Pinhoti 100 Race Report

Wow.  Not sure how to process this one.  Running the Pinhoti 100 has been a goal of mine for almost two years.  Now it is finished.  The race was fantastic.  I enjoyed all but about two hours of it, and those two hours were absolutely miserable.  My goals were to 1) finish, and 2) finish in under 24 hours.  Both were accomplished, but it required pushing through my physical and mental limits to achieve.  Here’s how it went down.

Andon Briggs, Sally and I departed from my house at 3:00 a.m. to follow the buses from the finish line in Sylacauga to the starting line in Heflin.  The buses ran a bit behind and those following in cars had to park a half mile away and walk to the start.  The race was determined to start on time, so I found myself running the half mile to the starting line to make it on time.  Big deal, what’s another half mile added to 100, right?

So, the race began before dawn and after a very short stretch of pavement turned immediately onto the trail.  With 200 runners all together it was very crowded on the single-track trail, so I just tucked in and went with a group until things spread out after about 5 miles.  The early group pace was too fast, so as soon as it thinned out I settled into a comfortable pace and enjoyed the space.  Also, by this time the sun was out, so I was able to enjoy the beautiful trail and scenery in solitude.  The course really is beautiful, with many ups and downs, dense forest, sweeping overlooks, and unique rock formations, and is surprise for many out of state runners that run the race assuming the scenery to be only flat Alabama clay.  Far from it.   I talked to a couple other runners, but early on I was really enjoying being alone, so I intentionally stayed away from people after the first aid station (Highrock) at mile 6.7.  Part of the reason for staying alone was the scenery and part was that due to the starting line rush I did not have time to use the bathroom (sitting not standing) and was looking for a good place.  Fortunately the woods has many such facilities, so I went about 15 yards off the trail behind some bushes and proceeded, only to realize that the trail looped back behind me.  So, I awkwardly waived hello to the passing runner, completed my business and moved on.  Not sure why I shared that, but thought it would give you a true glimpse into the glitz and glamour that is ultrarunning. 

I saw my crew (Sally and Andon at this point) at Aid Station 2 (Shoal Creek) at mile 13.27 and Aid Station 3 (Horseblock) at mile 18.27.  Both stops were a quick exchange of bottles and packs taking less than 20 seconds each.  The race was near Talladega, so we rolled NASCAR style.

I would not see my crew again until mile 40 (Bald Rock).  This stretch was challenging because the temperature was quickly rising to a high of 81 degrees.  I greatly prefer cold weather running.  Given the choice of 81 or 21 I choose 21 any day.  Despite the heat, I felt good during this stretch, with only slight discomfort as I approached Bald Rock.  Bald Rock is the highest point in Alabama and is stunning.  The climb to it was steady, but not as sinister as I feared.  My crew met me here and cooled me off with ice, which helped a lot and after a brief stop to cool down was ready to go again, feeling good.

At the mile 45 Aid Station (Silent Trail) I picked up my first pacer Andon.  He accompanied me from mile 45 to 60.  After running alone for most of the initial 45 miles it was nice to have company.  Our conversation began with me stating how ridiculous this whole thing was and wondering why I ever wanted to do this.  And that was while I felt good!  Andon passed mile 50 with me and we enjoyed the fact that each mile from this point forward was a mile farther than I have ever run.  The rest of the race was new territory for me.  Neat feeling.

Blister formed just past halfway and at mile 55 the crew taped it up, with Andon saying that my feet looked nasty.  I’m sure another 45 miles will heal them right up!  We continued together until the Clairmont Gap Aid Station at mile 60, where I picked up my other pacer John Cobbs.  John’s assignment was to pace me from mile 60 to 85.  John is a very fast and experienced runner, so my hope was to have him keep my pace up during these tough miles.  Turns out his task was to keep me from giving up. 

Around mile 70 my stomach shut down.  I couldn’t eat or drink anything.  Making matters worse is that miles 70-75 were the climb up “The Pinnacle”, arguably the hardest climb in the race.  My pace slowed to a crawl, with me literally stumbling up the trail.  At one point I sat on the side of the trail, looking dazed and confused.  Two women blazed by me while I was sitting, offering encouragement such as “It will get better.”  My thoughts:  Thanks, but I doubt it.

