4th annual rattle my heart 50k

As has become the norm, Saturday brought a nice long outing into the woods. This weekend was none other than Mad A's Rattle My Heart 50K, now in its 4th year. Thirteen of us started from Lake Susan shortly after 9AM on this beautiful sunny day. We warmed up on the first climb over Rattlesnake Knob, spending ample time taking in the views together from numerous outcrops.

The day started to get quite warm as we made our way over Kitsuma. Uwharrie and I picked up the pace down to the road and on to Graphite. I spent some of this solitary time reflecting on my experiences at the three previous Rattles. Unlike the others, this was going to be a "typical" singular 50K event, so I got to savor some relatively fresh legs. I was also quite thankful that the disconcerting sore throat that I woke up with was not causing much trouble.

Inevitably, Adam caught us as we began the notorious climb up Heartbreak Ridge. We would spend the remainder of the day together pushing each other to a faster finish than either one of us anticipated. Thanks bro! Although the 5:24 sounded like a PR to me, come to find out, I ran the loop in 5:03 back in 2008. A studlier time perhaps, but no way could it have been more enjoyable. A special thanks to Damian for the event photography.

After Ole's, we enjoyed a visit with Scott and Liz in their new mobile home.

sunshine

The week following Valentines has boasted wonderful spring-like weather, and with it sunnier dispositions. There seems to be a little more pep in each step on the daily run up Ida. I'm still looking forward to the weekend for two reasons:

1.) the 4th annual Rattle My Heart 50K

2.) the obligatory post-run LP8 Listening Party

linville gorge pre-madness

Just after 11 AM on Saturday, Lily dropped Uwharrie and me off at the MST Woodlawn trailhead and we made our way over and down to the North Fork of the Catawba. The day was shaping up to be beautiful and sunny, but somewhat breezy and chilly. This trail run was going to be 27 miles long with over 6000’ of climbing.

Our goal was to meet Brandon at 2 PM in North Cove at the base of a previously unexplored section of the Overmountain Victory Trail. We had time to take in the panoramic views from the summit of Bald Knob before proceeding northward to this historical 1780 passage. After a 2-mile descent, we rested for ten minutes while waiting for Brandon’s arrival.

Brandon was looking forward to some recon of the route for April’s Linville Gorge Madness Marathon, so we set out on a 14-mile loop into the gorge. We opted to run the loop in a clockwise direction and descended steeply down the burnt-out buttress of Pinch-In. Both of us had a hard time paying attention to the technical footing due to the abundant views of this wilderness’s stunning ramparts.

Before long, we were along the riverside fighting our way downstream through countless blow downs. After a gnarly blue-blaze ascent back to the MST, we climbed 1000’ up to Pinnacle where we took in our last view of the gorge near its gaping mouth where the river empties into the Piedmont. Both of us were ready to be done, but we enjoyed the sunset views over the Blacks on our final descent.

Lily had dinner ready upon our arrival to Marion. We sat back and enjoyed a pleasant dinner and visit with Brandon before retiring for the evening. This was a fun adventure, precisely what’s needed as planning and preparation continues.

North Fork of the Catawba

Cliff bands below Bald Knob

North Cove from Bald Knob

Along the Overmountain Victory Trail

Brandon descending Pinch-In

Shortoff and Pinnacle from Pinch-In

Tuckered out atop Pinnacle

Sunset views from the OVT

fastpack food

Well, it may be a stretch to call it "gourmet" or "pad thai" but here's a video documenting some of my recent efforts and experiments in breaking the convenience store code: