Queen Mountain

Decided for my "run" today that I was going to go for my first of many "peak bagging" adventures here in Joshua Tree National Park.  Today I chose Queen Mountain.  It's a totally cross-country route, there is no established trail.  There is a preferred "route" to ascend, but I'm pretty sure I didn't take it.

Queen Mountain from the parking lot.

The stats on Queen Mountain:

Starting Elevation from Parking Lot:  4480'
Peak Elevation:  5687'
Est Round Trip Door to Door:  4-5 miles
Total ~gain:  1207'

I don't know for sure the actual elevation gain and loss, or the distance was over the course of the trip, as my Garmin 305 decided to shit out on me, as it has seemed to do on multiple occasions over the past few weeks (I here Suunto calling my name).  Most of the info/stats are gained from the book On Foot in Joshua Tree National Park by Patty Furbish.  There was obviously more climbing up and down than just going straight up and down the mountain, simply because you have to cross/climb several washes and rock slide areas.

There was far more scrambling and bouldering involved than I expected, especially the further up the mountain I got.  It became pretty slow moving climbs, rather than quick scrambling up the mountain.  I still had a great time though, and got some amazing views.

I think I'll try and get at least one peak per month in the park.  Most are only between 5-6k feet, but it's nice to change it up a little!

Example of Most of the Climbing Sections

Cave on side that had some Desert Bighorn droppings inside..didn't see any, though.

Panoramic Facing towards Palm Springs w/ Mt San Jacinto in distance.

Route Markers?

View from just shy of summit facing 29 Palms.

Setting Goals

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about what I want to accomplish running/adventure wise next year.  This year I'm pretty set in a training schedule for the rest of the year, because I think it's important for my upcoming trail marathon to keep to a schedule to make sure I get the training base I need.  However, after this race, I'm going to change things up.

After a little break when I finish the marathon, I'm going to change my focus to prepping for my first 50k (I've narrowed it down to two, which one is TBD).  One thing I have decided, is that while I appreciate following a plan for training, and understand the structure behind it, I don't really like it.  There's no doubt that I have seen improvement in my running ability by following the plan, but still, I don't enjoy the structure.  I'm going to stick with the plan for the next 7 weeks or so until it's over, but after that, things are going to change.

A couple of things I've really noticed from training as of late: 

1.  I love the long trail runs.  I've realized that running over 15+ miles on the trails out here "fits" me, and doing so has drastically increased my confidence. 

2.  I love the short trail runs.  By short, I mean sub-10 mile runs.  Especially when I do those runs on more challenging trails that are far more technical and have lots of climbing and descending.  As it would turn out, I like climbing on my runs.  I'm really starting to get the power-hiking down.  And, I also like descending.  I enjoy moving fast over technical terrain, bounding from rock to rock.

3.  I like running on roads less and less.  However, sometimes it's just hard to get over to the trails.

There's lots of good scenery out here, too.  Several of the trails go to or near an oasis in the middle of a canyon somewhere out here.  It's pretty neat to be running through a rocky, fairly desolate area, and then a spring and a bunch of palm trees pop out of nowhere.  One of my favorite trails out here, 49 Palms Oasis, goes right to a canyon.  It's not a long trail, only 3-ish miles round trip, but this past Saturday I did the trail 2.5 times, and enjoyed the hell out of it.  Some decent climbs, technical descents, and great views along the way.  What more could you ask for?

Elevation Profile 49 Palms Oasis Trail

 

 

View Along 49 Palms Oasis Trail

49 Palms Oasis

My long run this week has been my longest thus far (18.5) miles, but I have to admit, I felt great the entire time.  I ran the Boy Scout Trail from Indian Cove Backcountry board, to Keys View West, and then part of one of the other outlying trails to make up a little more distance.  The initial 4 miles of the trail kicked my ass.  It's not so much the elevation gain, because it's not that much.

Elevation profile Boy Scout Trail from Indian Cove

What the elevation profile doesn't show you, is that the first 4 miles of the trail all take place in a sandy wash.  Soft sand + constant climb = suck.  I was just about to get really pissed off, when the soft sand came to an end for the last 3/4 mile or so of climb, and there was series of rocky/technical single track switchbacks out of the wash to the top of the canyon.  I enjoyed those.  There was a point, right after reaching the top of the canyon when it started to flatten out, I almost peed my shorts.  I damn near put my foot right on top of a sun-bathing Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.  I would have taken a picture of it, but in reality, my priority became just getting the hell away from it.  Once I got to the top, the trail flattened out with the exception of a few small rolling climbs.  The biggest issue was just the soft sand, that seemed to come and go depending on where you were at on the trail. 

