Blissfully Fit Mama: Rockledge Rumble Race Recap

Yes, I was having this much fun the whole time!

This is the second year that I have participated in the Rockledge Rumble. I absolutely love the race directors and all the volunteers that come out to help racers get to the finish line. It is a huge party from start to finish.

Last year I ran the 50k and was signed up for it again this year but decided after Palo Duro to drop to a short distance and work on my speed for once. I knew it was not going to be easier since I was specifically going out with a win in my mind. That was my goal and I knew it was going to be tough.

Leading up to this year's race, I knew I needed to get a good feel for what my pace could be on this particular trail. So at least once per week I would go out and just see how fast I could run the course. It was actually a lot of fun. With all the miles I had been running recently and the long races, this was a big change.

To be honest I was not 100% confident gong into race day. There are so many great runners in this city and I knew that I would have my work cut out for me. The first, almost, half mile of the course is on pavement and I knew if I could get out in front before going into the woods, I would be in a good spot. Well, the race started and I didn't realize that there were about five women in front of me. I worked my way up but wasn't able to get into the first spot before going into the woods. The trail narrows down to single track pretty fast and so passing has to be in the right spot. I had moved up to the second place spot and was right on the tail of the woman in front of me. She seemed to be running easy but I soon realized that she was not going to let me pass her without a little bit of a fight. She was going at a great pace, I was feeling good, so I decided to settle in with her for a mile or so. As soon as she slowed a little, I was able to get around her and just go. All I could think of for the rest of the run was that she was right behind me.

Thankfully, there was a man that stayed with me and seemed to help me push the pace a little as well. Every runner that we passed, (all from the longer distances that started before us) he would greet them and ask how they were doing. I was sure he was going to leave me in the dust but he never did. Actually there was a point, I think on the last hill climb, that he slowed down. I yelled back to him to stay with me. And there he was. It was the perfect person to be with on the course. We kept each other going and sort of fed off each other.

I came back out of the woods with less than a half mile to go. It was time to get to that finish line. Out along the rockledges and back onto the pavement, then along the lake shore and finally up a (steep) flight of stairs lined with American flags.

I had made it happen. I finished just on the time I knew I needed to get and in first place. I was so excited and so tired. Goal accomplished!

To anyone, that wants to try their first trail race, first ultra or even the seasoned trail runner, this race has everything I love about trail running. You get great undulations of terrain, there is a distance for everyone and the course is challenging. The race directors are amazing and the volunteers are top notch.