Awesome. Fun. Challenging.
Yesterday, I ran the Granite GrinderLooking at the course map and profile and having run some of these trails before, i knew i was in for a challenge. Also, I ran 3 days during the week so I was curious to see how my legs would do. I wasn't concerned with time. My focus was to enjoy it and practice. My longer goal is to finish a 50 miler this year.
With just a 1-2-3 GO for the race start, we were off and running. The course was a mix of grassy meadow crossings, narrow, single-track technical trails, granite slab sections and lots of up and downs. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I found myself smiling a lot and going as fast as i could on the downhill sections. It was so fun and free-ing! The uphills were tough and i just took my time. It was gorgeous scenery all around. It had rained the night and early morning prior, leaving some sections good and muddy. At one point, i just directly went into a big muddle puddle rather than shift around it as some of the folks in front of me had done. Heck...it isn't a trail run if you aren't gonna get muddy, right! I also took 2 wrong turns on the course and this probably cost me about 3-5 minutes off my time. Again, this is bound to happen in a trail race. The first 6 miles were the toughest but they did throw in a good steep section at mile 11.5! Soon enough I was headed for the finish line clock. 2:31 (not counting for lost time)
Great post-race. Lots of bagels, peanut butter, donuts, bananas, water, Vitamin Water (which i tried for 1st time and really like it) and a great Brooks TECHNICAL race shirt.
I will definitely do this race again and I hope these folks put on more! A great job. Most fun I have had in a race in quite some time!!
April 19: 2:31/13.1 miles/11:31 pace - trails
April 17: 39:03/4 miles/9:46 pace - road
April 16: 58:52/6 miles/9:48 pace - road
April 15: 30:23/3.25 miles/9:20 pace - treadmill
Showing posts with label trails. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trails. Show all posts
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sunday 10 Miles: Trail
After a neat & short little race on Saturday, my buddy SL and I went out to Kennesaw Battlefield to do some battling of our own.
(http://www.nps.gov/kemo/)
It looked pretty dreary out when we left my house just after 8am. Not cold, but grey skies that looked like rain was a comin'.
No worries from us. We both had new trail shoes to tear up and we were raring to go! We we took our first steps, the rain came down in small drops. For a good 10-15 minutes somewhere between miles 4-5, it began to absolutely pour down on us!! I mean POUR, like buckets were being poured on our heads. It was awesome!! The trail became very wet and muddy and soon our nice new shoes were well worn in. A few times, we almost fell from the uneven and tricky terrain. We had 2 short walk breaks and basically just used that time to talk about what a great day it was. SL was all fired up saying she couldn't believe trail running could be so much fun. AHH! Now, maybe I have a partner??
From miles 6-9, I deliberately accelerated a few times -- I love to feel myself go a bit faster on the trails…it feels so free, as if I am running free in the wild. How wonderful it was to get out and away from sidewalks, streetlights, treadmills, people, & cars!!!
We finished 10 miles which was more than I thought we would do. We were happily and sufficiently dirty when all was said and done!
We still gotta play, right?
(http://www.nps.gov/kemo/)
It looked pretty dreary out when we left my house just after 8am. Not cold, but grey skies that looked like rain was a comin'.
No worries from us. We both had new trail shoes to tear up and we were raring to go! We we took our first steps, the rain came down in small drops. For a good 10-15 minutes somewhere between miles 4-5, it began to absolutely pour down on us!! I mean POUR, like buckets were being poured on our heads. It was awesome!! The trail became very wet and muddy and soon our nice new shoes were well worn in. A few times, we almost fell from the uneven and tricky terrain. We had 2 short walk breaks and basically just used that time to talk about what a great day it was. SL was all fired up saying she couldn't believe trail running could be so much fun. AHH! Now, maybe I have a partner??
From miles 6-9, I deliberately accelerated a few times -- I love to feel myself go a bit faster on the trails…it feels so free, as if I am running free in the wild. How wonderful it was to get out and away from sidewalks, streetlights, treadmills, people, & cars!!!
We finished 10 miles which was more than I thought we would do. We were happily and sufficiently dirty when all was said and done!