Like I said, I felt really good on the run.  I may not have been that fast, but there were some sections where I was still pushing an 8:30 mile through the sand between the 10 and 15 mile marks.  I was pretty happy with that.  I was taking in plain water, a gatorade/coconut water mix I had in a bottle, and Cliff shot blocks the whole time.  Oh, I was also taking Hammer Endurolytes.  They kept me going, and considering I didn't eat any breakfast, I was happy that there was no point that I felt like I was going to bonk.  It really was a great run.

View from top of wash on Boy Scout Trail

Sandy wash section of Boy Scout Trail

What most of Boy Scout Trail looks like in the flat sections.  Nice and sandy.

Aside from some great runs, I've been thinking about what I'm going to attempt next year.  There's so much potential for some epic runs here in the southwest, that I feel I have to take advantage of it.  I'm going to base more of my training on things that I want to do, and then throw in a few races along the way.  I still plan on getting in plenty of long runs, and shorter, faster runs, and I don't think mileage or time on my feet is going to be a problem, I'm just going to try not to structure it so much.  I want to be able to run when and how I think I should, not how a training schedule tells me I should.

So here's what I've got planned so far for next year, in no particular order as of yet:

1.  2 50k races (Not sure yet, but looking at Oriflamme, Leona Divide, and Bootlegger Canyon 50k's)
2.  Trans-Joshua Tree on the California Hiking and Riding Trail (35-37 miles)
3.  Summit of Mt. San Jacinto via Skyline Trail (~20 miles 10k+ feet of gain)
4.  Grand Canyon R2R2R (41-48ish depending on route)
5.  50 mi race late in the year (TNF 50 maybe?)

I'm sure I'll throw in some shorter stuff, too, because around Joshua Tree, Big Bear,  and Palm Springs there are all kinds of great shorter trail runs.  Those are my big attempts for next year.  I'm not setting anything in stone as of yet, we'll just to see if I can fit them all into the schedule, but that's tentatively what I want to accomplish.  Now, I realize I'm not going to be setting any records on these attempts, but then, that's not really my goal.  My goal is just to do it.  Grand Canyon R2R2R may take me 20 hours, but I still want to do it.  So, here's to setting goals!  Anyone want to join me?

In the meantime....Keep Running!

Big Changes...

So, I haven't written for almost a month now, but it's not because there hasn't been anything going on.  Quite the contrary; there's been so much going on, I haven't really had much time to blog (figuratively...I understand that in actuality, I had plenty of time, it just hasn't been high on my priority list).  For that, I apologize...not sure to whom...myself I guess (unless there is anyone else besides my wife who actually reads this thing.

Anyway, we've moved.  Going from coastal North Carolina to where we are now is about a different a change as you can make.  We are pretty much right on the edge of the Mojave desert, in 29 Palms, California.  It's hot here, like, over 100 hot.  I don't really mind it, but I'm not sure the wife is much of a fan.  I'm excited though, because I love everything outdoors this area has to offer, more to come on that in a bit.

Since the last time I posted, we've done quite a bit of traveling, going from my folks house in Indianapolis all the way out to where we are now.  We did it over 4 or 5 days, to try and break it up and make it a little more enjoyable.  And, I have to admit, I wanted to get a chance to run in every place we stopped.

Our first stop was Topeka, Kansas.  Now, I will admit that I didn't expect much but a sidewalk run in Topeka.  To my delight, when we pulled off the interstate to our hotel exit, we passed right by what looked to be a good little park with some walking trails.  After checking in, I laced up my shoes and took off for the park. 

I was very pleasantly surprised.  This little park quickly turned from open, paved walking trails to dirt trails winding through the woods into a state park.  Very happy about that!  I always love finding accidental trail runs.  This turned out to be a good one.  Although, I didn't know the trails very well, and got just a little bit lost.  I was a little worried I wasn't going to find my way out of the woods before dark, then I would be really screwed.  But, after just picking a trail and sticking with it, I oddly enough ended up in a homeowners front yard, about 1/2 mile down the street from my hotel.

