Lookout Mountain 19 mile

Race: Lookout Mountain 50 miler/19 miler

Date: December 19, 2020

Finish Time: 4:33 hours

Distance: 19.06 miles

Elevation change: 2753 ft

"The Lookout Mountain trail races begin high atop the mountain at the spectacular Covenant College campus. The course offers a variety of challenging climbs, highly runnable sections and moderate descents on predominantly single track trails. The 50 and 18 mile races travel together for that 18 mile race. The course navigates two exposed bluff lines with fantastic views. On one section of trail, it is possible to see 5 states on a clear day. Runners will follow or cross no less than 5 different creeks leading the runners to Lula Lake Land Trust that winds through rhododendron, mixed hardwood, and Hemlock forests and the towering 120' Lula Falls. Great aid stations with hot soup, a dose of Southern hospitality and camp fires at night. The 10K has become one of the most challenging 10K courses in the region and for good reason. The first couple miles are flat and fast on the college cross country trails and then the speed slows down and the course turns to narrow and beautiful trails along two separate creeks with a couple steep climbs, so if you are new to trails this is a good one to hike and regardless what pace, this one will challenge you."

I signed up for this race last minute after another race I was supposed to run was cancelled due to Corona. I wasn't trained for the elevation of this course, and haven't acclimated to the colder temps since moving from Florida... but thought this looked like a beautiful course. We left Friday afternoon to head up to Chattanooga TN to pickup my race packet. Packet pickup was super easy and went so smooth, and they gave out free local beer at pickup for runners!

Social distanced at the start line

Race morning I arrived about 15 minutes before the race start. It. Was. Freezing. Literally, 25 degrees out and SO cold. Everyone stayed "socially distanced" and had masks on. We didn't start with the national anthem which was a bummer, it's my favorite way to start a race, but to each their own I guess! That's honestly my only critique I can offer, everything else was awesome. Well organized, very well marked course, well stocked aid stations where you would need them, and amazing food at the finish line. 

The buzzer sounded and we were off! We started off going downhill for probably close to 3 miles. Then up and down and up and down. It was a beautiful course, but SO cold. It hurt to breath. I keep mentioning how stinking cold it was, let me show some pictures of the icicles along the course! It hurt my lungs to breath.


I started text Justin around mile 10 telling him how much I was struggling with breathing. Even with walking I couldn't keep my breath, my lungs were on fire. I ended up running with my facemask on a lot just to warm the air I was breathing. 

My legs felt great and my heart rate was staying low but my lungs were on fire. I told him I knew I wasn't going to make the 50 miles (which is what I signed up for), I was going to try and stick it out and make it as long as I could, but with the tough time restraints of this race and how much walking I was having to do due to not being able to breath I knew I wouldn't make it. I was praying it would warm up outside so I could enjoy the rest of my beautiful miles.
The views after that were spectacular, on a clear day like today you can see 5 different states! There were 2 huge waterfalls we got to run by. This area was particularly cold! The splashing of the freezing water in the wind was like having ice hitting you in the face! 

The trail wasn't too hard to run, except some parts were so steep, we literally had to use a rope on one area to aid us in the climb! These parts I was unable to run, even if it wasn't so cold, although there were some amazing runners that were still running these crazy steep up hills! 

I got to mile 14 and texted Justin telling him I was going to bail and finish with the 19 mile finishers. I was struggling emotionally at this point. I was so frustrated that I felt good and couldn't run because I didn't train to run in the cold. Poor training for the elements got the best of me. I bailed and finish with the 19 mile finishers, I figured I would get a DNF from dropping and was pleasantly surprised to see that they just moved me to a 19 mile finisher! I'm so happy about that! I'm glad I ran this race, and learned something new about running in the cold! I never thought that would be something I would have to practice or train for. After 8 years of running in the Florida heat and humidity, I figured cold weather would ALWAYS be easy. Boy, was I wrong! I'm hoping to do it again next winter, but will have lived in Georgia for over a year at that point so hopefully I will be more acclimated to thinner colder air! Besides freezing, this course was awesome, the views were amazing, the race directors were well organized and so kind. The hot amazing tacos on the grills at the finish line HIT THE SPOT! 

50 mile ultra training & Achilles Progress

You can see the "bumps" along my Achilles, should
be pretty flat but I have lumps along it. Still
healing, but is so much better than it was!

Just a quick update. My Achilles is still a pain in my -you know what- but is (slowly) getting better and better. I am now running 15-18 miles for my long runs without any pain or soreness but with PT they are still recommending I not do any longer. I have been averaging 45 miles per week (mpw) reaching into the low 50's lately. I am hoping to get one 30 mile run in before my taper, but also trying to listen carefully to what the doctors and physical therapists are recommending for my best recovery. I may not be getting my super long runs in back to back each week but I am hitting my minimum weekly miles, PLUS 3-4 hours of strength training in at PT each week all geared towards strengthening my hips and perfecting my running form. I feel like that really counts for more than a few miles. I guess we will see. I can't believe my race is in 4 1/2 weeks! EEK! I have 2 1/2 more weeks of higher mileage than 2 weeks to taper. Oh. My. GAWD. Less than 5 weeks? Where does time go?

Icing down after PT. My ladder
fully extended still taunting
me after a really hard workout!

I am doing a lot of new things in PT now getting myself ready for my race. This week they have me running 1 minute and walking 1 minute in intervals. They said it is supposed to help with my basic biomechanics for running? So much work on my hips and calves, also with balance and core strength. They also have me doing ladder work with a resistance band - 5 reps back and forth then jump on to the treadmill at 6mph (10 min miles) for 2 minutes, then another 5 reps, then back to the treadmill. I did that for about an hour today! No pain or soreness.

On the ladder today I had a
resistance belt attached to
my back so I was pulling it
while running through my
ladder drills.

The physical therapists said I need to focus on leaning forward just a little while running to take some of the strain off my calves and ankles. Also to better incorporate my larger muscle groups (hips and thighs). My footwork has improved so much since the beginning of PT.

I have a 30 mile run I'm hoping to get in next week, then I'll begin to taper! I'm hoping everything works itself out. I am getting pretty nervous. I am grateful I have some amazing supportive running friends who will be at my race supporting me and even running portions of it with me.

Achilles Follow-up - 50 mile training!

My Dr said my Achilles has the teeniest tiniest tear in it. I mean we are talking a minuscule, teeny-tiny-little-almost-not-there tear. That said he told me to continue going to physical therapy for 12 weeks (continuing after my race), and I will see him regularly (every few weeks) to followup and get more scans to make sure everything is progressing toward healing. After talking with my physical therapists, they are limiting my weekly long runs to 10-12 miles (rather than 20-22)... this has mentally been the hardest part for me. I want to trust them because I know they know what they're doing, but it's going against my training plan and that terrifies me. I want to be as ready as possible!

My longest weekend runs are back to back 12 and 10 milers right now. They reassured me those numbers will likely grow quickly as long as I continue with PT and regular icing/Advil (swelling reduction). Praying this doesn't derail my training too much. That's a drastic drop in my overall weekly miles (looking at 42 miles instead of 54 for example). I have been penciling in my "actual" numbers for each day of the week.

So here is the plan I have been following:

I'm having to make some tweeks on those long runs, they want me to keep my weekly mileage down a little more than I am but I am really scared to drop it too much more than I already have to. I'm hoping after a week or two of lower miles, PT and regular icing there will be an Achilles Miracle and I can get those 20 mile runs in again with no issues! I just don't feel like myself with 10-12 being my long weekly runs.

We use these stepper machines to warm up and cool
down my legs before and after each PT session. 

So far in PT I have learned so much about myself and my running form. I learned I waste a lot of energy swinging my arms a little too much so I have been focusing on trying to keep them swinging a little less. Also that I spend a lot more time on my right foot than I do my left. My push off is hard on my right with a long stride, my left foot hits and just rotates forward with minimal push off. I also am slightly knock-kneed. I have been trying to push off harder on my left foot, and keep my knees and feet separate. I never guessed I'd get so much
feedback regarding my form and looking at how I run. They verified all the feedback they gave me using my worn out running shoes showing me every strike and basically walking me through the fatigue of my runs and how I carry myself.

This is so difficult and my runs are making me more sore than ever! Hopefully all these little things will pay off in the end. They said strengthening my hips will help everything else straighten out as well. My hips are always "feeling the burn" in PT. Haha. I am learning so much about running and form, about all the different muscles and tendons and how they all work. It's crazy that working my hips will help so many other aspects of my running from correcting my knees to strengthening my Achilles. Hopefully all the "fancy footwork" they have me doing using an agility ladder, and the "hip-killer" exercises that burn my hips so badly will all pay off and I will be faster and stronger than ever.

NordiTrack X15i Treadmill Review

I am training for my first 50 mile race (Palm Bluff Margaritas and Manure). I have a pretty crazy life working as a full-time mom of 3 young kids who does all the cooking, cleaning, homework help. I work outside of the home as a Bartender and for The Color Run series. I also have Lyme disease and when I have a flare it makes it really hard to drag myself out the door to run. It often makes it hard to pull myself out of bed. All that to say, I have decided to take on my first 50 miler. Something I always said I would attempt after I was 40 years old because by that time my life should be less crazy, my kids will be older, and I could set aside specific time for "training". I guess I like the challenge because I have now registered for one on May 1.

My husband, the most amazing man ever, has bought me a new treadmill to aid to my training. I am doing most of my runs outside on trails but some days running outside just isn't an option because of my work schedule (late nights and early mornings), babysitting, heat or being far too cold for my Florida-thinned blood.

Let's get down to it, after a TON of research we decided on the NordicTrack X15i Incline Trainer.

