In awe

Tag: holiday

  • [656] Hone Quarry Trail Preview

    A friend suggested to go out to check on a race course, the Hone Quarry 40, which we will eventually do in March, God willing.

    I wanted to run the race this year but my trip to Sydney prevented it.

    Its trail was a mystery for me and I was curious about the level of difficulty. 

    I can read about it on other people’s race reports but to truly give a sense of how the trail is but being on it yourself.

    Going out in the winter required me to do some research and preparation.  Luckily a lot of the course information was readily available on the race’s website, including the gps track and the trail description.  Note, most races only provide one or the other and not both.  Descriptions were well written.

    Next off was to find some trail maps.  I used the site HikingUpward and found some small 5 mile-ish hikes.  They were part of my bigger loop.  I needed more and I stared at google topographic map to do my planning.  Luckily, I realized I do have a paper map at home of the area.  With that I was more confident in planning my route.

    We arrived at the trailhead I guess a typical time of 9:00 in the morning, maybe kind of late for ultra runners, but standard for normal hikers. 

    The day was forecasted to be cold with a high of 30s and low of 14F, without factoring in the windchill.  I expected teens and might be single digits temperature after dark.  It is no fun to play around in such weather. We had to get it down before nightfall.

    The previous day and night was windy but wind died off in the morning.  We had the whole day of calm condition, not a breeze.  The day warmed up a bit as expected as we started our ascend. Soon a mile in we shreded our outer layers.  Both of us we were double layering everything, headcaps, shirts, pants, jackets, and socks. So those layers had to come off.

    The full route was 40 miles but because time constraint and some of the course was just not too appealing, such as the out and back of first three miles on the Hone Quarry Road, to me is BS. 

    We wanted to hike on the trail not the forest roads to the trailhead.  I believe I trimmed our hike down to about 25 miles. The exact distance is unknown because I did not turn on my Strava to conserve my phone battery.  I normally don’t care about my tracking to be posted on social media afterward.

    We did the normal (race route) of counterclockwise (CCW) direction.  The hiked up to the first ridge was amazing.  I enjoyed the steady 3 mile climb.  Then we skipped the out and back to what would be the first aid station (forgot the name already) and decided to descend to Hone Quarry Road.  We had a chance to turn around here and end the day if needed but it was still early in the day. 

    We saw snow on the ground.  In fact most of our hike up was covered with snow until there was enough snow to get my shoes wet.  I think maybe half and inch to an inch.  I had considered wearing my boots but decided to be a true trail runner to go with my Altra trail. So there were a lot of sliding on the slippery snow as we descended down.  I love a sense of near falling. This was the best time to run with just a thin layer of snow where rocks roots and everything was invisible. Indeed, not lying.

    Note, the descending was not truly a one long downhill.  We had to climb up maybe couple more ridges before finally went down.  I was started to wonder where is this road we were supposed to meet.  It was around noon by now, 3 hours since we started.  We took a bathroom break and I looked around a bit and saw the road maybe few hubdred feet below and rejoiced, we did it. I did not know we were literally on top of the road.

    After the road, we made a right turn.  We probably only had to run maybe 50 ft or so to cross a bridge then the trail would be on the right.  However, it felt so good running on solid ground we continue down the road for quarter mile more before I realized that it did not seem right.  Minor mistake.  Gps track showed I missed the turn off and we back track back up.  Later in the hike, I did miss turn offs too and most critical one came in late afternoon, when we were pressed for time to finish.  I remembered the trail incorrectly during my trail planning, thinking I had to cross a road (but in fact not needed), so confidently went off trail – this kind of unforced error is the worst. I really hated it.

    The second time hiking back up to the ridgeline was hard.  It took maybe an hour and half.  The views were stunning.  People scrawled on posts writing this was the worst trail ever.  I disagreed.  I felt the trail was well maintained.  Rocky in part but that is typical.  The trail is a bit steep but not eroded. I feel it is in excellent condition.  It is a multi used trail, horse, bike, and people, so I do expect it wouldn’t be smooth at typical trail like the AT or in the Shennandoah NP.

    We entered back into snow country up top. The forest road was layered in hard packed snow.  I slipped on ice a few times usually while I was doing something like looking at my map or taking off my jacket while running that I fell. No major injury, just hurt my bum bum and such.

    We entered back on the trail late in the afternoon.  Sun was setting.  We had to make better effort to reach back our car before sunset.  Bring headlamps always a must on a hike even if you think you can get out before sundown. I brought them.  Temperature was cold up on the ridge but as we were descending, it warmed back up.  Though every time I stood still, I quickly needed to put back on my jacket.

