Loop Map & More Info
Well I was sore as a dog and thinking seriously about leaving the ankle weights in the Jeep. I couldn't tell if I was feeling bad from having exercised too much yesterday or if I was feeling bad because I was coming down with something. After my energy pills and a gallon of coffee kicked in on the drive to the North Trailhead I had decided that I could run once more with the ankle weights.
Today it was really warm at 46 degrees and I didn't even wear my jacket. I had also gone from insulated running pants yesterday to non-insulated today. I was a little chilly when we first started up the CCC road but by the time we reached the Red/Blue connector that we had come down yesterday my internal heater had kicked in and I was sufficiently warm.
We hung a left up the Red/Blue connector and for some reason it just didn't seem as bad as the first hill the day before. Maybe I had warmed up and my muscles could handle it better or maybe the hill wasn't straight up the side of the mountain but gave us some switchbacks to work with. In any event we were soon coming to the Blue trail. However right at the top the switchbacks quit and we went straight up to the Blue trail.
Richard didn't stop at the intersection today though but simply turned right and continued on up the Blue trail. Did you notice that I said up? However we were quickly to the top and proceeded to drop off down into Gum Hollow. I asked Richard why it was named such and he said he thought it was because of all of the Sweet Gum trees that grew in the bottom of the hollow.
The trail had basically been turned into a stream from all of the runoff and we had to step over and around puddles of water as we made our way up Gum Hollow. It seemed the trail down there was constantly changing. We hung a right after a bit though and started back up a mountain to reach the final top of the mountain that the Blue Trail runs along.
We took a moment at the top to gather our wits which didn't take long as there wasn't much to gather and then we were off along the ridge of the mountain following the Blue Trail. This is probably my favorite part of any trail in Oak Mountain park. It is very scenic and has lots of views of mountains and valleys, rock outcroppings, and the trail is constantly changing. We had a nice little jaunt along the top of the mountain and were soon at the second Red/Blue connector that would take us back to the Red Trail, aka, CCC Road.
We could see the CCC road from the Blue trail so in a matter of minutes we were on the CCC road and jogging back to the North Trailhead. The pace was nice and comfortable and Richard and I were talking about all things. Also, a few times we had to cross the creek that flowed down and around the CCC road.
What with the talking and the crossing, the next thing I knew, we were coming around a bend and there was my Jeep. This run definitely seemed to go easier and quicker than the last run even though they were relatively the same distance. We went around the gate and another loop run was history.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Loop 18 Clockwise
Loop Map & More Info
I have been reading a lot of Dean Koontz lately and he has a really good opening sentence in his book, Dragon Tears. If I was to borrow it and use it here it would go something like this.
Wednesday was a fine Alabama day, full of sunshine and promise, until I had to go up the Blue Trail with 5 lb ankle weights on. Ok, so my misery was of my own making. I thought I should up the ante and make it a little harder on my self since I am supposed to be younger and in better shape than Richard. Where that hair brained idea came from I am not sure.
We went through the gate at the North Trailhead and immediately turned to the left and started up the first of four nasty hills on the first section of the Blue Trail. I'm sorry. Did I say hills? I meant to say small mountains. That first climb was a doozey. To make it worse there wasn't any small talk between Richard and I because neither one of us had any breath left with which to talk.
We made it to the top of the first one and Richard said, "Only three more to go." Now that made my day. NOT! We were able to jog very little and talk very little as we went across to the next small mountain and then there was no jogging or talking. Only walking and breathing.
In the 40 degree weather I quickly warmed up and came out of my jacket. I already had one less layer on top than I had the day before and I didn't have my gloves or my ear muffs on. It was still very hot.
We reached the red/blue connector and took about a 2 minute break to bring our breathing back into a semi normal state. We then proceeded down the red/blue connector. Oh how nice it was to be going down. The ankle weights did add a little extra to even that though.
We hit the red trail and hung a left back up to the yellow/red connector. We hung a right on it and avoided the same water holes and crossed the same streams that we had yesterday. They were still there. However this time we kept to the White Trail back to the North Trailhead instead of hanging a left on the cabins trail. The White Trail was a good little distance of jogging and the ankle weights were starting to take their toll. My thighs were beginning to burn and wanted to just shut down.
I tried to put it out of my mind and just focus on Richard running ahead of me. Once, I realized that I was lost in my own thoughts and in the process had slowed down. As a result Richard had gotten a little distance out front. I had to suck it up for a little bit and catch up.
Soon we came back out onto the CCC road and I could see my Jeep across the highway. It was a sight for exhausted thighs. And another loop was done.
I have been reading a lot of Dean Koontz lately and he has a really good opening sentence in his book, Dragon Tears. If I was to borrow it and use it here it would go something like this.
Wednesday was a fine Alabama day, full of sunshine and promise, until I had to go up the Blue Trail with 5 lb ankle weights on. Ok, so my misery was of my own making. I thought I should up the ante and make it a little harder on my self since I am supposed to be younger and in better shape than Richard. Where that hair brained idea came from I am not sure.
We went through the gate at the North Trailhead and immediately turned to the left and started up the first of four nasty hills on the first section of the Blue Trail. I'm sorry. Did I say hills? I meant to say small mountains. That first climb was a doozey. To make it worse there wasn't any small talk between Richard and I because neither one of us had any breath left with which to talk.
We made it to the top of the first one and Richard said, "Only three more to go." Now that made my day. NOT! We were able to jog very little and talk very little as we went across to the next small mountain and then there was no jogging or talking. Only walking and breathing.
In the 40 degree weather I quickly warmed up and came out of my jacket. I already had one less layer on top than I had the day before and I didn't have my gloves or my ear muffs on. It was still very hot.
We reached the red/blue connector and took about a 2 minute break to bring our breathing back into a semi normal state. We then proceeded down the red/blue connector. Oh how nice it was to be going down. The ankle weights did add a little extra to even that though.
We hit the red trail and hung a left back up to the yellow/red connector. We hung a right on it and avoided the same water holes and crossed the same streams that we had yesterday. They were still there. However this time we kept to the White Trail back to the North Trailhead instead of hanging a left on the cabins trail. The White Trail was a good little distance of jogging and the ankle weights were starting to take their toll. My thighs were beginning to burn and wanted to just shut down.
I tried to put it out of my mind and just focus on Richard running ahead of me. Once, I realized that I was lost in my own thoughts and in the process had slowed down. As a result Richard had gotten a little distance out front. I had to suck it up for a little bit and catch up.
Soon we came back out onto the CCC road and I could see my Jeep across the highway. It was a sight for exhausted thighs. And another loop was done.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Loop 19 Clockwise
Loop Map & More Info
28 is probably a good number by itself but when put in context with degrees and 6:20 am, its goodness quickly becomes a memory. Our only saving grace was that it hadn't rained in several days and the Red-Yellow connector was semi-dry and all streams were crossable without having to remove shoes.
Even with it only being the second day to have run in a long time it was still easier than the first day. For some reason I didn't seem to be as cold and there appeared to be a little bit of a spring in my step. However my stomach and back reminded me that I had swung a 12 lb maul way too much over the weekend while splitting wood. Nothing like a little jarring from running for a few sore muscles to make you realize just how alive you are by jump starting several nerves you didn't know were there.
We were up the CCC road and hanging a right on the Red-Yellow connector before I could believe it. Of course good conversation with Richard helps to pass the time while our shoes eat up the miles. The Red-Yellow connector had a few wet spots but we were able to skirt them and they only slowed us for a tad bit. We hopped and skipped over the same stream a couple of times and wound up back at the cabins.
This time we hung a right and headed back up to the main drive. Now that doesn't seem to be much of an incline when you go up it in your vehicle, but my body doesn't run on gasoline and it was starting to whine. I kept up the conversation with Richard and kept up the pace and pretty soon hit the main road.
We jogged a bit, walked up hill a bit and jogged on to the camping road. We took a left up a calf punisher of a hill. A golf ball lieing on the side of the road saved us. We were too busy cracking jokes about what a swing that guy must have that we had reached the top of the hill and avoided a car pulling out of the trash bins before we knew it.
We jogged a little ways down the hill and then took a right up the trail that is so step they installed steps. My calves were beginning to think this was a sick joke and had quit laughing. In fact, I couldn't hear any laughter over the heavy labor of trying to breath frigid air, wipe a running nose, push bush limbs out of the way and avoid slipping down on the loose pine straw.
