While my cousin’s wedding is still underway, I am still training my butt off (literally I hope) for the Ragnar Relay LA . One of the ways I’ve been trying to prep both mentally and physically is by trying out night running. Now, I’ve most definitely done a run after sunset before, but pitch black in the middle of the night with a bright blinding headlamp in Griffith Park of all places… well that’s something with a world’s worth of difference.

My first night trail run I did with fellow teammate and vanmate, Miniver. A few things I learned during this inaugural flight of sorts: Miniver apparently needs to be told not to wear all black when running in the dark (I thought this was a given) I need to wear booty shorts and a tank top next time (400 ft elevation even in the dark will make you sweat buckets), need a better form of carry on hydration (my handheld didn’t cut it when it came time to grab onto something – by something I mean Miniver – for coming down steep slopes). Running in pitch black gives you a lot to think about as well. For instance, I keep thinking to myself, “Why the hell am I doing this?” and “What was I thinking?! I’m not fit to be a captain. I’m not fit to be a captain!” And finally (my favorite) “HOLY F**KING SH**!!!”  I think I said that last thought aloud a few times.

We ended up running 4.23 miles, as snobby as I am about my mileage this was the hardest run I had done all year. My chest was pounding, I was sweating buckets, I literally wept quietly to myself when I was convinced that Mini was running too far ahead of me and I was doomed to be killed by either mountain lion or wayward vagrant off the multitude of side trails of the second largest state park in California. It was one of the most accomplished and happiest runs to date. In fact, it really made me fall madly in love with running again, not that I ever really fell out of love with it, but all the fear, pain and undeniable accomplishment when we were finally done was a complete and utter rebirths of sorts. This race is by far already one of the hardest, scariest things I have ever trained for, and yes, I am shaking in my little running space boots with excitement over it. Last week I ran 56 miles and I’m hoping for another 50 this week for my 100 miles in 2 weeks promise to myself.

Still can’t believe I’m actually a captain for this crazy group.

Here’s a video of thoughts after our flagship run with the equipment: