| Author |
Topic: Springmaid Splash X-stream 10K --RR |
JJJessee
Cool Runner |
 posted Aug-26-2007 06:56 AM
  
The Springmaid Splash 10k X-stream Challenge 2007
Spruce Pine, NC 8/25/2007I found this race or challenge as it is billed just bumming around on the internet several weeks ago. Later I bumped into an old college friend and runner and he mentioned he was going. My DW has been wanting to shop Asheville, NC, only an hour from the race, so I signed up. We took half a day off Friday and drove the back roads so as to avoid the possibility of heavy NASCAR traffic between the NC highlands and us. We arrived at our lodging, the Richmond Inn before well before dark, settled inn, and headed back to the Mountain View Restaurant for dinner. It was a view incredible- wave after wave of misty blue ridges. The food was good and inexpensive, but the highlight was Highlands Gaelic Ale, well two actually, brewed in nearby Asheville. “A malty sweetness balanced by the bitter of Willamette hops” was no label-lie. Back we go to the Inn for a good night of rest. At 6:00am I’m feet-on-the-floor doing system check -feet good, GI tract resilient and cooperative, race bag checked, breakfast light and out the door we go 7:00am. We follow 2 other cars of runners from the inn to race site parking and board a waiting shuttle. The site is a buzz of runners efficiently moving through the pre-race gauntlet. I slip out of sandals into my selected armor- injinjis plus a pair of smartwool crews and finally Montrail Hardrocks. I have plenty of time to warm-up and stretch, I meet up with my friend and we talk shop until 8:30, BANG, and we’re off. I’m still new to this whole running and racing world, but there is a primal thrill of moving as a herd of close to 400 across an expanse of open field that gets in the blood. From about ¾ quarters back in the herd I set across an open pasture – level, almost ½ mile and funnel 5 abreast though a gate. Now on a wagon road parallel to the N. Toe River we shuffle about finding our pace and soon come to our first river crossing.
Many people simply wade, but myself and a few others quickly find a gravel bar with water only a foot or so deep and pass a number of people. The next crossing is also within the first mile, but somewhat deeper. Most hold the crossing rope but I risk some deeper water and again pass a few more people. It’s an out and back course with a lasso on the end so we’ll be back to do it again  . The trail has exceptionally good footing – only a mud hole here and there, few rocks and packed sand. Along about the second mile we have moved into the woods, still good footing. The trail is generally wide enough to pass or be passed as we begin to climb slightly between walls of rhododendron. With more and more power walking, I’m passing a few and also being passed. Steeper and steeper go mile 2-3 until we hit the first top at mile three. Now the fun begins. I’ve elected to run "sans Garmin". Based on last years result and runner ages I reach a very loose guess that I should run better than 1:30 but 1:20 was about the topside. My only other 10k was just under an hour last September. I didn’t have a clue about course profile or footing so a pacing watch wouldn’t help a lot and a heart rate monitor might subtly put me in training mode instead of challenge mode. It ended up being the right decision because I pushed past comfort the last 2/3. At the first sign of some serious downhill, I turned loose. The path was not too technical but steep enough to challenge. I passed several but lost some position in another good climb. The next downhill in 4-5 mile I think was very rutted and somewhat steeper. Bounding from trail side to side, barely braking, a man just ahead shifts in front of me. I take evasive action and so does he. After a leaping stride of what seemed like 3 meters I land on my left foot and feel a sharp strain in my inner left thigh. Somehow he got completely off the trail even further to my left and we never even brushed. At least that’s the way I remember it, he may tell a different story. By mile 5 I’m getting a little nauseous but the downhill is mostly over and we’re all slowing. From here on in I hold my position pretty much. At the end a woman and I drive the last hundred yards and must have hit the mat about the same time -1:09:26 for her, :27 for me. That put me about solid middle herd; better than anticipated It was fun but hard—“just the way we like it”. I jogged back to the river and laid down in it for awhile. My friend finished several minutes later as I was headed for the river.
DW and I didn’t hang around for the awards, she was hungry and we had no food with us. It took several hours for the endorphins to wear off. By that time we on the streets of Asheville -looking for a Gaelic Ale. JJJ
[This message has been edited by JJJessee (edited Aug-26-2007).]
[This message has been edited by JJJessee (edited Aug-26-2007).]
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choover
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-26-2007 01:23 PM
Hey Triple Jay.That looks like a fun time. Thanks for including the photo and for the great report. The pictures really do help a lot. I like the X-Stream Challenge name... Seems fitting!
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tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-26-2007 01:28 PM
........nice racingJJJ////...........sounds like a great race........now, to The Beer............is that the Quart Sized Stuff with the Old Milk Bottle Ringed Top?? ...........Daz Good Stuff...........
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Elaine3112
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-26-2007 02:17 PM
jjj
That looked like hard work but fun. I love 'challenge' races they are a real sense of adventure. Some of the best races can be found by just 'bumming around' on the internet. Well done.
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-26-2007 04:39 PM
Thanks for the fun post and excellent picture. I bet you had a ball. I couldn't do a race like this but admire others who do. Well done. Spareribs
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millbot
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-26-2007 05:10 PM
Hey JJJ, great race! I loved your description of the course and the race experience. Congratulations on beating your goal by a wide margin.I hope your leg is okay.
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piejones
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-27-2007 12:31 AM
Triple J........thanks for that report. Nice job and very good race. I look forward to giving this one a try.
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Karl Rysted
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-27-2007 10:15 AM
Excellent! I understand now what you mean about serious downhill. Thanks for the photo. This sounds fun.------------------
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Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-27-2007 11:09 AM
That looks like a blast. Great job, JJJ!
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Lil Engine
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-27-2007 11:21 AM
That sounded like wicked fun! And you totally trashed your goals/expectations. WTG!!!------------------
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"I think I can, I think I can"
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-27-2007 02:27 PM
It sounds like you enjoyed yourself on a tough extreme course. It also sounds like you and mrsjjj made a real fun weekend of it. Congratulations.TomS ------------------
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-27-2007 03:33 PM
Love the picture, love the sound of the course -- good racing, Triple J!
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evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-27-2007 04:40 PM
(I think Econo and I are cruising thru the same RR's today!)
Nice race JJJ, and I love the picture. I think a trail race or challenge like this would be a lot of fun. And your pre-race hydration sounds yummy! How's your leg? You kinda left us hangin' here, dude! ------------------
evanflein
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-28-2007 04:57 PM
Ooof, take close care of that leg JJJessee! You are so sweet to combine this race with facilitated shopping for Mrs. Jessee.
It looks like a true hoot, but rough on shoes! Congratulations on the awesome finish time!
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mbelongia
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-28-2007 05:11 PM
JJJ, sounds like a super fun race! You did an excellent job coming in way under your goal time. The photo really gives a good idea of what this race was like, I think.Sometime you'll have to explain your footwear; I'd really like to know what a person must wear to deal with the variety of terrain you had. (Sorry, I know nothing about this type of racing and didn't "get" your description).
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Sans Souci
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-29-2007 12:36 AM
Yes, yes, yes, JJJ! This is your kind of race, I just know. What a terrific way to spend a couple of days. The inn looks lovely (yes, I peeked), good grub, great beer. Life is grand.You raced very well on a challenging course. Of course, we're all wondering about the outcome of that sharp strain. Hopefully it's okay if you got through to the finish. Gaelic ale. Musta been a braw day.
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mariposai
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-29-2007 12:45 AM
Great way to please the DW and please the athlete in you. It seems like this was a fun race course. I can see myself being one of those who play longer in the water than needed be, but it seems like you kept your focus very well and finished the race strong. Great job.
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-29-2007 10:27 AM
Thanks everybody for the read and support.
Oh yeah the leg- ot as bad as I'd thought at the time. DW walked me around town that day and I think that helped recovery. Sunday I did 14 so its okay mostly. But dinged it up again today on my second of 8x100. Generally not pushing anything the rest of the week. I'll be fine.
Thanks,
jjj
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SkipAZ
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-29-2007 02:37 PM
JJJ, you are truly a trail animal! What a cool sounding race - the pic is so tantalizing. Glad you had fun and the leg issue isn't serious. Nice that you made a great road trip around the event. CongratsSkip
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johnmaas
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-29-2007 04:04 PM
Jessee,
That was a fun report to read. The picture tells a lot and you really captured the adventure of the race well in your writing.
Great results, sounds like a perfect weekend.
Hope the leg heals fast.
John
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MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-29-2007 05:15 PM
JJJ, that does sound like fun both the night before and the race itself. I hope the thigh is feeling ok.Mark
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John2635
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-29-2007 06:00 PM
Jesse- This is another report I thought I'd already replied to, anyway great job, beating your best guess by 10 minutes. That looks like a real fun event. Hope the leg is OK. Now I need to find another trail race around here soon also.John
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-30-2007 08:18 AM
JJJ - I laughed when I saw the picture of everyone crossing the stream. That looked like a lot of fun. Great race and thanks for sharing your RR! I particularly like your description - not of the race - but rather the beer! Continued great running!
PJ
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Dreww
Member |
posted Aug-30-2007 08:42 PM
Hey JJJ and others... I too ran in this event for the first time as well this year and I must say it was a great event... I can't say that I would classify it as a race... more like a fast walk, trip, partial swim, rock climb, trip again survival event!!!... I too have been nursing two very sore lower calves since last Sat.. I usually run 6-8 miles a day but have laid off to heal for the past 5 days (I am clearly not used to those type steep climbs and descends...)_ LOL I must admit however that it was most certainly worth it and I look so forward to next years race... I will run a smarter race for sure.... I would also like to say that the town of Spruce Pine is a fantastic place to visit. Stay at the Pinebridge Inn (an old 1919 Three story school house coverted into a Hotel) if you get the chance.... Totally charming!!! Well...I get back on the ((road))) tomorrow night, Friday Aug 31, for a rare Midnight 10K race held every year on the Friday night before labor day in downtown Anderson, S.C. If any of you guys are interested.. I have attached the link: www.andersonroadrunners.com/ Other races that I will be running in the near future (join me??):
9/15 10k Concord NC
9/22 Columbia SC 12k
9/29 8k Asheville NC
10/6 10k Aiken SC
10/13 10k Hickory NC
10/20 10k Pawleys Island SC
10/27 1/2 Marathon Columbia SC Happy Running Always, and
See you at the races...  Drew
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-30-2007 09:20 PM
Hey Drew, wasn't that a riot?! Glad you lived to enjoy it. I've committed elsewhere 9/29 but that 1/2 in Columbia may fit in. I was looking for at least a 1/2 in that timeframe. Too early to say. Welcome to Boomerville, post often, don't make yourself a stranger.
jjj
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