In some small ways, I'm glad I can no longer run in the Grand Tree series. (I won't say compete; I was more of a mid-pack guy).

I miss trail running something awful, but this year's GT schedule looks brutal; they've added another near-marathon length race on one of the tougher trails around... the (third annual) MorFun Wapack race, which covers the Wapack Trail from end to end (21-miles), over North Pack, Pack, Temple, Holt, Burton, and eventually Watatic Mountains. (I always wanted to try that one, but I will settle for just walking it fast some day soon, on my own if I can't con anyone into joining me).

The series kicks off with Northern Nipmuck, April 5, a challenging 16-mile romp, and continues with the relatively tame Merrimack River race, a fairly flat 10 mile race in Andover. Then it's on to the Muddy Moose (which should be especially mucky this year), Seven Sisters and so on...

The Grand Tree series is organized by the Western Massachusetts Athletic Club, and it includes most (though not all) of the established trail races around south-central New England. You will find links to the race Web sites and applications on their site. Trail racing is growing sport, and I can't recommend it highly enough. It's like hiking, only faster, sweatier and bloodier. If you run, you should try it, if only so you can say that you have, and to put road racing in perspective.

I will miss the exhilaration of running pell mell through the woods, the camaraderie and feeling of accomplishment. I even miss suffering mud, blisters and exhaustion, but I will enjoy that my shoes and socks last longer.