Experience is a great teacher.

While my experience at last year’s Troegs Rugged Trail 5k should have taught me to sign up for an easier race, I couldn’t resist the challenge.

Last year’s inaugural Rugged Trail 5k in Middleburg at the 530 acre Ned Smith Nature Center was undoubtedly the toughest 5k I’d ever run. But I felt compelled to return this year because of the challenge of completing the course and the attraction of the competition — also the great giveaways and the post-race party with live music and free Troegs beer.

The second annual Troegs Rugged Trail 5k, held last Saturday, began innocently enough as I lined up across the stone patio of the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art with 90 runners. That number nearly doubled last year’s participation of 53.

We dashed into the mixed hardwood forest on a winding dirt trail and across a wooden suspension bridge which swayed and bobbed crazily underfoot. The pace immediately felt too fast, but there was a certain jockeying for position as all of us knew that it would be difficult to pass once we reached the mountain.

And then we began to climb. I tried to catch my breath after the fast start, but there was no relief on the rocky and rutted one mile ascent at an average of 10.5 percent grade. I resigned myself to half jogging, half walking, baby-stepping through ankle-deep grass and over hidden rocks and ruts.

Even at my slow pace, I passed several participants who had abandoned running after the first quarter-mile of steepness. I smiled when I overheard a woman groan, “How much farther is it?” and I thought to myself, “You don’t really want to know.”

The last 100 meters beneath the summit were the rockiest and steepest part of the ascent. I tried to avoid dislodging chunks of sandstone and losing my footing on the loose scree.

That last climb left me both winded and wobbly. I crested the summit and relaxed a little — big mistake. I overlooked a root buried in the grass, hooked my toe under it and almost sprawled face first onto the path.

I had little time to gather myself after my near face-plant since the lung-searing uphill was soon followed by a quad-burning steeper descent of the same mountainside. The mossy downhill tips to a 40 percent slope in sections.

The downhill portion of Rugged Trail is more controlled fall than run. A few of us passed several cautious competitors on the downhill. We took turns hollering, “On your left,” or “Passing,” as we crashed through the brush along the more well-worn trail center.

One final slide down a recently repaired section of trail and a leap across a drainage ditch and I reached the base of the mountain. After the beating my legs took on the steep descent, I had nothing left for the last stretch of level rail trail. Still, I mustered a smile as I crossed the finish line amidst cheering spectators, many of whom had completed the easier Hopback Trail 5k, a family-friendly event run on a level rail trail.

Both Rugged Trail and Hopback Trail 5k’s raise funds to maintain the more than 12 miles of trails which wind through Ned Smith Nature Center grounds. The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is a national leader in research into migration of the elusive northern saw-whet owl.

In addition to operating three owl banding sites in central PA and netting up to 900 owls each season, the Ned Smith Center educates nearly 4,000 school children, community groups and college classes each year.

Visit www.nedsmithcenter.org for more information.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Boston Harvest 5k, 10k and Half Marathon. Boston. Starts at Yough River Trail Head with 10k start at 9 A.M. and 5k starts at 9:15 A.M. teambrunazzi@gmail.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Peanut Butter Festival 5k, New Bethlehem. Also mountain bike race at 10:30 A.M. 814-275-3929 or rlhrind@yahoo.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Race to End Hunger 5k and 2 Mile Walk and Kids Fun Run, Hermitage. Kids run at 8:45 A.M. 724-981-0353 or mprada@foodwarehouse.org

Saturday, Noon: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. Fun event for kids ages 12 and under. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Positive Steps 5k Run/Walk, Cranberry Township. Run in North Boundary Park. 724-444-5333 or Maureen@positivestepstherapy.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: 10th Annual Elorapalooza Memorial 5k/ 1 Mile Run/ Walk/ Lollygag, North Park. 412-608-2134 or geierhaus2000@yahoo.com

Sept. 26, 9 a.m.: 31st Annual Clarion 5k/10k Race, Clarion. 814-226-8760 or uwrace@verizon.net

Sept. 27, 8 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race 5k, Pittsburgh. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 27, 9 a.m.: Butler Lions Club Scoot and Toot 5k, Butler. Part of Blind Association Chili Festival. 724-287-4059 or jbindernagel@theblindassociation.org

Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race 10k, Pittsburgh. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.com

Oct. 2, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. rfrailey@windstream.net

Oct. 3, 8 a.m.: Her Times 5k, Erie. Women’s run followed by kids races. 814-881-0060 or erierunnersclub.org

Oct. 3, 8 a.m.: October Half Marathon, 10k Run and 5k Walk, Hollidaysburg. 814-695-3204 or www.hollidaysburgareaymca.org.

