You're not in Kansas anymore Kenny....Part 2.

Well it's been funky two weeks. Still trying to get used to being in a new town. Right now it's hard because we don't know anything about Roanoke....or anyone and since we aren't in school and other routines we just kind of do our own thing. Kind of weird...but mostly fine. I think Ike is the one who feels it the most. He misses Winston and his friends and cousins. Maya on the other hand could be on the moon all alone stacking rocks and she would be having the time of her life. Actually sometimes I think mentally she probably is on the moon. And Ezra well as long as he is eating he is pretty much happy. I guess it will take time to see how it all works out.

The training volume isn't huge these days but that's okay. I'm trying to help the kids get settled and figuring all the other stuff out. Andrea is working now and so I just train when I can. Basically I am just trying to get used to running hills all the time and then when Sept comes I will be ready to go! Maybe...

But I have had some adventures this week....or misadventures you could say.

Training this week:

Mon: J's finally took her boards....great they are over.

Tues: 8 mile trail run. Went back to Roanoke/Mill Mtn to do the loop by my house and the ridge line trail. the ridgline trail is the 1.5 mile up that has been kicking my booty every time I have run there. Today as I was running along...before I even got to that part of the trail....I was already making excuses as to why I was going to walk it. "It's hot...I didn't carry water...my legs are tired." Then I realized what I was doing and got mad at myself....yes that's right....and I was like "you know what I am running this whole trail....AND the ridgline trail even if I red line...pass out...and fall over in the trail.  And I ran it. First time I did the whole 8 miles without walking this one steep hill.

As I was running back to the car I was thinking how often people (me) do that in life. We end up not trying something or not doing something...because before we even try it/do it....we have made up excuses as to why we shouldn't do it...or can't do it. More often than not we just need go and just do it. We limit ourselves so much just because mentally we aren't strong enough to force ourselves....our push ourselves to do things. And yet once we do them (usually) we are glad we did. I'm guessing I am going to need a lot of mental strength in the months ahead.

Wed: can't remember...but don't think I did anything

Thurs: 8 mile trail run. Yes back at Roanoke/Mill Mtn. When I am short on time that's what it's going to be.

Fri: Off.

Sat: 20 mile trail run at Carvin's Cove. Oh boy....where do I start. So I finally went out to the much ballyhooed Carvin's Cove. Here are the details on it.  http://www.roanokeoutside.com/carvinscove

And I must say it didn't disappoint. It was a legit trail and outdoor mecca and it felt pretty wild and rugged considering it's 15 min outside of town. There are around 40 miles of trails there and they have put a ton of work into maintaining them...pretty impressive.

So I knew I was probably going to be in for a long morning....I brought a map but really had no idea what I was doing or how the trails all worked. I figured it would be a work in progress until I learn more about the place.

The trails were good....not too technical except on the the hard stuff....though like all the trails here it was pretty rocky in places. The climbs were no joke. 2 miles straight up to the ridge...and then 2 mile bombs straight back down. Every trail I was on I was imagining myself mtn biking it because really more people mtn bike out there than anything. But between the hills/stream crossings/rock sections/hairpoint turns with drop offs on the side....it is going to be a wild place to mtn bike and I will need to get stronger on the bike before I can handle it all.

But none of that was the interesting part of my run....that would be....the Freaking BEARs!

I have read a lot about carvin's cove...like I nerd I even read all the signs at the trail head check in. And not once...not even in one place...do they every say "oh and watch out for bears." So call it naive because yes I am in the mountains of virginia but bears never once crossed my mind.

Well that changed quickly when about 30 minutes into my run I come up on a mama bear and her cub right off the side of the trail. Obviously I slam the breaks on. It caught me by surprise for sure but it didn't freak me out...I have been around bears in the woods in all my travels so I am not scared of them or anything. (Grizzly Bears? Different Story...)

So I'm standing there and she is checking me out....and I'm just talking to her reassuring her that I was just passing through. And so she and the cub turn and walk off into the woods a bit.  So I think... "maybe its fine if I just mosey up the trail a bit and try and pass by." Which is what I do. I'm walking up the trail a bit when I hear a crashing to my left (mama bear is on my right) and here comes another bear cub running for his mom. And that's when I think, "oh....sugar" Between her and the cub wasn't where I should have been and immediately mamma bear turns around and starts walking back towards me. So I retreated quickly back down the trail still trying to reassure her that I didn't mean any harm. And it turned out fine. The cub caught up and the 3 of them walked off into the woods. So I started running again and though I was a little skittish from the encounter....mostly I was thinking "how cool and wild out here!"

But my bear encounters for the day weren't through. Later that morning...maybe an hour and a half later I am running on a trail and come up on another bear off to the left of the trail and see her cub nearby too. Once again I slam on the breaks. I'm thinking that's pretty weird to seem more bears on the same run....and I'm wondering if this is the same bear. That would seem pretty crazy considering I had probably covered at least 8 or 9 miles from the time I had seen the last one. I waited for her to move on...off to the left of the trail and I started down the trail again.

Now naturally I kept turning my head and looking back because she had stopped and was just looking at me for awhile when I had run off. So I'm running maybe 30 seconds down the trail...with the trail moving off to right....and I had turned back to look one more time...and when I turn my head back I go around a corner and right in the middle of the trail (not off to the side) is another bear! This one bigger than the last one. I slam on the breaks and I'm like....okay won't say what I was like....but now this is starting to get crazy.

This bear has two cubs with her too...and they immediately scurry up a tree...and mama stares me down and starts making a little bit of a growling/barking/huffing noise at me.  At one point even standing up for a second on her legs. She is definitely bigger that the bear I just saw 30 seconds ago....but what I'm wondering is if this the same bear from earlier or still another bear?

Anyway now I'm starting to wonder what's going on. Is this bear's nickname the flash? Is there a family of bears out here that saw me get out of the car this morning and decided "hey let's really mess with this guy today he must be new." Well regardless is was pretty crazy...and I never saw another trail runner all morning that I could ask about it. I was like that's okay you take the trail....I'll take the woods...and I after she walked off a bit I cut out into the woods a ways and went around them.

As I worked my way up the mountain later that day...walking because it was steep and my legs felt like jello I was thinking that there must be some daddy bears out here with all these babies...right? At one point I was running next to a lake and up from the bushes came a....deer. Yeah not a bear but I hadn't seen it so of course I nearly came out of my trail running shoes.

But anyway I made it back to the car. Besides the bears the run was a bit rough. My legs and body are struggling to adapt to all the hills and the up and down running. I feel sluggish and heavy. I know I just need to keep at it and slowly I will get stronger...but at times it's a bit tough to keep pushing.

As for the bears...just weird. At some point I would like to ask someone if this is normal out there. I saw more bears in a 3 and a half hour run than I have in the last 10 years combined and I just spent 3 days in great smoky mountain national park which is supposedly overrun with bears. I guess it definitely brought some adventure into the run though. I will see when I go back out there next sat what happens.

I was thinking too that I need to back up until I get stronger. I had planned on making some big jumps up in mileage in the next few weeks in hope of being ready for a marathon in a month...but its a tough trail marathon in the mtns and I am struggling to run even 18 miles now with all the hills the way I want.

I always give people who I am helping with their training the advice that if you aren't strong in a lesser amount of miles then don't jump up. Go back down until you can run that distance strong and then move up when you are ready. I am thinking I am going to have to take my own advice. Boo.

And that's probably good life advice too. All too often we are tempted to "jump up" or do more or add more to our lives when we are struggling to handle what we already have...or what we are already doing. It would be much better I would guess to back up and get stronger/better at what you are already doing and then add more and do more when you are ready. Both physically and mentally. That takes patience...which isn't always easy to have. Especially for Olson's! Anyway...I will try and remember that.

Sun: 7 mile  "road run"

Maybe I should rename this blog the misadventures of David Olson.

So Sunday night I was feeling restless and decided after everyone went to bed to go for a run. It was about 9:30 or 10 maybe. There is a golf course in the community we are renting our house in and so I figured I would go out with a headlamp and just run the cart path throughout the course. No I had never been on the course but I had seen a few holes from the road...and how hard could it be to follow a cart path in the dark?  Well it turns out it's pretty hard.  Especially when your headlamp batteries are low and you don't realize it until you are gone and so you can't see that well.

So you know where this is going. I basically spent the next hour and a half lost in the dark running up and down...wait for it....you'll never guess....steep hills! that's right! more steep hills! In fact I passed lots of signs that said.... "caution steep hill".

So yeah I got all turned around and couldn't figure out where I was. At one point I somehow ran by the same hole 2 times. And I know there was one short but nasty hill that I must have been on at least 3 times. But the highlight of the nights festivities came when I was running along and came up on a skunk right in front of me. It took me a second to realize what it is....enough time for it to turn around and lift it's tale. I was like "nooooo" and darted out into the fairway of the hole I was running along....only to jump/trip over a low rope that was right there and land in a bunch of mud. Oh yeah. So obviously the rope was there to keep people out of the mud but that doesn't help me because again....it's dark...my headlamp is going out....and I'm dodging a skunk who is trying to spray me. Awesome. Saw 2 more skunks and lots of deer. One buck who looked to be about 6 points.

Anyway I finally came out on a road I recognized and just ran that back to my house. Just another run....

Totals for the week: 43 Miles running and 0 biking.

Training Week 7/15 - 7/21

Well I basically missed an entire week of training with our move which was to be expected. But it's not like I didn't get an workouts in. Lots of squats and dead lifts with all the moving of boxes and other stuff! But I got back at it a bit this past week.

Mon: Off

Tues: 5.5 mile trail run. So I went to this trail right by my house. It is part of the Roanoke Mtn State campground. I am guessing it will be my "hobby park" which is the close to home trail I head to for a quick run. It was pretty good....not very technical....but it did have some hills. I went in the afternoon and it was brutally hot...but I didn't walk any of the hills which was a victory I feel like.

Wed: 8 mile trail run. I went back to the Roanoke Mtn Loop but this time added on an out and back trail that connects over to Mill Mtn. It was called the ridgeline trail. It was even hotter today and my run was brutal. I felt okay until I got to the ridgeline trail but that wiped me out...it was pretty steep uphill (for me at least) and my body was like "no way" had to walk it which hurt my pride a bit.  I stumbled back to the car...rough.

Thurs: 6 mile (I think) trail run. Went to a place called Explore Park. I can get on the Parkway right by my house and just took it all the way to this park. It was kind of an interesting/weird place and I will check it out more in the future. My run again was brutal...and was again in the hottest part of the afternoon. I got turned around (aka semi-lost) a few times and my body wasn't feeling great. I am going to have to adjust to the fact that every run here in Roanoke is pretty much a hill run compared to what I'm used to. It is hard on my legs...but I guess if I can keep going it will make me stronger in the long run. I will probably mtn bike more here than run since they have some great mtn bike trails.

Fri: Off

Sat: 24 mile trail run. So my friend Abran told me when I left Winston Salem that we needed one more "proper" trail run together before I left NC. Proper meaning...not on an easy local hill with tame trails but some serious singletrack and adventure in the mtns. That....is a "proper" trail run.

We decided to hit one of our favorite trails in Boone which is up Calloway Peak and then a ridge traverse over to Grandfather Mtn. This is an epic run and has it all. Trail running....rock climbing and scrambling...ladders....cable...exposure...and amazing views.