John kept me moving, walking every step of this section.  My watch would beep every so often and John would say “Only three more miles to the aid station”, “Only two more miles”, etc.  Funny thing, but each time he said it at first seemed like an insurmountable task, but after a few seconds it reminded me that I was indeed moving forward.  We finally reached The Pinnacle Aid Station at mile 75 and I sat in a chair by the fire while John brought me various food and drinks to help get my stomach working.  The only thing I was able to get down was four cups of coke.  I sat there for probably 20 minutes and finally got moving, but didn’t feel any better.

Remarkably, after another mile or so, the coke must have kicked in and I felt solid.  I began to run again and found that when running my legs still felt quite good.  I was able to get down a couple gels and water.  The pace quickened and we arrived at the Power Line Aid Station at mile 79 renewed and alive.  The next six miles to Bulls Gap and the crew went by quick and I felt good again.

The worst appeared to be over, and at Bulls Gap I grabbed two water bottles, one with water and one with coke.  Coke is not the best drink to run with, but it was working so I figured I’d ride it out until I crashed.  After a five minute rest at the aid station Andon resumed pacing duties and we proceeded into the night.

At mile 75 I assumed that the 24 hour goal was out of reach.  However, the renewed life and quick pace of miles 76-85 brought it back into the realm of possibility.  Still tough, but possible.  We departed Bulls Gap at 2:55 a.m., giving us just over 3 hours to cover 15 miles to break 24 hours.  Not an easy task after 85 miles, but worth a shot.  Our plan was to run miles 85-95 at a hard, steady effort in order to bank time so that the last five miles could be easy and relaxed.  My stomach cooperated and my legs still felt quite good, and we covered miles 85-95 at just over a 9:00/mile pace, assuring a sub-24 hour finish absent any major issues the last five miles. 

The last five miles were tough, as the quick pace of miles 76-95 caught up to me, but Andon kept me on a solid pace.  The last three miles were on a long road leading into the Sylacauga High School football stadium.  This was the longest road I have ever seen.  The three miles felt like 30, but before long we made the turn into the football stadium and began the half lap around the track to the finish line.  Sally joined me and we crossed the line together in 23:32, a full 28 minutes under the goal time of 24 hours.

The experience was phenomenal.  I enjoyed all but five miles of the race (70-75 for those not paying attention).  That said, I’m glad it’s over.  My body and mind were trashed after it was over, but the feeling of accomplishment is hard to beat.  Turns out I finished 23^rd out of around 200 runners and was the first Alabama finisher. 

Special Thanks to:

-          My crew and pacers Sally Dollar, Andon Briggs, John Cobbs, Beth Briggs, Allan Campo, Donna Campo and Parker Briggs, who were tremendous throughout the entire race.  The devotional entitled “Running Alone” speaks more to their immeasurable contributions to my race.  I am eternally grateful to each of you.

-          Those who came out to cheer and support in person: Randy Hemphill, Casey Smith, Jennifer Smith, Jeff Roberts and Will Harris. 

-          All who texted, called, emailed and Facebooked messages of encouragement.  They were all felt.

-          My parents for keeping Luke and Anna while Sally and I were at the race.  We exhausted our sitters for this?!?!

-          Jack Bauer for keeping me company on treadmill runs with episodes of 24 on Netflix.

-          Will Harris, John Gregg, John Cobbs, Andon Briggs, Mike Chase and others who joined me on training runs the last few months.

-          Randy and Melody Hemphill – The partnership with LIFE Ministries has been a huge encouragement to me during training and leading up to the race.  Your ministry is second to none and it has been an honor to come alongside you on this journey.

-          All who have donated to LIFE Ministries through the race.

In fact, you can still donate by visiting http://runforlifenow.com/.  If you were waiting to see if I'd actually finish the race before donating, now you can! 

Run for Life - Running Alone

Below is my final devotional written for LIFE Ministries.  This one was written after the race.  You can still donate to LIFE Ministries by visiting http://runforlifenow.com/.  If you were waiting to see if I finished before donating, I did and now it's your turn!  Thank you!

November 8, 2012 – Running Alone

Done.  After months of training and preparation the Pinhoti 100 is complete.  I am very pleased with the outcome.  My first goal was to finish, but my secondary goal was to complete the course in less than 24 hours.  Before daybreak on Sunday I crossed the finish line in 23 hours and 32 minutes.  A full 28 minutes to spare.  Could have cut it closer, but not much!

