A trail marathon in one of the most beautiful state parks in the country (and the largest state park in Oregon), filled with waterfalls-- who could resist? Not us. Ann was at her computer at the moment registration opened, and got us both entry into the
Silver Falls Marathon.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8_NyPAznGftAcgdApT409PqdS_WgbFLovVUwksxeNbv-rL55r0j4RFoec8QZUB4xowxVBJHZ_WTaZhyphenhyphen-keur0-_LH-5uj4Vu6HBRlWAY8MG4nQodjtEo7X92l2BFPuKTY8yiNRtQRCaZ/s320/ann_bridge.gif) |
Ann running over one of many bridges |
It was cold. It rained lightly it rained harder, it hailed, it hailed bigger, and we had a few odd sunny moments. I was a bit disappointed in the beginning with the road sections, and some of the course crossed meadows and strange areas to connect trails. But overall it was very well organized-- the part with the waterfalls was at the very end, when you need the inspiration/distraction most.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LgDsbZ1yP8RBQ3w18ioEqo7q6IarACtGGtasSd1c1t-DLBdHYtog-hM3SVLK3UHfzyQRRZriToywD-pYb7Y9ZmuslEYYNXl_iKQ0iMxa2k8qLED9P6pOwN64Hy9dXabGjbY8HpkmpZXr/s320/IMG_8459.jpg) |
Stairs?! At least these are down... |
The mud was unbelievable. I landed in one mud puddle up to my knee. And for the first time ever after a race, I was compelled to rinse off my shoes (in the laundry sink at home). My feet were so muddy that washing them in the shower didn't seem to help. I used a nail brush on my feet (another first), and there was still dirt in my toenail beds for the next three days. And the craziest evidence of mud? I had a blister from a few days before, and after this race, it was filled with DIRT. The mud somehow got through my skin. Now how does that happen?!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12pLyyOZxTFH12TC6Qy5LOTwsuYAbyKGFp7vdk-I8dNxXokLkzmehA_tOEopL2u0VwY4Sc3WVMA6oR49I5BMiGpMhPwq6EqlGJQcXCH9TWCx8lxDDLCZd3UGnnyypInevpnxkpdtLSIvc/s320/IMG_8461.jpg) |
Running behind a waterfall |
This race was a bit slower for us than we thought it would be, but the conditions were pretty bad, and I rolled my ankle on a chunky rock bit, which slowed us down a bit. Overall I enjoyed the race and I would do it again, but not next year.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAIsgTo8YeizmFzfEjfSzlbIcKYIqK1A2CsoXdqo1hQx8oMMVZFLxqtN0TBD8IsvNe7O00kfTh9VkGiknvIfs0Za8ZG3PpmZogRJjT5AN_ejPf2O5yc3-yv7DBHnI8eSOUMSlOzVzL6FL/s320/IMG_8462.jpg) |
Ann running behind another waterfall |
Big props to my husband, who supported me to run this race even though it was on our wedding anniversary. Thank you, Erik-- I couldn't do it without you!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrd62ZxirBMloOOBuiebCoFNkL8dlQEa_89sk7HwOjsMCgxr4iLCCqSeiH5aHW0Js2rUxEEv5_vSm4RgSitrYfewHg5dBdLpzrh5al73qAabuGpbv75XseHT5OHARJRhXVOx6QoTedQh5/s320/IMG_8463.jpg) |
We're behind another waterfall! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xqQV8KiAuprGAPKlelO2gDJ7KyHCDte655nYnxWug6yNhFZ8QHl25zlMQMEKXguHMpSYCTR9YAWceA3zMdhIo4E-37ujM2uxqK_brO-VnQJ8OohuoLRXC_8bH3aI2Co1-mlK4x-HraNi/s320/IMG_8465.jpg) |
Yet another waterfall |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSh6Mj6eG6eofjx8Kb4965Vz51d80P3wS_D-kTBuI3AIwRWxOCpCep0BHnX_lxupG39AlYEVbWHcx-2R7n1eBdAFBhYYrL4VG42U_quRUYipXgICbYNp7MD5EvzrLyxza0QD-Rczk5xOA/s320/IMG_8466.jpg) |
Ann and the fourth waterfall we ran behind |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvg6yJfaCCyN7j1MU6B9d2yeb7Lholw7OBbPb9TojAzm2jJlX1BfqT6f1kFCnAZhmrZ0kRTHRt6g3SeLwQDufICy5uzNtXabYOZRbSjKMKYkCI6VeqOU8J5w3jqAcJK4XWdreSMKrpbvt/s320/IMG_8467.jpg) |
I have no idea why that Swoosh is on my eyebrow |
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