Cloudland Canyon State Park

Ready for the Nashville Country Music Marathon

Posted by Jim on April 15, 2012

I’m ready. I’ve finished the most difficult part of the marathon training and now I’m tapering my mileage during these last couple weeks before the marathon. I’ve run 441 miles and nearly 100 hours to get ready for this race. I would have liked to get in more miles, but the 25 mile run last week (only 1.2 miles short of a marathon) told me that I’m ready to finish. Even with the nearly six weeks off during December/January (due to injury), I was able to get back on track and ready for the race.

My biggest regret in preparing for this marathon is that I’ve not lost more weight. As of this morning I’m down 16.75 pounds from my starting weight of 161.5, but it looks like I’ll be running the marathon at just over 240 pounds. That’s a lot of extra weight that I simply shouldn’t be bringing along. But I have only myself to blame.

I plan to continue running regularly after the marathon so that I can stay in shape and continue to lose weight. I’m hoping to weight 220 by the end of September this year. That would be a total weight lose of 41.5 pounds in one year.

I completed three training runs so far this week:

On Tuesday I ran a comfortable six miles in an hour and 20 minutes. On Thursday I completed my last speed run before the marathon. I ran a quick pace of 10:43 a mile for a 10 kilometer run on the crushed rock trail at the Walker County Community Center. Then today I completed 8.7 miles on the roads in Cloudland Canyon State Park.

Just 13 more days until I stand in the starting corral at the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee. I’m excited. The anticipation is starting to set in as I draw closer to finishing this 30 year goal.

Categories Races, Training
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An Easy Week of Running

Posted by Jim on March 31, 2012

This past week was basically a recovery week that I had not scheduled. I took the day off after my long run on Sunday, and only ran 3.8 miles on Tuesday. The Tuesday run was my first trail run since my 10k trail race back in December 2011. It was an easy run around the Back Country Trail loop in Cloudland Canyon State Park. I had worked about five hours before the run helping put in a new trail in the park. So I was a bit exhausted when I did my run.

Because of scheduling issues I didn’t find time to run during the next couple of days. So I didn’t run again until yesterday (Friday). I ran 7k (4.3 miles) at the Walker County Community Center. This is the crushed rock trail of one kilometer in length. I enjoy running at the Community Center because the trail is comfortable and there are a couple moderate hills that give me some variety and extra training. I always run a little slower here because of the surface. I finished the run in 55:38.

10 Kilometer Racing in the Morning

Posted by Jim on December 16, 2011

I ran a couple times this week and didn’t take time to post. Family time is my priority during the holiday. But tomorrow I have my first ever trail race so I thought I should update you on what’s happening.

On Wednesday I ran four miles on the Back Country Trail in Cloudland Canyon State Park. It was a faster run than I expected at just under 48 minutes. Yesterday I did a short three mile run on the asphalt track and again my pace was faster than normal. Since I run with a heart monitor to keep from over or under training, the increased speed is definitely a good sign.

My only concern going into this race is the pain at the back of my right knee. I think I did something to it while playing table tennis with my sons. It hurt a little on Tuesday night and was painful during both runs after that. Even today while doing some shopping there was pain. It doesn’t seem to be slowing me down, but I’m concerned that it could become a bigger issue in tomorrow’s 6.2 mile race. I’ve got the leg elevated with a heat pad right now, so let’s hope it is only a minor nuisance tomorrow.

I’ve never run a race on dirt trails before other than one cross country race during high school. Even then it was a fairly level and easy course through open fields. Tomorrow’s race on Lookout mountain has some more challenging aspects. Also, it rained most of today, so there will be some mud and water to navigate. Nonetheless, it should be a lot of fun. I will update you on the result tomorrow or Sunday.

Categories Races, Trail Runs and Hikes, Training
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Cool Running

Posted by Jim on November 29, 2011

A couple times this year I have run the Back Country Trail at Cloudland Canyon State Park to get some trail running experience. This is what the trail looked like today. My friend Greg “Sourdough” Foster took this photo while hiking at the park while I stayed in the slightly warmer valley down below. Just this past Friday I rolled my ankle on this trail and today was my first run since that slight injury. I stayed away from the frozen trail.

Since I hadn’t run since Friday I decided to put in a couple extra miles. I did 6.4 miles on an asphalt trail in about 1 hour and 12 minutes. The ankle felt great, so I’m not worried about it slowing me down. Actually, I felt good all around with the exception of the frigid 38 degree temperature. But I was ready: gloves, hat, layered tech shirts and running jacket and pants. The only thing that I didn’t manage to keep toasty warm were my toes. I should have put on an extra pair of socks. But it wasn’t that bad.

