Friday's Featured 5K of the Week - MUDDY MONK THRILLER TRAIL RACE

I've done a couple of other Trail Races before, and I'll cover those in later articles.  But this was by far the most difficult and MOST FUN Trail Race I have ever done.

Location : Hammell Woods Forest Preserve, Shorewood, IL
Presented by : Muddy Monk Trail Race Series
Season : Usually around Halloween - costumes encouraged but not required  (fastest costume wins an award)

This course ran very close to the DuPage River - very close.  This was a very challenging course consisting of various terrain and obstacles.  It was a out-and-back course, so every challenge was doubled.  There were at least 2 fallen trees (4) that were blocking that path which required a mid-run leap to clear, there were at least 3 creek crossings (6) that all included a very steep incline and decline into the creek of at least 6 feet on either side.  Jumping the creek was not really an option, except for maybe someone with claws.  There was a long open field at the start (and end), there was some paved paths (very very few), the ground was leaf covered 100% of the way (except in the field), some of the path was 2-3 wide - most of it was 1 wide.  Passing was necessary, especially when people were on the way back - which made for a challenge.  Part of a trail race is timing your passes I have learned.  There were rocks, and branches, and there was some mud, but the mud was not that bad.  There were hills that you didn't even notice until you were halfway up - these led to some high speed downhills on tricky terrain, as well!  There was one 120 degree turn around a tree, single wide path, and I swear if you slipped off the path, you were sliding a good 20 feet to see the river up close.  The out part was challenging - coming back with tired legs - even more challenging.  The uphills at the creek crossing were much more difficult on the way back.

If that sounds fun - you are a trail runner!  And it was fun!!  It was more like an adventure than a 5k.  It was figuring out where and when and how to pass - how to get out the way - how to navigate steep muddy hills, the unknown of stepping into a murky creek, the speed of a field and some pavement.  It was everything.  It was like running on the set of a movie being chased by a madman (and some runners were dressed as escaped convicts - which added to the fun!!).  It's a whole different form of running - it's not all about speed - it's about navigation and survival.  Seriously, survival, not for life, but for limb, preventing a rolled ankle, keeping from falling, bumps, bruises, and contusions. And THAT is what made it fun.  It was like being a kid again!!!

Seriously, it was like being a kid again - off on some strange journey through the mysterious woods and through the ravine.  Or, at least knowing what it would be like being chased by Jason Voorhees!

The difference from being a kid - the finish line had BEER!!  Yes, beer.

Muddy Monk Trail Races