My ego is not as soft as my…

Cleveland has seen some really cold temperatures so far in 2013. We had a few days in a row with temperatures in the teens and the ground is still snow covered. I mentioned before that despite the cold, the Sunday morning trail group has kept decent attendance. I guess some runners are just crazier than others.

This weekend, the Sunday morning trail group joined forces with my running group, NEO Fit, for a trail run on Saturday rather than Sunday. With a trail race scheduled for Sunday, it made sense to shift the trail group to Saturday incase runners wanted to participate in Sunday’s event.

Brave runners met at Happy Days in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park for a chance to run on a portion of the Fools Run course slated for April. The course can be a little difficult so it made sense for everyone to get a peek at it a few times before race day.

The temperature when I arrived at Happy Days at 8am on Saturday morning was 25 degrees. Not the coldest I have ever run in, but certainly not a favorable temperature. The main issue I was concerned about was icy, snowy trails. But I guess if there were no water hazards to sprint though, I would be good to go. Unless you can find a log to cross, there is nothing worse than wet feet on a cold and snowy run.

For as cold as it was I was feeling pretty good on this run. But only a mile or two in I slipped on some ice. I felt myself losing my balance and went down on one knee Tim Tebow style and caught myself. I’ve tripped on roots and rocks and have come pretty close to falling. But I have never actually fallen on the trail. I’ve been pretty lucky so far.

The group hit the Ledges after Boston Run and it has to be one of the prettiest trails. Even more so with the snow on the ground and icicles hanging from the ledges.

It was a much larger group for “my paced” runners which was nice. It’s so much better when you have company. It was a good opportunity to catch up with the girls I run with all summer but see less during the chilly months. If we saw to much separation in the group, we would all meet up at the next crossing and take a breather. Not the fastest way to finish a run, especially when it’s that cold out, but it’s best to stick together.

The matching pink coat and hat was unintentional. I just so happen to have a pink Brooks winter running jacket and a pink winter hat. I swear.

I’m glad we were in a group for this run. As we headed down hill I slipped on some more ice. I felt myself starting to lose my footing but then thought I would be fine. But in the same second my other foot slipped and my leg folded under me and I hit the ground. It took me by surprise but I was ok. I did toss my water bottle about 5 feet though. I’m just glad I didn’t slide all the way down the hill.

I got right back up and we continued the run. My first ever trail fall. I couldn’t decide if it made me more or less of a badass. I mean, if I am going to fall on the trail and get banged up, I want to trip on a root into some mud. Not slip on some ice. Anyone can slip on ice. Hell, I did it in a parking lot a few weeks ago.

 

We could not have been but a half a mile from my fall when I slipped on some more ice. There was no wobbling and trying to catch myself. I slipped and that was it. My feet slipped out in front of me and I was laid out on my back. I hit the ice hard, turing slightly onto my right side catching my arm.

I started to get up for a second before just laying back down in the snow. “Are you ok!?” Someone called out to me. I was startled for a brief moment and started to laugh. Apparently, my ego is not as soft as my ass is.

I did not complete the full 12 miles that day. My arm was sore and is even more achy today. Instead, the group went to breakfast before heading out to our fav running store where I stocked up on SmartWool socks and a pair of Yaktrax type pull ons for my shoes. They were 40 bucks, but are going to be totally worth not having to fight anymore ice this winter.

Ever taken a spill on the trail or on any run? Or do you completely avoid the trails during icy weather? I won’t lie, I was a little shaken, I don’t want to bruise my arm – or my ass – like that again.