Trail Images

Just a few pictures I took along the trail yesterday at Umstead State Park.

The Loblolly Trail.

6.5 miles of single track. Not bad scenery either!

Out at The Lake

   Got back to Harris Lake for five miles of single track today. It was perfect weather, partly cloudy, mid 60's with a nice little breeze. As usual, the trail was empty. I took it easy, coming off my eight miler from yesterday, trying desperately not to look at the Garmin and just run. I had contemplated leaving it home, but, well....... you know how that works!

Birthday Run

Celebrated my friend Mika's Birthday by getting out at 5:30am this morning for a run at Umstead Park. Great weather, not too cold. (Around 41 degrees at the start) We ran a few miles out and back and met some more friends at 6:30am and headed back out on the bike and bridle trail. It was just getting light at 6:30am, so I ditched the headlamp for stage two. We ended up with a total of 14 miles.

B-Day girl in the home stretch.

At the finish!

We then headed over to a local Diner for some post run refueling!

A great Saturday morning with friends!

Falls Lake

Inspired by a friend's gutsy 85 mile performance at the Crooked Road 24 hour Ultra, I got my butt out the door this morning and headed out to Falls Lake for some single track work. Arriving at the trail head just after 9am, I set out with no particular mileage in mind, just to get some easy trail work in.
    I had not been out to Fall Lake since all the fall foliage came down, so I had to make my way carefully through some of the more technical sections where the roots and rock were now well disguised.

It was a beautiful morning, sunny and not too cold. I shuffled along, meeting some doggies and taking pictures as I made my way down the trail.

I stopped off at a side trail that brought me down to the water's edge.

I came across this old abandoned car. I have no idea how the hell it got there. Gotta love the shotgun holes in the side!

One of the "less technical" sections of the trail, where I could give my brain a brief rest and just run!

In the home stretch!

I wound up getting in 6 miles, with no face plants or ankle rolls.

Speaking of falling foliage, when I got home I finally cleaned up the yard, a project I had been blowing off for several weeks. I just look at it as more "time on feet".

Not a bad Sunday indeed!

Back on track......single that is!

With my 50K behind me, the focus is now on prepping for the 100K trail run in January, which means it's time to get down to some serious trail/single track training!
   Got in a nice five miler on Tuesday at Harris Lake, then got out to Umstead State Park for some real trail work yesterday. It went well, considering I had worked Thursday night and was only going on about 4 hours of sleep. (Ultra sleep deprivation training, right??)
  I have a spin class to teach this morning ( Saturday ), then maybe a quick little run after. (To keep avoiding yard work!) Sunday's forecast is for 14 miles, not sure where I am running at yet. This maybe the start of a December run streak????? Who knows.
In other breaking news, I picked up a pair of Brooks "Pure Grit" trail shoes yesterday from my good friends at Fleet Feet.

Can't wait to take 'em out for a test drive tomorrow!!!

Happy Weekend!!

Derby 50K

We were greeted with a beautiful, crisp autumn morning for the start of the Derby 50K Ultra. Three 10.5 mile loops with a mix of paved and dirt road awaited us as we set off promptly at 8 am. With my running partner Hannah still recuperating from an ankle injury, I had talked my fried Mika into joining me for the race, which would be her first ultra.

  Lap number one went well, a little quicker then I had planned on, around one hour and forty five minutes. I am always paranoid about "blowing up", but we felt good as we left the aid station for lap two.
  Lap two was a little slower, and we took our time navigating the rolling hills.  The temperature was rising, but there was a nice little breeze to help keep things cool. I carried my hand held, as there were three aid stations along the course with food, drink and awesome volunteers. I was concerned about how the body would feel with all the road running, but everything was holding up fine. Mika was having some ankle issues, and was going to change shoes at the end of lap two.

We stopped at the aid station briefly before heading out for lap three. Mika changed her shoes and I slipped on my compression calf sleeves. We then set off for the final lap. The lap of truth!
   Around mile 23, I felt strong and picked up the pace. Mika's ankle felt a little better after the shoe change, but it still bothered her. She had told me to go on ahead. I knew she was still in good shape and would finish, no problem. So off I went. I ran a little while with my friend Jimbo, and we crossed the 26.2 mile mark, just before we turned onto the dirt road.  I was still feeling good and kept running along the dirt road stretch. Leaving the aid station at the end of the dirt road, I headed out for the final push. There was a steady incline before the course flattened out for the last 1.5 miles to the finish. I ran/walked the incline, then picked up the pace again for the home stretch. Making the final right turn, I had a half mile to go to reach the community center and the finish.
I made it. Right around the six hour mark, which was my goal. I was happy. I was even happier when I saw Mika cross the finish line 20 minutes later!  We were then treated to an awesome meal of pasta and all types of yummy stuff provided by the local "Church Ladies". A great ending to an awesome day!

Turkey Taper

I have been easing back on the miles this week, in preparation for the Derby 50K. That, and I have had a really tough two weeks at work. I did get out last weekend for a 30 mile overnight trail run with my friend Lauren, which was quite fun!
Today I got out for a light run/walk/hike with daughter Olivia and the dog!

Tomorrow I am meeting some folks at 1pm for some single track miles (10-12) at Umstead State Park, the last long run before the Derby!