Minnefield’s Miles in the Trophy Series
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Angela Minnefield takes lead in non-ultra category as well as most races run
Minnefield at the 2013 Sulphur Springs Trail Run. Photo by Ryder Photography.
This year’s Trail Runner Trophy Series is coming to a close with only 26 races left (of 136 total). While some runner’s race for points, others such as Angela Minnefield, 50, of Fishers, Indiana, run for the pure love of the sport. She is currently in the lead for both most races ran (12) and leads the female, non-ultra category with 225.7 points.
She’s been running for about 20 years, starting out as a road runner and later transitioning to trails. On September 29, she plans to run her first trail marathon—the Wabash Heritage Trail Marathon in West Lafayette, Indiana. She says, “The marathon distance takes me beyond my comfort zone, into a realm in which I confront the limitations of my body and mind. Running a marathon is one of the most challenging and rewarding events that I will experience.”
For this Trophy Series, she wanted to choose races to push her limits. In the 11-mile Laurel Run Ascent, Minnefield said she was not ready for the elevation changes. When the race began, she knew the biggest challenge would be the mental aspect. To get through the race she thought of each mile as a new journey, trying not to let the previous one affect her.
Want to win a Smartwool running tee and Honey Stinger swag bag? Simple! Just enter a 2013 Trail Runner Trophy Series race and click here to enter this week’s giveaway. To see past Trophy Series giveaway winners, click here. Or check out page 3 of this article for the current Trophy Series leaderboard and link to full series results.
Read on for a Q&A with Angela Minnefield …
Q&A with Angela Minnefield
Which race in the trophy series was the most challenging?
The Double Trouble 15K trail run. The course was very technical with abundant rock fields and it was a very nasty humid day. I quickly realized at 2 miles this was going be an exhausting run. I finished, but it wasn’t pretty.
What has been the highlight of the series?
I broke my PR at the Legend Half Marathon (2:10:47)…. gotta love that!
Do you prefer to run on the roads or trails?
Trail running is a whole-body experience: jumping, climbing and tripping. I love the sounds of nature and trails provide me with energy and enthusiasm because every step is an adventure. I appreciate all variation running under shaded trees, to open fields filled with wild flowers, to single paths, to steep inclines, to views of ponds and streams.
Would you consider yourself to be fast?
“Fast” is relative. I enjoy pushing my limits. I will go through a lot of pain to beat someone or the clock. If my pride is on the line, then I’m willing to go to a place where it hurts a lot more.
Read on for current Trophy Series standings …
CURRENT TRAIL RUNNER TROPHY SERIES STANDINGS
Female Marathon and Longer
– Kaci Lickteig, 26, Omaha, NE—772 points
– Abi Moore, 33, Fernie, Vancouver BC—491 points
– Eva Pastalkova, 37, Ashburn, VA—425 points
Male Marathon and Longer
– Scot Hartman, 44, Thornton, CO—581 points
– Sean Meissner, 39, Durango, CO—417 points
– Scott Eppelman, 46, Coppell, TX—412.50 points
Female Non-Marathon
– Angela Minnefield, 50, Fishers, IN—225.7 points
– Felicia Peacock, 17, Cogan Station, PA—188.8 points
– Laurie Hall, 44, Bellefonte, PA—173.3 points
Male Non-Marathon
– Greg Fraze, 35, Velpen, IN—208.8 points
– Tony Korch, 53, Nanticoke, PA—191.9 points
– Jeff Smucker, 47, Woodward, PA—188.8 points