Quick Treadmill Spec Highlights:

4.5 CHP MOTOR

44 WORKOUT APPS

-6 – 40% POWER INCLINE

10” WEB-ENABLED TOUCHSCREEN

15" HIGH DEFINITION TV SCREEN

WARRANTY- Lifetime Frame, Motor & Deck Warranty, 6-Year Parts & Electronics Warranty, 3-Year Labor Warranty

This treadmill has allowed me to create running routes anywhere in the world to run. This morning I ran a route in my hometown in Southern Oregon, yesterday I ran through Savannah Ga, the day before the countryside in the Philippians. This is possible using the iFit® technology. Track your progress, replicate real-life runs with Google Maps™ - complete with Street View, train with Jillian Michaels, and custom-tailor your workouts to your specific goals.
*Requires an iFit® membership, which is sold separately. 

The tv screen works great, I hook it up to my dvd player to use Netflix, my cable box to watch live tv, and even my laptop so I can stream Hulu! The treadmill has a 2nd set of handles for when you are using the incline (very handy). The sound is great using both the tv and the music provided, and it has a spot to plug your ipod/mp3 player right into the treadmill. There are so many video options and map routes to run, your options are endless. I want to be on it constantly so I can run all the different routes! There is a great community page if you purchase iFit where people map and share their workouts. It's been fun browsing that page and seeing what other people are doing. 

The treadmill has a powerful motor with a lifetime warranty, a 22 x 60 two-ply tread belt which is so quiet when I'm running on it. The belt has a 6 year warranty. The heart rate monitor included is very accurate and comfortable. I have been enjoying learning how to run using my target heart rates for each run. The treadmill weighs 500 lbs (and was a lot of work to get it up stairs). It is so heavy duty and I believe it is built to last!

Nice run through the countryside in the Philippians. Crazy
high elevation change on this run hitting 25% inclines and
-6% decline running up and down the mountain. 

This shows the 15" tv screen (on top)
and the 10" treadmill display
showing results from a workout
I just completed.

I only have a few negatives about the treadmill so far and they really are so minor. #1 is the TV screen is not height adjustable. I feel like it is set up just a little high for me (I'm about 5'4"... almost). #2 The Fans. I can't really feel the fan when it is on? Not sure if it's a directional thing or what but the fans (yes there are 2) seem kind of worthless since they don't blow on me when they're on. #3 Using  the decline. When using the decline the treadmill limits your speed. So when at a -6% decline it only allows me to run 6 mph - 10 minute miles. I understand the safety features of this but it is frustrating because when running hills the downhill is where you get to makeup time. Unfortunately on the treadmill it doesn't work quite like that. Lastly #4 the price. I feel like this treadmill was very expensive. It was a difficult commitment to purchase this treadmill because it was so expensive, we got lucky and they were running a deal when we bought it (list price is $4,499 and we paid $3,000 plus tax). 

With all that said, I am IN LOVE with this machine. I am so excited to have an indoor running option to help me get my miles in when I can't head outside, and have not been bored on a run yet! I will try to get some pictures of myself and my husband on the treadmill to give you an idea of it's size. 

Week 4 of 26.2 training COMPLETE!

1 Month Complete
Wow, now officially 1 month complete! I cant believe the marathon is in 4 months!! I'm so nervous and excited! Now that Justin and I have successfully incorporated running into our lives, its time to "up the anty" and increase both our speed and mileage. We are now starting to focus on increasing our weekly miles hoping by the end of the month we will be averaging 30 miles a week. Month 1 Justin averaged 20 miles a week, and I averaged 25 miles a week. Its going to be a big jump for Justin, but I know he is capable. He is such an amazing man.

Week 4
Day 1: 4.01 miles
Day 2:  5.6 miles
Day 3: Rest
Day 4: 9 Miles+ 5.10 miles
Day 5: 3.1 fast
Day 6: OFF
Day 7: 7.3 miles

Weekly Total:  34.11

Week 1 Day 2 Marathon Training...

Officially just completed Week 1 Day 2 of my 4hr Marathon training Plan. 5 miles at marathon goal pace (9:09 min mile). I got a late start this morning which means I ran 5 miles starting at 10am, 86 degrees and 80% humidity. Yeow! It was H-O-T hot! I figure it's good  practice for me running in extreme temperatures will only make me a better faster runner when it's cooler out right?

I'm a little nervous about attempting to run a marathon in under 4 hours... I feel like I'm a little crazy for even believing it's possible! I ran the Rock N Roll Savannah 26.2 last year (my 1st Marathon) and did it in 4:16:32, I trained to complete it in 4:30. That is what I keep reminding myself that I beat my goal time by almost 15 minutes which is INCREDIBLE. That makes me think if I train correctly, and consistently I might be able to do this.

Being a mom with 3 small kids and having a husband who works 60-70 hours a week makes the consistent part difficult though. Training for a marathon is certainly a lot of sacrifice and hard work. But man, running up that finish shoot completing that 26.2 miles is the single most amazing feeling ever. That will keep me going... I hope!