...does he make a sound?

by Andy Croley


On a cold Sunday morning in January, I headed out with the grand idea of running 14 miles along the Chubb Trail (west of St. Louis) in preparation for my first ultra marathon, the Double Chubb 50K. The temps were near freezing when I took off, and I quickly noticed the ice-covered ruts on the single-track trail. It was warmer the day before, so mountain bikers were probably out in force enjoying the muddy terrain. Now frozen, this created a challenge for my footing that I wasn’t accustomed to as a road-runner.    

The trail was quiet. It led down near a railroad crossing and into an open meadow at the Castlewood Park Loop trail. I ran this loop, then reconnected with Chubb Trail, and followed the Meramec River before reaching another meadow and the Prairie Loop.

Keeping an eye my mileage, I decided to turn around at the Allen Road Trailhead, just beyond the second meadow and loop. When I reappeared at the Castlewood loop, my legs were tired from the uneven terrain, but I was feeling good about hitting my 14-mile goal.

Entering the loop, I heard a train in the distance. The tracks were located on a hill along the right side of my route. Through the tree line I could see the engine and train cars begin to pass.

For the first 9.5 miles, worried about balance and traction, I paid close attention to the varied terrain—frozen bike tracks, black ice, occasional tree stumps and rocks. The passing train cars and the sound of the engine through the trees were truly captivating. I had the forest to myself to enjoy this moment. My eyes were up and looking to the right. It was strangely peaceful.

My wandering mind, and the childlike fascination with trains, got the best me though. Damn train. It was a little something like this…

My entire body hit the ground. The speed with which I fell may have been record setting. Even landing on my side, the wind was knocked out of me. My right hip was in pain; it made perfect contact with a very large rock on the trail. My right shoulder, and the water bottle I was carrying in my right hand, was covered in mud. Apparently, I tripped over a tree stump. Damn train.

Even knowing I was completely alone, I attempted to recover as quickly as possible. What fall? I’m totally fine. I started to laugh at myself, but after only 4 steps, the pain in my hip changed my laughter to a mumbling grimace. I stopped running to really assess my injuries.

My hip hurt. Considering I hadn't seen anyone on the trail in the last hour, it was safe to say I was on my own.  Feeling embarrassed, as well as mad at myself, I skipped the rest of the loop and lightly jogged the 2 miles back to my car. I probably referred to myself as an idiot about 100 times during those 20 minutes.

A few days later, various ugly bruises appeared, but my ego recovered. I found humor in this story as well as a lesson or two. I was even able to relate to my six-year-old daughter, tears streaming down her face and knees scraped, from her own running fall. Even grown-ups like Daddy fall sometimes, and we still get back out there and keep running.

As I continue to train on the trails, I’m likely to fall again. Maybe a real squirrel or deer will be my excuse next time.




Check out more stories by Andy from his profile on our Contributors page!

by Trisha Brennan

As a runner, I’ve always been motivated by the destination, the finish line… not necessarily the journey—the training or the actual run.    

by Tracy Wynant


Eleven months, eleven races, eleven medals. In December 2014, I only had one more to complete my one-race-a-month resolution.

Of course, I couldn’t make the last race an easy 5K. Heck, just calling a 5K “easy” shows how far I’ve come this year. Because of personal hardships, 2014 started out looking like quite possibly the worst year of my life. But then it wasn’t. Amazing friends and family and running, and even this last race changed everything. It may not have been pretty, or perfect, but 2014 was full of bling!    

Running was very, very, good to me in 2014. Although I was 150 miles short of my 1000-mile goal for the year, training in a new city offered many new routes to discover; and races, like the St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon, were incredibly rewarding experiences.  

As we start a new year, it is common practice to set some resolutions, or what we at Chafing the Dream like to call RUNolutions. I don’t want to lose the good momentum I have from last year, so I am setting some running goals for 2015:

by Erin Croley

When my head, or heart, is muddled, the best treatment is to go for a run. But I don't always do what's best for me. If I did, I would have a run streak comparable to Brett Favre's NFL game streak. I have a six and a four year old, have moved across the country recently (1.5 years ago but it feels like yesterday), and am kind've sort've switching careers maybe. Both my head and my heart could benefit from daily run therapy. 

But I haven't run since the RnR Las Vegas half, 10 days ago. And to be honest, I didn't really do much training for that race. After a sprained foot from not training for the Chicago marathon (see "85% Idiocy..."), I rested and eased back into a mediocre running schedule, topping out at 4.5 miles before Vegas. Vegas was cold and hurt like a b*tch.

by Tracy Wynant

I’m not materialistic. I’m not fashion savvy. I am probably horribly out of style, and I have never felt the need to own many fashion accessories (although I do enjoy a good quality handbag). I have this year, however, discovered that I do love me some bling! My friend, Erica, and I started 2014 with a New Year’s resolution to run a race every month. We would only run said monthly race if there was a medal to be had for finishing.

