After driving in the rain for hours, I finally pulled in to Oxford, Alabama...but only for coffee. I still had to drive up to Bald Rock Lodge, on Cheaha Mountain in a thick fog for packet pick up and if time, some pasta! Made it with 30minutes to spare!
Woke up at 3:45am Saturday morning..as I wanted to be out of the hotel and on the road up the mountain by 5am. The bus was leaving at 6am to shuttle all the runners to the start, as this was a point to point race which started at 7am 31miles away.
Made it in plenty of time, however, the buses didn't. Due to the rain, they were stuck in the mud and had to be towed out. We were still experiencing a down pour so I'm glad they delayed the start for 2hrs..now start time 9am!
The race started when "Sweet Home Alabama" started playing and approx 160 runners from 8 states started running into the Talladega National Forest! I'm still amazed at the amount of climbing on this course. Not to mention crossing Hubbard creek, now waist deep and white water rapids due to the rain. (see photo above from 08 race)
This was my second 50k in 7 days and by aid station 3 (15miles) I was done. My lofty goal was to be at aid station 6 (27miles) in 4hrs 20min. I made it in 4:20 but I was at aid station #5 (mile21). I did finish but with a very slow time of 6:29..about 1 hour from my goal of 5:30.
Photo of me coming out after crossing Hubbard Creek during the Mt. Cheaha 50K. The water was at one point up to my chest and as you can tell the current was substantial. It's one of the many things that make trail races epic! I may post more photos if I can find them!
