Hiatus

In case you've noticed, I've been on a writing hiatus since shortly before the WV Trilogy. I've also been on a running hiatus since the Canary in the Cave 25k+ (and that "+" was no insignificant decimal of a kilometer).

I'm so glad that I missed the registration for Chattanooga's StumpJump 50k. Running my first 50k in my beloved home state was an experience I'll never forget nor regret. The West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners put on some top-notch races, I've found out, and the West Virginia Trilogy was no exception. I only ran the 50k, obviously, but I decided to arrive on Thursday evening for registration and stay the entire weekend. My wife was running the half marathon on Sunday--her first half marathon!--so I had something to look forward to after running on Friday.

The trail was gorgeous! Man, what a beautiful and rich trail, but what a challenge, too! The course was the most challenging thing I've ever ran, 50k aside. Those mountains are no joke. I wish that I could remember everything clear enough to give a detailed race report, but it's been so long since the race that my memories are more of a nostalgic hodgepodge of emotions rather than a set of clear recollections. Also, the delay in getting back to this blog as made any would-be race report from me pretty much outdated and pointless. Besides, I don't even know how you're supposed to do a race report. My report is that the race was great. :) My time was a lot slower than I planned, but, after about the 23rd mile, I was just hoping I would even finish. It was certainly harder than I expected. I ran the 50k in 8:10:25.6 and placed 35th out of 62 runners. Keep in mind, though, that many of those runners were intentionally running slower so that they would have energy for the 50 mile race the next day, and I was giving it all I had. On a cool side note, the winner of the 50k, Clay Warner, is a resident of Beckley, WV, and he ran it in something like 5:15:xx, I think. Unreal.

Anyways, the race was awesome, and my wife also loved the half marathon. Her goal was to finish under 2:30:00, and her time was less than that. She said she thinks it was 2:24. I was going to go to the race results page to look up her and Clay's times, but my computer is giving me troubles. My Macbook has been faithful since I got it, lightly used, in 2007, but it's really showing its age these days. Too many papers and youtube in college has taken its toll on my dear ol' Lappy. Speaking of college, Emily also recently graduated from Montreat College with a Master of Science in Environmental Education. Yay Em! I'm so proud of you!

Between the 50k and now, I also ran in the VERY FIRST Canary in the Cave 25k+! A race on the very trails I've been running most of my trail running days? And with Ibex wool race beanies to boot! I couldn't pass it up. It was a crisp, beautiful, sunny November morning, and the Park Service and race volunteers had done a terrific job at clearing the trail after some bad storms tore down trees all over the Gorge. As far as I can remember, the race started in the park and went into the Town Loop and followed Fayetteville Trail to Kaymoor Top, did a large part of the Arrowhead Trail System, then went down Craig Branch Trail to Kaymoor Trail and then up Fayetteville Trail again and back to the park. I could be missing something in there, but that was the gist of the thing. I ran the course (I'm not sure of the exact distance--I think it was something a little greater than 17 miles) in 3:24:19.4 and finished 21st out of 61. Clay Warner was one of the RDs, so it was cool seeing him again, and some other familiar WVMTR faces were there. Dan Lehman saw me and said hi before the race, and I got to chat with Adam Casseday afterwards (Lehman and Casseday both were RDs for the Trilogy). What a great day. Clay even connected with me a couple weeks later to return my fleece that I had left at the finish line area.

After that, a little bit of Cathedral Cafe for the best latte I've ever had in my life, and it was home to rest. Since then, I haven't run; I've switched to some weight training to change things up for me and keep me sane (and warm during the winter). I hope it helps more than hurts me when spring rolls around.

As for my blogging negligence, the bit of writing I've done since last touching this thing has been toward a possible future novel that's been mulling around in my head since last summer. When it comes to fiction, I've done some short stories in high school and college, so this whole writing something that takes more than a few days to a week to finish is new to me. I'm also not very disciplined at the whole writing regularly thing, so it may take me a while. This blog will probably be on the back-burner  at least until spring when I start running again. Even then, it may not see as much faithfulness to its updates as I used to show.

Counting down to race day!

It's nearly that time.

I've been taking it easy; only went out for a half hour run today. Keeping it light so that I don't injure or wear myself too badly before the race. Friday is it! It will be my first 50k, assuming I finish. Can't wait. Four more days!