I have NEVER made a New Year’s resolution that has lasted longer than three weeks into the new year. To avoid feelings of inadequacy and self-disappointment, I usually don’t even make resolutions. Also, I am not a runner. I am more of a plodder-a-longer. My lack of athletic prowess made the yearlong resolution even more frightening. With Erica’s coercion though, I agreed to this seemingly daunting challenge, hoping I could at least make it to spring.

It’s November, and I’m still going!    

by Trisha Brennan

I can’t remember the last time I ran a One-Mile Fun Run. In fact, I’m not sure if I ever have. I think my first race was titled “fun run,” but was really a 5K trying to disguise itself. 

My running resume consists of two 80+ miles relays, 11 half-marathons, and numerous 5K’s, which I now consider “fun runs”.  None of these races even come close in comparison to my first One-Mile Fun Run. I ran this one with my six-year old son.

by Erin Croley

My Chicago Marathon journey began with the dream of a Boston qualifying personal record, and ended with me crossing the finish line one hour over my last marathon time (not even close to Boston, or anything I’d like to acknowledge publicly). 

In between these extremes, I was injured, slowly rehabbing, vacationing, working, supporting the marathon training of my husband, falling way short on my training goals, experiencing small positive steps forward and mini-victories that gave me hope for my health and Chicago, and then eventually, and very publicly, claiming that I absolutely was not going to complete the Chicago Marathon. 

by Andy Croley


There are six World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. I’ve been fortunate in my amateur running career to have crossed the finish line in both the New York City (2013) and Chicago (2014) marathons so far. Although both are famous for being among the best races in the world, they are very different experiences. If you have been debating between entering the NYC or Chi lotteries, here are a few comparisons that may help you make a decision. 

by Trisha Brennan


It’s been six week since the Go! KT82 trail run from Creve Coeur Park to Hermann, Missouri.  To break it down by numbers: 6 runners, 82 miles, 1 stinky minivan, 2 cases of water, 3 outfit changes, 12 hours 39 minutes and 10 seconds, $500 raised for NF, and 1 Man in the Yellow Shorts. 

by Erin Croley

Turning down a side road north of the Katy Trail in a minivan decorated with window chalk and laminated signs, floorboards littered with running gear, and the air ripe with 9+ hours of sweat-infused bodies and clothes, Trisha breaks one of the few temporary and eerily silent moments by exclaiming, "This is a strange way to get to Hermann."

"What, by running there?!"

We all laugh more than the moment deserves, but that's part of the fun of being three-fourths of the way through an 82 mile trail relay race. 

by Erin Croley

It was only 2.85 miles...but it was awesome!

As part of injury recovery training and issues with my breathing, I've lost over two minutes per mile in my pace. This has helped me start to build up my distance and endurance, but it's been tough to get excited about the string of barely-sub-11-minute miles lately. 

Walking out the door to drive to the park for my run, my husband tells me he needs to leave in about 30 minutes for the Rams game. (He's not a Rams fan, but is a football fan, and tonight is the first home pre-season game.) "I'll do my best," I reply, thinking "do you know how slow I've been running?". 

But as I had already talked myself in and out of this run several time this afternoon (having a Moose Drool Brown at lunch and a wicked hole in the bottom of my left foot from stepping on my son's toy seemed like good excuses to bail) I opted to grab a coconut icy pop (not the healthy kind) for the drive and sugar, and headed out. 

by Erin Croley

I've spent the last few days watching my kids chafing their dream, literally. Hours on the sand and in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Carolina, my two kids have built sand castles, collected sea shells (and a few pistachio shells), learned to jump over waves and ride them to the shore, and swallowed lots of sea water. They've also developed chafing sand burns on their arms and legs, not realizing it until they hit the stinging bath water after a day of pure, pure joy. 

While they've been busy being kids, I've been standing sentinel on the edge of the shallow sand shelf, sharing in their discoveries and rescuing them when needed. It's been painful and a sacrifice, but a sacrifice I decided to make. 

by Trisha Brennan

When I started running ten years ago, my good friend and running partner introduced me to the NER.  The No Excuse Run. It’s the run that doesn’t require a drive to the park, a plan for which route to take, or to be any particular length.

Chafing The Dream
KT82 Trail Relay Team
Sponsorship Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in helping to sponsor our 6-person, KT82 Trail Relay Team. The race takes place on August 30, 2014, spans 82 miles along the Katy Trail, and includes 210 teams. With runners, volunteers, race support personnel, and spectators, the perks of your sponsorship will reach at least 1300 people in the St. Louis area on race day alone.

by Erin Croley


At Chafing The Dream we run for many reasons (just visit our About page), but some of our best runs are just for the pure joy of the run. It reminds me of being a kid and the pure joy experienced from playing pickle (or hot box) in my grandma's backyard, wading in a creek, or exploring the woods as if I was part of the Lewis and Clark expedition. For my husband this childhood revelry is from playing baseball. For his mom and my daughter it would be a little private time to draw and play dolls. Hopefully, we each have memories of just "being a kid" and are lucky enough to be able to watch our kids or grandkids do the same. 

by Tracy Wynant


In November of 2013, someone (it might have been me) had a brilliant idea: Let's sign up for the Rugged Maniac! It seemed like an excellent plan-fork over $90 and then forget about it for five months.

