Trail runner spotlight: Roxanne Zobava

Roxanne Zobava tearing it up at the
'08 The North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Miler in Wisconsin.

I've used this blog to mostly share my adventures while trail running or to post race reports, but I want to give the blog a new dimension. I want to explore connecting with other runners in the trail running community and sharing their love of the sport. I thought I'd start with a good friend of mine who I have had the pleasure of running many trail miles together, but who is an accomplished runner with an impressive resume. 

TNFEC Madison finish.

And since I'm busy helping The North Face folks promote their upcoming Endurance Challenge in Georgia, what a better way to connect the two but to talk to someone who has run at three different TNFEC events. Rox took 2nd female at TNFEC Madison 50 miler back in 2008 and took 5th female at TNFEC Washington 50 miler in 2010. Her resume also includes winning her very first 50K in 2007 and standing on the podium at 16 more races after that including 2nd female at the 2009 Pinhoti 100. Rox is on the Rock/Creek trail racing team and is also a GUTS member.

I had a chance to sit down with Rox and ask her some questions. Here's a recap of that interview:

How long have you been running and racing on trails and what attracted you to ultra distance races?

My first ultra distance race was back in 2007, the inaugural SweetH2O 50K near Atlanta. I love being outside and being out in nature. I prefer wilderness and mountain running much more than the roads or city. I like the community of trail/ultra runners too. Its a very chill environment which suits me. Once I ran one ultra I was hooked and now I want to run all over the U.S and even the world.

Which race destinations have you run in The North Face Endurance Challenge race series and how did you place at each?

I first ran The North Face Endurance Challenge Madison 50 mile in 2008 and I was 2nd female. That same year I ran TNFEC San Francisco 50 mile where I was 12th female and third in my age group. In June of 2009, I ran my third and last for now TNFEC race in Washington D.C. I raced the 50 mile where I was fifth female and third in my age group.

Which one was your favorite and why?

I loved TNFEC Madison because my family was out there and it was a PR for me. TNFEC San Francisco was SOOOO beautiful. I take a little something from every race. They are all wonderful in their own way. I meet such amazing people at every event!

What first attracted you to racing a TNF Endurance Challenge race?

I wanted to run a 50 mile race that was close to my aunt. She had never seen me race before, so Madison was a perfect place for me to plan a race where at the time she lived close to that venue.

Sharin' the hardware 
with Nikki Kimball!

What is it that TNF Endurance Challenge races do better than others?

The event is VERY well run from course markings to the swag bag. It is a very well oiled machine and organized event! The fact that there are so many distances to choose is a great draw to TNF events also.

You haven't run TNF Endurance Challenge race in Georgia before, but you have run the trails at FDR State Park near Pine Mountain. How would you describe the trails and what would you advise to someone on how to get ready for them?

Pine Mountain has a little bit of everything. Some good climbs and descends with awesome single track. Depending on the time of year, the trail could get a bit technical with leaves covering the rocky trail segments. Recently, a tornado storm went thru FDR park and there is still some evidence of that. Its not a speedy course, but you definitely run well if you're trained and in the right mind set. It's a beautiful place to run. I wish it were even closer to Atlanta.

TNFEC Georgia will be your fourth in the series, what is your goal at this year's TNF Endurance Challenge?

This will be my first race back from injury, so I want to finish the race strong and feel good the whole time. I'M EXCITED!!

Thanks Rox and good luck at TNFEC Georgia in October. I can't wait to get some trail miles together while you get ready for the race.

