Sunday, July 18, 2010

Race Report: Skyline Trail Run

Sunday, July 11th, we made the last-minute decision to join our friends in the Skyline Trail Run. This "race" is a hard-core trail run over serious hills/mountains, rocks, roots, and all kinds of terrain. One of our friends had the race t-shirt from last year, and it pictured a stick-figure falling on his head off a mountain. There were points in the race where it was necessary to use your hands to pull yourself up rocks. The race started at the base of the Blue Hills Ski Area, and the final mile is a sprint down a nice, steep ski slope. It was definitely quite an experience and quite a workout. Even Miss Bethany was drenched in sweat, which NEVER happens. It is a 7 mile race (something would normally take us less than an hour on the road), and it took us 2:15 to complete this grueling course. Our friends warned us it would be tough, but nothing they could say could have done justice to this course. Unbelievably, the winner (a serious New England trail runner) won with a time of 1:04. Unreal.

This is a picture taken on the Skyline Trail. Imagine 'running' 7 miles up and down this. Yeah, it's that tough.  

After we finished the race, phew, we were tired and beat! We can't wait for next year! We might even go back sooner and hike it to get in some practice :-p

15 comments:

teacherwoman said...

Wow! Looks fun and challenging! Too cool!

Jen said...

Wow, very cool. That is some really rocky terrain! Way to go!

jed said...

that sounds fantastic. i can not believe bethany was sweaty.

Indi said...

I've just started doing some trail running myself and Its amazing how much tougher and longer it takes. Its a heck of a workout for sure! Glad you had fune

Johann said...

Lovely! Well done! Trails like that are really tough. I like that you already want to go back next year.

Marlene said...

That's intense! Congrats you two!!

lifestudent said...

Man. Those trail runners sure do like a challenging course. I cant even handle a hill or a hairpin turn during a race, I dont know how I'd handle rocky terrain.

Way to go!

Emz said...

awesome report. Looks SUPER challenging. You won't find these treadmill ankles attempting that. ;) WAY TO GO!

And thanks for the comment. loved it!

Hannah said...

You guys look awesome! I love the pictures - looks like a bit of a beast! Well done!

Rad Runner said...

Great job! yOU 2 roCk (literally) ha ha ha (crackin myself up sorry:)

Amanda said...

That sounds like a killer. Glad you enjoyed it and didn't fall on your head down the mountain :)!

Jill said...

Wow, that's incredibe! Way to go for facing that monster and finishing strong!! :)

Running and living said...

That race looks like fun. If you guys like trail running (I do, too, but it never fits with my marathoning, hrr) you may enjoy the Fells race before Thanksgiving. Check out Grand Tree Series for lots of trail races in the area.
Are you guys doing Baystate again?

Unknown said...

Hey, Ryan got a hair cut! He looks thinner too. Gosh, I feel like his mom, sorry!
That trail course looks tough, I can believe how rocky it is. You guys must have had so much fun!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

this is crazy! I ran The Skyline Challenge 50k July 10th in VA and you had a race the following day in MA! What are the odds?

Great job. The course looks awesome but I like pain!