The day I ran to South Carolina

Before I start this post, can I first of all whine a little about this new blogger format!? Call me lazy, but I just don't feel like learning an entirely new interface/layout. I'm going to be looking into different blogging platforms in the near future, so keep your eyes open. I figure if I'm going to have to learn something new, it might as well be something a little more reformed than Blogger, right? Anyone?

Ok, on to the good stuff!!

This morning I headed south to one of my favorite places for some quality hill training- Crowder's Mountain! Being two weeks post-50k and feeling the beginning stages of a cold, I didn't want to push it, but I did want to get a quality work out.

The plan was 16-18 miles. How naive of me! I got 13.5 miles before I cried uncle, but I also got three really good climbs in. You guys- I walked every.single.incline. It was insanely hard!!

1. Crowder's Mountain
2. King's Pinnacle
3. Somewhere in South Carolina

I figured this would be a good indicator run from the Twisted Ankle coming up. I'll be enjoying almost a 1,000 foot climb within the distance of one mile. 

I started off with a 2.75 mile trek up Crowder's Mountain where on a normal day, you can see downtown Charlotte.

Not today though!

It was pretty foggy- that was definitely not my view! There were dozens of kids up at the top, so I didn't spend too much time up there. I took an e-cap, ate a Blok, and snapped a picture. Yes, be in awe at my photography skills.

Behind my big head is Charlotte. I promise.

It was a really beautiful day for a trail run. Not too warm and not too crowded. I saw a few other runners, but mostly hikers enjoying the day with their dogs.

After my out-and-back from Crowder's, I headed south to King's Pinnacle (the second hump on the elevation chart). I ran into quite a few boy scouts on my way. I'm not going to lie, it felt good to pass them all up!

After a grueling .2 mile climb up to the pinnacle, there's a lovely sign in front of a bunch of rocks telling you you've hit the end of the road.

Nonsense! Who doesn't love a good rock climb?

Especially when it leads to a view like this!

 I took another e-cap and a Gu. A few other girls were up there, admire the "beautiful birds" that were circling the sky. I hated breaking it to them, but I told them they were seeing vultures. Yep, creatures of beauty...

After rock climbing down, I kept heading south right into... South Carolina! I expected there to be some kind of sign on the trail saying "Welcome to South Carolina!" but I had no such luck. It was a little bit of a let down to be honest.

Though the trail continued further into S.C., I decided to turn around at the 2 mile marker. I'll let the rest of the trail be a mystery... for now.

I'll be back again soon though to see what lies on the other side!

Total miles: 13.43
Elevation gain: 2,554 feet
Elevation loss: 2,574 feet


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Tell me something awesome you did this weekend!