Thanks Javi! It's been my pleasure and I can't wait either!

~~~~~~~~~~

I'm excited to see how Rox does at TNFEC Georgia in about a month and a half. Her race calendar the rest of the year also includes the Duncan Ridge 50K in November, one of the toughest 50K courses in the Southeast.

You can join Rox at The North Face Endurance Challenge Georgia which takes place at Pine Mountain, GA on October 13-14 weekend. Register at http://tnf.ec/0o and follow @TheNorthFaceECS on Twitter.

Come back to the blog in a couple of weeks as I hope to interview and post about another local trail runner, John Dove, after he comes back from a unique mountain stage racing experience in Wales, the Dragon's Back Race.

The North Face Endurance Challenge Georgia 10/13-10/14: Free Race Entry Give-Away!

2010 TNFECS Georgia 50-miler winner,
 Geoff Roes, on the Pine Mountain trail.

The North Face Endurance Challenge race series is coming back to Georgia. It's a big weekend packed with races in nine different distances. Everything from a kids race to a 50 miler and all on beautiful trails mostly the Pine Mountain Trail leading out of FDR State Park near Warm Springs, GA. The Georgia edition of The North Face Endurance Challenge takes place on October 13-14, 2012. It's two days of challenging racing and you have an opportunity to win a free entry to the race distance of your choice: 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, 50K or 50 miler. Of course, if I were you, I would use it to register for the 50K or the 50 miler. 

And by the way, if you are into great swag…nothing beats the goodies you receive at any of The North Face Endurance Challenge race. The Finish Line Festival features music, refreshments and food. Not to mention, it will also offer free samples, product trials, demonstrations and raffle prizes from The North Face, GORE-TEX, and more.

Expect to hob knob with the big dogs too...2010 50 miler winner was Geoff Roes and last year's 50 miler winner was Hal Koerner!

Meet & greet with Karnazes! A Meet and Greet with Dean Karnazes will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The North Face Retail booth at the Finish Line Festival. Dean will be answering questions, taking photos and signing autographs during this time.

So how do you win the free entry? It's easy really, all you have to do is help me spread the word in order to enter a random drawing and here's what I ask you to do. To qualify for the drawing, you will receive one entry for each one of the tasks you complete below:

• Follow @TheNorthFaceECS on Twitter
• Follow me (@aReyoUiN) on Twitter
• Follow this blog
• Post this on Twitter:
  Check out @aReyoUiN's blog, he's giving away a free entry into #TheNorthFace #EnduranceChallenge Georgia. http://bit.ly/NsqM0Q Plz RT. 
• Like The North Face Endurance Challenge Race Series on Facebook

Complete all five equals five entries!

Once you have completed any or all of the tasks above, come back to this blog entry and let me know by posting a comment on what you completed. I'll start the contest now and close it on Sunday, August 26, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. EST (midnight). 

Each entry will be assigned a random number and the winner will be pulled by selecting the entry with the highest assigned random number. Drawing will be held by Monday, August 27th, 2012 and the winner will be announced on the blog. You must be a US resident to qualify and be at least 18 years of age.

Check back on the blog too, as I'll be posting stories and interviews featuring 2012 TNF Endurance Challenge participants in the next couple of weeks.

Don't wait? Start earning your entries and best of luck! I hope to see you on the trails.

What's happened and what's next?

Me and my buddy Wes just before the start of the SweetH20 50K earlier this year.

It's been a strange last few months regarding my running. I haven't posted on here as a result, but I decided to dust of the cobwebs and share with you what has happened and also share some thoughts as to the future of this blog.

Love the blues and purples.

After coming off the high of the Double Top 100K back in March, I was looking forward to my last race of the Spring season, the SweetH20 50K in April. Knockin' out the 60+ miles of the Double Top course and doing it in 14 hours had me buzzing about my fitness. As long as the weather would cooperate on race day at SweetH20, there'd be no reason not to do well on that course too. However, a few weeks after Double Top, I twisted my ankle on a routine group run with friends and that changed things. It was a stupid injury too. I was just running along and I stepped off a curb and some how had my foot turned where the weight of my body made me come crashing down on it. I heard a pop and I thought it was bad. After a few minutes though, I was able to get up and walk it off. I iced it when I got home and hoped for the best. I gave it a few days before trying to run on it and when I did, iIt surprisingly felt better than I thought it would given the hematoma still coloring the swelling around my ankle. However, it was definitely not feeling 100% and I had to dial back some mileage. Heading into SweetH20, I was without a double digit run since Double Top which didn't help my confidence much.

Looking down at runners
coming up the gas cut out.

Race day arrived and I lined up at the start with everyone. I was particularly excited for some friends, Julie, Wes and Angela who were racing their first 50K that day. We were all gathered at the start when a Civil War era cannon was fired and off we went, a little over hundred runners down the road before hitting the trail. In the early miles, the ankle felt fine and I was keeping a good pace. I stuck with a buddy named Spurgeon for a bit, but it was obvious he was feeling fresher and so I dropped back. I've reported on here before about running and racing at Sweetwater Creek State Park. Johnny, the race director for SweetH20, loves to change things up, some times out of necessity like the flood a couple of years ago that took out a bridge over the creek, and some times by design. This day it was by design and it would again be a slightly different course than the previous time I ran this race. I was having fun for the first 8-10 miles. We ran on trails that I hadn't been on before, but soon the ankle started complaining. We were in some tall grass at one point and I slightly rolled it again. I got through the gas line cut out, then "Top of the World" and an out and back to an elementary school along a forest road when I started doubting my chances of finishing the day across the finish line. The power line cut out was particularly difficult and my pace started to give. Re-entering the park, I told myself that I just had to get to the creek crossing and I would be fine. A few miles later, we arrived at the ropes to cross the creek. Jumping in the water felt refreshing and instantly made my legs and even the ankle felt better. Then we hit a tough little loop before having to cross the creek a second time and when I made it back across the water again, I was done. I'm not sure as to exactly the mileage, but I don't think it was even 18 miles of the race course. The ankle was throbbing and trying to finish it off would have been senseless. I'd had a good racing season starting with the Stump Jump 50K back in October with a couple of other races in between that and this race. So I DNF'd. I was OK with it. I stayed on the creek side and cheered some friends crossing the creek. I saw Julie, Wes and Angela and they all looked great coming across. They would all go on to finish and earn their first 50K finish. I was so happy for them.

Little hardware in my shoulder.

So what was next? I didn't have anything immediate on the calendar so I thought I'd take it easy for a few weeks, let my ankle heal and maybe even get back on the bike. My wife started training for a triathlon too, so that further had me lowering my mileage and just running to run. No training involved. Eventually, the ankle improved and I was running and cycling just fine. And then another injury happened that unfortunately now has me doing nothing at all. In the first week of July, I dove after my toddler son who was falling back down a flight of stairs and when I hit the landing, I separated the ligaments in my collar bone. I tore it right out of my AC joint. Luckily, my son was fine, but I had surgery to reconnect the clavicle. A steel plate and three screws later, I haven't been able to run or bike at all since. I have physical therapy twice a week, and until the shoulder gets stronger, I won't be able to do anything impactful. Which puts me at an odd place. In a couple of weeks, I will be registering with a friend of mine for the 2013 TransRockies Run, a six-day, 125 mile two-man team race through the Colorado Rockies. I have time to get ready since it is not until August, but I'll be anxious to get going soon. I was looking to sign up for The North Face Georgia Endurance Challenge 25K in October or the Duncan Ridge Trail 30K in November and I can still make it, but I won't be racing either by any means. We'll see. I also have tentative plans to race a couple more 50K's in the winter and spring and then the Chattanooga Stage Races next June as a tune up for the TransRockies Run. I have goals and now I just need to be patient, heal and then get back at it.

As for the future of this blog, I want to include additional content besides just my race reports and occasional account of long trail runs in the mountains. I'm planning on adding interviews with other trail runners. I want to hear about their adventures, goals, achievements and basically, their shared passion for this sport. I'd be happy to interview an elite trail runner, but I am more interested in those like me who run and race on trails because we love it too, but are not at the front of the pack necessarily. If that's you, leave a comment below and we'll figure out a way to connect even if by phone or Skype. I'm also going to use the blog to run occasional contests. In fact, stay tuned as I'll be rolling out a contest to give away a free entry to The North Face Georgia Endurance Challenge on October 13-14 in FDR State Park. If you win, you'll have your choice of running anything from a 25K to a 50 miler on some of the most beautiful, but technical, trails Georgia has to offer.

That's where I'm at the moment. I'll be back at it soon. I hope you'll follow along. Happy trails!

Running in the Cohuttas: Double Top 100K 3.3.12

Up the forest road to the top of Potatopatch Mountain at around mile 22 and about 2,500 feet with the Cohutta range behind me.

This past weekend, I ran the inaugural Double Top 100K in the Cohutta Mountains in North Georgia. It was a memorable weekend with a race that had amazing scenic views, perfect weather and great camarederie. As a first time race, it had its hiccups too.

Rox, me and Kelly before the start of the race.

Dodging the storm

The forecast for the race, an out and back course that follows the Pinhoti Trail and a few forest roads, was totally up in the air for days. We were having unseasonably warm weather in Georgia for this time a year, but a cold front was moving in and meteorologists couldn't agree on how exactly it would play out. At one point, it was supposed to rain all weekend, but as race weekend got closer, the media was prognosticating doomsday and in some parts of Tennessee and Georgia, it kind of was just that. I drove up to Fort Mountain State Park, the site of the start, on Friday and didn't run into any bad weather at all. Meanwhile, Chattanooga, just a few miles north, was getting pounded by hail and tornadoes. South of us, a big storm system pushed through the northern suburbs of Atlanta sending people into their homes to hide in their bathrooms. Somehow, we managed to only get a few inches of rain and some strong winds. The 100 milers were set to start at 4:30am and from what I was told, they had a bit of rain to start. Us 100K participants started at 7:00am and the rain clouds were long gone along with the storm to the north and south of us. It was to be partly sunny skies and temps in the high fifties for us. Basically, perfect weather. We dodged it alright. My friends and cabin mates, Rox and Kelly, and I rolled out of bed around 6:00am to the start. Rox had the foresight to reserve a cabin months ago and it was just about a quarter mile from the start and finish. A luxury that we enjoyed indeed.

Running with the pack

After a few minutes catching up with fellow runners, a little over thirty of us lined up for the start. Perry, the RD, made a few short announcements and with out much fanfare, we were off. We stayed on asphalt for a little over a mile before getting on one of the mountain bike trails in the park. Rox was gone with the leaders, leaving me and Kelly to find our groove in the pack. Within the first couple of miles, we would be joined by Bret from Virginia and Bailey from Alabama, and we would soon pick up Larry from Pennsylvannia (turns out many of the race participants were from out of state). The five of us ran about 15 miles of the first 20 miles together. When we came out of the park, we headed down the Pinhotti Connector to the first aid station. This trail is not well traveled and I found myself instinctively removing branches and other obstacles out of the way. I kept thinking that I had to climb up this trail in the dark later that night and I wanted to make that return as easy as possible. There's nothing easy about that trail, but more on that later. Kelly, Bailey and I made it to the first aid station pretty quickly. Not much need to fuel up this early in the race, but I forced myself to get something to drink and munched on a couple of pretzels. By the end of the day, I would end up proud of my nutrition and hydration as I did a good job with both through out the day and it would lead to my having a good day on the trails.

Creek crossing. One of many early on.

After the first aid station, we kept going down until it leveled off at the lowest point of the race for a few miles and about five or six creek crossings. When I ran through here weeks earlier, the creeks weren't much of a concern at all, but with all the rain I was worried that we would have quite the difficult time dealing with them. When actually they were fine. The worst one was maybe shin deep as you can see from the picture I took of other runners. I had taken care that morning to cover my feet in Bodyglide and I wore my Smartwool socks that have never let me down. I would end the race with absolutely no blisters or hot spots, despite running through creeks this early on in the race and towards the end on the return.

From there, the five us hit the first real climb of the day, up this single track trail and onto a forest road heading North. This portion of the route is on Tatum Mountain. We ran down a bit until we found a gate with the race markers that we obviously had to go around and continue on the forest road. This was the gate we missed weeks ago when on the practice run and I was on the look out for it. The five of us were still together with Kelly and Bailey a few yards ahead. We were trotting along when I noticed a single track trail that splintered off to the left with race ribbons marking it, but that was missed by Kelly and Bailey. We called out to them until they finally turned around and came back. We later learned that this same scenario would play out for many of the runners through out the day and at various points on the course. The trail led down to Georgia highway 52 and we ran east on that for about a half mile, the only stretch of asphalt we would be on besides the start, until we hit aid station #2 at the Cohutta Overlook. 11 miles seemed to go bu just like that. I guess it was the company. We were all sharing stories of past experiences, and Bert was letting us know how he was getting ready to run Leadville later this year. Everybody looked like they were feeling pretty good, but of course, it was still early. After the aid station, we got back on the Pinhoti trail for the next 4-5 miles. Along this section is a series of switch backs first going down and then heading back up and over Turkey Mountain. It's a fun, very runnable trail and I found myself putting some distance between me and the other four. Not intentionally, but more because I was enjoying the trail and I was on a pace that was comfortable. Exactly what you want to feel while in a long distance race. We soon arrived at the Three Forks aid station and Kelly and I ended up leaving together and some how breaking up our little group. Kelly and i followed yet another forest road for a little over a mile and then back on the Pinhoti single track for what is probably my favorite part of the course. Lots of pines in this area drop tons of needles and make the trail what a good friend of mine calls "pine straw nirvana".

Kelly coming up the Pinhoti trail.

There was a group of mountain bikers out on the trail participating in a small race and this is where we would have our first "run in" with them. One of them coming down the trail happened to be John Dove, long time local ultra runner, adventure racer and just all around nice guy. He recognized me before I did him. I would have loved to talk to him for a while, but it was race time for both of us and the greeting was brief, but genuine. It was good to see him. We ran into a few more riders coming down the trail as Kelly and I kept climbing up it. We caught up and passed one of the female 100K participants and it was interesting to note how Kelly, probably without realizing it, picked up the pace to pass her. Anyway, we soon made it to the Double Top aid station and I was surprised to think back on how quickly the first 20 or so miles had gone by. The next 20 miles was all on forest roads and it is definitely the toughest part of the entire course.

Chasing Mike

As we were leaving the Double Top aid station, we saw Bailey coming in, but we were ready to go and he stopped to fuel up. As soon as we left the aid station, we passed the trailhead to get back onto the Pinhoti trail. There were a few ribbons leading down the road, but I can see how several of the other runners took this turn without realizing that the course actually followed the forest road. Kelly had run this portion of the course a couple of weeks ago, and she kept us in the right direction. The next four or so miles is just one long ass climb up Potatopatch Mountain. Kelly and I started it together, but I don't know where she find an extra gear, but she started putting a gap on me. Slowly, but surely she got away and after a short while, I could no longer see her. Bailey was too far back to wait for him, so this left me alone on my way up. Along the way, I did catch up with a few other runners including a couple of the 100 milers, and we would exchange "Good job!", but everyone was all about the business of getting up this incline. I did stop at one bend where we had a great view of the range around us. Brad, a 100 miler that I caught up with, shared that we were at 2,500 feet or so at that point. The Double Top aid station we left behind is at 1,830 feet according to the race organizers and the top of the climb is at 3,520 feet. From the bend with the scenic view we would still climb another 1,000 or so feet before the climb was done. Ugh! My hands swelled up from having them at my side for so long and just trying to put one foot in front of the other. Still, I was catching a few others and that definitely kept me going. No sight of Kelly though. She was long gone.

Once at the top, the forest road tees into another one and the race ribbons went to the right, but for some reason this was another trouble spot for some of the others. A couple of mountain bikers that had also made the climb saw that I went right and they called after another runner that had gone left. This runner was Mike Scott and once he turned around, he caught and passed me and I would end up chasing him for the next twenty or so miles. Thankfully, we did have a reprieve from the climb but it was short lived, the next several miles to the turn around point were a not-so-gently rolling rollercoaster of forest road running. I kept Mike in sight but I was definitely feeling the big climb and I was trying to keep my pace. The downhills were starting to hurt too. Bob, another 100K runner, would end up running behind me at a distance for most of this section, but I could sense that he was there and that kept me going too. Coming into the next aid station near Betty Gap, I was realizing that I was doing a good job with my nutrition, but I still took advantage of the food on the table. PB&J sandwiches were a staple of my race diet through out they day, but I also incorporated gels and some squeezable baby food fruit packets in between aid stations. While the baby food fruit packets don't provide much caloric value, they do provide some electrolyte replacement and something different from the more synthetic tasting sports gels.

Kelly and Rox shortly after
the turn around point.

Mike took off from the aid station and I soon followed. It seemed that would distance himself on the downhills, but I would slowly inch up on him on the uphills. This pattern was the same for several miles. Along the way, we passed Mountaintown Overlook which again had amazing views of the valley below and the Cohutta rage around us. Some where around this point, we were passed by the 100K race leader. He was looking strong. Up and down we went on the forest road until finally, we headed down about two or so miles of downhill running into the turn around point with more of the runners in front of us going the other way. Right before we got there, I saw Kelly coming up the forest road and she was the first female runner I had seen. Immediately, I wondered where was Rox but I soon found out when I saw Rox about thirty or so yards behind Kelly. Kelly was looking really good and I was not surprised to later find out she held her top spot. I would later catch up with Rox myself, but more on that later. I was glad to get to the turn around point. Considering the distance covered, I thought I felt pretty good. Again, my nutrition and hydration needs were being met and other than the pain associated with covering 30+ miles, my legs felt OK and I was able to still run. When we were making our way down the forest road into the aid station, I was concerned about the climb back up, but some where I found a renewed excitement and I think it was the fact that I was passed the half way point and this carried me for several miles. That and the fact that I was now determined to stay on Mike's tail for some friendly competition. It is a race after all.

Smiling at the turn around point. 50K to go!

Back up and over, and then down and back up, past the Mountaintown Overlook, past the Usti Yona aid station at Betty Gap, I followed Mike. The whole time he stayed a good twenty to forty yards in front of me but I never lost sight of him. We did see all of the other runners that were behind us coming at us as they made their way to the turn around point and I realized that we were a relatively small group. I also realized that I never saw Bert and Larry who I had run with in the first twenty miles. The thought crossed my mind that they must have took a wrong turn or they DNF'd or both. I never found out for sure, but after what I learned about people dropping out, I assume that's what happened to them too. Mike and I made the long downhill decent back to the Double Top aid station and I was happy to get here and get into my drop bag. Mike didn't waste much time and he headed out after going thourhg his drop bag and refueling at the aid station. I on the other hand took a few minutes to sort through my things, and figure out how to distribute everything, so that I didn't have to leave anything behind. I put my fresh long sleeve shirt in my running pouch and my headlamp on my head even though I wouldn't need it for a couple more hours. I ended up having to carry my vest and gloves in my hand because I had no where to put it, but I was later glad I brought them and didn't leave them behind. As I was getting my things, Greg who was managing the aid station was catching me up on what had happened with some of the other 100K and 100 mile runners dropping out. Apparently, there were quite a few from this point. Remember I mentioned John Dove earlier, well turns out that he rode his bike up the trail and "rescued" several of these lost runners earlier in the afternoon. I guess they would have gone further, if it wasn't for John.

Bringing it in

With twenty miles left to go, I knew that it was in the bag sort of speak, but in ultra running you never can be sure. Before he left the aid station, I remember Mike saying, "We'll probably hit darkness some where between the last two aid stations." and ended up being right about that. But while there was delight, I was set on covering as much ground as possible. I left the Double Top aid station up the forest road and then finally back on single track trail. It was such a relief to get off the forest road, even if there were still a few miles of it in the last segment. Going up hill, I was feeling the miles and the earlier effort, but down hill running hurt too. Yet although I was tired, my body was reacting well at this stage in the race and I felt that my "engine" was running well and ready to take on the last miles of the race. I came down the single track trail without much to do and I was soon back at the Three Forks aid station. Mike had made it into the station and left before I got there. And as I was leaving to start the climb back up the trail and Turkey Mountain, I saw Bob coming into the station. I was walking the climb, but also keeping a good pace. I stopped half way up the trail to put on my long sleeve shirt and adjust some of my clothing because the sun was starting to set and the temps were also starting to drop. Bob passed me while I was changing and admittedly, I set out to catch him once I got going again. It looked like Bob was trying to put some distance between us since he would jog a bit up the climb, but I thought I could catch him if I just kept up my pace and sure enough, that's what happened. I caught and passed him as we crested the climb and reached the saddle that led to the switchbacks on the other side. Now it was my turn to try to put some distance between us and I started running. To my mild surprise, I was holding the run and it wasn't long before I couldn't see Bob over my shoulder. Mike on the other hand was no where to be seen ahead of me.

I reached the aid station at Cohutta Overlook and there the volunteer was enjoying a Dogfishhead 90 Minute IPA and I joked that I would love to have one. It sounded so tasty! But I had my own brew goodness waiting for me back at the cabin near the finish and I think that snapped my attention to the job at hand. After leaving the aid station and covering the short segment on Highway 52, I was back on the Pinhoti trail and I picked up a runner that was in front of me, a guy named Chris from Florida. We ran together and covered the next few miles rather quickly and soon had Mike in our sights. We steadily caught up to Mike and by the time we were back on the Tatum Lead forest road, the three of us ran together for just a short while. I pushed on with my pace and while darkness settled around me, I soon found myself by myself with two headlamps bobbing up and down in the distance behind me. This boosted my confidence and I worked hard to keep that distance or widen it. I reached the single track trail again that descended down into the valley where the creeks we crossed earlier laid waiting for me.

As I reached the bottom, I saw the light of a headlamp in front of me and I wondered who it was. Soon I realized it was Rox. I caught up to her and it was good to see her. She encouraged me and I pushed on past her. The creek water felt good when I reached the first crossing and I didn't mind getting my shoes wet. After the first couple of creeks, I came out into an open field where all of a sudden I lost the trail among the tall grass. It took me a second to realize this, but I stayed focused and looked around to figure out my situation. I saw another headlamp to my left and I ran towards it. It was my buddy, Brack, and he had been roaming this field for about twenty minutes trying to find his way back on the trail. We tagged together and headed towards our right along a tree line and then we saw two other headlamps ahead of us through the trees. It was Rox and Chris. We bushwhacked through the trees and across a creek to get to them. Thankfully, we were back on the trail. We all ran together for a bit, but soon Brack and I left Rox and Chris behind. Before long, we were at the last aid station. It was like a lighted oasis in the dark. The volunteers cooked me up a grilled cheese sandwich and while I waited, I munched on some cold pizza. It all hit the spot! All that was left was the last big climb up the Pinhoti Connector. I grabbed my grilled cheese sandwich and Brack and I headed up the trail. Munching on my sandwich, we made progress up the climb. The darkness had definitely settled in and we had to really watch our step. The Pinhoti Connector is covered in leaves and of all the single track trail we had been all day, it was the most technical with loose rocks and down branches all over the trail. Combine that with the grade, and this was easily the hardest part of the course other than the big climb to the top of Potatopatch earlier in the day. It took a while, but we finally made it to the entrance of the park. Only about three miles left to go.

Brack and I entered the park and settled into a pattern of walking then run-walking the rest of the course. We did almost make a mistake when the trail intersected with the gahuti Trail, but managed to stay on the correct route. As usual, the last couple of miles seemed to be endless. Anticipation stretches the last miles out, it seems. After some time, we reached the park road and then the lake where on the other side we knew Perry was waiting for us. Making our way around the lake, we soon started to see the finish line tent and the Xmas lights hanging from them. Even though we were excited, we didn't really pick up our pace much. We were happy to just trod around the lake and finish up the race. Looking behind us, we couldn't see any headlamps, so we knew that we wouldn't be caught by anyone. Soon, we saw Perry's smiling face adn when we reached the tent, he congratulated us and handed us our finisher's Double Top 100K coins. Kelly was there waiting for us too. She told us that she had finished an hour earlier and that she had won the women's race. I was so happy for her. Brack and I finished in 14:03 and were 6th and 7th respectively overall. I exceeded my expected finish time by about an hour, so I was very pleased with my finish and pleasently surprised by my position in the race. I later learned that there were more drops and that only about 20 or so finished the 100K course.

All finishers received this cool coin at the finish!

I high fived Brack and thanked him for sticking with me for the last couple of miles and hugged Kelly. We waited for Rox to finish and while waiting for her, Chris arrived first about ten minutes behind us and then Mike, who I had chased for many miles earlier in the race, came in shortly after him. We were starting to get worried about Rox when we saw a headlamp and from out of the shadows she appearred. Apparently, she had taken a wrong turn with about a mile to go and spent ten minutes or so retracing her steps. We were glad to see her and she was even more glad to finish herself. After a short break, Kelly, Rox and I headed to our cabin for a much deserved shower, food and a change of clothes.

Getting turned around and dropping out

I couldn't have asked for a better day or race. As challenging as the course is, I still found it enjoyable and what I liked about it the most was the change in landscape and especially the amazing views. For much of the course, you get frontline views of the Cohutta Mountains all around you. I know that when Perry designed this course, he wanted it to be challenging, but he also wanted people to really appreciate it for how beautiful it is. In the original plan for the route, there was a section of the Pinhoti trail at Bear Creek that was supposed to be a part of the course, but due to restrictions from the National Park Service, these trails were off limits to the race and an alternate route was designed along forest roads. With that, it is still a beautiful course with an incredible array of different vegetation including awesome, green lichens along one section of the Pinhoti trail and scenery that rivals any on the east coast. The route also has its drawbacks, however. There are several turns that are easy to miss and even some that can lead the participant astray. I, personally, did not have any major problems on the course, but a good part of that was because I had come out weeks earlier to preview the first 20 miles and also I was running with others that knew the course as well. There were two or three turns that were questionable and that I was glad I had either some one with me or that I had the route map the race organizers provided with me.

During and after the race, I heard of many who dropped out simply because they had taken a wrong turn, missed a turn or just went down the wrong way. There was an entire group of ten or so 100 milers that went ten miles out of their way on the Pinhoti Trail before finally realizing that they were off course. Some of the 100K participants also made the same error and then dropped once they made it back to the Double Top aid station. Yet another small group of 100 milers went down too far on the Tatum Mountain forest road and missed the single track back to the last aid station. Local forest emergency services were called to find them and once found, the race was temporarily suspended. Causing about two or three of the 100 mile runners to drop out because they were stuck at the Cohutta Overlook aid station. Of the 80 or so participants that were registered for both races, less than half finished. With most having dropped mainly from disappointment of having gone too far in the wrong direction. I feel bad for those participants and I can sympathize with their frustration, but at the same time, I feel that this is part of our sport. The race organizers took steps to provide all the tools to successfully navigate the course including sending a detailed document two nights before the race with every trail, forest road, aid station, elevation points, etc. They also held a race meeting the night before where these details were presented and every participant was provided with a route map inside a ziploc baggy. The course was marked with blue/white and blue ribbons and occasional signs. I agree that the ribbons were sparse in many sections and for a couple of turns, hard to see. Which was the problem and they certainly were difficult to find in the dark during the night. I provided what I hope was constructive feedback to the race organizers that for future races, the reflective orange survey flags would work best. All in all, it's a bummer that so many missed out. It really was a good course and the race has potential to become a classic on the Southeast race calendar. All inaugural events have kinks to work out and I hope the people that walked away frustrated will look back and realize that given the opportunity to do it again, they would line up at the start with other enthusiastic runners. I know I will. Even classic races like Western States have their route troubles, the 2011 race comes to mind when Killian Jornet, Nick Clark and others ran off course for a few miles in the early stages of the race, but still finished it. In the end, that's ultrarunning. That's our sport.

2012 Double Top 100K race results

2012 Double Top 100 blog roll:
http://www.ultrakrautrunning.com/2012/03/race-report-2012-double-top-100.html
http://blog.rockcreek.com/archives/rockcreek-race-team-member-roxanne-zobavas-race-report-from-the-double-top-100k.html
http://blog.rockcreek.com/

archives/rockcreek-racer-john-browers-epic-epic-report-from-the-double-top-100.html

Inaugural Double Top 100: Race Preview

Coming down the Pinhoti trail into the Cohutta Overlook.

More and more, there are a growing number of ultra-distance events popping up around the country and its nice to see that is also the case here in Georgia. And it's also good to see more races beyond the 50K distance too. This weekend is the inaugural Double Top 100 in North Georgia. A 100K and 100-miler race that takes place mostly on the Pinhoti trail in the Cohutta Mountains. In the words of Perry Sebastian, the race director...

This is a beautiful course with amazing scenery and unique flora. You will run by numerous inspirational overlooks, traverse the rolling switchbacks of Turkey Mountain, between the Double Top Mountains, pass by scenic overlook at headwaters of Bear Creek, and run the ridgeline encircling Cashes Valley. The course leaves Ft Mountain State Park and follows the northern section of the Pinhoti Trail until it joins the Benton Mackaye Trail. Runners opting for the shorter run (100k) will turn around and return down the Pinhoti Trail. The 100 mile runners will be treated to the vistas of Flat Top Mountain, Fowler Mountain, and Bear Den Mountains before turning around near Bushy Head Gap to return to Ft Mountain. Runners will be given 34 hours to complete the course.

I signed up for the 100K and I'm really looking forward to it. Since Harbison 50K in January, I have been able to maintain a good weekly mileage and have had quality long training runs, including a preview run in late January on the course of the Double Top itself.

