McNaughton Trail Training

What a beautiful day for a run! God blessed us with a sunny 50 degree day. I decided to take along the camera and snap some pics of the course. The highlight of this run for me was seeing my first coyote in the wild. This dude was a big one too. We started our second loop and there he was running across the prairie grass. Too cool!! Unfortunately, I put the camera in the car before the second loop. I knew I was in for a tough run when not more than 10 feet into it, Troy says, "Hey, I wonder if we could negative split this loop." Ah, crap. I was hoping we could take it easy, but there's no rest for the wicked. And, we negative split that sucker. It's good to have people who push you to do better. There were quite a few runners out here today gearing up for race day. Met some guys from Decatur and even ran into (pun intended) my buddy the Zim Master and his training partner. Saw Andy (the race director) and some guys putting the finishing touches on the new bridge. All in all, a great run. Three weeks to go until McNaughton Trail runs. Train on hills!! When I think I'm crazy for trying the 50 miler, I remind myself that the true crazies are doing double that! Here's some pics of the course, hope they help give an idea of what it's like. Happy Trails!



This is my ugly mug. We just finished our first loop and have one more to go. Bald is beautiful.














You are looking at where you will be coming from when you finish a loop. I took this pic while standing at the finish line. At least the finish is flat! Notice the frisbee golf basket toward the right of the pic. As far as I know, no one has been hit during the race.














This is my friend Troy. He's an endurance/tri- stud. Did the Hawaiian Iron Man in 1999 in 10:38. He teaches with me at Eureka High School. He's the one I blame for getting me into running. But, I got him back by talking him in to trying an ultra.














This is the prairie loop at the bottom of the first hill you run down. It's about 100 yards or so into the loop. You actually follow the tree line all the way around it.












Up the second large hill on the course. It's a doosy. But hey, after this one, it's flat . . . for about 1/3 of a mile.

















After the second large hill, you run across a ridge from one set of woods to another. The trail curves to the right and goes back into the woods. There are some smaller, roller coaster type hills ahead.



















The totem pole. About 2 to 3 miles along. The pavillion is also the first aid station since the start finish area. It will have quite a spread on race day. It is manned by the local running group IVS. You run around the pole and then along a flat area called bluebird field (lots of bird houses).














A nice flat part to run. This is just after the totem pole and heading down toward what is called the beach.















This is looking down toward the "beach" area, called so due to the sand you run through for a short span. You are almost to the first creek crossing. About 3 miles into the run.















The pic below is the first major creek crossing that you come to after the "beach" trail. It can be anywhere from ankle to knee deep depending on rain. You can cross without getting wet by going about 15 yards to the right where there are some logs and it's not as deep.



















This is looking over Troy's shoulder back down the hill we are going up. We've just come across the first creek crossing not too far back.
















This is actually looking back at one of the flat parts. It winds and twists along Lick Creek. It's a cool run. But save some energy because coming up is one of the toughest hills on the course.















This is by far the most challenging hills on the course. During the race, it has a rope along it to aid you in getting to the top. It isn't too bad, the first three times you have to do it. It'll get your heart rate up a bit. I'm told Eric Clifton ran up this.



















This one is out of order. It is supposed to be below the one of Troy approaching the top of rope hill. This is a couple of hills beyond rope hill. It is the amazing bridge project being completed by RD Andy and some dedicated guys. It spans the second major creek crossing. This thing isn't going anywhere for a hundred years or so. Very solid. Andy the workers were cooking out hotdogs and burgers when we went by on our second loop. Talk about torture.





This is almost to the top of the rope hill. It just keeps going. Good news is, there is an elevator shaft downhill coming up soon, and then another steep uphill again. It's borderline sadistic. You are almost half way done.















This is the brand new bridge that the race director Andy and some dedicated friends of his have been working on. It is incredible. Before this would have been the second major creek crossing. Now, you'll stay a little drier. This thing is amazing. Once you hit this bridge, you are half way done . . . with a loop that is.



















This pic below is from one of the prairies. There are deer all over the place out here. It was really nice today so there were a few other runners out on training runs and some people hiking in the area.
















This one is of me. We're almost up to another jaunt through a prairie. I'm giving the thumbs up because that seems to be what we've been doing the whole time . . . going uphill. McNaughton is a tough one.















One of the flat parts! This is about 2 miles from the end. Way off in the distance is a figure wearing yellow. That's Ollie. He's an accomplished speed walker. He completed the 100 miler last year and was out training. Troy and I are trying to catch him. About where Ollie is, you hang a right and head back into some woods.


















The pic to the right is the last 100 yards or so to where the finish line is for the loop. If you look closely, you can see cars off in the distance at the parking area. Congrats, you just finished a McNaughton loop. Now there are only 2 loops to go, or 4, or 9.