Weymouth Woods 100k- an outsider's walk in the woods

This was suppose to be my first attempt at 100k and I guess it was, since I did pay the fee and was prepared to start training... However, there was no attempt, not even a hint of one. With 2 months of detraining and hobbling I was happy to arrive at Weymouth Woods in Southern Pines, NC with the ability to walk without a limp or noticeable pain in my left foot. I am paying the price for impatience and poor preparation.

I arrived at Weymouth around 5 hours into the run with Lynnea, Sylas and Aster for a hike in the sandhills on a perfect January afternoon! I was really looking forward to seeing the progression of runners over the distance and how each person's demeanor may change when fatigue came upon them and the endless roots grabbed and woke them.

Lynnea and I toted the smaller mammals around a short loop on service roads which paralleled the inner course and allowed us to see and hear ultra runners in their natural habitat. 5+ hours in the runners were in full story telling mode. They seemed relaxed and energetic and in that magical place where placid euphoria masks itself as lunacy to the un-initiated.

Dropping Names
It was a bit chilly and boring for some to stand around for the whole afternoon so we headed back to the car. On the way we were fortunate to traverse one of the more technical sections of uphill trail... and with a stroller. Not ideal. But in between approaching runners we carried Sylas onward Pharaoh style to the top of this section. Here we spotted Daniel Lieb, Tommy Black and Georgia Snail each around the 50k mark. And all I had done was ride in a car all morning while these guys were just getting warmed up at the halfway mark.

I said good bye to Lynnea and Sylas and Aster and I tightened our laces for a long walk around the course!

We headed out with a pack of food and water, warm clothes and cheer to spread to the runners! I was happy to see Jade out there near the end of a loop in my favorite section of the course. We stood under the tall, straight pines and talked about all things ultra and commiserated a bit about nagging injuries. Jade is always ready with a smile which is such a powerful tool to go to battle with on the sometimes despairing trails.

Onward we went meeting runners of all abilities as they made their way along. Some were walking, some were crushing, some were recovering and some just enjoying the day for what it was without much worry about anything but the moment of perfection they were in. I saw Tommy and Snail again and they were looking really good now, relaxed, smooth and quick around 40 miles in! I was feeling really proud of these guys as they had obviously done the work and were executing perfectly when it counted.

All That and Space too!
There were a lot of runners out there on the 4.75 mile loop. But there was certainly much more space on the trail, no congestion. Even while walking toward the race Aster and I had a lot of time to reflect on where we are in our training. Well, Aster was reflecting on the bread she had just eaten and thinking ahead to peanut butter crackers. As Tom (2011 Chattooga 50k Winner) continued clicking off laps on his way to what looked like a breeze of a win my thoughts couldn't help but float towards spring training plans and a weekend in early June. The annual test of how I've been living and training and hoping I am able to meet my standards of performance and enjoyment!

I came upon the midway aid station and pushed through to avoid congestion and any dog phobic runners. It looked like a great place to spend some time and I hope to make a steady stream of visits to the hostel in 2013. I was really impressed with how firm the trails were in this section compared to what they can tend to be. These horse trails can be like beach sand when really dry but it appeared red clay had been brought in to remedy the situation. I am sure those who have run Weymouth before were appreciative of this update.

Running Bug
Aster and I walked our way to the swamp and the boardwalks as the sun was getting low. Runners had donned night gear; headlamps, jackets and gloves (and a tutu for one runner!). I could tell Aster was getting a bit low on batteries and my left foot was feeling a tad tired as well, (not painful though) so we began the trek homeward including some foolish RUNNING for about 3 minutes PAIN FREE. From there we walked home. Lynnea grew up about 1/2 a mile from the midway aid station and it was super convenient to just walk home after taking in this great event for the afternoon.

As the trail faded and the asphalt appeared my mind shifted back toward home again though left with the lingering impression of pride I feel to be associated with the kinds of people who would brave doubt every day and conquer it. This courage leads to success and tangible evidence of this was witness on a January afternoon in Southern Pines. I can't wait to be running it next year!!

For now... Onward to The Now!

Two Big Climbs, One Big Run

With winter looming threatening ice and wind for the end of the holiday weekend I took advantage of a perfect autumn Saturday to double traverse Grandfather Mountain.

My training has been... spotty. When I get out the door I've felt surprisingly good, if a little tight (& heavy). But once a mile or so passes below me things have been fairly strong and smooth. As I continue training for Weymouth Woods 100k in January, I can't help but feel extremely under prepared for the task ahead. I go into this knowing that the task with be mental, that the fatigue will be a long term partner on that day.

