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October 31, 2005
The Truth about the RockCreek.com Stump Jump 50K
10.10.05
By: Big Red Robinson
The Stump Jump is one of the easiest 50K's in the East.
There's really not much climbing--the total is only about 2200'.
Aside from a couple of little rocky patches, the trail is smooth and
non-technical. It's a much easier course than Mountain Mist.
Oh yes, and possums are purple, have fairy wings, and fly South for the Winter.
'Well, this is a pretty nasty hill, early in the race, but it must be one of very few, since there's only about 2000 feet of climbing. I guess I'll push it while I can.'
The course began as asphalt and stayed that way for a half-mile or so. I charged ahead to take the lead shortly after the gun and maintained this position for several tens of yards. It was quite satisfying. I felt like the real Big Red. There was a short fella and a fella with a big tattoo on one leg at the front. I ogled them from behind before overtaking them in my one show of strength for the day. I knew the short fella was going to be strong, because the tattooed fella called him Josh. The tattooed fella, though larger and bit rougher, I knew would be swift, because of the tattoos. (You see, this inking contains a not so coded message, regardless of the graphical details: 'I'm real fast and I torture ALL of the hills.' Most of my competent ultra friends have these markings. I, alas, have nothing remarkable on my peel aside from a few hairy moles.) Later, my friend Stephen, who also has no tattoos, would explain to me that this kid was none other than Bryan Dayton, training partner of Dave Mackey, destroyer of 50K fields. Stephen also explained that Bryan was at the Stump Jump because his parents live in the South, not far from Signal Mountain, in Tullahoma, Tennessee. 'He's probably a nice guy with a good upbringing,' I reflected.
My strategy was to go out hard then settle into my true place in the universe within that No Man's Land, that Void, between the leaders and the masses. Hard indeed. After six or seven miles of brutally rocky, wildly ragged, Cumberland style punishment, I really thought I might DNF. 'This is gonna require anywhere from 1.5 to 2.0 liters of Coca Cola to pull off,' I thought to myself. 'Pretty soon I'm gonna start gettin passed like a Sunday driver. The Tennessee River Gorge sure is pretty today.' I was quite miserable, but in the end, I learned that I was in a lot better endurance shape than I thought, as I was able to continue making myself miserable for the next four hours. I could do nothing with the bigger climbs but walk fast and shuffle intermittently but I managed to blaze the downs and the very rare flats hard enough to maintain my self-respect.
At mile six or seven, the leader (intimidatingly tattooed Bryan) comes up behind me and passes me! Holy! 'How far ahead are they?' 'Around ten minutes I would guess.' Later I would learn that a whole lot of folks took a wrong turn early in the race and accumulated a few bonus miles in the process. This could partially explain why no one passed me in the race. Bryan, despite having lost ten, fifteen minutes went on to win in a course record time of, get this, 4:01. When he passed me this second time, I noticed how colorful and elaborate the picture on his leg really was.
A massive boulder perched on a delicate column. The shattered remains of an old plateau, crust of an ocean bottom, sliding away over eons. The gaping maw opening up to catch me on its loamy palate, to chew on me with its granite teeth. I'm tossed up and down on phantasmagoric earth waves, splattered over a field of smooth, ancient stones, thrown down the devil's staircase. I hear no footsteps behind me. I catch two men, uniformed in black, in a mossy gulch. 'Where do you come from?' I came from Rocket City, but I was born in the valley below at Memorial Hospital. Cool. I pass over a familiar road again. A man at an aid station notes, 'It says here Big Robinson for runner number 90.' 'I'm an egotist and I'm sparing a more accomplished athlete from having his reputation intertwined with mine.' Tripwires snatch at my size 14 Orizabas. Fear of the two men in black pulls me up a nauseating climb to the last aid station. I slam four Coca-Colas, for the sixth and last time. A young kid wearing green appears before me, swaggering, tank absolutely empty. 'C'mon, kid, let's go!! I know you got somethin' left.' I hit asphalt again, flying, all out. I see the clock at the finish line at the top of the last, small hill. 5:01. My chest heaves and embarassingly loud grunts issue forth. I might have said a cuss word, but I don't think it came out fully formed. Shoulda broken five. Coincidences reach up from the past to weigh on my used up mind.
As confirmed by another runner's altimeter watch, the climb is much more than 2200'. More like 3500'. With the extra upsy-downsies that the organizers missed with their GPS mappings, they also probably missed a little horizontal distance.
The Truth is that the Stump Jump is a formidable eastern 50K (especially if you approach it with the mindset that it'll be easy) with a lot of technical running. It's at least as difficult as Mountain Mist, if not more, and it should be measured in units of Horton miles. That is The Truth.
More importantly, the Stump Jump is a beautiful course in an unusual geological setting. I had outrageous fun. The aid stations are wonderful and staffed by extremely helpful and friendly people who understand the importance of Coca-Cola. The goodie bag was totally on, with two pairs of technical wool trail socks, a North Face drop bag, a Marmot tech-T, and the latest Trail Runner. Saves me at least two shopping trips. Thank you. I'll see you again next fall.
Fastest of the Fast Blaze the StumpJump
Race Information and Application
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:06 AM
October 26, 2005
Deal: Chaco Sandals 30% Off
Come and get our full selection of Chaco sandals at 30% off! This sale will last two weeks only, so act fast.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:50 AM
October 18, 2005
Gregory Ekko Backpack $99.95 (was $156)
We have a screaming deal on a great pack this week: The Ekko from Gregory is the perfect do-anything pack. If your weekend plans are multiple choice bolt clipping at the local crag? Drop-knee turns on sun-spackled corn snow? A little picnic at your favorite overlook? This is the pack for you. The Ekko's flexible Exo-Frame suspension system moves with your body, a pleasure when fast reflexes mean the difference between eating lunch in the trees and eating a tree for lunch.
Even stuffed with a day's worth of gear, this technical mid-size pack feels stable and streamlined on your back. You'll appreciate that on ski descents, alpine rock routes, and other backcountry ventures on varied terrain. Its cross-over compression system can be reversed to lash a rope, jacket, or shovel to the outside of the pack. Top opening and a unique twin-zip front panel provide fast access to the interior.
Pick up the Gregory Ekko today at RockCreek.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 4:57 PM
October 14, 2005
Houndears Results
Results are in for Houndears. Click here to check them out! The 4th annual Triple Crown Series - Houndears competition took place on Saturday, October 5th 2005 near Boone, North Carolina. Over 400 climbers and spectators lined up to be a part of the opening of fall climbing season in the deep south.
RockCreek.com is a proud sponsor of the Triple Crown Bouldering Competition.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:38 AM
October 13, 2005
StumpJump Results Posted
We had a great time at the RockCreek.com StumpJump 50K and 11 Mile trail race this weekend. Despite a bit of rain on Friday we had a great vendor fair at the downtown Chattanooga store. We had a great carbo supper which was free to racers this year. This event continues to grow; we had about 250 racers this year.
The race results are available here.
If you missed it this year, be sure to check back with us next year! We are always trying to improve this race and we look forward to an even better time in 2006.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 2:23 PM
October 7, 2005
Win His and Hers' Denali Fleece from The North Face
Just wanted to let everyone know that RockCreek is giving away 2 Denali fleece jackets from The North Face for the October homepage contest. Stop by and sign up for our newsletter. Click the image below to sign up now:
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:51 AM
