New to Trail Running

As I rounded the bend of the highest part of the Timp Half Marathon this last Saturday, Kristy and I paused for a moment to take a picture of the breathtaking view. Were were about ¾ of the way through and, as the hardest part of the race was over, I made some very serious realizations about myself and running; I love running and I don't think I could ever live without it.

I didn't always like running. In fact, I hated it. I was once the guy who said “I only run if I am being chased by a dog” or “You ran 26 miles on purpose?” Now I'm the guy who says “No, I ran 26.2 miles on purpose!"

I remember the first time I went out running in my adult age (being over the age of 21 and running from dogs doesn't count). I was 27 years old and getting ready to go into the Army, so I had to run. I made it about four times around the local high school track and I thought I was going to DIE! My lungs hurt and my heart raced. I didn't think I could ever get fit. While I was in basic training, I finally got to the point were I could pass the 2-mile run with a pace of 7:15 per mile. That would be the best time I would ever hit in my 5-year Army career.

Throughout my military service, I still hated running. I looked forward to the times were we would do a quick 3-mile run and on the long run days, I would finish a 6-miler with absolutely no energy left for the rest of the day. Needless to say, my fitness level and health went downhill fast after I got out of the military at the end of 2003.

Between 2004 and 2006, we lived with my wife's uncle, Don, while I finished school. I would run the occasional 5K with Don and his son, Mike, but I pretty much kept my training to 3 miles or less.

At the beginning of 2008, Don asked me to join his 12-man team for the Ragnar Series in the Wasatch Back Relay. I knew I wanted to get back in shape so I accepted the challenge and started to run a little more often. I weighed in at 220 lbs (5'11'') which was my all-time heaviest weight to date.

The Ragnar relay was grueling. My first leg was a 4 miler in the heat of the afternoon and I thought I was going to melt. My second leg was around 6 miles at 2:00 in the morning. The third was a 3 miler with a 1600 foot elevation gain. I walked that entire huggin' leg. I was more or less in agony that entire time. But then something happened as our team crossed the finish line together. Something I never had imaged could ever happen within me. I got hooked! Absolutely, without a doubt, 100% hooked on running. It was a feeling that can only be described by experiencing it. I was in love with running.

After a lot of hard work and a loss of 50 lbs, I reached my goal of running a full marathon in Tacoma on May 1 of this year (2011) with a decent time of 4 hours 4 minutes.

And now I can't stop! This last weekend, a good friend from Colorado visited us. She was visiting family and running a half marathon. Kristy and I both decided to join her for the run. It was the first trail run we had ever done.

I usually run a little faster than Kristy, but since it was my first trail run, I decided to take it easy and run it with her.

So as we made our decent after hitting the highest part of the run; it was exhilarating. I realized some things that would, once again, remind me of why I love running so much and give me a new, refreshing outlook on the sport.

One. I was really loving this new type of running and new experience. When you feel like you're getting in a rut in life, it's such a great thing to mix things up and try something new. I am a new trail runner and hope I can continue to be and reach new goals in future races.

Two. I have come a long way. Wow, I can remember, not long ago, how 3 miles felt like forever. I used to whine when Kristy and I would go out for a long 5-mile run on Saturdays. Now I feel like I get totally jipped if I don't at least go 6 miles on my short runs.

Three. My wife and dearest best friend of the past almost 22 years was running with me that day on terrain that we were both new to. She was there to experience this with me and we had such a great day being there together, at each others side...enjoying the outdoors and being alive. Feeling alive! I sure do love her!

I am not writing this today to brag. I am not very fast nor do I run ultra marathons...yet :) But rather, I write this to inspire others to do the same. I don't have very many friends...in reality or on Facebook, but I still have had people come to me and tell me that I have inspired them to run...even if it's just a little. That is a big reward to me and I hope I can continue to inspire others.

I am forty years old and I am more fit than I have ever been and I don't plan on stopping. At one time I could barely run one mile. I broke my Army 2-mile time a few weeks ago (6:47 pace), I can pick up and do a half marathon any time, and a full marathon with some continued training, without any problems. If I can do it, then so can YOU!

I thank all of those who have inspired and supported me...especially Kristy and my 5 beautiful kids.

I run for many reasons. Great health benefits, weight maintenance side effects, cool shoes, and one of the only things I can do that I have full control of in my life. But, if you were to ask me why I run, I would tell you...because it makes me feel like I'm on top of the world.

-Tracey Lee
Forty + Runner