ln(6)

2.20: 1.5h, 200’ MTCC w/pack +ppp
2.21: 1.5h, 1000’ 2x Ida +ppp
2.22: 1.5h, 200’ MTCC w/pack +ppp
2.23: 6.5h, 6500’ 17x Ida
2.24: 1.5h, 600’ Jamison, Peavine +ppp
2.25: 6h, 6500’ Grand Loop Recon +ppp
2.26: 1.2h, 2000’ Woods +ppp
∑=19.7h, 17,000’

Initially unsure of how to approach the follow-up training to Heartbreak, I realized that I could (and should) transfer some of the heavy lifting to the middle of this week. Hoping to build even further without compromising health, I set out on an unprecedented “Mt. Idathon” Thursday evening after work.

Knowing that the ensuing hours would be memorable ones, I carried along the video camera in an effort to keep pace with fellow wnctrailrunner film festival contributors Sultan, Maniak, Shin-Splint Tim and madA (currently MIA?!). As is hopefully evident in the video, Thursday evening was a beautiful one up on Mt. Ida.

I ended up with a solid 21 miles, 6,500 feet and 6.5 hours, backing down from my ambitions of completing 20 backside loops. Many thanks to Lily who hiked up to the summit with burritos from Eddie’s and met me on summit #8, relieving Uwharrie. Come Friday, I had the privilege of accompanying six young gentlemen up and down Mt. Jamison. We gazed down upon our school from an uplifted perspective.

Then on Saturday, with cohort Brandon AWOL, Uwharrie and I finished up recon on the northern half of the Grand Loop. Flurries came down and a cold wind blew, but we made efficient progress with the aid of the GPS. Ledge Trail was just phenomenal… So much of this route has me salivating as I type. Our local cookie jar is so very tempting; it won’t be long before I take a bite at the FKT.

Speaking of FKTs, it is worthwhile to note that on this Saturday, Mark Lundblad lowered the Foothills Trail FKT to 14:26! That is 2 hours and 26 minutes faster than the previous time set in 2005 on this 77-mile gem of a trail. Congrats to Mark for completing such an inspirational voyage!