The Zen of the Road Side Sobakawa

I had just crossed the busyness of Hwy 421 and its evening flow of traffic being herded from light to light.

My day's 10 miles behind me and my car just out of sight and around the short bend in the road ahead. I could sense the calmness of another chilly spring sunset as the sky drew pale oranges through its wispy vapors.

With an off day preceding the run I was feeling the pep in my step enough to close this run with a flurry of playful speed. So, like days past when I came upon those familiar crumbles in the edge of the asphalt I just gave a few skips and leaps to negotiate the area. Zipping down the incline I felt smooth and light.

From the corner of my eye I spotted a beaten down old sports car which grabbed my attention for a split moment as it drove in the opposite lane and came to a stop at the intersection.




I then felt my right foot cease its forward movement, impeded by a chunk of fatigued, rogue roadway.

My left foot trailed behind still in its plant position. My torso was rotating forward, laying out into the space before me. Time slowed... My body left the ground and was moving through air, suspended and weightless.

In temporary flight, I scouted for the more dangerous areas to land and to avoid. My trail-mind kicked in first searching for trees, rocks, roots... Then my road mind spoke up with its warning...

"This, is gonna hurt..."

My survival brain kicked in, "ROLL! (idiot)..."



I tucked my left side into a sideways log roll hoping to minimize the skin damage and avoid anything big being broken. As I touched down, time sped forward and instantly caught up with the fall.

In this rush of gravelly sounds I lay still with the passing, distant 'whoosh' of commuting vehicles. I heard the idling of that beaten old sports car at the stop sign waiting to merge into that stream.

I was still laying motionless and groaning in discomfort. Apprehensively delaying the inevitable body parts check list to come once I moved.



The gravel was comfortable now that I lay there motionless. The chilly air had cooled the small pebbles and in this moment nothing ached or stung or bled, not yet. Laying there I felt the gravel acquiesce to my still weight and shape... finding the zen of the road side sobakawa.

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!

Running Thunder Review

With tired legs and general training fatigue I pensively watched the weather reports rolling in. Severe thunderstorms were to roll through around 5pm... my run to begin just after. Earlier in the day I had taken in a portion of a radio program with Tom Ashbrook which set the sound scene perfectly for this type of day.

As I tied my laces I heard the first rumbles and exited the car to look up and see a swirling cauldron of threatening dark clouds. They seemed to be suggesting warning as large bolts of electricity zapped across the sky and rumbles rolled across ridges.

Getting Started

Photo Courtesy Watauga Cty. Road Conditions FB

Ceremoniously I pressed 'start' on my Timex and saw the  storm racing westward across the sky... and in my intended direction toward the Greenway. I moved out conservatively and watched carefully to ensure I was staying to the periphery of this storm. It was a beautiful system from a distance with deep darkness and highlights of silver clouds. The clouds had the appearance of metallic permanence and were literally awesome!

Holding Pattern
Reaching the Greenway I came to the blustery energy of the edge of the storm. Debris was being elevated directly upward from its resting place and swirled across the sky at impossible speeds! At times I thought I witnessed robins being carried away instantaneously while plucking afternoon worms.

Rather than continuing into this scene I made a hard right and ran a spur along the storms edge. Large plops of rain began pelting sporadically and the smell of warmed asphalt being cooled filled the air.

Eventually completing a 10 minute loop I found myself again in the storm. Running upward on a ridge  lightning assaulted the ridge to the west. With only the river between these two high points I felt as if the bolt was within reach- or I was within its reach. But, I pinned my bets on the idea that I was flanking behind the worst of the energy as I darted my way under the power line section just above the Kennedy Trail. Ironically, I moved across a grassy outcropping hoping to sneak around the true threat of deadly force.

Rain Forest
Back in the protection of the forest, the rain began falling steadily on inert fallen leaves. The wind was calm now and the air's danger had dissipated. Birds sang under the rhythm of dropping rain. A symphony of infinite drips, spring bird song and the subtle sound of trail under foot became my entire reality. Running an easy effort my breath fell into this soundscape as distant rumbles of thunder continued to fill the lower levels of the scene.

All this followed two days of 'heated' runs (in the 70's here in March is HOT). The relief of running within such cool rain gave me a slight chill. Balanced perfectly with the coziness of aerobic exertion this run became a homecoming to a season. A true sign of spring is the first thunderstorm run of a year.

Happy Running!

A Week of Weak

It was to be the week of a thousand miles... well 70 anyhow. I had it all planned out, with long runs, easy runs and which trails I was going to revisit and explore. With Lynnea and Sylas taking a grandma visit I had nothing but time and growing daylight to wear myself out.

Day 1

A Brand New... Gator!

That Friday I was all set to go... out of work early at about 3:30, right? WRONG! Our agency was at the semi-annual Christmas Tree Show and we won a brand new Gator 4x4... well with a sick boss guess who got to stick around until 5:30???

That's right ME! Once sorted out I headed to a revised edition of my planned run and got in a misty, muddy 7 miles with Lily dog. However, we had run out of daylight and found ourselves with 3 miles to cover of uphill technical "running" in the dark, foggy night time along the MST. Headlamp, yeah, I had three of those in the car. We just settled into our brisk hike on a spooky woods walk back to the car.

Day 2
My throat was a little scratchy but I figured it was just from the moist run the night before. Saturday I had a long run planned so I drove to Tennessee and the nearby Roan Mtn. From Carver's Gap I ran northbound on the Appalachian Trail on a chilly in the shade, hot in the sun kind of a day. I had no idea what the trail was like, except the initial section would reach the summit of Roan Mtn. (or close to it). Up top it was icy and slick in spots with what I thought was technical trail, very rocky. Once crested I slid off the back side and found that the north side of Roan Mtn is very very very steep. From 25 minutes into the run at the crest to my countdown timer 'beep' at 70 minutes I did a lot of very steep, downhill running. VERY STEEP. In fact as I made my way down I often contemplated turning back and trying my luck going south bound for the remainder of the run... in the future it is what I might just do.

At the turn around I stood still for a few moments eating a gel and thinking... okay, tiny steps. very. tiny. steps.
After making my way gently down the mountain for 35 minutes I figured it would take an hour to get back to the crest before a gentle run off the other side to the car and something cold to drink.

Within 200m I realized my plan would be ambitious. I should walk this I thought, but I did not set out to walk so, I ran and ran and ran, about 5 1/2 inches at a time. And, don't you know... I made steady progress for 45 minutes when I reached the last step of the climb up. And, then I found myself hiking. I was about 1:50 into the run, my longest by 25 minutes to date and the trail was loose, rooty, rocky and had become less runnable for my condition... so hike was it. My heart rate stayed elevated with the effort and soon I reached the crest again. Back down to the car with the open stride and dodging the ice on the trail. And... more sore, scratchy throat. Iwas a little tired. Surely just the wet, cold running. Surely.


Day 3
10 miles on the books... and ready to run once the weather cleared... which was to be early afternoon. So I waited and then soon felt chills on the skin, a pulsing headache and then... a fever of 100.7. Change of plans. I had the flu and was condemned to the house for 7 days... ughhh. What's the line about making a plan?

I did get in a little running on the nice days of the week. Fortunately, Lynnea and Sylas were away and so did not catch the bug too.

9 days later...
Last night I was finally feeling better and determined to get in my 12-athon run. Having been in the rebuilding mode this year this is the first 12th of the month that I have been able to actually run 12 miles!!! So, watching you all from the sidelines on the 12th of each month has been motivating. The run was probably the best of the year. I was rested and got in some strong climbing with tempo on the flats and built into some 10 race effort on the return. I was able to run an aggressive pace for 86 minutes!

Lesson: Next year, I'm getting my flu shot!

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!

