Eluding Tuonela

Yesterday I ran my first group trail run with a couple of dozen local runners. I found the event by accident when researching local running trails. The group meets every Monday around greater Turku area for an hour trail run lead by two experienced runners. It was pitch black but also really fun -- I'm glad I joined!

There were enough participants to have two speed groups so I opted to go with the faster group. I didn't really know what I was getting into but I assumed that I could keep a pretty good pace for an hour no matter what the route looked like. My heart rate went through the roof almost immediately, but it was really fun to try to follow the next runner in pitch black forest, on a somewhat technical trail that was a mix of high spruce roots, deep mud, and rocks.

We ended up running about 7k in 53 minutes. I was properly done after the run, but what I didn't expect at all was that my quads are properly feeling the yesterdays run today. I've been training pretty consistently and haven't been to the gym in a while so it's nice to feel "the good pain" for once. This was a great experience, will definitely join next week as well!