Grandfather Mountain- Double Traverse
Having slept in Saturday I arrived at the trail head around 1:30pm with about 4 hours of visibility to work with and temps in the mid 50s at the base of the Profile Trail. Forecasts said a low of 43 that night so I figured up top at 5,946' elevation the weather would be pleasant enough. To be safe I still strapped on a light jacket, hat and gloves.

The Profile Trail is the most direct route to reach Calloway Peak. Starting along the gentle moss-covered rocks of the Watauga River the trail soon goes from easy 8 minute miles to challenging 12 minute miles (or slower) within 1/2 a mile. With numerous early water crossings on big flat boulders this early section allows the legs to settle into less technical rock hopping and the eyes get a chance to program the brain for the challenges to come.

Soon the grade becomes severe in sustained fashion, it is a mountain after all and I just continued my 4 hour pace for an over and back attempt on the mountain. My hope was to reach the Tanawha Trail near Boone Fork via Nuwati and then loop back on the Daniel Boone Scout Trail. Somewhere around 30 minutes I reached the Profile View, which was occupied (as was every other via this day... busy day up there) and so I just kept moving up up up! A few minutes later I reached the spring and took a short rest. As I refueled and down a few big gulps of fresh spring water I took in the peaceful silence in the fir trees.

The Trail Below Calloway Peak

Higher and steeper
The final push to the saddle atop the ridge is STEEP. Big step on rock jumbles on grades of 25% or more in places. I decided this was a great place to walk... or climb and even so I was feeling a burn in the quads and my heart rate was getting my attention... and still not a quarter of the way out... I was a little worried about that climb later in the day when I would be ascending the mountain for the second time on 2+ hours into the run. Anyhow, in a few minutes I reach the junction atop the ridge and made my left turn toward Calloway Peak.

More big steps, rocks and wash outs with enough roots to step and trip along while ducking under short fir trees reaching into the rugged path. Even hiking these trails can be technical but somehow, once you find the rhythm they can be run pretty efficiently about 95% of the trip! Along the way to Calloway I stopped in at the Watauga view and spotted where my house is way off in the distance. A cool perspective on the county from up there while the skies were crystal clear.

Midpoint Summit
A few minutes later I reached the pinnacle at Calloway Peak running from tight squeezes in the fir to the vista atop the peak. There sat about 20 hikers who were a bit surprised, startled to see the crazed faced trail runner. I gave a quick "howdy" and left them the peak hoping to get my alone time up there on the return... I figured I would need the rest later and that stopping here I might think better of the test ahead of me... so onward and downward I ran.

The feeling running off the top of a mountain is odd. 2,000' elevation loss ahead of me over the next 45-60 minutes was a nice thought from an immediate effort stance, but those quads were about to be tested with each precarious foot fall on the rooty, rocky, washed out trail! Last time I had run this descent I got an up-close and personal view of the root systems of trail side vegetation... with the 4 hour run in mind I took it in patiently checking my excitement to fly away not wanting to bleed all the way home. This worked out fine and soon I was at the loop junction for the Nuwati Trail.


Nuwati to Me
This is maybe the most technical portion of trail on Grandfather, while not the most strenuous... the amazing network of roots left by erosion make running very difficult under low hanging branches and some tight squeezes through big boulders. That said, it is runnable (even in the snow and ice) and I was making some decent (descent) time through this section while hydrating aggressively and chomping down my Gu Chomps.

There was a lot of traffic on this portion and one encounter sticks out. I came up two teen boys and their father. The second boy who was  maybe13 and straight from the Google convention warned me of the treacherous trail ahead of me while I passed by. As I approached his father who was nose deep in his iphone completely missing everything around him... the mountain, the weather... his sons I was forced to gently brush by him... I was left trying not to tempt the trail gnomes with judgement of the encounter. We are all visitors.

Nuwati trail I took a moment at a watering spot, a mossy sluice box, to fill my bottle, fill my belly and get ready for the next test... the beginning of the climb back to the top. 1:45 in and who knew how long to get back. I was feeling strong and fairly fresh but with the climbing ahead, over 2,000' worth and nearing 2 hours on my feet it could get pretty tough. Add to this, the sun moving toward the horizon and I knew I just had to keep moving patiently. Barring injury I should be able to get to the west side of the mountain with a good amount of daylight remaining... it was about 3:20pm... that's 2 hours of good daylight, and maybe 30 minutes of dwindling dusk.

What Goes Down... Must Go Up!