The whole race experience was surreal.  It was an amazing day, with tremendous highs and painful lows.  The following is a very small sample of my thoughts throughout the day.  I promise I am not making these up.

“It’s November…why is it so hot?”

“This is going to be easy.”
“Who’s idea was this?  Oh yeah, mine.”
“Is that Jason (Friday the 13^th) behind that tree?”  Note:  Watching Halloween movies the week of an all-night trail race is not a good idea.
“If only a wild animal would attack me, leaving me alive but hurt right here on the trail, I could quit now and everyone would understand.”
“I may crash and burn, but I’m going all out the last 15 miles.”
“I think I’m going to throw up.  No, pass out.”
"Throwing up would help.  Nope, i was wrong."
“This is the longest road ever.”  (Final 3 miles was on a road leading to the finish line.)
“Wow!  This is really going to happen.”

Needless to say, if there were a way to get inside my head for the race it would have been quite entertaining.

Much of my day was spent in my own thoughts, reflecting and praying on various aspects of my life.  Sometimes I just tuned out.  I enjoy the time alone to pause and reflect, and in this case to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation at the same time.  Time alone is abundant in running, but during this race I was not alone.

I could not have completed the race without the help of my crew, pacers and the volunteers at each of the race aid stations.  My crew met me at 10 different points throughout the race and provided me with everything I needed to complete the race.  Some stops, especially early in the race, were brief and only a swap of water bottles was needed.  Later in the race more attention was necessary, and my crew and the race volunteers were there to meet every physical need while providing encouragement to get me over the mental hurdles.

A few examples.  At mile 40 I was feeling nauseous due to heat, so my crew provided me with ice to cool down.  At mile 55 they taped a bad blister that was forming on the ball of my left foot.  At mile 75, when I could barely stand, my pacer gave me various drinks/foods to help my stomach recover after it shut down.  At mile 85 the crew altered the original plan to change the types of fluids I would carry for the remaining 15 miles.  Yes, I ran my own personal race, but without the support of many people I would not have made it to the finish.  Obviously I could not have provided my own ice or blister kit, and these are just a couple small examples.  Alone I would have had access only to what I carried with me, which would have lasted only a short time.

Our Christian faith is much the same.  Our relationship with Christ is personal, but not private.  Our faith is strengthened by walking with other believers and encouraging each other along our way.  Sometimes only a little encouragement and support is needed, while other times more care and attention is required. 

Our community of believers should look very similar to my crew in this race.  My crew was finely in tune with my needs and was ready to respond and adapt.  We should do the same for our fellow Christians.  This is critical.  In fact, it is Christ’s design for the church.  John 17:21-23 includes part of Christ’s prayer for all believers, praying that all of us may be one so that the world may believe in Him.  Jesus wants us to be united together, involved in the good and bad of each other’s lives.  This is so different than what we’re accustomed to in our self-centered and individualistic society.  We want to live like the cowboy in the western movie, walking into town tough and alone.  Christ calls us to just the opposite.  We need each other.  It is okay to acknowledge this.

No doubt, being deeply involved in the lives of other believers can be messy, very similar to treating someone else’s blister 55 miles into a race.  It may seem easier to withdraw from the headaches and isolate yourself away from others.  Don’t let the enemy take you out of the battle like that.  Encourage others, be involved, care about people’s struggles and their successes…and don’t be surprised when they do the same for you.

My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me.  May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

- John 17:20-23

Run for Life - Gearing Up for Battle

Only 4 days until the Pinhoti 100.  Below is the final devotional I wrote for LIFE Ministries.  Please consider donating to the ministry as part of the race effort.  It only takes a few moments and any amount would help the cause.  To give and for more information please visit http://runforlifenow.com/

 

October 30, 2012 – Gearing Up for Battle

A day late this week.  This weekend I had a work trip in Boston and had to stay a bit longer than expected due to the hurricane.  However, now I’m home and race week is finally here.  This week will be spent making final preparations and resting.  Excitement and nervousness are present, but in all a sense of peace has come over me the last few days.  I have had time the last few days to reflect on the training and preparation to this point.  While my training cycle has not gone exactly as planned (work schedule, sick kids, injuries, etc.), in all I am quite pleased with it.  My body is ready for the battle ahead. 

With training behind me, the focus now turns to final preparations.  I spent a lot of time the last couple days studying the course and determining the best places for my crew to meet me, where I would need additional clothing or supplies and where the biggest climbs await me.  I also spent a considerable amount of time on gear selection.

There is a part of me that wants to keep things simple in a race like this.  Take a handheld water bottle and go, relying on aid stations to provide any nutrition and refills.  However, this would not be wise.  A lot can happen over the course of 100 miles in the woods, so careful attention to the supplies needed to give me the best chance to complete the race seems like a better idea than just winging it.

The gear selection is now complete and quite detailed.  It includes essential, obvious items like shoes (Brooks Cascadias) and a headlamp for night running, as well as items that will likely not be needed, but could make a difference depending on the weather (gloves, jacket, etc.).  My crew and I have also determined what gear they will give me at various points in the race depending on the trail ahead.  For example, they will provide me with solid food (Clif bars, sandwiches) at mile 68 before the big climb up “The Pinnacle” since the pace will be slow and thus more conducive to eating substantive food.  Also, some longer sections where crew access will be restricted, such as between miles 18 and 40 and again from 68-85, they will provide me with a hydration pack with plenty of water and extra food, whereas at other stops a single water bottle will be enough to do the job.

The gear selection is intentional and designed for the battle of finishing the 100 mile race.  

As Christians, we are also in a long battle.  Knowing this is essential to fighting.  Ignoring the battle does not exempt you from it.  Ephesians 6:12 states “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Very simply, there are forces in our world that want us to fail.  Our enemy, Satan, wants us to disavow our faith, to end our marriages, to abandon our duties as parents…to just give up.    This can be tempting, especially when it gets tough and the attacks against you are relentless and sustained.  Sometimes the attacks are major (sickness, disease, divorce) while others can be subtle (general frustrations, attitude, fatigue.) However, God gives us the specific gear we need to effectively fight each individual battle.

The Armor of God is described in Ephesians 6:13-18.  If you grew up in the church, you recognize this passage from children’s church or Sunday School.  Please do not make the mistake of thinking this is a passage for kids.  Ignoring the gear that God has provided for us to fight the battle and focusing instead on our own strength would be similar to me entering this race wearing blue jeans and flip-flops and carrying milk instead of water.  The spiritual war that we face requires very specific, very intentional armor to fight effectively.  Fortunately, Christ has provided us with the armor to fight this battle. 

You are currently in a fierce battle.  Make sure you’re armed and ready.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
- Ephesians 6:10-18

Run for Life - Pain is Part of the Process

Less than two weeks to go.  Below is this week's devotional for LIFE Ministries.  For more information on the race or to sponsor LIFE through the run, please visit http://runforlifenow.com/

October 22, 2012 - Pain is Part of the Process

Less than two weeks to go.  This is what is officially called the “taper” phase of training.  Mileage decreases in order to recover from the strains of training.  Now is the time for rest, and for runners, with rest comes doubt.  Have I trained enough?  Is my body strong enough?  Am I mentally prepared?  For me, I’ve been dealing with doubts about how I will responding to how painful this race promises to be.  Having never attempted to run 100 miles before, I am unfamiliar with the amount of pain that will certainly be present during the late stages of the race.

For runners, pain and fatigue are part of the training and racing process.  In an ultramarathon, even the best and most extensive training plan will not eliminate pain and discomfort during the actual race.  The length of each race guarantees suffering.  Strangely, that’s part of the appeal.  Every ultramarathon I have run has been painful.  In races there are more times than I care to admit when I ask myself, “What in the world am I doing out here?  Wouldn’t it be easier to just go home?”

Pain is part of training also.  During this training cycle I have had various ailments, including plantar fasciitis, IT band issues and shin splints.  These issues require constant and vigilant monitoring, icing, stretching and other therapeutic measures to keep them from becoming larger issues that require more intensive treatment.  These pains, whether during the race or in training, are frustrating. 

Many people wrongly assume that being a Christian protects us from any pain and suffering.  However, God offers us no guarantees that our lives will be free from pain or tough times.  Christianity is not a free ticket to abundant health and great wealth.  Pain is part of life.  We live in a fallen world plagued by sin.  As a result we will face pain and suffering much greater than what I will face in this upcoming race. 

What is our reaction when faced with pain?  Many times it is easy to give up.  Wouldn’t it be easier if I weren’t married?  Is having all this responsibility really fair to me?  Did I marry the wrong person?  These questions enter our minds and if we’re not careful can overtake us.  We cannot forget that we will face trials in this life, but we are promised that through Christ we can persevere through the pain and suffering and be blessed as a result.