I came down and stayed with my mom and then met Abran and my friend Darrian at the Price Park trailhead Sat morning. What a day we had. It was epic and an amazing time. I was worried about how I would do considering I had struggled so much with my running the week prior but the weird things was I felt pretty good. It's amazing what good company and amazing trails will do for your body/mind. At one point we had about 3 miles of straight uphill and I just got into a great rhythm and just cranked it out. It gives me hope that I can do these kind of runs. And that the old man/married/3 kids guy can hang with these younger/single/run lots of miles in the mtns dudes.

Good news! More stairs! (Inside joke for Matty, Yimmy, and Dougie 

Calloway peak was pretty cloudy on top and so was our initial crossing of the ridge but it is such an amazing trail I didn't even care. We did some great climbing and scrambling....and just running and traversing that kind of terrain is so much fun. 

(Abran and Darian scrambling up some different ladder sections)

(Darian snapped this pic of me climbing up above him)

The terrain was awesome...and I loved the climbing. Occasionally as I would jump from rock to rock I would let out these whoops of joy.

We ended up popping out by the swinging bridge on top of grandfather mtn which was pretty weird. We went from all alone in the woods to this mass of tourists cramming themselves into the visitor center. 

At this point we had been out 12 miles or so and we were VERY muddy...like head to toe....and soaking wet from sweat. I walked into the visitor center to refill my water bottle in the drinking fountain and man I got some strange looks. The guy standing next to me at the water fountain just kept glancing at me and finally said, "man you alright? you look like you been through it." I was like "yeah I'm great! Just out for a little run" He waddled off to get back into his massive SUV his "wilderness experience" over and we headed back out on the trail.

(A little mud on the tires....)

One thing that was amazing was the temperature change. On thurs it was 91 when I ran. The temperature on top of grandfather mtn according to their gauge? 61! Yes 61...a full 30 degrees cooler than my run 2 days before in roanoke. No wonder I felt better.

The clouds actually blew off for a bit so we could see more going back across the ridge but a good sized storm was rolling in from the distance. We could already hear the thunder and see some lightning from it so we had to pick up the pace a bit so we didn't get caught up high in it.

Finally got back to the car after being out there most of the day. What a great day and I had a blast being out their for an epic adventure with two friends.

There was only one thing left to do after getting off the mountain and after a day long adventure like that....

You're not in Kansas anymore Kenny...

Okay so I'm back. After all the craziness of the move and then not having internet for a few weeks or so I haven't been able to blog. Lots to say and record so I'm not really even sure where to start. Still feels weird to not be in NC and to be living here in Roanoke. I'm sure I will have more to say about it as time goes on.

Training Week 7/1 - 7/7

Mon: 6.5 Mile trail run (in the rain)

Tues: 7 mile run at tanglewood greenway (in the rain) Was moving at 49.45 for the run.

Wed: Tempo Intervals on Road 6 miles. (in the rain) Warmed up with 1 mile. Ran next one at 6:15 pace then next one at 6:45 pace...then next one at 6:15 pace then next one at 6:45. 1 mile cool down.

Thurs: 11 Mile trail run. Got out to Salem Lake to run with Matty. Probably last one we will do before I move. I have really enjoyed these SL runs with him over the last few years. One of the few times we get to just be together and talk or just run silently next to each other. Sad I won't get to do them as much but we have lots more trail runs together to go still.

Fri: To Durham to work on some project for my sister at her new house. Had a great 4th of July cookout after a full day of yard work and projects.

Sat/Sun: Going through stuff and Packing like crazy at home. One week to go!

Well I started out this week strong with four days of runs but then ran out of time/energy/motivation towards the weekend. Missed my long run which isn't good but there isn't much I can do about it. I'm in a race to the finish and crunched for time and the training is going to have to take a back seat for a bit here. And the rain! It rains every day basically! Time to re-evaluate any adventure plans that require a bike because I haven't been able to get on one at all basically.  The next week or two is going to be hit or miss with things but I'll train when I can and we'll see what happens.  

Training week 6/24 - 6/30

Well I had kind of a "down" week this week meaning I didn't train as much which was fine. The body needed a little less load on it and I was busy doing other things. Sometimes you need to just enjoy life...do some other things...and let training take a backseat. Did a bit of that this week which was nice mentally. Oh and the rain didn't help either. Lots of rain and more coming everyday this week. Hopefully I can have a strong week coming up regardless. But I'm worried about my bike legs (and planned off road triathalons) since I can't seem to get out on my mtn bike much. Anyway my week.

Mon: 7 mile road run. Hill workout.

Tues: Off. I met up with my old roomate from college Michael Yelton who is a fly fishing guide in the Lake Lure area. Went out early and had a great time fly fishing for white bass and catching some smallies. Nice weather and a beautiful morning to be outside. The Broad river and the Lake itself are both really nice. Was a little rusty with my fly fishing but remembered how much I enjoy it. Going to get back into fly fishing more when I get to VA.

It was funny to talk about the "good ol days" a bit and hear about people. He always kept up with people better than me and I admit that some of the people he kept telling me about I couldn't remember who they were or what they looked like. Has it really been that long? Almost 15 years....so I guess yes it has.

Wed: off (rain rain)

Thurs: 11 mile trail run at Salem lake. Considering I hadn't run much this week I thought I would have felt better on this but for some reason the opposite seems to be the case a lot for me. The more I run the better I feel for some reason. Really humid...but an okay run.

Fri: Off. Headed back up to the mtns to get my kids from my Mom's.

Sat: 20-22 (don't know exactly) trail run on the Mountains to Sea Trail. So right near my mom's house you can access the mountains to sea trail which basically follows along the blue ridge parkway for this section. It's an interesting trail...still a work in progress so "piecemealed" together meaning one minute you are running a nice trail...the next you are out running on the parkway...the next running through a cow pasture. Kind of funny but it was still a good run.

Had some animal encounters too...
Early in the run I actually was cruising a downhill section...turned a corner and came up on a bobcat. I'm glad I had just recently gone to the bathroom or I might have peed my running shorts because it scared the mess out of me. I slammed the brakes on in time to see him raise up his back shoulders...make some kind of weird hissing/spitting sound and then take off so fast it was like he had been shot out of a cannon. Crazy how fast he moved and was gone. Also saw no joke 25 deer standing together in a field at one point...weird to see so many together in one place. If it had been sunday I would have assumed they were having church. Also I was climbing a ladder to go over a fence at one point and came down right into a group of turkeys who weren't happy to see me either. (sensing a theme?) Oh and I got a big kick out of the cows who were standing all along the trail at one point....don't normally trail run with cows though the cow pasture section was my least favorite part of the run. It's tough to run in cow pastures....and smelly too.  

Early morning on the MST trail....not a bad view from the trail. 

Ran out onto thunderhill lookout and snapped this pic a little later.

Beautiful stream that I followed up on one of my climbs up the mountain. 

After my run we headed out to a place called Blue Bear Mountain to go camping with the kids. Matty and Ames and their fam went with us. It was nice and cool up there and a beautiful day. Had a great time. Trout fishing (Ike caught a nice sized rainbow trout)...hiking in the woods (Maya was a beast out there! she may be my trail runner)...relaxing and hanging out (Ezra James loved the freedom of being able to roam around)....cooked dinner over the fire....and then all piled into the tents. Fun to let the kids all play together and then sit by the fire with my bro sharing a Deviant Dale's IPA.

Now that's a good day!

Sun: Off. had a lazy day getting up from camping....packing things up and headed back to Winston Salem. Too tired and too much gear to clean up to train.

Had a crazy last week or so with all my wanderings but have had some great runs and done some fun things. But we move to Roanoke in two weeks so it's time to stop messing around...get down to business and get some packing done.

Totals: Running 39 miles. Biking 0 miles (not good) 

Wilson Creek sWEaTfest

Every now and then you have a run/adventure that reminds you why it is exactly you spend so much time outside and training too. I had one of those runs this past Saturday.

I have been doing a few runs here or there with a group called the WNC trailrunners. I kind of got hooked up with the group through my friend Brandon who puts on a ton of their runs. I like the group a lot because they do some tough but great runs in places and on trails that I don't normally go on in the mtns. These aren't races and they don't cost anything....both of which I like a lot. I don't always love races and rarely like the location they are or the trails they use....but getting together with a great group of people to do a long run on trails in the mountains....that I love.

There is a group in Virginia similar to this one called the Virginia Happy Trails Club and they do something similar with these group runs or "fat ass events" as they are called up there. The plan is to do some of their runs this year as well but we'll see how that works out.

Anyway back to the run. So Sat was an absolutely gorgeous day.  I got up early to drive to wilson creek rec area from my moms. Beautiful drive down this long dirt road along the river....made me with I had both a kayak and a fly fishing rod with me. Stopped for a few pics.

The premise for this adventure was basically just to have a fun easy 17 mile or so run that crosses through tons of streams....(so get really wet)...swim in waterfalls...see some views and basically just enjoy the day being outside in beautiful pisgah forest. And that's exactly what we did.

Met up at the trailhead with about 8 people. Brandon gave an overview of the run route and told us where he stashed a jug of water about halfway so we could refill our bottles and we were off.

Right out of the parking lot we basically climbed straight up. The trail was rough here but it felt good to be outside and moving quickly through the woods. I found myself out in front when a few people stopped and I kept going and for the next few miles basically just knocked down about 500 spiderwebs with my face. I stopped at a trail intersection and made the comment to Brandon and 2 other guys who caught up to me that I shouldn't have bothered with breakfast since I had been eating spiderwebs all morning. To which someone else jokingly said, "funny I haven't felt any." I actually fell in with this group of 4 (never saw the other 4 who started the run) and we ran the rest of the day together which was cool. Great group of guys. Brandon, a guy John who I climbed Tanawana with this past winter, and another dude named David who I hadn't met before (but who had an awesome dog).

So we hit some overlooks on the way up the mtn. Basically we climbed the first 6-7 miles so we could cruise mostly downhill through the streams section for the last 10 miles which was nice. Got the work out of the way early and then could just enjoy the rest of the day and play.

The boys....grandfather mountain in background. 

Anyway I know I already said this....but what a day. Conditions were perfect and we spent the day running rhodie tunnels....scampering up and down rocks....and hitting side trails to go through streams and find waterfalls to look at and swim in.

Basically my feet were wet the whole day....

Refreshing! 

My friend Brandon getting a little dip in....

Roping down a steep section of Rocks to a big waterfall/swimming hole...

What a blast. It's those kinds of days that are what being outside is all about. Something almost just natural about running through the woods...nothing but shoes and a pair of shorts....swimming or wading across streams as you come to them and just exploring the woods. Soaking wet and happy. Felt like I could just run forever. Days like that make all the endless trail laps at Hobby Park worth it. Gotta put in the time to be able to really enjoy a day like that when I get one.

Hopefully after I move to Roanoke I will still be able to get down to NC for some of these runs. They told me they would still include me even though I will be a VA trailrunner and not a NC one! 

All in all a great day in the mountains!

Training Week 6/17 - 6/23

Mon: 8 mile run. Ran my usual trail/road mix from the Y. Felt pretty good. Ran 55:25 so just under 7 min miles.

Tues: 6 mile run. Rain and kids all day so waited to train till night when everyone was asleep. Ran at Tanglewood park which was nice. Full body functional lift at the Y after.

Wed: 8 mile hill tempo workout. Took it fairly easyfor this workout.

Thur: 7 mile trail run at Hobby Park

Fri: Off. Hung out in Boone with my mom and went to a really nice park with the kids. Nice Day.

Sat: 18 mile (or so) trail run with WNC Trailrunner group (see post)

Sun: Off. Busy Day with Mom and kids in Boone so no time for training.

So I headed up to the mtns this weekend with the kids and will do a bit of wandering this week coming up...spending some time in the mtns. I had a great weekend in Boone with my mom who is keeping Isaac and Maya for the upcoming week! Nice!

Totals: running 47 miles,  biking 0 miles (rain rain go away)

Dude Fest 2013

Though it's been a few weeks I finally have some time to blog about our annual man weekend. How,  you may wonder do we typically spend this glorious 3 days of dude time? Las Vegas and gambling? Golf and Cigars? New York City and clubs? Well...no. When Olson males get together we go out of our way to be in nature, avoid other people, and suffer as much as possible while still having a great time. So our dude fest weekends are typically backpacking trips.

This year we decided to head to Great Smoky Mtn National Park. We pretty much knew before we went it was going to be a bit soggy but as this was the only weekend we could go we would just make it work. It was me, my Dad, my bro Matty and my old friend Doug. He and I have been on more adventures than I can count in the 16 or so years I have known him and a lot of them have involved trails and backpacks.

We got to Hendersonville to stay with my Dad on Thursday night. Went to this outdoor music fest downtown that had a great band from Asheville and some good beer on draft. It was quite a scene...lots of people having a great time. I spent most of my time thinking, "how is this the same city I grew up in?"

Finally making our way back to my Dad's we started to get some of our gear together and look at a map of where we were going for the first time in detail. No I'm not joking about this...and yes we probably should have done this before drinking a few beers.

Friday morning we were off early and headed to the trail. I was excited to be backpacking for the first time in awhile and we hit the trail knowing we had a full 12 or so miles that day. Of course right off the bat we had 4 straight miles of tough uphill. Nothing like jumping right in! I'm not sure why but for the first 3 hours or so I was out of sorts. I felt anxious and restless and finally it dawned on me that my body and mind were trying to figure out why we weren't running.

I spend so much time running and mtn biking down trails as fast as I can that I am just not used to slow hiking/walking anymore. It sounds weird I know but it was almost hard to do at first. When I finally realized what my issue was I just focused on losing myself in the slow deliberate pace and soon enough I settled in.  And then the cool thing was that once I finally relaxed I began to really enjoy myself. I would just look around at things...enjoy looking at something I would normally miss because I was zooming by or looking down at the trail trying not to fall/wreck as I ran by.

This is probably a good metaphor for life. Every day is a rush...from one thing to the next. Head down...running along...caught up in the schedule..checking stuff off the list....and really when we do that think about how much we miss. Sometimes in my life I think I need to just walk instead of run...check out what's going on around me and just enjoy where I am at that moment and what I am doing. That's a big reason I called my blog "enjoy the journey" because I am trying hard to live my life this way. Not be so goal oriented but just enjoy where I am and what I am doing. Wherever that is and whatever it is.

Finally got up to the intersection and got to hike on the Appalachian Trail for awhile which is always cool.

Spent most of that day hiking and the rain managed to stay away. We actually hiked out of our way a bit to go and check out this old fire tower.

It was very cool. I was reading on some plaque that the people spend about a month out there in this thing before coming back to civilization for a bit. Can you imagine that? If these walls could talk I bet they have seen some real craziness from people out there alone for a month. If I spend 10 hours in the car by myself I start talking to the steering wheel, making faces in the rear view mirror, and singing strange and loud songs. could you imagine me out in this things for a month alone? Yikes. They would find me sitting talking with my best friend Timmy...who was actually just a pine cone.

Anyway it was a bit cloudy but the view from the tower was beautiful.

We spent some time up there eating lunch and just hanging out. It was really nice.

Tell me this lineup of confident, rugged and strong (not to mention handsome) outdoors-men doesn't shock and amaze you. I know...you can't. 

After about 6 more hours of hiking we finally got to camp that night and set up by a nice river. Long day on the trail but damn it felt good to just be out there.  

So we are standing right here by this river and there is another trail headed off a different direction than we came. Dougie casually asks Matt what that is and he tells him that is another trail to where we parked the car. What I wish he had left out is that it was a flat trail of 5 miles. But instead of taking that trail we had opted for the brutal straight up and down trail and 14 butt busting miles to get to the same spot. I saw this look come over Dougie's face...and it wasn't a happy look...quietly he began to search for a large stick to beat me with so I decided it would be a good time to go look around for a campsite. Love you Dougie! Later Dougie said he should have known when coming on a David Olson adventure that we would be doing it the hardest way possible. Glad I didn't disappoint! Got a good campsite....ate some ramen noodles (the best on the trail!) hung the bear bags and got to bed. 

The next day we had two choices....we could hike a short 5 miles to our next campsite....or we could hike all the way around a different direction on a tough trail that had tons of bushwacking, rough terrain and lots of elevation gain and loss for another 12 miles or more. Hmm....well you know which one I'm choosing! Bring on the suffering. It was raining this morning as we set off down the trail and it had rained a good amount the night before too so things were pretty wet. After hiking down the trail a ways we came to the trail intersection of the trail we were planning on taking and ran smack into this sign. 

Hmm....it had been raining a ton for weeks, all night AND at the moment we were standing there reading this. Impassable....interesting. Okay let's go! This was quite a trail...well when there was one. Basically it turned into us crossing about 15 streams and rivers....I know this because Yimmy counted them out loud.

We had many many moments like this one. Including the time I was helping my Dad cross something and he pushed me in the river. Thanks a lot Dad. Wet feet the whole day. And yes Dougie's pack looks huge in this picture....that's because it...well....was. He was not going to be caught unprepared on this trip that's for sure. He had everything in there....and then a few more things on top of that. 

But actually I had a really good time this day. I thought the river crossings were cool and added a fun element to the hike...and we hiked on some really rough but neat trails. Passed a beautiful waterfall. Even for a spring weekend we hardly saw anyone which was really nice. Seemed "out there" a bit which was perfect.

