Friday I decided to check out the Mill Mountain Mayhem 10k course and fine tune the course details. This was going to be my last long run leading into the Holiday Lake 50k on 2/14/09. I took off with a full camelback mule (100oz. water, first aide kit, and food). The plan was to run the MMM 10k course for time, then take the Woodthrush Trail to the Chestnut Ridge Loop Trail, take Woodthrush back to the Star Trail and back to the car at the Trailhead for a 16 mile loop.
I started the 10k at the midway point on the gravel road of the Star Trail and ended at the sign post at the top of the gravel road. I hit the Monument Trail at 12.5 minutes, the bottom of the Monument trail at 24 minutes, the Star Overlook at 44 minutes, and finished in 54:30. I hiked two sections of 100 steps on the old road between the Monument Trail and Big Sunny. The rest of the time I tried to go as hard as I could.
I think without the backpack I could finish the course between 51-52 minutes. I expect to see winning times in the 46-48 minute range and the end of the train at 90 minutes. This is a tough course with 1310ft of elevation gain. See the elevation profile at http://www.mountainjunkies.net/Mill_Mountain_files/Mayhem_Course_profile.jpg
This will be a lung burner and a fun course. You'll get to see most of the moutain, have some great downhills, see the old car crashed on the side of the mountain, run along side the zoo, and have a brief chance to look out over the Roanoke Valley at the Roanoke City Star overlook.
As of now the Official Course will start where the Star Trail crosses the Fishburn Parkway and will finish at the gate at the bottom of the Star Trail. This will be exactly 10k.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
1/17/09 - Swinging Bridge 35k & 50k
The Swinging Bridge run is held in Cumberland Virginia at Bear Creek State Park. It is coordinated by the Richmond Road Runners Club. The race entry was very cheep and included a long sleeve cotton shirt. The race gives you the option of what distance you want to run; 35k or 50k. You don't have to decide until you finish the 35k whether you want to go on or not.
Results - 8th in the 35k with a time of 3:35
Race Morning:
This marked the first time I have ever seen negative numbers on the temperature gauge of my 4Runner. During the 2 hour and 40 minute drive I saw temperatures ranging from 8 degrees to -2 degrees. At the 8:00am start it was reported to be -2 degrees and expected to get to the the double digits by the end of the race.
Clothing:
Top - I chose two thin layers topped with a Mountain Hardwear Transition Wind Shirt Jacket.
Bottom - Tights and a cheap pair of wind pants.
Accesories - Two Buffs (My favorite accessory. One for my head and one for my neck and sometimes to cover my mouth and nose.), one pair of thicker glove liners, Sunglasses with amber lenses (when these fogged up the fog froze onto the lenses. Not the best choice early but they paid off in the end), a pair of sock liners (very thin) and a pair of smartwood socks.
Shoes - Salomon Flagstaffs. They've been around forever and I decided to run in them due to the good chance of running through water at some point in the race.
Before the race start the race director asked the crowd, "show of hands, who is running the 50k?" There were about 35 hands put into the air (I was one of them). I had every intention of using this as a training run in preparation of the 2/15/09 Holiday Lake 50k. Everyone was frozen at the start and it took a good 20 minutes for everything to get warmed up. The course was 80% single track and the rest was forest roads and fire roads. The single track sections made you feel very secluded. The trail was well blazed but hard to find on the way out due to thick leaves. I got off the trail a couple times and had to look around to connect back up. There were numerous creek crossing. Fortunately due to the 0 degree temps all of the crossings were ice except for one. I chose to get one foot wet on each trip out and back rather than waste time finding a place to cross without getting wet. In addition, this course had the most trees down that I've ever seen. I thought I was in a steeple chase. Climb, jump, scramble, climb, jump, duck, and climb again. This ended up taxing my left lateral quadracep that I injured a couple of weeks ago, so I eventually stopped jumping over the trees and just walked over them.
About 3 miles in I caught up with a couple guys from richmond and we were running at a comfortable and steady pace. We hit the first aide station at around mile 5 at 53 minutes and kept on cruising. At the second aide station, the turn around point, at mile 11 we were at 1 hour and 40 minutes. Right on the pace I wanted.
Since the race is an out and back we got to see everyone in the race as they hit the turnaround. I was at 9th place at the turnaround and doing fine. Hit the 3rd aide station at 2 hours and 25 minutes. This is where it started to change. The wind picked up a little bit, I tripped on a couple of stick/roots, and started to lose motivation. This 5 mile section felt like 10 and I decided to only do the 35k. I finished in a group of 3 people, 1 of them ended up being the first person to go out on the 50k course. There weren't many takers for the 50k. I think they had about 10 people go on for the remaining 10 mile loop.
Considering the weather conditions this was a well run race and I'd do it again. The volunteers had to deal with 0 degree weather, frozen water coolers and soda bottles, and frozen runners. It takes some great people to come out and help on a day like this. If I can get over the mental trauma, I'd like to come back again and finish the 50k.
Results - 8th in the 35k with a time of 3:35
Race Morning:
This marked the first time I have ever seen negative numbers on the temperature gauge of my 4Runner. During the 2 hour and 40 minute drive I saw temperatures ranging from 8 degrees to -2 degrees. At the 8:00am start it was reported to be -2 degrees and expected to get to the the double digits by the end of the race.
Clothing:
Top - I chose two thin layers topped with a Mountain Hardwear Transition Wind Shirt Jacket.
Bottom - Tights and a cheap pair of wind pants.
