The Promise Land 50k
Bedford, VA
April 26, 2008
She was lying on her side in an active balance of the erect and the reclined. Winter sun had tanned her with a tawny, oak bronze across every ridge and curve of a magnificent and seductive topography. She was barely clad. Draped with a scant hint of a green lace gown sprinkled with jewels as bright and translucent as wildflowers in April sun. She was waiting for her perennial encounter with….
"Hey Buddy, you’re off the trail."
He was right. As I regained contact with the outer world of people, rocks, and trees, I Iooked back and saw two runners standing in an obvious switchback that I had missed. They had been gaining on me climbing up Apple Orchard Falls Trail toward the second and last peak at Sunset Fields, mile 26 on the course. Outwardly, I had only traveled 30 yards off the trail. Inwardly, I have no idea.
On a warm, spring Friday afternoon, I turned left off Hwy 122, 9 miles north of Bedford at the Millstone Tea Room. I was not too far ahead of a bank of dark stormy clouds bound for the Promise Land. A couple of years ago, not long after taking up running, when a ten mile run still had the respect of distance that it really always should, I happened upon a description of the Promise Land 50k event. The course, the campout, the bonfire all made organic sense too me. All I had to do was train and condition for a 30+ mile run and I would be there. For the young and restless with a bit of athletic prowess, that’s challenging, but for a middle-aged couch potato, like myself, more of a fantasy. Still I dreamed, but not neglecting training. Only a dream will make your training come true. Of course, the reverse is also true.
I pulled into the large mowed field at Promise Land Youth Camp and set up the hammock in the trees along the edge near a small stream. Several runners had already pitched tent and were milling about the Pavilion. I checked in, chatted, hydrated, and waited patiently for the truckload of pizzas and rain to arrive. The full force of the thunderstorm missed us, though it dampened enthusiasm for the bonfire. The pizza storm hit us head on, and there was much rejoicing.
About 9pm, I crawled into my hammock, listened to the rain and slept several hours. At 3 am I woke. The rain had stopped and it was still warm, maybe 60*. I crawled outside with my pad and sleeping bag and slept some more waiting for the 4:30 wakeup call on the PA. That would give me plenty of time to get ready for the 5:30 start.
"It’s 5 o’clock, we’ll be lining up in 15 minutes for the pre-race briefing."
That was the next thing I heard. Fortunately I had stuffed everything I would need to start, in a single bag.Usually, to get ready to run, I just rummage around through my jumble of gear until chaos takes some order. But without this bit of organization, I would have been a late starter. I meet up with the Iron Mt Dead Guys: Doug, Rick, Josh, Tammy and her brother. I missed Nick. He and Tammy were crewing. I barely had time to finish my banana, a group photo, the prayer, the national anthem, and off we go. At just this point I realized I’d made a serious gear error in bleary 5am judgement. Socks. I always do long and/or hard runs in thin little Injinji socks plus a thicker Smartwool outer sock for cushion. The first time I wore those Injinji’s alone, I ended up with a blood blister the size of Rhode Island on the cusp of my heel. But I tried them alone on a short run a few days ago and kind of liked the feel. I thought I’d give them a try at least to the ridge top Aid Station at Sunset Fields where our drop bags would be. I could add a layer if necessary and even slip out of my new, light Streaks to my tried and true Divides, if the trail was extra harsh. Wait a minute. There’s not going to be any drop bags taken anywhere unless your crew does it. Miles later I realized that Tammy was going up and could have taken it if I’d thought to ask. This could be an ultra-blister day.
We’re headed up a paved road in the dark. I’m wearing a headlamp, shorts (sorry kilt fans), a compression short sleeve, and loose fit short sleeve tech from the Terrapin Mt Half, and a billed hat.I’m carrying two hand-helds, one starting with Clip2, the other with water and in its pouch an emergency Espresso ClifShot. In my key pocket, I have a vial with 7 Scaps and 5 caps of ibuprofen. My Garmin just recently made it back from the shop, but I’m going with a cheap plastic stopwatch today.
The course time limit is 10 hours. So without the GPS to pace myself, I calculated the cut-off pace. Then divided up distance between aid stations, multiplied, adjusted for the elevation profile with wild guestimates, interpolated for a few Horton Miles, trademark of our infamous race director, Dr David Horton, just in case. I crossed my fingers and ignored the variable of technical footing variance, and ended up with a cheat sheet of my maximum allowed arrival time for each aid station. Thank God and Bill Gates for Excel. I memorized it.
To Overstreet Falls Aid Station #1 Mile 2.64.
Goal time 6:30am
It’s dark much of the way, but all road. From pavement, to gravel, to dirt and rocks, it gets steeper and steeper, but never as difficult as the first climb at Terrapin Mt. It's just a few miles northeast of PL. I made good time and left the AS at 6:14.
To Reed Creek Aid Staion #2 Mile 8.55.
Goal time 8:00.
Immediately we start on non-technical single-track and in places it’s not too steep to run until we crest a ridge and start down a wide lane carpeted with moss and grass. Maybe this is the Promise Land. I’m moving up into different groups of 2-5 runners and fall back occasionally. Few people are really chatty having just climbed 2000’ feet. I did listen to a man talking about the Barkley. He made 13 miles of the first of 5 twenty-mile loops before dropping out.It took him 6 or 7 hours. That’s still an accomplishment.
We are now rolling up and down on an old road paved with grass and vetch, cut along the south face of the mountain headed into the sunrise. We have a great view of the mountain hollows below filled with sleepy cotton clouds. Tears would better describe the beauty than words. I think about this. You can see this driving in a car along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but until you’ve ran or at least walked a considerable distance within this view, deep beauty will allude you. It will hide beneath words and vision, even on a postcard or in flowery verses. When you think you’ve captured that vision of beauty standing by your car at a scenic overlook, deep beauty is still running wild and free.
At the AS, I stay with banana and orange slices, diluted ClifDrink and plain water in the bottles. Departure time about 7:45.
To Sunset Fields Aid Station #3 Mile 11.94.
Goal Time 9:30
Back onto narrower single track in the forest, with running and walking interspersed, the climb is growing less and less steep as we cross the Parkway. Soon, we reach the course apex at about 4000’. We start to roll along down a wide gravel service road at a good clip toward the AS. A few crews are there as is Tammy. The sun is starting to get some strength in it, but the air is just a touch thinner and feels cooler. I’m starting to eat some starches at this point also, and draining at least a 20oz between stations. Down the hill we go. Departure time about 8:35.
To Cornelius Creek Trail Junction Aid Station #4 Mile 16.09.
Goal Time 10:30
This was almost all tough technical. 4 miles of rock dancing with 2000’ of drop. The top end was the toughest and the single track emptied on to a grassy road at a switchback for a brief reprieve. I planted my right foot on the very last rock about 10" high only to have it slip complete off to the left.I jammed it straight-kneed hard into the ground with the other foot still in flight. I don’t how I avoided falling or why it didn’t rip out my knee. But within a step or two things felt fairly normal. Cornelius Creek was stunning from what I could gather from my peripheral vision. We came into the AS with hamburgers on the grill. I was in pain here, mainly quads, gut, and feet. Calories are my friends. Food and liquid is going down well, but I avoided the hamburger as its getting warmer and Colon Hollow is an unknown and may require some running. I’m banking a lot of time, and not feeling especially exhausted, but strained gut muscle and foot pain brought me to a low point. I left at about 9:35 and took some ibuprofen at 16 miles.
To Colon Hollow Aid Station #5 Mile 19.26
Goal Time: 11:15
There was a paved or gravel road that had a gentle down grade nice for running, if you like that sort of thing. After a mile or so, we are flagged off the pavement back into the woods by our yellow Montrail streamers. This portion is uphill, but the walking is a relief. A tall, young, fit trail runner followed me into the station. He had started injured, some ITB taping on both legs and struggling with pulled groin muscles. The lady running the station said, "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." I leave by myself about 10:30. My mood is improving and I can’t think of any problem that might prevent me from finishing in 10 hrs. My sock error, is a non-issue, even though my feet have been wet for a couple of hours, there are no blisters forming.
Back to Cornelius Creek Trail Junction. Aid Station #6 Mile 23.89.
Goal Time: 1:00pm
I continue the climb on a wide grassy trail deeper into the woods. There is a little gentle downhill mixed in. I found this portion to be one of the more enjoyable and laid back sections of the whole run. The trail ends with a left on a dirt road. Several cars are parked there and I presume it to be runner's families to cheer them on. Turns out they are bird watchers.
One lady asks, "What kind of event are you folks doing"?
I said it was a 50k race from Promise Land Youth Camp.
"How far is that?"
I say the course is over 30 miles.
"Oh my goodness".
I turn off the road back onto single track, technical, steep, downhill. Variations on a Rock Theme in Pain major by Meistro D. Horton. Soon I’m back at the Cornelius Creek Aid Station. Only one hamburger left, I take half of it. No ClifDrink, but I’ve been taking S-caps by the clock.I should have eaten more and drank more to prepare for the next section.I left at about 11:35, well ahead of the 1:30pm cutoff for this station.
Back to Sunset Fields via Apple Orchard Falls Trail, Aid Station #7 Mile 26.68
Goal Time 2:00
Instead of taking the route that dropped us 2000’ feet in 4 miles, we’re going to climb it in 3. I allowed an hour. It took an 1:35. But after about 40 minutes just before the trail got real steep, I spent 5 minutes in a waterfall. The temps were well into the 70s and a 8’ moss covered rock with a mountain creek spilling over it like a bottomless bottle of chilled champagne was, well, more temptation than I wanted to dodge. Clothes and all, in I went. I felt like a new person. The climb involved lots of rock steps and sawn timber ones until well past the large falls. Even then, there was a mile left to the station. But there were plenty of wildflowers to sooth toiling flesh, wild bleeding hearts, a profusion of dutchmen’s breeches, and a true pink form of Trillium erectum. This is also where I strayed.
By the time I’d topped out I was rationing the last of 40 oz of water.Tammy was watching for her brother. Her husband Rick had finished by now, as had Josh and Doug. I lingered here taking in extra calories and fluids, and stretching -5 minutes at least. We’ve completed a marathon distance in about 7:40, and almost the entire portion of climbing –just under 8000’. On average we’ve climbed 295’ and lost 225’ per mile. I left at about 1:10pm. 5 more miles, 2000’ of loss, let the race begin.
Back to Overstreet Falls Aid Station #8 Mile 29.09
Goal time: 2:45
Having over-lingered at Sunset Fields, though I was careful not to sit, it was difficult at first just to walk, let alone run. But before long, I could lift my heels enough to let the mountain to run for me. In no time it seemed I was back to this, the first and last aid station, having cut off 4 miles of the Reed Creek section. They were out of ClifDrink, and I declined the Gatorade. I left about 1:40pm.
To the Finish Mile 31.75
We’re back to the road now, downhill the rest of the way. At first its so steep, I’m braking more than running. But gradually the grade begins to lessen and the stride flows better. I catch back up with two ladies, one of whom is a also of a masterly age.Both had passed me since the mountaintop. We ran together, all of us glad to have the end within earshot if not in sight of the finish. We turn in to camp, there’s David goading us on. Suddenly, the younger woman surges in front with only 25yds to go.
"What??? We masters age runners can’t let that stand."
The two of us also surge and the three of us finish in 8:42:17,
210 of 268 starters.
