2007 Sooner State Games Winter 12k Trail Run

Hello Readers
 I just wanted to share with all of you a race I did almost 3 1/2 years ago. It was my first ever trail run. This trail run took place in the middle of February in 2007 after a snowstorm a week before at Bluff Creek. I had never ran at Bluff Creek and had no knowledge of what kind of trail it was and assumed it was asphalt like all the rest of the trails.
    On race day I get ready like I did for any race but this one was different. I had just bought some brand new New Balance running shoes for racing. Some of my running buddies were getting on to me cause I was buying the cheaper brand and they were causing blisters on my feet!! I thought well, this would be a good race to break them in and get them going! I always liked to look really sharp running especially in the winter. I was unaware this was going to be a race like no other that I've done and very challenging but I was in some great shape and had lost some lbs in the winter and was down to 153 lbs.
   I drive out to Bluff Creek which is located North of  Lake Hefner in a very small parking lot. I seen some familiar faces from Landrunners club like Maurice Lee and David Manguno and was glad to see them for a while. Before we started running they told us it was going to be muddy and after I heard that I almost left and went home. And I didn't care about losing the money for the race but later decided to take the risk. About a mile into this muddy mess I twisted my left ankle. About another 2 miles later I twist my right which felt worse then the left. The racing people said they had everything clearly marked but i was clearly lost in a jungle it seamed like it and definitely in last place i thought but we'll get to that later. I continued trying to run in the mud and almost got sick after looking at my new shoes and my winter gear. Mud was getting all over me it seamed like it.
   I came across a steep hill where I had no traction because I wasn't wearing trail running shoes and was reaching out for a tree and slid into it. At this point I'd had enough and wanted to quit but I've always had this never give up on something your trying to accomplish a goal. Lost out in the jungle with me I met Bill Robinson of Landrunners club!! He ask me how to get out of there and I didn't have the slightest idea!! I followed Bill for a while until I slipped again in some mud and injured my right knee. I felt like I had been in a war or something especially my legs and body. I was able to catch up with Bill who was walking about that time and finally make it out of jungle and I didn't use the 4 letter word.
   I was so banged up from this race I wasn't able run the Memorial Marathon the following April and wore a knee brace most of the year. I've been out to Bluff Creek only once since that race but it was with the Green People from last year.
   They have a asphalt trail out there now along with the old dirt trail and more parking. If you have bad knees and a runner proceed at your own risk, but very careful it's very hilly. But you know what they say running on dirt is better so you might like it. God bless you all!! Take care and happy running!!