Run Club

32 minutes starting at 6:25. That time of day is getting colder and darker. The running is continuing to get easier but I've not yet tried to up the speed. I'm cruising at about the rate of 10 minutes per mile.

Predators

Last night I got out for a nice little spin: Starting at 8:20PM from Bent Creek Gap->FS5000->FS1206->NC276->Blue Ridge Parkway back to Bent Creek Gap. I was feeling a little slow and only took one real break, at Yellow Gap, and was out for 3:20.

As I was preparing to leave the sounds of owls could be heard throughout the forest. It was a beautiful sound. When I arrived at the top of NC276 there was no mistaking the ooowww--ooowww-ooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwww of what sounded like dozens of coyote down in the valley. That was not a beautiful sound. It was downright spooky.

The first 18 miles were on gravel:

Run Club

Fast 30 minutes starting at 0630 with Michael M. and Sophiedog the Brave.

Run Club

3 miles, 200', 30 minutes. Starting at 6:30AM.

'It never gets easier, you just go faster.' does not apply to my running. Not yet anyway. This morning's run was MUCH easier than the other last but just as slow.

As I set out temps were in the low 60's, the 'super harvest moon' was setting, and the fog was growing thicker and thicker by the minute. Beautiful.

If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

Last night I met up with Mike R. and Eric C. at NMRC at 6PM for a FAST paced ride. Our route: 5000->Spencer->Spencer->N.E.R.->Fletcher->Res Rd.->Lower Trace->Fisherman's. Two hours out with a flat.
more later

Run Club

Just over 30 minutes with Michael M. starting at 0630. 3 miles?
It's been far too long since I've run.
Maybe I'll do it again Thursday morning.

Another night ride on the Cyclocross bike....

Holy hell that was hard. Last night I rode a big 'ole gravel/pavement loop/figure 8. Starting at the French Broad River overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway(BRP)->191->Bent Creek Gap Rd->FS479->BRP->NC276->FS1206->FS5000->BRP back to the Jeep. I started at 8:15 and wasn't done until just past 1AM.

47 miles, 8050 climbing. 25 miles of pavement, 22 miles of gravel.

the start

North Carolina! Hell Yeah! (Garage just before the first gravel of the night)

Water refill at the Pisgah Inn

The turn to 276 off the parkway

Starting to feel shelled at Pilot Rock trailhead. I didn't break out the camera again after this.

Oh, thanks to Mike B. for identifying the dozens of birds that dove across my headlight. Swifts.