Accesories - Two Buffs (My favorite accessory. One for my head and one for my neck and sometimes to cover my mouth and nose.), one pair of thicker glove liners, Sunglasses with amber lenses (when these fogged up the fog froze onto the lenses. Not the best choice early but they paid off in the end), a pair of sock liners (very thin) and a pair of smartwood socks.
Shoes - Salomon Flagstaffs. They've been around forever and I decided to run in them due to the good chance of running through water at some point in the race.
Before the race start the race director asked the crowd, "show of hands, who is running the 50k?" There were about 35 hands put into the air (I was one of them). I had every intention of using this as a training run in preparation of the 2/15/09 Holiday Lake 50k. Everyone was frozen at the start and it took a good 20 minutes for everything to get warmed up. The course was 80% single track and the rest was forest roads and fire roads. The single track sections made you feel very secluded. The trail was well blazed but hard to find on the way out due to thick leaves. I got off the trail a couple times and had to look around to connect back up. There were numerous creek crossing. Fortunately due to the 0 degree temps all of the crossings were ice except for one. I chose to get one foot wet on each trip out and back rather than waste time finding a place to cross without getting wet. In addition, this course had the most trees down that I've ever seen. I thought I was in a steeple chase. Climb, jump, scramble, climb, jump, duck, and climb again. This ended up taxing my left lateral quadracep that I injured a couple of weeks ago, so I eventually stopped jumping over the trees and just walked over them.
About 3 miles in I caught up with a couple guys from richmond and we were running at a comfortable and steady pace. We hit the first aide station at around mile 5 at 53 minutes and kept on cruising. At the second aide station, the turn around point, at mile 11 we were at 1 hour and 40 minutes. Right on the pace I wanted.
Since the race is an out and back we got to see everyone in the race as they hit the turnaround. I was at 9th place at the turnaround and doing fine. Hit the 3rd aide station at 2 hours and 25 minutes. This is where it started to change. The wind picked up a little bit, I tripped on a couple of stick/roots, and started to lose motivation. This 5 mile section felt like 10 and I decided to only do the 35k. I finished in a group of 3 people, 1 of them ended up being the first person to go out on the 50k course. There weren't many takers for the 50k. I think they had about 10 people go on for the remaining 10 mile loop.
Considering the weather conditions this was a well run race and I'd do it again. The volunteers had to deal with 0 degree weather, frozen water coolers and soda bottles, and frozen runners. It takes some great people to come out and help on a day like this. If I can get over the mental trauma, I'd like to come back again and finish the 50k.
Friday, December 5, 2008
2009 Roanoke Non-Ultra Trail Series
Race Schedule - Series Webpage
This series is 2 years in the making. I am happy to finally have 4 unique races and venues on the calendar. Be on the lookout for new information about this series. I am updating the details on a regular basis.
This series is 2 years in the making. I am happy to finally have 4 unique races and venues on the calendar. Be on the lookout for new information about this series. I am updating the details on a regular basis.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Into the Darkness Night 4 Mile Trail Run
We couldn't have asked for better weather. By the time I left the park it was still around 48 degrees. The sky was clear and loaded with stars. Too bad it wasn't closer to a full moon.
We had a total of 113 registrants with 107 participating and completing the race. We doubled our numbers from 2007.
It is great to see so many people coming out to play in the woods. I was impressed with the number of 10-14 year olds that ran the race. Good job.
To prepare for the race there was a total of 20+ hours of work done clearing out loose rocks and roots, clearing sticks, cutting down trees, and blowing off the leaves accumulated on the trails. My wife and I are heading up the trail maintenance plan that is allowing the park's trails to stay open. Let us know if you would like to volunteers to help out.
Thank you for coming out to the race. I hope each of you had a great time and a memorable experience.
Race Webpage
Overall Results
Group Results
We had a total of 113 registrants with 107 participating and completing the race. We doubled our numbers from 2007.
It is great to see so many people coming out to play in the woods. I was impressed with the number of 10-14 year olds that ran the race. Good job.
To prepare for the race there was a total of 20+ hours of work done clearing out loose rocks and roots, clearing sticks, cutting down trees, and blowing off the leaves accumulated on the trails. My wife and I are heading up the trail maintenance plan that is allowing the park's trails to stay open. Let us know if you would like to volunteers to help out.
Thank you for coming out to the race. I hope each of you had a great time and a memorable experience.
Race Webpage
Overall Results
Group Results
Don't forget the sponsors
Gilbert Chiropractic
Super Shoes
Outdoor Trails - in Daleville and Lynchburg
Mamma Maria's in Salem
Monster Energy Drink
RSC Rental
Monday, August 25, 2008
12 Annual Fab 5k on 8/16/08 at 8:00am
Fab 5k - August 16th, 2008
We hope you like the Zorrel Technical Fiber Shirts
Thank You - Gold's Gym North Roanoke
2008
167 Registrants
157 Finishers
167 Registrants
157 Finishers
What a great day for a race. The conditions were perfect.
Congratulation to all finishers. We thank you for coming out to our event and appreciate your effort out there.
And to the Sponsors and Volunteers; we appreciate your support and help. It couldn't be done without you.
2008 Sponsors!
Gilbert Chiropractic
Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
Rowe
Super Shoes
Outdoor Trails
Gold's Gym
Stellar One
Cuz's Autobody
Kirby-Vass Insulation
Tidy Cleaning Services
Panera Bread
Roanoke Fruit and Produce
Proceeds from this race go to
Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
and future races in the Roanoke Valley.
Contact me at mountainjunkies@verizon.net for any questions about this race.
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