Shut-In - Greenhouse to 151

The WORKOUT:
Run 2hrs 40mins on Shut-In Trail

Sunday, I met John and Adam for a final long run on Shut-In. I got an early start and dropped 5 small water bottles w/ Accelerade (Walnut Cove Overlook, Chestnut Cove Overlook, Bent Creek Gap, Stony Bald Overlook and Mills River Valley Overlook). I met them at the top at the intersection of HWY 151, left my truck and rode down to the start with them. We were late getting out of the gates but finally got running around 11:20 AM. I thought it was a bit curious that Adam carried only a single water bottle for the potentially 3 hr run. I shortly found out he was training for his first Shut-In and was somewhat new to the long distance scene. We kept a moderate pace for the first few miles and started to get a little strung out. After a quick conference, we decided we'd just meet back up at Bent Creek Gap which is roughly the half-way point. I worked hard at staying disciplined and keeping my heart rate where I'd planned and hit Bent Creek Road about a minute ahead of John. After stretching a minute or two, we jogged back down the trail for 4 minutes before collecting Adam. He seemed to be in good spirits so we cruised on back to the Gap. Here I noticed that Adam was out of water. After a quick break, we continued up over Ferin's knob. John and I quickly separated ourselves from Adam. I controlled the pace at an easy jog to a brisk hike in the really steep sections and John stayed right on my heels. I started to get the impression he wanted to get by but at the top I got away again on the downhill. I waited about a minute for him again at Beaver Dam Gap but he'd stay with me for the balance of the run (even when I'd try to drop him). I started to question whether he'd best me this year. It'll be fun to find out! Somewhere around Stony Bald I was thinking hard about Adam's water situation but by that point my own hydration planning was about perfect and I hadn't had any extra. When I hit my next water drop at Mills River Valley Overlook parking lot I knew I was getting a bit dehydrated but that Adam would be in much worse shape after having no water for 5+ miles on these hills. I decided to leave that water bottle in the middle of the trail hoping he'd recognize it was for him. On the leg between Mills River Valley Overlook and 151, I showed John where the bear incident went down a few days ago. It was cool to see the area in daylight with no fog and to realize I was only about 300 yds from the finish of that leg when I turned back to avoid the bear. Apparently I got in a longer run on Wednesday than I originally thought by about 2 miles. Up at 151, John and I cooled down, got a bite to eat and drained another water bottle each. After about 15 minutes I decided to go back down and look for Adam. I took my phone and left John the keys with plans that if I made it to the next parking lot, I'd call and have him drive my truck down there. We'd hopscotch down the trail in that fashion until we found Adam. I grabbed an extra Gu pack and filled up a big water bottle in case he'd bonked and started back down the trail. To my relief, not too far from the top I ran into Adam jogging up the trail. He reported to be in good spirits, thanked me for leaving behind a water bottle and chugged on up to the truck. While the run took much longer than any of our families would have probably liked, it was a great day. I felt I had enough in the tank to finish the last two miles up to Mt. Pisgah parking lot but was grateful I didn't have to find out for sure :o).