Its seems like every time you accomplish a big goal or finish a goal race, you find yourself thinking “what next?.” After I finished my first full marathon last year, I decided to start running on trails. Last spring I ran three trail races. And then I started training for my second full marathon. Trail running mostly got pushed to the back burner, to lessen my risk of turning an ankle/getting injured during training. But after finishing my second full marathon, I felt the trail itch again (which sounds more like some kind of disease than a yearning to run through the trees and up mountains).
So this time I decided to sign up for the entire Roanoke Non Ultra Trail Series, which is put on by Mountain Junkies LLC. Last year I ran two of their races, and I had a great time. I loved the atmosphere, they did a great job with logistics, and I got to see some really great trails I never knew were there.
The race is run on a favorite loop of the owners of Mountain Junkies, and in years past the weather has caused the trail to be frozen, completely ice-covered, or even snow covered. Should be interesting! It may end up being like my first trail race last year. The second race is the Explore Your Limits 5K & 10K.
I will be running the 10K for this race. The race is held at Explore Park in Roanoke, which I’ve never been to before. I look forward to exploring the singletrack mountain biking trails, which have been described as “challenging,” on foot. After that comes the Montvale 5 and 10 Miler.
For this one, I chose to do the 10 miler. I’ve never run a 10 mile trail race before. This race is held in Bedford county, and it sounds like the park is another hidden gem you never knew was there. Since I’m skipping the Mill Mountain Mayhem 10K, my next race in the series will be the Trail Nut 10K & Half Marathon.
Finally, I’ll wrap up the series with the anchor event to the RNUTS series: Conquer the Cove Trail 25K & Marathon. I have chosen to run the 25K again this year. The race was a real challenge for me last year, but I loved running through Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, the second largest municipal park in the nation.
I’ve never done a series of races before, and I’m looking forward to the experience. It will be neat to see familiar faces at each of the races. At the end of the year, they hold a social get together and awards ceremony (the series also has a points system based on overall and age group placement at each race, like a grand prix). I’m hoping to make new friends and officially join the trail running community.
Have you ever participated in a race series before?
Turkey Runner 
This sounds really fun! I’ve never participated in a race series before, but you are right, seeing the same faces at each race would be really cool. I really enjoy running on trails, but when I’m running solo, I like to stick to the main roads (safety nerd).
Good luck! I look forward to reading your thoughts on the series!
This will be my first time participating in a series, and I’m looking forward to it! I get kind of spooked on trails by myself, too. If I’m going to be running trails solo, I try and pick a spot that stays busier so there will be other people around.
So exciting!!!! I’ve never done a full race series before, but the Spring/Fall Backyard Burn Series here in DC has some great ones that I’ve run separately.
So glad you’re enjoying trails! Are you still thinking of doing the Instant Classic Trail Marathon, or have you already committed yourself to enough? 😉
The Instant Classic is definitely on my wish list, but I’m not sure I’ll be doing a full marathon in 2015. We’ll see how it goes this spring, though. The Spring/Fall Backyard Burn Series looks like such a great set of races!
I’ve never done a race series before, but this sounds like fun! Trail running is not really my thing, but I think it’s just because my first (and only!) trail race wasn’t the best experience. Well, it just didn’t turn out how I thought it would, so I was disappointed. But I like that you’re building up the mileage over the year, and the possibility to make some new trail running friends!
Me either, but I’m looking forward to it! My first trail race was a pretty rough experience, but then I had a great time at the other two I ran this year. You should give it another go at a different race!
That sounds like a fun series! I’m starting a winter trail series today actually. It starts with a 5k, then a 10k, 15k, and 20k, in January, February, and March, respectively. I’m not sure if I’ll make it to the 20k but I hope to at least do the 15k!
Cool! It will be fun to work your way up through the distances. I think you should go for the 20K in March 🙂
How fun that you’re running five of the races in the trail series! I’m hoping to do at least one of the Spring Backyard Burn trial races this spring. It was at one of those that I met Anne last spring!
That series sounds like such a good one. I wish I lived closer so I could do some of those races, too 🙂
I have done this series 3 times. Good times. I enjoy every race.
Good to hear! I’m looking forward to participating in the full series this year. Last year I did two RNUTS races (Trail Nut and Conquer the Cove).