I drove up to Fort Mountain Park near Chatworth, GA with my friend, Rox and there we met several other future race mates also looking to get some miles on the new race course. Fort Mountain is the start of the race and is also the site of a wonderful Fall trail marathon called, Mystery Mountain Marathon ( a must-do, put it on your calendar!) Perry couldn't be there, but his right hand person, Vikena Yutz and volunteer-extraordinaire, Tom Wilson, were there to get us situated and going. Kena ran with us and Tom met us along the way at the designated future aid station locations along the course. Some of us were running 20 or so and others, myself included, were looking to get in about 40 miles that day.

I think you can appreciate the grade of the
Pinhoti Connector from this photo.
This is looking up with the runners
coming down the trail.

The original course runs about 5-6 miles in the park before heading out of it, but for today's preview run, we only did about 3-4 in the park and then Kena led us out of the main park entrance immediately onto the Pinhoti Connector. This little trail is a seldom traveled, very unmanicured trail that goes down in a steep grade. All of us were flying down this hill, when it dawned on most of us that this "fun" downhill trail will be a death march climb for the 100K runners, and especially the 100-mile runners, as all runners will hit it with about 5 miles left in the race. It's about a mile and a half from the entrance of the park to the bottom of the Pinhoti Connector where it hits the first aid station (or last if returning), and that's gonna be a long one when finishing.

Anyway, Tom and his big smile welcomed us and we were all still more or less together. Once off the Pinhoti Connector, we hit a forest road for a while and then hit a series of creeks that will be early on in the race, about 8 or 9 miles into the race. When we crossed these little streams back in January, they were pretty shallow even though a couple of them were about shin deep. It's been a little bit of a rainy week here in Georgia this week with more to come tomorrow and race day, so it's going to be impossible not to cross those creeks without getting at least ankle deep in water. I'm sure my Smartwool socks will hold up.

Cohutta Overlook. I'm afraid the view isn't gonna be much
better on race day either, but on a clear day it is spectacular.

After the creeks, you are on single track for a while, then forest road up near Tatum Mountain towards the Cohutta Overlook off Highway 52. Rox and I were running with another GUTS buddy, John, and we actually took a bit of a detour, but we managed to get where we needed to be and meet up again with Tom at the overlook. After the overlook, there's a bit of asphalt along highway 52 that we'll have to run on race day for about a half mile and then we get on the Pinhoti trail and it is single track all through and over Turkey Mountain and its windy switchbacks from there. At the bottom of Turkey Mountain is aid stop number three, Three Forks. After that is another 1.5 mile or so of forest road before getting back on more single track up to the Double Top aid station. This is where we turned around for the preview run and headed back. Beyond this point is where the more serious climbing is for the course. There's about a 2,000' difference between Three Forks aid station (mile 14.3) and the Cohutta Corner after the ‘Usti-Yona aid station (mile 24.4) with tons of ups and downs in between. It'll be smart to be conservative for the first half and get through this stretch feeling good. Then enjoy the descending on the return. Always being weary of that Pinhoti Connector at the end. Perry estimates there is about 10,000-11,000 feet of elevation gain/loss on the 100K course.

John and Tom

On the preview run, we turned around at the Double Top aid station and only ran back to the Cohutta Overlook. Ending the run at about 28-29 miles for the day. We were running out of daylight and half the group had turned back much earlier. leaving me, Dan, Kena and Kia to get the additional miles in. even though we cut it short, the preview run gave me a good perspective for what to expect on the course, which was runnable single track despite some of the climbing and except for the Pinhoti Connector and more forest road than expected. The lack of real technical terrain will be a bonus and should allow for some decent times on the run.

I think Perry's intention for the future is to get more of the race on single track, but much of that I understand is still pending permission from the various authorities along the way. The 100 milers will get to "enjoy" some additional climbing and they will also end up on the Benton McKaye trail for a good stretch before their turn around point at Hudson Gap.

Weather forecast for Saturday is rain and highs in the 60's with low's Saturday night in the mid-30's. Dressing for this will be a challenge as it is expected to be some what balmy and warm at the start in the high 50's. Luckily, I don't mind the rain when it's not too cold, and hopefully it will blow through by the end of the afternoon and for the last bit of daylight I will enjoy on the course.

There's a little over 80 runners signed up split up pretty evenly between the 100K and the 100 miler. It's gonna be a bit lonely at times on the course, but at least we'll be able to see each other after the turn around point.

I'm hoping to cover the course in around 14-15 hours, but you can never know what to expect. Check back here early next week for a full report and if you're up for it, send me a tweet during the day on Saturday. I'll have my iphone with me and every time it chimes, I'll know some one out there is virtually cheering me on.

Course maps: 100K Map 1 100K Map 2
100K Course Point Chart

Hot Pockets: Harbison 50K 1.7.12

Harbison 50K...that's me second in line of this race convoy. The guy in front had a great pace going for the first few miles and we all drafted off of him for a long while. (photo: Ray Krolewicz)

You guys know the comedian, Jim Gaffigan? He's got this comedy routine where he talks about those nasty little microwaveable stuffed crust wrappers called "Hot Pockets". The routine is hilarious and he'll use it as the base of his whole show. Every once in a while he'll just end a bit with a falsetto and meekly sing, "hot pocket". Now, you're probably wondering what the hell does that have anything to do with a 50K in the middle of South Carolina? Well, I'll tell ya, but first let's set up the race a little...

I was going into this race feeling pretty good about it. My 40-miler in December could have been a lot better for various reasons, but for the Harbison 50K, I had the confidence of having a couple of good long runs under my belt. Plus, no screwed up "death" virus a week prior to the race. So, I didn't want to have any expectations, but I have to admit that I was optimistic about what was about to go down on the trails in Harbison Forest.

Dan addressing the crowd.

Rox and I pulled into the start, picked up our numbers, and got ready. There was a bonfire going and folks were gathering around keeping warm next to it. I did get to meet some cool people that I had only known via Twitter or Dailymile, that was Mark and Sam from Grayson, GA and Rob from Atlanta. Great, down to earth guys and I was glad to meet them. While talking to them, Dan, the RD, stood on a stump and gave out some last minute instructions. The course is a two lap run of a 16-ish mile loop. Everyone said the first nine were easy and rolling with the tough part coming on the back six or so. Dan reiterated that same information. Shortly after, we lined up on the jeep road and started off. As expected, Rox took off in front of me. I slipped in with the front part of the middle of the pack and in no time we were on a wide track trail, then a single track trail with everybody falling into place.