Next, we stopped in Aurora, Colorado.  I've never been to that area, so it wasn't really what I expected.  I guess I always thought the Denver area was going to be full of mountains and trails everywhere, but that is certainly not the case.  We couldn't even see the mountains through all the haze and smog.  Nonetheless, I decided there were still some good hills on some of the streets, so I laced up again and took off. 

After about a mile running down a sidewalk along a busy street, I came across an old dried up canal, that had a trail running along side it.  As it would turn out, a trail surprise again!  Now, this one (can't remember the name of it) was more of an "urban" trail, but at least it was nice to get away from the exhaust fumes.  I didn't get to see lots of prairie dogs, so that was cool. 

Next stop, Salina, Utah.  Not really much to say about Salina.  I'm sure there probably were some good trails there, but to be honest, it was an off training day, and I was exhausted anyway.  Instead, we just checked into the hotel, and then hit up Denny's for some grub, there really weren't many other options.  I will say, I did appreciate the scenery of the surrounding mountains there.

After a stop in Utah, we made one more day drive to our last stop before reaching our destination.  This time, the stop was in Las Vegas...well, Henderson, actually.  I did a short workout at the hotel, before we headed down to the strip for some dinner, and to take in all the Vegas lights at night.  After seeing the obligatory fountain show at the Bellagio, and the pirate show at Treasure Island, and all the other Vegas must-sees, we turned in for the night. 

Since I knew we were going to have a short drive the next day (about 4 hours), I woke up early the next morning and headed out to near Boulder City, to Bootlegger Canyon.  Awesome place to run.  Got in some good climbing, on some good single track trails, and it wasn't very crowded (probably because I was there at 7 am on a Sunday morning).  They do run a 50k ultra there, so after downloading the course route to my Garmin, I ran part of the loop.  That was a great place to run.

Now we have arrived in 29 Palms, and finally starting to get settled in our temporary housing (by temporary, I mean 4-6 months until housing on base is available).  I've already been getting some good runs in here, and I'm very excited to get some more.  Literally 10 minute drive from my front door is Joshua Tree National Park, that has TONS of awesome trails I have been taking advantage of, and plan to continue to do so.

This past Saturday, I did an 8-miler on a trail that combines hills, soft sand, technical single track, and scrambling through a canyon all to get to an Oasis, it was awesome.   Sunday I did a 17 miler (a first for me) through the desert in 100 degree heat climbing through washes and technical routes, and it was awesome.  This weekend is 18, and I can't wait. 

There's going to be a ton of great running, hiking, scrambling, bouldering, climbing, camping, and just being in Joshua Tree Nat'l Park.  I pretty pumped about it.  I've bought a book that describes all the trails, and if I don't want to do one of those, I'll just go off-trail and make my own.  I've already decided I want to hike and/or run every named trail in the park, and tag every peak in the time that I'll be here.  I know it will be easy over 2-3 years, so I guess I'll just have to do it multiple times, and using multiple routes.  All I know is that this is an area I'm going to get my use out of for sure.

In the meantime....Keep Running!

Trail Runner Challenge

So I figured, before I jump into about 10 weeks of hardcore marathon training for my race in December, I'd throw in some more base training.  I saw on Twitter, that Trail Runner Magazine was doing an "ultra" challenge using the Strava app (just started using Strava by the way, and really digging the app...gives way more info than dailymile, and I just like the "dashboard" better.).  The idea is to log 100 miles from 1-16 September.  If you do, you get "extreme bragging rights" and a free issue of Trail Runner Mag (which I already subscribe to).  I just figured it was a good way to hold myself accountable and get some good base miles in before I start my next training cycle.

So far, 5 days in, and 44 miles logged...100 shouldn't be too tough.  Really, all you have to do is a 10k every day, and you'll make the challenge.  I think I'll hit over 100 miles by the time the challenge is over, but I'm not really going for any specific distance.  It's nice, because I'm at my parents house right now, and there are decent road routes and tons of city parks with different trails that are only a short drive away.  I have to say, I would have never known Indianapolis had so many parks until I became interested in trail running.  Running really does change your perception on things.

Anyway...here's to finishing the 100 mile challenge!

In the mean time...keep running!

Qdoba DINO Series 15k Trail Race

I'd signed up for the DINO Series race about a month ago, when I knew that I was going to be up at my folks house in my transition to the new place out west.  I figured it would be something fun to do while I spent time sitting around without much else to do except run.  I like the vibe of smaller, local races, and this was no exception. 

