Trail Running
 

Okay, I need exercise. If I don't work out I get depressed, fat, and say mean things to tw. I can't ride with brokey arm. I won't run on the road, wrestling and soccer training took the fun out of that and it hurts. I took a jog with lil Griff on my mtn bike trail last week and found it enjoyable. So tonight I "ran" my bike loop and it really felt goooood. Lots of nature to look at, a good sweat, and got the blood flowing. So do any of you folks run x-country?

I would love to Griff, but the kids are still a bit too little. We speed-walk trails, occasionally jogging for short bits, about 5X a week though. We have a state park nearby with an awsome trail system and I'm really enjoying it.

My cross country race is tomorrow, I am PUMPED! I'll post before and after pics of me and my pal. My goal? To see how dirty I can get, and not hurt myself in the process. Here is the poster of last years run:

I love to "scramble" across country, and versus street running, I would say the difference is somewhat like the difference between lifting free weights versus lifting on machines, IE more whole-body involvement with balancing muscles, etc. and more tactile feedback. The immersion in nature also makes it a spiritual-type experience, in my opinion. Enjoy!

Yay! Run for fun!

The guy in the red hat is asking for a sprained ankle or broken leg. :eek:

I love trail running - keeps your ankles strong, faar far more interesting than road running and a better workout, IMO.

labrat, when I saw that link you posted a while back (to that farmland x-c race, whatever it's called), I was really jealous! Not too much x-c running going on in Taiwan, despite some awesome terrain.

xob, the guy jumping has the right idea. Who are those panzies sliding on their asses? Wimps.

OK!! here are the pictures fellow trail runners! It was such a blast. Everyone was in such a good mood. Tons of people were dressed up in costumes...it was a riot!!

Unfortunately my 'el chepo disposable camera didn't take the greatest pictures. As the run went on, the pictures get foggier and foggier because I was carrying it in my pocket. It must have been hot and steamy in there, cuz the pics look like it was foggy but it's just rat sweat steaming up the inside of the camera!! TMI???

Here is Stimpy and I before: Damn I'm short.

Santa was there with all of his reindeer. They actually run the whole 7 miles attached to one another. Unfortunately we didn't see them during the run. But, with 5500 (!) runners, I can see why.

Blue man group made an appearance. We did see them along they way.

This guy, affectiontely called "The Indian" apparently does this annually. You can't see it but he is barefoot! We saw him again at the end by the donuts. He was COVERED in goosebumps. Apparently whatever he had in that mug had worn off.

This one's kind of bad cuz it was taken on the run, but there are people as far as the eye can see around this field. Notice the chick dressed as a Christmas tree in the corner?

For the creek crossings, there was usually a hard way:

Or an easy way.

The first hill that took all 4 limbs to conquer: