New Balance Wear Test Program - New Kicks In The Mail!

A friend of a friend told me about New Balance's Wear Testing Program several months ago and I applied for it on a whim. If you fit their criteria (not sure what that is) they will ship you shoes to try out & evaluate. I had forgotten all about the program when I found that UPS had left a box of new shoes on my doorstep Friday. Pretty cool - I like new running shoes. I LOVE free new running shoes. Ok, with a few strings attached.

They ask that you give them detailed feedback in return on specific dates as you run in the shoes. I only have one final evaluation to fill out before I ship them back to New Balance.  It looks like I will be shipping them back (via their paid label) on July 12 which should give me plenty of time to rack up some miles on them. I think this is a fair swap and works well for both parties.

I'm not into shoes at all. That probably sounds weird coming from a runner, but I just put on shoes and go hit the trails. I've noticed lots of runners who can spot Montrails or Hardrocks from a mile away. I rarely even pay attention to shoes unless someone is pointing something out to me. I guess I should educate myself better, but it just doesn't interest me much.

I'm testing a pair of MR738s.  The MR738 is lightweight, well-cushioned ride for the daily runner with a neutral gait great for mid to long distances. The MR738 features Abzorb cushioning in forefoot and heel and Acteva light midsole.  They feel nice after walking around the house and it is a shoe that I would choose to run in.  I know that they are not "trail" shoes, but this has never made a big difference for me in the past.  I've ran in spongy soft road shoes or broken down older flat shoes.  Neither seem to make a big difference.

One thing is for sure - you can bet that they will look horrible when I send them back in July!

If you are interested in the Wear Testing Program click on the banner at the top of this post and you will be taken to the website or go here: http://weartest.newbalance.com/http://weartest.newbalance.com/

Summer runs leading up to Foothills Point To Point Attempt

I'm excited about some excellent runs on the schedule for this summer.  I enjoyed running through the cold winter months, but there is just something about warm weather & trail running.  The winter forced me to venture out on some long solo runs while warm weather has welcomed in more ultra races and fun training runs.

At this point in my ultra running hobby, I'm not a "racer".  In other words, I don't go into an event with the mindset that I'm going to push myself as fast & as hard as I can go.   I'm forced to do that at work and in my day to day life and it's just not fun for me to do it during a race.  With that being said, I still enjoy pushing myself on sections of trail and I have mad respect for the speedsters in the front of the pack.

I simply enjoy running ultras and I've found that if I don't push myself too hard then I can easily run at least one per month.  Another perk for this is that I don't have to do as many solo training runs to keep my base of fitness.  There is always another ultra race right around the corner.  The people and new courses keep me encouraged and interested.

1st Summer Race - Chattooga 50K
I just said that I don't really race, but I want to post a solid time at Chattooga.  I need it, because it slapped me around like a little baby last summer.  I went off course, freaked out, and fell apart several times near the end.  The sheer beauty of the course kept me from totally folding.  This year is gonna be different.  I'm pacing myself, drinking plenty of H20, and having fun.  Oh and I want to destroy that 9:45 time that I posted last year.

2nd Run - Chattooga "In the Dark" Foothills Train
In preparation for my attempt at finishing the Foothills Trail in a point to point run I'm running 17 miles on the Chattooga section at 9:00 PM after working all day.  I've been on this part of the trail at night and it is magically creepy.  The sounds of the water seem to bounce all over the gorge creating strange sounds through the night.  If the moon is out it makes the whitewater sections look like marshmallows rapidly gushing down the river.

3rd Run - 1/2 of the SCAR "Smokies Challenge Adventure Run"
This run rocks!  It will begin in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Newfound Gap and head West on the A.T. ending at Fontana dam.  This is a 40 mile self-supported run that takes you over some of the most beautiful single track in the south.

4th Run - 77 Mile Foothills Trail
I will be attempting to run the entire trail with a few other runners near the end of July.  To my knowledge, only one other runner has ever completed the trail on his first attempt.  This is a huge one for me and all of my runs are building in preparation for this one.

5th Run - Laurel Valley Whitewater Race
This race will be about three weeks after the Foothills run so I'm not sure how my head will be going into it.  Either way, this is a very special trail that always leaves me wanting more.  This will be my first year running instead of sweeping and I'm looking forward to that.  If I'm burned out from the Foothills Trail run then I may offer to sweep again.  I think several of my friends are doing that this year and it would be fun to run as a group.  Gonna play that by ear and see how I feel.

Lookin' forward to a great summer of runnin'!

Laurel Valley Outcast Run + 10 miles for fun.

As of today, this is my favorite 30+ stretch of trail - it's just that simple.  I've only ran it twice, but it is so captivating.  Steep climbs, whitewater rivers, waterfalls, dramatic drop offs, lush vegetation, wildlife, and all around incredible scenery.

I left the house at 2:45 AM and drove up to Laurel Valley so I could sneak in ten before the official "Outcast Run" at 6:30 AM.  It was a dark & steep climb up to Sassafras mountain.  The more I climbed the cloudier it got and I was eventually inside a cloud and soaked to the bone.  Then I made the turn around near the 5 mile mark and marched back down the mountain to meet up for the rest of the run.

First off, the runners who showed up were great to spend the day with on the trail.  Terri, Sam, Psyche, Lester, Sheri, Dave, Byron, and Charles were just the perfect addition to the incredible journey.  It was nice to be able to break away and be alone for a short time and then join back up with others for some trail talk.

The day went well and everyone made it out alive.  I enjoyed spending some down time in the water at several stops.  As a matter of fact I spent a lot of time in the water and enjoyed every minute of it.

Lester ran up on a bear only about 4 miles into the run.  I think it just saw him and took off running into the woods.

The steps are tough, but the scenery is so worth every painful one of them.

This run was very important because I feel confident in finishing the point to point run on the Foothills Trail in July.

It was an all around perfect day out with great people on the trail.  What more can I say about this one?!

Thanks Psyche for the photos...

Foothills Trail - The beast awaits.....

I'm fascinated with the Foothills Trail in the upstate of South Carolina & some of North Carolina.  I know that there are tougher & more rugged mountain ranges across our big ball of mud, but this trail is a hidden gem in the Southeast that always demands respect from it's visitors.  

Here is the Foothills Trail Conference's description of the trail...

Whether you are looking for a long-distance backpacking trip or an exciting day-hike, the Foothills Trail offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore the Southern Appalachians. About 77 miles in length, the Foothills Trail is located along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina. The trail is within easy driving distance of Greenville, Asheville, Charlotte, and Atlanta.

The landscape is diverse, ranging from high rocky outcrops with views to the distant horizon, to quiet forests in deep valleys carved by bold mountain streams. Elevations along the trail range from 1,120 feet at Table Rock State Park to 3,560 feet atop Sassafras Mountain.

I'm planning two ultra running attempts across the trail in July.  One on the 10th, the other on the 24th.  In preparation for July, I plan to run the first 50 miles on Saturday.  I will be starting from Table Rock State Park (Eastern End) around 3:00 AM and will meet some other runners 13.5 miles west of there around 6:30 AM.  I enjoy night hikes/runs and this one should not disappoint with some spectacular vistas atop Table Rock & Pinnacle Mountain.

I don't have any time goals - just to finish about 50 miles later at Upper White Water Falls before dark.

I'm taking what I learned from last year's Laurel Valley Race (Report & Photos Here) and using what worked.  Also, here is my link to what worked & what didn't.

I plan to start the early accent with a foot long sub in hand and eat it as I climb.  Here is what else I will be using.  Hopefully, I will have it down to what I need this time around:

• 64 Ounce Camelbak Without the bladder to hold my stuff with extra pouch


• 2 Handheld Bottles - 20 oz


• 5 Snicker Marathon Bars


• 5 Peanut Bars


• 2 Packs Gu Chomps (Asst. Flavors)


• 2 Cliff Block Shots


• 6 Gels


• 6 Clip2 Mixing Packs


• A couple Beef Jerky "Mystery Meat" Things


• Steripen to treat water


• One bottle 5 Hr. Energy


• 1 Pack caffeinated Jelly Beans


• 40 Scaps


• Head Lamp


• Small Glide Roll

I look forward to posting the outcome after the run.  It should be an adventure.

Enoree Passage 40 Mile Run

Yesterday race director Terri Hayes hosted The Enoree Passage 40 Mile Run which was the 2nd race in her five part S.C. Ultra Trail Series for 2010.  The weather was incredible with starting temps in the 50's and a forecasted day of sun and a high of 70 degrees.


Sorry, I didn't bother lugging the camera along on this 20 mile out-n-back course, but I will try to break the terrain down for you.


The race began at The Brickhouse Recreation Campground Area near Union, S.C.  This is the same spot where the Buncombe 34 mile race takes place, except this route takes you North instead of South.


I'm guessing about 60 runners showed up to start the race.  It was to see new & old friends before the run.  I'm always amazed at the diversity of runners before a race.   Some are out to "race" and even win the event, while others are just out for a stroll in the woods.  I always find myself more as a "stroller".  I'm often stressed out at work & home to finish, get stuff done, be here, be there at a certain time.  I refuse to let that spill over into my love of running.  Thats just the way I look at it.  I know that everyone is different.


This would be my 14th ultra run and I still found myself with butterflies at the start line.  I hope that I always feel like that before a race.  Terri started us off running at 7:30 AM and the herd hit the trail moving.



This is what a lot of the single track looked like along the trail.  During the first 5 miles we traveled through lush green forests, across a few roads and even ran for a small bit on asphalt.


Terri had the aid stations placed about five miles apart so I never went long without having a cold drink.  I did carry two handheld bottles.  One bottle had water, the other had either Heed or Clip2.  I worked in some Hammer Gels and a few light snacks every hour to keep strong.


The course took us over three swamp bridges, a few river bridges, and numerous other water crossings.  We even had the privilege of running across two earthen lake dams that were beautiful.


The 20 mile turn around point seemed to come quick at about 4:20.  The turn around point was on a peninsula that went out into a lake with a big gazebo.  The cool wind felt so good through this section.  I thought about sitting down for a minute, but decided to keep moving.


I knew from prior runs on the trail that the 20 miles going back was going to be tougher than the first half.  There are several moderate climbs heading back and I was a little fatigued from the first 20.  Just don't think about it and run to the next aid station - that is what I thought during the 2nd half.


It was a pleasure to meet & run with Psyche.  She is an experienced runner and was taking her first shot at the ultra distance.  She said that she was nervous, but it never showed!  Sam was also taking her first shot at a 40 miler.  She finished strong and did great!  It was fun to run with fellow GUTS runner Charles R. and a few others who's name I can't recall.  I was finally able to meet Cheri at the start as well.


There were several runners getting off course during the day and I noticed that nearly all of the trail markings had been pulled down.  I was fortunate enough to stay on course the entire run.  I think that is a first for me!


I ended up finishing around 9:10 and I was very pleased with my race and time.  I ran more in this ultra that I ever have before.   I would break it down to about 80% running and 20% walking.


Thank you again to Terri and all of the great volunteers who made the race a success!

Georgia's First 100 Mile Race March 2011 - Hope I can enter...

The GUTS website just posted:
GRR100

Georgia's first 100 miler!
Early March 2011
Details will be announced soon!

This one will be moved up on the "Must Do" list if it works out that I can enter.  I'm not sure what the requirements / details are, but I cannot wait to hear more!