Kingsport Crazy 8's Race

We ran the Crazy 8's 8K Race last night - what fun!  This race is touted as the "World's Fastest 8K":

In 1996, Peter Githuka from Kenya set a new 8K World Record at Crazy 8’s with a time of 22:03. Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco broke the women’s world record in 2002 in 24:28. Both records still stand. Regional Eye Center offers a $10,008 bonus for the first man or woman to break their existing world records.

This year's top male came in at 22:21 and top female at 26:20.  Still some fantastic times.  The top 10 finishers all came in under a 5-minute mile.  The top 60 finishers came in under a 6-minute mile. 

Here were some of our highlights of last night's race:

• it was our first night-time race -- starting at 9:58 pm
• the course was flat (for local standards) -- a figure-8 route through downtown Kingsport the elevation was approximately 1250-1350'
• there were 1,950 runners in the race - a fun-sized crowd
• music blasted out of cars and boat stereos along the course - now I know why people like the Rock N Roll Marathons!
• the number of spectators all along the course was inspiring - sitting out on lawn chairs cheering on the runners; some with music blaring from radios to boost our energy; some with garden hoses spraying us down to cool us on a rare night of high humidity.
• to guide us through the dark neighborhood streets, luminaries lined both sides of the roads (if you look at the map above, you can see "candles" showing which parts of the course had the luminaries)
• the finish line was inside the local stadium - to run down the ramp and into the stadium with the big lights on and people in the stands was an exhilarating finale.
• Andy and I registered as a Husband/Wife Team.  We are currently showing as 9th out of 46th, but that is based off of the "clock" time, not our "chip" time which would put us at 7th place.  It took me almost a minute to cross the start.
• Andy ran at a 7:34 pace, while I finished with a 9:01 pace - we were both happy with our times

The Crazy 8's is part of the week-long FunFest event that happens every year here in Kingsport - concerts, games, races, etc.  We've also registered for the Wolf Run this Tuesday night - a seven-mile trail run race in hilly Bay's Mountain Park....starting and ending at the wolf habitat.  Ooohhh, I can't wait for that one (even if I do come in last place!).

Kingsport Crazy 8's Race

We ran the Crazy 8's 8K Race last night - what fun!  This race is touted as the "World's Fastest 8K":

In 1996, Peter Githuka from Kenya set a new 8K World Record at Crazy 8’s with a time of 22:03. Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco broke the women’s world record in 2002 in 24:28. Both records still stand. Regional Eye Center offers a $10,008 bonus for the first man or woman to break their existing world records.

This year's top male came in at 22:21 and top female at 26:20.  Still some fantastic times.  The top 10 finishers all came in under a 5-minute mile.  The top 60 finishers came in under a 6-minute mile. 

Here were some of our highlights of last night's race:

• it was our first night-time race -- starting at 9:58 pm
• the course was flat (for local standards) -- a figure-8 route through downtown Kingsport the elevation was approximately 1250-1350'
• there were 1,950 runners in the race - a fun-sized crowd
• music blasted out of cars and boat stereos along the course - now I know why people like the Rock N Roll Marathons!
• the number of spectators all along the course was inspiring - sitting out on lawn chairs cheering on the runners; some with music blaring from radios to boost our energy; some with garden hoses spraying us down to cool us on a rare night of high humidity.
• to guide us through the dark neighborhood streets, luminaries lined both sides of the roads (if you look at the map above, you can see "candles" showing which parts of the course had the luminaries)
• the finish line was inside the local stadium - to run down the ramp and into the stadium with the big lights on and people in the stands was an exhilarating finale.
• Andy and I registered as a Husband/Wife Team.  We are currently showing as 9th out of 46th, but that is based off of the "clock" time, not our "chip" time which would put us at 7th place.  It took me almost a minute to cross the start.
• Andy ran at a 7:34 pace, while I finished with a 9:01 pace - we were both happy with our times

The Crazy 8's is part of the week-long FunFest event that happens every year here in Kingsport - concerts, games, races, etc.  We've also registered for the Wolf Run this Tuesday night - a seven-mile trail run race in hilly Bay's Mountain Park....starting and ending at the wolf habitat.  Ooohhh, I can't wait for that one (even if I do come in last place!).

Kingsport Crazy 8's Race

We ran the Crazy 8's 8K Race last night - what fun!  This race is touted as the "World's Fastest 8K":

In 1996, Peter Githuka from Kenya set a new 8K World Record at Crazy 8’s with a time of 22:03. Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco broke the women’s world record in 2002 in 24:28. Both records still stand. Regional Eye Center offers a $10,008 bonus for the first man or woman to break their existing world records.

This year's top male came in at 22:21 and top female at 26:20.  Still some fantastic times.  The top 10 finishers all came in under a 5-minute mile.  The top 60 finishers came in under a 6-minute mile. 

