B.M.S. Flatlanders Marathon

Sometime last week I looked into the local racing schedule and noticed that it was once again time for "One of America's Toughest Marathons" the Grandfather Mountain Marathon. This is a tough race and one I ran a few years back... it has inspired many, been written about much and is often true validation of a road runner's toughness. With all of this in mind, local runner Matt Jenkins has created a series of events intended to provide low costs, low key road running for all comers mostly on the Boone Greenway.

This weekend Matt organized 2 races to choose from. Following GMM, runners could partake in either or both of the Flatlander's Marathon on Sunday and then the Jellylegs Marathon Monday.

My friend Wade was running the marathon beginning at midnight on Sunday morning so I decided why not run along with him. It would be nice and cool, a chance to get in some night running and be able to run with Wade as well. Our racing scheduled have been mirrors of each other but we hadn't actually run together yet. So after a day full of river time, a few beers, a kickball tournament and way too much junk food and sunshine I arrived at the starting line a bit fatigued and apprehensive about just running a marathon on a whim... but how bad could it be?

Flatlanders "One of America's Easiest Marathons"
The Flatlanders is run on the Boone Greenway in seven 3.75 mile legs of out and back pavement with an elevation change of say... 7 feet for each leg- but it seems like less. It is flat, it is paved and it is repetitive. In this case the darkness was a true ally! You can't be bored by scenery if you can't see anything.

Wade and I got out quickly and I was already thinking about slowing down- the pace seemed a bit aggressive but soon I settled in and the systems caught up with the demands. Leg #1 was done in a flash and we quickly saw that 3 other runners were out there as well. Bobby, Cliff and Matt were all settling into their morning run too. Cliff had already run Grandfather Mountain Marathon on Saturday morning, was finishing up the Flatlanders Marathon with a leg or two to go (on his way to 40 miles for Flatlanders). We exchanged quick "howdy do's" in the darkness and continued on.

Leg#2
On leg #2 Wade and I caught up with Bobby and Cliff's running direction and stopped to chat a bit. We were nearing 1am and at this point switched up running pairings. Bobby was just getting started on a 60 mile night/day and so he and I paired off for a walk break as Wade and Cliff disappeared into the night. I was never able to get back with Wade for any running as he kept strong, consistent running for a night time course record at Flatlanders!! Meanwhile I ran my slowest marathon of my life plodding along at 50 mile pace and learning a lot about 24 hour running and how to prepare for the issues that arise of a 100 mile event. I tried to soak in the experience Bobby brings to the table.

In the Middle of the Night...
2am came and went and I was getting a bit dizzy near the end of leg #3, just 11 miles into the night I learned my first lesson of long, slow running... you gotta eat. With all of the chatter and adrenaline early on I had not bothered to take in any calories- so I stopped and sat down to eat at the pavilion. Cliff was there as well taking care of some hot spots somewhere around 33 miles into his night. I ate and ate as we talked and then finally, with a bloated belly, I headed into the dark for my first solo leg of the evening.

All alone
The silence was beautiful. A few stars twinkled, a breeze blew off of the river as it babbled along. I could hear voices in the hills; kids out prowling for good times and their firecrackers. Occasionally I would run upon a shadow in the trail ahead and most often it was a tree or trick, but there were people out there in the middle of the night too. I was shocked by the number of people out there at 2 and 3 am. A flicker of my headlamp and a mumbled hello gave warning of my presence and then back into the solitude.

Halfway out on the course it got dark, as we ducked away from the open fields and into the tree covered portion of the Greenway. Here, the darkness was so dense that the shadows had shadows and the sounds grew in potential for danger. I was brought back to my youth when night time runs passing an old cemetery would send chills down my spine and speed to my legs. While I knew there was nothing to run from, the imagination is still as pliable as ever and it took some chuckles to break the tension in my mind! Now though, when I am running through the night in the wilderness of South Carolina in 7 weeks at the Wood's Ferry 24 hour- there may be some larger monsters to confront in that unfamiliar darkness! Good to start out small.

