Inov-8 TrailRoc 235 and TrailRoc 150 Video Review

I also weighed the TrailRoc 150 for those who care about such things. They weighed 174 grams with shoestrings.

Calf Strain / Calf Heart Attack / Compartment Syndrome Thing

I went into the Fontana Run (see previous post) with a mild calf ache which had been plaguing me the month prior. During this time I would feel the need to stop running every few miles to "squeeze my calf out", which became ever more rigid with each mile.
With 600 mg of Ibuprofen and a pack full of Double Espresso Gels I did the Fontana run (bad idea) with pretty much zero issues. After the run my calf and knee area swelled and tightened. I took a few days off and went for a little neighborhood jog. Just a mile or so into the jog I could feel the tightness beginning to build. After three, my calf and knee area was swollen again. I rested yet another few days and repeated....same outcome.

I went to the sports medicine doctor at UT Student Health and she thought it was probably a strain/compartment issue and not a Baker's Cyst, which I had endured two years prior on the same knee. I then went on to tell her the back story of my calf, and how it was actually my left knee which was the cause. I restate the back story here with added flair.

So 13 years ago I made the decision to play soccer for my H.S., a sport which has rules that I really didn't, and still don't, understand. I tore my ACL playing the second to last game of the season. The surgical repair resulted in a very loose left knee. This knee has given me minimal problems over the years, but ,due to the looseness of it, I feel when I run downhill my knee does not compress correctly (like its off center). A year or two ago in addition to the clicking in my left knee I developed left knee pain. At a certain knee angle on descents my left foot strike causes shooting pains and funny bone sensations in my left knee. No problem though! I fixed this by developing this sort of hobbling hoppy skip in which my RIGHT leg catches most of the downhill work---> calf strain.

I am going to phyisical therapy now. I do all sorts of wobble board and one leg exercises. They also do ultrasound ?massage? and manually massage my calf. I have been alternating biking and swimming in lieu of running. The calf has definitely improved. I'm not going to try a run yet, but I'm hoping to make it to Savage Gulf the 17th of March. Next week I am going to see an orthopedic regarding the left knee, and just see what my options are.

Lakeshore Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

[34 mi, +7000'/-7000']

On February 12, 2012 eight of us went for a run along Lakeshore Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). The weather turned a bit more extreme than what we had planned for, but we chose to forge ahead. This was a fortunate decision, because the experience was all the richer with a beautiful dusting of snow on the trail. 

We were all smiles leaving Knoxville. Michael Atchley, Chris Ladd, and I rode along with Will Brown in his 1972 Volkswagen bus, which I will dub "Stinkbus" due to the fumes which may or may not be present when you go for a ride. Our main motivation for driving Stinkbus was her passenger capacity. Oh and she's pretty cool looking too!



After a few stops to take in the views and get some fresh air, we arrived at Fontana Dam. We waited around a bit before Dale arrived. Once Dale showed up in his car we all drove over to Bryson City to drop Stinkbus off near the tunnel to nowhere so we'd have a ride back post-run.

Before heading back to camp, we had a pre-run carb load at an Italian place in Bryson City, Pasqualino's, and I believe everyone agreed it was good food.  We also scored a thermos of coffee from Cork and Bean for something like $1.70...NICE! When we arrived back at camp, Keil Neff, his wife, and son were asleep in the shelter. We promptly positioned ourselves to do the same.

We got up around 5am. Some of us enjoyed some hot coffee and oats, while others stumbled off into the dark and did whatever they did (how should I know? I was drinking coffee!). It was snowing/sleeting and felt cold, but not painfully so. Derrick Bowerman and Dave Worth arrived around 6:30am. After a quick stop by the heated restrooms, we began our journey around 7:00 am.

A mile or so into the run, we hadn't even reached the trail, many people stopped and shed layers, this process would be reversed and repeated many times throughout the day. We only had to use our headlamps for a very short time before it was daylight.
Here are some shots of Keil and Dave on the way to Hazel Creek, the first re-group checkpoint.

  ;

Hazel Creek is a pretty serious creek! There is a large white house here that rangers use in the summer. Dave and Will were waiting when the rest of us showed up. When Michael arrived he decided he loved the first 11 miles so much he wanted to do it over. Dale agreed to go back to the car with Michael and drive to Bryson City to meet us, we're working the buddy system here. I for one thought this was a super idea, since it meant I'd have dry pants waiting when I got done running. Additionally, I would not have to go into a Bryson City eating establishment wearing tights!

William and Dave left Hazel creek a few moments before the rest of us. They went right towards Fontana Lake, which one might call the "wrong way", allowing them to grab a couple of bonus miles. The rest of us went left, which we'll call the "right way". We were fairly certain they went the wrong way, but decided they'd figure it out when they got to the lake.


The next checkpoint at Campsite 76 was about 12 miles away. I ran most of this section with Derrick and Chris, as is apparent by all the photos I took of them.

  

  

After a few miles, Dave and Will made up their "wrong way" deficit and caught up to us. Thus, I was able to grab a couple of shots of them. Will is so light on his feet!

 

Much of the 12 miles from Hazel Creek to Campsite 76 was on old road bed which was indeed "lake shore". At this point the running high was in full bloom and I was really enjoying it. A quick meet up and chat at Campsite 76 and we were off again. It would be 11+ miles more to the tunnel to nowhere (the end).

 

   

This section was full of little mini-ridges that we ran down, over, up, and into--great trail! After Chris and Derrick got tired of me taking their picture, I managed to catch up to Will.

 

Will and I ran into Dave taking a nap with about 3 miles to go, we promptly woke him up and finished the day. It was bittersweet seeing the last trail sign, and running through the tunnel to nowhere, in this case it was the tunnel back to reality. Thanks to all the runners for a great day!

  

The Most Valuable Runner has to be a toss up between "Stinkbus" and her driver. Thanks again, Will!

Dave's write-up. Chris's write-up.

ProStretch!

Here's my favorite new thing. It's called the ProStretch. It's pretty much a fancy slant board, but I love it.

I also added the 'Past Run' Gregory Bald Loop.

Gregory Bald Loop - `Great Smoky Mountains National Park

[13 mi, +3000'/-3000']

This is a great loop for a half day outing. Get there early to beat the Cades Cove crowd! Start/Finish is at the end of Forge Creek Rd.

  

My group chose  to run the loop clockwise for better footing on the ascent and a more "gentle" descent, Gregory Bald Trail has some horse trail qualities. The ascent is approximately 3000' with some nice lookouts before reaching the excellent views on Gregory Bald.

Complications: Cades Cove is sometimes closed and Forge Creek Rd. is also sometimes closed. Check the webiste for more info. If Forge Creek Rd. is closed, one can park at the Visitor's center and just add 3 or 4 miles to the run.

More info: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Website