Here were some of our highlights of last night's race:

• it was our first night-time race -- starting at 9:58 pm
• the course was flat (for local standards) -- a figure-8 route through downtown Kingsport the elevation was approximately 1250-1350'
• there were 1,950 runners in the race - a fun-sized crowd
• music blasted out of cars and boat stereos along the course - now I know why people like the Rock N Roll Marathons!
• the number of spectators all along the course was inspiring - sitting out on lawn chairs cheering on the runners; some with music blaring from radios to boost our energy; some with garden hoses spraying us down to cool us on a rare night of high humidity.
• to guide us through the dark neighborhood streets, luminaries lined both sides of the roads (if you look at the map above, you can see "candles" showing which parts of the course had the luminaries)
• the finish line was inside the local stadium - to run down the ramp and into the stadium with the big lights on and people in the stands was an exhilarating finale.
• Andy and I registered as a Husband/Wife Team.  We are currently showing as 9th out of 46th, but that is based off of the "clock" time, not our "chip" time which would put us at 7th place.  It took me almost a minute to cross the start.
• Andy ran at a 7:34 pace, while I finished with a 9:01 pace - we were both happy with our times

The Crazy 8's is part of the week-long FunFest event that happens every year here in Kingsport - concerts, games, races, etc.  We've also registered for the Wolf Run this Tuesday night - a seven-mile trail run race in hilly Bay's Mountain Park....starting and ending at the wolf habitat.  Ooohhh, I can't wait for that one (even if I do come in last place!).

Harmony

You might notice the new picture and link on the right side bar.  That's for our new company - RollingSands Harmony.  We've designed an online store for yoga, meditation, and pilates products.  With the economy in a downturn, housing and investments half of what they used to be valued at, and people losing jobs, we feel that now is an important time for people to learn ways to reduce stress and improve health and fitness.  Doing so will help you stay positive.

I hope you will take a few minutes to visit our store and take a look around at some of our products.  The store has been open for business for a few months now, but we are constantly tweaking it to look better, function better, and we are continually looking for new products to add.  I will be adding a blog to the store as well, with the intention of including "how-to" articles and the like.

I've been doing yoga for over 10 years now.  And, believe me, I feel a difference when I don't stay consistent in my practice - physically and mentally.  Just ask Andy!  Boy do I get grumpy!  It doesn't cost much to start - you just need a mat, and possibly a strap and a block(s) - and they last a long time.  I'm still using my original yoga set.  And, thankfully, they are lightweight enough to carry in an RV!

Bye, Bye Duckie

In the beginning, there were five.

• one mallard
• two large white ornamental ducks
• two medium brown speckled ducks

Now there are none.  We're still hoping the Mallard left by his choosing, but the other four were victims of vehicular duckslaughter.  I'm not used to recognizing the roadkill.  It's all so sad.  So cruel.  So unnecessary. 

We miss our quacky feathered friends already.

Grassy Creek Wildlife Foundation

During my run I came across a baby cardinal - just sitting in the middle of the road.  He wasn't well, I could see that.  I placed him out of harm's way, and then picked him up again on my return trip.  I had hoped the cardinal family at my feeder would take him in.  Nope.

I found the closest wildlife care center.  Unfortunately it was a 55 minute drive.  Not only didn't I have the time to go out and back before work, but I really didn't think he was going to survive the next 10 minutes.

Needless to say, some just have a will to survive.  The next morning he appeared to be more feisty, although possibly blind and deaf.  So I took him to Grassy Creek Wildlife Foundation in Rogersville.  He had a better chance of survival with her than me force-feeding the little thing.

I have so much respect for people who are so committed (emotionally and financially) to such a cause.  Freda runs the non-profit from her home.  GCWF is at 364 Grassy Creek Road, Rogersville, TN  37857, Phone:  423-272-5535.  I don't think she has a website (but was recommended by Bay's Mountain Park).  If you're ever looking for a place to donate money, time, or goods please keep these Wildlife care centers in mind.

Virginia Creeper Trail - Damascus to Whitetop

Should've used the Butt Butter.  If we did, we might've attempted a second day of bike riding on the Virginia Creeper Trail - a wonderful 34 mile long gravel rail-to-trail.

VA Creeper Trail Maps - take a look at the maps to see where this trail is.  Abingdon and Damascus are under an hour drive from Kingsport.

My thinking was that we'd stay the night in Damascus, VA and get two days of biking in before returning home.  The first day we'd bike the 17.5 miles uphill to the Whitetop Station and then coast back.  Then on day two we'd bike 17.5 miles the opposite direction to Abingdon, VA and back.  I guess my plan was a little aggressive being that we'd be on mountain bikes on a gravel trail.  Then we found out that the uphill to Whitetop was almost a 2,000' elevation change.  Ouch!  This is how the the old railway got the nickname - the old steam locomotives would have to "creep" up the mountain.

