Here’s a run report from the mountain run from Saturday just gone…
We all met at 6.30am at the new Home Depot/Target location ready to take the trip up to Helen for a joyful run in the mountains. Included in the trip were:
- Simon
- Justin
- Ryan
- Matt
- Pam (si’s Wife)
- John (Scottish bloke)
The last two had decided to mountain bike the trail whilst we ran it.(Which was a great help if some distress was caused by any runner). We all clambered into one vehicle, and made our way up to Helen. Upon arrival, the road that winds it’s way up the side of the Hooch” was closed to traffic, and hence campers – my first thoughts was “hhmmm” (I’ve run this before alone and it was a bit unnerving..!) Anyway we all got ready, Ryan had a little brain fart trying to work out which shoes to wear (just like dressing up to go clubbing), Justin had his hydropak ready…!!!! (yes he had fluids).
At exactly 7:53am we began the run, crossing the bridge and making our way up the gravel road. (It was dead quiet). The two mountain bikers were getting ready and would catch us up. The run was a series of long climbs followed by a few downs, which helped as each climb got considerably harder the further were ventured into the hills. Ryan, Justin, Matt all set a good pace, and I hung around the back wondering why I was left in the dust, and where did their pace come from! Over the next few miles we ran without incident, unfortunately the keen three at the front took the wrong turn and did about 100 yds before the bikers put them right. I had caught up by this time. By now the climbe was getting slightly steeper, and longer, everyone was actually running very well, each settling into their own pace.
About three miles in, Justin had a set of legs and ran up the hill around the bend, about 10 seconds later, he was running back down as fast as a “rioter from the cops”, as he had just spotted a bear! This made Pam real nervous, because not only was there a predator, but we went to look for it!!! The bear thought Justin looked like a toothpick and went on its way for better meat.
We regrouped, again settling into a rythym, with Ryan and Justin out in front, when again a bear jumped out right in front of them, almost like “peek-a-boo”, saw the lack of meat, and too went on it’s way. This was most fun for us behind watching.
By now we were approaching the 6 mile mark, all regrouped, ran together, took a gel each and the bikers went on ahead. After a slight reprieve, we ran along a flat area, and some runners came from the other direction, they were highschool kids that must have been dropped at the top of the climb we were about to tackle. This climb went on, and on and on, we all got split up on this one, and by about the 10 mile mark, Justin and I had made the top for the turn off, and took a breather. John decided to cycle down the mountain to check on the other runners (Ryan & Matt) whom were all were nearby, so none had not been eaten, yet.
The next phase has the downhill, unfortunately, it was very overgrown, and scrapped your legs, Ryan did not like this one bit, no sireee….. After that run uphill, it was nice to run down, but to be lacerated in the process. Matt was very good at running down. By about the 2nd mile, we came to an abrupt stop and there were two bear cubs playing in the trees, where was mummy? We waited for Ryan, knowing that he was in a foul mood, and made sure he didn’t need to be pulled out of the jaws of local forest dwellers.
The run down did clear up, but on weary legs proved it’s own challenge, now the stones were bigger, and the trail steeper. But at the middle of this downhill where two very steep climbs, the leg muscles had to switch very quickly and re-adapt.
The last two miles were a good gradient downhill, which both Justin and I settled into a real good pace, knowing the car was nearby.
After 2hrs 30mins we completed the run. John & Pam were waiting, a couple of donuts were devoured, and we all sat in the river to cool down.
It was a great run, everyone ran well, it was 16 miles of grueling running, in a quiet, un-spoilt location. The bears made it an eventful run, not often you get to see that many, though they were probably disappointed with the menu that day…and wondered what the human race is coming to.
Ryan bringing up the rear.
