If you are curious on what the trails in the mountains look like, I found out today.  Gill and I went for a long run in the Shenandoah National Park.  We started at the bottom of Brown’s Gap Road, climbed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, ran out and back on the parkway, and back down the mountain.
The valley is almost clear, and the snow is patchy until about 1000 feet.  At that elevation, the snow went from patchy to constant, getting deeper with every step.  By the time we hit the Doyle trail, the snow was at least 1/2 foot, and soft enough that almost every one of our steps broke through.  It was a painful and slow process, frustrating and very tiring for my legs.  Once on the parkway (the 5 mile climb took me 25 minutes longer than normal), I took one look at the Appalachian trail, and decided to stick to the parkway.  The road was plowed with patch snow: the trail was under at least a foot of soft, untouched snow.  No one had been anywhere near the trail.
The parkway was also considerably colder, with wind gusts in the low 20s.  The wind also carried a lot of drifting snow, perfect for my naked legs.  Nevertheless, the parkway was absolutely beautiful, with views of the white surrounding mountains that took my breath away.  The parkway is also very runnable.
Once I left the parkway and headed back down on Brown’s Gap road, conditions were not any better.  The soft snow took away all my momentum.  The hard ground felt too hard, after all the very soft snow, but at least I had some grip!
So, if you are thinking about hitting the trails this weekend, bring some skis or a rescue dog!  Sorry, Sammy is not available.  Have fun!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 2010 Charlottesville Spring Classic Running/Walking events have been canceled.

February 26, 2010, Charlottesville, Virginia - The Charlottesville Spring Classic 5 Mile Run / 4K Walk Board of Directors has decided with great regret to cancel this year’s event scheduled for March 6th, 2010.

As most of you are aware, Charlottesville, Virginia and the entire Mid Atlantic have experienced a record snowfall this winter. The Charlottesville Spring Classic route is run primarily along the Rivanna footpath: both the race course and the start/finish location at Meade Park still remain under 3 to 4 inches of snow and ice. As the City of Charlottesville is still in the process of recovering from snow removal, road repairs as well as basic operations, it is not possible to have Meade Park and Rivanna footpath cleared in time for a safe event.

As runners, we understand your disappointment and therefore the Charlottesville Spring Classic Board of Directors has decided to roll over all entrants to 2011.

We wish you all the best with your running and we are sure you will join us as we eagerly greet the coming spring.

Charlottesville Spring Classic
Board of Directors

The Charlottesville Marathon Board of Directors extends a special discount to those runners impacted by the cancellation of the 2010 Myrtle Beach Marathon and Half Marathon.

The Board will offer a $5.00 discount into either the Charlottesville Marathon or Half Marathon. The offer is valid only from 2/15/2010 until 2/28/2010.

Registrants must submit a Paper Application (NO online registration will be available for this offer), along with proof of entry into the Myrtle Beach Marathon or Half Marathon.

Please complete paper race application, include Myrtle Beach “Proof of Entry”, submit a check minus $5.00 (special offer amounts are, Marathon $75, Half Marathon $65) and mail to: Charlottesville Marathon, 110 Old Preston Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. 434.293.7115

Charottesville, Virginia - February 3, 2010 -  The Charlottesville Marathon/Half Marathon Race Board of Directors  is pleased to announce their partnership with State Farm Insurance as the new Title Sponsor of the Charlottesville Marathon. The date for the 8th Annual event is April 17th, 2010.
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State Farm is a nationwide insurance company with a mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm is a big part of the Charlottesville community as the largest local private employer. Community grants and employees active in volunteerism and government, build the State Farm reputation and keep it a household name in the area.
“The Charlottesville Marathon Board of Directors is very excited to partner with such a great national company, dedicated to the well being of the local community.  We look forward to a long term relationship and to working together to promote a healthy, active lifestyle.”
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Registration for the State Farm Charlottesville Marathon will be held at Charlottesville Running Company at 110 Old Preston Avenue on the historic Downtown Mall, where the race will begin and end.

You may also register online at: www.charlottesvillemarathon.com.  Charlottesville Running Company store hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10AM - 6PM and Sunday from 12PM - 5PM.   Phone:  434.293.7115  Website:  www.charlottesvillerunningcompany.com

Charlottesville Marathon
J Russell Gill III
Race Director

Charlottesville Marathon
Dawn Cromer
Director of Marketing

The hours for Lannigan Field (that’s the UVA Track ) have changed! The new OPEN hours are: Monday-Friday: dawn to 1:30PM and again from 6:00PM to dusk. Saturday and Sunday: from dawn to 8:00Am and again from noon until dusk. This means the track will be CLOSED all other times for varsity practice!

Runners,
Listed in no particular order are the details for the first training run for Bel Monte Endurance Run on Saturday Jan 30, 2010 at 8am

1. PLEASE RSVP by emailing me with how many people including yourself will be coming. Anyone is invited to come even if you are not running the any of the races. I need to have a somewhat accurate count so I know how much water to put on the course. My email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
2. Everyone is required to have some sort of hydration system with them for the run, i.e. handbottle or camelbak. I will have water at about the halfway point of the run. Everyone needs to bring their own gels or food that they wish to have during the run.
3. We will be running the 25K course which is 15 or so miles and there will be places to cut the run short if you like.
4. Everyone will be able to run at their own pace or pair up with someone. I will have maps of the route we are running. There will only be the permanent markers on the trees and signs on the trails, so go to www.badtothebone.biz and read the details of the course and be familiar with it.
5. There will be a sign-in sheet for everyone and you ALSO need to sign-out when you are done so that I know you have gotten back to the park safely.
6. Directions to the park, for mapquest or GPS use the address:
3440 Mt. Torrey Road Lyndhurst, VA 22952 This will put you at the entrance to Sherando Lake Recreation Area. Once inside the park drive to the guard gate, there is a park fee of 5 bucks. Drive down the main road and stay to the left after you cross the bridge and we will meet at the Beach lodge parking lot which is the first parking lot on the right after you make the sharp right turn. Look for my blue jeep cherokee.
7. PLEASE arrive early so that we can have a short course briefing and be on the trail as close to 8am as possible. Allow enough drive time and time to get your stuff ready.
8. Dress accordingly, this is still january in VA so come prepared for anything.
9.I probably forgot something but I’m sure I will remember it on jan 30.

See you there,

David Snipes
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Charlottesville Running Company and Montrail are teaming up to find out What Moves You!

Road Running or Trail Running - Tell us which you enjoy the most and why?

The best comments will receive either a free “iRun” wicking shirt or a pair of Montrail Running Shoes!

Post should be 50 words or less and will be accepted until September 26th, 2009. Winners will be notified via email…

Francesca and I had a great run this morning at Walnut Creek Park. Walnut Creek is a great park located about 20 minutes from downtown Charlottesville. You will find miles and miles of trails to explore and beautiful scenery all along the way.

Walnut Creek also serves as the venue for our Fall trail half marathon event on November 14th. We also have a Canine Run/Walk 5K that day starting 30 minutes after the runners.

For more info, go to www.badtothebone.biz

Francesca and I had a great run this morning along the Sugar Hollow trails. I also had a KOOL soak in the Moormans river following the run!

The best runners in the World warm up at least 15 minutes (yes, including all those super fast runners from Africa) by running a very slow pace at the beginning of each workout. What do you normally do? Remember, go slow early to run fast late! Gill