Gemini Springs Trail Run

For 5 years I’ve been running in circles around my neighborhood. Running with the West Volusia Runners for the past few weeks has opened my eyes to what I have been missing.

This morning we ran a trail run starting at Gemini Springs Park in Debary, FL. The route includes a 3 mile round trip to a local landmark called the Debary Mansion and a 5 mile round trip trail connecting Gemini Springs Park with Lake Monroe Park in Sanford. These sections can be combined for a variety of distances. There are water fountains and restrooms at both ends of the trail.

I decided to get an early 6:30 am start and got in 3 miles before the group run at 7:00, and then ran another 8 miles with the group. This was the best turnout I have seen so far with about two dozen members.

I finished the run with about 11.5 total miles at just under a 10 minute mile pace. I even stopped to shoot a couple of pictures during the final 2.5 mile leg. I think my cell phone camera lens was a little sweat soaked though. This first picture shows one of my favorite characteristics of these trail runs - Shade!

I tried hydrating with NUUN tablets (I believe it's pronounced like noon) for the first time this morning. NUUN is an electrolyte tablet that you drop into a bottle of water like alka seltzer. I used one tablet in a 22 oz water bottle that lasted me for the entire 8 mile section of the run. It performed well and I finished the run feeling strong without any dehydration symptoms. Not bad for June in Florida. The taste was unexciting, but I had it a little watered down, each tablet is designed to be used with 16 oz of water. I may experiment with other flavors, I sampled Tri-Berry. It makes the water a little fizzy so that each time I opened the valve on my water bottle I would get a little squirt and a pfffft sound.

I also “enjoyed” my first soak in an ice bath after the run. I just emptied my freezer’s ice tray into a half full tub of cold water. It wasn’t so bad, once I got over the initial shock. I soaked for about 20 minutes with a book and a mug of coffee.  I'm feeling pretty good right now, so I think it helped.

This run made 5 workouts for the week, another first. This was a great run to cap off the week.