I grab a burger, and chat with my Iron Mt.clan, Doug took 1st male 60 and over. Rick had a good day and Josh also with 7:12 for his first "tough" ultra. I was glad the course had a few soft spots in Reed Creek and Colon Hollow otherwise, I would have Suffered. Just after I’d stuck camp, the sky exploded with thunder, fire and water. The 9:15 plus finishers got to combine their bath with the last few miles. I waited in my car and had a nice long soak in the creek afterwards.
See you there next year,
I Promise.
JJJ
Monday, April 28, 2008
A Rugged Beauty -Promise Land 50k
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Garden Mountain Fat Ass Continued...........
I traveled to Garden Mountain today - hopefully this will attract a few more hardy souls for this suberb run (in my opinion it is superb). 
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
June 28, 2008 - 8:00am; 3rd Annual Garden Mountain Fat Ass - Western States Celebration Version
The 3rd Annual Garden Mountain Fat Ass is set for June 28th, 2008 at 8:00am with the total distance being between 28-31 miles. We will camp out at Cavitts Creek on June 27 - http://www.tazewellcounty.org/cavitt.html - for those who wish to do so.
The run is altered and will be a different course - some logistical planning will have to occur as the run will now be a point to point run. The run will begin at the community center and immediately take a right at the post office and will follow the FLAT paved road (as opposed to the 4 mile gravel road climb in previous Garden Mountain Runs). The paved road ends shortly after 2.5 miles and you begin a short but steep climb to garden mountain and to the Appalchian Trail - here you head north and run the entire garden mountain ridge with surreal views of Burkes Garden. You will run the AT for 6.5 miles (the distance will be around 9 miles for the first/aid area) You will then continue on the AT along the ridge of Garden Mountain; you will then descend Garden Mountain very steeply and reach the bottom at 15 miles; Here you will make your way for 5 miles up another steep climb along another ridgeline; here you will descend again steeply into Bland County and will run along a nice camping/creek area (2nd aid area).
You proceed north on the AT for a 7 mile section which is one the smoothest and nicest sections of trail you will ever run on the AT. You then run along the gravel road to the paved road next to I77 - you will take a right and head to Dairy Queen - this is where the logistics need to take place. I will need to meet at least 2 people who are willing to leave their vehicle at DQ and we will ride to Cavitts Creek; after the meal at DQ (post run) - We can be transported back to Burkes Garden (25 minute drive) where we can load up and head towards Cuz's Cabins for a night or camp out again at Cavitts Creek or possibly head out to my place to camp out; we'll figure something out, but the next day will be a post run recovery run of some sort in a beautiful area all in celebration of our ultra buddies out West running the Western States 100.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Dead Guy's??Rogue Runner's??
Sunday 4.20.08
Damascus Caboose 2 p.m.
Approx. 9mi Loop: Creeper Trail,AT,Beech Grove,IMT
Rogues: lt-rt. Nick Whited, Robin Grossman, Rick Gray, Tammy Gray, Michael Chase, Mike Brannon, Marianne Brannon, Jason Duncan, Josh Helms, Doug Blackford, JJ Jessee, John Cornelius, Donna Bays, Clifton Gibson, Beth Minnick, Allison Jones.
What a fantastic group we had on sunday, lots of new faces too!!! Everyone left Damascus with a spring in their step, I love this time of year when everything is in bloom and the colors just pop. We were off to a good start, comfortable temps,sun and a little stretch of creeper trail to warm the muscles. 
We jumped on the AT and it didn't take long for the climb to get those HR's up and there was a little less chatter as people got in the groove:) There is a great spot where the trail opens up to a sweet view and we bumped into two nice lady thru hikers that graciously tried to capture our group and the view, at least we got the group :) and didnt loose anyone over the edge. 
Oh yeah and don't forget the View!!
We ran into a few showers that cooled things off nicely, gotta enjoy this weather before the dead of summer is upon us. There are some super fun spots of smokin down hill a nice reward after the climb up, I think everyone was diggin that for sure! and I think the section about a mile before you drop out onto the pavement in "mock holler" is unbeatable, all the stream crossing and the way the light filters in is just dreamy. JJ and I enjoyed that section and tried to soak it all in as we dreamed of Dead Guys awaiting us at Bella's. Several brave Rogue warriors took a soak in Creek and then everyone regrouped and headed to what would be the first "official" IMTR board meeting. 
Eric Grossman one of our fearless leaders got things rollin with a toast and a nomination for Rick Gray as President which was followed by a quick second and before Rick could decline ;) we had a unanimous vote! Nick Whited was voted Vice-President and blog guru, and myself Treasurer/photographer/co-blogger. We agreed to support the Iron Mountain 5O miler and Annette Bednosky's New River 5OK. 
Clifton Gibson will be brainstorming club songs and will play the canidates at the next meeting while demonstrating the proper use of a HeadBlade!
Everyone is to be thinking of possible club names and logo ideas. We tenatively agreed on a $25 entry fee to join the IMTR's group and a possible requirement of having to run the Gov. Road loop without bologna and then taking the full river plunge upon completion ;)
Cheers to a great run and post run fun!
I think we made a good choice for president, look at the focus here! That pint didn't have a chance ;)
Beth.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Ergonomics and Running
How many of use work and sit all day or do some other type of repetitive work. Over time, this can cause injuries - for me, I have hip/lower back issues. Ever since I started counseling and working after graduate school I began to have little injuries pop up - first it was severe knee pain that sidelined me for almost a full year (the cause? Right hip rotates forward; then SI joint pain (right hip again). I am very strong in my core area from all of my exercises that I do. I did the unbelievable the other day - I purchased a stability ball chair. To the amazement of my co workers and clients I am sitting on "The Chair". We shall see how it works but much research and studies have backed it up that this particular chair actually keeps the hips flexed and working and to my surprise it is working. I am sick of sore glute muscles and hip tightness. I have an iron body (nice punchline there), no hx of stress fractures or other injuries from running, just from sitting?
I'll keep the blog posted.
NW
Monday, April 14, 2008
Bull Run 50 Mile Race Report
The Pink Floyd music video above describes it all! I am still in learning mode in terms of the 50 mile distance and learning to fly, but what a good feeling it is to finish one of these. I had some good success with 50 mile races in the past (my one and only ultra win at the local IMTR 50 mile). After that victory, I have been a head case and scared of the 50 mile distance. I dug down deeper than I ever thought I'd be able to dig down in that race. I was scared to hurt in a longer ultra after that. Well - it was time to go for it at Bull Run.
I ran, and I ran hard. I didn't garner the time I wanted but I ran my heart out and had fun doing it! I had some great assistance from the WVMTR's Paul Davis and Bradley Mongold; both were huge in my race and enabled me to not stop at the aid stations. The Bull Run course was beautiful with the blue bells and the river. The hills were numerous in the latter half of the race. In the end I managed to finish 8th and no longer fearful of the 50 mile distance. Perhaps it is from all of the well wishes and support from fellow IMTR runners. I recommend this race if you want a true trail ultra- no roads here - maybe 1000 meters worth, no more than that.
Peace out,
Nick Whited
Photos above by Aaron Swartzbard
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Bios
JJ Jessee
Age: 29 + 24
Years running: 2.25
Years running ultras : .16
Upcoming races:
Promise Land 50K
Grandfather Mountain Marathon
Mountain Masochist Trail Run (eventually)
Running style: slow and easy.
Right now I’m focused on getting ready for Promise Land in a couple of weeks. Training before my first 50k finish last February at Holiday Lake went very well, but since then, not so well. Directly afterwards, I had a cold with lots of congestion that lingered for 3 weeks, followed by a fall that injured some ribs right after that. Such is life.
This weekend, I set out to do some mountain mileage, back-to-back, to see if Promise Land is in the cards. I left late afternoon Friday and drove to the camping corral at Scales, Va. on the AT, due north of Grayson Highlands S.P. The road up the mountain is really more of trail too I guess.
The weather was warm with a 25 mph wind from the south -a relentless 25 mph wind from the south. But I managed to get my hammock up, with an additional fly since I think there was a mention of rain. I had a chance to relax before dark and to watch the sun sink behind the ridge.
There was a little rain, but no lightning. I slept fair, mainly in the morning, and rose about 8 am. A few of the wild ponies of the area were grazing nearby and I got to see one of the newest members of the herd.
I had some nuts, cold pizza, juice and soymilk for breakfast.
Hydration pack and belly buldging, time to hit the trail
A seasoned-looking thru-hiker came up the trail under a load and saw me loitering about in my Utilikilt. He said, "You look like an advertisemnt for Grayson Highlands Park." I laughed and said, "I was just about to say the same thing about you."
I’m doing a loop today, leaving Scales (4600’) southbound on the AT, up and down the other side of Stone Mountain (4800’) and past Wise shelter (4460') on the AT in Grayson Highlands. The trail has been pretty nice for running to this point, but there are a few uphills that need walking.
There is a climb up to the butt-end of Wilburn Ridge,
but once on the ridge it’s just technically slow until it opens up at Massie Gap. I followed a horse trail by accident over to the edge of the Park and picked up the AT again to start the climb up to Rhododendron Gap (5450’) my highest point for the day.
One picture is worth a thousand rocks.
The sky and budding colors of early spring are stunning.
At the Gap,
I’ve done roughly 7-8 miles, and leave the AT on the Pine Mountain Trail that heads back toward Scales.
But after a mile, I turn down the mountain’s north face on the Lewis Fork Trail. It’s about 5 and half miles down to Rt. 603. The trail's fairly technical up high, single track, but widens in a mile or so and you have a good grade and some better footing to choose from.
About 2/3s the way down, I take a short connector over to the AT and collect water near Old Orchard shelter. Here is a nice little stand of False Hellebore near the spring.
I take down the hammock just to get some peace and quiet. I scout out a new location for the hammock, maybe out of the wind, but elect not to string it up. The night is suppose to get to freezing and I decide to sleep in the car.
Relentless wind, Day 2 with fog features
It did get to freezing. I slept better. By morning the wind had actually relented somewhat down low, but was still roaring in the tree tops. There were also some curious, white specks sporadically fired by the wind across my brow. More on that later. I’m rested, not tired, not sore, I put on most of my available clothes, eat the last piece of pizza and I’m ready to go.
Today is an out-and-back to Elk Garden, I think it's about 16 miles. I use the AT north bound to connect to the Pine Mt Trail, and head along the crest zone back to Rhod. Gap.
At the top 5729’, I find another one these dilly-dallies.
I found one last Sunday too. Most people go to the highest point in VA expecting a vista, here, there is none.
By the looks of things, you’d think I was getting ready to step into a Grimm’s fairy tale. The weather was doing it’s share. The forest was doing it’s share.
All we need are some characters to start the…
"Hey man, what’s up? I'm Scratch. This is my dog, Fargo."
Well he was young, and trail solid, so I guess we can avoid Old Scratch associations for a few years. But that dog! Think body parts going into a wood chipper and you’ve got a general visual of what this dog could do. He could have been a Cujo double. But in reality, Fargo was tame as a puppy. He even let me pet him. Scatch was just out roaming around wanting to see what the wild ponies were up to. They were a likable pair. I headed on.
By the time I got to the Deep Gap switchback,
I was still a bit more than half fiesty, so I decided to head on down to Elk Garden (4250’) on Rt 600. I stop for a snack and have a good chat with some hikers who are doing the same. It was cold standing around wet in the wind, but I got the furnace going trekking back up Rogers.
Given the temps were cooler, and I was moving at a leisurely, tourist pace, the return was more fun than work. I took some IBU to calm some foot pain before it actually got distracting and an espresso gel a couple miles out helped me finish spryly at least. 7:14
See you at Trail Days
JJJ
