Emerald Outback Trails

Monday afternoon I set out for a nice recovery run on the trail strewn about Beech Mountain, NC. Beech has the distinction of being the highest town on the East coast with an official elevation of 5500'. This is the elevation where I would park my car, tie my shoes and set out across Oz Rd. for an hour plus of taking in The Emerald Outback.

Typical Trail scenery

What is all of the Wizard of Oz references? Atop Beech Mountain you will actually find a Yellow Brick Road and each summer a "re-enactment" of Dorothy and the Gang. So, many of the roads and trails are named for this notable "achievement".

Running The Emerald Outback
So- on I was running, along the course of last summer's XTerra NC Beech Mtn. run. The course is still marked actually, which was very helpful in making decisions among the many options in the area. The Emerald Outback is a newborn mountain bike trail system which lends itself to a good deal of "creative riding" through the grassy undergrowth at about 6,000ft. elevation. Which can be confusing with unofficial social trails here and there... (follow blue arrows).

Elk River Overlook

I made sure to stop in at the scenic overlooks along the way and snap some photos on another beautiful spring afternoon in the High Country. From the trail you can spot the major landmarks of our area including Roan Mountain, Grandfather Mountain and the Elk River far below. You can also take in the amazing volume of development "nestled" into these hills. Fortunately, for the most part, the ridge lines have been left alone with a few exceptions in the area.





Encounters on the Trail

Beech Mountain, NC

During my run I spotted grouse in the grass who gave me a startle as I ran up on them- I guess we surprised each other- as their flight almost had me taking to the air as well! There are a plethora of creek crossing so plenty of opportunity to get muddy and wet- which I love. I think that is my favorite aspect of trail running. You are moving along twisting and turning climbing and falling and splashing through spring run off and recent rain drainage- it doesn't get better!!

As I neared the end of the 10k course I saw I had some time to go to meet my goals for the recovery run and so I doubled up on some of the course before making the long climb to the top of Beech Mountain and the chair lifts. From there, it is a nice mile plus zigging and zagging through the trees as you descend the mountain and rejoin Oz Road to head back to the trail head.

 

If you find yourself in the Watauga or Avery County area do yourself a favor and head up to Beech Mountain for a unique trail running experience. Nowhere around here are the trails quite like this. There are some climbs, of course, but mostly you will find rolling terrain and beautiful views- time out here loses meaning and you are left with simple enjoyment. I know I had to pry myself off the mountain...

Happy Running!

Xterra Nationals... 21k (?)

This was a trip of certain uncertainty. I set my alarm for 5:30am Friday morning in my Charlotte hotel room hoping to get a good jump on the day and arrive in plenty of time to catch the 7:50am flight.

As I rolled over prior to hearing my alarm, I opened my eyes and noticed it was relatively light for prior to 5:30am. Then a rush of panic hit me and I ran to the nightstand to see it was 7:25am... I had 25 minutes to get dressed, pack up and have that shuttle get me to the airport... anyway, I ended up on the next flight to Denver and arrived in time to catch the connector to Portland. Problem was... that flight was delayed 2 1/2 hours... now I was cutting it impossibly close to catching the last leg of the trip to Bend.

I had planned on arriving at 3:30 local time so I could settle in, get my bib, find something healthy to eat and get to bed early. Well, after missing the connection in Portland I waited (in a most beautiful airport by the way with lots of good food and beer- one) for 6 hours before arriving in Bend, to the sweet smell of rain-wet pine and sage. Yankee Candle needs to visit Bend, and put it in a bottle. Of course, by this time 20 hours into my day of dismay I was expecting that something would get in the way of me and a pillow.

The car service I had hired was not there with my name on a little white card as promised. In fact, I never heard from them at all... I will take the high road and tell you that I rented a car instead, from Alamo (and for 1/2 the price). This led to freedom and extra time during my one day in Bend, so... it was a good thing!

