Mitchell Challenge 2012

I went into the Mt Mitchell Challenge with 3 goals in mind.

1. Have Fun....CHECK

2. Video Document the entire race....CHECK

3. Find this famed aid station with free beer....CHECK

I will let the video tell the story...

Rattle My Heart 50k and Geyser Jumping!

One thing I have learned about trail running and continue to reinforce to myself as I see people pound away on the treadmill, is you take what you get when it comes to weather. I will say this, most weekends the weather seems to clear as if on purpose to allow for some epic trail adventures. But on occasion as we saw last week, winter will throw all she has at you which would deter the 99% from entering the wild. These are the days that make memories which last much longer than the feeling of cold in your finger tips and yearning to toss in the towel for a warm vehicle. Now maybe these comments would have been more suitable for last weeks blog with winter having finally made a presence, but I can't help but think about the weather today as I take a much needed recovery day listening to the rain gently fall outside. I sit here reminiscing about yet another fun weekend.

Yeeuuup....You guessed it another weekend adventure. I don't think Linds and I have had a single boring weekend since we have moved to Asheville some 6 months ago now. The wiki group and crazy friends we have met since moving here have kept us more than active. In true trail runner fashion on a week when Hallmark sits back, collects pure profit and laughs at everyone buying a card to express their love, which for some may take quite the effort to decide on the words of another to tell there significant other they love them, we chose to join our friends on yet another weekend adventure. This weekend we would be running in Black Mountain area in a running event extravaganza called 'Rattle My Heart 50k' and the weather was absolutely fantastic.

I will keep my words to a minimum and let the photos and video tell the story but to pave the way I will take a little time to offer all who read a bit of friendly advise. When you run everyday, week in and week out and the legs begin to get weary there is one activity you should avoid no matter what. Especially mid run when the legs are feeling quite tired and there is still plenty of running to do. So what might this be....well for those who couldn't guess it here are my few words of wisdom for the day. In simple words, You must absolutely never fool around a geyser and whatever you do never try to jump on this geyser while your friend video tapes...enough said, enjoy!

Double Shut-In and 40 Miles of pure winter suffering...I mean Fun!

After a couple busy weeks and a missed blog last week, I felt it was a nice weekend for another epic adventure. As most adventures come to fruition, so did this one. On Monday I had the great idea that it was time for a double Shut-In. Winter was also staging some fun throughout the week as well and decided to show up for what seemed like the first time all season. The best part about planning wild and sometimes crazy, and to most people,  stupid weekend adventure is we have enough crazy friends who share the same passions. Mountain running, and sometimes mountain running in adverse weather, which always makes for a great story and epic memory. With some roughly 40 miles ahead of us and plenty of climbing and painful descending for all, Damian, Hayley and I set out Sat morning from the French Broad Bent Creek parking lot. Damian and I would be running to the top of Pisgah, which was certain to be a view shared by no one else on a day like we had, and then back to the river. As we set of the snow began to fall, the wind began to blow, and the hands began to freeze!

The run went great. Lindsey was able to take Bent Creek road to the Gap and do some hiking there and stage some much needed nutrition for the long descent back down. As we crossed Bent Creek gap and continued our climb towards Pisgah, winter began to let her presence know each step of the way. The accumulated snow began to grow and grow and the wind began to howl. But nothing was going to keep us from making the top, and thanks to the weather and a closed parkway, nothing was going to keep us from coming back down, since there would be no temptation to escape the wintry mix then to run faster.  

As we approached the summit of Pisgah the center of the storm had passed over us and we were presented with some gorgeous clear views of the winter wonderland we had all to ourselves on this bitterly cold day. The view was shared as long as we could endure and then my legs reminded me that they were wearing shorts! Yes my own fault, but regardless it was time to make the return journey because as you remember there would be no option for opting out of the return adventure. On the trip back down spirits remained high as we laughed and ran our way down thinking about how awesome the adventure was. Winter gave us all she had. The wind howled and tried to keep us down. Cold hands tried to take me down and did a good job. Even the trees took a swing at us, as a branch creaked, cracked and almost hit Damian, just missing him by a couple feet as it landed in the middle of the trail. But still in high spirits though with some sore knees and feet we approached the parking lot to the joyous sounds of honking horns, meaning the heat was going inside the cars! 

All in all, an awesome day in the woods, briefly the sunshine, and mostly the cold windy snow. It never ceases to amaze me how different things appear in a different setting. The way the trail looks in the winter verse the summer, in the rain verse sunshine, and how awesome mountain running is in the snow. It was also a great way to wrap up the week and culminating run for my longest mileage week yet. The body is recovering fine and against my will I am bound to a day of rest today but not complaining too much. Thanks Damian for the great company and being as crazy as me. That was an epic journey and as always opens the door for so many other great adventures. 

