The Impromptu Trail Marathon RR

A week ago, the Honest Abe Trail Marathon was not on my radar.
Then someone on the Indiana Trail Runners site mentioned that there were still openings for this small event.
It has a limit of 100 spots for either the 14K or the full marathon.

I am still nursing a sore left ankle after my 50-miler in Michigan last month - 4 weeks ago.
I rolled it again twice since then - once really badly.
So I saw the notice - asked Susie about it (she had to work at the library anyway) - and I jumped on it.
I knew it might risky to my ankle, but I optimistically assumed that it would be better by Sunday morning.
And it was . . . somewhat.

The weather was PERFECT - 39 at the start and 61 when I finished.
It had a lot of runnable sections without too many roots.
Then there were semi-frequent climbs - some short and some "notable climbs" as described in the race info.
And they WERE notable and some of them were washed out a little, not smooth - rutted.
That made my ankles work overtime and that is was got me eventually.
I finished the first 9-mile loop in less than 2 hours and I was happy with that - and no ankle rolling!
At the start/finish I debated about going for a second time because my ankle still felt ok.
But off I went and it went well, but by mile 16, the ankle was talking to me and I decided 2 loops would be enough for this day. I walked out the last 2 miles - no power anything.
The second loop ended up being 2.5 hours because of the 2-mile plain walking finish.
I was 30 minutes ahead of the cutoff for the last loop, but reason prevailed!
At mile 7, I passed 1000 miles for the year.

So . . . . I ended up doing 18 miles (the full route would be over 26.2 for sure).
I really attacked the hills with strong power hiking and I did well.
I know I need to continue doing at least 2 runs/hikes on tougher trails each week.
I just have not pushed myself enough and now I will without injuring myself.
Those 18 miles were much tougher than the Indianapolis Monumental last year.
There is just no comparison between a road and trail marathon - different animals.
I now have no real interest in road racing and I love the trails, the sounds, the scenery and the laid back feeling at these events. I have the Knobstone Mini on 10/27 and Tecumseh Trail Marathon on 12/1.
And I might sneak in another mini at the Owen Putnam SF on 11/03 as nice training run.

A nice training 18-mile trail training run in the woods on a beautiful fall morning.
Short video report too:

Nice work, Charles! It was a good idea to not tear yourself up. Heal fast!

My oldest son - 26 - has been teasing me and saying that I DNF everything.
First off, that is not true, but I always have a comeback for him.
I asked him when was the last time he ran 18 miles period, much less a challenging trail.
And I remind him I will be 61 in 11 days!
That soon shuts him up!

I think you did the right thing and congrats for being smart and the good run up til then!

That was pretty gutsy with yuor ankle, so good job in doing what you could, and recognizing when to stop!

charles.moman wrote:My oldest son - 26 - has been teasing me and saying that I DNF everything.
First off, that is not true, but I always have a comeback for him.
I asked him when was the last time he ran 18 miles period, much less a challenging trail.
And I remind him I will be 61 in 11 days!
That soon shuts him up!

Nice.

I knew we would get a video as well I agree I love trails too,just don't love those sneaky roots . You are doing great with your trail running,I see you are doing Tecusemh again I've thought about that one I scared of the hills. Enjoy those trails!!!!!!!!!