How do I respond to this pain when running?  In a race it’s fairly simple:  keep moving forward or quit.  The term “Embrace the Suck” is one frequently used in the endurance running community.  It is most often used by NCO's in the military referring to when an individual or a group must complete a task that is pointless, tiring, and/or lame (I realize that ‘pointless, tiring, and lame’ is exactly how many of you would describe this race, but stay with me here).  To me the phrase is very simply acknowledging that when things get tough you have to make progress despite the pain. 

The choice is much the same in our personal lives.  Address the problem directly and keep moving forward…or just quit.  The life that God intends for each of us is worth fighting for.  When it gets tough we must turn to Christ for guidance and direction, and He can see us through.

In running, some pain you can run through, while some requires you to stop and rest.  When tough times happen in our lives, some we must forge through and others require us to stop and evaluate, but in both cases through prayer and perseverance and a steadfast dedication to seeking God’s will can help us to battle through the pain to realize the glorious life that God intends for us.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.   - Isaiah 41:10

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.    - Joshua 1:9

Run for Life - Training for the Long Run

Less than 3 weeks until the Pinhoti 100 mile run.  Below is the devotion I wrote for LIFE Ministries this week.  Again, you can read about the Pinhoti 100 and get much more information and donate at www.runforlifenow.com

October 15, 2012 – Training for the Long Run

Training for a 100 mile run has proven to be very different from other races I have completed.  Training for any race ranging from 5k to a marathon consists of a good bit of “speedwork”, which is simply high intensity, shorter workouts that focus on leg speed rather than endurance.  Of course, endurance is very important, especially in a marathon, but the goal many times is to move as quickly as possible for the goal distance.  In a 5k this can be quite fast.  For me a 5k reaches the point where my heart is racing throughout the entire run and each step brings me closer to the point of passing out or puking.  Just being honest.

My training for the Pinhoti 100 has featured less speedwork and instead longer, slower, consistent efforts that last for many hours.  For example, last week I logged 97 total miles, including back-to-back 5 hour trail runs on the weekend at Oak Mountain State Park.  How many of these miles would I consider to be fast or speedwork?  Zero.  In fact, many of the miles were very slow and plodding, but the idea is to keep logging time on your feet and keep coming back for more.

As Christians, I’m afraid that most times we live our lives like a 5k…fast and focused on the short-term.  Our minds are focused on the here and now.  What it takes to get ahead in this world is more important than the eternity that God has placed in our hearts.  We live tired and overextended lives in order to get ahead and live life to the ‘fullest’, whether it is the next promotion, bigger house, fancier car, etc.  By the world’s standards, these things equal success, and it is easy to define success by the world’s criteria and believe we are winning the race.  Unfortunately we are running the wrong race and the pace is not sustainable.  Our race is much, much longer, and our mindset and hearts must reflect this reality.

A 5k is fairly fast for many runners, but the pace cannot be maintained for the long-term.  Longer races, particularly ultramarathon races, require a commitment to steady effort and constant forward progress, regardless of the pace.  Similarly, the frantic pace of our current life is exhausting and many times not focused on our long-term goal of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As human beings, we tend to focus on worldly victories like the ones mentioned above, and many times with good intentions, but these are small in comparison to the victories that God promises for running and finishing the race we should be running, which focuses on eternity. 

Very simply, you can’t run a 100 mile race on 5k or 10k training, yet many times we try to do exactly that in our daily lives.  We focus on living life to the ‘fullest’ by the world’s standards and miss focusing on the longer and larger prize of heaven and winning souls to Christ and nurturing our relationship with Christ so that we may live life to the fullest in Him. 

 "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end." -Ecclesiastes 3:11

Run for Life

With less than 4 weeks remaining until the start of the Pinhoti 100, I felt now is a good time to update you on an exciting partnership opportunity with the race.  I am pleased to announce that I will be running the race to raise awareness and financial support for LIFE Ministries, a local ministry here in Birmingham.  You can become a sponsor by going to http://runforlifenow.com/.  Lots of great info on the website and a safe, easy way to donate at the bottom of the page.  

