Country Road Runner

The Bell Ringer Trail Run at Montgomery Bell State Park just finished its 10th run this past weekend (December 14, 2024). I have managed to run it the last five years. The race has a 15k, 25k, and a 50k. I have run the 15k once, 25k twice and 50k twice.

The race has given away some nice swag at the longer distance including socks, a pint glass, and this year a portable charger.

The race has had perfect weather, a torrential downpour, and it has been cold. This year was fairly mild but it felt good to have a warm top on. As can be seen in the photo below.

My youngest daughter was running the 15k this year and I was running the 25k. With the 25k starting at 7:30, I had a half hour head start on my daughter starting the 15k at 8am. I thought I could beat her this year, but fell 20 minutes short.

The trail is always well marked and challenging with some road, golf course, jeep roads and trail. The trails were cleared off, so it was easier to see the rocks and roots. The park ranger also said if it was not clear you were probably off the course.

No pictures of the trail this year as I was focused on a fast time. As always, met some really great trail runners and shared some stories to pass the time. Got a little too comfortable behind some runners, but not sure I had it in me to catch my daughter. Speaking of fast times, in 2019, when I ran the race for the first time, I finished in 2:35:23 and was 15th place. In 2024, I finished in 2:33:54, so a PR for the course, but managed a 5th place finish.

#bellringertrailrun

Late post. . . . This summer I was asked to participate in a photo shoot for a project called #theeverydayathlete by @rlovelacephotography. What an experience to share my love of running in pictures.

@rlovelacephotography is very gifted and it was fun to watch him work. Finding the perfect shot with the best angle, sunlight and backdrop.

We spent two days at Preservation Park in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee working on some close ups as well as some action photos.

There was also an interview process and spent quite a bit of time talking about why I run. Why do I push myself beyond what is considered normal. Although it was not all flushed out in the Instagram post, here is what was said.

All in all it was a great experience! If you have the opportunity to work with someone and watch them work their craft, I would highly suggest it.

The rest of the pictures from the photo shoot are below.

There are other pictures on the Instagram post. Or to see other great photos by @rlovelacephotography visit his page!

Seven weeks ago, my friends encouraged me to sign up for the Memorial Day 50k. This was not a lot of time to train, but who can say no to running a 50k surrounded by friends for a good cause.

The race was to run the length of Marshall County (33 miles) in honor of our local hero, Army Sgt David M Hierholzer who gave the ultimate sacrifice July 24, 2006 in Peach Valley, Konar Province, Afghanistan.

We started at 5am north of Chapel Hill after the national anthem was sung and lined up behind three men from the military. They stayed up front for the majority of the ultra.

At times the highway seemed long and lonely and at other times you had runners all around you. The race organizer had a gentleman on a bicycle leading the runners and to protect from oncoming traffic and a golf cart at the back to pick up any stragglers and to keep the group moving.

We had aid stations approximately every three miles and at certain distances other runners joined so that they could finish their marathon, half-marathon or 10k. We ran through Chapel Hill, Henry Horton State Park, Lewisburg, and Cornersville before reaching the edge of the county at highway 65.

The aid stations as mentioned above were every 3 miles +/-. I tried to carry everything in my vest, but still needed my water replenished and it was hard to say no to the watermelon. The difficulty with the aid station was waiting for everyone to arrive before we all started again as a group. This meant you could be at the aid station for up to fifteen minutes if not more. Had to keep stretching.

For the last two miles runners were given the option to wear a vest. The weighted vest was to symbolize the weight of the families who lost a son or daughter that paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

I believe that we run most of the time to forget. Whether it is our bills, our work or our families, running provides that outlet to clear our heads and straighten ourselves. This race was to remember. To think about loved ones to think about friends to think about those that we did not know that paid with everything so we could have our freedom. To show support to those that came out to run for their loss. To donate to the community through this event is something I will consider doing again.

#ultratraining #memorialday #squirrelsnutbutter #skratchlabs

I ran the @BellRingertrailrun 15k with two of my daughters the second Saturday of December.