We still gotta play, right?
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Trail Run/Hike
I've been aching to get away from the city, so I FINALLY did this weekend. Just 2 hours away from the hustle & bustle of Atlanta and I totally feel like I am States away!!!
Had no idea where to go for a run, so i perused some of the material in my quaint, cozy cabin. Though I found no specific running trails, i found a bunch of info on hiking/mountain biking trails. After having coffee and writing a partial letter to a friend, i put my gear on and headed for the trail. The area was actually this: ASKA
As I neared one of the trailheads, i had come upon an adventure race in progress. So, rather than being out in the middle of this place solo, i was surrounded by lots of folks on their mountain bikes. I actually was thankful because often times being out in the woods scares me! Maybe because i grew up in the city. I mean, i would rather go running through the worst parts of Atlanta, GA or Oakland, CA than go out in the woods alone. I know, it's a bit weird. Anyways.
I had to park my car about 1 mile from trailhead and go from there. So, i took off running a mile uphill on a forest road. Then, the real trail began; a very hilly technical trail. It felt so awesome to finally be back on a trail. To smell the cleaner air, to listen to the sounds of nothing, to see so much of nature all around me was invigorating and exhilirating. Not to mention the andrenaline was pumping because somewhere in the back of my mind i think there is some pyscho-killer just waiting out there....
The trail was very difficult and it was more of a trail run/hike than a true run. i definitely had to hike some of it if i wanted to last a bit. and this was fine by me because really i just wanted to be out there. also, i didn't have much water at all, so i knew i had to ration accordingly. At one point, i turned around and headed in another direction and felt like i was flying down the trail...it was so much fun to go fast and it made me realize even more how steep the uphill direction was. Going downhill on trail is fun and exciting because you really have to watch your footing. My arms were flailing about at one point...i felt like a little kid. SO MUCH FUN!!!
After a bit, i got back to where i parked and saw more of the adventure racers coming and going. They looked tired, but determined. I cheered some of them on.
All in all, i was out there on the trails for 1 hour, 15 minutes. I hope to get out again tomorrow before heading back into the bright lights, big city.
TRAIN HARD, TRAIN SMART
Had no idea where to go for a run, so i perused some of the material in my quaint, cozy cabin. Though I found no specific running trails, i found a bunch of info on hiking/mountain biking trails. After having coffee and writing a partial letter to a friend, i put my gear on and headed for the trail. The area was actually this: ASKA
As I neared one of the trailheads, i had come upon an adventure race in progress. So, rather than being out in the middle of this place solo, i was surrounded by lots of folks on their mountain bikes. I actually was thankful because often times being out in the woods scares me! Maybe because i grew up in the city. I mean, i would rather go running through the worst parts of Atlanta, GA or Oakland, CA than go out in the woods alone. I know, it's a bit weird. Anyways.
I had to park my car about 1 mile from trailhead and go from there. So, i took off running a mile uphill on a forest road. Then, the real trail began; a very hilly technical trail. It felt so awesome to finally be back on a trail. To smell the cleaner air, to listen to the sounds of nothing, to see so much of nature all around me was invigorating and exhilirating. Not to mention the andrenaline was pumping because somewhere in the back of my mind i think there is some pyscho-killer just waiting out there....
The trail was very difficult and it was more of a trail run/hike than a true run. i definitely had to hike some of it if i wanted to last a bit. and this was fine by me because really i just wanted to be out there. also, i didn't have much water at all, so i knew i had to ration accordingly. At one point, i turned around and headed in another direction and felt like i was flying down the trail...it was so much fun to go fast and it made me realize even more how steep the uphill direction was. Going downhill on trail is fun and exciting because you really have to watch your footing. My arms were flailing about at one point...i felt like a little kid. SO MUCH FUN!!!
After a bit, i got back to where i parked and saw more of the adventure racers coming and going. They looked tired, but determined. I cheered some of them on.
All in all, i was out there on the trails for 1 hour, 15 minutes. I hope to get out again tomorrow before heading back into the bright lights, big city.
TRAIN HARD, TRAIN SMART
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