Adventure Geek Productions

  • Home
  • Services
    • Before The Line Podcast
    • Blog
  • About Us
    • Join Us
    • Jefferson
    • Kristen
  • Races
    • Results
    • Kings Mountain Running Festival
    • Volunteer
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Services
    • Before The Line Podcast
    • Blog
  • About Us
    • Join Us
    • Jefferson
    • Kristen
  • Races
    • Results
    • Kings Mountain Running Festival
    • Volunteer
  • Contact

The Duncan Ridge Trail 50km - Don't Chicken Out

11/25/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Duncan Ridge Trail 50k takes place in North Georgia near Blairsville, starting and finishing from Vogel State Park. Billed as the ‘toughest 50k in the southeast’; it utilizes the Coosa Backcountry Trail and the Duncan Ridge Trail. At just over 31-miles, with 10,000ft of vertical climb (and equivalent descent), the course promises a challenge to any runner. So I decided to give it a whirl!

PRE-RACE
Since I've never run those trails, I drove down the day before the race to scout portions of the trail.  The Race Director (RD) also offered a pre-race packet pickup that Friday evening. I always prefer pre-race packet pick ups so I can see what kind of bib, or number, or timing chip is being used so I may make the necessary adjustments. Got to have everything dialed in and  reduce as many race-day surprises as I can.

RACE DAY
Ever integrated your alarm clock into your dreams? Yea well I got to the race venue just 15min before the start. So much for reducing race-day surprises... I whipped into the parking lot, ran my stuff to the bag-drop, and then went back to my truck for final preparations. It was cool out (~50*), windy, cloudy, and misty; I was expecting just a +/-5* temp change as a high-pressure system moved in over the day. I tend to run hot on race day so just shorts/singlet/visor should suffice, right? I'll come back to that. 

THE COURSE
The bEast Coast mountain trails were as expected, tons of wet leaves, roots, and rocks. Most of the climbs were strait up and over peaks; the trail was riddled with mud and fallen trees to climb or dip under. There were even points when the trail was barely there and thankfully that’s where the RD placed orange surveyor flags to keep runners on course.
Picture
The elevation profile data from my Garmin 910xt
I was prepared and expecting these rough conditions. I regularly run trails in Pisgah National Forest and got a good deal of training in at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park this summer; but the wind and cold got to me Saturday. I couldn't feel my hands for more than half of the time, with wind chill it dropped MUCH more than the anticipated +/- 5deg. 

Racing makes you do silly things sometimes. I attempted to run with my fingers under my armpits at times for added warmth. It looked like your imaging, like a bearded distance runner doing the chicken dance while covering intense single track over a mountain as quickly as possible: awkward. The chicken dance posture didn't work well so I just focused on keeping moving, not only for the race, but for warmth and the thought that the faster I run the sooner this will be over. 

I was pleased to not see the front-runner until ~1mi from the turnaround of the out and back course. At the 15.5mi mark I did the drop bag thing, I crushed a double espresso and a handful of roasted almonds. Now back to the start/finish line! The return trip was tough, slogging up steep mucky pitches, beaten up by runners before and after me... I thought the return trip was supposed to be easier!

Now my goal to the finish, NOT GET PASSED. I convinced myself that there was always someone behind me just around the bend, just out of sight. It worked. I made it back to the start line in 6hrs, 49minutes. Earning 6th place overall in my first 50k race!

RECAP
The Duncan Ridge Trail 50k is NO JOKE. While it is a tough course, the race is very well run, the aid stations are well stocked, and the volunteers I met along the way were great and very supportive! I suggest this race (or the 30k ‘short’ option) for any runner looking for a challenge. The cut-off times were generous allowing participants of almost any pace to finishing the course. There were ample options to drop-out in the event of an injury or being ill-prepared. This race is for the ‘purists’ out there, no awards or age groups, just a finisher’s prize (a nice synthetic hat or a pint glass), and of course, bragging rights.

This year there were 185 starters, 163 total finishers, 72 30k Finishers, 91 50k finishers, 22 DNF's, and 19 dropped to the 30k from the 50k.  

If I find myself still on the East Coast next year, I'll definitely be back for more! 

Mark your calendars for November 22, 2014!!!

Brandon Smith 

Adventure Geek Racing Team Member
0 Comments

Random Adventure Tails 

12/31/2012

0 Comments

 
I have a history with trail running... and squirrels.

It all began while training in the Issaqueena Forest outside of Clemson while an undergrad. I had already been running for 30min and was in a state of flow; seemingly effortless, floating along the trail.

Anyone who trail runs, has likely seen a squirrel before. They tend to scurry off to the nearest tree for refuge, no biggie.

Back to the run, I came around a bend to a straight section in the trail...Oh, hey there mr. squirrel! But this time, the little tree-rat decided to scurry across the trail right in front of me. I took a bounding leap, in attempt to clear the little guy... He must have not expected that...

I landed right on the squirrel's head! Crunch. 

Fortunately, its end was quick. 

It all happened so fast, it seemed unreal. But there it was, a dead squirrel in the middle of the trail. I LITERALLY ran over a squirrel, this is insane. I picked it up by the tail and found a nice spot to bury it under a big old oak, then returned to my truck.

What a day.

I am reminded of this experience from my run today. While running a local trail here in NC, I had another squirrel encounter. This one wasn't deadly. I only landed on thiso ones tail as it scurried across the trail. 

Squeak! 

I suppose my chances of these run-ons are higher than normal trail runners since I all but live on them. 

So yea. I've run into many deer, bears, whistling marmots (these guys are awesome!), snakes, frogs, etc. But I have only run over one squirrel.

Anyone else had some interesting animal encounters?

-Brandon
Picture
0 Comments

Fly with the (frozen) Eagles Half-Marathon Race Report

2/17/2012

0 Comments

 
I was awake before my alarm went off at 6:30 last Saturday morning.  I have had trouble sleeping the past couple nights in anticipation of my first road race in two years.  The thought of long, flat, open stretches of road are daunting in my mind.  For those unaware, I’m an avid trail runner.  I am at home covering technical single-track, climbing mountains and exploring new paths through the woods.  This skill-set will be less beneficial in the Fly with the Eagles Half-Marathon which begins in a few hours.

Much to my surprise as I look out my bedroom window, there was an inch or so of fresh snow and ice on the ground.  The forecast calls for 20 degrees with 20+ mph winds at the race start, resulting in a wind-chill of 7deg F!  Our winter has been rather mild here in south-central Illinois; that is up until the day before the race.  The gun is set to go off at 9am and I need to be ready to toe the line, I have to forget the snow and continue my race-day regiment.  After coffee, yogurt and granola I’m suiting up to make my way to the race.

Upon arriving at the race venue, I find runners sitting in their cars soaking up the heat as they pin on race numbers and make last minute decisions on attire.  The race directors have indoor/unheated warehouse space available, but I forgo this to warm-up with a jog to locate the start line. 

10 minutes to the start.  I remove my warm-ups and jacket, exposing myself to the energy sapping winds.  A short jog to the start and it’s time to get this show on the road.  There are a few runners with only shorts on; many making comments on their insanity as final race directions are shouted over the freezing crowd.

Bang!  We’re off.  The course began with a 1/8th mile of frozen dirt road, leading into the first paved section.  As the first mile marker passed, everyone had found their pace and was well on their way.  After 3-4 miles we hit gravel and were crossing a lake as those 20mph winds hit from the right.  Up to this point I was strong, maintaining my pace.  Once across the lake we ran a loop of gravel roads covered in snow, shaded from the sun and wind.  It has been hard to hydrate, as it is so cold.  Once past the half-way point, we were back into the wind.  This is where I began to feel my energy diminishing.  Needless to say the remainder of the race was difficult, but I pushed through the fatigue and stiffness to avoid the dreaded DNF.  Ultimately finishing with a 1:39.45, 10 minutes shy of my PR in the 2010 Clemson Easter Bunny Run.  I crossed the finish line stiff from the cold and dehydration.  My hands were numb, resulting in a major loss of dexterity; I couldn’t even remove my own race bib tab!

Needless to say this race was a learning experience for me.  Having never run in weather below 28 degrees, I was unprepared for that cold of weather and wind.  While I had all my skin covered (except my face), I should have worn more.  This would have helped make it easier to hydrate and maintain pace.  A simple bandana could have covered my face and warmed the air before entering my lungs.  A wind-breaking layer would have also been a huge help!  While I was plenty warm the first 1/3 of the race, the heat was eventually sapped out; remember to plan for the long run!

Not every race, or even training run, will necessarily go as planned.  While a poor performance may be difficult to deal with at times, remember it’s how we bounce back from those days that’s most important!  Personally, I’m back at home running my trails working towards longer and longer runs.  I’m looking forward to the King’s Mountain Marathon in April where all my hill training will be quite beneficial.  I hope to see you and many others at the start in a couple months!!

Keep setting those goals and pushing yourselves my fellow runners!

-Brandon

P.S. I’m coming for YOU, Jared.

0 Comments

Adventure Geek Racing: Brandon Smith

1/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Brandon Smith
Age:
26
Location: Resides in Murphysboro, IL. But, he's most likely trying to get lost in the woods right now. 

    Also known as the Shaman of the Appalachian Trail; Brandon is a living embodiment of the Adventure Geek Spirit. Having raced (and won) with Kristen & Jefferson a few years ago, he was the first to ask how to join when we announced the team. We're excited to be reunited with this season veteran and to add him to our ranks!

Goals:   
   I am training to compete in marathon and ultra distance trail runs and I am going to take a fighting shot at the Chattooga River 50k in June 2012. I feel like I have a solid base of 50ish/week and will continue to build and adjust as I compete in more races because I generally only compete a few times per year. I learned a lot about my body after trekking the AT and enjoy learning how to adjust my hydration/nutrition approach from race to race. I'm trying to find some training partners (having trouble with that in south-central IL, not many avid trail runners I'm aware of) and would love to lend a hand coaching the Adventure Geek Racing team to share what I've learned.

Likes: 
-being on two wheels (motorized more-so as of late)
-cajun spiced eggs (scrambled), bacon and honey on wheat
-filling out electronic forms and the cursor automatically goes to the next field when the expected number of digits are entered without me having to hit Tab
-OJ poured into water

Dislikes:
-water poured into OJ
-bad drivers who don't see motorcycles or runners/cyclists
-loosing toenails after races
-ketchup

Activities:
Trail Running, Off-road Triathlons, Ultra-light Long-Distance Backpacking, Paddling, XC Running, Adventure Racing, Mountain Biking, eh well pretty much anything outdoors.
Picture
0 Comments

    Archives

    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    September 2015
    February 2015
    March 2014
    November 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011

    Categories

    All
    5k
    Adventure Geek Racing
    Adventure Triathlon
    Andy
    Brandon
    Coaching
    Dc
    Diy
    Geezerjock
    Half Marathon
    Jared
    Jared Campbell
    Jascia
    Kings Mountain
    Kings Mountain Marathon
    Marathon
    Marathons
    Milage
    Motivation
    Myrtle Beach Marathon
    Off Road
    Off-Road
    Payday5k
    Photography
    Running
    Russ
    Santee
    South Carolina
    The Challenge
    Training
    Trevor
    Trevor Albert
    Ultras
    Xterra

    RSS Feed



Picture


All rights reserved. Adventure Geek Productions © 2019