As I walked along this day I was thinking about how I feel so comfortable when I am way out in the woods somewhere in the mountains. It's funny in a way that I was born in Florida. People are always surprised by that when I tell them. I guess because I am mostly in the mountains and do mountain things. I still love the beach and Florida...I love going there and visiting and they will always be a part of who I am...but at my core I think I am a mountain soul. 

Life never goes how you expect...things change...people change....stuff happens. But I am grateful that somehow we as a family ended up in the mountains of North Carolina. That I was raised to love being outside and that when we were little we were brought into the mountains to enjoy them. Now I think that a large part of who I am is being outside and doing things outside. It's where I feel the most comfortable and I am grateful this is the case. 

I supposed that is just the way it is when you have a connection with something. I have been out west quite a bit and the mountains out there are more beautiful in a physical sense. But my connection to the mountains of NC/VA is more spiritual and emotional so ultimately that is where I always feel at home. (Though to be honest I would love to move out West!)  

I think that is usually the case though no matter where you are from. I think one of the most beautiful places in the world is our Ranch in Florida. But when I show pictures of it to people they see flat and plain land. But then I'm like, "well you should see the sunsets out over a pasture...or the outback on a evening walk..or a citrus grove before picking." To which they just look at me with non-understanding eyes. But again my connection to Circle O is spiritual/emotional...not just physical...so that make it all the more special. 

Anyway....that was a long way of saying....I like mountains. Okay moving on...

We had another long day of hiking and basically we were in the clouds the whole time because we were up around 6000 feet. Lots of this view. 

     

But it was still very cool and I enjoyed the hiking and just getting to talk with my Dad or Matty or Dougie. 

We got to the summit of Mt.Sterling around 6 which was our camping spot for the night. There were no views really but there was another tall (and shaky) fire tower there that you could climb and see out. 

Our campsite the second night.

It was kind of a rainy night but we had a nice time sitting out and talking while we ate and the sun went down. We realized at this point that we would need to get a pretty early start since we had 6-8 miles to go in the morning and I had to be at Elon for work by 5:00 pm. I like to pack it all in!

The next morning we woke up and there was actually a little break in the clouds....enough for us to climb the tower and see out a bit. The wind was really whipping so definitely had to hold on a bit. 

But the view was worth it and there was this incredible full rainbow too. 

We had to hit the trail though so after enjoying the view for a bit...we started down the mountain to the car. The trail down the mountain was nice...but a mess. There were tons of down trees so every few minutes we found ourselves climbing trees and working to get around fallen ones. 

Finally hit the river and followed it back to the car. Man we hit the miles! 32 miles or maybe a bit more in 2 and a half days. Love to crank it out. 

All good things must come to an end I guess. I really enjoyed getting away for a few days. There are definitely times where I feel like a caged animal when I am in my routine day in and day out....living in suburbia...always trying to figure things out. I get restless and anxious to wander and just get out there doing something. So when I can get away and do these things it helps a lot. Especially when it involves being outside and some effort/adventure/struggle. I go home content and relaxed which is a good thing. 

And it makes it even better doing it with the dudes closest to me. I think half the fun is just being with my Dad and my bro and Dougie....talking...laughing...making fun of each other....farting...saying things we wouldn't normally say around others....lots more laughing....or just walking in silence together. It doesn't really even matter. 

The boys at the end of the trip....still smiling! 

So that's it. Dude Fest 2013 is officially in the bag. I would like to thank all of our sponsors for this years adventure. Blue ridge brewery....Messaluna's....sierra designs tents...osprey packs.....Ben-gay ....Steripen....the company that made the can opener that Dougie carried. I would like to thank my agent...my publicist....and my hairdresser. And most of all we would like to thank our wives for letting us go...and then lettings us back in the house when we returned. Until next time....PEACE! 

Training Week 6/10 - 6/16

Another week of training in the bank...

Mon: 6 mile trail run at Hobby Park. Man I feel like every run I do these days is in the rain and mud. It poured all day and then stopped at 6pm. Wasn't going to do it but then couldn't resist. My run was like running in the amazon rainforest. Mud, water, spiderwebs, bugs, trees down, humidity. Good times!

Tues: 8 mile road/trail mix. My usual run from the Y. Started out slow and just couldn't get in a groove. Finally by mile 4 started feeling better. Last 3 miles ran 6:45's back to the Y which felt pretty good.

Wed: 6 mile track/tempo work. Yesterday....good. Today....bad. Ran mile repeats on the track and alternated with a tempo run around the park. Not a great run but fine.

Thurs: full body/functional lift. Kids are doing swimming in the morning and so lifted while they were there.

Fri: 22 mile trail run at Pilot Mtn State Park. Well all 22 miles are not created equal. Last week ran 22 at SL and felt great...just cruised along. So for my long run this week I knew I needed to step it up a bit and challenge myself. So went up to Pilot and definitely got challenged. At SL and HP I hardly every get my heartrate up that much on long runs...never really get out of breath...its more just fueling and managing the legs. But at Pilot the first 3 miles from the car are basically straight up and my heart rate was definitely pumping. But what a great first 11 miles. Absolutely gorgeous day...almost cool after all the crazy storms yesterday. There had been a big fire (semi-controlled) on Pilot and so all of the underbrush was gone. It made the trails really nice...so much more open though easy to get off trail. You could just see rocks everywhere and more land features. Very cool. In fact I saw one rock that I hadn't seen before and it had a great bouldering problem on it I could see. So actually stopped for a bit in my run...took my shoes off and sent it (climbed it) on the third try. Put my shoes back on and kept running! Only took 12 minutes but was great.