Oct. 3, 9 a.m.: HAEE 5k Race, Allison Park. Run through Hartwood Acres. 412-487-9566 or chris.baker!hamptonalliance.org

Oct. 3, 2 p.m.: Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Schools 5k, Saxonburg. Run on scenic Saxony Farms. 412-793-5884 or deer@consolidated.net

Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m.: St. Kilian Parish School Celtic Way 5k and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk, Cranberry Township. Run in North Boundary Park. lstofko@saintkilian.org

Oct. 10, 9 a.m.: Halloween Hustle 5k, Sarver. Run from Monroe Road on Butler/Freeport Trail. 724-448-1951 or freeporthalloweenhustle5k.weebly.com

Oct. 10, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon and 5k, Punxsutawney. amytaday@gmail.com

Oct. 10, 8 a.m.: Trailapalooza Fall Running Festival, Penn Run. Choice of 3.5, 6 or 10 miles on Yellow Creek State Park trails. doug@americanadventuresports.com

Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m.: Tyrone Recreation Association Race and Wellness Series Fall 5k/15k @ Reservoir Park, Tyrone. 518-669-4988 or kristenhawley@yahoo.com

Oct. 11, 8:30 a.m.: Fort Ligonier Days 5k, Ligonier. 724-238-4200 or pamela67@comcast.net

Oct. 17, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Freeport. Downhill run on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. quaranta@consoliated.net

Oct. 18, 8 a.m.: Trail to Eagle Trail Run 10k, Beaver Falls. Trail run through Brady’s Run Park. 724-480-9250 or troop423@comcast.net

Race results

North Park Kids Triathlon, Aug. 15: (Under 8) Hudson Bliss, 17:07; Joy Beck, 18:53; Jack Tirch, 19:39; Kelly Morrissey, 19:43; Hannah Vacula, 21:11; Teagan Yurocko, 21:57; Braden Schmitt, 24:23; (Age 8) Nathaniel Tarbi, 16:20; Keelin Schessler, 16:39; Bridget Beck, 17:29; Chase Lavezoli, 17:41; Wesley Calhoun, 17:49; Danielle Parke, 18:09; Brady Bernard, 18:14; Benjamin Fledler, 18:20; Madison Moffat, 18:37; Nicole Parke, 21:01; Maddie Cappabianco, 22:35; (Age 9) Cole Kamarec, 11:38; Benjamin Keefer, 11:50; Creed Erdos, 11:53; Alexandra Gongas, 13:03; Pierce Nagel, 13:06; Sam West, 14:23; Mason Ackermary, 14:48; Taylor Schmitt, 16:48; Ella Tirch, 17:14; Taylor Wilkinson, 17:18; Ariana Anderson, 17:20; Jocelyn Rich, 17:28; Erin Schaeffer, 18:45; Tia Diehert, 18:54; Sloan Meyers, 20:12; (Age 10) Sam Hersick, 19:20; Owen Schessler, 19:52; Joseph Harmanos, 21:45; Ella Butterfield, 23:53; Evelyn Bliss, 25:17; Maddie Leachman, 25:17; Jack Wilkinson, 25:32; Justin Bogacz, 26:45; Mathew Yurocko, 26:57; (Age 11) Olivia Kamarec, 19:22; Eliza Matusek, 22:20; Trent Vacula, 23:27; Coco Reed, 24:02; Luke Farrar, 24:21; Jacob Schaeffer, 24:29; Jillian Zitcovich, 26:06; Sara Weiland, 26:12; Delaney Rich, 28:13; (Age 12) Zachary Baker, 18:20; Jacob Szafranski, 20:32; Ava Wilkinson, 23:27; Emma Macdonald, 24:06; Tady Manma, 25:07; Blair Beck, 25:07; Emily Morrissey, 26:27; (Age 13-15) Zach Leachman, 41:18; Jackson Seely, 48:11; Max Bredl, 50:17; Katie Kamarec, 51:50; Norah Seibel, 59:29; Zachary Nagel, 1:00:40; Riley Lewis, 1:02:37; Allison Boretsky, 1:04:25

