Trail Nut 10k and 13.1mile

Saturday was the Trail Nut 10k and 13.1mile presented by Mountain Junkies LLC. This is the second to last race in the Roanoke Non Ultra Trail Series (RNUTS). The last race being Conquer the Cove trail 25k and Marathon.It took place at Bedford's Falling Creek Park, about one mile off of 460.

Be sure to also read some other race reports from this event:
Jenn
Doug
Philip at Cardioholics Anonymous
David at runningbecauseican.com

Did I miss anyone?

Last year this race was my first Mountain Junkies event. I was glad to be running again and to be back in Roanoke. I was super excited that Roanoke now had a trail running community that had been developing over the past couple years as I was living in Norfolk, VA at the time learning "life lessons" (otherwise known as attempting graduate college). I ran the 13.1 and Lydia ran the the 10k. Technically she ran better than I did, as I was walking by mile 4, and she ran her full 6.2miles. the event was one month later in the calendar, it was a VERY hot day and many runners DNF or stopped after the first loop. Some switched to the 10k, it was a rough day. I've not been a good runner in the heat, and this dented my ego. I ran a 2:43, walking about half of the distance. So the following Saturday, I signed up for and ran the Varmint Half Marathon in Burkes Garden, VA to redeem myself on that mileage. (Which BTW, is a beautiful location for a road race, check that website for a picture of why they call Burke's Garden "God's thumbprint" it is impressive. The race has a nice history behind it's name and the trophies they give out).

So I was looking forward to fully experiencing this event as I felt that last year there was much going on that limited my full enjoyment of it.

The event being placed a month earlier was a welcomed change. the temperatures that morning were 55-60 and I think the peak for the day was around 75. I arrived earlier than my "crew" (Wife, Son, Sister-In-Law and Nephew) and I was able to greet others get rid of some pre-race butterflies, and even register on-site for the Conquer the Cove 25k.

Part of Bedford's Falling Creek park. Note the beautiful weather!

 Once again Kenny Palmer who takes care of the trail systems for Bedford County Parks and Rec was present to see us off and make sure things went smoothly. He does a great job, and you can tell he enjoys seeing others out there having a good time.

8:45 meant pre-race announcements, and all the "go this way not that way" talk and "follow the things that look like this" etc. Afterwhich we took a short walk down the hill to the start. Those running the 13.1 started 10 mins sooner than those running the 10k.

The course began on grass, circling around the park until entering into the woods.

This was actually before the finish, but the grassy areas were well manicured like this.

I wouldnt call this course a very hilly course. I've not seen an elevation profile for it, but it does have rolling hills. I would describe the hills as mostly short. Yes I did find my pace slowing and even changing to a fast walk at times, especially on the second loop. The 13.1 course has a long loop, then a short loop. The Mountain Junkies use their own chip timing, where the chip is on your bib. The timing stats gave the time and pace for the first loop, second loop, as well as overall. So you can see just how much slower you were the second time around.

...and slower I was indeed. I diddnt need a clock to tell my that. my body told me.

The first loop, I found my self running strong. I diddnt feel too fast, and I think I started at a good place in the pack. I felt stuck behind a long train once into the woods. But I have learned the longer the race, that's not always a bad thing. It slows me down, instead of starting out too fast. I was nervous about passing the girl in front of me as her headphones were so loud, I was even enjoying the 2 songs I listened to until I passed her.

Which reminds me... I've not been running races with my headphones lately. I usually run with them, and I enjoy it, but I keep the volume low. I know it isnt encouraged during races, so I've been trying to enjoy the race and others out there. I learned this when on a couple longer runs on the Appalachian Trail, as well as when running the Terrapin Half back in March where I found myself having them on me but not using them.

As I was moving along the race course, I was running into others that I've seen at other Mountain Junkie events including Matt and Samantha Mitchell, Rebecca Adcock, and Henry Schaefer, whom I had a great race with at the Mill Mountain Mayhem, but apparently I really never caught up with him.

The course comes out and back into the woods in a couple places, and I remember the feeling last year at this race. It was as one runner describer (either Andy or Jim, I forget) It was like opening the oven door. The wooded covering provided nice shad and cooler temps, until you came out of the woods I felt that I was running into a wall of heat, like opening the oven door. I was so glad it wasnt like that this year.