By Moon Shadow and Star Light

Ten days ago I took a few jagged step out my door with the hope that I was running again... Off the porch and crunching along the gravel drive I was cautious and hopeful. As I swept left onto the countryside road my heart rate was already leaping to its max, seemingly. In no time I reached half a mile and turned for home one mile done... no pain all gain! Test one finished...

Winter Sunset

Over the next week or so I was able to get out for progressively longer runs without complication. 1.5 miles...okay, 2 miles okay! and then 4 miles, all at once and feeling almost comfortable and not really challenged, ALRIGHT!! These runs each followed by a Rungeon bike and lifting session and detailed previously. Total time 60 mins give or take.

Time for a Challenge
Two nights ago I was on the bike, peddling away, pushing hard, lifting more and feeling that urge inside to go (not to the bathroom...) out onto the road and RUN!!! Last night I arrived home for family time, played with Sylas, got the little man dinner and off to bed just after 8pm... (my new workout time).

With empty stomach and tentative hope I laced up, dredged out a headlamp from my pile of neglected gear and walked toward the front door.

"Where should I look for you?" asked Lynnea... as is customary, especially on night runs.
"Timbered Ridge loop," I blurted... now committed to a climbing 7.5 miler.
"Really? Are you sure?"
"I'll give it a shot... give me 90 minutes and then come looking for me."

It's the Final Count Down!!!
Out the door I stepped. The thermometer read 35 but with the crystallizing feeling in the air... the crispness of an arctic freeze I reconsidered my clothing. A single long sleeve, billed reflective cap, gloves... I stopped and considered going for more protection from potential ridge top wind. Trusting the crystal clear twinkling starlight skies, I moved forward with my warm up mile.

Another "Long" Run
I approached this 7.5 miles as a long run because... that's what it was! Nearly equaling last week's mileage in fact. So, slow and steady was the plan. Reaching the base of the climb at 1.75 miles in 15 minutes wasn't going to make any headlines. I settled into climbing mode and slowly made my way up about 800 feet over the next 1.65 miles. Grade? you can put a number on it if you wish. I'll just be pleased with having run up this monster which tests my conditioning even during peak training!

Climbing in the void of nighttime and starlight I had the very real sensation of elevating into the sky. My legs were stiffening and my breathing was deep (but not rushed) as I moved upward and forward from porch light to porch light. Clicking the headlamp on as I approached the sparsely populated mountainside but the majority of steps were made by the light of a waxing gibbous.

Give Us This Day, Our Daily Peak
Somewhere around 32 minutes I reached the top of the climb. All around me were rolling fields of grapevines or cattle. The cattle startled and stood to investigate. I could vaguely make out a ton of dark shadow and two beady red dots staring back at me. Intermittent sparks flew from the electric fence and I wondered what was causing this discharge? At about 25 degrees up here there was nothing stirring... maybe dust? or is this a common effect?

I looked forward to the next few miles. From here I had flat and rolling downhill on packed gravel roads. With headlamp out I settled into a steady pace on such a still night. I love the crispness in the air of winter. Even within the constraints of my current fitness level the winter air can make you feel like an athlete, can lend a rhythm to your movement and a clarity of thought not found in the more humid times of the year.

Moon Shadows
Descending from the meadows I reached the forested areas and now the moonlight was filtered through the skeletons of tree tops. I picked my footfalls carefully discerning unevenness in the road from the superficial webs of moon shadows. I began feeling a bit of an ache in my left foot... I had expected some tightness at some point from fatigue... but this was a tad alarming with 3 miles of downhill running to go. Was I running too cautiously?

My training plan for June's Race has goals written at the top:
Some of those goals are Double Top Secret... but the approach is as much of a goal as anything, in fact more so. Keys: Climbing Endurance and Downhill Tempo

With one key addressed for the day it was time for part two... Downhill Tempo. Time to stop holding my mass back from going downhill and just run down the damned hill.

Within 2 minutes the crankiness in my left ankle dissipated and I found the long hidden, open, powerful stride. Now, of course, I was running downhill in the dark... if you can't feel this way under these conditions then you aren't going to... not any time soon anyway.

