Dirt Inspires Women – My First and Only Trail Half Marathon – Throw Back Thursday 

I was delighted when “On This Day” showed me what I was doing 8 years ago on yesterday’s date. It was the day of my first, and only, trail half marathon, Dirt Inspires Women. I was very intrigued by a few parts of the event, that it was a women’s only event, that it was on a trail – most of my training and all of my races to that date had been on roads and similar materials and that it was the inagural event for the race which was held in Aptos. So, even though I went in kind of blind in that I really did very little trail running at all for it, I was excited to participate in this event.

The only photos I have of this event were taken on my phone. I know I look very red in the photo and this definitely is something that happens to me when I work out, so much so that I have to warn exercise instructors so they don’t think there is a problem when I am working out at high intensities. To my left is a trail marker, letting me know I am on the right course for the race.

I was so glad there were trail markers as so very much of the course looked similar to other parts of it, as well as parts of the woods that were not part of the course at all.

As the race continued, I joked with myself that I would fall into a creek. I didn’t, even though there were two little creeks like this. There were spotters around to help make sure everyone got across ok, I did not take any photos of the spotters, but now wish I had as they were so helpful.

I am not a fast runner, and certainly was not then. I literally was one of the last 10 people to finish the race, yet finish I did. Afterward I got a medal which instead of taking a photo with me wearing it, I put on my friend, Brad’s dog, Riley. Brad was kind enough to let me hang out with him for a few hours recovering and Riley has no idea why she was wearing a medal.

During the race I decided trails were not for me, and I’ve never done even another short trail race. When researching this event, I was able to find some mention of it from 2014, but it appears it was not run that year, either. It was great to be part of this event, even if it did not continue far into the future.

~ Danielle