The breaks out of the woods, provided a nice opportunity for the path to widen and let others who wanted to pass, and diddnt create an opportunity on the single-track to do so here.

Somewhere along the first loop, I was passed by the first and second runners in the 10k, and by the time I looked up from the trail again they were about out of my sight.

I eventually caught up with Jim Mullins and enjoyed staying at his pace. Eventually I pressed on a little faster, sure he would catch up later at one of the water stops, and he did. I clung on to Andy Stevens to continue the first "long" loop. I completed the first loop at about 1:02. My overall goal time was under or at 2 hours, so I felt that I was on my way.

I had stopped for about 15 seconds at each of the three aid stations (Gatorade Water and bananas, I just had Gatorade at each). At the end of the first loop, was where a few others passed me. It was also here that I was greeted with pics from my wife, and handed some Gatorade from my sister-In-Law who was volunteering. I consumed one GU gel at this point as well, my only planned mid-race intake other than Gatorade at each water stop.

Ruth and her son Nasir, being awesome volunteering and helping thirsty runners.

It was the second loop where things changed for me. I knew I would take this loop slower. I wasnt real sure just how much slower that would be. I went from an 8:42 pace to a 9:14 pace. OK not horrible at all, but I would have preferred to stay with Andy Stevens, as he ran a very solid race and steady pace on both loops, finishing at 1:55.

I felt things slowing down more and more as I progressed through the second loop. I enjoyed this loop, as I was able to anticipate the hills and changes in terrain a little bit. there is one area of the trail that you can see many others around you, but they are going different directions, and you dont know who is ahead and who is behind you. It can be a vertigo inducing experience. Of course when you see runners in that area, like Brent Williams, who is always ahead of you then you know. But it provides a nice opportunity to hoot and shout and get shouted at for encouragement. Which I never found out who called my name at one point.

Brent Williams, representing Fleet Feet and just being a cool guy. (pic from Mountain Junkies Facebook)

Eventually as the second loop progressed I settled in behind 3 young military men, I believe from Virginia Tech. These three (Sean Grindlay, Matthew Abeyounis and John Steger - According to race results) were having a nice day at the park. The conversation between them never ended and they never showed any running discomfort. I found their comfortable attitude encouraging and inspiring... so I decided to stay right behind them. At one time, one of them doubled back, jut to pick up a dropped GU gel wrapper. that was the right thing to do. When I commented on their relaxed demeanor I was responded with a comment close to "relaxed mind, relaxed body" or something close to that. The conversation was much about military related topics. I think it was Michael Villa who was right behind me and later he commented that enjoyed the pace as well.

The three military guys that "carried me" (picture from Mountain Junkies Facebook)

The last mile, I hate to admit, but I wished it were over. I should have just stopped, rested a moment, stretched and pressed on, I bet I would have garnered more energy than to keep pressing. Well, perhaps not, but a comment I read recently but where I cant place right now came to mind. "The pain of quitting is greater than the pain of pressing on" (something like that) ... and so I pressed on.

 Knowing that stopping to stretch was far from failure, but I still wasnt running a pace I had thought I would be at this moment. Soon I was reminding myself that my true goal was just to beat last year's time of 2:43, which I knew I was doing... and that secondly I wanted to beat 2:10, but I really felt capable of getting under 2hours. Had I stayed with Andy, I would have. It's that whole 20/20 hindsight thing. I really dont feel negative about my performance that day. Truly I hadent run 10 miles or more in about month. I knew I was capable of the distance, but questioned at what level I would be able to complete it.

I crossed the finish line with a time of 2:01:14 on the clock and a smile on my face.

Nothing beats being greeted by my excited 21 month old son running toward me with open arms.

I'd run 13.1 any day for a reward like that!

The post race festivities included subs from Subway, which was a bit different than other Mountain Junkie events. A vegetable tray, the usual Dru's cookies and Mountain Junkies signature Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, Salazon chocolate, bananas and various drinks. I even saw a cooler of Shaklee drink, which I meant to get back to read about but never did. Which by the way, if you've not had Salazon chocolate, it's a nice salty treat perfect for runners and the like.