Midpoint Low Point

Daniel Boone Scout trail is a winding switchback section which transitions away from the rhododendron up to the fir trees again. I bounced my way lightly upward and was reunited with many of the faces I had visited with on the way down.

Completing the loop and rejoining the Nuwati trail I was surprised how great I was feeling. From here I was only 20 minutes from rejoining Calloway Peak.

I noticed a thickness in the air and soon my head was in thick white fog permeating the trees. Passing an old plane wreck I moved onward knowing I was not meant for the one view at the top of the mountain today... rather the countless views along the way, impossible to measure in any single way but with a lingering feeling of experience it is something that stays with you.

Atop Calloway Peak for a second time I looked around at the drifting whiteness of the air. Visibility was about 50' and I had a big laugh that after 2:45 of moving to this point on the peak that I would see... clouds and few nearby trees!! Was the run any less rewarding?  

Atop Grandfather Mtn.

Nowhere to Go but Down
Beginning the final leg of the run I settled back into downhill movement, the rocks a bit wetter, though my Innov-8 Roclites gripped with easy and I ended up without even a slip on the way, just a couple of uphill stumbles (no official falls!). Reaching the spring again I stopped and took a few minutes to re-energize my legs for the runnable downhill to finish. With the technical stuff behind me I had 2+ miles of smooth downhill ahead!

Reaching the Profile View I stopped for a minute to take in the face of the mountain's namesake, this time with the trail to myself. Then, I bombed downward picking up speed, dipping into and cruising out of tight turns and splashing through ankle deep mud puddles, what a blast! I reached my car just before 5 o'clock with 3:15 on my feet and feeling like I would have liked another bit of running... but for now it was time to head home!

This run was a big confidence booster. Grandfather Mountain is an area I once considered not runner friendly, which may be true for a road racer... with the right approach this is a playground with big climbs, technical sections, downhill bombs and even a few sections of flat, open trail. I can't wait to get up there again and add on to the double traverse!

This type of running should serve me well come Weymouth Woods, though not sure how to prepare for 60 miles in a sandbox... suggestions?

Series of Dreams

Picture a line in the sand... your perception of what you are capable of... where you've already gone.

Now, picture yourself as a fountain of energy, a geyser of momentum. As you grow, your inertia acts and moves these small grains of sand around you and what was once a line in the sand, a limitation, vanishes and is now a fresh landscape.

Now, in your new vast sandbox, free of boundaries or limitations you are able to go beyond and discover a new horizon.

This weekend I will be finding the new horizons of my sand box as I return to run the next event in the Boone Marathon Series. The 2nd Annual October Marathon will be my landscape on which I can allow myself to explore whatever distance I choose to.

My last visit to a BMS event left me limping away at mile 18 (?) somewhere around 3am, having walked the last 7+ miles. It was... a failure in many respects, though I like to believe there was a lesson in there. Maybe a lesson as simple as, get in the game!

BMS events take place on a 3.75 mile out and back on the Boone Greenway. We will run out, then back, out, then back....  7 times for a full marathon... bonus miles for those who choose. There have been some amazing long runs completed out on this tiny speck of Earth... try 105 miles by Bobby Cordell to name just one example... that is 28 trips of out and back over the 1.875 mile stretch.

If you are in the High Country this weekend for the Woolly Worm or some other event, stop by the Greenway in the am and get your run on! It is free, it is low key and the weather has been ordered up as PERFECT complete with the peak for leaf peepers.

Happy Running!

Dusting off the Cape

...and we thought it was cold.

I hardly dare the forces that be to ratchet up (er, down?) this cold spell any further. The more of the forecast I see, the clearer I know that the decision to run Disney is a good one... if only to bring some relief from the -5 to -15 degree temperatures we are being quoted with. Today is a little warmer, so they say... at 14 degrees above zero and the wind chill advisory being lifted; this is laughable but like I said about tempting fate.

So, I may, in fact don the cape today, there may be no other choice for surviving the brutal conditions. As luck would have it, I only need about 40 minutes today and maybe slightly longer tomorrow before bailing for the magical sun of Disney. I will succeed at getting both feet out the door; covered head to toe- maybe even with ski goggles as well:)


This weekend's running was done in the relative warmth of Southern Pines, NC where they experiences lows so low they hadn't been so low... since '77... the year I was born. Saturday I even could have used some gloves;) It reached down around freezing with some gusty winds.

After a quick 6 miles in Weymouth Woods, I was treated to a massage, a sauna and a whirlpool. What a weekend and what a way to start the new year!! I will spare you the details of the trunk-less wonder...