Lapping Up (and down) Boone Greenway

Greenway photo taken in the springtime

My 100k training plan called for a 5 hour pavement run this past Saturday. Though usually I am pleased to be doing my long runs alone, running laps on pavement, called out to me for some sort of amusement beyond my little ipod shuffle.

(Many people ask why I don’t do my long runs on dirt-to “save my knees”, truth be told, I need the road’s harshness to toughen up my quads and bottoms of my feet. After November 7^th, I’ll return to running most long runs on dirt, yet for now, pavement= preparation).

A little poking around on local runner’s blogs led me to the Boone Free Marathon website, and I learned of the October 16^th marathon to be run out there. These runners, some of which are part of the larger Marathon Maniacs, are an enthusiastic group of low key runners that seem to run at least 2 marathons per month. 

Photo from Boone tourism website

The marathon was 7 laps of 3.75 “out ‘n back” from the Watauga County Recreation Complex to the Watauga Animal Shelter Parking lot. We stashed our aid and coolers under a picnic shelter and started a little after 8:30am. Joe Sinclair organized the event and introduced me to his buddies Richard McNeil, Gladys Lippard, Brent Roach, and Shane Hamby. Resident of Boone ultrarunner Bobby Cordell joined the group for part of his Saturday run also.

My plan was to hold an 8 min pace and aim for 37.5 miles. Though I didn’t run with a companion, waving to one another as we passed each other was fun and especially after a few hours, I looked forward to sharing encouragements. This little group of spirited runners really made my day and I hope to share in their company again.

I wore a new pair of shoes I am hoping will work out for World’s: Saucony Grid Tangent 4. Lighter than what I have worn in previous road events-I did wind up with blisters on the balls of my feet-yet I hope more wearing of them in the next couple weeks will condition my feet. Otherwise, I wound up happy with somewhere around 37 miles and a few new running friends. My marathon time was 3:31:02. For everyone’s marathon results and info on the next Greenway Marathon (October 23) go to: http://boonemarathon.blogspot.com/

Bobby, Joe, Richard, Annette and Gladys after our runs!

Sunday’s run was prescribed to be 40 minutes. This was in direct conflict with the Dark Mountain 17 mile Trail run, I’d registered for prior to obtaining my current training plan. Yet, flexibility is one of the keys to sanity, so I choose to drive the 30 minutes to cheer on Maritza’s event and run the 4 miler. Last month I featured Maritza and her races on this blog and there was no way I would just not go!

Shortly after finishing the 4 mile run....

Running the 4 mile event was perfect for me-a lot of fun in a little time on a great trail in a pretty place! The 4+ mile course contoured and featured a few hills, flats and some pavement. I crossed the finish line in 36 minutes and continued running until rounding out my assigned 40 minutes.

The trail running events didn’t have a big turnout and I felt disappointed as it is very organized, marked well, good aid and fabulous prizes. I ran the 17 miler last year and loved that too.

Shortly after finishing, I hopped back in my little Echo and zoomed up the mountain. It was high time to spend time cleaning the house this afternoon!

New River Trail 50k 2010 Race Report

Welcome to Fries, VA!

It's been a week since the 3rd running of the New River Trail 50k. As a race director I have had a week of mixed experiences and emotions. After being so immersed in preparation for the race, I am relieved to be done with most of the responsibilities for this years race. (Paperwork and thank yous to follow soon). Now a week later, I am able to be more fully at my high school counseling job and more present in my own training. Even our living room is cleared of race supplies which took over the space since around October 1st!

There were 3 piles this size massed around the room pre race.

Though relief is part of what I am experiencing, I have also been debriefing myself and with others, sorting out what worked and what can be improved. I have also celebrated and reflected on the experiences of many of the runners that I got to meet and share part of a fine day with. I am truly privileged to be in this role and have the support of the VA State Parks, community of Fries, VA and many excellent volunteers.Thank you to everyone who contributed to Saturday's race.

Driving into Fries on Friday and overlooking the river, one would not guess that 24 hours later it would be a festive Start/Finish Line of an exciting ultra marathon. 

All quiet, later morning 10/8 (day before)

Lot's can change in a day....

Same area 18 hours later, awaiting arrival of first runners...

What follows is the race report I submitted to Ultrarunning last night.

“The course was beautiful and the volunteers and people from the community were honestly some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. When I finished (the last 4 miles were a bit rough for me) I thought I’d never do another ultra, and by yesterday was trying to figure out how I’d make it another year before coming back to New River for a little revenge on those last 4 miles.”