Flash forward to May 2014. 

• Rugged Maniac sends me several emails reminding me that there are NO REFUNDS. 
• Rugged Maniac sends me several emails reminding me that the race will NOT BE CANCELLED for rain.
  

This is, after all, RUGGED MANIAC, and not a tea party! I start to panic. I have never, never, done anything like this before. I make my friends promise, promise, that we will stick together, help each other, and more importantly, finish together.

by Andy Croley

Have you ever thought, “I could actually get in some great training runs if my job, family, and other events would stop getting in the way?”  

by Trisha Brennan

As a runner, who motivates you?  Do you examine the race results of the elite runners and push yourself to run faster?  During a race, is it the unknown runner who is 10 yards ahead of you?  Is your motivation internal…to get a PR?  Does your motivation change?  

For me, it changes.  My motivation for my first half-marathon was to finish.  My motivation for the second was to be faster.  My running partner, my sister who is seven years younger, is my motivation.  I have to keep up with her; I can’t let my older age slow me down.  My two boys are my motivation; I want to be a healthy mom and be able to keep up with them!  My current motivation is my three- year old son.

by Tracy Wynant

Race review for the Albertina Kerr's Race of the Roses, Portland, Oregon, April 13, 2014.

by Erin Croley

Last Monday, I watched Meb Keflezighi’s last three miles of the 2014 Boston Marathon on the edge of an ottoman in front of the television in my St. Louis home while my kids ate breakfast in the next room. 

As Wilson Chebet fought to close the gap between himself and Meb, I absolutely refused to imagine any alternative to Meb’s victory. I cheered as loudly as if I was there in person, shouting encouragements with tears (where did they come from?) spilling over at the same time. 

Before that morning, I hadn’t really thought about the elites running the race. I thought about the memorial events and gestures, the crowd, the average Joe runners like me crossing the finish line after being stopped short last year, and the victims from the April 15, 2013 bombings finding hope and strength in running or cheering on the runners this year. 

by Andy Croley

One year ago today, tragedy struck the running community. An act of cowardliness harmed many along Boylston Street. But the acts of heroism that occurred moments later are those that make us proud as a country, as human beings, and as runners.

On April 15th, 2013, I sat in my office in a small Oregon High School attached to the news reports streaming live from Boston. My heart sinking. My eyes tearing. Although I was 3,000 miles away, it was evident that my running family had changed instantly. 

Ten days later, my wife and I arrived in Monterey, California for the 2013 Big Sur International Marathon. The exhibit hall was filled with runners, over 500, who were part of the Boston to Big Sur Challenge. Spending most of my time listening, and admittedly eavesdropping, I was blown away by the stories from those who were at the finish line, in the crowd, and still on the course during the bombing.

by Erin Croley

Unofficially, I'm taking a stretch break. Officially, I'm freaking out. My chest feels like an out of rhythm college hippie drum circle, my quads like each kid is sitting on one, my right knee like a thick jello is holding it in place, my left heel like it's been fossilized or petrified. It's my birthday damnit. All I say I want is a peaceful morning run, but what I really want is to not feel like I'm failing at this too, like my body isn't breaking down. 

A physical ailment would have an easier fix though, because what is likely more true is that my mantra of strong mind, strong heart, strong body is really less of a mantra and more like a desperate plea. I haven't felt like my runner-self, or any kind of myself for 7 months, and I was reminded of it again today, just like last weekend's Go! St. Louis half marathon and really September's Nashville Women's half marathon if I'm being honest, when for the first time my stomach let me know something was off with my body. I haven't been able to control that queasiness yet.

Maybe control is my real issue. Between giving up my career to stay home with my kids and venturing into the unknown of part-time consulting and freelance writing, I don't really have any control anymore. Either I need a little somewhere or just need to learn to let go completely. My body might display the symptoms, but my Go! St. Louis mile 12.5 hyperventilation (see the graphic) is evidence that a lot of my problems are in my mind.

by Andy Croley

As I was entering Mile 6 of the 2014 GO! St. Louis Half Marathon last week, I was anxious to tackle the infamous “Holy Hill”. Black inflatable arches and a priest throwing holy water on runners signify the start of this two-mile segment of the course.  As holy water sprinkled my head, Kurt Cobain  screamed in my ears. On this day, the anniversary of his death, the irony was inescapable. 

by Tracy Wynant


Running is supposed to be simple—all you really need is YOU.  The only sport with less equipment is swimming, unless you’re a barefoot runner—then you win.  And yet, running has developed an expensive niche market that can be a barrier to newbie thrifty runners like me, especially when we’re not doing “longer” distances (I think my runs are pretty long) that might require technically advanced gear. Of course, advanced gear doesn’t necessarily mean it has to have an expensive price tag.