As I moved downhill I soaked in this feeling of freedom of movement, the gliding along with crisp air sliding over my rosy cheeks. No more thoughts of worry... is it too cold? is this too demanding? am I going to hold up? None of that. For the first time since early November I was just moving my body with seemingly no effort, driving efficiently under my own power toward a daily goal and the goal that sits on an unseen horizon.

I turned back into my driveway gently slowing to a trot then stepped onto our porch. With a push of my Timex the run officially ended in 63 minutes. A challenge that I was looking for completed.


Happy Running!

Table Rock 50 (errr... 54...ummm 36): A Race Report

Imagine yourself sitting in your driveway, it is 4 am, you slept for 3 hours last night... and you are about to head out to attempt your first 50 mile run... you are completely unprepared, your training has been scant... about 30 miles per week; 90% of which is a weekly long effort. You jumped into this run on a whim, you have A LOT of climbing ahead of you and despite all of this you still somehow believe that you can complete the distance with a simple decision to continue on...

"I'll just keep going," you think, "how hard can this be?"

Table Rock 50 miler
As the moon settled behind a distant black mountain some 50 runners staked their spot in a gravel parking lot on the banks of Lake James for the inaugural running of the Table Rock Ultra 50m... (which is actually 54 miles). With a smattering of confusion and the rubbing of rubber on rocks we were off, a few steps into the unknown. The first few miles were pleasant, on the approach to Linville Gorge we made our way along a paved country road as the sun took hold in its battle against the chilly December wind. We reached AS#1 and hit a (pay)dirt road and with it we began climbing and kept climbing more or less for the next 30 miles.

The Hill
Despite my lack of mileage I always believe in my ability to get up a hill, no matter what, no matter how slow, I can always go up up up!! The climb up the west side of Linville Gorge is tough, and what makes it tougher is the drastic roller coaster effect of this frozen dirt road. The ups were definite walks and the downhills were okay for the energy savings but tough on the feet and legs over time on me. The pounding adds up. I did my best to save myself from early damage by slowly falling down these hills... but saving what isn't there leads nowhere fast... or in this case very slowly... very slowly.

Wiseman's View
We kept on climbing through a few aid stations until reaching Wiseman's View at mile 15.1 and our first drop bag. I happily grabbed another layer to protect me from the wind, loaded up with my spi-belt, PB&J and took a moment to prepare myself mentally for the next long stretch. I inquired as to how far we had come, and that was my first tangible hint of my true condition.

Looking across the Linville Gorge we could see Table Rock, the main feature of the area and our summit for the day... we would be travelling another 20 miles to reach that spot as we continued our trip around the gorge. By mile 19 I was feeling pretty bad... and had been feeling tired since like mile 8... so, my positive attitude was battling against reality... thoughts like:

"Come on, 19 down... only 35 miles to go!"
"Well, let's just get to the next turn..."
"Okay... can I walk again?"
"Sure."

As the course officials visited runners I always said, "I feel GREAT!" Did they believe that? Did I believe that? Did it make us all feel a bit better for a moment? Did it give me a laugh? Did I ask myself questions?

Drama
Somewhere around mile 21 I was caught by an angry soul. As I trudged up the road I could feel the anger in this guys steps, the pavement was cracking. I was in his cross hares and there was no getting away; my only hope was to continue in my own quiet space by slowing down further, no dice. He slowed and walked next to me... and began spouting his grievances with life in general.

Over the next 3 miles I heard about every bad thing that could ever happen to a guy... for brevity sake, here is the quick list:

• He been lost twice today because of the (expletive deleted) course markings... He had come out here just to get away from stress and that was there was! Which was so bad because:
• His married girlfriend had just left her husband after 5 years of their affair for..
• ANOTHER man who was a FRIEND of his. 
• The husband was sleeping with some old lady in the town and she was married to his ex-wife's step father... who was married now to his former boss wife.
• ...and he was just out here today to get away from all of that!!! ARGGGHHHHH!!! I could completely understand why one would want to get away from that... I had a true appreciation.
• I also heard about his entire employment history, his amateur athletic career, his extensive surgery records, the surgeons themselves and their reputations and legal troubles, his academic achievements and most endearing to me, an unfortunate deer which had a run in with him and his motorbike earlier this year resulting in surgery for one, death for another... 