                                                                        Meredith Bazemore, 1^st time ultrarunner.

A ton of life energy was exposed and shared during the 3^rd running of the New River Trail 50k in Fries, VA on October 9, 2010. Partnering with the staff of New River State Park, with much support from the little community of Fries, VA we again facilitated a “green” event, which among other things, featured local foods and local electrolyte drink mix and minimal disposables, with all proceeds going to National Committee for the New River.  Registration this year was up 20% from 2009 and we had 130 starters and 129 finishers. Over 50 of the registered runners were 1^st time ultra runners and runners ranged in age from 23 to 72 years old. The trail is an old railroad bed, flat and 100% dirt.

Frontrunners take off! Eventual winners Kate Brun (L white hate) and Chris Motta (to R with gray shirt on)

Second youngest female in the 2010 field at 24, Kate Brun of set a new course record at 3:49:15, Jenny Anderson followed as runner up meeting her personal goal of sub 4:00 with 3:59:05 and Melissa Ball chased her close with 3:59:42. All 3 women bettered Jenny’s 2009 course record!  

On the men’s side and the second youngest male, Chris Motta, 26 led the pack with a 3:33:36 win, with Doug Covington, 41 at 3:39:47 and Dwight Shuler, 46 was next in 3:46:49.

The youngest runner was 23 year old Erika Thompson (4:02:55) of NC and the oldest finisher, Tom Alford (5:35:32), 72 NM. This was Tom’s 150^th ultra marathon. Bill Keane ticked his 240^th ultra off this day, while Rick Gray of TN ran a personal best of 4:14:29 less than a week after completing the Grindstone 100.

Rick working hard for his speedy finish

There were many personal challenges and celebrations on the trail and at the finish line for these runners.

Amy Walters celebrates life!

I got to witness many tears and hugs of relief and joy and groans of focused effort by those who crossed the finish line. Two runners looked especially glowing minutes after they crossed the finish line and huddled together. We learned Abigail Chapman and Amos Desjaridns had gotten engaged after finishing the race together. Congratulations both of you!

Newly engaged

The day was a perfect, if warm, early autumn day on the trail. After finishing runners were nourished by homemade soup and bread cooked by a group of very hospitable women of Fries, VA. Join us 10/8/2011!

In the end, upward of $6600.00 will go to National Committee for the New River. For more information on the race and complete yearly results, visit: www.ncnr.org/nrt50k.html

Beth Minnick took the day off from ultrarunning and volunteered at Cliffview and at the Finish area. She took some great photos which she is happy to share. Go to:  http://picasaweb.google.com/Iron.Mtn.Trail.Runners/NewRiver50K?authkey=Gv1sRgCMup8oz2tKG5owE&feat=directlink#

Thank you sooo very much to all the runners, volunteers, State Park Folks, my co-workers for dealing with my stress, my hubbie George and kitty Mama Gray for putting up with me and the piles of race stuff! I welcome everyone's critical feedback on the event, I am best reached at annettebednosky@gmail.com, not by this link from this blog.

Now is time to focus on work and home and readying for Gibraltar! Notice the new time gizmo at the top of this blog. The 100k World Championship will start 6:30am local time in Gibraltar on November 7. More details on this in a future post. 

New River Trail 50k 2010: full preliminary results

A quiet place...95 minutes before the first finisher

These results will be posted tonight on the race website: www.ncnr.org/nrt50k.html! 

Full report will be posted here and on website within the next several days!

Next year's running, pending permit approval will be 10/8/2011, registration to open January 2011.


Drop bags and personal items left on the trail were collected by the VA State Park rangers. If you want your items sent, please contact New River Trail State Park, 
Cliffview Ranger Station at 276-236-8889.


