April Fool's on Myself

Yesterday, I had a 1:50 hilly run on my schedule. I had enough of city sidewalks, all-purpose trails and even bridle trails, so I headed out for a real trail run - the dirty, muddy, wet kind.

I thought I knew the trails at N. Chagrin reservation fairly well, but I managed to get myself lost. I found this way cool trail that I hadn't been on before, but when I needed to head back to the car, didn't know which way to go. I noticed Squire's castle way below my position on the hill, so I headed down there. It had a map of all the trails, but no point of reference for which way was north. Luckily, a friendly couple helped me figure out the best way to go.

So, I headed off in the direction we decided was best. The problem was there were no trail markers and at one point the trail is completely gone. No problem, I think. I know the general direction I need to go. So, I start heading down this hill completely off trail that would have been great in the "Romancing the Stone sliding down the muddy hill scene". I fell down on my butt, but luckily didn't slide down to the bottom like Kathleen Turner and Mike Douglas did. Finally, I found the trail again and eventually discovered familiar paths.

I was proud of myself for not panicking. It would have been easy to do. Was I foolish for attempting these paths on my own? Maybe, but luckily it worked out for the best. And, while I was slowed down by the trail conditions (mud, trees fallen over the path, etc.), steep hills (both ascents and descents), it was a great run and I'm happy with my performance. Oh, and I was absolutely filthy when I finished. Game on!