We crested the hill and slipped on down the trail to the bridge over the creek. A few more steps and we were into the North Trailhead parking lot 3 minutes ahead of the counter clockwise route. Of course it was wetter then. I was feeling good though and felt that I could have gone at least another 100 yards. The sun was coming up though and it was time to go back to standing on my head.
28 is probably a good number by itself but when put in context with degrees and 6:20 am, its goodness quickly becomes a memory. Our only saving grace was that it hadn't rained in several days and the Red-Yellow connector was semi-dry and all streams were crossable without having to remove shoes.
Even with it only being the second day to have run in a long time it was still easier than the first day. For some reason I didn't seem to be as cold and there appeared to be a little bit of a spring in my step. However my stomach and back reminded me that I had swung a 12 lb maul way too much over the weekend while splitting wood. Nothing like a little jarring from running for a few sore muscles to make you realize just how alive you are by jump starting several nerves you didn't know were there.
We were up the CCC road and hanging a right on the Red-Yellow connector before I could believe it. Of course good conversation with Richard helps to pass the time while our shoes eat up the miles. The Red-Yellow connector had a few wet spots but we were able to skirt them and they only slowed us for a tad bit. We hopped and skipped over the same stream a couple of times and wound up back at the cabins.
This time we hung a right and headed back up to the main drive. Now that doesn't seem to be much of an incline when you go up it in your vehicle, but my body doesn't run on gasoline and it was starting to whine. I kept up the conversation with Richard and kept up the pace and pretty soon hit the main road.
We jogged a bit, walked up hill a bit and jogged on to the camping road. We took a left up a calf punisher of a hill. A golf ball lieing on the side of the road saved us. We were too busy cracking jokes about what a swing that guy must have that we had reached the top of the hill and avoided a car pulling out of the trash bins before we knew it.
We jogged a little ways down the hill and then took a right up the trail that is so step they installed steps. My calves were beginning to think this was a sick joke and had quit laughing. In fact, I couldn't hear any laughter over the heavy labor of trying to breath frigid air, wipe a running nose, push bush limbs out of the way and avoid slipping down on the loose pine straw.
We crested the hill and slipped on down the trail to the bridge over the creek. A few more steps and we were into the North Trailhead parking lot 3 minutes ahead of the counter clockwise route. Of course it was wetter then. I was feeling good though and felt that I could have gone at least another 100 yards. The sun was coming up though and it was time to go back to standing on my head.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Loop 20 Clockwise
Loop Map & More Info
Well it was good to get back to running. It was very cold at 31 degrees but the sky was clear and the wind was still. It was so good to be back in fact that I got to the North Trailhead about 5 minutes before Richard did. I had my ear muffs, gloves and jacket all on and ready to go when he drove up. I did a little stretching and some jumping up and down like I had ants in my pants while he was getting ready. Then we were off on the White Trail in the early morning like two turkey hunters running late and hurrying to get to their setup spot before the boss gobbler flew down.
I very quickly saw that the previous rains had done some serious washing. There was sand washed down to the lower elevations in large quantities and piled up against debris like Granny's mashed potatoes piled up next to your black-eyed peas. As we started up the first, and possibly only, large hill on the White Trail, the destructive nature of lots of swiftly running water was very evident in the exposed roots and channel down the middle of the trail.
The first trail got my heart rate up and then we broke into a run as the trail leveled out into an optimum grade for running. Richard was doing much better and was setting a very good pace. We chatted about work, running and other things as we passed along the White Trail and took the Cabin trail to the right. I almost immediately proceeded to stub my big right toe on a small stump sticking up in the middle of the trail. The only funny thing about that was that I had threatened to come in there with my axe and cut that stump out last year. Now I wish I had as a year away from the trails caused me to get forgetful and careless.
So I hobbled along with Richard to the cabins. We ran through the parking lot and on down to the side of Tranquility lake. The reason for it's name was very apparent this morning. The water was as still as a sleeping baby and the top was as slick as glass. I saw two fish strikes and the ripples seemed to go on forever as there wasn't anything to interupt them. At this point we took a quick break to strip off our jackets, muffs and gloves. Our core body temperature was cranking up and making itself evident on the outside.
We then went on past the dam and was made aware of the recent rain again as there was a fair amount of water flowing over the spill way. The six wood ducks in front of the dam didn't seem concerned that they might go the way of the water over the spill way. Richard and I went on our way to the water treatment plant, past the BMX track and by the field where I had camped with the Scouts during the fishing tournament.
