January Recap

Got a little more running in than I usually do for January (140 miles), which isn't too surprising since we have had spring like weather instead of  any real winter at all. Most years I'll work my up to around 250 miles per month in the spring, but this year I'm aiming at keeping my monthly mileage lower and just trying to have quality runs instead of a continuous cycle of run more, run tired, and get injured/burned out. Less running will hopefully leave a little time for more hiking and cycling too.

Other Stats: 3hrs35min of cycling, 31 miles of hiking, and too many trips to the weight room.

I'm always curious about how running/training is going for everyone else. Feel free to post your stats in the comments section!

A Man to Run the River With

Rarely is it that I get to run races. My chosen career path is a great one, but unfortunately does not allow for many free weekends. It's even rarer that I get to run a race with my Dad and Caitlin. But in a stroke of luck this past weekend everything just fell into place and we converged on Waynesville, NC for the Bethel Half-Marathon.

A Quick Pre-Race Photo

To tell you the truth, I didn't have a lot of stake invested in this race and maybe even still had a sour taste in my mouth from the last half that I ran back in February. The big excitement of this weekend for me was that 1.) It was my dad's birthday 2.) To celebrate, he decided to run his first half-marathon. How cool is that!?!  3.) Caitlin was going to make her second attempt at the distance ( I think she has a 50k attempt in her somewhere, maybe one day I'll convince her to run an ultra). So, representing the running Worth gang at Bethel we had a 13.1mile newbie, a second attempt, and a guy that mostly just runs around in the woods.

When the gun sounded to start the race temperatures were hovering around 40F and full sun. Too cold to enjoy standing around, but great running weather. The course had a few hills, namely mile 3, which was all up hill. Other than that it was a really fun, modified figure eight course. At the end of the race I found myself in 3rd overall with a new personal record for the distance of 1hr20min36sec.

The highlight of the day for me though was getting to watch Dad and Caitlin finish their races. A decade or so ago my dad could barely run a mile, much less a half-marathon.  I'm always proud of my Dad, but today even more so. As a runner, I recognize the challenge of becoming fit enough to simply START a half-marathon, much less run one as well as he did. Over the years Dad has overcome some huge obstacles and turned himself into a strong hiker, runner and cyclist. There are a lot of ways in which I could be more like the guy, but more than anything I hope to someday manage to be the Father he's been for me.

2hrs10min, Happy Birthday Dad!

A few moments after Dad crossed the line, Caitlin came in looking strong. This was her second attempt at a half-marathon and set a new best by over three minutes, even though the course was much tougher than her last race. Nothing makes running more fun than having crazies with you that like to run too!

Good times guys!

Double Dippin': Back to Back Runs up Mt. LeConte

Mt. LeConte
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
24.5 miles  5hr25min
~7,000ft elevation gain

I've kept telling myself all Winter/Spring that as soon as we get a really nice warm day I'd do a double run of Mt. LeConte. With yesterdays temps reaching eighty degrees, I decided it was time to own up to this foolish notion.

Up Alum, Down Bullhead, Up Rainbow, Down Alum

My mapping software put the total elevation gain around 10,000ft, my best guess is that it's closer to 7,000ft

A terrible idea

In the initial miles, there was the temptation to see if I could lower my PR for Alum Cave Trail. Luckily I quickly came to my senses, realizing that if I was going to enjoy the other 20 miles of the days run I'd better back off the pace. I hit leconte lodge in a little over 57min before making the side trip to the official summit.

Before heading down Bullhead Trail I stopped at leconte lodge to top off the water bottles and say hello to the staff. The trip down Bullhead was sweet. I was happy with my decision to descend Bullhead instead of Rainbow because the footing is exponentially better. In the lower stretches there were also quite a few early season wildflowers.

Let's not be hasty Hepatica

I hit the Rainbow Falls Trailhead 2hrs and 26min into the run. I can't say I was especially excited about the 6.5 mile climb back up the mountain, but I managed to maintain a decent pace until just past the falls. Things got a little ugly after that. The eighty degree heat had me fighting off leg cramps for the remainder of the ascent.

On the initial trip up there wasn't much to see, but by the time I topped out at the summit again things had cleared out.

No side trip to Myrtle Point today

The idea of finding a nice sunny spot to lie down came across my mind more than once while on the summit. Instead I just guzzled some tasty leconte water and shot the breeze with the staff a minute before making the trip back down Alum. On the way down Alum I had a good time seeing some of the folks I ran into on the way up that morning. Despite a few stops and a crowded trail I still made my way down in a little under 55min. I was one happy guy to see the final footbridge.