Prospect Chiefs 5k, Aug. 16: Carter MacMurdo, 1st Overall M, 19:11; Jennifer Bole, 1st Overall W, 21:18; Tim Monfre, 1st 50-59 M, 19:49; Ethan Depew, 1st 15-19 M, 20:42; Greg Schiller, 2nd 50-59 M, 20:52; Mac Taylor, 2nd 15-19 M, 20:57; Herb Cratty, 3rd 50-59 M, 21:07; A.J. May, 2nd 15-19 M, 21:38; Aaron Depew, 1st 40-49 M, 23:13; Rob Taylor, 2nd 40-49 M, 23:31; Gary Burrell, 3rd 40-49 M, 25:22; Holly Depew, 1st 40-49 W, 26:00; Kevin Wolf, 3rd 30-39 M, 28:11; Roger Wolf, 1st 60+ M, 31:14; Eli Anderson, 1st 14 & under M, 31:45; Morgan Longdon, 2nd 15-19 W, 31:48; Janet Stewart, 3rd 50-59 W, 33:19; Alyssa Voland, 3rd 15-19 W, 37:13; Waid Darren, 1st 20-29 M, 38:28; Vicki Borland, 2nd 40-49 W, 39:19; Christine Bagley, 3rd 40-49 W, 40:02; Sally Dietrich, 1st 60+ W, 40:03; Luke Shaffer, 2nd 14 & Under M, 44:48; Jed Shaffer, 3rd 14 & Under M, 49:33; David Voland, Sr., 26:38; Waid Douglas, 27:01; Bill May, 30:12; Lauren Briner, 1st 14 & Under W, 50:37; Vicki Briner, 3rd 30-39 W, 1:04:10; Dave Voland, 31:43; Jim Longdon, 32:45; Paul Anderson, 35:37; Rob Borland, 39:18; Ansley Shaffer, 44:55; Zoe Anderson, 44:56; Janet Leise, 46:40; Kia Briner, 49:35; Heather Shaffer, 50:36; Mike Briner, 1:04:11

Ice Cream Race Half Mile Kids Run, Aug. 20: Matthew Puleio, 1st Overall M, 2:25; Bailee Verdill, 1st Overall W, 3:07; Brett Loughry, 2:47; Selah Severson, 3:20; Josh Jones, 3:25; Alex Depew, 3:30; Sarah Loughry, 3:30; Chase Depew, 3:32; Russell Kwiat, 3:33; Cana Severson, 3:36; Rylee Gorrell, 3:36; Roger Kwiat, 3:39; Elizabeth Kulp, 3:42; Alyssa Watters, 3:44; Aidan Shakley, 3:51; Katelyn Watters, 3:53; Isaac Rodgers, 4:05; Mya Brahler, 4:05; Milena Sciullo, 4:06; Caleb Wiley, 4:07; Cruz Brahler, 4:09; Brooke Sciullo, 4:09; Lydia Springirth, 4:10; Jake Gorrell, 4:24; Sabatino Sciullo, 4:26; Gavin Gilmore, 4:28; Rebecca Springirth, 4:28; Jackson Jungling, 4:29; Caleb Kulp, 4:34; Maya Clinger, 5:02; Ashten Kramer, 5:38; Sonya Merz, 5:42; Landon Michael, 5:45; Ace Buchanan, 5:49; Keiji Bell, 6:02; David Fisher, 6:16; Lucas Greene, 6:25; Sadie Rodgers, 6:26; Nathan Cox, 6:44; Zoe Webb, 6:55; Ryli Beachem, 7:47; Cali Beachem, 7:48; Corie Roseski, 8:39

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle