XTERRA Trail Run Series is coming to Davidson!

The XTERRA Trail Run Series is coming to Davidson! Fisher Farm to be specific. On Sept. 5th there will be a 5- and 10-mile singletrack race. For more details and to sign up go to http://www.dirtyspokes.com/tr_races.php?trraceid=4&trpageid=4

Update:  Mark Sullivan, owner of The Cycle Path in Cornelius, is looking for volunteers for this Sunday's XTERRA races.  This from Mark:


"I need 3 volunteers to help with an Xterra run at Fisher Farm Park in Davidson this coming Sunday, September 5th.  The event promoter is going to donate $2 for every race participant back to the club (Tarheel Trailblazers) in exchange for some volunteer help.  We will need 2 people to man a water station at the mid-point of the course.  This will put it right at the entrance/exit of the double track.  We will also need to clean up the course afterwards.
We will also have the Trailblazer/Dirt Diva tent set up at the event along with brochures, socks and a few jerseys telling folks about the club and what we do. I need about 3 more volunteers as I already have myself and one other person.  We will meet at Fisher at 7:00 am.  Registration is from 7-8am and the race will start at 8:15 am sharp!  They are using the MTB trails and will have both a 5 mile and 10 mile runs.  The race should be done in a couple of hours.  Everything should be done and everyone out by noon at the latest.
Please let me know if you can help.  Thanks!"


To help out, contact Mark at The Cycle Path at 704-896-3331.

Instructions for Sunday's Run For Green Half Marathon Preview Run

It looks like we'll have 20-25 participants for this Sunday's (Aug. 29th) half marathon preview run.  The run will be a great way to check out Davidson Lands Conservancy's Sept. 18th Run For Green course.  It's scenic and challenging with plenty of rolling hills.

Here are some instructions and notes to be read prior to Sunday.  Like I mentioned before, this is a run and not a race; you can go as fast or as slow as you'd like.  Pair up with someone and have a good time.  I will be running "sweep" to ensure that everyone finishes or at least finds their way back to the start.

• The run will start near CVS in downtown Davidson (127 South Main St.) at 7:05am (get there a few minutes early in case there are any final instructions).  There should be plenty of free parking along Main St.  Be sure not to park behind CVS in their lot.  The finish is behind CVS near the library.
• Since this is a run and not a race there will be no traffic control.  There are plenty of sidewalks, and traffic should be light on the roads.
• If you've not run it before, be sure to study a map of the course.  There are two things of note:  first, be careful when crossing Davidson-Concord Road into and out of River Run, it's a busy spot; second, make sure to continue straight while on Pine Rd. on the way back and turn left on Lorimer( this is after mile 11).
• I will mark the course with chalk prior to the run and will indicate where to turn, mile markers, etc.
• I am planning on putting out some gallon jugs of water and Gatorade along the course.  I recommend bringing your own bottle and refilling it as you go along, as I'd rather not have paper cups strewn about.  If you use gels and whatnot bring them as well.
• Summit Coffee across from CVS is a great place for grabbing a cup of coffee or tea and a scone after the run. 

Chad R.

Davidson Area Running Team

Lake Norman State Park is for Runners

When I was born a runner at the age of 30 I decided that I was a city mouse.  Over the span of several years all of my running took place on concrete sidewalks or asphalt roads.  A few forays into the wilderness of trail running made me nervous - of unsure footing, critters, poisonous plants, and who knows what else.  And trail runners.  The ones I met were too calm, too happy, and too self-assured.  Didn't they know that running was all about pounding pavement in order to better one's P.R.?  How could they be happy with running at a ten minute/mile pace on dirt when they could achieve a seven minute/mile pace on the road?  You can't just prance about in the forest like some sort of woodland sprite, you've got to suffer out there!

When my wife Laurie and I moved to southern California I discovered that there was a series of trails near the house.  One day I laced up my shoes and headed down the trail.  Wow, the sights, sounds, and smells were nothing like street running.  Never had to jump over rattlesnakes before; never saw so many deer that were actually alive and not dead on the side of the road; never smelled so many wildflowers.  Over time I began to really enjoy trail running and learned how to vary my stride and pace in order to "go with the flow" of the land.

When we moved back to North Carolina I found that there were trails nearby but getting there required a short drive in the car.  I'd rather spend more time running than driving and so stuck with the two Davidson-area trails, Fisher Farm and Davidson College's cross county trail.

One of my running buddies, Whitney D., invited me last week to run at Lake Norman State Park.  Lake Norman State Park is located on the northern end of Lake Norman near Troutman and has miles of trails for your running, hiking, and biking enjoyment.  Whitney is an experienced trail runner and familiar with all the trails at the park so I asked her to take the lead in a run.  We hit the Monbo Loop trail, which is about six miles of singletrack.  The trail was clean and solid and not too many roots or rocks.  We dodged a couple of mountain bikes coming in the opposite direction but otherwise saw no one.

