Tanawha Trail with Bonus Option!

(Clockwise from L) Caleb, Santiago, Sean, James, Mark, Tim, Jenny, Ashley

A few weeks back Mark at Big Foot Trail Runners put out an invite for a group run on my local long trail... the Tanawha Trail which skirts below Grandfather Mountain and parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

So, on Saturday morning a group of 8 runners collected in the random April frost. We were still shivering as the full moon descended and the welcomed orb or warmth arrived. With a smattering of beeps signifying modern runner's resumption of movement... we were off on an adventure!

Beacon Heights to Upper Boone Fork
We began at Beacon Heights still foggy and finding our rhythm on the extremely technical trail. The Tanawha here, is mainly comprised of large flat rocks and spindly roots and is very rugged. So, we plodded on and went with the flow of the trail knowing that we would have a minimum of 13.5 miles to cover from end to end. Plus, we had the option of ascending a short 5k one way add on to Calloway Peak atop Grandfather Mountain.

Resting in the woods on a chilly morning

Every couple of miles we would regroup at intersections or beautiful scenic vistas which allowed each of us to run at our own comfortable effort for the day while also getting to chat it up some while refueling and recharging.

A Perfect Spring Day
Once the sun had risen we were all very comfortable with the morning temperatures and quickly shedded layers down to short sleeves and bare hands. The early spring had the trail looking fresh with young grasses and a variety of the tiniest wildflowers lining the trail with splashes of purples, yellows and whites.

Gradually, the Tanawha opens up bit by bit and becomes more runnable. However, still fairly technical through about the halfway mark around Upper Boone Fork where we had stashed supplies. Here we had a choice to make. Either go on to the finish for the 13.5 mile option or... ascend Grandfather Mountain to Calloway Peak.

Originally, Mark and I had loosely committed to making the push to the views above. With such a crystal clear day to take in the scenery we had been making the case for others to join us. We had thought the whole run would take about 5 hours... that we'd be completed around 12 or 1pm at the latest. It was already getting to be about 11:30am... we still had 90 minutes to reach the end of the Tanawha Trail and the trip up to Calloway Peak would add 10k round trip and about 2 hours of moving time... we were looking at a very long day!

How Far Up?
This was the question of the group while we refueled and refilled our stomachs, bottles and bladders. According to the map, the trail is 3.0 miles up... so "Just a 5k" was my answer and became a rallying cry iin the vilification of The Sean over the next 90 minutes of ascent! This "5k concept" sounded reasonable to the group so everybody who had the time to spare for the day decided to strap on their big boy (and girl) pants and go for the summit! We had 6 in the group and we were all smiles... at least to each others faces!

From lower rock outcropping.

We began leap frogging with walkers as we rejoined at junctions and tended to feet and gear for the long haul. During this stretch we passed and were passed by the same couple about 6 six times... we thought it was funny... they thought it was annoying. Eventually we did get clear of them and saw them again on our way down.

Nuwati is comprised of big granite cut in steps, very loose large rocks, washed out rooted sections and a ton of rich, sticky mud. Once we reached the junction with Daniel Boone Scout Trail (halfway up) we were all feeling the day... and a few questions came my way regarding how far this "F$%#ing 5k is..." I think they were kidding...

Despite the fatigue of the moment I knew we'd all be pleased to have made the tough climb to the top together and soak in the adventure of the day and the endless views from atop Grandfather Mountain!

Showing our good side.

Another mile up the trail and we began our scrambling efforts across large boulders utilizing cracks in the mountain to ascend. There were a large volume of hikers on the trail and as we reached nearer Calloway Peak the trail was more and more congested. We did our best to be ambassadors for our runner brethren as we moved on by hikers on muddy, splashing trails.

Finally, we regrouped at the first of the ladders at the final pitch. This series of ladders and cables assist humans in safely making the ascent to the top of Watauga County at 5,964 feet. When it was all said and done that little 5k did have a 1,700 foot climb therein, however I stick to my guns... it was only a 5k!

Atop Calloway Peak things were crowded. We popped out of the thick evergreen lined trail to the small clearing up top to find a large group of hikers. They had come from Upper Boone Fork where we had resupplied.

Atop Calloway Peak... Just a short 5k...

Our group of 6; hyper and fatigued, trail-bonded, euphoric, depleted and likely stinky trail runners were surely a spectacle. We were careful not to encroach though it is pretty tight up there, and we had been moving now for about 5 hours to reach this point so we wanted our share of beauty too!


Jenny kindly requested a photo after our rewarding journey to reach this point! I was so proud to be a part of this group having travelled rough terrain for the entire day! We take it for granted often, but this is a special thing we do!