But had a little downer on this first section too. I was loving my day until I started down the backside of the mtn...and came across literally a dirt road being put in. No idea where it was going...but discouraging to see that in a state park out in the woods. They were digging up the ground too and putting some little building in. Lots of bulldozers and trucks. As I ran down the "trail" I saw a park ranger standing there talking with some of the machinery operators. I told myself, "don't say anything just keep going." but of course I couldn't help myself. I slowed my run to a walk....and said, "man what a mess...maybe you should try building trails out here instead of roads." They just looked at me with blank (dumb) looks on their faces and I started running again. Did it change anything? Nope. Did I feel better after saying something? Yes I did. Not sure why they build dirt roads there and call them trails. Think they just like to have access to all parts of the park but without having to get their lazy butts out of their trucks and actually walk the trails.

As good as the first 11 were the last 11 were a little rougher. Ahh...the corridor trail. We don't get along that well. It's just a tough rolling washed out two track road that is constantly up and down. And for the second time in 3 weeks made the mistake of getting dehydrated. Boo. Ran out of water with 2-3 miles to go and just struggled to finish. I was moving along fine...but didn't feel great and walked a few hills at the end I should have run. All in all though a run I needed as I am getting closer to starting my 6-26 project. The mountain section of pilot is great...always seem to forget that until I get up there to run it.

Andrea and I finished the day by celebrating our 12th Anniversary. Hard to believe we have been married 12 years! Lots more adventures in store.

Sat: 8 mile mtn bike. Finally got on a bike this week. With all the rain the trails have been too muddy to ride on and I don't road bike in the rain. Body felt okay even after all the pounding it took yesterday from the rock hopping/running. One thing that was funny. I came off the trail and popped out in this field and there were a bunch of dudes dressed up as knights in full armor and heavy clothes sword fighting each other. It was probably 85-90 degrees and they are in full garb, beards and all in the middle of a field in the full sun. It was great....I love crazy people. I feel so comfortable around them. And I love anyone who has a good time even if....or maybe especially if they are doing something weird.

Went to Andrea's Graduation Party which was a great time...and so neat to see her get recognized for finishing her training. It's been a long haul but so exciting now that she is done.

Sun: After last nights festivities for Andrea's graduation dinner there would be no training today. Spent the day celebrating Father's day with my family. Had a great cookout...and a great day. Very relaxing.

Big weekend of celebrating all kinds of different things. Probably should turn my focus now to going through things and packing for our move. Or not.  As I told my brother yesterday when he asked me if I was going to start packing. I said, "I don't pack...I just move." Right Nubby?! HaHa!

Totals:  42 miles running / 8 miles biking

Training Week 6/3 - 6/9

Mon: 7 mile trail run. After the debacle that was my long run sunday I thought I would try and take a few days off to get right....but then ended up going for a run Monday night anyway. What can I say I can't help myself. And the crazy thing was it was the best run I have had at Hobby Park in months. I was outrunning dark but still I felt good and ran hard and fast and just had a good run. The human body is a crazy thing.

Tues: 18 mile road bike. I finally got back on the road bike this week. It has been forever but it felt good to get on the bike and just crank for awhile. Whenever I get on the bike I realize how much I like it...just wish it didn't come with all the risks of cars and crashes and all that. But still there is no better way to work your muscles without the pounding I take on the trails.

Wed: 7 miles track workout. Did "lane 6 tempo runs" basically it is 6 miles of running in lane 6 with a 15 foot or so of running slow between each lap. Warmed up for 800 (half a mile) then ran the 6 miles. Ran each lap at 1:36 the whole time which is around 6:24 miles which is okay for holding that for 6 miles. Cooled down for 800. Good run...felt strong. Maybe biking and not running before my track workout is the key.

Wed night: Everyone was sleeping and I was restless so I decide to go to the gymn. Did a plyometrics/kettle ball full body functional workout.

Thurs: 8 miles road/trails mixed route. Did my usual run from the Y. Felt okay though the legs were a bit tired. 58 min.

Fri: Full body functional lift. Once again good to train without running. Lots of squats and dead lifts so hope the legs are good for my long run tomorrow.

Sat: 22 Mile Trail run. (3:06) Well after the terrible run I had last week at Salem Lake I felt like I needed to go back and try and redeem myself. I was supposed to start my run at 7 am but it was absolutely monsooning at 7 am. And it was Andrea's fault. No literally it was tropical storm Andrea pounding us. I sat in my car for awhile looking out at the rain and finally couldn't wait anymore so got out and hit the trail. It's always hard to get out in the rain/mud when you are looking at it from the car or house....but once I was running I actually enjoyed the rain and mud. At times the trail was just a river of water and mud but once I was wet I just got right in there. And I had a great run. There is nothing like just running through the water and mud and loving it. Just last week I felt so bad I thought i would never run again and this week I cranked out 22 and felt great which is a good sign. My first 11 were solid and then I met Matty for my second 11 mile loop. He was running strong like usual and we had a great run together. I think one of the things I will miss the most once I move to Roanoke is these Sat morning runs with my brother. Just the two of us cranking it out on the trail...deep in the woods and getting to talk about the things going on in our lives. Considering I had to jump up in miles so much to try and do my 6-26 project this run was a good sign. Hopefully I can keep it going.

Sun: 16 mile bike ride. What a day. It's weird now that I am not actively working to have Sunday's "open" and be able to hang out with my family. Usually on a Sunday I am gone all day...stressed and working...but here is my Sunday today. We went to Tanglewood Park which has a nice 2 mile paved path in the woods. Ike and Maya rode their bikes....I pushed Ezra James in the running stroller and Andrea and I ran. It was really nice. The rest of my day was this: Got home...went for a 16 mile bike ride....mowed my grass...climbed trees in the backyard with my kids....played a great soccer game with Ike and Maya....and then drank a few beers and grilled out. Now that's a good day! It felt like the day lasted forever....it was so nice.

