What have I gotten myself into?

I started asking myself that question as the girlfriend, two friends, and I drove from Nashville to Chattanooga. We were headed for the Rock/Creek Stump Jump 50k. All four of them were 50k first-timers and I was a Stump Jump first-timer.

I signed up for the race back in August. The gf had been itching to do a 50k ever since supporting me in my first back in January. Despite not running much this summer, I figured August and September gave me adequate time to get in some mileage. Alas, the motivation never came. Since running an improv marathon on the 4WD roads of the San Juans back in June, I have run two 12-milers and 2-3 shorter runs. That is it.

I joked on the car ride down, saying, "Running 50ks is like riding bikes, right? Muscle memory". While that sounds ridiculous, it is not much of an exaggeration of my thinking up to the race. After all, I've run a 50k and 3 marathons. Therefore, I will be mentally prepared. Finishing is not a question. I'll just be out there longer. We finished, yes! It was the most physically difficult things I've ever done, though.

Here is a short synopsis of the event:

--The crew and I arrived in Chatty around 6:45pm. Dinner started at 6pm, so we scrounged all the left-overs we could manage and chatted with a friend who was also to run. Then, we all headed down to hear "Ultramarathon Man," Dean Karnazes speak. I'm sorry to say that I was not too motivated by him, and we all left early. Are his accomplishments incredible? Yes. Was I inspired the first time I heard them? Yes. It's just that a room full of long-distance athletes already know about long-distance running, so I guess we're a tougher audience than average Americans.

--The gf and I were going to camp Friday night. The plan was to go to a state forest campsite near the race start. We weren't sure how to get to that campsite though, so we pitched out tent next to the starting area parking lot. Besides the post-football game high schoolers peeling out and the early morning setup crew, it wasn't that bad of a location. At least, we were only yards from the start area.

--The crew all started together. Slowly we managed to break up as one bolted ahead not long into the race, another dropped back midway and a third left me and the gf towards the end. It was nice to have the company. During the middle of the race, I followed a group at an intersection, which turned out to mislead us on a bonus excursion. No problem - add another k to the distance. Also midway through, I got popped with shot of fire in my thigh, when a yellow jacket caught me. Good thing I took my pre-race Epipen shot to get the heart going! ;)

--I knew I had made a tough decision less than halfway through the race. I was already feeling more tired than I should. In fact, most of the race, I felt like the gf was pacing me along. She was possibly even less prepared than I, running a max run of 8 miles in the last 6 months! Those last 10 miles were a slog for sure. I wanted to walk so bad, but walking hurt more! Running was sometimes just as slow as walking and gave me a stiffening sensation in my chest. OH! Why hadn't I trained? No amount of Nuun, Heed, soda, chocolate, pretzels, or gels could make me feel good through those miles. I resorted to straight water, so I could pour it on my face and body.

--Finally, after a very long 7hrs, she and I came down the paved parking lot across the finish line. All I wanted to do was lie down. Someone please give me an ice bath!! I am pretty sure I could have slept mid-race and definitely immediate post-race. The pain and discomfort is subsiding slowly. I still feel like a decrepit old man one day later. Unlike past races, this one caused my joints, tendons, and ligaments to hurt more than my muscles. I didn't have any cramping problems, but my IT band has gone from rubber band to steel cord.

All in all, I'm glad I went through with the race. I am privileged to be able to enjoy the outdoors in this way. The weather was gorgeous, revealing picturesque views of the Tennessee River Gorge. Best of all, I was able to support my friend through her first 50k, much like the way she supported me through mine.

Thanks to R/C and the volunteers for another quality day and to Vandy ORC for some trail maintenance.

Pullin' Plastic

I love climbing outside. I would never climb inside if I had easy access to local crags. Alas, I must resort to the plastic to stay in shape. Much of my recent climbing has been at Vandy wall at the rec center. I have also set two routes - both in the 5.9 range. I usually just climb all the easy to moderates at the wall and then try a tough one. It yields a sufficient burn.

Today, though, I made the short trek to ClimbNashville since the weather was supposed to be rainy. A friend and I were there for ~3hrs with very little rest. Together, we probably did 20 or more routes.

I had fun! The gym is probably good for me, because it requires different climbing than what I'm used to. Most routes are vertical or slightly overhanging. That is NOT my forte. I don't have great grip strength, power, or endurance right now. Regardless, I felt pretty good today. We started with some warm ups on 7,8,9. The 5.9 was a sweet, long arete that was overhanging in the upper half. The holds were super good, making it a fun and secure climb.

Next, I bit off more than I could chew with some 5.10s. The two I chose were both really strange. The first was almost entirely slopers (not my favorite!). The second required a good bit of awkward stemming on mediocre holds.

We moved over to another section for some more 5.10s. The few that I got on there felt really good, full of big holds for the steep sections. Unfortunately, I was already pumped, so I needed to rest on every climb.

The last two climbs I did were fun and unique. They were much more technical, with small holds and balancing moves. The first was less than vertical. I think I do pretty well on slabby stuff, so I felt good. The second was about vertical with really small holds. I was able to utilize some side-pull and toe-hook action on that one, which was fun!

next:

Next Saturday, I am headed to Foster Falls for a Vandy ORC trip. I have a couple climbs that I want to lead. Then I have a couple open weekends during which I plan on taking climbing trips to Chattanooga for some trad. TRAD IS RAD!

Today's session was good for my confidence. While I didn't prove myself to be any stronger or better than I thought, climbing so much today was awesome! I'm excited for the rest of this semester's climbing!

So much to do

The outdoors are becoming my life more and more in recent years. I've gone from being the good ol' american athlete playing football and baseball as a kid to now participating in these fringe rec activities of climbing, mountaineering and ultra trail running. This is only the beginning though. I don't want outdoor activities to be my hobbies but a lifestyle! I want to be a climber and a runner and a mountaineer - an overall adventurer.

Currently, my interests are mostly focused on climbing. This summer afforded me the opportunity to develop a lot as a climber, honing skills in multipitch climbing, traditional climbing and pushing me physically. Coming back to middle TN, though, I am awaken to the tremendous growth left in my future. What is 5.8, for example? Sometimes 5.8 is a warmup for me. Other times, 5.8 is the perfect trad line for me. And still other times, 5.8 is a struggle. What?! I don't even want to have to ask that question. Okay, so I realize that ratings are relative and that climbing a certain grade is not my reason for climbing, but still I have that drive! I want to climb 5.8 no problem - no concersn whatsoever. Heck, the same for 5.9! By my graduation, I would like to be a solid 5.10 leader! Will it happen? I don't know, but I certainly realize that it won't just be bestowed on me. What do I need to work on? Well, for starters, strength in my fingers and upper body. I need to get on steeper stuff. In general, I need to push my climbing to the next level. I have been too complacent for too long and not getting much better.

That was a rant. You get the point -- I want to get better! I will be working on it. Whenever I can, I want to get out to Chattanooga to T-Wall, Sunset, Fosters and to the little cliff that could, King's Bluff in Clarksville. I have a full rack now and just want to climb!

My running has been pretty down since I didn't do much this summer. Even since returning to Nashville, I have run (at most) 3 times per week and topped out at 12mi once. At this point, just 3 weeks from a 50k, there's not much I can do in preparation, so I will just be maintaining and hoping for the best. This one might be harder than the last...

In other news, I have added one more outdoor skill to my toolset - kayak rolling. Last Tuesday, I attended the Outdoor Rec's weekly roll clinic. That night I went through a progression, practicing technique, hip movements, paddle movements, different rescue techniques and, finally, the roll. After a pretty intense 1h15mins, I attempted my first roll and completely floundered. With some intense training over the next ~10mins, I got the roll and repeated it a couple of times. I was actually amazed on my first succesful roll. It felt so easy (doing it the right way) that I thought someone had helped me. I am not the most comfortable person in water, so the kayaking adventure is perfect for pushing my comfort zone. I hope to hit a river sometime this year.

That is all for now. The biggest event is that my girl is finally coming back - one week! I can't wait. It's been a long 4 months.