836.56 miles to go…

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I’m not able to compare this trail race to others in my region, because although I’ve run the Grinder for two years in a row I’ve never run another trail race. Hmmm, mental note – time to sign up for another trail race… (New River Gorgeous, Canary In The Mine). What I can tell you, like so many outdoor events in Fayette County the vibe is always welcome and mellow. Donnie Hudspeth, the race director, putes on a spectacular event and is always supported by a strong bunch of local volunteers.

The trails are nothing short of incredible. They embody the very reason why so many of us have chosen to make the New River Gorge, WV our home. The course serves you up a spectacular variety of deep creek gorges, rhododendron tunnels, grueling climbs, extended rolling descents and views that will make you want to pause mid race to take photos.

I’m proud to say that I ranked 11th overall in the results with a time of 1:48:16.9  and an 8:16min mile pace. For Perspective Bruce Miller, the race winner, laid down a course time of 1:33:19.8 with a crushing 7:08 pace.

The best part? Bruce is a 50 year old West Virginian. I’m in the right sport when there’s that much room to improve over the years!

In the end a race isn’t really about the time, unless maybe you’re a sponsored athlete. It’s about the experience, and the Gristmill Grinder does not disappoint. If you’re looking for a half marathon trail race with amazing topography and spectacular views come on out and run the Gristmill Grinder!

842.59 miles to go…

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A misty day on the Long Point trail in the New River Gorge.

852.97 miles to go…

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~Anton Krupicka

864.43 miles to go…..

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Anton Krupicka has become one of my trail running heroes. Of course I only know him via the internet but I really associate with his philosophy which seems to be centered around the pure joy of running. Running for running sake. In an article he wrote for Running Times he references his need to “to disengage and escape, reconnect and explore” via trail running. This is in fact what brought me into the sport.

I first got interested in Krupicka’s story after stumbling across “The Runner In Winter” video, while looking for, well, winter running videos – er – last winter. At one point in the video Krupicka refers to blasting down a mountain on the return leg of his runs, and the joy that provides. I couldn’t agree more. One of my favorite runs is a 3 or 4 miles on an uphill grade which grows increasingly steeper as the run progresses. While I love the workout of the long climb I feel like a kid on the days that I turnaround at the top of the climb and put the hammer down for several miles back to the truck.

My favorite running shoe manufacturer, New Balance, sponsors him. Yet another reason I enjoy that company and their product!

873.61 miles to go…

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A small tributary near Kate’s Falls.

889.94 miles to go…

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When I think about the path that brought me to Fayetteville, West Virginia it reaffirms a a couple core beliefs of mine. The first is that we must influence our future, set goals and chase them down. In my typical yin/yang mindset is that I believe fate and destiny are strong influences in our lives that cannot, and should not be denied. We can’t achieve every goal we set but we are never lost if we continuously remain open to possibility.

If we limit our future only to the goals we can imagine how horribly due we limit our potential? I know, for a fact, that I have experienced moments that I never could have imagined. And they have helped make me who I am.

Part of that unimagined path was this little town in the south central coal fields of southern West Virginia. I live in one of the poorest states in the union, with a strained economy, weak infrastructure, challenged educational system and often dated social, cultural and environmental environment.

And I love this state with all her vices.

By the way… we ARE a state. This is West Virginia, not western Virginia. We are a state rich in natural beauty. We are a state that kindly forces you to unplug and breath. We are a state that welcomes you to visit and embraces you if you chose to stay. We are mountaineers, and as our state slogan states we will always be free.

I may not spend the rest of my life here on the edge of the New River Gorge, but I’ll never regret the time I have spent here. I never planned to be here, but by allowing possibility to unfold as it may I found my home on the country roads of West Virginia. Every step I take on these trails reminds me of why I am here, and prepares me for where ever the next steps fall.

898.54 miles to go…

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That awkward moment when paces just aren’t aligned. If we can’t laugh at ourselves we’re taking running way to seriously. Check out more videos from Runner’s Pulse.

912.54 miles to go…

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In fact even when we think we’re prepared things can happen, like the time my headlamp crapped out on me entirely. I adopted  a new tool recently that covers both back up and emergency lighting without adding another, relatively speaking, large piece of gear to carry on the trail. It’s a tiny LED flashlight just a little larger then my truck key. Both fit unnoticed  into the zipper protected key pockets of my running shorts. Plus the added bulk makes it even less likely for my key to get lost – I once caught my key sneaking it’s way out of an unzipped internal pocket about to hit the trail never to be seen again.

These little lights provide more than enough light to walk home should you find yourself caught after dark. The best news – they seem to be really easy to come by as free promotional items. I received two from my local body shop and 3 from the last tradeshow I attended. They’re also seen lurking at the register near almost every big box store in the United States.

And now for something we think you’ll really like….. Travelin’ Light by J.J. Cales, the names sake of this post about, yep, traveling lights.

924.25 miles to go…

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I believe adapting a philosophy of “what I feel like” has kept running fun and injury free (knocking on wood). It surprises me when dramatic changes come into my running experience, though, because of my casual approach. But they happen.  Recently as I passed the 350 mile mark for this year (yep, I’m way behind on my blog posts. About 130 miles or so.) I noticed a substantial change in how I perceive the trails I run.

The hills are getting smaller. Metaphorically speaking that is.

Over the past few days I’ve caught myself zoning out, from the top to bottom, on steep climbs that used to take all my stamina and dedication to run without walking. Or whining internally. After noticing that a couple times I realized that the terrain I run regularly  had gotten much less limited by distance and elevation. I’m actually starting to find it challenging to link together enough trails so as not to be essentially running laps on my distance days. Even more exciting is that a challenging hill climb has become much steeper and longer than in the past.

Yes, at this point you may be thinking – Soooo. You’re telling us that after running on a regular basis for the past 5 months you have gotten stronger and can run faster? STOP THE PRESSES Captain Obvious!

Fair enough. There’s a very logical explanation. But here’s what I’m really excited about!

1. The sport of trail running is starting to reveal itself as a multi-faceted endeavor.  I feel like a child who just realized that the world is bigger than my block, and that’s awesome, turns out there’s a whole running country out there. I can’t wait for running world!
2. More time on the trail not struggling against the physical challenges increases the emotional benefit. Now, don’t get me wrong. There’s a huge emotional benefit to pushing physical boundaries and overcoming challenges. BUT… what I love most about running is the time that I lay everything down in the dirt, stress, worries, life, and just tear up the dirt with my pup.
3. I’m re-hooked. There’s nothing like a healthy addiction. More than twice this week I rationalized why I would not run on my way home from work. Too hot… I deserve a break… I didn’t eat a good lunch…. etc. Well, between my subconscious drive and Sadie’s outward show of her love for the afternoon run I ended up hitting the trail. Every time.

If you’re out their running the trails, and maybe you’re new to the sport, stay on it! It can be daunting to hit that hill that forces you to walk day after day. But you know what? Forget it.

(the frustration, not running).

Seriously. Who cares if you walk? Who cares if it hurts? You’re not out here to beat a hill after all.

(I hope not anyway. If you are you could rent a bulldozer and make the whole thing easier.)

You’re out here to run and here’s one thing for sure. The more you do it, the easier it gets and the reason why you’re out there might just take on a whole new color.

932.53 miles to go…

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