Again, congratulations to all runners!

place		time		name		sex		age		state
1		3:33:36		christopher motta		m		26		va
2		3:39:47		doug covington		m		41		va
3		3:46:49		dwight shuler		m		46		nc
4		3:47:51		jonathan savage		m		44		nc
5		3:49:15		kate brun		f		24		ga
6		3:51:15		keith mrochek		m		37		nc
7		3:51:46		mark rostan		m		41		nc
8		3:59:05		jenny anderson		f		36		va
9		3:59:08		bobby aswell jr		m		47		nc
10		3:59:42		melissa bell		f		29		nc
11		4:01:30		jeremy alsop		m		27		nc
12		4:02:11		paul wardzinski		m		55		nc
13		4:02:55		erika thompson		f		23		wv
14		4:03:12		ling dao		m		33		va
15		4:07:39		jason overbaugh		m		35		ga
16		4:12:18		chad randolph		m		44		nc
17		4:14:29		rick gray		m		49		tn
18		4:15:37		joe schlereth		m		60		nc
19		4:16:51		ron garsik		m		38		nc
20		4:18:56		rob french		m		52		nc
21		4:19:28		chris jordan		m		26		nc
22		4:19:46		jonathan musenga		m		30		va
23		4:19:50		amy walters		f		31		nc
24		4:20:38		jonathan adcock		m		28		va
25		4:21:38		doug blackford		m		63		nc
26		4:21:27		ashley long		f		29		sc
27		4:22:28		lisa marie kloberdanz		f		30		co
28		4:23:40		betsy chew		f		39		nc
29		4:25:01		beth frye		f		41		nc
30		4:25:43		meredith bazemore		f		35		nc
31		4:27:08		amy albu		f		34		va
32		4:27:56		sean murphy		m		40		nc
33		4:29:10		rob pengelly		m		33		nc
34		4:32:17		mike pastore		m		55		sd
35		4:42:13		scott bodien		m		35		nc
36		4:42:20		davis hall		m		33		nc
37		4:44:39		tom patch		m		51		nc
38		4:45:40		jennifer houck		f		38		md
39		4:47:28		tammy massie		f		38		md
40		4:48:46		steve grace		m		35		nc
41		4:52:01		lisa howell		f		51		nc
42		4:54:17		jenny nichols		f		32		va
43		4:55:01		joshua james		m		34		nc
44		4:58:33		rodney tatum		m		39		nc
45		4:59:31		ashley funderbunk		f		33		nc
46		4:59:34		jamie moore		m		41		nc
47		4:59:43		steve andrews		m		48		va
48		5:02:02		liz lord		f		39		nc
49		5:07:34		rebecca adcock		f		30		va
50		5:07:48		jim miller		m		42		nc
51		5:09:31		marilynn miller		f		41		nc
52		5:10:17		jim wei		m		37		nc
53		5:10:48		kirby russell		m		43		tn
54		5:11:13		ed hanks		m		51		va
55		5:11:55		dale tiska		f		47		nc
56		5:12:59		scott wingfield		m		38		nc
57		5:12:59		ted lord		m		41		nc
58		5:15:16		david ritchie		m		55		va
59		5:15:44		john king		m		39		va
60		5:16:04		scott evanson		m		44		nc
61		5:19:03		kathy lee		f		47		nc
62		5:20:57		joanne mannino		f		44		ny
63		5:20:57		mohammed sultan idibi		m		31		nc
64		5:24:43		karla werner		f		51		nc
65		5:27:03		daniel leib		m		35		nc