I was feeling a bit like that wounded deer myself at this point. Eventually as we approached the next aid station he said, "well, I guess I'd better get moving... what was your name?"

I thought it generous of him to ask at least one thing about me and wished him good luck with all of that... 

The Valley of the Dogs

I made it a goal to not pass that guy no matter what might happen in his race and just keep moving. I was feeling pretty low physically and had a good deal of pain in localized areas, mainly my left leg and my right leg if we need to narrow it down. 

A quick stint on a busy road (which had me wondering if I had missed a turn) led to another big climb and a classic North Carolina hound dog haven. I was a bit worried about a few things through this 2 mile stretch. 

(1) The dogs welfare (2) My welfare (3) My legs and their welfare. There was a lot of paved downhill and I was in the cycle of running the flats and down hills, walk the climbs. I was being passed a lot through here and while it was uneventful for me I heard later that runners were actually bitten by a dog(s) in this area. Blame the owner from what I saw out there... 

Gingercake

The views after popping out of rhodo-roads were amazing, the entire course was beautiful NC high country and kept me going, despite the pain which was increasing by the mile. My systems were all go, stomach good, heart good, breathing good, but legs... trashed. I had just passed the marathon mark in 5:45. About halfway to the finish line and facing a LONG downhill as we were glimpsing Table Rock through the bare trees. 

I was now reduced to taking some walk breaks on the downhill sections too, I could run the flats... not much of that at this point. Somewhere in here I began smelling strawberry chapstick. I didn't have any with me and looked toward the trees to see if there was a trail nearby. There wasn't, but this scent kept coming back to me... odd, usually I smell phantom pizza on long runs. 

The General Idea

As I plodded, my peace was interrupted by a dust cloud of furry when a Toyota Corolla attempted to set the fastest known time for this portion of the road. Apparently they were successful because 1/2 a mile later I ran upon them on the side of the road, with a forest ranger presenting them some sort of document to acknowledge their achievement. The ranger asked what I knew about their driving and of course, they received my endorsement. That felt nice to be able to provide a little support. 

Table Rock- to the summit

I knew this section involved a climb, but really... 

I had covered some 32 miles and we had one mile up to the parking area... at least that is what they said, one mile... or maybe they said 5, I would have believed that. This section was paved and many runners were headed back down for their final 19 mile stretch of mostly downhill running. 

I was now in pain from the pounding of walking uphill... so that is not good. I began to seriously consider the aspect of physical training and how important it is to physical achievement. I had one mile of rocky single track to reach the summit. I grabbed my second drop bag, donned warm, dry clothes, a cup of Ramen Noodles and began the SLOOOOW trek upward. 

One step at a time was it... I was looking for hand rails, for the smallest step, an inch of height made all of the difference... runners were coming down the trail looking happy as can be! I was still happy, very happy in fact, but also knowing that this was it for me. The writing had been on the wall for 20 miles and I felt that I was facing the area where injury was in the cards should I continue on for another 19 miles of downhill. 

Reaching the summit I had my photo snapped and sat down. Now, I could see the entire course of what I had  traveled this day (including the majority of that early morning drive). The volunteers asked me how I was doing and while my answer all day had been GREAT!!!! I decided to be honest this time and answer with, "How would a guy get a ride back to the finish?" Thankfully they were about to be relieved by another volunteer and begin the sweep, and I was to be the first known casualty in the meat wagon. I trekked back down to the parking area with 35.7 miles completed and visited with the AS workers for about an hour, happy to be sitting and dry and headed to my car.

