My Recent Umstead Runs

First off, running isn't easy but I get out there every other day and run/walk 2 to 5 miles, sometimes more. One of my preferred places to run is William B Umstead Park. Its close by, challenging for me and its scenic. I run many loops, Sycamore Loop (3/4 miles based on where I start), a Graylyn to Reedy Creek to Turkey Creek back to Graylyn (8mi), Sals Branch (2.7mi) and a few others. All fun and all present different challenges.

A map:



My runs the last 3 weekends were quite fun. First was my post Christmas run in the snow. I have only been running a year and have not had many chances for snow running. Anyway, I got to try out my YakTrax, they worked great.

Here are a few pix:





Back to the run its self, it was great, the snow was blowing off the trees, there were 2 others on the trail, and the YakTrax kept my feet planted well. My running buddy liked it too, here is a pic of him while waiting on me to get ready. This run ended up being short and fun, 2mi.



On to the New Year, I went on a run around the Sycamore Loop. This loop is pretty easy but does have many roots and rocks to watch out for in a few sections. Being that my normal parking location was blocked off due to weather I parked at the Church on Ebeneezer Rd. Not supposed to, but I did anyway. This run started very flat on Graylyn, but soon I took a right onto the Sycamore Loop. Down a hill I go and my dog (Rocco) picking his own path in front of me. This presents challenges when Rocco takes the other side of the tree...brakes!!! A few switchbacks and a little hill and I'm down by the creek (1mi). Along the creek it is quite flat for the most part and its about a mile until you cross Graylyn (2mi). Time for another pic, taken from a ridge above the creek.



Once across Graylyn it continues for another mile along the creek, crossing it several times. The bridges still had ice from the previous weeks snow. As I come around toward a cut out to N. Turkey Creek I see some runners flying by. I decide to stay on my loop which at this point is all uphill for about 3/4 of a mile till back on Graylyn. Feeling Pretty good and back on a flat open muddy dirt road I pick the pace up and cross the 4mi on my GPS (Nike + GPS App). The run ended up being 4.29mi and I finished with my fastest pace of 9'02". I went slower too as I get tired and walk, also, my dog had a few nature calls and a play time in the creek.

Run number 3 at Umstead was today 1-8-11. It was 39 degrees, shorts weather for sure. I didn't feel that good but still managed 3 miles on an abbreviated Sycamore Loop run. The run started at the Sycamore Loop parking area and then followed the same downhill and run next to the creek and to Graylyn. This time I didn't cross Graylyn, I took a left and went up the Graylyn hill. Being I didn't feel all that hot I walked half of this. Once to the top I brought it home, running the last 3/4 mile back to the truck, done!!! This was the first time this winter I saw more than a runner or 2 on the trail. You would of thought 39 degrees was a beautiful spring day as I saw 10 runners, 8 or 9 walkers and a few cyclist.

Well thats it for this post, I hope to post several times a month this year and actually gain a few followers lol.

Year End Update

Well I started with couch to 5K back in Jan 2010. I completed in march of 2010 and entered my first 5K, finishing in 37 and change. Since I have done 11 more races,9 being of the 5K distance. The other two were a 10 miler (2hrs) and a 1 miler (8 min 30 sec). By years end my fastest 5K was 30:24 and my fastest mile was 7:40.

Off to 2011. Races scheduled so far: NHL All-star weekend 5K, Krispy Kreme Challenge (a dozen doughnuts and 4 miles of running, warrior dash and the Myrtle Beach 1/2 marathon. I may do more but that's all on the schedule this week.

Summer Heat?

Getting my run on in this summer heat has been rough. I would like to train for a fall 1/2 marathon, either Myrtle Beach or the OBX. Well, the heat puts a wrench in it. I have resorted to running in the woods on trails and late at night, along with just short runs of just a few miles. Hopefully, I will get a few cool days where I can push through 10 miles a few times. I have done so once a month ago when I was testing myself to see if a 1/2 is doable for me.

What do you all do to maintain your running when heat is on?

First 5K with Vibram Five Fingers

A few weeks ago I decided I was going to run the Komen Race for the Cure in Raleigh, NC on 6-12-10 in my Vibram Five Fingers. To get ready, the week before I ran 5 days in a row, gradually increasing my distance to 3.5K. All went well and a few days before race day I ran over at Umstead (lots of big hills) in shoes just to have a 5K run the week of the race.

Saturday morning I got up at 4:45, it's race day. I had to go catch a bus over to the event, they started ferrying people to the event at 5:30 from the RBC parking lot. I got to the event a little after 6.

On to the actual race. The timed race started at 7:00am and I was lined up pretty close to the start. I was quite excited about doing my first race in Vibram Five Fingers. The race was good for me, my best time so far, 32.14. With almost 2800 people in the timed event, it was fun, but even I had to run around people. Can't wait till my next race!

Quick Update

Well the last few weeks have been tough to run but I still did.

My Mommy passed away on the 11th, boy am I gonna miss her a ton. I love her and know she is in a good place now.

Running, well I'm plugging away. Yesterday I did have a bit of a breakthrough. I run at Umstead State Park often and the hills in the section I run often do me in and I take a few short walking breaks. Not yesterday, I kicked the hills in the butt!!!

Also, My fastest 5K is down to 34.01, done at Tobacco Trail.

Run for Hero's 5K Results

Well, my goal was to finish in under 35 minutes. I know, slow, but I'm still very new to this running thing. My actual time was 34.24!!!

Atlanta Vacation and Running!

It all started Friday morning. I took my doggie over to Best Friends Kennel. Soon after I got home, the girls arrived and we headed to Atlanta. The girls are Stephanie (me lady), her daughter Lacey and the daughters friend Kayla.

Lacey was in the big international cheerleading competition. Their team did well, 5th out of 11. I have no idea how they judge those comps as every team does almost the same. Anyway, congrats to Lacey's cheer team for a great season.

Also, we did some of the normal tourist things. We went to The Varsity and Stone Mountain.

Well on to my week of running. After last week where I ran some every day, this past week wasn't so. I ran a short 2.5K on Thursday, then due to travel I didn't run again till Sunday. I ran another 2.5K that day. In the afternoon though I followed it up with a hike, and a run up the rail section of Stone Mountain. It is a mile up and a mile down.

Today, Tuesday the 20th I headed over to the tobacco trail. I ran a full 5K in 36.21. This is my fastest 5K and I hope to be under 35 minutes on Saturday. On Saturday I race in the "Run for Hero's 5K."