RACE REPORT #2: Bay's Mountain 15-Miler

Submitted by: Ron Flemming

This race was great. Only my second trail race and my first race at a 15 mile distance. Bays Mountain is in Kingsport TN and is made up of two mountain ridges that meet at a common point to create a V. In the valley of the V there is a lake. It's a beautiful setting. The park where we started and finished reminded me a little of Grandfather Mountain because they had huge pens with animals in them (deer, birds, wolves, otters).

The first couple of miles were pretty much all uphill to get us to the top of the ridge. I was sucking wind pretty badly during the climb and I was already starting to get concerned. Finally once at the top and getting to the first fluid stop around mile 5 things started feeling better and I had my breathing under control. There were lots of ups and downs, so I did a lot of walking on the uphills.

Between mile 7 and 8 there was the steepest hill I think I've ever set foot on. I don't think I saw anyone running up this one. After getting to the top of that, there was a lot of downhill as we worked our way down closer to the lake. But there was still a lot of ups and downs. Mile 10 was the next fluid stop and even though I had a couple 8oz bottles on me, I was running low and don't think I had ever been so happy to see an aid station. Between mile 11 and 12 I came up on three deer on the trail and one of them would not get out of the way...I had to stop and slowly walk towards it and it finally moved off to the left...I think if I had tried, I could have walked up and pet it.

Once the lake was in view I could see the big dam in the distance and it started feeling like the end was near. However, the trail veered off from the shoreline and it took a long time to get to the dam. The dam was very near the end and coming out of the woods and stepping into the sunshine on the concrete dam gave me the biggest set of chill bumps...not sure why, it was just a great feeling. I pushed on to the finish and had a time just under 2:19, which got me a 3rd place finish in my age group, but I don't know how many people were in my age group...could have only been 3! It was a small race...I think I heard 60 runners total.

Overall the race was wonderful...The setting was beautiful and the trails were very challenging. The volunteers were friendly and the post-race festivities and food were great. And we walked away with an awesome long-sleeve T-shirt!

Those trails let me know about muscles I didn't know I have. I am SORE!