I know that commonly given and shared race advice is to not do anything new on race day. I could probably list at the end of each race what I did differently though. I dont really run these races competitively. I dont normally use GU gel, but I have used them in the past. I carry them on long runs, and recently on a long run on the Appalachian Trail it came in handy, so I'm carrying one from now on. today I planned to use it around mile 7 or 8, and I did. I wish I had another about mile 11, but next time perhaps I will. Also I've been wanting to try NUUN drink. If you dont know much about this, follow the link and read, but as described by Andrew at Fleet Feet in Roanoke, it has more electrolytes and less sugars. It is supposed to be easier on the stomach as well. Pronounced "noon" it is a tablet that you drop into 16 ounces of water, wait, then drink. It tastes to have some mild carbonation to it. If you have seen some other companies marketing drink tablets, I believe it all started with NUUN.

After the race, I admit I felt nauseous, a result of pushing myself, I do believe. The following day I've felt "tender stomached" and when I exert a lot of physical effort in something I feel weak, but these are all expected feelings. I dont attribute them to having done something new at a race.

Super congratulations to my friend since elementary school, Jenn divers who ran her first 10k ever! and she did it on a trail, not on the road. and she placed in her age group too!!!

Next on my race calendar is the Conquer the Cove 25k. I will train for this distance better than I trained for this one. My primary goal will be to finish strong and injury free. Run as much as I can but be wise and walk/hike the steep parts. (Of course that's the plan, isnt it always?)

Soon I should also register for the Hinson Lake 24 hour ultra classic. Which has quickly become the largest 24 hour race. I just really need a couple people / familiar faces to go also and share the experience. It being an out of town races, poses it's challenges, but only $24 for 24 hours, what's to lose?

I am looking to consider other events in the region, so any suggestions are welcomed. Of course there's always this thing in October. Oh, perhaps some day. We'll see how I do at Hinson Lake. But do recommend any events, please.

Other pictures follow from the Trail Nut 10k and 13.1

Beause Salazon chocolate is good stuff!

Blue Ridge Marathon (not really a race report) / 3.2 for 32 Run in Remembrance / Smith Mountain Lake 4 miler

I did not run the Blue Ridge Marathon (or half marathon).
At the bottom are listed some links to others who did run it and wrote about it.

My goal and purpose here is to provide information to others about the races in my area, and I really want to provide info on this high profile event, but I did not run in it.

Why diddnt I? Well, I panned to, I really did.  If I were to enter, I would have run the half, not the full. As the weeks grew closer to the event, I was studying the course and I admit that I was disappointed that the course for the half diddnt go up Roanoke mountain. I just assumed it would have, and I really want to run that loop. So, that loop got on my to do list and it still hasnt been checked off yet. When it came time to register I had missed the mark for early registration, and the cost was now $80 instead of $70 which I still think is high and so with all I had going on in life, I decided to opt out. It's that simple.

Then with all the rain that occurred, It would have been kind of fun to have been forced to run in that mess, but I think I'm glad I diddnt sign up. I want this event to be successful for the directors, and I want it to be successful for Roanoke! So, I considered volunteering. In fact my pregnant wife planned to volunteer, knowing I'd be there all day. Once I backed out of running, and decided to run a different event (see below) she backed out of volunteering to walk the 3.2 for 32 Run in Remembrance with the baby in a stroller. That's my story of not participating in the Blue Ridge Marathon.

There was a couple other events going on this weekend too.
The Smith Mountain Lake 4 Miler

This was the first year for this race. Unfortunately it is bad timing that it is on the same day as the Blue Ridge Marathon. This race begins at Mariner's landing in Huddleston, VA

The event raises funds for 2 causes. One cause is to create a college scholarship for a high school senior in Bedford, Franklin, Roanoke of city of Lynchburg who as been significantly impacted by cancer. The other cause is to fund The Strongest Link Service Program. Post race food was provided by Benjamin's at the Pointe, a local restaurant at Mariner's Landing, and I would have liked to been a part of that!

Another event on the same weekend
The 3.2 for 32 Run in Remembrance.

