This weekend Jared and I went to Bear Mountain to preview the 50k course. I had 24 miles scheduled for Saturday and just about 90 mins to run Sunday before we were to head back.
Saturday morning I got up and ran a little before we got on the road. I was worried how far I would be able to go at Bear and didn't want to miss my mileage. We got to the Anthony Wayne "Aid Station" and headed onto the trail. Only a few minutes in and we were lost. After a couple miles we found our way to the correct trail and we were on our way. The trails were extremely rocky - jagged rocks and boulders were everywhere. While the terrain made you hop from place to place causing you to fatigue pretty quickly the fact you had to pay such close attention to your footing almost made you forget that you were exhausted…almost.
Saturday morning I got up and ran a little before we got on the road. I was worried how far I would be able to go at Bear and didn't want to miss my mileage. We got to the Anthony Wayne "Aid Station" and headed onto the trail. Only a few minutes in and we were lost. After a couple miles we found our way to the correct trail and we were on our way. The trails were extremely rocky - jagged rocks and boulders were everywhere. While the terrain made you hop from place to place causing you to fatigue pretty quickly the fact you had to pay such close attention to your footing almost made you forget that you were exhausted…almost.
The trail led to a road and we had to run uphill for about a mile until we found the next trail, where we ducked in and began to climb. A nice lake appeared on our right but all too soon we were headed up another rocky climb. The weather was about 70 and I took in about 160 calories an hour and was drinking a lot of water. We got to the Silvermine Lake "Aid Station" and had to stop for a min to get some more food and water. I was really dehydrated and felt sick to my stomach. We started back out and realized I had about 11 miles back to the car if we continued on our projected route. That would make me have about 28 miles (due to getting lost) and I knew I was fading pretty fast. We decided to head back the way we came and run around the App Trail near the car.
Once I arrived at the car (after running around the parking lot like a squirrel for a bit making sure I hit my mileage) and tore my shoes off. Ahhhhhhhh. Honestly, every single part of my body was in pain. You name it, it hurt. I couldn't keep my eyes open for the ride back to the hotel. We got back, showered, and immediately found an Italian restaurant to eat some pasta at. I NEVER eat pasta…today was the exception. We really enjoyed our dinner at Bella Luna Restaurant with some pasta, wine and dessert.
That night all I wanted to do was sleep but my body was on fire, lol. Sunday we got up and hit the trails bright and early. I wanted to see two spots before we went home. One spot where I had to climb hand over hand (I fear heights) and the last, and steepest climb, before the home stretch. We only got to the hand over hand climb and it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I figured, the last steep climb will be there regardless and we were ready to get home.
See ya in a few weeks Bear Mountain!
Once I arrived at the car (after running around the parking lot like a squirrel for a bit making sure I hit my mileage) and tore my shoes off. Ahhhhhhhh. Honestly, every single part of my body was in pain. You name it, it hurt. I couldn't keep my eyes open for the ride back to the hotel. We got back, showered, and immediately found an Italian restaurant to eat some pasta at. I NEVER eat pasta…today was the exception. We really enjoyed our dinner at Bella Luna Restaurant with some pasta, wine and dessert.
That night all I wanted to do was sleep but my body was on fire, lol. Sunday we got up and hit the trails bright and early. I wanted to see two spots before we went home. One spot where I had to climb hand over hand (I fear heights) and the last, and steepest climb, before the home stretch. We only got to the hand over hand climb and it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I figured, the last steep climb will be there regardless and we were ready to get home.
See ya in a few weeks Bear Mountain!