November 2019 Monthly Running Challenge
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Race Report: Cade’s Cove Loop Loopet (Sunday, November 3) In Memory of @MobyCarp
This race is the only race held within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park borders. Cade’s Cove is a valley in the park where wildlife is in abundance. The loop is a one-way scenic drive and is very popular. Especially in the Fall with everyone leaf-looking. The park is in close proximity to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (home of Dollywood) which boasts lots of tourist attractions for kids and adults alike. The loop is closed to traffic every Wednesday and Sunday morning (May through September and for today’s race) until 10:00 am to give runners and cyclists a chance to use the road.
They have two distances – a 10 mile and a 5K. The field of total runners is limited to 750 runners. Parking inside the park is limited to 100 vehicles. Those parking passes cost an additional $35 which I gladly split with my friend who was running with me. If you didn’t snag a pass, you have to be shuttled in on a school bus. Nothing wrong with that but after the race it’s nice not to be rushed and to have a change of clothes in the nearby parked car. The race started at 7:30 and we arrived around 6:50 am. We saw two bears after we parked the car and were walking towards the start area. These were the only bears that we saw as I’m sure all the runners were making enough noise to keep them far away. We saw a herd of wild ponies in a field near the start line. The temperature was around 31F and there was a large frost on the ground. It was so white that it looked like a snow! I wore long pants and a short-sleeve tech t-shirt under a jacket. I had a headband covering my ears and a pair of knit gloves on my hands. I shed the gloves around mile 5 but kept the jacket on for the entire race.
My friend and I signed up for the 10-mile run. This year was the 3rd anniversary of the race and made our second year running it. There is a 2.5 hour time limit on the 10-mile race. However, once the course is open to traffic and since it’s a one-way road, the traffic will begin close to the start line so realistically you have longer to finish and not worry about traffic. My goal time for the race was “finish” and my pace strategy was run as hard as I could. As typical for me, I got caught up in the excitement and went out too fast. My first (and fastest) mile was at 9:52 pace. The first mile is mostly flat or downhill. After that there are a lot of hills on this loop. There are a few historic buildings along the route including a couple of churches. As a matter of fact, the last half mile to the finish line is a gradual uphill. I ended up finishing in 1:51 (average pace of 11:14/mile) beating my time last year by a minute (1:52) so course PR for me! My friend who is 62yo came in at 1:43 and placed third in her age group! Unfortunately, I didn’t carry my phone with me so I didn’t get any pictures.
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@Teresa502 that sounds like a fantastic venue for a race! Bears, scenery, and history! Congrats on the PR! I didn't know they closed the loop to traffic just for runner either. THAT would be an awesome way to see it!
I had to look that race up because it's something I would be interested in running sometime. I was browsing the results of the 10 mile and saw that someone was disqualified. I wonder what they had done? Their times shows 1:24:XX, but a big DQ and listed at the bottom of the results.2 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »Gahhh I tried to post this from my phone this morning but it was before coffee so OF COURSE it didn't post....
Can we talk safety gear for running?
I'm female and run alone, both at night and on trails. I'm getting some feedback from loved ones that I need to stop being an idiot and find some measures of protection should anything unfortunate arise - attackers, wildlife, predators, getting hit by a car, falling....... (naturally, I fell asleep last night thinking about getting mauled by a mountain lion)....
I've seen the run angel wristlet, but what about like if I need to actually DEFEND myself? Thoughts? Ideas? What do you all use?
I hesitate to answer since, as a large male, I don't have the same concerns that you have but I will anyway.
Live tracking apps are useful but they won't be of any help if you get attacked. They may help in finding you after the fact.
Taking photos of suspicious cars and people is a good idea but they only help find the perpetrator after the fact.
As @RunsOnEspresso talked about, your best defense is situational awareness and trusting your gut instinct. Make it a point to notice every single person and every car around you. Don't just look where you're running, keep looking around you. What looks suspicious and what doesn't? If something doesn't feel right, don't think you're being paranoid, act on it and avoid it the situation. Turn around, duck into a store or restaurant, cross the street, whatever you need to do to make yourself feel more comfortable about the situation.
There's a book I recommend, not just for running, but for everyday safety called "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin De Becker about this very subject. I think it was @ddmom0811 who bought this on my recommendation. Maybe she'll chime in with her thoughts on the book.
Your local police department may have a class for personal safety, and if it's geared towards women, even better. If they don't have one, they may be able to tell you were you can find one.
This is all great insight!
I need to read that book - I'll add it to my list on scribd. I am reading Born to Run right now and I AM LOVING IT. I am not opposed to carrying a handgun. The idea is to not need it. Or maybe a knife. And also awareness - yes. so much that.2 -
@Teresa502 running in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park sounds like an awesome place for a race! I'll bet it was beautiful. Way to go on getting your course PR!4
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November Goal: 285km
01/11: 3.26
03/11: 21.15
04/11: 6.52
05/11: 13.53
Total KM run: 44.46
It's such a beautiful morning today. I got out about 5:30am just before the sun rose, the sky was a beautiful pink colour, very little wind and about 15°C. Perfect! About 8km into my run I went from some slight GI discomfort to I MUST FIND A BATHROOM NOW. I know there are toilets about 1km away so I quickly turned around and headed straight there. On the way I remembered that they are building a new high rise right where the toilets are so I kept repeating to myself "please still be there, please still be there". As I rounded the corner I saw the whole area was surrounded by construction fencing and my heart dropped, but as I got closer I saw there was a small alleyway leading to the toilet block. Phew!!
