I parked at the Cabins instead of at Tranquility Road. I had looked at too many trail definitions the night before and once I got to the park I got confused on which one we were running. I stood at the cabins and waited for Richard until I decided I better check my phone. Sure enough I had a message from Richard stating that he had started his run at Tranquility Road. So I gave him a call and turns out that he was headed my way down the Red Trail. So I took off to meet him.
I ran a portion of the Red Trail to meet Richard and was sucking air bad by the time I met him. It felt like my lungs were full of water. We ran back by the Cabins and on out to Maggie's Glen. I wondered who Maggie was as we went through the glen. We hung a right up the Yellow Trail. That is a really nice trail that I think I have only been on once before. Further up it there is Camp Site #2 that I would like to camp at one day.
We passed the camp site and arrived at the back of the lake near the old Cabins. We went around the lake and down by the Dam. At the picnic area I ran across the bridge and hung a right back up toward the Dam. Richard kept on running toward the main road to get back to his truck.
I picked up a water bottle and a Mountain Dew bottle that some ding bat had left behind as trash. I staggered up the trail next to the Dam and headed toward my Jeep parked near the Cabins. I saw a guy fishing in the lake and ran straight through a very muddy, wet spot near the cabins. Made it to my Jeep and threw the trash in a trash can there. There was a drink machine there so I put some money in to get some bottled water. However it was out of water so I settled on a Gatorade.
I got in the Jeep and headed on out of there.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Loop 17 Clockwise
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.
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.
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.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Loop 10
Loop Map & More Info
Arrived at the primitive campground entrance at 6:18 am and it was just light enough to see the road but the sun was still hidden behind the mountain. Weather.com said it was 25 degrees which meant it was probably 22 degrees out at Oak Mountain. It is always three degrees colder out there for some reason. My internal temperature was better regulated this morning and I wasn't freezing when I got there so I was ready to go.
Richard drove up and we hit the trail while it was still hard to see the roots in the trail. It is bright enough to see at 6:30 am but that is about all. Very quickly we hit the portion of the yellow-white connector that begins the ascent up the mountain. Very soon after that I was really warm. The trail looked different in the low light and we back tracked a couple hundred yards because we thought we had missed the turn-off to take us up the final ascent of the mountain. However we just hadn't gone far enough, so we trudged on.
I had taken the lead during the back tracking and so I started on up the steep part. The calves started burning and the lungs started screaming for air. Half way up the body started over heating so the gloves, jacket and head warmer came off. I was almost to the top when a doe and a little one jumped up and went running off. They stopped at about 100 yards and checked me out before bounding on off over the hill. They didn't seem to have a problem with the steepness of the mountain.
I took a short break at the top and waited for Richard. His meds were still keeping his heart rate slow and this slowing his pace down. We met at the top and Richard said it was 36 degrees. It sure seemed warm. We began the descent down the white trail to the white-blue connector and pretty soon we could feel the temperature get cooler.
This seems to be a well used trail but it needs some maintenance. There were several trees across the path and down near the connector the bushes were real tight on the path. I am going to have to get my Den of Cub Scouts out there one Saturday and do a little trail cleaning.
At the bottom Richard checked and it was 25 degrees. Of course I had put my head warmer back on and Richard had put his gloves back on. We didn't need his digital watch thermometer to tell us that it was colder.
We hit the Blue trail and I took the lead and took off jogging. We were going to hit the Orange connector. Well after jogging and jogging and jogging I was afraid that I had missed it. I could just see Richard having already taken it and headed back toward the vehicles and wondering where I was. I started getting cramps in my side so I walked for a little while.
They cleared up so I took off jogging again. It wasn't soon after that I came upon the Orange connector. Boy was I glad. I was afraid I was going to come out at the North Trailhead and have to take all day getting back to my Jeep. I gladly took off down the Orange connector. Soon I came across a pile of rocks on the right side of the trail. I stopped to look and what appeared to be a primitive camp site area. There was an Oak Mountain signpost with a three on it. I didn't realize there were designated camping sites.
I hit the Civilian Conservation Corps road and took a break next to the Eagle Scout project. The benches were nice to do some stretching on. In no time at all Richard was there and we were ready to head on down the CCC road back to the yellow-white connector. I took on off down the road at a jog and was actually able to jog all the way to the connector.
