Return to Piney River Trail

Today, after an invitation by the SNAKE, the Chattanoooga animals came to Rhea County to run the Piney River section of the Cumberland trail. A quick meeting in the strip mall in Spring City and a quick pit stop at the local convienience store, we were off to the trail head. It was a brisk 38 degrees at the start. It was close to 09:30 by the time we got into the woods. We had decided that, since everyone either had a race next weekend or hadn't done the distance (about 20 miles) that we would take it easy and enjoy the scenery along the way.
I had hoped that the Fall colors would be brighter, but had to settle for a middle of the road color display. The water flowing on Piney is not as spectacular as during wet season. Due to the current draught, the streams are a babble instead of a roar. Two weeks ago, it was a trickle, there is hope.
The group was impressed with the 100 ft suspension bridge and the deep water pools along this very wide "river". Most people would call it a creek but whatever rules apply to creek /river, this is called a river.Hydration was not a problem, everyone carried enough water except me. I got my water out of the stream, purified of course.
We made the halfway point with plenty of energy. These Chattanooga animals are well trained and smart when it comes to hydration/ nutrition. They have an advantage, to have a group who will run together, motivate and learn from each other. I wish I could train more with them. They have a Wednesday night and a Sunday run. They support each other and encourage everyone to develope to their potential.
We reached the top in about 2:19 with the old Garmin reading 8.3 miles. The maps say it's 10 miles. This section climbs 1000 ft but gradual. You hardly notice that you are climbing. I had stashed some power bars, Little Debbie Fig bars, Reeses PB cups and Coke. Most of these folks are very health conscience, but I think they were glad to see the Coke and candy. These people run Triathalons, and shorter races. They may not be accustomed to eating junk for fuel on longer runs. We took what we needed from the SNAKE's CARE package and headed back down the mountain. This should be quicker, since it is down the mountain. We cruised through the trails that was covered in freshly dropped leaves. As the Sun danced in and out through the leaves, it made it difficult to see the rocks and roots hidden. A toe catcher will put you on your face quicker than anything. At this point in a run, a trip can also put your legs into a cramp that will take a Physical Therapist a week to get you out of.
We passed a road where someone field dressed a deer (probably illegally) just as Dreama was eating a GU, yummy!! I have ran this section many times, but on this day I thought that it was uphill both ways. As we neared the end, the group separated slightly. The temperatures by this time was rising. I think everyone was ready to see the end of the trail. What was that in the distance? Noise from the highway, we were getting closer. Finally out of the woods. There my wife Judy was waiting with some of SNAKE's homemade barbecue.
Just my luck, 3 of the runners were vegetarians. I should have taken a poll before hand, I had some Soy burgers I could have cooked. None the less, they seemed to enjoy Judy's slaw on a hamburger bun. The meat eaters ate a couple of barbecue sandwiches. The Sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky, but after a long run and being sweat soaked, the wind was cool. I enjoyed hosting the run and hope the Chattanooga animals will come back.
A Large time was had by all!

Historic Bridgeport , Alabama

Once again, I was visiting my sister in Bridgeport, Alabama this weekend. I decided to run to downtown Bridgeport, to take a look around and see how it has changed over the years. I started my journey at a relaxed, easy pace, no GPS, no IPOD just my trusty Timex. I had no time goals or distance in mind. I was out for a sight seeing tour. With the price of gas these days, it really is a blessing to be able to run places. I not only get to see places close up, but I can stop and walk anytime I want. I have been giving it a lot of thought this weekend, I run in the mountains to see beautiful scenery, but why not go to historic places and sight see while getting a training run in.
I started down Lloyd road, up over some good hills. One thing about Bridgeport, it has some good hills to run. I crossed the main intersection at the traffic light. This used to be the main drag to South Pittsburg, now after the new 72, the traffic is slow. I headed down the narrow bridge, down the hill toward Charlie Smith field. This baseball field was named after one of my distant relatives, Mr. Charlie Smith who was a great supporter of kids and sports in and around Bridgeport. I cut up the hill at 7th street. The hill seemed steeper when I was a kid. Another left put me on Main Street going downtown. As I ran down the sidewalks, all the stores were abandoned. Very much like what I described about Stevenson in an earlier blog. I passed by the barber shop where Virgil and Grady Adams cut my hair (when I was younger and even had hair). On up the street, there was the building where my Uncle Wes Lyda and his wife Grace ran a hardware store back in the 60's. The old J. R. Loyd building is still standing and the sign on the side has been restored. It reads that it was established in 1865. Next to that was the space were the large gas explosion back in the 90's killed and injured several of Bridgeport's citizens, who were working on the street outside the building. I believe that they hit a gasline and gas filled the building while everyone was gone to lunch. When they came back, the gas ignited. It was a great loss to Bridgeport.
I headed up the street, I think the name is Kilpatrick Way. It always had several old houses, built in the late 1800's. The houses looked better than when I was a kid. The folks have really taken care of them. One thing I noticed about the streets of Bridgeport, they were quiet and sleepy. Even though the main town has moved towards the new highway, the people here can enjoy the peace of a small sleepy town. It hasn't changed.
I turned across the bridge towards the Old High school, I paused and walked across the football field where I played my first competitive game against Bridgeport. We lost 6-0. I remembered back in the 60's when we would come here on Thanksgiving Day to watch the ever fierce rival game between the Bridgeport Tigers and Stevenson Panthers. That was the days when it seemed like the weather was colder, gray and games were played during the day.
I headed on down the road and made another turn that took me back under the railroad trestle and back in town. Like I had said, I had no plan or route picked out. I headed north towards Battery hill. No tour of B'port would be complete without cruising around the bluff and seeing the Tennessee River. On Battery Hill, there are also old houses and a lot of Civil war history. During the war, this was an important lookout point along with artillery. As I got to the point, even with the trees and undergrowth, you can see why it was so important. On one point, you can see up and down the river for miles. To the north, I could see the blue bridge in South Pittsburg. From this vantage point, any travel on the river did not go unnoticed.
I cruised down the hill back though town. I made turns randomly, exploring. Ran the the way I felt. Freedom of choice. I came back up the street and came up the hill behind the Charlie Smith field. I stood in front of the Bridgeport Head start building. Here once stood a hospital. In fact, the very hospital where I came into this world. I thought of the full circle and what a view I must have had here when they carried me out to my Grandfather's 55 Chevy to come home. I wish i could have remembered.
By this time, I started to work my way back towards my sister's house. Retraced some of my earlier tracks. Made the round trip in about an hour. Great freedom run, lots of memories. I found a phillips head screwdriver, made the full circle from my birth, saw some historical places. I think the screwdriver probably paid for the wear and tear on my shoes.
Even if you don't/can't run, I think that everyone who is capable should take a few weekends to go and walk around some of our historic places. It saves gas, you'll enjoy it more and you'll get a little exercise in the process. Today, we all have forgotten when entertainment was visiting friends, family and going for a picnic, going sightseeing. Now we do everything online and never leave the house. Let's save that until we can't get out and see it ourselves.

