Tsali Challenge Triathlon 2012

Out of the blue I was asked to sub-in as the runner for a paddle/trail run/mtn bike triathlon over in WNC near Bryson City. I haven't had the itch to race much lately, or train much either, but decided to check the event out anyway. We needed a paddler too, so my friend Cody got in on the action as well.

Cody made it through the 3mile paddle in about 39 minutes. Each team had a cattle ear tag looking thing that they had to pass off at the end of every leg, passing the baton so to speak. My leg was a fairly easy run on smooth trails, totaling somewhere around 4.5miles. This was my first time racing with a heart monitor/GPS watch. I tried to keep my heart rate around 90% max for the duration of the run. Not sure how much it helped, but I'm a newbie to the heart rate monitor thing. 

Our biker had completed the entire triathlon by herself the day before, but still had enough in the tank to put in a solid performance on the bike. She made it through the 12 mile course in about an 1hr10min. Our combined performances placed us right in the middle of the field overall for the team event. This was a super cool race and definitely something I would consider doing solo next year.

Alum Cave Trail Repeats

The idea was that I would go until I was finished. No time or distance in mind, just a decision based on the how things were going and where they might go if I decided to repeat my ascent once more. This year's birthday sufferfest was strange, even stranger than they usually are. Instead of a point to point or some massive loop, the setting was alum cave trail, to be repeated until satisfied. I had no idea what the number might be, 2 laps...  100 laps? Didn't know and didn't really care either, but the answer turned out to be 5.

Start time was set at 4am. At the trailhead I was to meet two others who were willing to do a lap or two in the middle of the night for no reason. A long commute and blueberry muffins set my running partners back a little so I made the first ascent myself with not near enough moon to forego the headlamp.

 I met Brian and Will on my way down and was glad to have their company for the second lap of the mountain. Having two guys along to run 20 or so miles of a 50 mile day can be dangerous though, especially when they are training for the Leadville 100. Lap number 3 began with slight cramping of the quads and the realization I may have outpaced myself for laps 1 and 2. 

On my way down the mountain for the third time of the day, I briefly ran into my father-in-law and then met my Dad who had come out to make a trip up with me. My feet at this point were a wrinkled pruny mess due to previous nights showers which turned the upper mile of the trail into a creek bed. For lap four I attempted to put on fresh shoes and socks. I couldn't find a body position that allowed for the change of footwear without severe leg cramping but finally managed to make the swap anyhow. I caught up to Dad near the bluff and we hiked the remainder of ascent. Surprisingly my legs started to feel better on this trip, giving me some hope that I might have a few trips left in me still.

I made ascent five alone and with remaining hope that I may be able to do it once more. The trip down changed my mind, degenerating from a weak jog to hike to slow walk. I met Caitlin about a quarter mile from the trailhead. She was packed and ready to go for a trip up the mountain, but I told her I would only go up again if someone paid me a thousand dollars. She said she wasn't going to, and there was no one else around to ask so we slowly made our way back to the trailhead. Darkening skies and increasingly frequent thunder convincing me I made the right decision. I had a great time up until the last hour or so on the trail, then it just wasn't fun anymore. I had already spent an entire day hiking and running my favorite trail with some of my favorite people, there was no motivation to go back. After a few minutes of putting on dry clothes and re-hydrating, we packed it up and called it a day. After 50+ miles and over 15,000 feet of elevation gain the decision to head home was an easy one, I was just happy we didn't have to walk back.

The Dude Just Wants His Rug Back

Injuries and burnout, they happen to us all and they usually manage to happen simultaneously. They are the kryptonite to many a runners mojo. More than a few times in the last 9 months or so I've questioned the fundamental purpose of running, thinking that I may just turn my back and walk (not run) away. This turn of events may have started when I went to the gym with a buddy of mine last September. After making it through what was essentially the warm-up I was beat up and exhausted, I had to leave to go for a run just to keep my ego intact. Guess I wasn't that fit after all. Soon after that, running injury. After that, half-heartedly running some ultras. After that, more running injury. Finally in March I came to my senses and significantly cut down my miles, and I hit the gym, alot.

My deepest fear with this running reduction/gym increase was that I would become a slug, running paces that would have embarrassed me in the past. But it seems speed and endurance are easier to keep than they are to get in the first place. Maybe lifting had more benefit than I anticipated. Week to week I'm running about a third of what I have in past years, but I still feel fast. And nothing hurts. And its starting to be fun again. And that what it's all about.

Below are some of the highlights from the summer so far:

Sunrise at Mt. Cammerer 7/1/12

The Worth gang also toed the line at the Knoxville Fireball Classic, a 5k. For some reason since being owned in the gym last fall I've seen the merit in not just indulging in your strengths, but improving your weaknesses too. Short distance races are certainly my weakness. I can't pace myself, even when I think I'm pacing myself I take off like some joker just trying to get in the starting line photo . In the end, not a terrible race for me though. An 18:10, making for my second fastest 5k. Caitlin near PR'ed and my dad lopped about 9 seconds off his best time. Its pretty impressive to watch someone PR at 55. No other races on the schedule this summer, but I've got a birthday coming up so I may have to head out onto the trails to celebrate.

Another Nine Down

This week we changed it up and did a kind of trail run/hike mix in Cataloochee. Basically, we ran when we felt like it (flat, downhill) and hiked when we didn't (uphill). All in all one of the best days Caitlin and I have had on the trail in a long time. If all goes well, sometime this fall Caitlin is wanting to attempt Newfound Gap to Davenport Gap in a day. Today was an attempt to see how the run/hike mix works over longer distances for her. Other than working up a mean appetite it was awesome.

"running is fast, even when its slow"

Little Debbie fails to satisfy

victory at last

After today's outing I have something around 85 miles left on my map. If we are willing to do some long days and overnights we may wrap it up by the fall, but most likely I see some winter hiking in my future to finish it out. We really liked the the Cataloochee trails so we may focus on mopping those up over the next few weeks.