Muddy Monk Four Stars 4M Race Report
Two trail races in one week! Woo hoo! I am telling you, once you do one, you have to do another, and another and another…
Or, maybe a friend (Maggie!) has a free entry they want to give you, so you sign up. Ha ha. That works too.
Art, the Muddy Monk race director, donated two entries to the Four Stars Four Mile trail race to Anne for raffle prizes for Lung Run fundraising. Maggie was unable to use her free entry and I casually mentioned I might be free the morning of the race… hee hee. And, as luck has it, Bobbi had won the other entry! Schweet! The race started at 10:30 am, so I made it the end of my long run. I parked my car 14 miles north of the race start*, and ran down to it, joining Bobbi along the way. I got just over 17** miles in before the race start.
When Bobbi and I were running before the race, I said to her, “I wonder if we will see anyone we know doing the race!” And as luck had it, we saw Mo before the race!
We all decided to run together, starting at the back of the pack, so other runners could “clear” the trail for us.
Yeah. It was actual technical trail for maybe… 40% of the race? Running through the brush, jumping over logs, getting all scratched up, being a badass… ha ha. I loved it! And was really happy I decided to wear my trail shoes and gaiters that morning! (No mud though – the trail was dry!)
I took it slow though. Trail running is slower for me than road running (duh) and my left knee doesn’t like being twisted, so I wanted to be careful!
The other part of the race was on crushed limestone.
I was very happy there was a water stop we got to hit twice. I was started to feel really hungry, and even took a GU during the race. It was awesome to finish and see a smorgasbord of food – bananas, twizzlers, gummy bears, cheez-it, clif bars, hot dogs, M&Ms, cold water and beer… Muddy Monk always has awesome food at the end of their races!
Not so awesome, ha ha, the Muddy Monk races sometimes seem a bit short in mileage according to people’s GPS watches***. Which, is actually common for trail races, which are more about adventure than time/pace. It doesn’t bother me, since I am just out there for fun run, but I have unfortunately heard a lot of gripping about it in person and in social media. Anyway.
I really enjoyed the race. I love running through the single-track in the woods. Makes me feel like I am out in the wild. On an adventure. Even though I am following little orange flags with other runners. Ha ha.
Per usual, Muddy Monk provided free photos on their Facebook page, which I LOVE about their races!
They also encouraged a costume contest for the race!
And had a schweet shirt and glass for schwag!
Thanks to Muddy Monk for providing the free entry and to Maggie for giving it to me! I always enjoy the Muddy Monk races!
*Bobbi gave me a ride back to my car after the race
**I know 14 ≠ 17, 17 was on purpose
***And we all know these watches don’t dictate a race distance, especially when it comes to tangents on road races.
Themocracy
I LOVE that first picture of you!!
Thanks! I had to ham it up for the camera. LOL.
I had so much fun!! I’m so glad it all worked out the way it did, and we could run together – love muddy monk races 🙂
And it was fabulous running into and then running with Mo!
I love Muddy Monk races too! I love how low key and fun they are 🙂
Of course you ran 17 miles before a trail race! Of course.
I was so happy to hear you could take the free entry off of Maggie’s hands, and I’m glad you all had such a fun time! I really need to do a Muddy Monk race sometime, they always look like such a good time.
You should try one! Trail races are a blast! 🙂
Looks like a super fun day. Although I’m pretty sure I’d seize up on those trail if I’d already run a bunch of miles.
I was surprised I didn’t! My legs felt good, I was just like “EAT ALL THE THINGS!!!” 🙂
I’m so glad your trial run was uneventful, unlike mine…
Oh well, I’m not scared to do it again!!! (of course if the team will have me back…)
GIRL! You had an epic race and a great story to go with it! Are you still able to study/work?!
Was the Chubby Wiener truck there??? LOVE their end of race snacks 😉
Glad you had a blast!! What a beautiful day for a trail race!!
Yes, from our experience their races are always short, or on the occasion it’s not marked properly, somewhat longer 🙁 Monk Monk = No Frills Trail Running, which is why I have enjoyed running a few for Brian. I also enjoy racing with the noncompetitive runners during these races. So many are there just to have a great experience with friends that ends with a tasty beverage 😉 Plus they help me with the claustrophobic fear that often encompasses me when I run in dense woods 🙁
They were there!!! 😀
That is EXACTLY why I love these races and don’t give a sh!t about it being short/long. I just want to have fun.
And yes! Run with friends in the woods! Don’t get lost! 🙂
looks so awesome! I am a tad jealous of my fav people at that race.
Yay, I’m glad you had fun!!!!
Sounds like a great race – and the t-shirt looks really great (that’s usually the most important thing to me!).
The thing I love about Muddy Monk is that it gets people out on trails and paths they would probably NEVER run on otherwise! And, yes, they have great photographers 🙂 Or you’re just really good at hamming it up for the photos 🙂