What better way to celebrate and honor our nation’s Veterans than to participate in a charity run for The Wounded Warrior foundation. This small, low key race is put on every year by Metro Run Walk at Burke Lake Park in Virginia.
Burke Lake, VA is just gorgeous this time of year with the changing leaves and beautiful views on a sunny November day. When I heard about this race being held on a Tuesday at 11 am for a great cause, I was all in. Love a weekday race when the kids have school and an 11 start time is a definite plus. The race double loops around the lake on shaded trails. I am not really much of a trail runner unfortunately. But these views cannot be beat.
Our day started off with a multi chapter meet up with some other MRTT mamas. We have such a huge presence in Virginia and I always love to meet new friends at races.
This was a small, maybe 150 runners very low key race. My friend, Alexandra (still in her post MCM recovery) agreed to forgo her usual speedy pace and run with me. We don’t have a chance to run at the same pace too often so it was nice to chat with her while running. We decided to just treat it as a training run and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. We stopped a few times to take some running selfies.
This is one of my favorite pics-note the matching Skirt Sports outfits. Cute huh?
I was a bit hesitant as I never run on trails. This time of year, the leaves are everywhere and it is hard to see where you are stepping and what may be underneath. All was going well until about mile 5 when I tripped over a root or branch or something and fell. I twisted my ankle a bit and cut up both of my palms. I was glad Alexandra was with me and I walked it off for a few minutes and ran back the last almost 2 miles to the finish. It was sore but runnable. I will spare you the pics but apparently I wasn’t the only one. When we arrived at the finish, we found our friend Cynthia all cut up and bleeding as well. She also fell and broke her phone. There were 4 or 5 others waiting in line for first aid. By the looks of them, I faired the best.
In retrospect, I probably should have gotten a pair of trail running shoes or just stayed away from the trail all together. It’s a shame because it really is such a beautiful venue this time of year and a very well put together hometown race for a great charity.
A little ice and rest and I will ok. This has certainly been my year of running injuries! So looking forward to 2015. I think I will stay away from the trail runs for a while.
Did you do anything special for Veteran’s Day? Trail Runs-love ’em or hate ’em?
So sorry to here that you were injured! I love running Burke Lake and wish I was there to do the race on Veteran’s Day. I usually run it in summer when you can clearly see the ground, but I’d imagine it’s much harder with all the leaves. Get well soon!
Thanks! I’m ok today I am just not used to running on trails. It is really hard to see what is underneath with all of the leaves. It is a beautiful place to run though. The race was for a great cause.Thanks for stopping by!
ooooof recover quickly! That is part of the reason that I am not so interested in trail running–I am terrified of falling!
Uh me too! Beautiful place I think next time I will just go for a walk there instead 🙂
oh so sad about your not so fabulous trailrun! At this point I don’t think I’ll ever go back to pavement #trailrunforfun
I should go with you next time! I’m such a Klutz 🙂
I am not a fan of trails either. I have done one race on a trail and had a terrible time. And one run with friends on a trail which left my knees and hands bloody from a fall. Nope, not for me either! Sorry you got hurt. Here is to a quick recovery.
Well glad i am not the only one! It’s a lot harder too bc I felt like I had to lift my legs up higher. I am doing much better today and hope to head out for slow run and test it out
Heal quickly! Trail running is not my cup of tea, either. I’m too injury prone!
I know seriously! Beautiful place but next time I think I would just walk it bc it is for a good cause
I’ve run on a few trails but never raced. I want to change that but I’m so accident-prone, I’m afraid I might not make it out in one piece. Or two.
Uh I hear you!
Oh no!!! What a bummer!!! Trails are so much fun until you fall. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Cute skirt too 🙂
Doing much better today thanks! Will stay away from the trails from now on. I love the skirt 🙂
Oh no! So sorry you fell and twisted your ankle, that’s terrible!!! I did go trail running over the summer a handful of times and really enjoyed it but the leaves would definitely be a safety hazard especially if you can’t see the ground. Hope your injury and your friend’s injuries heal quickly!
We are both doing much better today thanks! The leaves are very beautiful but very dangerous
Trail running is fun but it is very mental for me. I would rather trail run while training not racing. Hate you twisted your ankle:(
I know I really wanted to like it. With all of the leaves it was beautiful but dangerous
Aww bummer, I’m sorry you fell! There is certainly an “art” to trail running. When I first started, I hated it too, and fell ALL OF THE TIME! Now, I dread PAVEMENT runs! The trails are just so beautiful, so freeing! And running on trails has made me significantly faster on pavement 🙂 Don’t give up yet!
They are so beautiful! I think you are braver than I am
Oh no!! I hope that you’re feeling better. I was actually just thinking about this the other morning because there are so many leaves on the road in the park where I run and it’s slippery!! I can imagine how tricky it would be to run a trail race in the late fall with so much of the ground covered. Feel better!
Doing much better today thanks! I think trail shoes would have helped a lot.
I would love to try one! and definitely at a slow pace. I am sure if there was a hole I would find it! Looks like the park was beautiful though! and a nice day to get out with the running friends 🙂
The park was beautiful and it was an amazingly warm day. Perhaps another time of year when the leaves weren’t down it would be safer
So sorry to hear about your spill! I am not much of a trail runner. It sounds like it was beautiful.
Nor am I obviously! I am doing much better today thanks
I’ve done some runs on trails as training runs and those were fun because I just took it at my own, cautious speed. I’ve never done a trail race and I think I would be worried about it. I hope the foot is better soon!
Dong much better today thanks! It can be dangerous on the trails if you don’t know what is underneath the leaves
I am glad to hear you are not seriously hurt! Trail falls are the worse no matter what speed you are going.
I was surprised by how much it hurt! Doing much better today
Sorry to hear about your experience with the trail run. Good thing your friend was w you. I am so hesitant when it comes to running on trails for that reason. And this time especially with all the leaves and acorns falling.
It was probably not my smartest move! Doing better today though
I have mixed feelings about trail runs because I usually do wind up pretty banged up. Both with cuts and bruises and soreness that lingers from using different muscles. But, there is a lot I love about trails too so I’m torn!
Ha and I thought it was just me!!
I’ve never tried a trail race before, but I did go for that run in Balboa Park. I’m sorry I missed the nice weather here this week!
It was gorgeous while it lasted 🙂
I am a total trail running enthusiast! Sounds like this was such a nice run. Love your Skirt Sports Gear by the way! Sorry you feel and twisted your ankle . . . trail running in the fall can definitely be treacherous.
Well next time I will have to take you with me! I’m loving the new SS gear too!
Ouch! It’s so pretty out there, but I’m sorry you fell. I’ve run trails a few times, but I always feel like I’m going to twist an ankle the wrong way. I hope you’re feeling better today!
uh yup me too! I think I will stay away from those for a while 🙂
What a bummer. I love trail running. I do agree that it does take some getting used to because it is different than road running. 🙂
Ha it sure is! Perhaps at another time of year when the leaves aren’t so prevalent
So sorry to hear about your fall. I enjoy trail running, but the trail I run on is pretty wide and clear of leaves so I don’t have a problem right now. The lake looks pretty!
It was beautiful just a little treacherous. For now I think I’m sticking to the bike trails
Love love trail runs! I tried everything I could think of to get a MRTT group started. #epicfail haha
So sorry you fell.
Really I can’t believe you couldn’t get a group started?! It’s really popular here and such a great support system. I think I will be staying away from trail runs for a while 🙂