This event is a run / walk to remember the 32 Virginia Tech students, staff  and faculty who lost their lives on campus.

This was a free event, and the first 4000 got T-shirts. After the 3.2 is a huge community picnic. I cant find online where I got the information before, but I recall reading that in the previous years this event brought well over 5000 people on VT campus. Can you imagine what a group photo would look like? check image 27 on this page. That was the group in 2010. Along the course you get to go through the tunnel Lane stadium and tap the CLASSIC Hokie stone that the football team taps on the way on to the field. Well, sadly with all the planning that goes into this community event, the rain cancelled the race, but some other events still went on. I had planned to attend this with family and friends not attending the Blue Ridge Marathon, but of course the early morning rain and still pending storm, kept us at home.

There's not much I can say, really about the Blue Ridge Marathon, as I diddnt run it, nor did I volunteer for it, so I'll let the words from others who did legitimate race reports on it speak for it. If you know of a report for this event, please add it in the comments below.

Links to Race reports for the BRM
Running Nicki
Marathoning Through Mid-Life
Gear Junkie
Philip Settle's Daily Mile report

Race Report: Mill Mountain Mayhem 10k

Today I ran the Mill Mountain Mayhem 10k, another excellent event put on by Mountain Junkies LLC.
 Mill Mountain is a Roanoke landmark, the mountain with the star overlooking the Roanoke Valley.


The weather, like other previous Mountain Junkie events, was rain before, and rain after but not rain during... How Josh and Gina Gilbert pull that off is beyond me! The weather was perfectly chilly, and when you got to the top it was quite foggy. Making for not-so-excellent views, but it was surely peaceful and misty.

So the crowd was around 130+, a smaller crowd than has been at recent events, possibly the smallest event of the RNUTS series (Roanoke Non Ultra Trail Series), but understandably so. There was even 180+ that ran the Frozen Toe 10K in January, in the snow.

The elevation profile says there is 1305 ft. elevation gain, and 1461 ft. loss. Which explains that you walk a short distance up the mountain before starting the race, but run all the way to the bottom. The total length of the event was just over 10k (6.2) and was a total of 6.4miles.

Despite that increased length, the overall woman leader still broke the women's course record, which now stands at 49:20. Way to go Lisa Homa!

The parking was challenging, but went well and I heard no complaints. The small parking lot for the trail head to the Star Trail, just off of Riverland Road in Roanoke is smalls and was reserved for race directors and volunteers. There was a small lot across the street, but most had to park just down the road on the far side of the grocery store (IGA) parking lot. Ideally avoiding any interference with IGA customers. I parked on the far side of that lot. After walking to the lot where pre-race announcements are soon to occur, I’m reminded how thankful I am that port-a-potties are available.

As I left my car, I brought with me a bag of my “comfort items” that I feel I need to have access to before and after a race, and placed them in a plastic trash bag, then stashed it to the side before the race began. Things like, my usual race food, phones, camera, gloves hat, extra socks and race shirt…just things I feel I need if something goes wrong or if it is too cold. I was also able to throw some clothes in the bag, and have them to change into for after the race… much needed in chilly weather. I just hate to have to go back to the car and miss out on some of the post race festivities and excitement.

So the race begins a short distance up the Star Trail, where it crosses Fishburn Parkway… the road that people always call “the one that goes up to the star” After some pre-race announcements by Josh, we began walking up the trail to the starting line. At this time I enjoyed conversations with Brent from Fleet Feet, met his friend Andy, and joked a bit with James Decker at the starting line as well.

The race began on the road at this crossing. It finished at the parking lot we just walked from. Once the race begins on the road and runners get almost to the top, you turn sharp right and hit Monument Trail, this ends at Sylvan Rd. taking us to the “Old Road up to the star”. Runners are on the old road about half a mile and then take a trail on the right Big Sunny Trail (where we lass the mysterious old black car), to Riser Trail (they all seem to be rising trails), then Ridgeline Trail. Once you think you’re at the top and realize that you’re not really at the top, you are then on sidewalk going from the zoo up to the star. Runners go right in front of the star (where on a clear day would be a very nice view of the valley but not today, only fog) around a bend to the top of Star Trail, and go a little over a mile, possibly 1.5 on what is affectionately called a “screaming fast downhill”. So true!