    We took a shorter way down.  The trail was blazed yellow the whole way so it was not hard to follow.  We arrived back at the car the moment last light was gone, just a bit after 5:30, maybe at 5:45. It was a good day.  

    I liked it.  It is just next to the grindstone course (maybe 10-20 miles away).  I did not know of this trail before and now I do.  It can be worked into my training.  The twot, grindstone and now Hone Quarry.  Throughout the day, we did not encounter any other hikers or runners out there.  We saw fresh tracks and prints on the snow, likely the person and their pet should not be too far ahead but we never caught up to them. I think it was a peaceful hike.

    By the way, it is near Harrisonburg. 20-30 mins away.  We used Harrisonburg as our base, for food, our stay and the resupply. I recommend Quacker Barrel for meals. There are of course tons of choices at Harrisonburg.  Great food and good wind down or for pre run meal.  We did both for our adventure, going to Quacker Barrel twice (my friend humored me).

  • [Day581] off week / non racing week report

    Life happened. I don’t remember much what happened during the last two weeks.

    Running front not much to report.

    I was going to run the Army 10 Miler, which I ran last year during the Columbus Holiday weekend. I was not going to do it again this year but couple of my friends wanted to do it, so I decided to join in (was pressured to join) for the fun of it. We signed up probably back in June or July. For some of them, that would be their longest run ever.

    Supposingly I’ve heard my friend looped in 20+ of us to sign up, but only about 8 showed up for the run. The one who gathered us all to run this jokingly said she should collect a fee from all the no-shows. We should have paid her instead of the Army Ten Miler! Easy money.

    Something happened to me and I did not get to run it though I signed up and paid for it.

    It was on me. I lost track of the day for picking up the bib. No bib meant no racing. They did not allow race day bib pick up.

    I was planning on going after work on Friday for the bib pickup because my workplace is closer to downtown where the race and pickup was. However, a last minute urgent task came in at work and I was stressed over in completing the task. I am blaming work but I know it was on me.

    In my mind, I already crossed off picking up the bib and so did not plan to go to downtown on Saturday. I had a training run scheduled on the Saturday. I did the training Saturday morning and went straight home afterward totally forgot about going by downtown for the bib or the next day event.

    It completely escaped my mind. By Saturday evening, I was mentally rehearsing through what I would be doing on Sunday and preparing for it. It then occurred to me I did not have my bib.

    I knew it was too late then. I did not know anyone who worked for the race organization to get it for me on a private channel. It is such a big event and there bound to be someone who know someone and possibly can get it during off hours. There were still 12 hours before the race. It was not happening. No way could I reach someone to get me a bib for the run.

    To say I was disappointed was a mild way to put it. I was frustrated at myself and the whole thing. I was fuming the whole night and all Sunday. I was sulking the whole Sunday (the reason I didn’t post this).

    I had this long 3 day weekend, normally I would fill it up with a long trip, like running or camping at somewhere far away. Now what was I going to do. I ended up doing nothing.

    The race fell off my schedule. I had nothing to cover for it. Ended up I did not do anything on Sunday either.

    Monday came. The holiday. Columbus Day. I was going to use it for my training. Then my good mother wanted me to take her to a park. That basically messed up whatever plan I had left for the weekend.

    I did not want to do it. I was like, my Saturday was ruin. My Sunday too and now my Monday. I wanted to head up to Shenandoah. My mom believed she “saved” me from my trip. She thinks I went on too many trips. I was a bit miffed and irritated by it. I took her to the park.

    In the end, no one to blame but for myself. I am very jealous of my own time. There is a tug of war: me or the world. I have been “winning” for a long time and this weekend was one of the “bad lucks” in that I did not get to do what I wanted. I gave in not because I lost, but because my heart was not in it any more.

    Summary, very little running was done comparing to my usual volume. My ankle though does need the rest. It recovered much since July trip to Ohio, but it never is at 100%. It does not hurt any more, but it does not feel strong. It always feels like I bump on the funny bone type of sensation when I run on it. It is a strange feeling. I don’t like the cracking sound it makes whenever I try to stretch it. It probably missed a bit of cartilage there.

    Whatever happened, I know it was meant to be.

    Other than running, I have been ruminating on my next year run schedule. I have been at this for a month with very little progress.

    I know what races I want to do. Yet unlike this year, I don’t have anything bold I wanted to try. This year was the Massanutten 100, Blackbeard’s Revenge 100, and Grindstone 100.

    I will run the Massanutten 100 and the Grindstone 100 again, but they won’t feel like I will be shooting the moon. They are not as challenging as before. All my runs of these past few years always have been me trying push the boundary of what I am capable of. Each time I pushed past one, it felt I have reached a new level. Eventually, I reached where I am today. It makes me pause like what’s next.

    I have to find my focus.

    I am proud of what I have become. I like running long. I don’t get tired. 30-40 miles are good distance for me. 50 mile runs feel really good. 26.2 are really easy now.

    I have a vague idea of where I am heading. A few new friends have a goal to attempt the grand slam (run 5 famous 100 milers). It would be nice for me to try those harder races.

    A 200 miler is also in the play. I think I can do it. Next year is not the right time yet. The one I wanted is cowboy 200, but I promised to pace a friend there. I am not serious yet to run a 200 at the same time. Maybe 2025.

    Another idea was to do fifty states for 100 miler. Two friends of mine are attempting. I don’t have to follow them. I know I will eventually do it since 26.2 no longer as appealing. I started on it already. However, I can’t run as many races as marathons. I already ran 50 marathons to-date but only 5 100 milers.

    I am paralyzed by indecision with regard to what races. I want to feel sure about what I am going to sign up. If a race no longer has the “feel” than I don’t want to force myself to run it. In the end I am running because I like it and not because I have to do it. Forgotten Florida 100 seems like a good race on paper, but I don’t have the passion for it, while Red Dirt 100 doesn’t seem to be as a good race, but I really want to do it. They are both on the same day. Normally, yes follow your heart! My head would not let me though. Red Dirt is “harder” in term of logistics.

    My next event would be pacing a friend at Rim to River 100 in West Virginia in November. Yes, I gave her my word I would do it. It is coming up in three weeks.

    That’s that. Nothing new to report except for my whining. Until next time.

  • Day288 weekend joy

    [old post] originally written on 2019 Veteran’s weekend

    It was a wild weekend and I was still running high on adrenaline just thinking about it. I spent 12 hours in the car to do an eight hour marathon. I spent eight hours running before, and even 10. What tired me was not the race, but everything surround it, either before or immediately after. I overpacked my weekend, as always.

    If it was the usual running, I wouldn’t have been so exhausted. It was too three other camping trips or outdoors events in one weekend, plus the cold weather, that really got to me.

    Thursday, I came home past midnight and was franctically packing for the trip. Why I always leave things to the last minute? I don’t know. I had many things to pack.

    I intended to do a bike ride on the race course on Friday, which mean I had to hit the road at dawn to get myself down to the course around noon. Fortunately, I didn’t wake uo in time on Friday and didn’t leave my house until 11. I brought my bike any way. It took up all the backseat section of my truck. Luckily, I did not try biking because it was way too dangerous. I am not a pro to do downhill biking with such steepness they have there at Kairos resort.

    Then I had to pack for Friday night cold camping. I brought the usual stuffs, tents, sleeping bags (two of them), fleece blanket, pillow, toiletry kit, food, cooking kit, fire kit, safety/med/first aid/injury kit, water and filter, flashlight and batteries, camp shoes, and hiking boots, and lot of thick hiking socks. Cold weather gear – wind breaker, wool layer, a base layer, long johns, spandex underwears, head cover, gloves (two kinds, inserts), and more socks (for sleeping). Then duffle bags. You got to waterproof them even if no rain was forecasted. I got together four or five bags. Yes it was overkilled. Oh, let not forget my stuff animal. I love my cat! It served as a good pillow.

    Then of course the big event, the race itself. You got of think of clothing for pre-race, race, and post race. Pre-race was a fleece jacket over a long sleaves and a short sleeves. I had tights on. I ran with my camp boots with two layers socks. I had two buffs on, one over my head and one around my neck. I had my racing glasses and a heavy trucker cap. For hydration pack, instead of being minimalist, I had a 20L hiking daypack. It held my phone (which I forgot in the tent), my thick wallet, my Sawyer water filter but forgot the sawyer water bag. My set of keys. I carried a wool long sleeves, and a clean shirt to wear at the end of the race. Two bottles one with half filled with Gatorade, the other empty to be filled at water station because this race was cupless. I also carried an empty hydration pack (2L). Keeping all the things needed for the race was not fun.

