After a bit of a false start the weekend before, (during a snowstorm) the weather on this day left the trail clear of snow and ready for me to run. It would be my very first run over 50km, but I was excited to get started.
I arrived at the "mile zero" sign, and as I was getting myself sorted to begin, two hikers came along, and I chatted with them about my adventure. As I was doing this run unsupported, I knew these hikers were my only "cheering section" before I began, so I soaked it all in, and they were very encouraging. Thank you Kathy and Sylvia, strangers-come-supporters for the encouraging words before I began!
It was as if the foot of snow had never covered the trail just days before this, as there were still lots of leaves and even wild grapes littering much of the trail as I ran along. The small villages along the way, Inglewood; Caledon East, and Palgrave were nice distractions to the grey day, and before I knew it, I was at the turnaround point, under Hwy 9. Turning around (after taking a couple of photos) felt wonderful as the sun peaked out and I continued to fuel, with gels, water and dates.
Those landmarks of villages were very welcome on the return trip as well, as I was certainly counting down the miles until the run was done as my legs and body grew more fatigued!
Arriving into Terra Cotta as I neared the start/finish marker, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment and gratitude for having the chance to run this route (as it is beautiful) and distance (as it is new to me).
I was very short on water by the end of the run, but my 1.5L sufficed, with 9 gels, and a handful of dates for fuel.
This was a great experience and I will continue to run and train on this trail in the future.