Natchez Trace – Fall 2011

Last weekend was a relaxing one. Rock Climbing at Kings Bluff on Saturday (A post to follow on this) and Fall photography on Sunday. I signed up for a the photography competition at work and with the deadline fast approaching, I headed out to Natchez Trace to click some shots. I must say I really got lucky. I went all the way to Jackson falls (Mile Marker 402) expecting to click nice shots with the waterfall background but was disappointed. There was hardly any water. The fall foliage on the stagnant water appeared really colorful though. It was nearly sunset by now and that’s when I noticed the vibrant colors of the tress at mile 434. It was gorgeous. Managed to click some good ones. Hoping to click more in the coming days before winter is in full fledge.

 

Big Dog Backyard Ultra – Death March on the Big Trail

Big Dog Backyard Ultra:

I have never heard so many people swearing at some one all at the same time and in all profanity one can imagine (At this year's Barkley), yet they all return for his race. Only Laz can come up with such ideas, conceptualize, lure runners from across the state and execute it to perfection. And as always, people take the bait. I have newfound respect for this man after Backyard Ultra. I saw this race taking shape from the beginning till it's execution. He comes with such crazy ideas and he puts in so much passion and effort to execute it to perfection in spite of his work issues. He was up by 5:00AM on race day and was awake until 3:00AM the next day, 22 hours straight. Laz, THANK YOU!!

Warrior Dash 5K

This event turned out to be more fun that expected. When Groupon had discounted entry for this race, it was too difficult to pass it up. The event was sold out but then Warrior Dash introduced two new slots which opened up more new spots. I posted it on FB to see if there would be any takers. What fun in running this alone. More the merrier. Couple of friends took the bait. Some already registered runners were jealous since we registered for a lower price and a better slot. It was the 7:00AM slot. The first slot of the day. Virgin course and fresh mud. This was my friend Jeff’s first 5K. He is a great ultra bicyclist who is venturing into the sport of running. He did great for his first 5K, for a course full of obstacle.

Run.Walk.Eat.Sleep – The Last Annual Vol State Road Race 500K – Race Report

Some adventures transform a man. The sleepless nights, the euphoric feelings, the few silent minutes spent in contemplation, the conscious decision made to suffer through the heat, day and night on the endless road, recover and regain the strength, push forward only to sink deeper at the end of the day, the struggle to stay awake and do it over and over, hoping to get to the rock. Run, walk, eat and sleep - This is the story of my journey called The Last Annual Vol State Road Race 500K.

The Last Vol State 500KM Road Race – I’m IN

Ever since Diane told me about this race, I had it in my radar. Things have finally fallen in place and I will be running the Last Annual Vol State 500KM Road Race this year. After finishing my 100 mile race 6 months back, I wanted to run a ‘more that 100 mile’ distance race and ended up with Vol State 500KM. It’s just 214 more miles, right?

A race that’s run from northwest corner of TN to the south west corner of TN, Dorena Landing, MO to Castle Rock, GA and we got 10 days to complete the race. The race is run in two categories. You could do it in solo (carrying everything you need and refill along the way at the stores and restaurants along the course taking no help from friends, though begging from strangers is allowed) or have a crew to support you. I have chosen to do it Solo, right, I am screwed.

Fall Creek Falls - Spring Tour

Spring tour for this weekend was Fall Creek Falls. I have been to this place twice but never really had the time to stay there and enjoy besides that the weather sucked in both occasion. The weather turned out great this weekend though. It was a bit hot but I can live with it. 

Headed straight to Cane Creek Falls. Went down the cable which takes you down to the foothills of the falls. It was gorgeous. The water was flowing down in full force. Must be the recent rains. 

Cane Creek Falls:

 

Maniac# 3502

Yes!! I have been accepted to the Insane Asylum, at the Iridium level for my 21 races in 365 days streak. Thanks to Bjorg, Kino and Steve. Since I already was a part of the ICY 8HR Maniac picture, there was no other way but to sign up to the Maniac Asylum. The registration process went pretty smooth and an email showed up in my inbox later.
Naresh, at last you have found refuge, a place where you can call home, where the Insane can feel Sane again, and once again be treated like a normal human being.
That sentence sure brought a smile to my face. I’ll be treated like a human being once again. As soon as I got the credentials, I logged in as a maniac and entered my past race details. The GUI and the overall feel of the website was ok but definitely has room for improvement.
While entering my race details, I felt truly blessed for having the opportunity to run so many marathons/ultras and more lucky for not having any DNF’s so far. Somewhere along the way, my Ultra count exceeded the Marathon numbers. Such is my love to trail running and ultra marathons.

Land Between The Lakes Ultra – 50 Mile

It just feels like yesterday. I ran this race in 2010 and it was my second Ultra marathon then. I have come a long way. Last year, I only knew very few runners but this year was very different. I had so many friends including the RD Steve Durbin with whom I ran couple of Ultra Marathons.

Just got in time:

I thought I had registered for LBL 50mile along with my other races for this year but then I had my doubts. After Mt Cheaha 50K, I was skimming through my inbox for the Active Registration confirmation for this race. When i didn’t find one, I went through my transactions and it had no traces to LBL 50 Miles. Oops. I logged in Active and registered for the race immediately. The registration closed right after my registration and turns out that I was the last one to register. Else, I would have thrown myself at Steve’s mercy for my race entry :).
BIB : 497

Dirk’s Fat Ass 50K – 1/1/11

I came to know about this race during a runners meet organized by Jeff at Pizza Perfect. Met the RD for Fat Ass 50K - Dirk Hayes and thought it would be a kewl race to run since I didn’t run any race after my Bartram Forest 100 Miler. New year’s eve was so much fun with my friends from Church. Welcoming the New year with praise and thanksgiving at Church followed by some yummy Kerala style dinner. The food too tempting to avoid. Hit the bed at 3am only to get 4 hours of sleep.

It was pouring rain by the time I hit the road. I had some difficulty in getting to the race start. It was already 8am. The race must have started by now. Let’s just drive back home, you couldn’t run because you couldn’t find the start line, let’s jus catch some more sleep and enjoy the New Year, why struggle in this horrific rain – my mind was talking me through making excuses not to run. That’s when I saw a group of runners standing under a shelter crossing the rail road. Before I was about yield to the temptation, I pulled over, wore my Vibrams and headed towards the shelter. Just got in time but still missed the start line photo.