There are currently 47 bridges to cross on the entire 35-mile length of the trail.  This one near the top was at tree-top level.

It is one of the most consistently scenic rail-to-trails that we've been on.  At least the half from Damascus to the Whitetop Station.  It goes through the Jefferson National Forest most of the way, following multiple creeks.  The grade is consistent and doable, but around mile 15 my quads were wanting to call it quits.  We started out late and didn't have time for breaks.   We actually had to race at the end to make it to Whitetop by 5:30pm (our personal cut-off time).  It took us 3 hours to get up the mountain, and 1 1/2 hours to come down.

Most bikers on the trail take a shuttle up to the top and then just ride one-way downhill.  So going up hill we felt like Salmon fighting the current.  The biggest concern was that it appeared most people didn't know how to ride a bike - they'd see us, panic, and barely steer their bikes away in time.  We were very happy that there were only a handful of bikers left on the trail when it was our turn to go downhill - that meant we could go "zoom-zoom".  What a blast!

But the next day our butts and quads said "no" to getting back on the bikes.  That was ok - we had a Plan B:  Hike the Appalachian Trail.  The AT goes directly down Main Street in Damascus, so it was easy to just walk right out of town.

We'll just have to go back up to the VA Creeper Trail someday and do the other half - Abingdon to Damascus.  It's not as hilly, but we've heard it's pretty as well.

View more photos of VA Creeper Trail and the AT in my WebAlbums.

Rhodos on Roan Mountain

Why is it that some beautiful things are short-lived?  The Rhododendron Gardens on Roan Mountain is one example.  These wild Rhododendrons bloom for just a short two-weeks.  Usually mid-June to early-July.  So, I was adamant that we take a trip to see them since we were here for the opportunity. 

Roan Mountain State Park is just about 1 hour and 15 minutes away, but it was a good excuse to spend the night.  A change of scenery is a good thing.  Mentally, we're not used to being parked for two months.  Plus, we needed to roll the RV wheels anyway - for maintenance purposes.

From 2009_June_RMSP

The Rhododendron Gardens themselves are on USFS land in the Pisgah forest.  It is only 10 miles south of the State Park on Hwy 143, and is right on the TN/NC border.  Paths wind around in loops taking you by a number of pink and purple rhododendrons.  I was surprised how large some of these trees were - maybe 25' tall or more?  I thought they were shrubs, ha!

From 2009_June_RMSP

From 2009_June_RMSP

The State Park is at an elevation around 3,000' and the Rhodo Gardens sit at 6,286'.  So the views from the end of the High Bluff Trail were phenomenal.  Have you ever seen postcards of the Smokies?  Well that was the view we had.

From 2009_June_RMSP

Unfortunately, the afternoon we were walking the Gardens was the day that two children went missing in that immediate area.  You can read the story.  They were found safe 23 hours later.  But it was very sad to be hiking the trails imagining these kids (4 & 6 yrs old) being lost in that terrain.  And when the sun started to drop, taking the temps down with it, my fingers were numb by the time I returned to the car around 8:30 pm.  My heart broke for those little ones still out there in their t-shirts.

Since they still had The Gardens closed to incoming hikers the next morning, we chose not to return to that section to hike the Balds and Roan High Knob.  We'll just have to go back to do that hike.  Hiking the Balds (a naturally-occurring grassy mountain top) offers incredible views.

The next morning we decided on a trail run in the State Park.  Stupidly we chose the Fred Behrend Trail because it was close to the campground.  I say "stupidly" because it was rated a "moderately difficult hiking trail", which made it a challenging running trail.  I tried to explain to Andy that mountain bike trails are good to run on, or look for an "easy hiking trail", but he won out.  And we both paid the price.  We hiked and ran, hiked and ran.  I got so hot, that I had to take off my top - first time ever.  Andy almost ran off the trail when he turned around and saw that!  But the air on my sweat cooled me off - something that doesn't happen in Florida's humidity.  It *was* liberating, though!

Then we toured some other areas in the State Park, like the Miller Homestead....

From 2009_June_RMSP

....did some other hikes, and then cooled off in the Doe River....

From 2009_June_RMSP

A great trip.  We wished we had more time to stay and play.  But being so close, we are sure to return.

See my RMSP Photo Album for more pictures.

Kayaking in Warrior's Path

From 2009_June

We've seen this rock cliff from I-81's bridge over the Holston a number of times, and kept saying we'd paddle to it.  We finally got to do it today. 

Can you see me in the above photo?  That's a tall cliff!  Kids were cliff jumping from some other areas along the river, but not from this height.  We had a good chuckle after hearing the first splash - the kid yelled "freeeeezing!".  Yes, the water was colder than we expected. 

We paddled under I-81....

And just along the pretty shoreline....

The water was so flat and the current was mild, so doing an out-and-back from Warrior Path State Park's boat launch was an easy paddle.