I am running for LIFE Ministries because they are fully committed to helping people discover the freedom that can only be found in Jesus Christ.  There are many parallels between the freedom I find in running and the ultimate freedom that can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I have seen first-hand the impact that LIFE has had on many individuals and couples in their own personal adventures and journey with God.  I fervently believe that God has uniquely positioned Randy and Melody Hemphill and LIFE Ministries to help individuals and couples realize the hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

Randy at LIFE Ministries has asked me to write an update/devotional for each week leading up to the race.  Below is the first update/devotional that was sent out to their supporters and friends.

October 8, 2012 – Finishing Strong by Chris Dollar

With less than four weeks until the start of the Pinhoti 100, training continues to proceed…mostly as planned.  The miles continue to add up and I feel confident that my body is responding to the beating it is taking on a daily basis.  Before a big race I like to run a shorter race as a tune-up and to gauge overall fitness.  A couple weeks ago I ran the Georgia Jewel 35 mile trail race to see just where things stand.  Below are some thoughts about the race.

The Georgia Jewel 35 is also on the Pinhoti trail, albeit on the Georgia side, so I figured the terrain would be quite similar to the upcoming 100, making it a great training race.  The course was 17.5 miles out to the turnaround, and then 17.5 miles back on the same trail.  My strategy was to run the first half conservatively and then hopefully pick up the pace in the second half.  This is my strategy for a lot of races, but usually has mixed results.

The first hour of the run was before sunrise, and began with the first 1.3 miles being straight uphill.  I chose not to bring my good headlamp, and instead opted for two clip on lights purchased from Academy for $5.  Bad decision.  One never turned on and the other was quite dim.  Therefore the first hour was spent tripping over rocks and looking for the directional markers.  After many near falls (my running motion probably looked like a toddler), a near wrong turn, and not drinking enough water due to the focus on the trail, the sun came up and the lack of light was no longer a factor. 

Skip ahead to the turnaround.  At mile 17.5 I made it to the turnaround aid station and was in 13^th place overall and felt good to have half of the race behind me.  I took a bit of time here to hydrate and gather supplies for the return trip.  Now it was time to crank it up and test the legs a bit.  My pace quickened over the second half, and my legs felt good and spirits were high.  My effort moved me up to a 5^th place finish and resulted in a negative split.

A negative split is a frequent goal of runners, as it simply means running the second half of a race faster than the first.  It is a tangible way of knowing that a runner finished strong. 

Running has many illustrations for life, and particularly life as a believer in Jesus Christ.  What does it mean to finish strong in your personal life?  As individuals there are many times when we, like in this race, are wandering around in the dark directionless and without light.  Sometimes we feel like every step is uphill.  Many of us have taken the wrong turns of bad decisions or find ourselves being repeatedly tripped up by the consequences of those decisions or sometimes simply by forces outside of our control.  Despite these obstacles we can still finish strong.

The turnaround for the race was a mile marker, but for us the turnaround is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jesus can take the hurts from our past, heal them, and replace them with hope in Him, allowing us to live life with new joy and excitement.

What does this look like for us?  Turn your past, regardless of how ugly, over to Jesus, and from this point forward make it your goal to finish strong with Him by your side.  Maybe it’s in your marriage, family, career or relationships.  Let Jesus be the turnaround and from there finish strong with Him.  

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

Matthew 11:28

Again, the website to sponsor or learn more is below: 
http://runforlifenow.com/

A Perfect End to the Year

To put it mildly, 2011 was a roller coaster year of running.  Despite the highs and lows, the year ended on a very high note with three outings in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina over a two day period.  Each outing got better and better.

Friday, December 30, 2011

For a couple years it has been a goal of mine to run to the summit of Mt. LeConte, located at 6,593 feet in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  For a variety of reasons this had not yet happened, so I set Friday as the day.  The weather had been quite warm in the Smokies, making a running ascent possible this early in the winter.  Looking out at Mt. LeConte from my parent’s cabin it appeared that the mountain was free of snow and ice.  I would quickly discover on Friday morning that this was incorrect.