66		5:27:03		bob sites		m		57		nc
67		5:29:41		frank maguire		m		63		nc
68		5:29:41		sara whittington		f		31		va
69		5:30:30		lynn alford		f		58		nm
70		5:31:47		kimberly couranz		f		40		md
71		5:31:54		adam matheson		m		31		va
72		5:32:40		tracy sproule		f		39		nc
73		5:32:40		anji nussbaumer		f		30		nc
74		5:33:13		bill keane		m		66		nc
75		5:35:00		dana pasquale		f		33		nc
76		5:35:32		tom alford		m		72		nm
77		5:36:21		edie mahan		f		45		nc
78		5:36:32		tony rouse		m		46		nc
79		5:37:27		joey anderson		m		54		nc
80		5:38:48		douglas dawkins		m		58		nc
81		5:41:38		janis frazer		f		38		va
82		5:45:01		shelley brown		f		46		nc
83		5:47:23		aaron proden		m		38		va
84		5:48:34		david king		m		64		nc
85		5:49:11		angela white		f		49		nc
86		5:50:12		james snyder		m		64		nc
87		5:51:08		kevin o'connor		m		63		va
88		5:51:11		gary baum		m		60		nc
89		5:51::30		thomas mueller		m		53		nc
90		5:52:47		tony truitt		m		48		va
91		5:54:12		dani grabol		f		29		ga
92		5:54:26		brian johnson		m		32		nc
93		5:55:50		enithie hunter		f		42		ga
94		5:56:31		suzie kim		f		41		md
95		5:58:18		crystal morphis		f		37		nc
96		5:59:29		lilli gerardi		f		56		nc
97		6:03:45		carol mcdonald		f		51		nc
98		6:04:10		gregory johnson		m		45		nc
99		6:05:38		ted polfelt		m		26		va
100		6:06:02		amanda johnson		f		32		nc
101		6:07:58		stacy libbert		f		38		nc
102		6:08:28		kramer reeves		m		43		nc
103		6:08:32		tony martin		m		41		va
104		6:11:34		emily franklin		f		34		md
105		6:11:47		katie walsh		f		27		sc
106		6:12:19		rachel defibaugh		f		25		va
107		6:15:48		linda banks		f		47		nc
107		6:15:48: darryl banks				m		43		nc
109		6:16:37		julie adams		f		42		tn
110		6:16:37		susan musser		f		45		tn
110		6:16:37		liza graves		f		53		tn
112		6:18:21		vickie fogelman		f		52		nc
113		6:18:49		ron fleming jr.		m		30		nc
114		6:19:17		jennifer broton		f		37		wv
115		6:19:26		michael murray		m		53		nc
116		6:22:56		sandy davis		f		34		va
117		6:26:09		susan nelson		f		43		tn
118		6:27		radu stoica		m		36		tn
119		6:42:08		donna maguire		f		59		nc
120		6:46		jade wei		f		39		nc
121		6:53:20		connie howe		f		48		nc
122		6:53:24		james plant		m		45		nc
123		6:53:56		elena lea		f		39		nc
124		6:53:57		marmont trailhead		m		39		nc
125		6:54:37		scott herman-giddons		m		67		nc
126		6:55:40		letty marino		f		48		va
127		6:56:46		abigail chapman		f		30		va
128		6:56:46		amos desjaridns		m		29		va
129		6:57:06		frank lilley		m		60		nc
130		dnf		Dale Less		M		51		nc