"Get out of our way and snap our photo!" anonymous runner to hiker (jk).

View down to the lower rock outcropping

The Route Below Us is Behind Us & The Route Ahead Goes Below
From this elevation we could actually see the majority of our morning route from the start at Beacon Heights to the large outcropping and over to the Upper Boone Fork area. Looking down at the rock outcropping far, far, far below when we had our first "climb" of the day put a healthy dose of perspective upon our effort to reach this temporary resting place and also on our final push to where we stood having completed "a little 5k" during our long day.

This Way is Much Shorter...
Now, we had our chance to descend... 5k down down down... just watch your step! We took it easy and smooth in a group of 6 moving methodically across the water damaged trails of the Daniel Boone Scout Trail to eventually rejoin our beloved Tanawha Trail and our drop spot we had left from hours earlier. The hikers this time were less horrified by our fatigue and shared the joy we were experiencing on our downhill reward! "That looks like fun!" they genuinely commented as we whooped and hollered our excitement!

Price Park Picnic or Bust!
Personally, I was feeling fairly awful by now. I was getting hot and feeling a tad roasted in the sun. I took the chance at the Upper Boone Fork Creek to fill up and cool off in the cascades for a minute. From here we had about 6 miles to finish up and finally, the trail was opening up to smooth, rolling and mainly downhill single track. This end of the Tanawha is my favorite section of trail in WNC and so, despite my stiffness and fatigue after 6 1/2 hours out there, I was internally pleased to have a full bottle, good friends, a beautiful day and the willingness to take on this challenge at all!


As trail runners it is so easy to forget how fortunate we are to be healthy enough to believe in ourselves to such a level as to set out on these efforts we undertake. While we might joke about our sanity in this regard I believe this approach to challenging ourselves regularly and taking chances against our doubt is proof of positive well being.

Victory Lap!
Those last 6 miles were a cruise through spring time. We rolled downward on the whole, with a few mostly gentle climbs placed here and there in the landscape. We moved easily through large meadows and felt the spring breeze carry the freshness of the season over us. It is wonderful to savor the waning miles of a long trail day. When the final 30 minutes feels like a snap of the fingers compared to the 8 hours you have just lived to the fullest. The trail grounds down your anxieties and any worries are gone- it is just all good.

Upon reaching the terminus of the Tanawha Trail at the Price Picnic Park we emerged from the rhodo-tunnel into the meadow in a full sprint to the creek at the finish. Horrified, nearby picnickers shielded the eyes of their innocent young ones as these muddied, haggard and sunburned trail warriors emerged into the sunlight at full "speed" and "open" stride!

We bellowed and giggled and yelped our excitement for a day that will be long remembered. Finished, we slowly molted from our mud caked footwear to submerge our bodies and soak in the coolness of the frigid creek, again returning to the coolness of that distant morning.

Happy Running!

Spring in My Steps!

Moving right along... from the lethargy of December to the frustration of January, February has brought on a fantastic sense of progress. The bike is gathering more dust and the shoes are getting more and more time on the asphalt!

This has been the best week yet with actual training mileage and paces falling into more to be expected parameters.

Total Time by day- 4 week period

I continue to get in my time for the week as I have for 6 weeks now post injury- Though, now the composition of that time is altered and favoring the impact of running on asphalt (mostly). The road miles have allowed be to recenter my stride, opening it back up. 

Running Time by Day- 4 week period

The core work and strength training continue to pay off as I feel fresher and quicker at this stage in training than I have in years! Those winter pounds are melting away like the snow we never had and each day I feel more like my athlete self and less like a heap of organic matter. All positive signs.

Many more miles and minutes lie ahead as I quest toward redemption in June. I can feel satisfied with falling in love with the process again, finding and flirting with the threshold which may induce the queezy loss of stomach contents. But- most of the miles are done at cozy paces with a focus on form and cadence! Most days are filled with warmth this year and on one hand I am sorry I missed this perfect winter training season. On the other, I am thankful to not have start from scratch in the blizzards of 2011.

I hope you are feeling renewed as I am as the year settles into itself! As the days grow longer and warmer the trails are calling me! So, who's ready for spring trail running!

Warmth and Sun and Runs

"Is that it?"



The un-trusting runner looks around himself, expecting a snowflake, a blustery wind, a patch of ice in his path... but there is nothing. Could the onslaught be over?

"Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight"

Utopia temporalis
Twice a year we runners enjoy Utopia... The mild seasons of the spring and fall ease the cold and heat of their predecessor's oppression. We run with relaxed strides, with little thought of gear to wear and with renewed vigor. With an eternal youth to our step adding up year after year.

This week has brought that promise and hope of Utopia. Though we who run our winter miles on the tundra-like roads and trails know that this battle is not through. It IS ONLY February... and in my experience we have about 60 days left of at least sporadic winter-like weather, cold rain and snow...

A Warm Silver Lining... like a space blanket
During this transition we can take solace in the ever-lengthening days. We can delight in finishing nearly every evening run with at least dwindling sunlight with the pale blue whiteness of dusk when everything seems stiller and united.

The runner-incarnate
The miles are less lonely this time of year too. We see hoards of returning runners rejoining the paths we have tended in the off-season. More dogs, more strollers...

Perseverance not permanence

While we welcome them back, we also hold something inside of us. A badge of self-knowledge in our continued endurance in the face of all things. We have tempered the storm. While that other runner suffers through the adjustment to fitness, to leaving the belt-of-doom behind glass doors until the next in-climate day, we (winter) runners are able to fully appreciate the glow of soft sunshine, the cleared paths and the muddy trails... our Utopia is found in the dance with hardship.

...and, as this mud grows sloppier and the run gets warmer... we might even find ourselves once again wishing for the crystal crunch of day old snow under our feet, for the clarity of a deep, crisp winter breathe and its white billow of release... and for the solitude of our very own pure-white personal running route.  Happy running!

"Sunshine Came Softly..."

Oh My!!! What a weekend in the high country. Those first glimpses of spring came to us with glorious 50 degree, clear sunshine skies!!! These are the types of weekends that really pay the winter running dividends! It'll make you feel like "Superman and Green Lantern ain't got nothin' on me..." or you, as the case may be.

Of course Lynnea and I woke up to a snow squall this morning... another inch of the white stuff. But this week calls for more of 50 degree highs ALL week:) So, I can leave the tights and long sleeves cautiously close, the gloves and hats stowed and in their upright and locked positions as I soar into spring. Just have to be careful to keep the easy runs easy. This weather tends to make the winter runner a bit excited.

As far as workouts logged: 9+ miles Saturday in a comfortable 59 minutes. Then 11 miles on Sunday afternoon in 1:12. Broke out the new racing uniform as well, to test it out. (Not sure what could go wrong in a 5k though, concerning wardrobe malfunctions). Today calls for 10 at easy easy easy EASY pace... recovery is key today with the big race coming this weekend. I am looking forward to getting the racing season going again.

Also,garnered the first bit of tan in the face this weekend and so I will need to be fetching sunscreen to protect the shoulders and face. It is feels so good to know that before too long, the trails will be clear, the creeks will be full and 12 miles on the trails will be finished with a soak and a sudsy cold one!!!

BTW- I only had one extra part after assembling the weight bench... nothing has collapsed as of this morning:)

Springtime (?) in Sugar Grove

After the arctic start to the year, this weekend welcomed us in the NC/TN Appalachians with spring like temps and feel. We had some rain, some sun and a little warm breeze too! I am still taking 'er easy after the recent marathon but on Saturday I did go out for a jaunt. No expectations or plans except to get in an easy 30 minutes minimum.

So in short shorts I took a few steps down the driveway, the first steps of a daily adventure! On I went down to the Watauga and back up the other side. Onto face the sketchy traffic of HWY321 and then over into Beech Mtn. community where a choice was waiting.

At 25 minutes in I could turn and head for the shed... or... there is this hill, this big steep hill, that goes on for about 2 miles. The grade pushes 25% in places and when you wind your way to the top after15 or 18 or however many inconsequential minutes has passed... you get the full lay of the Watauga River valley from below Beech Mountain.

Well, I knew before I put on my shoes I suppose that something like this was the order of the day for this run. So up I went, passing little trailers and old homes with permanent, out-of-business yard sales on the front stoops... out would run dogs, ushering me through their domain, some playing in the lingering snow, some just running frantically and barking.

I just greet them saying, "hey, pup! don't mind me... just passing through..." and the dog allows my passage up the steep hillside.

Soon enough I reach the apex around 45 minutes into the run. Being winter time, post marathon and a gorgeous day, I stopped and took in the scene. Chimneys smoking in the distance, white washed fields and grid plots of Frasier Fir covering the round mounds of Watauga County below the high ridge designating Cherokee National Forest land and beginning the state we call Tennessee.

After 2 1/2 miles of descent completing the loop I found that I had an easy 10 miler under my belt for the day. Of to study Calculus and complete the reading of Huck Finn. Not a bad day for January.