Thriller in Schiller Race Report

A few weeks ago I was lucky, which is rare, and won a free race entry from Kim's blog into the Thriller in Schiller trail 5k race.  Having never been to Schiller Park, I didn't exactly know what kind of trail to expect.  I've learned that the word "trail" has many different varieties.

When I got to the park, I picked up my bib and then casually talked to another runner about the course. Was it technical?  Single track?  I was told that there would be a creek crossing, over a mile of single track trail, and many trees to hop over/duck under.  After getting back to my car, I decided to wear my friend's trail shoes that she lent me the night before.  I hadn't ever worn them, or even the brand (they were Asics, and I wear Newton most of the time, but also run in Saucony and Mizuno shoes occasionally).  I had one goal for this race: run under 31 minutes, or under a 10:00 mile pace.  

As we were called over to the start line, I looked around and decided to line up in about the third row.  I'm glad I did, because after the director said "go" there was a sharp right turn immediately, followed by the creek crossing.

Thinking, "How do I get across?"

Hmm....I hope this works

These were some of the guys near the front crossing.  I wasn't too far behind the guy in hot pink.

It was harder to get up the bank after the creek crossing than I anticipated.

After the creek crossing, we looped back around to a long section of single track trail.  There were some trees to jump over, and duck under, in this section.  I got behind a guy going slower than I wanted to go, but couldn't pass him.  I was finally able to scoot around him around around the 1 mile mark.  

I felt like I was doing an obstacle course instead of racing.

After the first mile was over, I was finally able to get into a nice groove.  We ran on a path, and not single track trail, which was nice.  I was able to pass some people.  After mile 2, we were back on the single track trail, except this time I had passed enough people that I didn't have any issues.  There was a guy in my sight that led the way for me so I knew which way to run.  We didn't have to cross the creek a second time, but just looped around to the finish.  

According to my Garmin, I finished in 23:33.  According to the clock that was placed on the ground when I crossed, I ran a 23:43.  According to website, I ran a 23:07.  I finished 2nd female overall, but the results say 3rd.  However, I could care less.  This race was for fun.  I had a lot of fun, and can foresee trail races like this in my future.