Early on, right after the start.

The morning was cool, but the forecast for the day was a high of 70 degrees by 2pm. That was incentive to get done early. Anyway, it was cool for the first lap. I fell behind a guy who had a really nice, steady pace and I stuck with him for the first 6 or 7 miles. At one point I felt bad and even said, "Man, I'm sorry for staying on your heels, but you have a great pace going." He responded with a "That's OK. I just hope I can hold it." So, since he didn't mind that's how we went for a while. Strange thing was that every once in a while, we would run through these odd warm pockets of air. Hot pocket. At first, I didn't think anything of it, but as we kept going through the initial miles, it would keep happening very occasionally. Hot pocket.

Me and Rox before the start.

After we hit the second aid station at mile 5.8, the guy with the steady pace decided to take a nature break. Maybe he was tired of me sticking with him or maybe not, but that was the last of him I saw. I ran with him for about the first 7 miles and I think it would turn out to be one of the key success factors for the day, as my next 20 miles would turn out rather well. As I ran to aid station #3 and then #4, I would again occasionally run into these strange warm pockets of air. Hot pocket.

At this point, I was thinking about the tougher last six miles of the loop. They were coming up, but I felt good and while the trail was easy and rolling, I picked up the pace a bit. Once you hit aid station #4, there's the first significant climb of the route taking a couple of switchbacks up the side of a hill. When I hit it, I was glad to have a change in the terrain and the next few miles would prove to be different from the start for sure. Still, every once in a while...hot pocket. The trail also became more technical with more roots and more rocks. I was slowly catching runners and while they were walking the inclines, I ran them. I would slightly pay for it later, but while it was good, it was good.

Where's the guy in the red
sleeveless going?

A younger runner caught me in this back section and we would rubber band each other for the last miles of the loop. He would pass me on the downhills and I would catch and pass him on the uphills. When we both hit the Spiderwoman Trail section, we both took a slight detour that in the end only added about a quarter of a mile, but which threw me off a bit. Because as soon as I was back on the regular route, there was another runner I had passed earlier in front of me. I didn't understand at first and when I caught him a second time, I asked him, "Did you miss a section back there?" And he was surprised at first, but then he said, "Did you go straight up the rocky section?" Me, "Yes." He said, "You missed a left turn that by passed that part." Me, "Doh!" Atleast I wasn't way of course and a little extra credit doesn't hurt. Meanwhile, I was still dealing with the other guy that was passing me and I was passing him. And you guessed it, every once in a while, we would hit a...hot pocket.

We crossed one last road, climbed up a hill where I passed my "rubberband" friend for the last time, took a couple of turns and with out even realizing it, I was heading into the finish area. First lap in the bag and I felt great! First lap done in 2:33 by my watch. Could it be? Could I, dare say, shoot for a five hour 50K? I stopped at the aid station to refuel and top of my bottle. The cool weather and the strange pockets of occasional warm air, would give way to sunny skies and climbing temperatures. As I ran by Rox's car, I left my arm sleeves. I wasn't going to need them any more.

My friend, Rox

As soon as I hit the single track again, I had caught up to a local runner, Jim, and the two of us would run together for a little while. I thought that maybe the same strategy was playing out as the first lap, where I basically had a pacer, but I would not end up running with Jim as long and he would actually catch me with about two miles to go to the finish. Anyway, we cruised along for a bit and we eventually came up on my friend, Rox. I was surprised to see her and fully expected her to be way in front of me duking it out for first or second female. And although, she was in fourth place, she was not looking like she was having a good day. We caught up to her and I ran with her for a while. I asked if she was alright, and she shook her head. She was having cramps and her stomach was giving her problems too. She was determined to finish the race, but there was not going to be a podium spot for her today. We ran together for a little while and at one point I jumped in front of her and soon dropped her.

After passing Rox, I passed an aid station and was about half way around the second lap. I was feeling good and enjoying the sunshine, but I was starting to feel the heat some what and also my pace was starting to drop. Kind of normal at this point of the race, but I still felt confident. I was still catching runners and I would soon hit the aid station before the beginning of the climbs. I gobbled down some salty potatoes, drank some Coke and tackled the first hill. I managed to jog up it and felt OK. I hit some of the tighter turns and the other climbs and I could feel that it was taking more effort with everyone. By the time I was back on the Spiderwoman Trail, I was paying for my earlier effort and I walked several climbs in this section. No worries, I was still moving fine on the flats and the down hills, so I was mentally OK. After finally reaching the last aid station, I knew that a PR was a done deal. I just had to hang on for the last few miles.

See ya later!

A couple of fresher runners passed me and Jim, who I ran with at the beginning of the second loop, also caught me. I kept them within sight for the last couple of miles, but it was a struggle. I crossed the last road, went up the hill, took the same turns as earlier and recognized that last down hill. I pushed for that last little bit and I could see the blue chute in front of me through the trees. When I came out in the open, I saw there was a log across the beginning of the chute. Is this the finish line? I must have thought that out loud, because a spectator was screaming, "Keep going!" So, I did. I ran to the end of the chute and that was it. Just like that. I looked at my watch and it said, 5:25. Definitely a PR for me! That second lap was slower, but not by that much. A volunteer handed me a pint glass and my medal. You gotta love low-key ultras. No roaring crowds, no PA announcers, no frills at all. Just some nice, decent swag for finishing and off to the gazebo for some freshly grilled cheeseburgers. And no, thankfully they weren't serving any Hot Pockets.

Rox ended up toughing it out and came in about seven or so minutes behind me. She did keep her fourth place female standing.

P.S. Thanks to Dan Hartley and all of the volunteers for making this such a fun event! Check out the Harbison 50K Facebook page for photos of the event or visit the Flickr site. (I stole a few photos from Ray Krolewicz for this blog, I hope he doesn't mind.)

Official 2012 Harbison 50K results.