The DINO series (which stands for "Do INdiana Off-road; had no idea until I actually got to the race),  is a series that takes place all over the state of Indiana.  It offers races in trail running, mountain biking, adventure racing, and off-road triathlons.  That's kind of the whole premise of the event, everything is off-pavement as much as possible, which makes it perfect for people like me!

I signed up for the 15k trail race, in Southwestway Park just outside of Indianapolis.  For being a fairly large urban area, the City of Indianapolis has done a great job keeping parks set aside around the city that still allow for an outdoor experience.  I look forward to exploring several other of the parks around the city in the coming weeks. 

The race itself was pretty low-key.  It seems as though everything was very relaxed, still being very well organized.  That's what I like about fairly small events; the only expectation held by the runners is to get out and have a good time.  That's exactly what we did.

Going into the race I knew that I wasn't going to be performing at my best potential, but, that wasn't exactly the point of this race anyway.  After just a few days earlier completing my Mt. LeConte Ascent, my legs were pretty beat up.  I was still pretty sore, especially my quads, so I knew the climbing and descending in this course were going take their toll.  But, I figured "who cares?", because I just wanted to get out and use it as more of a group training run that comes with a t-shirt.

We showed up early to the race, since I didn't really know what to expect.  There was no early packet pickup (by packet, I mean bib and shirt), so I wanted to be there right when they opened up shop in case it took long.  Well, it didn't.  I got there at 7:30 am, about 1 1/2 hrs before the race started, to find that there were only a few other runners there.  Getting my bib/shirt took all of about 5 minutes.  So then we hung out, took the kid to the playground, and got in a warm-up jog with plenty of time to spare.

When the 15k runners (myself included) were called to the line (there was also a 5k starting about 10 minutes after my race), I was ready to get moving.  I hung out in the spot I usually do, around mid-pack at the starting line.  There were a few people up front who just looked like they were itching to "race," so I let them do their own thing.  My method tends to be more hang back, run my own race, and then try and go "rabbit hunting" at the end.

We took off from the starting line, and I instantly knew we were going too fast.  I wasn't too worried though, even though we were moving at faster than a 6:30/mile pace.  The first .25 miles or so were on a gravel road before we ducked into the woods.  Once we turned off the road onto single track in the woods, the pace dropped down to around a 9:30 pace for the mid-pack, and bottle necked up tight. 

The course in the first part was pretty slow.  Not so much because of any climbs or anything, it wasn't even technical.  It was pretty flat single-track.  But, it had TONS of tight switchbacks around the ravine leading down to the river.  There were very few sections of the course that allowed for fast running.

There were a few stretches when it widened up to gravel horse trail and you could pass easily if you chose to.  I, chose not to.  My legs were hurting, especially my quads on the flats/descents, so I was perfectly content at my 9:15-9:30/mile pace.

There is one "major" (for Indiana) climb on the course, that you hit twice on the 15k course.  Mann hill is the toughest climb, and it's about 150' over 4/10 of a mile.  Not too bad, but, the trail in that portion is a rutted, washed out, root-covered section.  Most people were "running" the hill best they could, but I found that I could power-hike it faster than most were running, so that's what I did.  Any of the climbs on the course seemed to be where I made up some time, but most people were pulling away from me on the downhills, because my quads were just not very compliant.

All told, it was a good time and a great way to spend a Saturday morning.  I've been out to that park twice since the race, and there are many trails back in that area with lots of steep climbs, albeit short ones.  My legs are definitely getting a workout lately, and I'm glad for the change away from the flat running of eastern North Carolina.  Could I have run it faster on fresher legs?  I absolutely could have.  I think at my current fitness level, with adequate rest, I could have run it in 1:10:00 - 1:12:00, which would have put me top 25.  On a really good day, I could have been even higher.  But I didn't really care, I was there to have fun, and I did.  Besides, it's still a 15k PR, and one that should be fairly easy to improve upon!

The DINO series of races is definitely something I would participate in whenever I come back to visit the family.  Great race management, with a great local feel.

