GA Jewel 100

Georgia Jewel 100 mile

Race: GA Jewel100 Mile Ultramarathon

Date: September 16, 2022

Finish Time: 32:56 hours

Distance: 100 Mile

Elevation gain: 14,478 ft

About 6 weeks before the race, I got Hip Bursitis which stopped my training. I missed critical strength training and my last several peak weeks of running because of this, but ultimately I had to make a choice - keep training but stay injured which would likely hinder me during the race from the start. Or, stop everything and try to heal, go into the race undertrained (but well rested! LOL) and hopefully un-injured. I chose to stop training and allow my body to heal. I had been doing 30-60 minutes on the stair stepper every week after my weekly long run for strength training, one day of week of strength training like plyometrics or HIIT drills ect. all in addition to my weekly miles.This race started at noon which a lot of people thought was crazy, but I thought it was perfect! I was able to sleep in, eat a huge breakfast and start hydrating early. I was able to get dressed, adjust everything, change my clothing choices, and get dressed again with plenty of time to kill. We got to the start line around 11:30am, picked up my bib and listened to the prerace information from the race director. I had a tentative goal of a 30 hour finish, but really, I just WANTED TO FINISH. I needed to prove to myself that I could do this again, and my one 100 mile finish wasn't some fluke.

 The first 1-2 miles took us down Mt Baker, and through a neighborhood (mostly downhill). Miles 3-4 were up the Power Lines where we encountered our first aid station. Then we continued going up on pretty rocky trails for several more miles (this was known as the Rock Garden). On my way through this area was so pretty, neat terrain to be bouncing off rocks through the ridgelines. We summit 4 mountains from miles 2-18 (Dug Mountain 1800 feet, Hurricane Mountain 1550 feet, Middle Mountain 1500 feet and Mill Creek Mountain 1800 feet). The first 18.8 miles you basically run 1 mile up hill, 2 miles along a ridgeline, and 1 mile downhill. Then at Mile 18.8 we hit "Snake Creek Gap" aid station. This is a large aid station where I could access my crew for the first time. I was way ahead of pace here coming in at 4 hours 20 minutes (an hour earlier than I anticipated). I ate, drank and carried on pretty quickly not stopping for too long. The next stretch was to Keown Falls. This stretch was hard, long rocky ups and downs but ended with a mile around the ponds that was pretty run-able. We came into the Pocket Road Aid station here and went up into the falls. It was about a mile uphill hitting 20-30% grade climbs until hitting the waterfalls. 

We passed 2 or 3 of them in a short spacing then summited Johns Mountain. Johns Mountain was beautiful, I summited it right at sunset and had some spectacular views. Leaving here was roughly an 11 mile stretch into Dry Creek. We ran down Johns Mountain which was long not steep section of down hill, then we ran some service roads eventually coming through a pretty big water crossing, then coming into Dry Creek.

Mile 36! My husband and crew didn't make it to dry creek by the time I got there, so I carried on in my wet shoes. Fortunately the weather was beautiful and I had fueled well so I wasn't cold, just annoyed to be in my wet gear. I had so looked forward to "banking time" in the Dry Creek loops, but I HATED these 2 loops (which we run twice each). They were rolling ups and downs not steep, but very boring, secluded in the woods, and scary at night time! I picked up my brother as my first pacer at mile 50 around 1:30am and he ran the1st/ 3rd loop of 6.5 miles with me. I was so grateful to have his company. At this point I was hours ahead of my 30 hour time goal and holding 2nd place female. My husband joined me for the 2nd/4th loop of 7 miles next. I focused on eating during this time and getting fueled back up for the crazy climbs that were going to come upon me leaving dry creek. 

Mile 64 5:38 am heading out of Dry Creek with my mom! We brought a small dish towel to dry our feet off, and ran through the water crossing together but taking the time to take off our shoes so we could keep our dry feet. Then we proceeded to climb the long steady uphill to Johns Mountain Summit. I was using my trekking poles off and on at this point, trying to jog some but mostly hiking. We ran past the waterfalls again and came back into Pocket Road Aid Station where my mom took a short break to eat and hydrate and my sister came to run a few miles with me! I didn't remember this section being SO hard, but I decided this was a very hard section. We basically just hiked all of it. Steep long ups and downs and so many rocks. I didn't love this section as much on the way back lol. Having all the different people to keep me company made for a really nice mental breakup of the race. 

Mile 82.2 Snake Creek Gap I made it to the final section. As I came into this section, I was overwhelmed by emotion. My quads were starting to get weak and I was getting a little uncertain of my leg strength being able to make it. I felt amazing mentally, this was absolutely my strongest mental race I have done of any distance. Cardio was great, but my legs were shot. My mom joined me for the last 18 miles (she is a freaking rock star). We hiked 100% of this. My legs had no "go" for running anymore. I was so frustrated about not being able to run. This 18 mile section was brutal. The whole thing is SO rocky and rooted. I really struggled with all the rocks. We hit mile 90 and I just kept crying. My mom helped rub my quads some and get me loosened up and shaken out. I could go a little more, then would have to stop and stretch again. By mile 95 we had a long stop. I was unsure I could walk on my legs anymore. 5 miles to go! I was picturing having to be carried out on a matt, or left overnight until my legs would regain some strength. Mom gave me a great pep talk, and helped me get moving again. I depending on my trekking poles at this point. It was almost like I had a spinal tap done and couldn't feel anything from the waist down, which seems like it'd be great, but it meant when my brain said walk... nothing happened. I never had any cramping during this race, or pain, or soreness or fatigue... my legs just tried to quit working on me! Next time I will certainly be focusing much more on leg strength training!

