Illuminator Night Trail Half Marathon
Though the event is called a half marathon, this was actually a 15 mile course through the Glen Tanar pine forest. The course had 1,312 feet of elevation gain over rugged terrain, and was by far one of the most difficult courses I have run, mostly because it was in the dark. The run started at 6pm. There were at least 1,400 people entered, making it the most crowded race start I've experienced. After the starting gun, everyone sort of shuffled towards the trail. It was kind of funny. The people in front of us would start running (or slow jogging I should say) so we would get excited and jog too, and then, after about three steps, it would be back to walking behind the crowds. This lasted until we made it a little ways past the starting gate, and then we were able to move out as the trail opened up and start properly jogging. We started off with a little hill, and then had more hills for the first 3 miles. During those 3 miles I got separated from the friend I was running with (darkness and crowds made it hard to keep track of each other) and didn't see her again until we had both finished. I'll admit that those first few miles were frustrating for me because of the awkward nature of the running. It was a little hard to get used to running while staring at the small circle of light my headlamp made and trying to simultaneously make forward progress and not trip on a rock or run over someone. But, the other runners were all very polite and friendly, and once we got to even ground and the crowd thinned out it was lots of fun!
pre-run photo
Around the 3rd or 4th mile there was a long, wide downhill. This was my favorite part of the race. I ran it at a steady pace, passed a few people and eventually came to my own space between groups. It was just me and my headlight. All I could see were the long streams of bobbing lights in front of and behind me and the little patch of ground my own headlamp illuminated, and the dark shadows of the trees on either side of me. There was a stream or river (I couldn't tell which) and I could hear the water running beside me as I ran. It turns out night running is very peaceful. As I ran, my vision zeroed in on my beam of light, and it reminded me of those old fashioned scuba masks which are big circles that cover your eyes and nose. The darkness on either side of my light was so intense that it was like having the barrier of a mask or blinders on either side of my face. Very cool. I carried on that way over the next five miles with a few more hills and a long flat stretch, then came into the first of two aid stations. They provided water, hot ribena (which has always sounded gross to me but really hit the spot at this aid station) and some snacks. Adequately fueled, I carried on. I let my mind wander and the next four miles flew by, and at mile 12 there was another aid station right before a huge hill. This one was hard, but not as hard as I might have expected, and I power walked up it. I was feeling better than I thought I would be. The final downhill following that uphill was the hardest part of the run. Normally downhills are my favorites, but this one was a bit too muddy and slippery to run down, and it was pretty steep and rocky and getting crowded again. But I did it, and then onto the home stretch and we were done! 15 miles, my longest run to date. The finishing prize was a mug, and the race organizers gave us hot tea or coffee and a pastry to end the run with. The race was very well organized, and the volunteers were great, standing outside all night long to give water and snacks to runners. Overall, it was an excellent event and I would recommend it as a fun and challenging night run.
Those little light dots are the headlamps of people running the course behind me.
Heading into the 8 mile aid station
Sunday's plan: finish up my class reading and chill by the fire.