Keep Exploring Life!!!

The Next Season Beginning

Every runner has a time in the year when their serious training and focus begins. Today was mine. When I was a young lad, living in Stevenson , AL my season began in the Spring. I remember the first runs in March. How the lungs burned, the Quads ached. By the end of the Summer, my 10k times were where I wanted them. Low 40's. As the years have creeped up on me, my body and attitude have changed.
Now the hot weather takes a toll on me. I no longer look forward to the long grueling runs in the heat. I now look forward to the long runs in the cold biting cold of winter.
Today, I ran a long trail run with a friend I have worked with for over 5 years. He has run races up to the marathon distance over the years but, recently he was working towards the half marathon distance. This past week, I saw him at work and after exchanging some stories about a recent race had had done, we decided to run a training run this weekend. He was only trained up to about a 12 miler but with a little encouragement, I talked him into a 20 mile training run.
My plan was simple, we would go out as slow as we could, stop and hydrate and eat as often as we needed to make sure he ( we) would be successful. We started the day with coffee at Mickey-D's. We dropped his car at the top of the mountain we were running, so we would have the option to quit after 10 miles.
He brought along all three of his "babies" to run with us. He has 3 beautiful Ridgeback dogs. These dogs apparently come from Africa and have a distinctive raised ridge of hair on their backs. They are not good swimmers. I will elaborate later.
We started our day at 08:00 as the sun was coming up. My goal was two fold. Get in a 20 mile training run (something I haven't had in over 2 months, which I need for the upcoming 50 miler in November) and get my friend through a 20 miler. The trail is fairly technical ( rocky, lots of roots, etc).
We started slow with no time limits on our run. We stopped several times to purify water, and eat and allow the dogs to drink and cool. The dogs probably ran 30 miles with all the run ahead and come back. By the end of the run, they were content to follow us. We ran them into the ground.
Were took an extra longer time to reach the halfway point because of running very conservatively and allowing the dogs drink and cool. I also wanted to gauge how my friend would adapt to running on trails for such a long distance. He is a tough nut and I am encouraging him to pursue running ultra distances. I think he is capable of doing the long distances.
The run was very invigorating for me, because I was sharing my limited experience with him. I needed this run to reinforce that I can still run longer distances, even though it has been since August 9 that I had run any distance to speak of. I keep telling myself that distance is run in your head, not on your legs.
The run back down the mountain was more fun and faster than the run up. When we got to a long suspension bridge about 4 miles from the end, one of the dogs had a problem swimming across the creek. It appeared that he would drown. Ron, my friend told me that Ridgebacks are not very good swimmers. Two of the trio did ok but I had to talk Bo across a stretch of creek where he could walk across.
We cruised through the last 4 miles without a hitch, except for the fact that I stumped my little toe on a rock. You remember the one I hurt on my stair incident. It brought on a new pain in the foot resembling when I first injured it. After icing it tonight, it is OK.
We met some older folks hiking at about 2.5 miles from the end and they asked us how far it was from the bridge. We told them about 1 mile, they seemed like it was an impossible task for them to make it and was talking it over whether to proceed. I didn't want to discourage them, but I only told them the truth. They were about 2.7 miles onto the trail. These folks were into their 70's and 80's. I admire their determination to get that far. This is not an easy trail. I hope that they went on to their goal and made it out safe. I hope when I hit 70-80, I will still be able to hike and explore life.
As for my friend, He made the 20 miles with ease. I hope I can convert him into the dark world of running past what is accepted as normal running.

I must build on this run for the coming running season. As you age, you can never rest or take anything for granted.

I have always said. Mother Nature has taken care of you for the first 25 years. Then one day, She says alright, you are on your own.

Then comes the weight gain, the stiffness and the soreness. It is a constant battle. I know I will lose it, but when I die I want to slide in sideways to the grave and say " Man what a ride".