| Race Report: Mt. Mitchell Challenge - Posted by Ashby Ray on Saturday, February 27, 2010 |
| Mt. MItchell + Feb =COLD |
| This was my second ultra and my first attempt at the Mt. Mitchell Challenge. Because of absurdly heavy snow they had to alter the course this year. The first three miles were straight up. I mean STRAIGHT UP. I began to question what I was doing and withing for a time machine so I could go back in time, lose 20 lbs, do lots of squats and run on the treadmill at a 12% incline. After that we settled into a steady but managble grade. From mile 4 to the half way point for the marathon we ran up a snow covered (2 to 8 inches) fire trail. Once we got to the turn around point for the marathon the Challenge runners continued up to the summit of Mt. Mitchell. The wind was howling up to 50+ miles per hour. The temp was 10 degrees at the top. I have no idea what the wind chill was, but it was C O L D. The last 400 yards to the top was in knee deep, loose snow. The trip back down was much more fun. I just sat back, let gravity work and tried to keep from falling. I crossed the finish line in 7 hous and 30 minutes. I'm ready for next year! |
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