The terrain was rocky at times, of course roots and much clay underfoot. I really enjoy this style single track trail. Passing other runners was not an easy task in most places.

Picture borrowed from the Mountain Junkies Facebook page

I started what may have seemed a little fast for me, but I kept up my effort. I Ran to catch up with Kemp and chat with him a moment, to only realize, that no one else was chatting as in many other races. I suppose oxygen conservation was important to everyone as you’re running up a mountain. I was excited to be running with familiar faces once again, and soon focused on my own effort and trying to keep up my pace. Kemp was disappointed that he never caught back up with me, but he was never far behind. I felt that overall I ran much harder than most races I’ve run lately. Soon after getting onto the Monument Trail I found myself behind other runners in a row of about 5. I wanted to pass, but I allowed the single track hinder me. Reminding myself that this is really a good thing. When risking running too fast too soon. It is good to get “stuck” behind someone for a little while, run at a slower pace and let my heart rate drop just a little… keeping some gas in the tank for later.

The climbing seemed to never stop. I had run this course once a few months ago, and felt that I climbed 3 mountains. Once you get almost to the top, you go down just enough to get you excited, but then you go back up again. It’s like climbing Mill Mountain twice.

Here is the elevation profile so you can judge for yourself. 

Mill Mountain Mayhem 10k elevation profile

Close to the top, I chatted a bit with young runner of 17 years old, Dillon Anderson he was struggling to keep his pace up and just needed to stay far enough ahead of his dad for bragging rights. Loving the spirit of that competition I did what I could to encourage him and press him on. Later learning that his dad Mark was a runner that I had passed earlier and commented to him about his “fast hike” stride that seemed to embody what I was aiming for in my own pace and stride when going up hill. Mark and I spoke briefly about this after the race. It was nice to meet you, Mark and Dillon!

Running right past the star. This give you a good idea of how foggy it was at the top.
 This picture borrowed from the Mountain Junkie Facebook page.

During the screaming fast downhill, I’m running almost as fast as I safely can and I feel that there’s a good distance between me and the person behind me. There is no one in front of me in sight after Dillon took off. I’m thinking to myself, “I wonder how in the world people run this terrain any faster than I am right now” but I know they do. I really need to see how faster runners navigate their footing on steep rocky downhill, I could learn a lot from that. Strangely enough I hear the person behind me gaining on me, and it keeps pressing me forward as much as I can go. He never caught me, but Henry Schaefer and I had a nice talk about it after the finish. We both appreciated the competition and was using one another to push ourselves a little harder. I thought for quite a while that he was going to catch me.

I finished the race at 54:51, an 8:39 pace. I am very pleased with that, as I hoped to make it under 55 minutes. I had to run harder than I had imagined I would have to for me to make that time. I still placed at my usual position in my age group 7^th of 11. I’m always getting around 7^th. 

The finish line after the "screaming fast" downhill. the old course came down the gravel road you see, This year it changed and a the trail comes out of the woods just before the finish gate.

After the race was a vibe that was noticeably more exciting than previous races. I think this was because of the intimidation that many felt running up Mill Mountain. There was a sense of exhaustion and accomplishment that was shared among all.

Post-race chatter and excitement

Post race I was able to make a point to meet a few runners that I see at every race, but hadent talked to yet, one of whom was Philip Settle. I wanted to introduce myself to him for a variety of reasons.

It was nice to meet you and I look forward to talking again at up coming events.

Chocolate chip pumpkin bread, Dru’s cookies Salazon Chocolate, bananas, apples, bagels with peanut butter, cream cheese or Nutella, and a tray of broccoli and carrots in addition to Gatorade and water were all spread out for us to enjoy in typical Mountain Junkies fashion.

What an excellent race. I think the weather added to the excitement, making things just slippery enough to increase the intimidation of the course. The camaraderie and conversations just keep getting better too.

Thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors that help make these events happen. I’m excited to be a part of it.

Here is another local runner that wrote a blog about this event: Doug Falls's blog