Kaymoor Trail

Distance: 8.6 miles (17.2 out-and-back)
Difficulty Rating: Moderate

Kaymoor Trail, starting from Fayette Station Road at its Wolf Creek trailhead (near Fayetteville Trail), begins mostly as an old gravel road, uphill two miles to the historic Kaymoor Mine Site. A couple miles later, the trail abandons the gravel road look for a more woodsy type of trail (with a brief clearing where kudzu has taken over), with some steep but very short ups and downs until it reaches the river access road that leads down to Cunard, close to a beautiful waterfall in Coal Run. The waterfall is not viewable from the trail, but there is a clear view of it from the road. If you're a waterfall lover, this trail will make you happy, since there are a few good ones near or on Kaymoor Trail, especially if the season is right.

Boy, I sure aren't a deadline type of guy--at least to the 'deadlines' I set for myself. I need to work on that. Anyways, the trail review of Kaymoor Trail is in the works; I haven't forgotten. In the meantime, I'm trying to heal up after a little over-training injury in time to be fit and healthy for the 50k. Almost two weeks! I'm so excited.

I'm going to go work on the next post for a little bit, then go out for a short run.

Kates Plateau Trail: the Bad News and the Good News

Ever since it became the trail on which I ran my first ten mile run, Kates Plateau has been one of my favorite places in all of the New River Gorge to go trail running. In addition to the convenient length (beginning at the trailhead, to run the entire trail necessitates 7 miles of running; running the 3-mile loop an additional time makes it an even 10), I love the variety in hill steepness, seeing less traffic on the trail (actually, I've never seen a hiker during any of my Kates Plateau runs), and seeing more animals here than I generally do in other NRG trail areas. On recent runs at Kates Plateau Trail, I've discovered some changes that have excited me and some others that have disappointed me.

Training and blog update: Kaymoor review coming, and first 20

Howdy! Well, the honeymoon was great! I only got out running a couple times, but I did some other stuff that I counted as cross training. Emily and I both ran out at Canaan Valley on Back Hollow Trail on Tuesday (Aug 28) and Thursday (Aug 29), about 6 miles each time. Not too hard; on Thursday evening, I was running closer to dusk, and I saw 11 deer. Only in Canaan... Anyways, on Wednesday, we went mountain biking in Davis, and on Friday-Saturday we did an overnight backpacker out at Dolly Sods Wilderness: about 14 miles, I believe. Oh, by the way, that Saturday night, we went to The Purple Fiddle in Thomas and saw an AWESOME bluegrass/folk band called Jubal's Kin. Check them out. I LOVE the Davis/Thomas/Canaan/Blackwater area.

The next week (Sep 2-8) was a milestone, plateau-breaking week for me. On Monday was nothing too special; Emily and I ran the 6 mile out-and-back at Keeney's Creek Trail. Wednesday, though, was my first 20 mile run! I ran Glade Creek Trail to Kates Plateau Trail, did the loop on Kates Plateau Trail twice, and then ran back on Glade Creek Trail. There were still some big trees down on the last half of Glade Creek Trail (most just past Kates Falls), and Kates Plateau Trail is severely overgrown in some areas. These obstacles did affect my time, as did the fact that I left a little late and had to run some of it in the dark with my headlamp. So I was slowed down a bit, but I was going pretty slow, to begin with, I'd say. Since it was my first 20 (and first distance running anything over 13.2 miles), I wanted to be patient, take it easy, and just enjoy the run. The actual distance ended up being 21.2 miles, with a time of 4:35. The first 5 or 6 miles, it rained like crazy, but it settled down after that. It was a pretty epic run, however slow it was, since it was my first one that far. Can't say I'm thrilled about the time, but I guess it technically IS a PR :P My foot started hurting just a little near the end, and I should have taken it a little more easy next time, I think, than I did: on Saturday (Sep 8), I ran Kaymoor Trail in its entirety, out and back, for my first time, for a total of 17.2 miles, I believe. Time was 3:09--slower than I was expecting, but I had also left late and ended up running in the dark by the end of it. That foot also began to hurt even more by the last two miles so that, with the pain in my foot and the darkness (I stubbornly decided against my headlamp this time), I was slowed to walk some times and a very snail-paced jog others during the last couple miles. It was a beautiful trail, though, and I took pictures. I plan on putting up a review of Kaymoor Trail within a week from today, and within two weeks from today I plan on writing an article about the kudzu on the trail.

One more thing before I sign off:




Peace.

Life Update: Wedding may interfere with training

Well howdy. Last time I ran was on Sunday, which wasn't too long ago, I guess, but I was supposed to run yesterday and today, and probably won't today, either. I ran out at Glade Creek Trail. I think there's some sort of thing where if I go out to the Gorge to run now, it wants to pour rain. Anyways, I don't mind running in the rain too much. It keeps me cool. But I would like one or two sunny or just plain overcast days... The trail itself was pretty decent--I ran it as an out-and-back, starting and ending on the Prince side of the trail. The whole trail was nice, up until the side closer to Kates Falls. From Kates Falls to the end of the trail on that side, trees were down all over the place, and in pretty good density. It slowed me down quite a bit for that last little section. Not that I was going extremely fast, since I was also having some gastrointestinal difficulties :S Still, I was glad that I went there. It was a good 11 mile run for the evening, even though I went a little late and had to run in the dark for part of the way back.

It's been hard to get training in because I've been getting ready for a wedding--whose, you ask? Mine! Saturday, I'll be marrying my best friend, Emily, and I'll have a permanent new running buddy! I love you Emily! Unfortunately, this week's training may be spotty. On the bright side, I'll be getting married to someone who also loves trail running, so we'll be able to do some running together on the honeymoon! Also , I'm planning on buying a new hydration pack soon, and I'm also excited about that. Probably not as excited as I am about the wedding. Probably. I'm heavily considering the Ultimate Direction Wasp. I'm also curious as to how the Mountain Hardwear Fluid 12 would preform for what I need. I wish I could check them out in person, but there's no REI around. Maybe Highland Prospects in Elkins will have something. I'll try to check when I stop through, but I'm not too hopeful that they'll have both of those for me to look at. We'll see.

Well, today I leave to Davis, WV. The wedding is Saturday at Blackwater Falls State Park. I'll be staying in the area to prepare for the wedding. Maybe--hopefully--I'll hit up some trails in Canaan before then.

Peace out.

Sick video

I've been sick this week, so I've begrudgingly decided to stop running so that I can maybe get enough rest to recover. I'm feeling a lot better now, but I've lost almost a week of training. I think the rest was probably good for me, though. Pretty soon I'm planning on running the entire Kaymoor Trail out and back from the Wolf Creek Trailhead; this run will be about 16 miles, which is more than I've ever done in one run (farthest run was the 13.2 mile race at ACE).

I found a pretty good video (I think it was on Runner's World's website recently). It talks about how you should be running in order to keep a more natural running style.

Long Point on 7/14/12

Remember the storm a few Saturdays ago (7/14), when Fayetteville lost power for a little bit? I was out running, and this is probably the only picture I got to take before it started raining on me and my camera lens became too wet to take clear pictures. 

Long Point, 7/14/12.

Craig Branch Trail

Distance: 2.4 miles
Difficulty Rating: Moderate

Craig Branch Trail, an administrative access road, starts from Kaymoor Top and descends the Gorge until it dumps you onto Kaymoor Trail. It is short, wide, and graveled, so it's not very technical. Recently, it has become the backbone of the Arrowhead Trail System, which will not be covered in this post. By itself, Craig Branch Trail offers little unless you want a fast, easy hill to run down (and a bear to run back up, in some parts). It is useful to use as an add-on to your route for a couple extra miles with some steep hill work, or it could be used as an out-and-back.

Nameless update

First, it's hard to do anything profitable when you're in the same room with my fiance's vegan blueberry cobbler (actually, she ran out of almond milk, so she had to cheat and use the skim milk she had in her fridge--so not vegan this time).

Second, I've almost completely decided to register for the 50k race that is part of the West Virginia Trilogy. A little nervous about the fact that it's at the highest elevated area of West Virginia, but the time limit for finishing the 50k is by 10.5 hours. I'm pretty sure I can hike 50k in less than 10.5 hours. Therefore, I figure if it's too bad, I'll just walk for a while. No problem. Besides, I've finished my first week (third week on the training schedule) of training, and I have a good feeling about the race. Just have to keep making time to run and stay injury-free!

Third, there are few things as fun as trail running in a torrential downpour. Emily and I went out to the Gorge last Saturday (July 14) and ran one of my favorite medium training routes--Long Point Trail to Kaymoor Top via Fayetteville Trail, down Kaymoor Miners onto Kaymoor Trail, to and then up Craig Branch Trail back to Kaymoor Top, then back to Long Point Trail via Butcher Branch Trail. I saw a sweet (and very clean and wet) box turtle on Craig Branch Trail. I tried taking nice pictures of Craig Branch Trail (and the turtle), but the rain was so crazy and the light dim that the camera mostly shot blurry or very wet-looking pictures. I'm still planning on putting them up and doing a short review of Craig Branch Trail as soon as I get the pictures off Emily's phone. Little tasks like that can take me days to get around to, sometimes. Especially this week, since I'm pretty swamped with work and helping out at my church's VBS. Still, it shouldn't take long to write about Craig Branch Trail; it's not very long or spectacularly noteworthy, other than it's a good, pretty steep add-on to make a good workout out of your run. Met some bikers, too. Asked me how long it was to Cunard from the place where Craig Branch Trail hits Kaymoor Trail. I pulled out my map and tried to help them; I'm not great at estimating distances on those things. I hope I helped them. I'm sure they hit it eventually.

I keep thinking there was something important I had to say, but I guess there isn't. I'm totally psyched for this race in October now. I hope that it's not full when I get paid (I still haven't registered since I don't have money for the fee yet :P).

My Inov-8s are still doing great. I love them...still not as grippy as my old Sportivas, but I don't expect them to ever be. No problem. I also need a new hydration pack before too long...

Probably should get ready for bed. Those kids at VBS wore me out today. Maybe they're the ones who should be running this 50k. Could have been the caving group at work, too.

I still haven't remembered what that important thing was that I wanted to say. Peace.

Preparing for first 50k! (and disappointing news)

So, I guess you could say I've OFFICIALLY began a set training schedule in order to work up to 50k shape. Since my family lives near Chattanooga, I wanted to try to prepare for the Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k. On Rock/Creek's blog, they actually have a sample training schedule you can use to train for your first 50k. They also recently (late May of this year) put up a video for people like me who have never ran a 50k before. 

Training for your First Trail 50K with Matt Sims from Rock/Creek on Vimeo.

Sadly, I recently found out that the 50k registration for the StumpJump is full :( But I figured I'd still try out their training schedule--I looked at the beginning of this week (the second week in July), but I decided to skip straight to Week 3 on the schedule. Already I'm feeling pretty confident, because going out running for an hour is a piece of cake for me--even though I haven't run this regularly in a long time. It turns out that I'm in better shape than I thought. It's hard for me to keep myself from skipping to August, but I know I need to let my body adjust to a lot of small runs during the week before I start doing longer runs consistently. Sometimes it takes more discipline for me to not go as much as I think I could. In high school, I would often injure myself from overtraining. These days, I'm not as competitive, but sometimes it comes back up in me and I think I have to push until my body gives out. I just have to have fun here. Just relax and enjoy the easy weeks while they last :D I'm looking forward to the 3.5 hour runs, though.

Even though the StumpJump is full, I'm still going to follow the schedule so that I'll at least be able to run a 50k. And I've also learned to register for popular events early. Now I just have to find a 50k somewhere near me happening in October...or get on the StumpJump waiting list.

Monthly media: Summits of My Life trailer

Many will recognize the name of Team Salomon athlete, Kilian Jornet, whose goal it has become to "run the length of the world's greatest mountain ranges, trying to climb and descend some of the most spectacular mountains in the world as quickly as possible" (http://www.summitsofmylife.com/en/philosophy). It would seem he's making a film coming out soon which looks very intriguing.

First run: Inov-8 Roclite 315 trail running shoes

Finally, I was able to afford a new pair of much-needed trail running shoes. I still love my La Sportiva Raptors, but I've squeezed and beat and nursed probably all the miles I'm going to get out of those things. Those shoes were awesome for me, and I'd recommend them to anyone who was considering them. Since I've been wearing the Raptors for so long, this post will be somewhat of a comparison between my experiences with my old shoes and my first run with my new (and awesome) Inov-8 Roclite 315s.

"I'm not dead!"

"Shut up; you're not fooling anyone!"


But seriously. I looked at the date of my last post, and it's almost been a month. Work's been busy and tiring, to say little. Bright side of it all is that I have a new pair of trail running shoes (Inov-8 Roclite 315) coming in the mail! I'm anticipating them arriving on Monday. If they're in on Monday I'll have to have some sort of special, solemn ceremony to retire my trusty old Sportiva Raptors and usher in the new age with a good run in the Gorge.

I'm about to fall asleep or dead pretty soon.

More monthly media

A couple quick trail running videos to inspire...

First, "The Love of Running" by Walter Edwards:




I just wish it weren't all in black-and-white...I guess it's cool and "vintage" and all, or whatever...but I want to see what those trails look like! A huge part of the reason I love trail running is the colorful scenery!

And one more short one--"The Lightest Step" by Bengt Säll:



Nice shots of the trails--and also the shoes. If I didn't know better, I'd think it was a Salomon commercial promoting the S-Lab. By the way--check out Bengt's website. He has some pretty sick photos and such other things.

Fayetteville Trail

Distance: 3.96 miles from end to end (out-and-back = 7.92 miles)
Difficulty Rating: Strenuous

Fayetteville Trail is one of those trails with one end at the top of the rim and the other end down near the river. With one side starting at Kaymoor Top (1950 ft.) and the other dumping into Fayette Station Road (1125 ft.), the net change in elevation is about 825 feet. Steep hills and varying plant communities keep it an engaging workout, both physically and visually. Fayetteville Trail intersects New River Bridge Trail, Park Loop Trail, Timber Ridge Trail, and Long Point Trail.

Enduring, for sure!

A video of trail running inspiration for April! "Grandmothers of Endurance," by Trac 2.0 Productions features two great women trail runners, Barb Macklow and Vicki Griffiths, who are 76 and 67 years old, respectively! It's a great encouragement to me to know I still may be able to enjoy my love for running the trails well into my maturity. Thanks, Barb and Vicki! You two are great inspirations!

Kates Plateau Trail

Distance: 2 miles from the trailhead to the 3 mile loop = 7 miles (count the two mile segment as four, since you’ll be running it back from the loop)

NPS’ Difficulty Rating:  Strenuous

Not as easily accessible as trails in the Canyon Rim, Kates Plateau has a more wild and remote feel than many of the other better-travelled trails in the New River Gorge. You may find more opportunity for spotting wildlife here than on other trails. Wet and hilly, this trail begins a gradual climb over a couple miles until it reaches a 3-mile loop with some short but steep ups and downs, proving to be an exciting but challenging run for runners used to more level grounds. The trail markings and the trail itself aren’t always obvious, so be prepared with a good trail map and compass just in case you get turned around. Doing the loop twice (reverse for variety) makes for a great 10-mile course

Prelude to a New, Old Post

It's snowing! I knew we wouldn't be able to get by the way it's been going without it catching up to us. We've had the warmest March on record, I think, but, alas, I've not taken advantage. Part of not getting out to the Gorge to run was because of homework, part of that was trying to save money by not driving so much, part of that was the rest of life. Point is, though, I haven't run in the Gorge since last January--although I did run a tiny bit when I went back to Tennessee over break. Went out with some cool people, met the director of Wild Trails (a non-profit in Chattanooga dedicated to "promot[ing] the use, expansion, and protection of trails in greater Chattanooga" and also met Jennifer Pharr Davis, the record holder for fastest assisted thru hike of the Appalachian Trail! I think I even got my photo in a magazine somehow (someone told me they saw it recently, but I haven't seen it myself). Surely not because of my trail running prowess. Basically, I was at the right place at the right time. 

This afternoon's snowflakes brought my attention to the beautiful running weather I've missed, and it reminded me I still need to finish the trail review of Kates Plateau that I started last January. Wow. January. I'm way behind...but I have finished the text! Now just to get the pictures set in the right places. She's comin.

Accessing the Kates Plateau Trailhead

Finding Kates Plateau Trail is almost as much of an adventure as running it. Before writing about the trail itself, I've decided to dedicate a blog post on driving directions to the trail. Watch for nearly hidden roads, potholes, hairpin curves, and 3/4 of a bridge.

Sweet video!

I was going to blog today, but I'm going to put it off until tomorrow and get outside. Going hiking with my Dad :)

In the meantime, check out this inspiring video from a BC runner who loves trail running and is hoping to do the Leadville soon:



Rockin' those Salomons!

Peace

Why I'm [Not] a Slacker

Happy Leap Day!

A month ago today, I did ten miles out at Kates Plateau, taking pictures with the intention of a blog post soon to follow. Unfortunately, that post is still in the works (meaning I haven't started). Now, since I realize that there isn't really any following of this blog yet, I'm not super concerned that anyone out there cares that I haven't written. So really, it's completely up to intrinsic motivation to propel me to write. And I do want to write, it's just...SCHOOL...makes me tired. So, I haven't really written OR run recently.

Ah, but I haven't been completely idle! Au contraire!

Salomon sale on Leftlane Sports, and wishing I were able to take full advantage of this weather...

Get you some Salomon trail running shoes for good prices right now on Leftlane, while they last! Just thought I'd spread the word. Here's the link: http://www.leftlanesports.com/Event.aspx?l=00010024051000000000. Coincidentally, The Clymb also has the XA Pro 3D Ultra M on sale for about 50 bucks, after shipping. Usually, these types of things sell crazy fast (especially at The Clymb), so hurry up: http://www.theclymb.com/brand-event/14714/show-product/23581

Also, I do plan on putting up my next trail review sometime soon. Hopefully this weekend. It will be of my recent run a week ago at Kates Plateau, one of my favorite trails (I know, I know, it's a week late). Kates Plateau ate my phone, though. Hopefully, I've got a new one waiting for my in my post office box. *EDIT* No cigar: empty box.

I hope everyone out there has been enjoying this excellent running weather. I can't believe it's February right now. I can't believe I've been stuck inside most of the time doing homework.

Sheesh.

In other news, Blue Ridge Outdoors recently posted a video of Appalachian trail runner Dan Lehmann discussing his love for what he does: http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/photos-and-video/bro-tv/bro-tv-dan-lehman-on-trail-running/. One of these days, I hope I'm cool like him, running ultras at Spruce Knob and sportin' a sweet white beard.

Let me see if I can get this infernal Blogger editor to agree with Vimeo's embed code...



Ah, that's it. Not as bad as I expected.

Alright, peace out, all you beardly trail runners who are in more shape than I am.

Long Point Trail

Distance: 1.6 miles from trailhead to Long Point; 3.2 miles out-and-back
Difficulty Rating from NPS: Moderate

A classic out-and-back jog just over 5k in distance, Long Point Trail provides a well-rounded degree of technicality and difficulty suitable for a beginner's introduction to what trail running has to offer. It is also a great tack-on addition to other trails for longer runs. As it intersects with Fayetteville Trail and Butcher Branch Trail, you can access nearly any other trail in the Canyon Rim area from here, and the point rewards any trek with a picturesque view of the famous New River Gorge bridge.

On Learning to Love Trail Running

Being away from the NRG and having a pretty lazy Christmas vacation is making me wish a little bit that I was out there checking out the trails and staying in shape--especially when I look at NOAA and find out that it was sunny and in the 40s today in Fayetteville. Although it hasn't been enough to get me to try to run at all here... (If I were in WV I'd run--honest!!) I'm wondering what the trail conditions are like and how out of shape I really am--I usually overestimate my endurance and strength on the first run after a long break, and it kills my enthusiasm. Maybe I should make a New Year's resolution to expect to be a wimp when I get back to WV. I've never been big on resolutions. I guess some people make resolutions to become runners or something. I think I became a runner more out of impulse than resolve. Maybe I just thought I was hardcore because I was the only person I knew back in 8th grade that decided he would run 3 miles for no good reason. Then again, I was home schooled; I guess I don't really think I knew that many kids my age at all. 

Even so, I started road running probably around 8th grade. My first 5k was a small race in Davis, WV in the fall of my 9th grade year (I started attending the public high school that year, but I didn't join the cross country team until my senior year). I was tough on myself in high school--even in my "fun" runs, I wouldn't let myself walk or stop. I'd push myself as hard as I could push without anyone running next to me (which wasn't terribly speedy, still). I thought I "liked" running, but I really don't know how much I enjoyed it, looking back on myself now. I think I just liked knowing that I was in more shape than the average high school kid. I had such a competitive attitude and mental toughness back then that I ended up injuring myself in a couple seasons of track & field by overtraining. My goal was the time; my satisfaction was the finish line. It did make well for becoming a better and faster athlete so I could beat my peers. I don't regret my aggressiveness on the track team and cross country team, but I've changed considerably since then in my personal running philosophy. Generally these days, my goal is less a time, finish line, or distance exact down to the 100th of a mile. Instead of liking the idea of being a runner, I feel that I've been able more to enjoy running itself, and I believe that trail running has played a part in this development.

Happy New [Forum] Year 2012!

Well, although I haven't had much reason or ability to run any trails out there (on vacation), I got a forum started up on here. Hopefully this will help people connect, build community and discuss whatever they want concerning the New River Gorge, trails, local restaurants, gear, or whatever.

here's the link (if you hadn't noticed the tab up there) -- http://trailhugger.blogspot.com/p/forum1.html. Feel free to spread it around to your trail running friends.

I'm looking forward to getting out there again. How's the weather and trail conditions out there? I'll be back in the area in a week or so.