place

time

name

sex

age

state

1

3:33:36

christopher motta

m

26

va

2

3:39:47

doug covington

m

41

va

3

3:46:49

dwight shuler

m

46

nc

4

3:47:51

jonathan savage

m

44

nc

5

3:49:15

kate brun

f

24

ga

6

3:51:15

keith mrochek

m

37

nc

7

3:51:46

mark rostan

m

41

nc

8

3:59:05

jenny anderson

f

36

va

9

3:59:08

bobby aswell jr

m

47

nc

10

3:59:42

melissa bell

f

29

nc

11

4:01:30

jeremy alsop

m

27

nc

12

4:02:11

paul wardzinski

m

55

nc

13

4:02:55

erika thompson

f

23

wv

14

4:03:12

ling dao

m

33

va

15

4:07:39

jason overbaugh

m

35

ga

16

4:12:18

chad randolph

m

44

nc

17

4:14:29

rick gray

m

49

tn

18

4:15:37

joe schlereth

m

60

nc

19

4:16:51

ron garsik

m

38

nc

20

4:18:56

rob french

m

52

nc

21

4:19:28

chris jordan

m

26

nc

22

4:19:46

jonathan musenga

m

30

va

23

4:19:50

amy walters

f

31

nc

24

4:20:38

jonathan adcock

m

28

va

25

4:21:38

doug blackford

m

63

nc

26

4:21:27

ashley long

f

29

sc

27

4:22:28

lisa marie kloberdanz

f

30

co

28

4:23:40

betsy chew

f

39

nc

29

4:25:01

beth frye

f

41

nc

30

4:25:43

meredith bazemore

f

35

nc

31

4:27:08

amy albu

f

34

va

32

4:27:56

sean murphy

m

40

nc

33

4:29:10

rob pengelly

m

33

nc

34

4:32:17

mike pastore

m

55

sd

35

4:42:13

scott bodien

m

35

nc

36

4:42:20

davis hall

m

33

nc

37

4:44:39

tom patch

m

51

nc

38

4:45:40

jennifer houck

f

38

md

39

4:47:28

tammy massie

f

38

md

40

4:48:46

steve grace

m

35

nc

41

4:52:01

lisa howell

f

51

nc

42

4:54:17

jenny nichols

f

32

va

43

4:55:01

joshua james

m

34

nc

44

4:58:33

rodney tatum

m

39

nc

45

4:59:31

ashley funderbunk

f

33

nc

46

4:59:34

jamie moore

m

41

nc

47

4:59:43

steve andrews

m

48

va

48

5:02:02

liz lord

f

39

nc

49

5:07:34

rebecca adcock

f

30

va

50

5:07:48

jim miller

m

42

nc

51

5:09:31

marilynn miller

f

41

nc

52

5:10:17

jim wei

m

37

nc

53

5:10:48

kirby russell

m

43

tn

54

5:11:13

ed hanks

m

51

va

55

5:11:55

dale tiska

f

47

nc

56

5:12:59

scott wingfield

m

38

nc

57

5:12:59

ted lord

m

41

nc

58

5:15:16

david ritchie

m

55

va

59

5:15:44

john king

m     

39

va

60

5:16:04

scott evanson

m

44

nc

61

5:19:03

kathy lee

f

47

nc

62

5:20:57

joanne mannino

f

44

ny

63

5:20:57

mohammed sultan idibi

m

31

nc

64

5:24:43

karla werner

f

51

nc

65

5:27:03

daniel leib

m

35

nc

66

5:27:03

bob sites

m

57

nc

67

5:29:41

frank maguire

m

63

nc

68

5:29:41

sara whittington

f

31

va

69

5:30:30

lynn alford

f

58

nm

70

5:31:47

kimberly couranz

f

40

md

71

5:31:54

adam matheson

m

31

va

72

5:32:40

tracy sproule

f

39

nc

73

5:32:40

anji nussbaumer

f

30

nc

74

5:33:13

bill keane

m

66

nc

75

5:35:00

dana pasquale

f

33

nc

76

5:35:32

tom alford

m

72

nm

77

5:36:21

edie mahan

f

45

nc

78

5:36:32

tony rouse

m

46

nc

79

5:37:27

joey anderson

m

54

nc

80

5:38:48

douglas dawkins

m

58

nc

81

5:41:38

janis frazer

f

38

va

82

5:45:01

shelley brown

f

46

nc

83

5:47:23

aaron proden

m

38

va

84

5:48:34

david king

m

64

nc

85

5:49:11

angela white

f

49

nc

86

5:50:12

james snyder

m

64

nc

87

5:51:08

kevin o'connor

m

63

va

88

5:51:11

gary baum

m

60

nc

89

5:51::30

thomas mueller

m

53

nc

90

5:52:47

tony truitt

m

48

va

91

5:54:12

dani grabol

f

29

ga

92

5:54:26

brian johnson

m

32

nc

93

5:55:50

enithie hunter

f

42

ga

94

5:56:31

suzie kim

f

41

md

95

5:58:18

crystal morphis

f

37

nc

96

5:59:29

lilli gerardi

f

56

nc

97

6:03:45

carol mcdonald

f

51

nc

98

6:04:10

gregory johnson

m

45

nc

99

6:05:38

ted polfelt

m

26

va

100

6:06:02

amanda johnson

f

32

nc

101

6:07:58

stacy libbert

f

38

nc

102

6:08:28

kramer reeves

m

43

nc

103

6:08:32

tony martin

m

41

va

104

6:11:34

emily franklin

f

34

md

105

6:11:47

katie walsh

f

27

sc

106

6:12:19

rachel defibaugh

f

25

va

107

6:15:48

linda banks

f

47

nc

107

6:15:48: darryl banks

m

43

nc

109

6:16:37

julie adams

f

42

tn

110

6:16:37

susan musser

f

45

tn

110

6:16:37

liza graves

f

53

tn

112

6:18:21

vickie fogelman

f

52

nc

113

6:18:49

ron fleming jr.

m

30

nc

114

6:19:17

jennifer broton

f

37

wv

115

6:19:26

michael murray

m

53

nc

116

6:22:56

sandy davis

f

34

va

117

6:26:09

susan nelson

f

43

tn

118

6:27

radu stoica

m

36

tn

119

6:42:08

donna maguire

f

59

nc

120

6:46

jade wei

f

39

nc

121

6:53:20

connie howe

f

48

nc

122

6:53:24

james plant

m

45

nc

123

6:53:56

elena lea

f

39

nc

124

6:53:57

marmont trailhead

m

39

nc

125

6:54:37

scott herman-giddons

m

67

nc

126

6:55:40

letty marino

f

48

va

127

6:56:46

abigail chapman

f

30

va

128

6:56:46

amos desjaridns

m

29

va

129

6:57:06

frank lilley

m

60

nc

130

dnf

Dale Less

M

51

nc