried them but I have heard good things about Altras. I hope you review them (are they unisex?).
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    • jillconyers February 3, 2013 at 4:21 am Reply

      Thanks Erik! I definitely still have experimenting to do with fueling during the run. I run in Newtons and love the street shoes. I’m hoping I love the trail shoes just as much. I have tried Altras and didn’t like the fit. On the other hand I know runners that rave about them. Just more of finding what works for you.
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  19. Christine @ Love, Life, Surf February 1, 2013 at 8:55 pm Reply

    Congratulations Jill!! I’ve never run a trail race but sounds like it would be fun. Love that parking sign for fast runners. haha.
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  20. courtney February 1, 2013 at 10:35 pm Reply

    great job! i do love a good trail race!
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  21. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero February 2, 2013 at 8:30 pm Reply

    I finished 2 of my 13 – a half and my first 15K.
    I love trail running, but have never done a trail race and hope to this year. I tend to prefer smaller, local, races most of the time since they are much easier logistically, but love a few big marathons a year.
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  22. Helen @ What Happened Next... February 2, 2013 at 10:00 pm Reply

    Love that sign! Very cool. congrats on your first trail run of the year – you look very happy and ‘glowing’. I won’t be doing any trail runs till the summer – I usually do a couple and I love the different vibe you get at them.
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  24. Travel Spot February 12, 2013 at 9:19 am Reply

    It sounds like this was a great race number one for you. It gave you a good sense of what you are doing right and what you need to work on! I love the trails, love the smaller races, and really, REALLY love the encouragement of the other runners, like you said, even the fast one. You really have to get into a different mindset when you run trails. You have to forget trying to be fast and focus more on endurance. It is a totally different ball game! I am glad you had fun!
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