Out the Front Door

HWY 321 & Roaring Fork Loop
Gatlinburg, TN
~17mi     2,800ft elevation gain   2hr23min

Since I've been doing quite a bit of driving the last few weeks for my long runs I decided to run the local roads today to avoid being reamed at the gas pump. One of the best things about being a runner in Gatlinburg is being able to run from home and travel through some wonderful and secluded country. I took off today without 100% certainty in where I'd go. Here's what I ended up with.

Today's Route

Being a pure road run, this circuit afforded me a break from the wet feet I've encountered on every other recent long run, but I didn't get a break from the hill running...

The Elevation Profile

For part of the day I had to run the sidewalk along a  4-lane highway. The flipside is I also got to spend quite a bit of time running on Roaring Fork Rd. inside the national park, which doesn't open to automobile traffic until this weekend.

"Place of a Thousand Drips"

The Cole Place

Roaring Fork road was re-built last year and is in great shape. Running alone through the forest on such an excellent road is a weird experience to say the least.

No Crowds at the Overlooks

Running roads today allowed me to attack the hills with some semblance of speed, which was a much needed change. After last weeks 13min/mile pace I was beginning to think something might be off in my training. Finished the day with a more respectable 8:30min/mile pace.

Adventures in Locations Beyond: Grand Canyon

I cannot get over how lucky I am. I just returned home from an amazing 2 week trip to the Grand Canyon. I went to "The Big Ditch" to attend National Park Service Fundamentals II, which is probably one of the coolest “corporate” training programs in the entire world. Not only is it staged at the Grand Canyon, but it is lead by amazing park staff and gives you the opportunity to meet 50 some-odd park service employees from all over the country, thereby opening up available couch space in all of the nooks and crannies of America.

Our Group Heading Down South Kaibab Trail

Enough about that...one of the coolest things about this trip was the weekend off between training days. There are a stupid amount of choices for things to do (of course), so it is difficult to pick just a couple things. That being said, I planned my run before I got to the canyon with the hopes that I was doing the right thing... and I will tell you right now, I was. I didn't expect to have any partners on this expedition, but that was a surprise that made this experience one to really cherish.

Myself, April and Elizabeth (L to R) at Mather Point

Many people are familiar with the traditional trails that leave from the Rim and travel into the canyon(that adventure was for another day), we chose to run on the Rim Trail, East towards the fairer side of our great country. It was amazing!!! What an awesome treat to have running buddies, and see more of the canyon simultaneously. We did a 5 mile out and back from Grand Canyon Village to Mather Point and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Of course being the self appointed geeks that we are, we stopped for our breathers in the visitor centers along the way. Running at and above 7,000 ft the entire way lead to a difficulty that was not anticipated. The good thing is, there were more than enough excuses to stop and catch your breath.

Sunset on the Canyon

Catching Up

This week got off to a strange start. Monday's run ended with what felt like a recurring injury in my left leg trying to rear it's ugly head. No worries though. I significantly cut back on the running miles and did quite a bit of hiking and riding the bike trainer instead.

Took advantage of the sun Thursday and made a great hike from Schoolhouse Gap to the Townsend Wye. This was my first time making the side trip to White Oak Sink.

                                                  White Oak Sink-GSMNP

Today is when the catching up happened. My bud Cody was in town and needed to get his long run in for the week. He's currently training for the Knoxville Marathon, which puts his long runs around 18 miles right now. Well, for better or worse I jumped on the opportunity to accompany Cody on such a long jaunt.

For our run we headed over to the Greenbrier section of the park, one of my favorite places for getting a long run in. The course for today was a simple out and back with the Emert's Cove/ Hwy 416 interstection forming one turnaround, and the Grapeyard Ridge Trail as the other. Two out and backs makes for 18 miles, exactly what we needed.

                                 Cody Zurhellen- Runner, AT thru-hiker, and beard enthusiast

For me, this was  my longest run of the year so far. For Cody, this was the longest run of his life. Gotta say the guy did real well. 18 miles in 2hr45min, makes for about a 9min/mile pace.

Greenbrier Road-GSMNP

Not only was today my longest run in a while, it was also one of the most enjoyable. There are few things that I find as therapeutic as a long run with a good friend. Plenty of time for quality conversation (as long as you're not running uphill).