The Finish

Arriving at the finish line in a car left me feeling like an outsider, a viewer of a distant event. With the task of walking 200 yards to my car, my choice to stop was confirmed as the right one. This was the toughest part of the day... must have taken me 10 minutes to get to my warm, dry, comfortable car. 

As the sun set I point the headlight north-ish and made my way home in the dark. I had completed my longest run to date over challenging terrain. Now, it was time to sleep, and eat. In a couple of days, try running, that is training, a little bit. There just might be something to it.

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!

Misty Mountain

Lynnea's New Glasses

Fall is rising upon the High Country. The leaves continue to hold their brilliant green but the winds have shifted. Back to the gentle, crisp breeze, the deepness of the blue skies and the passing through of steel grey clouds overhead.

These are the days when you can run without much planning. No major threat of lightning, oppressive heat or being froze to the core. The summer has allowed adaptation to heat giving the fall an advantage over the spring in this way. This is the season for travelling dirt roads, passing split rail fences, chasing newly relocated herds of cattle as they graze on the abundant grasses of the growing seasons.

Getting Away With It
Last night I arrived home after a dulling day at the desk. Lynnea suggested I take a jaunt and I didn't argue. Rather than heading into the woods per usual, I dusted off my neglected road Sauconys and pointed my nose down the driveway and toward the road. My first road miles since July 7th... and June 23rd before that...

I've been noticing a lack of stride length and strength and ability to simply carry momentum on any straight stretches. My intuition has been honing in on the lack of road mileage as a main contributor to this gradual loss of stride inertia. While the trail is great for lateral agility there is nothing like the road to build stamina; both physical and mental.

Grady Hill Loop 

Reaching the end of the drive I turned right and downhill beyond the barn for a quarter mile before the attitude of Peoria Rd. makes an abrupt change. Here a 2 minute aggressive and imposing climb, all laid out before your fresh eyes and yet-to-completely-warm-up-legs which have had all downhill steps thus far.

The Rise
After the initial shock to the system the hill does level a bit and becomes a great dirt ramp toward views of the Bethel Valley near the Tennessee border and the Cherokee National Forest atop the ridge.

This quiet corner of North Carolina is infused with small farms, chicken coops, friendly dogs and old folks rocking their days away out on the front porch... they often give a quizzical wave as they see me running by.

Last night though, it was quiet. Just the misty air of fall, my labored breathe, the crunching of Sauconys on gravel... Despite the lack of mileage I was pleased to see that while feeling a bit over my head on the climbs- I was hitting the usual spots in the usual times. After 20 minutes I reached the apex and made the left handed turn onto Grady Hill Rd.

The Fall
Passing the old spring enclosure I recalled the hot days of summer when I might stop here and cool off with the fresh, cold spring water. Downhill the roads winds, left and right and steep. All that elevation slaloms and is gone in 9 minutes of heavily forested hardwoods. Nobody drives this back road so it feels like my own personal route for its duration.

Sylas Settling Down

At 3.5 miles I return to Peoria Rd. and am back on the pavement. A few small inclines as the road gently rolls toward home. I run by homesteads from the 1800's, I revisit the mules in the field. I take in the idyllic views above the Watauga River watershed as it courses hundreds of feet below toward the Appalachian Trail.

The Climax
A final push uphill takes me to my cool down stretch where I run along the shoulder of the road overlooking my home. There below, through the acres of  Frasier Fir, I see Goliath, Lily and Aster running in the yard. They see me to and jump and dash at my return!

The End
Down the gravel driveway, the crunch of small stones underfoot. The breeze flows through the limbs of the laden apple tree. A nibbling doe looks up, drops her meal and darts to the treeline to observe the "visitor".


I walk inside and see Lynnea putting Sylas to bed. He looks up and smiles into me before he lays down for the night.


Happy Running.

