National Park Adventure!

On Saturday, I met the Haywood Hikers in Maggie Valley.  I met some of them during a town-sponsored hike.  We drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  With the leaves gone, you can see so much through the trees.  The views of the mountains are gorgeous.  As we were approaching the Smokemont Campground, we saw ELK! It was from a good distance, but I was so excited to see them.  The best time to see elk is early morning or within a few hours of sunset, so we were fortunate to get a glimpse.  Elk were brought into the park a few years ago to help restore the population.  They wear collars and people must stay at least 150 feet away (from all wildlife).  We also saw wild turkeys.  We hiked the Bradley Fork Trail, which runs along a river.  The water was absolutely beautiful.  The trail was pretty easy and not very steep.  We had lunch by the river.  The water is very clean.  I love the sound of rushing water.  When you combine that with mountain air on a crisp fall day, it just doesn’t get much better. 

 

OBX Marathon 2012

Friday

I went to my hotel.  Then, I headed to the race expo for my number and shirts.  Then the power went out…EVERYWHERE.  The only places to find electricity or fresh food were the hospital and grocery stores.  I got some groceries, found that my hotel was dark and searched for power.  The Harris Teeter sub counter did a booming business.  While heading back, I started seeing lights.  Driving around with no traffic lights was an adventure not to be repeated. 

Saturday

I slept in and had a bagel to carb load for my 10 a.m. race.  I ran in the Buccaneer 5k.  Some parts of the course were pretty congested, but it was a good race.  Without launching into a tirade, I would appreciate the announcers providing some etiquette tips to runners.  I didn’t take walk breaks, which I was happy about (no shame in doing so).  I ran into a few Oakmont people at the race.  The Saturday races started at First Flight High School.  I ran a quick errand and headed back to eat, get cleaned up and loaf around.  Before leaving that evening, I spent some time on the beach and took pictures.  Then, I ran a few more errands and headed to our annual carb loading supper.  One of my errands involved buying an elastic knee support.  It was worth EVERY PENNY.  It was good to see friends from Oakmont and just to be back east.  I was asleep by 10.  Quote of the day: ‘’You’re running the 5k and the marathon? Let me shake your hand.’’  She really did shake my hand.  There are bigger feats, though.  Some runners competed in the 8k and the marathon (Blackbeard Challenge).  Running the 5k+marathon was the Queen Anne’s Revenge Challenge. 

Buccaneer 5k medal

 

The beach at Nags Head

5k t-shirt

Sunday

I awoke at 4:15.  I consumed two acetaminophen (1000 mg).  Yes, that is the correct dose.  I totally packed more, which I took at around 9:00 (just had to wait four hours).  Before I get ahead, I had a bagel for breakfast.  That’s always my pre-long race breakfast.  I left very early to catch the shuttle in Manteo.  I parked near the finish and got shuttled to the start.  That was a great way to go, as I didn’t have to go back to the island afterwards.  I was on bus one, which filled up and left before the scheduled time of 5:45.  I was wearing my Oakmont Runners for Bo shirt, my typical Capri pants and some really worn-out Asics.  This was their last race.  I also had on a patriotic cape and a red tutu.  I didn’t see any Oakmont people today, but runners have a way of befriending strangers.  I was even invited to huddle for warmth.  The course involved concrete, asphalt and some trail running.  The trails were a nice break from the sun.  It was a pretty warm day.  My nutrition while running was mainly fruit snacks (Spiderman and Gushers).  There was a table with fresh banana bread…AMAZING! I drank Gatorade and water.  I also enjoyed some Biofreeze.  I was feeling pretty good, but it never hurts.  I should have reapplied sunblock.  I definitely sweated it off (my face was really salty from the sweat).  I also ended up with some funky tan lines.  My run/walk ratios varied.  I started with 3/1 (my timer was set for 2/1, but it cut off and was 3/1 when I cut it back on).  Eventually, I did 2/1 for a while and then 1/1.  And yes, I totally fudged sometimes and walked (just kept moving).  But, I finished and I improved my time.  One of my pals from the beginning called out to me during the race.  It was good to see her again.  One guy took my picture.  Apparently his girlfriend has something against tutus.  He took it near the finish when I was ahead of her (and planned to tell her that).  Thanks to the running/walking, the bridge wasn’t so bad.  The downhill that followed was most welcome.  I spent a few minutes on the main road in Manteo, followed by a few turns and the finish.  The support during this race is always great.  Visitors and community members are everywhere cheering.  Even some of the residents were providing liquids and food (not just official stations). Names are printed on race bibs, so people can call out our names and cheer.  Random runners offered congratulations after the race.  I left the OBX with three finisher’s medals (one for each race and one for the challenge).  We also got some really cool little hats.  My post-race meal: the Billy Barou nachos from Moe’s (chips, queso, pico de gallo, chicken, sour cream, pinto beans) and an orange soda.  During the race, I thought about which event to run next year.  Of course, I’ve already decided on the marathon.  J    

Yes, my shoes have bitten the dust

My fun finisher's hat

Marathon shirt

 

Finisher's medal

 

Queen Anne's Revenge Challenge medal.  It has the words strong and insane.  That sums it up.  ;)

 

One side of the strap on my challenge medal. 

 

My Playground

The Town of Waynesville sponsored a hike on Saturday, November 3.  The hike started shortly after 9 and we were back a little before two.  We stopped for lunch before turning around.  The difficulty level was moderate, though it had plenty of uphill.  Other than the twice-yearly hikes, the town's watershed if off-limits to the public.  The watershed covers 8600 acres.  The water in Haywood County only comes within the county, so it's particularly important to keep it clean.  We split into two groups.  One group was more leisurely and planned to stop more to look at birds, etc.  Ours was the hard-core group.  I've been ready to explore these parts since I interviewed for the job.  There is a Saturday hiking group that I can't wait to get plugged into.  I found out about it through this event, so I'm really glad that I went.  This is my playground.  :)      

Happy Halloween!!

I started celebrating on Saturday night.  A local museum, the Shelton House, was hosting Ghosts and Goblets.  Shelton House houses the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts.  We split into groups and visited three rooms.  Each room had a host who told a story.  We also had refreshments in the barn (nice building, actually), which I expect for 10 bucks.  ;) They had stories and a campfire for the kids.  I spent some time by the fire and torched a few marshmallows. 

On Halloween night, I participated in the fall carnival at church.  I've been visiting FBC Waynesville, which is downtown.  The Waynesville Downtown Association gets in the spirit on Halloween as well, which the church tags onto.  Kids can visit the downtown merchants for candy.  The church holds their event during the same hours, which is a neat way to reach out to a lot of families.  They have a pretty good relationship with the WDA.  Bonus: the church was getting rid of the pumpkins.  I took one home and it is a fab fall decoration to have by the front door. 

The Shelton House

 

 

 

Welcome to Waynesville

Here's a snapshot of what I've been up to.  Hre are has some scenes from around town, including the amazing views.  Some pictures are from the Apple Harvest Festival.  Apples are a big deal around here.  Haywood County has an apple growers association.  At the festival, I volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce.  Mostly, I had the hard job of sitting at a tent and enjoying the entertainment.  I got to see clogging for the first time.    The entertainment was in the parking lot of FBC Waynesville.  Festivals are one way that the church reaches out to the community (free water, bathrooms, and parking...they take donations).  It's a rough life, but someone has to do it.  ;)

The full album is posted on Facebook.  The album name is Welcome to Waynesville.