Technical Data

Total Distance: 15k-ish (9.21 miles by my Garmin)
Chip Time:  1:22:32.8
Placing:  64/114 overall
               9/11 30-34 age group
Total Ascent:  1547'
Total Descent:  1541'

Peak of Silence: My Ascent of Mount LeConte

I haven't really been blogging much lately.  In all honesty, I haven't really had much that I thought was worth blogging about.  I know that usually I post training updates, gear reviews for any new gear I've been using, etc.  Fact is, the past few weeks I've probably done less running than I have since I started really running just over a year ago.  At least distance-wise.  I've been doing more speed work lately, in preparation for an upcoming race (Qdoba Dino Series 15k Trail), and before I start the big push for the TNF Endurance Challenge Trail Marathon in San Francisco in December.

But none of that is really the point of this post.

Months ago I got word that I was going to be relocating to California for work.  I figured, that since my wife and son would be leaving to head to the homeland (Indiana/Ohio area) to spend time with her parents about two weeks before I would join them, that I would do a little stop of my own on the way.

Enter Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

It's been years since I've been to the Smokies, probably almost twelve to be honest.  But ever since then, I've longed to go back and spend even just a day on my own in the mountains there.  So I planned it.  The search began.

I wanted to find a trail(s) to get max benefit of my time (one day), something that would require good effort, I wanted to see a waterfall or two, and I wanted to summit one of the mountains east of the Mississippi.

Mt. LeConte was the one for me.

Mount LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies, with a "textbook" summit of 6593 feet.  However, if you were to measure it from the base of the mountain near Gatlinburg, it has a total height of 5301 feet, making it the tallest mountain in the eastern United States.

That's why I wanted this one.  The tallest.

There are several trails you can take to to reach the summit, and even take combinations of trails, depending on what length, intensity, and what you want to see along the way.  Like I said before, I wanted to see a waterfall, so for my ascent, I chose Rainbow Falls trail.

Conveniently, the Rainbow Falls trail head ended up only being about 4 miles from my motel.  I had considered just running to the trail head from my motel, but quickly dismissed the idea.  While it's usually no big deal for me to run 8 miles on the road (round trip), running that 8 miles with a 6000'+ summit in between was probably a bit more than my fitness level right now.  Instead, I just drove to the trail head, and I'm glad I made that choice.

There were actually far more people there at 9:30 am than I expected, at least in the parking lot.  Once I actually got on the trail, I probably saw 15 people total, and over the almost 6 miles to the summit, that made for sparse interaction.  Exactly what I was hoping for on this trip.

The Ascent

All the research I had done prior to my trip, specifically on Rainbow Falls Trail, indicated that it was a "strenuous" hike.  I can deal with strenuous.  I figured that since my fitness level is probably well above the average person, "strenuous" to that average joe would just mean I have to put forth a little more effort than usual.  It's not like I was expecting to run up the whole thing, so I wasn't too worried.

The trail did prove to have some very technical sections, even from the very beginning.  It's very rocky, and has some very consistent, though not extreme, vertical gain.  By the book, average ascent over the trail to the summit is roughly 580' per mile.  Nothing crazy, but nothing to scoff at either.

Rocky sections of Rainbow Falls Trail

Almost the entire trail up to the falls follows a stream, with some amazing, postcard-like views available of Appalachian mountain wilderness.  The stream is on a constant descent, so it's always cascading over rocks, and is lined by amazing trees and boulders.  For a moment, when I stopped to enjoy the picturesque view, I could imagine surrounding myself in this environment on a daily basis, and never tiring of it.

Stream running alongside trail

I crossed several single-railed foot bridges switch-backing over the stream.  Made of split logs, they were clearly man-made, yet didn't detract from the wilderness around them.  They fit perfectly.  As if 200 years ago when someone was settling this area, this is what they built. 

The Falls

At just over 2.5 miles into the ascent, you reach Rainbow Falls, the trail's namesake.  Rainbow Falls is the largest single-drop waterfall in the Smoky Mountains, and when the sun hits the mist it creates late in the afternoon, it creates a rainbow, hence the name.  From drop to splash, is 80 feet.  It doesn't seem that tall from the foot bridge that crosses in front of it, but as you get closer and gain more perspective, the height becomes more apparent, and is very breathtaking.

Rainbow Falls

Wide view of Rainbow Falls.  People to the left give some good perspective.