    During the race I stripped down to only one layer and the rest of stuffs went into my day pack. After the race, I pulled out a clean set from my pack and bundled up. I know I could have left everything at the starting line (because starting and finish line was at the same place) or use the dropbag and left them at an aid station. Silly me to carry everything on me. I don’t think though that was a reason it took me an hour longer to run the 50k.

    Ah, I placed in my truck also four pairs of running shoes. In the end I did not wear any of them. The hiking boots did it all. They are now very muddy. Surprised to me some finished with very clean shoes. I am just sloppy I guess.

    Don’t forget the food. I brought lot of them, both for pre-race dinner and breakfast. I did my shopping on the way. Unfortunately, I did not pack the food to eat during the race. I brought a lot of food too for after the race meal. You have to eat a lot to add back the calories lost during the race. I did not eat that much though and brought all the food back home. I did not have an appetite after the race!

    Saturday night camping was an optional challenge. I could have driven six hours home that night. I would have arrived around midnight or a little after. However, I had a habit of sleeping immediately after a long workout, so driving the long distance home would have been a very bad idea. Or I could have stayed at a motel/hotel along the way. Spending money for such luxury and I did not want to when there was the ‘free’ /low cost camping available. My campsite was only $15 with race discount (about a price for my meal).

    The other option was to go camping at a place nearby. Jefferson Forest is just down the street (still about 30-45 mins away) and Salem, which is where I wanted to do my hiking (the Triple Crown). I thought about going there and hiking about 10 miles into camp. So, I packed a separate bag for all the light weight gear for this second trip. Fortunately, the plan didn’t pan out. I stayed the second night at the race course venue. It was all by myself then since everyone else had left and I got to unwind on a dark and cold night (moon was up). Still being by myself, the night felt darker.

    I had the Saturday night camping as an option was because my friend and I were supposed to go to do the Triple Crown, which is really close to where I was racing. I would have gone there if I knew for certain that my friend was going to be there and that she would be happy to see me.

    However, she said her plan has changed since I was going to do the race and she did not feel like driving six hours to hike by herself. For me too doing it by myself was no fun, knowing she probably was not there. Also even if she were there, we kind of still left on a sour note the Friday morning, so I did not want to run into her not knowing how she would reacted if she saw me. It was a no-no to be out in the middle of no where with someone who doesn’t want to be with you. However, I had all the gear with me and was ready for that trip after my race. I just was not able to will myself to do it. Physically, I know I can do it, but mentally, I was not.

    I had no regret because there was nothing better than to be able to unwind after the long race. I did. I built a fire, both for cooking as well as I had nothing better to do and there were a lot of fallen branches. I sat all night by the fire by myself tending it. This was a big thing, because I was not good at making a fire.

    Then on Sunday morning, I had to leave at the crack of dawn to drive back and to have everything pack up ready to roll out. However, I overslept again! I would have a long drive of about 5-6 hours back home, except I was not going home. So it was not a leisure packing up, but a rushed packing. Just I threw everything into the back of the truck and drove. The morning was beautiful!

    One of my friends wanted to do a day hike in West Virginia at Harper Ferry. It was his birthday and it has been a tradition we started last year to get together. So, I was beating the traffic to get back by 11ish to meet up with him and his other friend.

    I packed a separate bag for this day hike too. I would be simple since at most we would be doing only 5-6 miles. It is a cake walk for me. However, a hike is a hike. I carried the daypack that I ran with on Saturday. The day was warmer, but I had my fleece jacket on. I had hiking pants and boots. My pack was light. I had a fresh shirts and pair of socks.

    The birthday event took whole day, but there was still one more event left — church. I didn’t mind the slow pace stroll. We had a lot of fun catching up. It though caused me to be late for evening church. However, I ended up of not going. I had packed a fresh set of clothes for that event. I had also intended to shower first before going to church. I did not want to smell like I had ran an ultra and spent two days camping and a day hike before arriving at church. In the end I missed the evening church.

    I closed my day with stopping by my mom’s place. This was not planned. However, they don’t care how bad I smell. I found out then everyone there was sick, from the oldest to the youngest. Even the family dog was sick. I stayed a long time, talking and listening to my mom talked.

    This post ended up longer than I wanted to. It was because, man I had an awesome weekend both with the race and time by myself, and with friends and family. I did not end up being with the one I wanted to be with, but it was definitely a worthy trade-off. Sometimes, you can’t have everything.

    [race] https://antin.blog/2019/11/11/epilogue/

  • Thanks

    I was so focused on my race this past holiday I forgot that it was Thanksgiving. I know it was Thanksgiving because we all have a day off, but that was (more…)