November 4, 2006
Shut-in Ridge Trail Run and Return

The morning was crisp and clear. The temperature had edged up above the freezing point. I was prepared for a cold day as a took a one mile warmup run. The mile worked so I shed some clothing and was ready to go. This would be my first attempt at the legendary Shut-in Ridge Trail Run. The Shut-in trail was originally constructed as the route up to the Buck Spring Lodge for George Vanderbilt from his chateau in Asheville. This was all a part of his property before he transferred it to the Forest Service.

The race starts on pavement but quickly switches to dirt roads and at 2 1/2 miles it becomes singletrack. It's fairly moderate terrain until the singletrack starts. Then it's straight up and two miles later, straight up again. I saw nobody foolish enough to try to run either section.

I started out strong and stayed in the middle of the pack until the singletrack. Rob Rikkoon, with whom I'd planned to run the return trip, passed me just before the singletrack. Where the Hardtimes trail meets the Shut-in, people lined either side to cheer us on. I recognized several faces which is always a plus. The Shut-in climbs steeply from Hardtimes and everyone wisely walked it. Above the steep section, the trail widens and follows the originally constructed roadbed which predates the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's overgrown along the trail making passing difficult. I finally decided to run through the two foot grasses and pass a couple of packs who were taking it easy.

I never saw Rob again until the finish but I caught up with Mike Piercy and Steve Parrish who also ran the half Pitchell 50k run in conjunction with Pitchell. I got on board a train and we made good time until the next rest stop where it got derailed and then reformed a bit later with me as the engine. That wore me down after a while and I had to drop back.

The miles wore on until Bent Creek road which was roughly the midpoint of the run. This is where Andie McDowell called it a day. The climbing to this point, with two short exceptions, had been relatively easy. The big climb was just ahead. Ferrin Knob is the second toughest climb in the race as it ascends 800 feet over 1.2 miles. I power hiked the climb and distanced myself from several runners. On the way down, my foot found a rock while I was descending at a pretty strong clip and my body went flailing down the mountain. It's difficult to put on the brakes with so many leaves everywhere. Somehow I managed to stay on my feet slowly reducing speed until I was under control.

The trail continues its climb toward Pisgah with more ups and a few downs. I was more careful on the remaining downs. The speed I'd been traveling was a bit faster than I was accustomed. The last two miles were upon me. These are the toughest miles on the course. This isn't a run where you can just limp across the finish line. You most certainly have to earn it.

The climbing starts almost immediately. This bit isn't easy but isn't insane. That would come in another mile. After hiking a while there is a nice, flat, pleasant section. I ran it a bit but my legs were rebelling so I took it rather easy. Another short climb led to one of my favorite spots on the trail. This is also flat and home to a number of mature trees, mostly oaks. This is the last place to recover for the final climb.

I rarely breathe heavily from hiking but after all the climbing I just did, my body was exhausted. Generally, on long distances I don't push it too hard but this was Shut-in and I wanted to have a good finish time. At some points it was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other on the 23% grade. The excruciating climb did eventually end. A level part at the top allowed a quick recovery for the 25% descent, all of which was rocky and covered with leaves. I wasn't the only one hurting as I passed up seven runners in the final two miles despite the fact that I was struggling to make it through.

I crossed the finish line at 3:47, and was greeted by Adam Hill, the Pitchell organizer, and Annette, my wife. I hadn't caught up to Rob and was hoping he no longer wanted to run the return leg. I was in no mood to run another 18 miles. My legs were spent and I was mentally drained. Unfortunately, he was psyched to do it. I gave in and said I'd do half but on the way down, I relented again and we were off to complete another 30+ miler.

We started the return from 151 so as not to interfere with the runners still on the course. The running was slow but we kept moving. I slowed Rob down a good bit but he was patient with me. Downhills really pound your thighs into submission, so much so that you lose a good deal of braking power so you really have to watch your speed.

Thye miles blended together. I kept checking the mileage signs at the overlooks but the mileage didn't change dramatically enough for me. I just wanted the run to be over.

Eventually, the sky became a bit darker and the full moon came out. It loomed largely on the horizon as we descended the last bit of Shut-in. I had nothing left in the tank. The last three miles would be a slow walk. The headlamp came out and the temperature dropped. It wound up taking four hours to come back down.

Next year, I won't do the return trip after racing up. An increase in speed just takes too much out of my body to continue into an ultra. If I need a few more miles, I'll summit Pisgah.

Raging Bull