Even before 8:30AM this morning, dozens of super moms and dads had completed a 5.5 mile trail race through Gay City State Park in Hebron, Connecticut.  Luckily, it had not rained within the last few days, so the frequency of mud puddles was reduced to those near streams and springs. Although I competed in cross-country in high school and college, this trail proved to be significantly more difficult. Most school races are run through flat golf-courses or other wide, grassy or wood-chipped trails, and do not pose the challenge of a state forest hiking trail. Unlike a road race, there are few spectators along the way, and specifically in Connecticut, amplification is not allowed in state parks. Inspirational running songs are running through your head, but not disturbing the woodland creatures as you fly over rocks, roots and fallen limbs. Although, the day was bright and sunny, I removed my sunglasses about two miles into the race, where I spotted super-mom, and awesome competitive swimmer, Peggy Byrum, manning the water station.  My sweat-fogged shades prevented me from distinguishing between wet and dry rocks, so I decided to rely on the trees to shade my eyes for the rest of the race.  About forty-four minutes later, I finally broke out of the woods into the bright sunshine for a forty-five minute downhill finish.  My pace ended up to be 8:12 per mile, about a minute slower per mile than my average race pace. After the race, I watched a fellow English teacher, Katie finish about one minute after me. I also ran into Carolyn Ralston who regularly runs on these trails at about a 10:30 minute mile pace. Today she was able to finish her second race ever at slightly below 9 minutes per mile. Katie and Carolyn both placed in the top three in their age divisions, as did I. My husband and daughter accompanied me to the race today, and cheered me on when I received my tree-limb-slice trophy for earning second in my age division.  While I was slogging through the forest, my daughter enjoyed walking in the water, and looking at a toad and the fish in the pond. I was extremely excited to meet trail racer, Jessie, wife of Justin, and mother of six month old baby-girl Callie! Jessie, Callie and I are pictured here after the race. Daddy, Justin, who also competed in the trail race, offered to snap the photo. I realized later that I should have asked Justin to be in the photo too since today is Father’s Day.