The park has over 15 miles of runnable trails within it's confines and is conveniently located about 30 minutes from the Davidson area.  To get there take I-77 north to exit 42 and go left toward Troutman.  In downtown Troutman take a sharp left onto Wagner St.  Wagner St. turns into Perth Rd.  Bear right onto State Park Rd. (there's a sign for Lake Norman State Park) and you will arrive at the park.

Chad R.
Davidson Area Running Team

Run for Green Half Marathon Preview Run, Sunday August 29th

For those of you who are planning on running in the Davidson Lands Conservancy's Run for Green Half Marathon on Saturday, September 18th, we've decided to put on a little pre-race preview run.  If you've run this race in the past you know that it's a challenging course with plenty of rolling hills and (spoiler alert!) a beast of a hill just after mile eleven.

If you want to check out the course beforehand (or just want to put in a nice run), DART is putting on a small and unofficial preview run on Sunday, August 29th.  The run (not a race, though if you want to go fast then have at it) will begin at 7:00am next to the CVS pharmacy in downtown Davidson and will follow the official route down the greenway, into River Run, and back through historic downtown.  The course will be marked at various points so you shouldn't get lost.  There will be water jugs and maybe even Gatorade at the aid stations, but you might want to bring a water bottle just in case.  There will be no one directing traffic so please use caution when crossing streets.

This preview run is free of charge.  To enter just send an email to davidsonarearunningteam@gmail.com.

For more information about the Run for Green, including a 5k, 10k, and half marathon, go to:  http://www.davidsonlands.org/RunForGreen.asp.

Chad R.

Davidson Area Running Team

Heel Dragging Thru Summer

It's been a few weeks since the last post, mostly due to being out and about and, to be frank, tired of running in the heat and humidity.  If you think it's hot on your runs, check out Matt Jenkins, who's running across North Carolina for charity - barefoot.  I caught up with him up near Union Grove earlier this week.

There aren't very many local races this weekend, but if you're jonesin' for one then head over to Kannapolis for the Mountaineer 5k.  Yes, it's the same Mountaineers as found at Appalachian State University, no ASU isn't in Kannapolis but in Boone.  The connection is that ASU is a participating school of the Kannapolis-based North Carolina Research Campus.

Finally, here's a gratuitous shot taken this morning after my slow run from downtown Davidson to Fleet Feet and back, about 11 miles roundtrip.  There are a couple of adirondack chairs on the Green and shade aplenty for relaxation.

Happy Running!

Chad R.

Davidson Area Running Team

Race Recap: Trenton Guy Sr. Summer Track Series in Charlotte

DARTer Bobby Aswell regularly participates in the summer track series held by the Charlotte Track & Triathlon Club.  Below is Bobby's recap.

"One of the longest running traditions in Charlotte is the Summer Track series held each Tuesday in June by the Charlotte Track Club. This family fun event kicks off at 6:00 pm with the kids' 50 meter dash followed by the 100 m, 1 mile, 400 m, 800 m, 4x100 m relay, 200 m, and capping off with the 2 mile.

For those looking to set a new PR in the 5K, you won’t get a better chance than the last meet in June when the 2 mile is replaced by 12 ½ fun-filled laps around the track! And the price can’t be beat: $2 for the first 2 events and $1 for each additional event (except for the 5K which is $5).  The marquee event of each meet is the 1 mile where runners of all ages show up to see how fast they can run for 4 laps around the track. Some are hoping to relive the glory days while others are just getting started in their running careers.

The highlight of the series is the Championship Mile held on the last Tuesday in June. This event is broken down into separate heats for the top 10 overall male, female, and masters runners with the top qualifying times. In addition, all other runners have one last shot at the mile following the master’s mile.
Whether you’re a sprinter looking to challenge Usain Bolt, or a miler looking to see what you can
do, the Summer Track series has something for everyone.

It’s a great time so hope to see you there next year!"

Upcoming Races in Early July

After a brief respite the summer doldrums are now upon us in full force.  Despite that, there are a few local races worth checking out, as well as a free trail running seminar (did I mention free?).

• Tuesday, July 6th
• Trail Running Next Steps at the Charlotte REI store.  This FREE trail running seminar will be conducted by Doug Gray.  Be sure to register before going.
• Saturday, July 10th
• Carolina Rock-N-Race Trail Run:  U.S. National Whitewater Center, Charlotte.  The last in a series of races by the 2010 Carolina Trail Run Series, there are two separate events, an 8k and a 20k.  Since the races are held on trails, the distances are approximate.
• James K Polk 5K:  Bell Johnston Park in Pineville, NC.  Benefits the Charlotte Children's Choir.  James Polk, the 11th President of the United States, was born in Mecklenburg County in 1795.
• Grandfather Mountain Marathon:  Boone, NC.  This marathon is one of the tougher races and finishes at the base of Grandfather Mountain during the Highland Games, which is one of the largest Scottish games in the United States.  If you haven't signed up yet then you're out of luck for this year, as it's full.

Happy Running!