a break in the weather

Ida before the break

The sun came out this afternoon so Lily, Uwharrie and I decided upon a post-work trip to Toms Creek. We warmed up together with a climb along the MST to Betsy Ridge. Lily told us to go on ahead. I decided that we'd try running every step of the 2,000+ ft. climb to the summit of Woods Mountain.

It felt great to feel the heart pump hard on this newly repaired trail. We passed a lightweight section hiker doing 100+ miles of the MST. We exchanged a quick hello before pushing on to the summit. Indeed, we ran every step of the way in 52 minutes and spent a few minutes taking in our surroundings before bombing back to the car in 25.

clawhammer 50k

“You’ll be disappointed,” said one student when I asked my class on Wednesday if anyone had checked Saturday’s weather forecast. Sure enough, a cold drizzle fell, but it didn’t dampen spirits at Hayley and Damian’s Pisgah Running and Camping Weekend.

Lily, Uwharrie, Hannah, Brandon and I caravanned out to Brevard Friday after work to meet Terry, Nicole (+ family), Hayley and Damian at the White Pine North Group Campsite along Avery Creek. We set up our tents (a good opportunity to test the latest project), got out the growlers and gathered around the fire after some delicious pre-run pasta and salad.

Come morning, a lull in the drizzle post-breakfast was enough to motivate us to get going around 9:30 on a wonderful 17-mile circumnavigation of the Avery Creek Basin. We stuck together most of the way up Clawhammer Road, but by the time Uwharrie and I arrived to the Black Mountain Trail, we were ahead of the others. I felt good and pushed the pace along the ridgeline single track pausing to snap some pictures here and there.

These cloud enshrouded mountains seemed distantly familiar. I realized that it was almost 4 years to the day since Uwharrie and I blazed through this very section on our way to Maine. Bluets, lilies, violets and other early wildflowers eagerly drank in the earthy dampness. I laughed out loud at the beauty of it all: the Appalachians are truly a treasure!

While at a cliff overlooking the distinct granite pluton of Looking Glass, we saw a flash of light followed closely by the ominous sound of thunder. Uwharrie and I quickly pushed on to Bennett Gap. Terry and kids were there to provide aid about 13 miles in. I thanked Terry and informed him that I was thinking about turning around at Avery Creek to run the loop in reverse to log around 50K (and ~7500’ climb) for the day. I still had 3.5 miles on the Bennett Gap Trail to reconsider.

We arrived to Avery Creek at 2 hours and 38 minutes. Without any internal debate, we turned around and made our way back up the way we came. I tried to maintain my confidence after greeting the others in passing. I was a little worried about how few calories I had left, the rain began to fall harder and the new pair of shoes were beginning to rub my bare pinky toes raw. Through it all, I greeted this as an opportunity to explore the fatigue and discomfort associated with ultra-distance running.

The bonk came and went and we glided down Pressley Cove to finish in 5 hours and 16 minutes. Thanks to Terry, Damian, Hayley and Lily for refueling me. We hung out for a bit before packing up and making our way back to Marion. Despite the weather, the Pisgah Running and Camping Weekend was a blast, thanks guys!

A quick note on shandals: for the last four months, I've been running almost exclusively in two pairs of lightweight racing flats, (zoom streak xc 2s). Both of these pairs have about 400 miles on them, mostly on trails. Just this amount of wear and tear has damaged the mesh uppers to the point that I've decided to tap into my reserves: two fresh pairs that were meant to be worn exclusively for the MST, still two months out.

Considering my plan to ramp up training in preparation for near-1000 miles on foot in June, I'll probably go through six pairs of shoes in just seven months, which seems absurd and excessive. It’s the thin-mesh uppers (precisely what I like about the shoes) that fail first. Someday I hope we can devise an easy and durable MYOG shoe with these features. Meanwhile, I guess I’ll be practicing shoe repair…

the daily routine

The weekend brought us some refreshing treats: SSSR, Bearwallow, Lisa and Matt's wedding, the super moon, and some down time to build a very roomy two-pound tarp tent for some not-so-fast packing.

Tomorrow is Monday, and it's back to work. I've been dragging my feet all day with the task of preparing for another week of school. On the plus side, there's now only a month left until spring break...

I realize this month is a crucial time to strike a balance with work and training. Although we plan to live it up with some weekend warrior outings, I hope to establish a daily routine that gets my body better prepared not only for June's journey, but for a healthier life in general.

I'm constantly inspired by many amazing people. Here's some food for thought: http://sugarwithdrawalsucks.blogspot.com/


Congrats to Adam and Jonathan for some amazing times in Montreat! And some pics of the project:

mt. mitchell marathon

Mt. Mitchell from Ridge Junction

We are fortunate to live close to very special mountains. Not always do we take advantage of this, but this weekend we did. Inspired by good weather, health and the Maniak’s recent adventures, Lily, Uwharrie and I drove 25 minutes to Pisgah for some camping and running. We enjoyed a peaceful camp along Newberry Creek Friday night.

Come morning, the chill mountain air had me packing warmly for a clockwise marathon loop up Mt. Mitchell with 7000+ feet of climb. Uwharrie and I left Lily by the morning campfire at 8:30 AM with a promise to meet her at Green Knob fire tower (23 miles away for us, 3.5 for her) no later than 2:30 PM.

We proceeded up Newberry Cr., across the Parkway at Deep Gap and down FS Road 472 to the start of the Bald Knob Ridge Trail. The snowline started at 5500’ and we could hear the winds roaring on Mitchell. Upward we climbed through snow-laden spruce. Although the sun was shining, the wintry conditions had me thankful for packing wool tights and balaclava. We were at the summit by 11:45 AM.

Tiptoeing down the ice skating rink of Commissary Ridge and further down the last half of the dozen or so miles along the MST to the Black Mountain Campground, we reentered into spring. I stripped to my shorts for the 3-mile 2000+ ft. climb to Green Knob. We were there to meet Lily by 2:20 PM. After snacking and taking in the views, Lily led the charge back down to our Newberry Cr. campsite.

Another wonderful day in the woods!

Approaching the summit of Mitchell

At the top

Almost spring along the S. Toe

Green Knob Fire Tower

On the tower

springer it forward

This challenge is beautiful in its simplicity: start from the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at midnight around the time when the clocks are springing forward, spring it forward yourself (north, of course) as far as you can get in 24 hours...

My opportunity to join this beerded fellow for the adventure fell through, but we'll all still get to live vicariously through his GPS gizmo starting at midnight tonight, so that's pretty cool. Go get 'em Carl:

the long slog

These last couple weeks have been rough. Three years of teaching have taught me that this is typical for this time of year. Today, Lily and I observed that we still have six weeks until our spring break although it seems as though we've been slogging a long way through this semester already.

On top of all this, I'm healing up from a rough cold and a running injury (from a fall taken a week ago- more insult than injury) that have sequestered my running of late. Still, I'm thankful for our health and jobs. I'm thankful to have family nearby in good health as well. And spring break is on its way along with some exciting intermediate projects. Here's a sneak peak: