16 Dreams Come True: #6

Trail running is my favorite type of running.  It is fun to run through the woods, jump across creeks, and get wet and muddy!  Last Saturday we went to the Living History Farms Off-Road (7-mile) Race!  We heard about this one awhile back, and the last two years had considered doing it.  But for one reason or another we didn't.  But this year was to be different!  It sounded so fun that all of my family, except Bethany, signed up.  With over 2,300 runners, the starting line was crowded.  The course was muddy right from the beginning.  It was hard to get started going fast.  The first couple miles were slippery, but otherwise rather tame. Soon though, we came to a big puddle in the road.  I tiptoed across, staying to the side in an effort to not get my feet wet.  Yes, I was successful!  But, the next thing I knew we reached a  creek.  The idea of keeping dry was soon forgotten.  That was the first of many creek crossings.  We went up and down several hills.  We ran through prairie grass and through a harvested soybean field.  I saw one barefoot runner pass me.  I imagine it would be quite a painful experience without shoes, but he seemed to be doing okay.  At the last creek I jumped off the bank and went *splash* into the water.   Wow, it was deeper than I expected.  And the creek bottom was like quick sand!  I struggled out of it, and kept running. I will confess I switched to walking for a minute because of the huge hill after that creek.  After about a mile longer I finally crossed the finish line. I happened to be wearing a pink sweatshirt, and it hadn't escaped the mud.  Someone commented, "That used to be a pink sweatshirt."  And a friend comforted me with, "Well, pink and gray look good together."  With much Tide, however, Mama successfully got it back to being pink again for me.  Hoorah!  Go to this link and search for ROAD-O-CROSS Off Road Race to see some pictures:    http://www.racephotonetwork.com/QPPlus/Proofs.aspx