Looking on the Bright Side
With the casual pace of the night, I was feeling pretty good as I passed 20 miles. The sky was lighter by the mile and the birds began chirping around 4:30am. I figured I could finish up my marathon feeling well enough to run at least one more leg of the course (plus a tack on mile) for a 50k training run. Wade was finishing up his marathon and my stomach had settled back down after some complications from not eating and then eating too much. This was a great lesson as well. When you are feeling bad- just keep going and let time take care the issue while operating at whatever level you can, even if it is a walk.

While my body felt okay- bounce in the step and freshness in the mind- I was getting tired from a sleep stand point... I was yawning uncontrollably at one moment, while deciding how long I could run before I would be completely useless for the whole of Sunday. I entertained the idea of a 40 mile run- but, figured going home and sleeping until noon would be a better course of action to maintain peace on the home front. I would already be pushing 6:30 am to cover the 50k distance. 10 more miles would be another 2 hours out there.

Picking it Up
With one leg plus to go I picked up the pace a little bit and recorded my fastest leg of the night before turning out for the last mile plus to bring me from 30 to 31 miles. Matt had showed me the 50k turn earlier in the night and upon completion of the night's distance I was informed that I had actually gone a bit farther than 50k- in fact I had run 51k! This became a first for me on several fronts. My longest official race distance, my longest paved surface run, my longest time on the feet... all good things and beneficial to the larger goal at Wood's Ferry.

I also have to say that completing the 50k distance after the recent Chattooga experience was somewhat emotional for me. On the way back on leg #8 I was so happy to be out there running my only leg with full sunlight and being able to see things for what they had been all along. The course I had been covering had been shrouded in mystery and after the time and distance had peeled away the night I had again been able to see that the simple movement of running can center someone in a unique way. It took me more than 6 hours to complete the distance including abundant breaks. I came away feeling just happy about doing this random thing through the night with other odd people like me.

The Elusive 'Why?'
My wife kept asking me... "Why are you running at midnight? Why not just go in the morning?" I didn't really have an answer for that- just a feeling inside of me that it was the thing to do- There were practical reasons such as night training, cool temps, other people are doing it... but in the end the quiet smile of having completing something like this for myself alone was the reward- the completion of a series of steps that brings you farther than any distance you can measure.

I drove the 30 minutes home as Sunday Morning folks came out from slumber to crash down into my bed some 22 hours after I had last been there. A full day done.

Happy Running

Long Run Report- Appalachian Trail

Laurel Falls, higher water

Saturday morning I headed west to Tennessee to get in a 3 hour run on the Appalachian Trail. This is my longest to date in the build up to Boston and surely the most amount of climbing I have seen in a long while. The trail head is on Hwy 321 in Hampton, TN and sets out immediately toward Laurel Falls as the connector meets the AT at about 1 mile.

Early on the trail is very rocky and you are up close and personal with the Elk River at several points. Sometimes this means crossing a footbridge and on a few occasions you are traversing the edge of a rock step. Fortunately, with the early onset of spring (??) there was no ice to deal with. I settled in early and ran under control to reach Laurel Falls.

A Geocache on the climb

After a few moments enjoying the view I turned to run onward up the 6 minute staircase. The steps are about 6 inches too high for aerobic running so a great chance to develop some power in the stride during a long run. The footing is technical too... I hope to have some video available later tonight or tomorrow. It usually happens that I will run into hikers descending here who have remarks about the mind frame of runners- you know you have heard these comments yourself, many times... they always make me smile for numerous reasons.

Cabin at Dennis Cove

After reaching the spine and running back off its backside, Dennis Cove is just a straight stretch away and now with warm up completed, the real fun begins. From here you climb for 40 minutes steady. In this section you'll pass the cabin and then near the top of this first section you come upon a Geocache which has nothing but shreds of paper every time I have checked it. But- I am here for what is outside the box. The journey there and beyond.

