catching up

While attending high school in PA, I wanted to go for a weekend backpacking trip on the AT, but never got the chance. That's why I admire Lily for providing MEC students with the opportunity last weekend despite her exhaustion from school. Uwharrie and I tagged along, interested in exploring the box canyon near Kawana, in Pisgah. 

 

New fastpack gear design?!?!

The students had almost too much fun.

 

The campsite was in a beautiful setting.

 

I'm learning that there's a lot more to this teaching thing.

Rhodos blooming above the gorge.

This past week was the last of our normal class schedule. Earth and Environmental Science students wrapped up their semester studying the effects of oil spills on ecosystems. As always, I wish we had more time. The video below, written and produced by MEC students, is an encouraging sign that at least some are learning from this tragic mistake. 

You can tell by the music, I had very little to do with this video!

Next week, our school is set to collect, box and ship hair to a temporary warehouse for Matter of Trust on the Gulf coast in Florida for hair booms. We're all hoping for the best right now. It may be time for a hair cut!

As for running, this past week of training has been solid. I've been commuting around town on foot, to and from school. The miles and time on my feet have added up. We had two strong runs along the wonderful singletrack of Kitsuma. Last Saturday evening, Uwharrie and I ran the uphill split in a new PR time of 41:40, which got me to thinking that maybe I was ready to join the elite sub-1:20 Kitsuma Klub.

The midget always wins

Today, two-time 1:18er Mad A joined Uwharrie and me for the traditional 10 mile Challenge. Adam set the pace for a 36:30 downhill split. He was about thirty seconds ahead of me at the turn-around. I knew I didn't have it in my legs at this point, but tried to keep up. A couple hikers with dogs slowed us down a little, but my maxed out and tired body is primarily to blame for crossing the finish over a minute behind Adam in 1:20:50.