WEEK 13 – Mo’ Mountains, Mo’ hills
Have you ever heard of a city in Georgia called Berkeley Lake?
Me neither. But it’s only a hilly 5 mile trot from my house. I spent Sunday evening climbing hill after hill after hill, while I explored this little nook of a city tucked neatly between Norcross, GA and Duluth, GA. It seems the entire community is built around the actual lake …obviously, Berkeley Lake.
As I ran, I noticed a large contrast between the ‘old school’ residents, with their humble, ranch homes and established neighborhoods, and the new Atlanta, with ridiculously large, multi-million dollar homes with security gates, limited trees and masonry excess. Can you tell who I root for? I just dislike seeing a bunch of trees removed so that someone can have four garages instead of two, but that’s a completely different discussion… The area was beautiful and had an old south feel that made me very comfortable.
Saturday, it was back to Appalachian approach trail running from Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain, the official beginning of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. This is always a heavy run for me because you can just feel the spirits. So many dreams, so many personal challenges, so many souls have made this journey and I think everyone leaves a little bit of themselves each time they visit such intense nature. At least I feel comfort in believing this is the case.
I arrived at the Falls at 6:00 a.m. and thus, ran the first hour and a half in the dark. I had a headlamp, which does a pretty good job of lighting the trail, but I still fell pretty bad twice. Nothing beats you up more than falling on dirt and rocks. A little blood and a bruised ego ran along with me until sunrise.
I was happy to finally switch off that headlamp and with the morning sunrise, so did my spirits. I was a new man.
I got to the halfway point of my run, Springer Mountain, with a little extra time, so I proceeded on down the actual AT trail itself for a little ways before turning around to head back. I ran for almost 5 hours on Saturday, covering almost 20 miles. The weather was perfect. Unlike the last time I made it to Springer Mountain, the skies were clear and you could see for forever.
I took a moment to sign the guest book hidden in a little metal box in the rock, sat for a little while to soak in the mountaintop, and then gathered myself for another 2.5 hours running on the trail back the way I came.
Another sensory explosive experience on the Appalachian. I highly recommend it to anyone – whether running, or just hiking the trails, you will be glad you experienced it.
Lastly, I’d be remiss not to mention that during the training week, I once again made my 4.15 mile speed training route in 32 minutes. I wasn’t faster than last week, but I was just as fast, and that adds validity for me.
My training is going well, the donations are flowing, and I am thoroughly enjoying this entire project. The big day looms and but only 4 weeks away.
Seeing that as I just wrote it scared me to death. 30 days left to prepare for the surreal.
*** Please take a moment to whip out the ol’ credit card, click donate, and help a couple of kids get some healthy meals. For the price of a nonfat latte, you could make a huge difference for someone less fortunate than yourself.
Cheers! …’til next week.
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Comments
Ben:
A headlamp and a flashlight? You are clumsy.
Just kidding. I fell twice during the broad daylight as well. I swear, tree roots jump up and trip runners all on their own. It seems the more tired you get, the more nasty the roots. …and rocks …and branches
The AT approach is 17 miles, making it about 1 mile further than a full loop at Kennesaw. I think it much more difficult than either Kennesaw or Sweetwater. There are a number of climbs that are similar to the difficult climb on the yellow blaze at Sweetwater. Ditto far descents.
The terrain is also quite a bit more technical than either place. By the end of the run, my ankles always especially hurt from all the twisting and turning.
All that being said, I am seemingly getting more and more enthraled with the difficult runs and a little bored with the cliche ones. Not arrogance …more like Attention Deficit Disorder and a desire to experience new challenges.
nice job on the run! question for you.. i’ve been running sweetwater and kennesaw and was wondering about the area you went to at Amicoalola falls. how does that trail compare to sweetwater and kennesaw? thx
Very early/late runs are amazing (if a little dangerous!)… I use a headlamp and a small handheld, because I’m clumsy to the extreme.
Glad you’re kicking it hard. Hope you continue to stay healthy and strong!
It doesn’t help that my (boats) shoes are 14s.
Those suckers wait until you have to look up to miss a tree branch and snag your foot, or they do it the other way around. Double-teaming dogs!
I ran a new trail around here and I know exactly what you mean about ankles feeling worse after a run! It was all rocks and roots with about two square feet of dirt spread around to keep up appearances.