I stopped here for a break, to take a gel, some electrolytes, and some fluids.  I went off-trail a little bit and picked a large slab of rock to relax on while I removed my pack, and took some pictures.  I didn't stay long, maybe 8-10 minutes, because with the technical clothing I was wearing, as the moisture started wicking away in the cool mountain air, I started to get cold, and wanted to get moving again to warm back up.

To the Top

As expected, most hikers turn around at Rainbow Falls and head back to the trail head.  That's not such a small feat for most people, as the round trip would be near 5.5 miles, and given the technicality of the terrain, would make for a good 3-4 hour hike.  But that's not what I wanted.  Seeing the falls was just a stop along the way, as I was headed to the top.  

The only people I saw on the trail after the falls was a group about a mile and a half from the summit.  They were headed back down the trail, presumably from spending a night in the lodge that is maintained near the peak.  Aside from those few, I spent the rest of my ascent in solitude, and wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

The remainder of the trail to the top is a mix of flat groomed trail, rocky technical sections, and rolling single-track.  Near the top, I passed the intersection of the Bull Head trail, which I would be using for my descent.  Past that, about another 1/2 mile, is the LeConte Lodge.  But, there is still almost a half-mile to go before I turn around.

Peak of Silence

I continued to climb past the lodge, to where I knew I would find the highest point of the mountain; the summit.  I passed through lush Appalachian forest, where moss covered nearly everything in sight.  Then I reached it.  Just off to the right of the main trail, is a large pile of rocks.  While it is not an extravagant marker, it's sheer simplicity seemed to be the perfect beacon for the apex of my journey.

Marker at Summit of Mt. LeConte

Simply a pile of stacked rocks.  Almost ironic in it's purity.

There were no stunning vistas to be seen from the top of Mount LeConte, only this elementary marker, and the surrounding forest.  However, there were other things at the peak, many of which one would probably not notice if you didn't take the time to realize they were there.

The air was pure and cool.  The forest was teaming with old growth trees, ferns, and numerous other plants and mosses that I've never seen before, or at least never noticed.

And the silence.  The near deafening silence that surrounds you; that engulfs you.  So thick is the silence that it would seem as though you could could swim through it.  As if someone put a pair of ear muffs on you and placed you in a padded room.  Silence so loud, you could actually hear it.  

There was no noise from passing cars, or aircraft flying overhead.  No one talking, no footsteps.  No wind howling, or storms thundering.  Not even noise from wildlife.  The kind of absolute, vociferous quiet,  that can only be experienced at the summit of a mountain.  I'll never forget what it sounded like.

I didn't want to leave.  I could have spent hours there, reveling in the isolation found in a place so filled with life.  It was a study in contradictions.  So much going on, so much life surrounding me; yet a feeling of utter satisfaction and comfort in my seclusion.

Yet, in the words of Robert Frost, I still had miles to go before I sleep....

Down and out

I departed the peak, and began my descent.  I stopped a few hundred meters from the top, at a spot where the forest opened up just enough to see the surrounding landscape.  I sat down, ate a snack, and took a few pictures to remember where I had been.  Then the fun began.

View from near summit

View from near summit

I love running downhills.  Staying light on my feet while descending at a rapid pace makes me feel almost as if I am floating.  I didn't want to end this trip without feeling that in a place which I may never return, or at least for sometime to come.  So I did.

I put the trekking poles away, tightened up my pack, and set off down the trail.  I ran past the lodge, back to the Bull Head intersection, and took off down the new trail. 

This trail was slightly less technical than Rainbow Falls trail, but with steeper elevation change.  There were many more switchbacks on this route, and I enjoyed gliding around the sharp turns.  I was tip-toeing over rocks and roots, feeling as though I was barely touching them as I traversed the mountain slope.

Gatlingburg view from Bull Head Trail

My quads started burning with lactate after about two miles, but I didn't care.  I would rest or walk every so often, but only long enough to catch my breath before I was off again.  I'd never felt so light, or so fast, regardless of how quick I was actually moving.  I may have been only running at an 8 min/mile pace, but I felt like I was the fastest man in the world.

I couldn't help jumping off some of the larger boulders along the trail, laughing as I did.  I knew if anyone else saw or heard me, they might find me slightly crazy, but I didn't care.  If they new what I was doing, or more importantly, why I was doing it, then I wouldn't seem so.  If they had experienced what I was experiencing at that very moment, then they would have understood.