I ran the first mile a little fast and had trouble keeping myself in the correct heart rate zone. I think my body was just trying to keep warm. I settled in to an 11:30 per mile pace after the second mile. With just under a mile to go, I decided to ignore the heart monitor and just run at the pace I felt comfortable with. It was a good finish to a good run.

Categories Clothing & Equipment, Training
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Time To Catch Up

Posted by Jim on November 29, 2011

Okay, I’ve been gone for more than a week because of the holidays. Family was in town and we had a great Thanksgiving. So, let me catch you up on how the training is going:

Monday, Nov. 21 – I ran four miles on the most beautiful trail in this region. I ran the Sitton’s Gulch trail from the bottom of Lookout Mountain (near Trenton, GA) to Hemlock Falls in Cloudland Canyon State Park. This run is a climb up of over 600 feet in two miles before turning around and heading back down hill. The trail follows Daniel Creek as it cascades over huge boulders and through a forest of hemlock and other beautiful trees. This is a run (or hike) that everyone should do when in this area. And be sure to bring a camera. You will want to share the experience with your friends.

Tuesday, Nov. 22 – Today it was a 4.3 mile run at the local park on the crushed rock path. The run was just over 55 minutes, and although rain was forecast, there was hardly a drop during the run. It was a very pleasant 68 degrees.

Turkey Time – I took off Wednesday and Thursday to spend time with family and enjoy a wonderful meal. And I was thrilled to see that I only put on 1.25 pounds. I was careful not to over-indulge, but the potatoes, turkey, dressing and pie still added a little extra baggage.

Friday, Nov. 25 – This was my longest trail run to date. I ran six miles (3 loops) on the Back Country Trail at the Cloudland Canyon State Park. Despite the slightly damp trail and leaves hiding rocks and roots, I managed to not twist an ankle or take a fall. Well, that is, until I finished my run and decided to make a quick dash to join my family who was hiking part of the trail. Yep, I turned a corner and my left foot rolled to the side. It wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t walk on it, but I knew it would mean a few days off of my training.

So here I am today, Tuesday, November 29. I’ve let my ankle rest for 96 hours, and it feels pretty good. I’m going to run today, but it won’t be on a trail or crushed rock. I don’t want to risk reinjuring the foot again. So I will either run the asphalt trail at the church (probably in the cold rain) or stay dry on the treadmill in the garage. The treadmill is looking pretty good right now. There is snow up on Lookout Mountain and it’s only 38 degrees here in the valley. But I need to get back to running as I have a race coming up in just a couple weeks.

Categories Diet, Trail Runs and Hikes, Training
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Cross-Training Underground

Posted by Jim on November 14, 2011

Yesterday I did a bit of cross-training with the G3 Outfitters at Cloudland Canyon State Park. We put on helmets, knee pads, gloves and lights and headed into Sitton’s Cave in Trenton, Georgia. Amy and Christine, our guides for the two-hour excursion briefed us on a few safety issues and prepared us for what we would experience in the cave. Then we plunged into the darkness, down a rocky decline at the main cave entrance.

The temperature in Sitton’s Cave remains a constant 58 degrees. It was rather pleasant until I had to wade through calf-high chilly water leading us through much of the cavern. I guess I shouldn’t complain given that there are times the water is chest high (and not recommended for exploration).

Our guides knew the cave well and made sure to point out the amazing formations and wildlife throughout the cave. We saw bats, cave crickets, and even a salamander on our journey. The bats were no bigger than a mouse but, contrary to what I had believed, are not related. We even got to watch as a cluster of bats awoke and headed out to hunt for food as the evening approached.

Once we were well into the cave, maybe a little more than 1/2 a mile in, we stopped for a break. All together we turned off our headlamps and sat in quiet darkness. The only sound was the occasional drip…drip of water from deeper within the cave. It was an awesome experience. It had been years since I was in a non-commercialized cave and the tranquility was something else.

The G3 guides had taken care of everything to ensure this trip was memorable and amazing. They provided all the gear and provided an educational experience. Amy and Christine have a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humor. I would highly recommend this trip (or the longer, 4-hour version) to anyone visiting around Chattanooga or northwest Georgia. You can find them at GeorgiaGirlGuides.com.

Categories A Little Off Topic
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