I took off down the connector and had to be very careful. My eyes were watering from the cold wind and the leaves were covering the trail. The combination made it very hard to see the roots, rocks and dips in the trail. Fortunately I only slipped a little bit once and my trail running shoes came through by grabbing a rock and keeping me from busting my bootie.
I made it to the bottom and was able to jog all the way to the Jeep. I have definitely improved since Richard and I started on Loop 1. I wish I could have done Loops 6, 7 and 8 with Richard. This completed Loop 10 for the first time this year though and it wasn't as bad as I remembered it last year. However last year I only ran the second time and it was warmer. It may be tougher this year when it is warmer. We shall see.
Arrived at the primitive campground entrance at 6:18 am and it was just light enough to see the road but the sun was still hidden behind the mountain. Weather.com said it was 25 degrees which meant it was probably 22 degrees out at Oak Mountain. It is always three degrees colder out there for some reason. My internal temperature was better regulated this morning and I wasn't freezing when I got there so I was ready to go.
Richard drove up and we hit the trail while it was still hard to see the roots in the trail. It is bright enough to see at 6:30 am but that is about all. Very quickly we hit the portion of the yellow-white connector that begins the ascent up the mountain. Very soon after that I was really warm. The trail looked different in the low light and we back tracked a couple hundred yards because we thought we had missed the turn-off to take us up the final ascent of the mountain. However we just hadn't gone far enough, so we trudged on.
I had taken the lead during the back tracking and so I started on up the steep part. The calves started burning and the lungs started screaming for air. Half way up the body started over heating so the gloves, jacket and head warmer came off. I was almost to the top when a doe and a little one jumped up and went running off. They stopped at about 100 yards and checked me out before bounding on off over the hill. They didn't seem to have a problem with the steepness of the mountain.
I took a short break at the top and waited for Richard. His meds were still keeping his heart rate slow and this slowing his pace down. We met at the top and Richard said it was 36 degrees. It sure seemed warm. We began the descent down the white trail to the white-blue connector and pretty soon we could feel the temperature get cooler.
This seems to be a well used trail but it needs some maintenance. There were several trees across the path and down near the connector the bushes were real tight on the path. I am going to have to get my Den of Cub Scouts out there one Saturday and do a little trail cleaning.
At the bottom Richard checked and it was 25 degrees. Of course I had put my head warmer back on and Richard had put his gloves back on. We didn't need his digital watch thermometer to tell us that it was colder.
We hit the Blue trail and I took the lead and took off jogging. We were going to hit the Orange connector. Well after jogging and jogging and jogging I was afraid that I had missed it. I could just see Richard having already taken it and headed back toward the vehicles and wondering where I was. I started getting cramps in my side so I walked for a little while.
They cleared up so I took off jogging again. It wasn't soon after that I came upon the Orange connector. Boy was I glad. I was afraid I was going to come out at the North Trailhead and have to take all day getting back to my Jeep. I gladly took off down the Orange connector. Soon I came across a pile of rocks on the right side of the trail. I stopped to look and what appeared to be a primitive camp site area. There was an Oak Mountain signpost with a three on it. I didn't realize there were designated camping sites.
I hit the Civilian Conservation Corps road and took a break next to the Eagle Scout project. The benches were nice to do some stretching on. In no time at all Richard was there and we were ready to head on down the CCC road back to the yellow-white connector. I took on off down the road at a jog and was actually able to jog all the way to the connector.
I took off down the connector and had to be very careful. My eyes were watering from the cold wind and the leaves were covering the trail. The combination made it very hard to see the roots, rocks and dips in the trail. Fortunately I only slipped a little bit once and my trail running shoes came through by grabbing a rock and keeping me from busting my bootie.
I made it to the bottom and was able to jog all the way to the Jeep. I have definitely improved since Richard and I started on Loop 1. I wish I could have done Loops 6, 7 and 8 with Richard. This completed Loop 10 for the first time this year though and it wasn't as bad as I remembered it last year. However last year I only ran the second time and it was warmer. It may be tougher this year when it is warmer. We shall see.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Loop 9
Loop Map & More Info
It was cold, cold, cold when I arrived at the primitive campground entrance at 6:25 am. I got cold while dressing and I hadn't warmed up even with the heater at full blast because I was eating some breakfast and drinking a really cold Monster drink. That kept me cold. So when I arrived there before Richard I just sat there with the Jeep running and the heater cranked to the max.