I left the airport, without a map and headed south hoping with the ultimate faith (especially considering the day to that point) that Bend would be a tourist friendly place with many large signs pointing me (specifically) where I needed to go.

Guess what? They did. Basically. I found Mt. Bachelor Resort without much problem and they were very friendly and helpful. As was EVERYBODY in Bend. It was Truman-Show-esque how friendly and welcoming the Bend-o-nians were and I HIGHLY recommend spending your hard earned time and money in their city. Beautiful place, no traffic, round-a-bouts everywhere... it was great. I swear I raced... stay tuned for that in my next post.

Getting there was the hard part. Now all I had to do was run... how complicated could that be?

Xterra Series #3 Race Report

This weekend brought me and Lynnea to Matthews, NC for the 3rd of 4 races in the Xterra North Carolina trail race series. With a lead after two events in the 30-34 age group I was hoping to put the series to bed with an age group victory. If so I would be done with the regional aspect of Xterra for the year. Since only 3 of 4 races qualify for points there is no advantage (since these races are $40-50 each) to running the 4th race- if, I were able to place at the top of the age group in this 3rd consecutive race.

They're Off!
I knew nothing of this course, except its advertised length. I saw this as an opportunity to get out and just run a controlled, relaxed race and see where that left me with 2 miles to go. So, with the muted electronic beep of the megaphone- we were off. I sat in 12th position as the excitement drew runners out front. The initial portion of the course brought us through an open field. There was about 600m to adjust into our places before hitting the single track.

As we neared the forest I moved into second place making a guess as to where I needed to be within the field. The front runner was gone. He is a 4 flat miler with endurance to match it- so I was certainly not interested in chasing that rabbit. I'd seen him disappear several times this year already.

Mixed up Confusion
We moved through mile one gently in 6 minute pace. Half a mile later the leader was running back our way confused a bit by the course. We stopped and decided to press on... hoping we were right. We plodded along- the chase pack closing in on us, until we saw mile marker #2- 6:11.

I was leading through this portion as we were still a little uncertain as to our path- though after 5 minutes of running we were pretty much committed to our decision... soon I relinquished the lead, happily, and was alone in the woods in the blink of an eye.

Stunned but not Defeated
In that same blink I must've overlooked one of the 12 million roots throughout this technical trail! In an instant I was legless with only a torso and momentum as I flew through the air- what a freeing feeling to know you are about to bite it, nothing to do but wait- nothing to fear but that sudden, grinding halt awaiting you only milliseconds away. Still rotating ever so smoothly until that fateful instant when the Earth met my inertia-

"Awww," the grunt and thud could be heard throughout the trees. I quickly checked for missing, cracked or severely altered parts and was on my way... Covered in sandy mud! (Later, at the finish line I noticed I was one of 20-25% of the field with a similar or more extreme case of trail rash... I got off easy.)

Quantum Running
At several point in the course, the winding nature of the trail allowed runners who were a minute or more apart in time to be only 20 feet apart in space. These convoluted sections were a healthy reminder to stay on the tipping point between aerobic and anaerobic effort. The pursuers were there- don't be fooled... I was beginning to feel the effort of mile 3 (6:11), where I pushed a little too hard after the fall and had a resulting adrenaline induced spurt. Halfway through this mile 4 I was stinging and had no choice but to back off a little.

Regaining a 'firm' Foundation
Having not seen another runner for a mile or so I had the luxury to recoup my wits before hitting mile 5 and a last push. Mile 4- 6:30... ouch. I resumed the previous pace of around 6:10, though- now the effort required on the twists and turns was exponentially increased. Little hills were stinging and burning and the downhills were less of a break and more of an exercise in concentration to keep from spilling the beans.

...and its Decision Time...
This was the tipping point in the race. Not knowing the course from here I had to simply keep running brave and find that courage inside me to face and embrace the vulnerability of the situation I was in. This is WHY we do this, so let's jump in full steam!