My Beautiful Lynnea (sans glasses) w/ Aster

Boone Marathon Series: August Anguish Marathon

Tonight at 12:01 am... well, okay tomorrow- I will be taking my first steps in the Boone Marathon Series August Anguish Marathon... these races are pretty open to the interpretation of the runner concerning distance, start time and all those kinds of details. While the nomenclature indicates a 26.2 mile run, participants in the series routinely cover much more ground than a measly marathon. The record, to my knowledge, sits somewhere north of 100 miles on the 3.75 mile out and back course... which is flat, paved and quite curvy as it winds along the New River on the Boone Greenway Trail.

Open ended
My aim is to run another moonlight training run in preparation for next month's Woods Ferry 24 hour in SC. So I'll get started around midnight and hope to keep moving for about 10 hours. My first distance beacon will be 50k, a bit more than 8 trips on the course... then I will see how things go for that final 5 hours of the unknown.

How far will my "training" take me?
I am now taking bets... 35 miles? 40 miles? 50 or more? One thing is certain, I will be surpassing my weekly average over the last 2 months pretty easily. I will also be enjoying a nearly full moon (97% according to the Google) so I hope to minimize the use of my headlamp except for notifying others of my presence. No need to scare off the nocturnal dirt people with sightings of Bigfoot in the Blue Ridge.

What are your running plans in the near future?

Happy Running!

Beach Week... sand in the toes and salt... everywhere

Slumming it... Kure Beach, NC

Last week was summer vacation for me and my family. Lynnea and I packed up little Sylas into the family vehicle and drove east to the Atlantic Ocean.... specifically Kure Beach, NC. We had accommodations at a friend's home and we weren't too sure of what to expect but when we were given instructions on the elevator and pool we figured it couldn't be too bad. We were not disappointed.

We arrived after 6 hours of travel to a home with an ocean view, a ginormously comfortable bed and a full refrigerated drawer of tasty beverages. Arriving a half a day before the rest of the family meant we got some bonus time to check things out and play around a bit... and pick our room... more specifically, pick our floor of the house. Ultimately we resided on the top floor with master bath (larger than our living room at home) with views of the rolling ocean swells. But enough of the Better Homes and Gardens tour...


Beach Running

Sylas having a laugh

While at the beach I laced up my Inov-8 Roclite 295s and headed out to see how versatile these trail shoes are. I've made the mistake of running barefoot on the beach... 20 mins okay- 22 minutes- blisters on every contact surface you didn't even know you had- what was powdery soft becomes harshly disabling in a flash of a threshold. Having learned that last summer, I was prepared this time around. The Roclite's allowed me to feel the sand as it held or crumbled under my stride. When bombarded by bellowing breaks- these trails shoes did their thing managing moisture, a few soggy steps and then back to the norm, making few extra salt crystal in toe. So, with a week's worth of sand running on the beach and at Carolina Beach State Park trails, I give another ringing endorsement to the Inov-8 Roclite 295's... my official Mountains-to-Sea shoe.

Running along the beach is an exercise in patience and in the deception of vision. Trying to guess how far something is can be disheartening. Piers in the distance can seem 5 minutes away... and maybe they would be on a paved surface or hard packed trail- but out there the wind and waves have a way of putting you on the moon; taking all relativity away. This was an escape and I just allowed myself to experience this giant sandy treadmill, focus on good form and take in the sights of the morning.

There's Single Track Here!
My second run of the week was out at Carolina Beach State Park. When I read their was single track on the island you know I was there first thing in the morning, so quickly that I forgot my watch... so I told time by- how my water remained in my bottle, gauging squiggly maps with diminishing volume to meet at my car.

Chatting up the locals

Setting out from the trail head at the marina I chose to run to the right and make a 6 mile loop with additional mileage on spur trails to see everything in the park. Right away I was running on seldom used trail, I imagine where only trail runners or birders venture along the coast. There was tall grasses and boggy areas with crabs everywhere, the ground was a literal scurry  of sideways scuttling. Bridges were... condemned, out here- I balanced along the remnants of planks and thought this couldn't possibly be the way- not anymore, but a little investigation proved that it was my route. A pause on the primitive white sandy beach and back on the run.

