Cross Country Running? I'll Stick to the Roads

Today Lindsey, Kristin, and I ran in the Dallas Running Club's 6-mile Relay at Norbuck Park. We each ran a 2-mile leg on the grass (muddy grass), up and down hills, jumping over (or running around) hay bales. Our "baton" was a plastic ice cream cone that had a wand and bubbles inside.

Even though it was only two miles - it was hard! First off, really really humid. When you run in humidity, you sweat a lot more than if it was dry out. I'm talking dripping sweat. Give me hotter weather but dry any day. Next, it was muddy. You get used to your feet weighing a certain way. But add a pound of mud to each foot and it's harder to run. Finally, it was hilly. I felt great running up the first hill. I was passing by all these walkers who had run all out and couldn't make it up the hill. Suckers. Until I reached the really really big hill between mile 1 and 1.25. OMIGOSH it was tough. I was one of those who had to walk the last bit up the hill.

Also, because it was "only" 2 miles, I ran at a lot faster pace than I usually do. I was looking at my watch's log today and at one point, I was running a 6:45 mile! I averaged an 11 minute mile (counting the walking time) so I probably ran the race at less than an 11 minute mile - pretty good if you ask me :)

All in all, it was really fun, but I know in my heart, give me asphalt any day over grass.

On to our 13 miler tomorrow!