Grandfather Mountain- Profile Trail

Monday afternoon and I found myself motoring over the trail head to get in some climbing on the Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail. The route settles you in crossing over a stream and running along side the water for a half mile before beginning the assault on the mountain. On the way you are treated to several creek crossings before the climb gets a bit more aggressive on large granite steps which make up the trail.

After a few miles the trail reaches a natural spring before giving the legs one final test through the boulder field of a trail which leads ultimately to the ridge around 3.5 miles. To give you an idea of the grade, my half mile splits were larger than my daily mile splits. From trail head to ridge was about 45 minutes. I then turned right toward the Mile High Swinging Bridge, an icon of Grandfather Mountain... unfortunately.

After a half mile or so of nice alpine running on dark, muddy trails the trail emerges on the top of the ridge line, in the exposed air of the high country. Honestly I was feeling a tad vulnerable here after the cover the climb to that point. My year old road shoes hold little in the way of traction and as I bounded from boulder to boulder I could feel a bit of slip from time to time. As I peaked to my right I noticed nothing but air... this is a mountain after all and so my plan quickly changed from covering ground to staying on solid ground.

I ran when I could run but much of this section requires climbing, using anchored lines and ladders to traverse... not exactly running but beautiful, fun and the alpine air just smells so good. Now I was thinking time on the feet. This mile stretch of terrain took me a solid 25 minutes to cover. Soon I realized the swinging bridge was out of the cards for this night. I had promised to be home by 8pm and now was pushing to get back to the car by that time.

The return trip was much quicker as the technical sections were uphill and so a little easier to move with pace. (I prefer going up when climbing is concerned.) Channelling my inner Bear Grylls I soon reached the spring just below the ridge line and saw that I had 30 minutes to reach the car by 8pm. The trail was much more runner friendly within half a mile and soon I was zooming down the mountainside just letting the legs fly and swiftly hitting on my foot placements without really thinking.

Gliding and Smiling
This type of trail running is so enjoyable after putting in the work to gain all that elevation. Just a microcosm of running and training. You diligently acquire fitness day by day and then every so often you are able to flourish in an hour or two or pure runner expression. Back to the last flat section and the creek crossings as the water reminded me to slow down and go with the grade of the land. The best running comes when we work with the Earth, not trying to conquer it. This activity requires the successful to compromise with the land. We give over our ego and in return are provided with joy and bliss.