Hills... well, Hill
I found the "big climb" of the week soon after as I approached Sugarloaf... a 55 foot outlook atop a mound of  sand... this location was/ is used by water as a landmark for navigation. I explored the social trails in the area, met a few hand-sized spiders and their cable like webs before returning back to the trail and onward to the bog with its dark mud and stumps and...  a few Venus Fly Traps, a native species.

Having the opportunity to run through such diverse habitat made this morning run very rewarding. The bog was still sandy but more firm with moisture and I began spotting some larger wildlife. Squirrels and chipmunks scurried about and then a bounding deer crossed the path. She was here and gone in a flash as I awaited additional, though non-existent hoofed traffic.

Bringing it all Back Home

Surprise! Me & Sylas are drenched!

Running on the beach for the week brought back times passed when I lived on the Gulf Coast in Fort Walton Beach, FL. I remember the diverse running terrain there too, the flatness of daily mileage and the oppressive heat of the day dictating the running routine. For a week at least, I was a morning runner.

The last day of vacation I headed back to the beach to run southward... Meeting me were storm clouds and heavy mist with gusty winds.

I relished the fresh rain water on my face and lips as I ran to the end of the island and back home again. It is always great to get out of the routine and for me- even better to return to it.

An hour on rocky, muddy, wet trails. Climbing gnarly, steep hills, with stinging plants, biting bugs and slithering snakes. I'll knock my head on branches, trip on roots and bleed and sweat and love it. Soothing songs of the woods and plunging into the river pools brings me a smile. It's good to be home.

The family: Lynnea, Sylas and The Sean

Happy Running!

Local Runner taking on the World

Just wanted to pass along some great news from local High Country runner Ryan Woods. Ryan is extremely talented, fast and tough... and a kind person on top of it... or at the heart of it. Anyhow, Ryan is headed to Worlds and we couldn't prouder! Check out the details here. and here too.

I'll be having a giveaway for some sweet new headphones in the next week so check back often and for goodness sake, follow In Clean Air!! It just makes sense. You want to make sense don't you?

Happy Running!

Return to the Dragon

Growing Season

Summer brings many great things... including abundant sunshine and rain and their children... plants. I love the life of summer but it does take the winter cleared trails and add obstacles. This is what I was faced with last night as I returned to the outlying sections of my local Dragon Trail. I knew there'd be stinging nettle, which is why I have been scarce in that area... I love my trails but a 1/2 mile tunnel of stinging nettle in repeated loops would literally drive me mad. But, last evening it was time to take care of my single track.

In preparation for a dusky jaunt I strapped on my Sierra Design winter season gaiters, knee high and began plodding down toward the river. I hoped to just run back and forth for 60-90 minutes with my headlamp and trample all over the encroaching offenders. When I arrived at the barn turn I was in for a surprise...

Parting the Green Sea
... I stopped and stared at a 5 foot high wall of growth! This was going to take some time. I began stomping left and right and laying down the stalks to the side of the trail (which was still under there) like Moses parting the Sea. Occasionally (every 5-10 feet) I would come across the tasty brambles of blackberries. Here I would grab the ripe fruit and remove the obstacle. This section is normally a 45 second sweeping right hand turn but this time took a full 25 minutes to pass through. I was very thorough and my hope is that the major growth has taken place for the season and the maintenance will be done for now... that is the hope.

Cleared Trail in the Winter

Irony
A half a mile of smooth wooded single track brought me to a few small blow downs which I dragged or rerouted trail slightly before I came to Nettle Station... this was the area I had planned on spending time on- but since Sunday... the nettles had withered and were only shadows of themselves! On down to the river I went and splashed around in the fading summer light. While there I removed 3 or 4 ticks and then turned for home in the fading light.

I ended up cutting the run short after yanking on a vine of poison ivy... we'll see where that gets me in the next couple of days. I was pleased to have taken 60 minutes to reclaim the Dragon Trail for the summer, taste the fresh blackberries and spot a few deer in the field. Now to run through the night on a full moon??

Happy Running!

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