Ice Trail Truck'n (Tour de Trails 7 miler)

Picture 7 miles of hilly meandering heavily trod trails that had partially melted a 2-3 inch snow base then refroze with footprint impressions and temps in the low 20F with a stiff biting wind. This is in the Rock Cut State Forest in Rockford, IL. Formerly known as the "Winter Survivor Series," now temporarily sequestered due to long time race director improprieties. Anyhoo, the local running club there decided to continue a couple races on the trails this year until they can maybe bring the full series back next year. Like I mentioned, the trails were pure ice from start to finish. Yax trax or spiked slip-overs were the order of the day. I'd done well with CC spikes in the past, but they were only partially effective this day. So with a lot of slipping and dancing trying to find non ice sections, I managed to keep a somewhat decent pace going with one minor fall and no twisted ankles. This was on my training schedule as a 7mi MP run so I guess I could at least consider it at a marathon pace perceived effort. Turned out to be a fun time with homemade cookies, fudge, and such in the small lodge cafe afterward. Picked up 8th place overall and 2nd AG. 57:12 clock time.

In conditions like that, any race that doesn't require a stop off at urgent care on the way home is a win.

So congrats on finishing intact, and finishing so well!

Nice job, Steve! I can relate to what it's like running on that as we ran some of the bridle trail yesterday morning. Can't imagine racing on it - yikes.