Finally, after what seemed like 20 minutes I reached mile 6 (6:10ish???). This was a very technical portion of the course with many drastic step ups and downs over larger rocks. I try to fly over these kinds of features to maintain my center of gravity in space basically hurdle the small mounds of dirt. Easier said on a Monday morning after the fact, than it was done on a Sunday morning at 80 degrees!

It Ain't Over 'till the Fat Lady Says its Over...
Suddenly however, I caught a glimpse of a chaser- I was being reeled in with .2 to go!

Decision time. Either crumble into the clay and dust off an excuse, or dig deep, concentrate on recovering form and find out how fast that chaser really is!!! He might catch me, but he is going to have to run out of his mind to do it- let's race!

I hit the gas. The ups were swift and the downs were on the edge of control. On tight turns I grabbed an oak to swing around, pumping the arms as I entered another 50m climb.

Accelerate, check the speed going down again, jump over the log, turn, around that stone, accelerate into this straight!!

Joy :)
Now, this was fun. I entered a straight stretch where I powered down the trail. .1 of a mile to go. One more technical section and the race director's words came to mind, "this course is dead on 6.2..." Knowing this information I could drop the hammer without fear of bonus fun. Exiting the trees and seeing the finish line the arms were in full swing, knees driving up the small incline. So much joy was bringing me home:) This kind of running is the result of preparation and mindset. It may happen by accident occasionally- but we can also allow ourselves repeated visits to this place of bliss.

The Results in Black and White
I finished the course in 39:02 for second place overall and won my age group. Officially the top 30-34 male for the North Carolina Xterra trail series!! As reward, I am now eligible to race for free (not travel for free...) in Bend, OR next month at Xterra Nationals!! While that is pretty cool- the true reward was the aforementioned freedom and joy felt within while out on the trail this day. The series was a great experience- learning new trails, sharing them with so many tough runners and having the superior race direction of Dirty Spoke Productions...

So now... onto another race series. This weekend race number two of the High Country Triple Crown series. The Valle Crucis 7 miler nicknamed "The Cub"...

Happy Running!!

Xterra North Carolina

Greetings fellow runners! Hope the summer is treating each of you well.

This season has brought Xterra to North Carolina in four tasty trail races. Free race entry to the national championships in Bend, Oregon to the series winner!! But... NOT free travel and accomodations.

Race #1 held a few weeks ago was atop Beech Mountain, NC... the highest town east of the mighty Mississippi at about 5,500 feet of elevation... not Colorado by any stretch but still high enough to zap you on the many hills comprising this course.

The mainly single track course made its way up and across the ski slopes of Beech Mtn before meandering around the back side where the trail became very peaceful, despite the incredible desire for more air. With its technical, soft footing this was a bear of a run. Racing 10k at elevation can really convince you that you have just entered one of those couch to marathon programs... each small hill stabbed the lungs and left you wondering about the training you've been doing... but the day went well, safe and fun! 4th overall, 1st in the age group.

This weekend I drove south to Tsali Recreation Area for race number two. This course was rolling, hard packed and wide open. A contrast to the Beech Mountain trails which were softer and more technical. Over the course of 11 miles this weekend I finished in second place overall. Which is now where the standings leave me for the overall series as well (leading the AG).

A HUGE thanks to Psyche and Leopold for coming out to lend their support to me!! If you haven't had the pleasure, click over to Psyche's blog and read about her attempt on the 77 mile Foothills Trail.

Psyche and Sean before the race

There is much happening in the world of The Sean these days, many changes on the horizon... racing is but a very small portion of life amongst these new adventures. However, being able to go out into the woods or onto a quiet road for an hour or so and test the spirit amongst friends (or amongst your own self) is always worth its time and effort. Always remember- set time aside for yourself... nobody else will, and you'll be better for it!

Happy steps whether they be on trails, tracks, roads or fields!