Running a 5K trail race

Dara and I traveled north to Rutland for the Pine Hill Park 5K trail race tonight. This is the 11th year of their summer trail race series, and I've participated for the past 5 years. Here's a quick trail race how-to if you're thinking about taking your running off-road:

• Bug spray is your friend
• It's sunny in the parking lot, but once you get on the trail in the woods, it's a lot darker. Sunglasses are not necessary.
• Everyone breathes really heavy, especially on the steep uphills
• If you hear someone breathing right behind you, move to the side of the trail so they can pass you. Or speed up and make them breathe even harder. Your choice.
• You never have any idea where you are or where you're going. Just run.
• Looking down at the trail is good. Looking up to take in the view is not recommended. Down is where the roots, rocks, and slippery parts are lurking, just waiting for you to trip and fall.
• Don't even think about all the tics.
• Lift your feet higher than usual to avoid roots and rocks.
• You can't avoid all the roots and rocks, and sometimes you fall.
• OK, lots of times you fall. Get back up and keep running.
• There will always be someone standing at one of the intersections, helpfully telling you 'it's not much farther'. The phrase 'not much farther' has no real meaning in trail running.
• There are no water stations or cheering volunteers. There also are no cars and no sounds - except for your heavy breathing.
• You will always run uphill longer and harder than you ever run on the road.
• You will always run on steep downhills, often over slippery rocks.
• When you catch your breath, you can sometimes hear birds.
• You can run through streams, or jump over them. Sometimes there are bridges - but not always.
• When you come off the trail and hit the pavement in the parking lot for the last few yards, your legs feel wobbly and strange. I think they're trying to tell me I'm supposed to be back in the woods and on the trail.
• After the run, everyone stands around telling stories about where they tripped and who fell in front of them.
• Someone always takes a wrong turn.
• Bloody knees are to be expected.
• Fresh watermelon tastes wonderful after a trail run, and hydrates just as well as water. Plus you can spit out the seeds.