I opted to take the Rainbow Falls trail 6.5 miles to the summit of Mt. LeConte due to its close proximity to the cabin, allowing me extra time on the trails rather than in transit to the trailhead.  Plus, seeing Rainbow Falls has also been on my checklist.  My “run” began at 5:45 a.m. by light of my headlamp.  For almost two hours I climbed in the dark.  I passed Rainbow Falls early in the run, but could only hear it.  The solitude and absolute quiet in the pre-dawn woods was peaceful and very enjoyable.  Occasionally the trail would open up to views of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge below, and it was awesome to see the lights of the city fade smaller and smaller as I climbed.  After two miles snow and ice began to appear on the trail.  At first it was just in spots, but as I climbed it became quickly apparent that footing would be a real issue for the remainder of the run.  I fell at least a half dozen times and almost fell countless others.  Sounds frustrating, but it was actually quite comical and I laughed each time.  When Luke falls at the house he quickly pops up and says “I’m okay,” so I did the same each time, even though no one was around to hear my proclamation of non-injury.  Talking to myself is a favorite pastime of mine.

The sun appeared around 7:45 a.m. and I was finally able to get a real view of my surroundings.  Snow covered the mountains and the scenery was breathtaking…or was that the change in elevation?  Hard to say.  I completed the final climb to Mt. LeConte and arrived at the lodge a bit after 8:00.  The summit and lodge area was completely covered in snow and the temperature was easily in the low 20s, if not lower.  I lingered up top for a bit, snapped a few pictures and then proceeded back down the trail.  The descent was faster, but the ice/snow made it really tricky.  I managed to make it back to the trailhead in one piece, stopping only to get a good look at Rainbow Falls, which was beautiful.  I finally saw the first people two miles from the trailhead and over three hours into my journey.  I did stop briefly to ask a hiker to take a picture of me, and he seemed confused when I told him I had already been to LeConte and back.  I thought nothing of it, as looks of confusion are frequently directed at me in all areas, not just running.

This outing was amazing and I had a blast navigating the icy trails.  My GPS registered 12,667 feet of elevation change in 12.5 miles, an average of over 1,000 feet of elevation change/mile.  Explains my slow pace!

 

Saturday Morning, December 31, 2011

I was tired on Saturday morning after Friday’s run and an afternoon at Dollywood with the family and almost decided to bail on Saturday’s run.  I’m glad I chose to get up.  As good as Friday’s run was, Saturday’s was better!  I started at the same trailhead at 6:45 a.m. and took the Trillium Gap Trail to Brushy Mountain at just under 5,000 feet.  The climb was still rough, but not as bad as Friday’s, so the run seemed fast by comparison.  After Friday’s slow crawl up Mt. LeConte, Saturday’s climb seemed like 5k pace.  Only an hour of darkness on Saturday morning led me to Grotto Falls as the sun was beginning to rise.  Grotto Falls was spectacular.  The trail leads under the falls, which is a neat feature.  Rainbow Falls was majestic, Grotto was peaceful.  Two very different falls, but each one unique and beautiful.  The trail was relatively ice/snow free, which made the ascent much quicker.  At mile 5 the trail met up with the Brushy Mountain Trail, and after a short climb I reached the top of Brushy Mountain, an overgrown brush area with amazing views of Mt. LeConte and the entire Smoky Mountain ridge.  The sun was rising over the mountains and the views were inspiring.  I stayed here for several minutes before returning back down the trail to end Saturday’s run.

The views from Brushy Mountain far surpassed any from the summit of Mt. LeConte.  Hard to even describe the beauty of this part of the park.  Saturday morning’s total was 8,794 feet of elevation change in 11 miles, an average of almost 800 feet of elevation change/mile.  A ton of climbing, but seemed flat compared to Friday.

Saturday Afternoon, December 31, 2011

So, Saturday morning’s run was more enjoyable than Friday’s, but the best outing was still to come.  After lunch Sally and I loaded up Luke and Anna and made the drive from the cabin to Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.  Over eight years ago I proposed to Sally from the top of Max Patch Bald and we decided to return with the kids.  The area is accessible by taking a forest road off of I-40 and then hiking approximately ½ mile up to the bald, which is a clearing located at 4,700 feet with 360 degree views of the mountains.  There may be a better view in the Eastern U.S., but I am not aware of one.

Luke was excited about climbing his first mountain and Anna was excited about eating fruit snacks at the top.  They both did great making their way up the hill and Luke did the whole climb and descent by himself.  At one point on the climb a couple passed us and Luke sped up saying “I have to pass them!”  I explained that it wasn’t a race, to which he simply replied “Yes it is.”  Who am I to argue?  He even celebrated with a GU at the top.

For me this outing was the highlight of our trip and a great way to close out 2011.  Being in the mountains with my family right where Sally agreed to marry me was very special.

Verse:  "For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.  In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.  The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land."  -Psalm 95:3-5