Running in the rain

Even though I'm finding out there aren't many trails in the immediate Greenville area (not counting a few short, easy ones), I have been enjoying Paris Mountain State Park. It's a huge, well-maintained, system of trails (both hiking and biking) that are plenty hard enough for me. I've ran/biked most of the trails now, but there are plans of adding 5-7 more miles of biking trails.
There is one trail race (a 7m and 4m loop) that takes place here in October. I've been doing the larger,7-mile loop to train (pink trail on map). Seven miles doesn't seem that long after some of my previous runs, but there's a reason MOUNTAIN is in the name of the park!! The first half of the loop is almost a 45-degree angle up while the second half is the opposite. The loop has both biking and hiking portions (from fast and rolling small hills to not runable). I've been trying to do the loop at least twice a week.
Today was my fastest loop so far (1hr, 12min), but let's say it was 'weather-aided'! As I started my run, it was a little hot to run and the humidity was terrible. I was soaked with sweat almost immediately and figured I would go through my water bottle quickly. Just as I got to the top of the uphill section though, the dark clouds rolled in. As I began my descent, the wind and rain started and the lightning was a little too close for comfort. The second half of the loop is already a fast run (because it's mostly downhill), but the lightning definitely sped me up!
Other than the lightning, it was enjoyable to do half of the loop in the rain. The rain, cloud cover, and wind made for a pleasant run!
Now to best my quick finish time, I guess I'll just have to wait for more bad weather!

Mr. Awakeat4am TriathlonMaaaaaan

As I'm sitting here getting my running gear together for a 6am trail run tomorrow, I remembered this email I received a few weeks ago.

I'm sure everyone has heard the Budwieser 'Real Men of Genius' radio spots now. You know....they have the cheesy, 1980s 'RReeallll Meeeen of GEEEEENIUUUUS' intro music followed be a serious talking narrator who gives tribute to whom he sees fit. Even though I haven't heard this particular one on the radio, it easily could be.


Bud Light Presents...
Real Men of Genius
(Real men of geEEEeeeinuuuUUuus)

Here's to you, Mr. Awake at 4 am Triathlon Man.
(Mr. Awakeat4am TriathlonMaaaaaan)

In your lycra and drifit armor, you emerge into the early morning darkness
to battle the hordes of others that also don't know the meaning of ...

"sleeping in on Sunday."
(Better set that alarm twice)

While the rest of the world sleeps, you're dutifully slathering your
crotch with vasaline.
(squishin' and slidin')

For you, abusing your body with an early morning run simply won't cut it.
You tack on a swim and a bike ride... just because you can.
(doOOOOOOooooon't forget the Bengay)

So crack open an ice cold Bud Light, you trisporting Titan. You monster of
the mile marker. Because the only thing tougher than a three sport event
first thing in the morning, is a four sport event ... and that's just insane.

(Mr. Awakeat4am TriathlonMaaaaaan)

KC Trail Nerds and Greenville running

Most who know me and my running habits understand that I detest 'pavement' running and what it brings: car fumes, hot sidewalks, people in your way, and crossing busy streets. Running is GREAT for you, but somehow I figure a lot of the benefits are canceled out when you have to suck on a truck's tailpipe waiting at a redlight so you can cross!!!

I started trail running in college at UGA. There were a few trails in the area ranging from 1.5m up to 5m and I got to know them well as I went 2-3 times/week. Once I graduated college and moved to Macon, GA, I frequented the one mountain bike trail there (6.1m) and could be found running it at least twice/week.

When you runs trails, you have to be comfortable running alone. Many hours will be just you, the woods, an occassional deer and snake...and in my cased living in Macon, the random Mountain Bikeer. In the years living in Macon, I never once went running with someone else, but did get to know the mountain biking group well. But I can only run so fast so running/riding together was impossible. When Lucy and I found out we were moving to Kansas City, I immediately 'googled' trails in the KC area and found a 'yahoo' page about a trail GROUP! Wow...you mean people actually gather to run trails? I thought only 'pavement' runners did this, but after I emailed Ben Holmes, the group organizer, and told him I was moving there in the preceding months, I became a part too!

The group was small at first usually consisting on 2-6 runners. We held 3 weekly runs - one 'night' run starting at dusk and using flashlights and two weekend runs starting in the morning. After I mentioned starting a second night run, four weekly runs became the norm. The night runs were ranged from 4m (one lap) to (7m) depending on which trail we used. We reserved the weekend for the longer runs (usually 8m to 15m).

I'll never met someone so passionate about trail running as Ben Holmes. He organizes the group runs as well as being the webmaster for two KC running site: the KC Track Club and Trail group. Almost daily emails are sent our detailing upcoming runs, events, and races in the community and the greater midwest. Over the year I lived in KC, the group grew from the 'dedicated few' to the 'many' with more runners showing for each run and event. Ben came up with the name 'KC Trail Nerds' and had shirts printed for the group. The second annual 'Psycho WYCO trail run' brought in 250 people compared to 40 the first year. Just as I was getting ready to move to South Carolina, the Trail Nerds were beginning a 'trail race series' where points were kept over the course of a year depending on the trail, its length and difficultly and the runner's finishing time. I did a few T-shirt designs for races which Ben had printed. It was satisfying seeing the group grow over time with people who had a similiar interest. This made my move to Greenville, SC even more challenging. After years running alone, I enjoyed the group dynamic and the motivation it brought. After not running more than 12m alone, I completed my first marathon and 50k with the Trail Nerd's help. I'm sure Greenville will have it's share of trails, but I'm also confident the organization won't be there.

I've been in Greenville for a week now and have scoped the running community. The 'pavement' runners seem to be going strong and I got the chance to meet a few at the monthly Greenville Track Club. As I assumed, the organization for trail running isn't here, and they seemed a little confused when I said I run on 'dirt' only. The locals mentioned only one trail, Paris Mountain, which I'll visit soon. Looks like many more hours exploring the woods alone for me.

As I get used to the humidity of the Southeast again (sorry KC, it's hotter here), I wanted to say thanks to the KC Trail Nerds for the great year of running. I have a good idea how to organize a group.....now if I could just make myself wake up for those 6am runs! That's what I need a group's help for!