The View from the top of this world!

From here you continue upwards and undulating between and over steeper knobs, in staircase formation, for another 30 minutes. Soon you reach the apex and drop off the backside of the ridge to amazing views (rare as they are on the AT) of Roan Mountain. On this day I sat and took in my one gel for the day and enjoyed the views both near and far while sitting on a sun warmed rock. Isn't this a true luxury of spring:)

I hated to leave... and it took me a moment to convince myself to...

Lacy Trap Intersection

After another 10 minutes onward, I reached Lacy Trap (there is a joke there...) Trail intersection and decided this was a good place to turn and head home. I was about 2/3 of the way through my 22 ounces of water... so time to head home. With lots of technical steps ahead and already 45 minutes into the unknown (by the end of the run) for the training cycle, it is best to finish in one piece and leave some mystery for the next time!

Halfway up!!

The return trip was very enjoyable. All that ascending gave back in swooping downhill on soft leaf covered single track. The effortless foot falls brought all sorts of perma-smile to my face.

I followed this run with another climbing run on Monday on the Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail:) Use the link for FB pictures of that journey and while you are there check out all the photos from this AT adventure!! Spring is in the air around here... (but they are saying snow on Monday).

Happy running!!

Run For the Red Marathon- Valle Crucis, NC Running Showcase!!

Looks like there is a brand new Marathon set for September 18, 2010 in Valle Crucis, NC. This is called Run For The Red and the beneficiary is the Watauga Chapter of the American Red Cross, in Boone, NC... in other words for those local to the area this race may directly benefit YOU or someone you know. In addition to the great cause it is also great, great course as anybody who has experienced running in the high country can tell you.

The Run For the Red adds another Marathon to the high country's race calendar to join the Grandfather Mountain Marathon. I would bet Run for Red will be less hectic, less expensive at only $35 and at least as difficult. The course is born from the Valle Crucis 25k and the Valle Crucis 7 miler. These two race courses are basically added together with a hilly spur added to the first 1/3 to make sure it is difficult enough. The course reaches a max elevation of 4377 ft, gaining about 1700ft in the first 8 miles! You then lose all of that returning to the banks of the sleepy Watauga River

A potential onlooker on Watauga River Rd.

For a link to the course map and elevation profile go here.

This is a brand new race for this year as I mentioned. But, do not fear.... the folks who are putting this one on are great race organizers! I have run several of their races and have not noticed the RD at all, except their smiling faces. This, to me, is the highest of compliments for an RD. If they are noticed, well then... you must have had something go wrong.

This promises to be a low key event with lots of hills and the beauty of fall in Western NC. Come on out for a kick in the butt. You will not qualify for Boston at this one but you will have earned the respect of a local. Around here nothing much else matters...

Grandfather Mountain Marathon- Race Report

A beautiful morning greeted me and I was feeling fresh and supple. Ready to run patient and subtle... and then the race began. From the first few steps something seemed odd. The Marathon was back below my feet, for the first time in 6 years and it was there to remind me that it was never to be taken for granted.

26.2 miles is a long way. Add 3,000 ft. of elevation change and a time goal to the mix and you have a challenge on your hands. I left with the lead group at a comfortable pace through 3 miles of comfortable flat to rolling terrain. Upon seeing our split at 3 miles (19:30ish) I decided that I needed to have an even more patient approach, thankfully. The hills began their assault in earnest in these early miles and I knew this day would be one of fortitude and not of course records. The lessons being deeper and probably more important as dealing with adversity is the true test.

The biggest and longest of the hills were behind me around mile 10 and by this time I was feeling warmed and pretty good. Smiling and talking with volunteers on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I kept on the gel and fluid schedule and though I was still feeling a tad uneasy in the gut and the legs were not going to run any smoother or easier than what they were doing, I knew I could tough this day out and complete one of the toughest Marathon distance runs around.