So all in all a good week of training. I worked hard and the body responded pretty well. It was good to have a strong long run because my 6-26 project starts soon. And FYI my 6-26 project is that I am going to run a marathon (or longer) run for 6 straight months starting in July. Races aren't motivating me much anymore so I am hoping this 6-26 project will get me going. But I am upping things pretty quickly so I hope the body stays strong.

Totals:  Running 46 miles. Biking 34 miles

Well Okay Then

Well okay then...

Ever since Maya has been out of school she has been on a drawing/coloring/cutting/taping spree that is unlike anything I have ever seen. She is like a locust consuming everything in her path. She has literally used every piece of paper in our house. I'm worried she is going to start taking the toilet paper soon. I try and hide a piece of paper here or there but like a bloodhound she tracks it down...rips it from it's hiding place...and then glares at me as she walks by and heads back to her coloring table.

One of the reasons I am recording my training in my blog is because I had been just jotting it on random pieces of paper but eventually those pieces of paper would mysteriously disappear and then reappear later colored purple and full of butterflies and flowers. She comes out of these marathon coloring sessions with marker all over  her face and arms like she is painted for battle.

I am starting to feel guilty about her paper use so I tried to tell her she can't use so much paper and so she should use some coloring program on my ipad instead. But here's the thing....she didn't want to. So there I was trying to convince my daughter to use my ipad when all she wants to do is draw and then color the real way. I stopped and was thinking....I hear people complain all the time about all their kids want to do is use the ipad and here I am trying to convince my daughter to use mine instead of color quietly on her own and use her imagination to make things. Hmm...well okay then. Parenting 101 right there.

So feeling kind of silly...but still wanting to get the last word in....I said, "well fine...but you are using recycled paper!" Ha! Showed her...

Training Week 5/27 - 6/2

Training Week 5/27-6/2

Mon: Memorial Day at my sister's new house in Durham. So no training but I did get a good core workout in contorting my body under her sinks as Matty (my bro) and I replaced all the faucets and under sink plumbing in the upstairs bathrooms. Had a nice cookout after...beautiful day.

Tues: Ran my usual 8 mile tempo run from the Y in downtown Winston. A mix of roads and trails at Reynolda Gardens. 58 minutes...good run.

Wed: 8 Mile Hill run from Y. This is a tough workout...and I didn't go as hard as usual. Getting hot and trying to adjust to the heat. Ran 7 min hard then would run 1 easy.

Thurs: 6 mile trail run at Hobby Park. Man it's hot...ran okay but not my best. Struggling with staying hydrated.

Fri: Full body functional lift in morning. Always feels good to do a lift on a day I don't run.

Sat: Off....Kid duty all day!

Sun: 20 mile trail run at Salem Lake. Oh boy...not even sure how to describe this run. Worst run I've had in awhile. First Loop of 11 miles went okay but I could tell my body was off. Wasn't sure what it was. Met Matty for the second loop but before we even started I knew I was in trouble. Then finally realized that I was just severely dehydrated. Thankfully Matty was running strong and was out there to drag me basically because I was just stumbling along...even had to cut a few sections out. This run was a big wake up call for me. I haven't been running longer runs much (nothing more than 12 miles in a couple months) after so many big runs this winter....but to get on track for my 6-26 project I needed to get my long run miles up. I think I have run so many 20 mile runs now over the lat 4 years especially that I have started to be nonchalant about them and I paid the price Sunday. Drank some beer and stayed up too late Saturday night. Didn't fuel well or hydrate Sunday....just figured I could go out there and crank it out fine but obviously not! So going forward I am going to be more careful on days before long runs. I'll miss all the 6-10 mile runs from winter when I don't even carry water or eat anything. Hot and humid runs here I come.

Totals: Running 42 - Biking 0 (boo)

And I'm Off!

And I'm Off!

Still not exactly sure why I am doing a blog. To be honest I don't think my life is that interesting, I don't feel like I have endless things to share, and I'm not here to tell you all about the craft I made with my kids today or what we are having for dinner...but for some reason I just have gotten the urge to do this. Probably because I have seen friends and others who use their blogs as a way to track their training for endurance challenges and share their outdoor adventures. I guess that is the main purpose for me too...and I like the idea that I can look back in a year and see what I have done in training, racing, and "just for fun" adventures.  So basically what I am getting at is that this blog is for me! Just kidding....kind of. But it's out there so anyone can follow. Though I am well aware that probably only my mom and my grandmothers will read this with any regularity. (Hi Mom!) But for those of you who know me...you know I love to talk and write and have lots of thoughts on things so I am sure I will be sharing some of those and some stories too. I just can't help myself and I feel like the written word is still one of the best means of communication there is.

After working 50-60 hours a week for the last 8 years it is weird to not have an "official" job to do now that my two jobs have just ended. I am starting to watch my kids full time right now which is more than a job...harder too actually (so big props to all the stay at home parents) but this is the first time I have only stayed home with them and not worked too. Anyway I was a bit freaked out at first (maybe still am) about moving to Roanoke and having no job lined up...moving away from my family and not knowing anyone...but I guess that's just the way it is going to be. I thought I had a job...but it didn't work out so here I am. I think I am okay with this...heavy emphasis on the think...but I decided that in some ways I am blessed to not have to stress about a job so maybe I should just take it one step at a time and just see what happens. God always ends up coming up with something for me to do anyway. And maybe this time is an opportunity for me to do some more training and get into some more adventures. So that is the way I am trying to look at it.

Life has been so crazy for the past ten years that I feel like we are getting a fresh start.  After all these years Andrea is finally done with med school and residency and we are moving to a new place where she has a great job. We are going to have more time and ability to do stuff. So I am going to spend this year ahead (starting now) trying to have as much fun with my family as I can...spend more time with Andrea doing the things we used to do...bring my kids up to love being outside as much as I do....train hard because well I like to suffer...and see what kind of crazy adventures I can have too.  So stay tuned...it should be one hell of a ride!