 We FINALLY hit the last aid station, the power lines with about 3.8 miles to go to the finish line. I was PUMPED. We got off those god-awful rocky trails and were able to start running again once we hit the pavement! Unfortunately, the last 25 miles took me SO long, we had to wear our headlamps again because the sun had set. We approached mount baker, and having my mom by myself meant the world to me. As we (slowly) climbed up the 40% climb of Mount Baker, I could see my husband at the top. We were almost there! The emotion, excitement, it was all so overwhelming in all the right ways. Finally made it through the parking lot, into that beautiful finish line. I was so relieved to get off my feet! 

What no one talks about is after the race, we went to the hotel and I showered while husband picked up food, I couldn't lift my legs to step out of the shower, couldn't lift them onto the bed once I sat on the bed. They stopped working completely. My husband had to move them for me, adjust them and help me in and out of bed all night. He is amazing. 

I'll be back next year with strong capable legs, ready for this race!

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! 

PFH 50k

Race: PFH50k (Pisgah Fish Hatchery 50k)

Date: Sept 2, 2018

Finish Time: 10:32 hours

Distance: 50k

Elevation change: 16,000 ish ft

This was a group run starting at the Pisgah Fish Hatchery. The course started and finished in the hatchery parking lot, the race directors jeep was our finish line! We got to pass by at least a dozen waterfalls in the first 16 miles, then summit 4 mountains including Pilot Mountain at 5,072' with a panoramic view of the surrounding Pisgah Forest. In total, it was around 33 miles with over 16,000' of climbing and descent.

These were our major climbs:

Sassafras Knob. 4,938’
Pilot Mtn. 5,072’
Chestnut Mtn 3,688’
Cedar Rock Mtn. 4,055’
John Rock. 3,209’

Funny story, I haven't ran more than 10-15 miles a week since March, my longest run was 2 weeks prior to this race and it was 9 miles. I signed up for this race 5 weeks before it after hearing from Andy the RD. Sure, it'll be fun I decided. I knew I wouldn't be able to finish, my husband was manning the water stations so I figured at some point I would stop and just hangout with him and the other volunteers. It's hard to say no to such an amazing trail run!

Pre-group run we were sent these maps of the course. I'm not the greatest with directions or navigation, but these defintley didn't put me at ease! haha! Good thing the trail was very well marked! 

The first 15 miles were beautiful as promised. Winding single track trails along the water with a few descent climbs along the way. I had a lot of fun on different sections of this part of the trail. We past several waterfalls, had a few water crossings and lots of bridges to help keep us out of the water.

 

Our mile 12 water station was the last one before our climb up Pilot Mountain. We had about 9 miles before our next water refill area. 
I left mile 12 and was directed back across the bridge and "up". We had gradual climbs with some ups and downs until around mile 15 where we went up.1 ish mile into the climb as I was coming up hill I heard a rattle snake. I couldn't see it, but it was loud! When I came around the corner- BOOM! Right in the middle of the trail coiled up and ready to strike. It was terrifying. It took me and 3 others 10-15 minutes to get it off the trail and out of our way so we could race past it. I'm guessing it was around 6 ft. MASSIVE.

 

We continued going up hill until mile 20! It was so steep, and rooted and there were so many stairs! It was crazy! Around mile 19 I put my hands on my knees and decided I couldn't go any farther. I was so done, my legs were tired, my lungs were tired. I gave myself a couple minutes. Then continued going up. Mile 21 the up was FINALLY done. We hit the summit and it was beautiful. 

 

After the Pilot Mountain summit we came down to another aid station. I had ran out of water around mile 7-8 so by the time I reached the aid station... I was so excited to get some water in my pack! My first question was "what does the next section look like?" Because if it was anything like what we just did, I was SO done. They told me it was nothing like what we just came off, but there were a couple little "pushes" uphill. I decided that sounded do-able, grabbed a few more things from the aid station and carried on.

The next section was definitely more than a little push of uphill. Darn aid station! Haha. We went up a couple more good climbs, had an awful 1-2 mile out (round trip) and back to get to an aid station/check point. It was downhill to the aid station, then uphill back to the trail. All large sharp gravel so it was basically un-runable to me. It was awful!

One of the last summits we hit around mile 29-30 ish, and to get to it was through super dense brush while going uphill. I mean, you couldn't see the trail through areas! I was scared I was going to see a snake so I wasn't doing a lot of running, and the branches were scratching my arms and legs. It was like a mini-GA death race. Some of the areas I think were added just for "fun" by the RD. This was one of those areas! The lookout was really neat on this one, we could see the Fish Hatchery AKA the Finish line! It really made it feel like we were getting close.

I played leap frog a group of 3 guys throughout the entire run. They would pass me, then I would pass them, pass me, pass them ect ect. By the end of the race when we were all doing a lot of walking on our dead legs, we ended up all finishing pretty close together. I ran the last 6 ish miles or so with one of the guys which provided great conversation to break up those tough last miles. I was so excited to finish, grab a beer and jump in the river, what a long and amazing day!

We came winding down the last mountain and finally found the finish line, which was the Fish Hatchery parking lot at the race directors Jeep! We finished around 10 1/2 hours which was faster than I would have ever anticipated considering my lack of training. The one and only "race sponsor" was an amazing local brewery that had awesome beer! Thank you to Ecusta Brewery for hosting our post race dinner! Thank you to RD Andys for an amazing super fun and challenging race, to his beautiful wife Sandra for making tasty Lasagna (options for meat, vegetarian and vegan!) and helping out at the aid stations, to the volunteers Christian, Andy Croom, Sunny and Justin Yaple (so nice to see my handsome husband while out on the trail). 

Last but not least, some amazing pictures to show some of the fun technical parts and beautiful parts of the trail!