Quest for Fifty: A New Beginning

How do I revive my running--with a new focus, desire and lasting long-term plan?
It all came to me this morning.
The mile will provide the spark to ignite my new beginning--with longevity.
I have 28 weeks to prepare.

....more to follow.

Tennessee River and a Mountain Man

As I ran through the woods atop Raccoon Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Alabama's song "Tennessee River" was running through my head. Thus this provided me the title for my first ever blog post. It has been awhile since me, the river and the mountains have gotten together. Not since the late eighties/early nineties when I was a competing cyclist, had I been back to the scenic city of Chattanooga. I loved this place then, and I can not believe it took this long to return. I was provided the opportunity since the wife, her cousins and friends took an all girl's trip to Panama City this weekend. That, and I'm a runner. My lonely anecdote was to drive down Friday for some trail running paradise. That's just what I did, and I loved it.

After checking into the Motel 6, I first visited Rock/ Creek for some more info and maps. I was invited to their upper room where I met with some nice people who provided valuable information about the trail system atop Raccoon Mountain. Then I quickly drove over, arriving ready to run by 2:30 pm. I met a mountain biker there who told me of an overlook view of the Tennessee River not to miss. I ran fast over the first miles in anticipation of all this trail had to offer; something I'd pay for later.

The loop provided approximately 13 miles of nice forgiving trail to start my weekend off right. I found the overlook maybe halfway through the run. It was breathtaking. Here's what I saw.

I had to do a bit of rock climbing to make my way atop that boulder for the full view. It was precarious!

The trail did have some rocky technical sections that led to this overlook. After that, there were large smooth stones, not ankle turners. This section was pretty cool, so I took some video while running. After exiting this area, I got to see part of Raccoon Mountain's dam. As I ran away from this site, my mind was fixated on the dam break seen from "O Brother Where Art Thou", so I skedaddled onward.

After ninety minutes of running, the beauty of the run was waning; I was tired and I wanted out. Suffering a bit due to the fast early miles, I pushed for the finish, but it was not coming. After one hour and 55 minutes, I finally made my way back to where I began. Man was I happy to see my car. I headed back to the motel for a shower, then off to Chili's for their Cajun Chicken Alfredo. Yum!

After a good night's sleep, I arose early (by my Saturday morning's standard), to arrive atop Signal Mountain by 7 am for my trek of Jeff Edmond's old stomping ground, Mabbot Springs Trail. The air was cool and filled with the fresh fragrance of honeysuckle and other mountain blossoms. This place was a jewel. Tucked away where no one could find but the locals. I felt privileged to know of it's whereabouts and to tread it's soft path.

Early in the run, I took this picture of the spring that would lead to the waterfall I sought to find. I chose to run this trail because there being one (waterfall).

All along I had envisioned viewing the 180 foot waterfall from it's base. Man was I wrong. While running the trail, I spotted an off-chute trail. I could hear the water, but I could see nothing. After further investigation, I discovered the falls. The picture does not do justice to just how frightfully dangerous, but beautiful this location was.


I laid on my belly, quaking from the height to get this shot. When I returned to my feet, I snapped my best picture. What an awesome view!


After finishing up this run in approximately 45 minutes, I jumped into the car and headed off to the Mullin's Cove Trail. I had to descend Signal Mountain and travel west down Suck Creek Rd for eight miles to Prentice Cooper State Forest which overlooked the Tennessee River Gorge. I arrived ready to run by 8:45 am. This trail was the sole purpose of my visit since it's an integral part of the Stump Jump 50k, a race I plan to run come this October.

The trail started off easy enough, but it would prove to be the most challenging run of the trip. It was but a short piece to the place known as Indian Rockhouse. This was a tight squeeze between some huge rocks that dropped you down maybe twenty feet or so.


































From there, it was onward to Snooper's Rock Overlook. This section of trail was challenging. It was mostly run near the edge of the bluff and through overgrown underbrush tearing at my legs. The course was becoming harder to follow as well. There were switchbacks and inclines. It took awhile to get there, but a great view of the Tennessee River and surrounding mountains was to be found.


I contemplated turning back in fear I was going to run out of time to make it back for checkout. But I continued on. Near halfway, I snagged a rock outcropping and went down for the first time this weekend. My left knee banged hard against a root. I thought I was done. But I continued on. When I reached this place called Hailey's Road, I thought I was lost. It was a steep, rock strewn Jeep road. At this point there was no running this. It was a struggle just walking up it. And what about this place called the Rock Garden I'd heard so much about? I'd gone down into two rocky areas already, and I thought this is what all the fuss is about?

I had not reached it yet. In the last three miles, when I was cooked, I reached the Rock Garden. And damn was it brutal! (too tired and pissed to take anymore pictures!) It was nothing like I had pictured in my mind. I had had thoughts of boulder hopping. Not so. This place was a plethora of smaller, moss strewn rocks that made walking treacherous. I thought the hard part was over once leaving there, but I was wrong again. The trail was continually climbing from there to the finish. it seemed. I was walking even flat areas then. When I reached the car, I was soaking wet, cramping, hungry, and happy to be out of there and alive. This 10 mile adventure took me one hour and forty-six minutes.

During those last painful miles and after, I questioned whether I should do the Stump Jump. I still may, but a lot more training is in order if I am going to finish this one.