Carrot Cake

Here we are already and January is slowing fading away in the rear view mirror. Having a job where each month more or less revolves around the end and beginning of each month I am more aware than ever how quick time passes by. So, like I said, here we are and January is already mostly over and we are well off in the not so new year anymore. What is refreshing is how much we have already accomplished. We are both off strong on our goals to run 3000+ miles for myself and 2500+ for Lindsey. With the knee feeling great I have been able to run everyday for almost 2 weeks and followed a 71 miles week with another strong 66 mile week. Lindsey's has had some hip pain and cycled in a bit of power hiking this week to allow some much needed and smart recovery, something I am too stubborn and impatient to try!
So, Carrot Cake, why and how did that deserve the title of this blog. Well, I love running and I sure do love eating. When combined together with good friends you can hardly ever go wrong. This Saturday Damien and Hayley were kind enough to show us the Mitchell Challenge course on a gorgeous sunny day, at least at 3000' near the start (not so much around 5000+ in the mountains). In return we made some deliscous Apricot Bourbon Chicken and Lindsey both blessed and cursed us with the burden of what felt like a 10 Carrot Cake. The cake was in honor of Hayley's birthday but the second fork hit cake and cake hit mouth we all felt like it was our birthday. Regrettably to admit, but not to reminisce, the cake slowly disappeared among the 4 of us!!! One thing I have learned in life is to enjoy the little things and yes Carrot Cake is one of them. Not entirely just the cake, but the long casual weekend runs, the great company, delicious food, and the way the sun can warm you from the inside out on a beautiful crisp January day. Just another day in the sunshine with a belly full of cake, Carrot Cake!

2012 Goals - Wk 3

With 2012 well under way Lindsey is crushing her 2500 mile goal for the year. With a good week on the knee and the Sultan 50k I found my way back on top as well recovering from a few 0 mile days early in the year. Most running this week was logged in the early am about 5am before i head to work. We did find some good time to hit the trails though and of course got in almost 33 miles on trail yesterday, though soaking wet in the South Mountains we had a blast and a solid hill climb workout which lasted 5+ hours! So here is the standings doing well and still having an absolute blast.

32 miles + Cake + Friends = 2012 Sultan Bday Run

When Linds and I first met the WNC Trail Runners group we knew we had found a great bunch of people. Some of the most genuine and caring people, interesting and truly talented runners around. After a few outings and numerous adventures now we know they are more than that. This weekends adventure was put on by Mohammed Idlibi. The 4th annual running of the Sultan 50k and I can say without hesitation that this is the only run I know of or have ever heard of in which we not only run 50k but we wear a crown, oh yes a crown. The crown must remain on your head for the duration of the run. And in case you that that was wild enough, at the half way point there are a number of very friendly volunteers to help and cheer you on. All they ask is for a few trick and that you eat a piece of Red Velvet cake before making the 16 mile return. Though its all fun and games the eating of the cake is as serious as the wearing of the crown and must not be taken lightly nor skipped.
As we met in the parking lot of Subway waiting for everyone to arrive, the crowns were put on and the stares began. Linds and I have truly realized we have met and now belong to one of the most exciting running groups anyone could ask for. And though the clouds rolled in, the heaven opened and let go of every last drop of rain they had in store, the only thing that failed to dampen were the spirits of everyone wearing a crown. For the next 5-7 hours the woods were filled with a bunch of screaming, laughing, bearded, smiling, soaked and crazy running lunatics as they not only enjoyed the cake, the woods, the crown but the camaraderie of all wearing the crown. Thanks to the selfless volunteers and Mohammed for putting on such a great run.

2012 Goals

So sitting in my chair today at work I realized I needed to set some solid goals for 2012. Today I realized that I sit a lot during the day. All against my will of course. I do enjoy my job and am very blessed for all that we have but I am a very active person and the amount of sitting I do in a given 10-11 hr work day is TOO much. So, I decided to set some goals for 2012. I want to run a mile for every hour I sit at my desk, aka work. After doing some quick math, I work about 55-60 hours a week so that mean I plan to run 55-60 miles a week. Round it all out and the goal is to run at least 3000 miles this year.  So here is the plan with a few additional goals I plan to run at very minimum of 3000 miles in 2012. Lindsey, after no convincing at all jumped aboard and is planning to run 2500 miles. The goals for 2012 are as follows:
1.     Run X amount of miles in 2012 (3000 for me, 2500 for Linds)
2.     Stay healthy enough to complete objective 1 ( I figure plenty of beer and ice cream will help this area, although some early signs of Patella Tendinitis make me think some stretching may be in store as well).
3.     Never forget the reason I run though I strive to achieve a numbers goal. (I run because it reminds me of how small I really am in a world of such grandeur and awe, reminds me to never take the little things in life for granted and lets see, oh ya, and the endorphin's are awesome).

So here we go, a minor set backs with beginning signs of patella tendinitis have left me with a couple of days with no mileage but otherwise I am on track and set to make up the mileage this week. Enjoy the ride and I hope to see you out there on the trail or recovering over a pint beer or maybe ice cream.

Week 1: Tim 55miles/Linds 50
Week 2: Tim 55 Miles/Linds 40