@7Lenny7 As always, I'm completely in awe of your achievements. I find it hard to imagine one ultra, let alone 3 in 3 weeks. You're a legend. You write so well and I always look forward to reading your race reports, you really capture the spirit and let me race vicariously through you!
@Dory_42 Beautiful beach pic. That's so interesting about the seals
@PastorVincent Love the ninja pic!
@Teresa502 That sounds like a great place to run. Congrats on the PR!!!
@eleanorhawkins We were also taught to use keys for self defence in school too. I don't carry my keys with me when I run, but I've definitely pulled my keys out of my purse when I've been walking back to my car when out late and feeling a bit spooked
@greenolivetree Sounds like you made the perfect choice to walk with your husband
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Hi everyone. Definitely going to drop my mileage for November and concentrate on upper body strength ahead of the surgery I have next month. But aiming for at least 20 miles. I haven’t previously included treadmill miles but will have to this month as the weather is terrible and I’m not safe out in the dark right now so lots more indoor running. Managed a few miles as part of a gym class Sunday. Hoping to get out on Wednesday morning this week for a decent run.
Plans for 2020 - recover from surgery, get back to running. Hoping to be fit for Macmillan Cancer Charity 10k in June, Wimbledon Common half marathon in August and then Race for the Kids through Hyde Park in October.
11/3: 3 miles
November total: 3 miles
November goal: 20 miles
October total: 64.1m
September total: 82.2m
August total: 85m
July total: 90.1m
June total: 86.1m
May total: 67.6m
April total: 71.5m
March total: 42.9m
February total: 30.2m
January total: 31.7m
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Congrats on the PR @Teresa502 - sounds like a great race.
If I am attempting 15k next weekend should I consider taking some form of fuel with me?3 -
@7lenny7 another awesome race, another awesome race report. Keep up the good work!2
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TheMrWobbly wrote: »Congrats on the PR @Teresa502 - sounds like a great race.
If I am attempting 15k next weekend should I consider taking some form of fuel with me?
For a 15km race, I wouldn't bother, however, it could be helpful to have a sugar hit around 10k to help you get to the finish line if you're starting to flag. That being said, they say nothing new on race day - gels are notorious for causing upset tummies. But if you're used to having something to snack on mid run, then go for it. Something inoffensive like jellybeans or dates could give you the boost you need without giving you a stomachache. You'll find the race probably has electrolyte drinks at the water stops which may be enough.7 -
@Teresa502 that sounds like a fantastic venue for a race! Bears, scenery, and history! Congrats on the PR! I didn't know they closed the loop to traffic just for runner either. THAT would be an awesome way to see it!
I had to look that race up because it's something I would be interested in running sometime. I was browsing the results of the 10 mile and saw that someone was disqualified. I wonder what they had done? Their times shows 1:24:XX, but a big DQ and listed at the bottom of the results.
That is interesting. Cheated somehow perhaps?0 -
@7lenny7 amazing race, you're a machine. Although my boyfriend was reading over my shoulder and is now sniggering at your description of lubing your crotch... gross!
Thanks, @JMNagain ! Unfortunately it's a necessary evil for long runs. Chafing can be QUITE painful.
Pro tip: Never shake hands with an ultra runner.
Tell your boyfriend to try running the distances @7lenny7 has been without lube, and I promise he will change his tune. You only make THAT mistake once. Trust me
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35 min on the treadmill after work which included 25 min running (5 min x5 with 1 min walk breaks) then 1 mile walk with hubby outside. Maybe tomorrow I'll run outside 😬8
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TheMrWobbly wrote: »Congrats on the PR @Teresa502 - sounds like a great race.
If I am attempting 15k next weekend should I consider taking some form of fuel with me?
Race like you train. Do you take fuel on training runs around that distance? If not, then do not in race. If you do, then do the same at the race.
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ContraryMaryMary wrote: »@7lenny7 another awesome race, another awesome race report. Keep up the good work!
This!
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Great job @Teresa502!2
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Commitments for November:
1) Run at least 36 miles
2) Walk at least 36 miles
3) Finish the last 2 weeks of Active's C25K program
4) Finish the first 2 weeks of Active's 5K to 10K program
Date......Walk......Run
11/01.....6.11.......2.21
11/02.....2.72.......0.00
11/03.....4.20.......2.58
11/04.....2.71.......0.00
With this group I feel like I'm at a really cool party with nothing to talk about, being just a newbie still. I do have a race on the schedule, though. My first 5K will be on Dec 7. By that time I should have something to contribute... maybe? :-)17 -
13 miles today, but lost my water bottle that I have been running with for over a decade, and broke my nox lights.
Fixed the lights, but no sign of water bottle
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Hello, all! It's been a while since I've been on this thread - I'm going for 20 miles this month (and walking on the off days!) as I try to get back in the swing of things 14
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PastorVincent wrote: »...but no sign of water bottle
I hate that! There isn't a lost-and-found nearby is there? I lost my driver's license on a run the other day and it was returned to the nearby university library...and they got it back to me.
Someone knows where it is, I hope
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Commitments for November:
1) Run at least 36 miles
2) Walk at least 36 miles
3) Finish the last 2 weeks of Active's C25K program
4) Finish the first 2 weeks of Active's 5K to 10K program
Date......Walk......Run
11/01.....6.11.......2.21
11/02.....2.72.......0.00
11/03.....4.20.......2.58
11/04.....2.71.......0.00
With this group I feel like I'm at a really cool party with nothing to talk about, being just a newbie still. I do have a race on the schedule, though. My first 5K will be on Dec 7. By that time I should have something to contribute... maybe? :-)
I've been here a year and still feel that way sometimes. But you're contributing now - every day you read and like a post, or share something of your own.11
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