We took a break at the gate to John Findley drive in order for Richard to remove a rock from his shoe. I later told Holly that I had kicked it into his shoe so I could take a break. He thought that was rather humorous. With both shoes on and almost breathing regular again, we hit the main road for the final push back to the vehicles that I could now hear calling my name.
My strength and breathing had been fine during the whole run but now my being off for so long was beginning to tell in my endurance. My body was beginning to tell my brain that enough was enough. However since my brain has this thing about being in charge it wasn't listening to my body and kept the nerve impulses firing to drive it on down the road one pounding foot step after another.
We started down the final hill and Richard kicked up the pace a little. I don't know if it was because we were going downhill or because we were almost to the vehicles and he was as anxious to get there as I was. We hit the bottom of the hill moving all out and to me it was like having cold water thrown on me. There were the vehicles but they were way down at the end of the straight stretch.
Coming down the hill on a bicyle at 30 mph it doesn't take long to get to the North Trailhead. At our running pace this morning it seemed to take forever to reach the cross walk and for Richard to press the stop button on his stop watch to indicate that this loop run was over and final. CLICK! The button was pushed and another run could be written up in my blog.
Well it was good to get back to running. It was very cold at 31 degrees but the sky was clear and the wind was still. It was so good to be back in fact that I got to the North Trailhead about 5 minutes before Richard did. I had my ear muffs, gloves and jacket all on and ready to go when he drove up. I did a little stretching and some jumping up and down like I had ants in my pants while he was getting ready. Then we were off on the White Trail in the early morning like two turkey hunters running late and hurrying to get to their setup spot before the boss gobbler flew down.
I very quickly saw that the previous rains had done some serious washing. There was sand washed down to the lower elevations in large quantities and piled up against debris like Granny's mashed potatoes piled up next to your black-eyed peas. As we started up the first, and possibly only, large hill on the White Trail, the destructive nature of lots of swiftly running water was very evident in the exposed roots and channel down the middle of the trail.
The first trail got my heart rate up and then we broke into a run as the trail leveled out into an optimum grade for running. Richard was doing much better and was setting a very good pace. We chatted about work, running and other things as we passed along the White Trail and took the Cabin trail to the right. I almost immediately proceeded to stub my big right toe on a small stump sticking up in the middle of the trail. The only funny thing about that was that I had threatened to come in there with my axe and cut that stump out last year. Now I wish I had as a year away from the trails caused me to get forgetful and careless.
So I hobbled along with Richard to the cabins. We ran through the parking lot and on down to the side of Tranquility lake. The reason for it's name was very apparent this morning. The water was as still as a sleeping baby and the top was as slick as glass. I saw two fish strikes and the ripples seemed to go on forever as there wasn't anything to interupt them. At this point we took a quick break to strip off our jackets, muffs and gloves. Our core body temperature was cranking up and making itself evident on the outside.
We then went on past the dam and was made aware of the recent rain again as there was a fair amount of water flowing over the spill way. The six wood ducks in front of the dam didn't seem concerned that they might go the way of the water over the spill way. Richard and I went on our way to the water treatment plant, past the BMX track and by the field where I had camped with the Scouts during the fishing tournament.
We took a break at the gate to John Findley drive in order for Richard to remove a rock from his shoe. I later told Holly that I had kicked it into his shoe so I could take a break. He thought that was rather humorous. With both shoes on and almost breathing regular again, we hit the main road for the final push back to the vehicles that I could now hear calling my name.
My strength and breathing had been fine during the whole run but now my being off for so long was beginning to tell in my endurance. My body was beginning to tell my brain that enough was enough. However since my brain has this thing about being in charge it wasn't listening to my body and kept the nerve impulses firing to drive it on down the road one pounding foot step after another.
We started down the final hill and Richard kicked up the pace a little. I don't know if it was because we were going downhill or because we were almost to the vehicles and he was as anxious to get there as I was. We hit the bottom of the hill moving all out and to me it was like having cold water thrown on me. There were the vehicles but they were way down at the end of the straight stretch.
Coming down the hill on a bicyle at 30 mph it doesn't take long to get to the North Trailhead. At our running pace this morning it seemed to take forever to reach the cross walk and for Richard to press the stop button on his stop watch to indicate that this loop run was over and final. CLICK! The button was pushed and another run could be written up in my blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)