I fell a couple times, but I felt no pain.  Nothing could have taken that time away from me.  I felt alive.  I felt like I was at home, doing what I've always dreamed of doing, in a place I could spend forever.

As the trail came to an end, I reached the road back to the parking lot, just up from where I started.  I stopped my GPS, and I looked at the time and mileage, but instantly dismissed it.  While I may have gone into this adventure planning to do it as quickly as possible, the mountain told me that was the wrong idea.  I don't care how fast I was.  I don't care how much I climbed, or descended.

I only care, that this day, on that mountain, I ascended to the peak of silence...and it's a journey I will never forget.

Week in Review 7/23 - 7/29 2012

Monday - Rest (feet still healing from blisters last week)

Tues - 4.38 mi; time 40:38; 9:37/mi pace.  Went out for an easy run, turned into an Ipod search and rescue mission...mission failed.

Wed - Speed day; 3.83 mi; time 33:53; 7:45/mi pace aside from cooldown; fartlek w/max pace 6:50/mi.

Thurs - Trail run.  6.44 mi; time 1:14; 11:35/mi pace.  112 degree heat index, and trail flooded due to heavy recent rains.  Some waist-deep wading took place.

Fri - Rest.

Sat - Trail run.  6.73 mi; time 1:06; 9:50/mi pace.  Very muddy conditions as the water level returns to normal.  Very humid, but great run overall.

Sun - Trail run/hike.  10.42 mi; time 2:17; 13:12/mi pace.  Legs felt heavy.  Cardio was solid, just not much energy in the lower legs this morning.  Trail was a mess with much damage from recent storms in the form of downed trees, washed-out sections, and flooding.  Still a great time.

Weekly total:  32 miles
Weekly time:  5:52
Mileage YTD:  1014 miles

It's been kind of a relaxed week running.  With the wicked blisters I got last week, I really didn't want to do anything too crazy until I was sure that they were healed.  The heat kicked back up this week, also, but I think at this point I'm pretty comfortable in anything up to 100 degrees.  The humidity still gets me, though.  I wish there were a way to get away from that, but I won't have to deal with that much longer.

My next residence will definitely bring more heat, but less humidity.  The family and I are heading Twentynine Palms, California for my next duty station.  Right in the heart of the SoCal high desert, I don't think the humidity will be an issue.  I will get some great running out there, and I'm really looking forward to that.  There's some mountains, and some great desert and canyon running, especially around Joshua Tree National Park. 

I've never really posted any pics of the trails around here, so I actually took a camera with me this time so that I could snap some to post.  My long runs happen on the Neusiok Trail that is located near Havelock, NC, in the Croatan National Forest.  You can get a taste of pretty much everything Coastal Carolina has to offer, such as some boggy swamp, some coastal hardwood, and thick wetland forest.  There's not too much as far as elevation gain is concerned (the section I ran today has the most, and I clocked 2675 ascent and same for descent), but it can get somewhat technical just because of the roots and log-hopping that takes place.  Anyway, here's the pics I got today, gives you an idea:

One of the boardwalks over the swampy areas.  They get pretty slimy, and often requiring walking over as not to slip.

The Neusiok Trail is part of the North Carolina MST (Mountains-to-Sea Trail), and there are several shelters for hikers along the route.  This is the view from one of those shelters.

While there are not major climbs, there's several of these little rollers (probably 20ish feet).

There are some very runnable sections of this trail, in fact, on good days, most of it is.

Nice flat open section.

If it weren't for the markings in some of the hardwood areas, it would be tough to know where the trail is in some areas that open up.

You can see where the recent storm damage is taking effect.

More flooding and downed trees from storm damage.

A good dry section.

Another boardwalk.  I believe the longest one on the trail is .25 miles.

I'll try to remember and take more pics as I get out on the trail.  There's a few other sections of the trail I plan on running in the near future, that are completely different from this one.  And, as I get out and run more trails in more locations, I'll be sure to include those!

Side note and un-related:  I tried two new flavors/brands of trail nutrition today.  The first was a Honey Stinger Vanilla waffle...it was delicious.  I'm definitely going to have to get more of those.  The second was the Gu Roctane Cherry Lime flavor.  I like that the Cherry Lime wasn't too sweet.  I know for me and apparently many others, that as time goes on, I want less sweet things while running, and this fits that bill well.

Nice, relaxed week overall, with more to come in the coming weeks. 

In the meantime.....Keep Running!