Lakeshore Trail Fun Run

Get up at 4AM. Leave wife, dog, and warm bed. Drive two hours through the mountains on a snowy, bitter cold February morning. Reaching my destination its too dark to see any faces. The first words I say to anyone all day... "I see a lot of spandex, I hope I'm in the right place." For better or worse, I was.
The objective for our motley crew of 8 was a run from the Fontana Hilton to the end of  Lakeshore drive via the Lakeshore Trail. An approximately 35mi (longer for some of us) route, with about six thousand feet of elevation gain, and trail that in places has faded back into the natural slope of the mountain. Throw in temperatures in the low twenties and steady snow throughout the day,  you have all the ingredients for a memorable experience.

Words that echoed through my head throughout the day, "The Lakeshore Trail is an amalgamation of old roads, trails, and man-ways... care must be taken to stay on the correct route." Hiking Trails of the Smokies

It took a few miles to get the layers and pacing right, but eventually we hit a pattern that would stick the rest of the day. About every 4 to 5 miles we halted progress long enough to check-in on everyone's welfare and then would resume whatever speed we had been travelling at prior. 

About eleven miles in, at campsite 86, we had a quick meeting which resulted in Will and I deciding we were too cold to stand around any longer and Michael and Dale deciding to head back to the Dam. Immediately leaving 86, Will and I accidentally lengthened our run by taking a spur trail to the lake. Whether real or imagined, the trail from 86 to 81 seemed especially relentless, as was the weather. Heavy snow, windy snow, and snow that sticks to your eyelashes were an unwelcome companion through this section.

From campsite 81 until the final few miles I felt strong running, but the cold was becoming an increasing drain mentally and physically. After every stop it took longer to warm up again, providing plenty of incentive to keep moving. The sun thankfully popped out for a few moments at campsite 73, allowing me to sit and actually enjoy myself a few moments before knocking out the final three miles. Typically, long runs like these end with at least some attempt to run and look energetic. Not this day, we were just happy to be finished.  Brian, Will, and I walked it in through the tunnel, where our sighs of relief echoed, providing a great finish to a great day.

A few of the other gents' that completed this run will likely have write-ups of their own, feel free to check them out here and here. Brian also has a good write-up about the run on his NEW blog.