The Blue Ridge Parkway was a nice 4 mile rest after the initial hills had softened up the quads. This would be the last chance to run on this forgiving terrain for the remainder of the run. The final 9 miles were to be uphill, though gentle in spots. I reminded myself to not get carried away on these alluring sections and continued clicking off 7 minute miles. I was right on pace for my goal of 3:10:59.

We turned onto HWY221 and headed over the Eastern Continental Divide, shy of 4,000 ft. and I was able to reminisce on some long trail runs completed in the Molas Pass (Durango, CO) area out west. While I was some 8,000 ft. lower in elevation that was really no relief at the moment. A little further up the road I glimpse the Viaduct some 700 ft. above me. At this point I was another hour from the finish, feeling a tad weary and knew that the viaduct was actually below the elevation at the finish line ahead in McRae Meadows.

A few more miles passed, almost as if a spectator I was along for the ride. My mind was just telling my legs to keep on, and we'd check in with them a while later. This worked for a few miles until the legs began barking in small stitches. Left quad, right quad, left hamstring... this cycle continued any time I felt the effort on climbs increasing. I stayed patient, tried to run relaxed and smooth, to run tall. The runners began passing me and telling me how good I looked... not a good sign I think. If I looked so good the order'd be reversed, right?

5 miles to go. Oh Lord... the hills now are small bumps that my mind have turned into mountains. The pace is still somehow holding while that perceived exertion grows with the minutes. I KNOW now, that the wall is looming. I will not escape it today, I just hope that it waits long enough for me to slip by a few more miles.

5k to go and now I want to stop running. Another step another step another step... pace has been forgotten (though I am still holding pace somehow.) I slip to 12th place and as runners pass me I remind myself to run with integrity... to just keep running, I can still finish this thing with pride, but if I walk... if I walk... DON'T walk... that is not the path today. 1.5 miles to go and help arrives. An unnamed runner from Spartanburg, SC pulls me along. A quarter mile goes by, we climb the "last hill" only to reach another. After being helped so much at a crucial point I am thankful.

We arrive at McRae meadows to the sound of the bagpipes. The Highland Games are in full swing. People are having a great time! I am ready to be done, ready for in to be Sunday night when 36 hours will have passed and I will be feeling nearly "normal" again. I reach the track. 400m to go now. No more hills. I know I look like hell, and I should because that is where I have spent the previous 3 hours plus. 300m to go. I see Lynnea and the family who have come to their first Marathon to support me. I summon strength to smile at this point, appreciative of their time and love. One more turn... I see the chute, Scottish Clan tents creep slowing along side me at the edge of the track, fading to the past. I reach the line and click the watch. Done. 3:13:17...

Having lost 3 minutes in the final 3 miles I could not have been more surprised, more relieved and more happy to have run such a successful race. I so looked more forward to seeing my wife somewhere among the 15,000 spectators ALL the way on the other side of the track. There was no Rocky moment, just a quiet embrace, a perfect reunion of souls. I often think of Lynnea out there in those lonely hours... how if I just keep going, if I just keep going... with some patience the great reward will come. To be with the one I love again. And that moment on this day was as sweet as ever. She knew I was not at my best that day, but in that, with the battle I had undertaken she also knew that I had proven something much bigger than I did at the Chattooga. I had finished something when all I wanted to do was stop. I did exactly what she would have done.

So, as far as external results go. I finished in 3:13:17... (you could call that a 2:45-2:55 on a flatter course) good enough for 12th overall out of 400 some runners. The winner ran 2:47, holding 6:30 per mile for the duration and looking fresh as a daisy at the finish. Some great memories for him. Now it is time for me to rest and recharge for 2 weeks, running sparingly, just to remind the cells that they'll soon be back at it. 7 months of steady consistent training has taught me much. Now I will take the down time and have afternoons with Lynnea. Then... the training begins anew... and what is next?

Goblin Valley 50k... Utah. A transcendental desert 50k...