Trail Running before the rain

With a storm on the way, I decided to stay out of the wind, and do some exploring.

My last few times running in Mercer County Park, I saw some trails that looked inviting. I really haven't run on "trails", since my cross country days.

My shins have been a bit on the sore side the past few days, so I thought getting off the asphalt, and running on dirt, would help a bit.

It was really cool to run in the woods. You really need to keep an eye out for roots. There sure where enough of them, ready to jump up and grab you. I had an eye to them, and one looking out for the low branches.
I will say, the trails I ran on, were very well traveled. The brush was back off the trails nicely, and every so often, there were either blue or red reflectors on the trees, marking the route. There were even some nice man-made bridges, across a few creeks.

The route I took, winded around to the boathouse at Mercer County Lake.

My training plan called for a 6 miler, and when I got to the boathouse, I was around 2 miles. One of the local prep schools, Peddie, had their crew team practicing on the lake.

I added on by running out of the park, and towards Mercer Oaks, our county golf course.On my way back to the lake, the girl's crew team, was running in pairs, with the oars. It looked pretty tough, since the oars looked to be about 10' in length.

It was a cool run, something different, and since the shins were hurtin', I glad I chose the trails. I will definitely be running them more.

6.01 miles 56:18

9:22 min/mile avg.

Mile / Time
1 9:19 min
2 8:57 min
3 9:02 min
4 9:33 min
5 9:37 min
6.01 9:47 min