What a weekend. 8 hours of driving from Blacksburg: destination-Mt Cheaha 50k! Once again, it was an escape from the dismal Virginia winter to soft, pine needle-filled trails in 60 degree sunny weather. This was my 3rd year running this race, and it never disappoints. As always, we slept right on the Pinhoti trail near the start line, basking in the moonlight and the cushy pine needles. I have no idea why nobody else in the entire race decides to do this. Instead they all stay..somewhere? and drive an hour to the start in the morning. Why? Our idea is perfect.
So the race starts with the classic “sweet home Alabama” from the speakers and off we go. The goal this year was to just gun it from the start and just have fun. And rage. And rage I did. And fun I had. This course is amazing. Just soft singletrack winding through the mountains of northern Alabama. At mile 3, there is an infamous train track crossing, where a couple years ago the leaders had to wait for a train for 10 minutes, pretty much restarting the race at mile 3. This year, I burst out of the woods and there it was, the big steaming metal blockade. I was pissed. But then it just passed (how lucky) and it was fine. The rest of the day passed entirely without incident. The trail pulled me along happily, the streams sparkled, the rocks and moss gazed at me with no intent to harm. All I did was stand there and somehow the trail moved my legs along.
So the race starts with the classic “sweet home Alabama” from the speakers and off we go. The goal this year was to just gun it from the start and just have fun. And rage. And rage I did. And fun I had. This course is amazing. Just soft singletrack winding through the mountains of northern Alabama. At mile 3, there is an infamous train track crossing, where a couple years ago the leaders had to wait for a train for 10 minutes, pretty much restarting the race at mile 3. This year, I burst out of the woods and there it was, the big steaming metal blockade. I was pissed. But then it just passed (how lucky) and it was fine. The rest of the day passed entirely without incident. The trail pulled me along happily, the streams sparkled, the rocks and moss gazed at me with no intent to harm. All I did was stand there and somehow the trail moved my legs along.
Up and down and through the mega creek crossings (the rivers were huge this year). I felt so good, I ate, I looked around and thoroughly enjoyed it. The race ends up the only big climb of the day, a 1 mile, 1200 ft push called Blue Hell, up to Mt. Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama! Apparently somebody killed their girlfriend here late 2015, Alabama’s weird. Anyways, I felt so strong up Blue Hell this year, hiking strong and running the last (new) section the 2 miles to the end. This added another mile or so to the course than in previous years. I crossed the line in 4:18 and change, first place and very similar to last year. But I ran way better than last year. I stayed consistent, strong, relaxed, never really pushed that hard. At the end of a 90 mile week, running such a strong training race made my confidence soar.
Todd Henderson is a world class race director and I’ll definitely be back again. The ultra community in the south is pretty cool, everyone is insanely nice and has a lot o fun. And when the 2nd place guy came up to the finish in Converse sneakers, gym shorts and a big cotton tee, with a smile all over his face after running his first ultra, I was reminded again how fun and cool the ultrarunning community is. I love it. I took a shower in the secret bathroom and then Adrienne finished! She got 6th place in 7:09, much faster than last year and her first top ten finish. I’m proud. This race marks our 1 year anniversary! I’m proud.
Dinner at the huge sunset view from the top of Alabama. Camping on the Chinnabee Silent trail. Huge fire. Food. Conversation. More pine needles. Comfy. Fun. Waking up and running up to Cheaha a different way. 8 hour car drive back. So much fun. Cheaha, I’ll be back. Georgia Death Race is only 3 weeks away, and I couldn’t be more stoked. I’m feeling fast, strong, fit, ready to rage again. I wore Salomon Sense Pros again, my favorite shioe ever. The new ones (Sense Pro 2!!) are out, that makes me psyched. Evidently, spring break is next week and Rudy is coming and the Linville Gorge is coming and the Great Smokies are coming and the Black Mountains are coming and Georgia and Florida are coming and the Trains a’comin #seeyouinsquaw
Dinner at the huge sunset view from the top of Alabama. Camping on the Chinnabee Silent trail. Huge fire. Food. Conversation. More pine needles. Comfy. Fun. Waking up and running up to Cheaha a different way. 8 hour car drive back. So much fun. Cheaha, I’ll be back. Georgia Death Race is only 3 weeks away, and I couldn’t be more stoked. I’m feeling fast, strong, fit, ready to rage again. I wore Salomon Sense Pros again, my favorite shioe ever. The new ones (Sense Pro 2!!) are out, that makes me psyched. Evidently, spring break is next week and Rudy is coming and the Linville Gorge is coming and the Great Smokies are coming and the Black Mountains are coming and Georgia and Florida are coming and the Trains a’comin #seeyouinsquaw