Richard got there in just a few minutes and it was time to brave the outside air. I put on my running jacket, my gloves and my head band to cover my ears. I then stepped out of the Jeep and started wishing I had stayed in the bed snuggled up under the thick quilts that keep me warm during the night. DANG! It was freezing cold at a right lowly 24 degrees.
Richard was of the same mindset and quickly got out of his vehicle and said let's get this show on the road. He started walking down the primitive campground road while I jogged, hopped, jumped up and down next to him. I was internally cold and trying anything to get warmed up.
We hung a hard left on the Yellow Trail and hit our first hill of the morning. Thank goodness, I was ready for some warmth. Well buddy, I got what I asked for. About half way up the calves started screaming and saying they were warm enough that we could stop now. Well my face begged to differ with them and since it was closer to my brain and had more influence, we kept on climbing.
We came out on top and were able to see one of the Double Oak Mountains to our right with just the first rays of the sun coming over. I wished I could have sat down next to a tree right there and waited to watch the sun rise over that mountain. One of these mornings when it is warmer I am going to take the family up there and do just that.
Richard was having a tough go of it due to some over medication prescribed by his doctor so our leg to the Pavilion / Picnic area was a little on the slower than usual side. We took a water break there and I was feeling froggy what with now being warmed up and the cold air giving me energy so I asked if I could take the lead and set the pace. Richard gave me the reins and told me not to wait on him.
I took off at a steady jog and in a few minutes had to come out of my gloves and then a little later had to come out of my jacket. The continuous jogging was definitely warming me up. However as I came up to a small incline right before getting back to the main rode I ran out of steam and had to slow to a fast walk. Once I hit the top of the hill I had caught my breath and was ready to rock and roll.
It was a very nice jog from there on in back to the Jeep. The main road by the primitive campground is a very nice road to jog. The road is big and wide and the woods are open on each side. The squirrels were busy running all over the ground but I didn't see any deer. Later I found out that I had beaten Richard by 11 minutes.
It was a good jog and I am looking forward to the big daddy of all loops, number 10 coming up this Friday.
It was cold, cold, cold when I arrived at the primitive campground entrance at 6:25 am. I got cold while dressing and I hadn't warmed up even with the heater at full blast because I was eating some breakfast and drinking a really cold Monster drink. That kept me cold. So when I arrived there before Richard I just sat there with the Jeep running and the heater cranked to the max.
Richard got there in just a few minutes and it was time to brave the outside air. I put on my running jacket, my gloves and my head band to cover my ears. I then stepped out of the Jeep and started wishing I had stayed in the bed snuggled up under the thick quilts that keep me warm during the night. DANG! It was freezing cold at a right lowly 24 degrees.
Richard was of the same mindset and quickly got out of his vehicle and said let's get this show on the road. He started walking down the primitive campground road while I jogged, hopped, jumped up and down next to him. I was internally cold and trying anything to get warmed up.
We hung a hard left on the Yellow Trail and hit our first hill of the morning. Thank goodness, I was ready for some warmth. Well buddy, I got what I asked for. About half way up the calves started screaming and saying they were warm enough that we could stop now. Well my face begged to differ with them and since it was closer to my brain and had more influence, we kept on climbing.
We came out on top and were able to see one of the Double Oak Mountains to our right with just the first rays of the sun coming over. I wished I could have sat down next to a tree right there and waited to watch the sun rise over that mountain. One of these mornings when it is warmer I am going to take the family up there and do just that.
Richard was having a tough go of it due to some over medication prescribed by his doctor so our leg to the Pavilion / Picnic area was a little on the slower than usual side. We took a water break there and I was feeling froggy what with now being warmed up and the cold air giving me energy so I asked if I could take the lead and set the pace. Richard gave me the reins and told me not to wait on him.
I took off at a steady jog and in a few minutes had to come out of my gloves and then a little later had to come out of my jacket. The continuous jogging was definitely warming me up. However as I came up to a small incline right before getting back to the main rode I ran out of steam and had to slow to a fast walk. Once I hit the top of the hill I had caught my breath and was ready to rock and roll.
It was a very nice jog from there on in back to the Jeep. The main road by the primitive campground is a very nice road to jog. The road is big and wide and the woods are open on each side. The squirrels were busy running all over the ground but I didn't see any deer. Later I found out that I had beaten Richard by 11 minutes.
It was a good jog and I am looking forward to the big daddy of all loops, number 10 coming up this Friday.
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