Mike and I drove about 55 minutes north to the Virgil state forest lands to participate in the Forest Frolic Trail Run! My cousin Jason told me that he and his wife, Pam, were going to run this and Mike and I thought ‘why the heck not?!’ There were two race options: a 7K or 15K. Prior to the race, we planned on running the shorter distance, but we changed our minds about 15 minutes before go-time! We wanted to challenge ourselves and it proved to be quite the challenge! This was our first race and second run of any kind since the half-marathon two weeks ago so I didn’t have high expectations for myself going into it.
The plan was for me and Mike to run together the first couple of miles, but Mike was already way ahead of me within the first 30 seconds haha! I wasn’t too bummed about it because I do not think I would have been able to keep up with him for too long on a trail like this. I do know one thing: I do not like runners barreling down behind me. I felt like people were about to run into me (literally) and I would be rolling down the hill in no time. I will definitely start further back in the future.
About 0.7 miles into the race, those running the 7K turned right and those running the 15K could either go straight or left. Mike and I chose left, the more popular choice. The course was extremely tough. I walked a good portion of the 9.3 mile course, it was a never-ending course. Despite walking more that I had hoped to, I finished strong so I’m a happy camper! 
Official times have not been posted, but I think my time was around 2:03. Mike took a wrong turn about halfway into the race and eventually had to get a 10-minute car ride from a kind gentlemen near the base of Greek Peak. He was on the wrong side of the mountain for quite a while, but he enjoyed the scenery along the way! Gotta love his positive attitude! I would do this course again, but I want to feel more comfortable dodging roots, rocks, trees, etc. Mike and I have already discussed incorporating trail runs into our training programs, which will also undoubtedly benefit us in our road races.
We joined Jason, Pam, and their friend at the King Ferry Winery for a tasting then grabbed some food at Ithaca’s Scale House Brewery and Pub. We were all starving since we ate very little immediately after the race. It felt so good to get some carbs in me!