The 15k was the longest distance for both girls while I have run the 25k once and the 50k twice.

The route takes you down the road toward the golf course and on to a few of the holes. Once past the golf course the trail is mostly gravel for a short time before you actually begin to run on the nicely wooded section.

You finish the race crossing a longer bridge and climbing some stairs. Once you are finished you ring the park bell!

Great race! Excited to run again next year.

Thank you @skratchlabs (dad) and @rungum (daughter)

I ran the Mo’ Bell 12 hour race October 14th, 2023 with a goal of reaching 50 miles.

The race is held at Montgomery Bell State Park in one of their campgrounds and connecting trails. The park is in Burns, Tennessee and was only a short drive for me.

The race was organized by Awesomesauce Events and the race director was the best. They have done this race for a number of years as well as other races in Tennessee.

Two of my daughters were going to run the 10k Saturday morning, however, one was in a boot and the other had a high school race.

Well, the daughter in the boot came along to volunteer and help crew her father.

We arrived Friday in time to check in and organize our cabin. In the process of checking in, I picked up my bib and swag. I even bumped into an old Ragnar relay teammate from 2012. After getting organized for the next morning my daughter and I joined my running group, the Scalawags for dinner at a local favorite.

Saturday morning was here before I knew it and I was up eating breakfast and putting the finishing touches on the race no plans.

The 12 hour race was a 3 mile trail and/or a 1 mile road loop. You could mix them however you chose. My goal was 50 miles and I was shooting for all trail.

Everyone started together and about 50 of us headed toward the trail. We had 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon and 50k all with us. Based on where I landed in the group, my first loop was almost my slowest. As we ran, I typed directions into my phone with landmarks so I would not get lost. The Scalawags set up a tent between the trail and aid station, so I had a place to refuel or stop between laps. After you finished a trail loop, you grabbed a clothes pin, ran to the aid station, and pinned it to your clothes line. Each time I finished a loop, I got to see my daughter administering first aid to someone that had chaffing, or bee stings, blisters or right muscles. I tried to high five her each lap and keep going. At the very beginning of the race she did send a group text out stating I had 10 1/2 hours to go. . .

I was able to run several laps with my Scalawag friends but the best laps were a trail loop with my youngest and a road loop with my daughter while she wore her boot. I enjoyed hearing many life stories and journeys as many other runners were completing more than just a few laps.

When I finished my 50 miles I came to check in and the race director informed me that I signed up for the 12 hour race and had 15 minutes left. So I managed an additional 1 and finally was able to call it a day.

The next day my daughter went to church and it was my turn to volunteer. I elected to cheer for all the runners as they did their lap checkin. Well a runner had gotten lost on the trail and asked for directions so I changed clothes and took him back on the trail.

Some of the statistics from the race include:

Moving time was 10 hours 45 minutes of the 12 hour time limit. A few bathroom breaks, some time at the aid station and some time for pictures.

Actual distance was 51.36 miles which included 16 trail loops and some mileage on the road loop.

5,715 feet of elevation gained.

My average pace was 12:33 with my fastest mile of 8:23 and slowest mile of 18:45.

6,128 calories burned

Two pairs of shoes.

The Grand Viduta Stage Race took place at the end of April 2023 and was an amazing adventure over three days with over 40 miles covered and 4,600 feet of elevation climbed. The race took place near Huntsville, Alabama in the Monte Sano State Park. This was the tenth and final time for the event. @RunningLaneEvents did an amazing job providing support for all the runners.

I was invited to participate in the event with some guys in the F3 group from Spring Hill. We were 10 of the 200 participants. Since I was one of the first of our group to arrive, I picked up all the t-shirts and bibs.

As a group we had three campsites. We had campers and tents set up.

The first day was 13 miles and 1,400 feet of elevation gain. The biggest challenge to Stage One be was the heavy rain from the day before making the course muddy and the rocks slippery. I managed my first serious fall ever while trail running, but still managed to finish in under three hours.

After the first day, I was cramping pretty bad and could not even get into the back of the jeep. So laid down in the bed of our pickup truck. Not sure that was any better, but I made it back to camp just after lunch and had until the next morning to recover.

Day two was just over 15 miles and almost 1,600 feet of elevation gain. I had my left knee taped as well as braced. I walked to the start not knowing if I was goi g to run. Started walking and then jogging with the intention of just finishing. After a little bit it became my goal to run it faster than the day before. Finished in 2 hours and 54 minutes.

Day 3, the final stage was just about 14 miles and close to 1,900 feet of elevation gain. With the last 1/2 mile climbing over 500 feet.

Friday night, April 29th, I was debating a long run with a couple friends or joining some others for their local 5k trail race. Well, my daughter wanted to race, so that sealed it.

With the race an hour south in Pulaski, Tennessee, our morning started early Saturday. With a little later race start, we both ate a good breakfast and starting getting in our electrolytes. Once we got off the highway, we enjoyed the country roads and small towns we passed.

We arrived, checked in and some time to stretch before cheering on the 1 mile runners. Several of the Scalawags running group showed up to run the 5 mile race.

The course weaved through the race directors farm with several challenging climbs for a 5k. The route allowed me to see my youngest and cheer her on several times.

We enjoyed our time at Run the Rolling Hills in Pulaski and plan to go back. I managed a 2nd place overall finish and my daughter was 1st female overall.

The inaugural Depot Dash 5k was this past Saturday at Preservation Park in Thompson’s Station Tennessee. It was nice having a trail race in our home town even if it was a shorter race distance than I normally run. I also had the pleasure of running with my youngest daughter.

We signed up for the race before receiving the middle school soccer or church schedule. So my youngest had a soccer game Thursday and Friday followed by a lock-in at the church Friday night. I picked her up at 6:45am to ensure we had time to park, pick up our racing packets and stretch.

It was fun to recognize several faces and actually meet some I follow on Strava. My daughter and I even had time to visit a few of the booths. At the starting line they said faster runners up front and I was already there talking with my youngest who slid to the back. We had already decided to run our own races.

When the whistle blew 6 of us took off. It was a pretty fast start considering we were headed right into a hill. After the first hill we descended a short while and headed right into the trails. Being in my community I am very familiar with the trail and enjoyed the next mile. We exited the trail to a grassy section that led to our turn around section. As I was passing the trail I had just left, I saw my daughter looking strong. I encouraged her and kept moving. We came to the 2nd big hill and I was sitting in 5th place. Feeling pretty tired and my hip not at 100%, I decided to walk up the hill. Once I was at the top, it was pretty much gravel road to the finish. Walking up the hill did not allow me to catch 4th place. Well, after I finished I walked up the trail some to encourage the other runners and I see my daughter coming around the corner. I encourage her to keep pushing it and she picked up the pace not realizing there were two ladies behind her. Well my daughter ended up being 1st female over all, 5 seconds ahead of 2nd and 10 seconds ahead of third.

It was a great race and a great day.

Well, back in January I was exited our local recreation center and bumped into a running buddy. He asked if I was running the MCTU 25k and I said no. I had no interest in running a 16 mile race that took 4 hours and I got lost in last year.

He encouraged me saying that he was running it and he would not let me get lost. So, I signed up and found out that he had not.

I found out later that 3 Scalawags were running and several of the Dirtbags from Nashville were running. Some other friends from my hometown were running and an acquaintance from a prior race.

We started right at 8am and took off through a field after the race director provided some instructions.

The majority of the race was trail, but there were some time spent on jeep and logging trail and some time spent off trail just following flags.

Well I finally made it to the third aid station and they asked me if I needed anything. I just asked for directions and they pointed me up a hill. The hill was steep and there was no trail, but only flags. Well five miles to go I spent a fair amount of time walking the hills and even some of the flat trails.

Well, I crossed the finish at 16.55 miles at 2,665 of elevation climb and 3 hours and 11 minutes on the course. This means I accomplished 2 goals. I did not get lost and finished in under 4 hours.