2012 UROC - DNF

Ultra Race of Champions 100k (50k & 1/2 as well) - 9.29.12 - Wintergreen Resort, VA

This 'race' essentially went just as planned:  have fun, get in a long fully supported training run (25-30mi), watch some elite level ultra racing in action, help out friends at iRunFar (if possible) and most importantly... do all of that injury free.  In short... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED (and then some)!

Friday's Elite Advisory Panel - Fun times again this year

The calm before the storm... <10 mins until the elite start @ 7a

Elite's are off...

...15 minutes later the rest of the 100k field was given the call to the trails/roads!  I put myself near the back of the start in an attempt to not get sucked into the leaders of the chase pack and within the first 1/2 mile I was able to follow my plan as I walked some of the first hill.  The plans going forward were to walk lots of the hills, take my time, and enjoy the scenery (took lots of terrible pictures from my phone), work on hydration/nutrition plan, drop around the AS (aid station) after mile 25 or mile 29... and again NOT GET HURT!  Obligatory ultra blog post warning... This is rather long, read at your own risk or not.  I write these primarily for me to look back on so there is usually more info than others might care for.

This course got to business right away with some loooong steep downhill that you run as an out and back meaning you have to run back up it (and then some).  Traveling up, you drive along the Wintergreen Resort roads going up and up higher then down the roads leaving the resort then up the road toward the BRP (Blue Ridge Parkway) and Reed's Gap about 15 miles in.  Anytime I said UP or DOWN you can assume the ascent/descent were pretty stout!

UROC 100k Elevation Profile (first 29mi w/ 6,000'+ gain)

Somewhere around mile 8 I found myself running alongside one of the top females in the non-elite field and once I realized we were on a similar pace and pattern I decided to strike up a conversation.  After a few attempts to try and learn how to say it properly, I learned her name was Ayano.  One of the things I love in an ultra is chatting with people and learning about them as you share the miles.  Some people you might only share enough trail with to get in a quick 'good job,' but you never know when you might end up spending hours with a person running along (even if unintentionally).  Ayano is from Japan but has lived here in the states for ~12 years and her husband ran last year and he will be running MMTR (Mountain Masochist) just like me.  Her English wasn't the best (but of course better than my non-existent Japanese) so it almost became a game for us to try and communicate back and forth (usually with hand gestures and long explanations).  I was happy to help when I gapped her a little bit early on before an aid station with just enough space to alert her family that she was coming by pointing backwards and saying 'Oh I Know' (I didn't know if this was entirely correct pronunciation but they got the message).  Husband, kids, and grandparents began to pile out their mini van engulfed in window painted Japanese symbols that I can only imagine said things similar to the 'Great Job Mom!' and the likes that you would see on her English speaking counterparts family vehicles.  We ended up sharing most of the miles between mile 8 to mile 15 when the course took a turn from the BRP to some sweet (and very much missed) single track (White Rock Creek Trails) and I took off like a kid that just arrived at an amusement park.

White Rock Falls (picture doesn't do it justice)

I had a lot of fun on this portion since I had just spent a lot more time on the roads than I normally would care to.  It was great just being on the trail, and I was trying hard to pretend like I didn't know that there was some serious climbing coming up just past the White Rock Falls.  Not long after the falls, part way up the climb (~20 miles), was the first sign of any sort of trouble for me.  My quads had started to cramp and I was feeling pretty gassed but not a huge deal at this point.  I honestly hadn't been keeping up with my nutrition as best as I should (hoping to get in a gel every 30-45 minutes but being closer to 45-60), but that wasn't as bad as the fact that I evidently hadn't gotten enough salts in and had done without any S-caps or salt pills.  For hydration I was experimenting by going almost solely on Gu Brew in my Nathan handheld.  I was wearing a hydration pack but really was barely sipping from it from time to time and more using it to rinse the gel off my hands to keep from sticking to my gear.

Overlook view above White Rock Falls

The wheels started falling off after crossing BRP near Slack's Overlook (mile 22).  I took 3 S-Caps but it was probably too little too late as I was cramping pretty bad.  I didn't think it was anything that would lead to injury but since I had to keep one of my top goals (NOT GET INJURED) in sight, I really took it easy on the climb through this portion. 

Technical trail leading up before Bald AS

Looking back down the 'trail' before getting 

to the smooth road leading to Bald Mt AS

I did a lot of massaging my quads and found myself squeezing my hands tightly on my quads on each steep step to try and help.  It seemed like it might have helped, and I got excited as the rocky/technical ascent leveled off onto a relatively smooth dirt road that marked about one mile of downhill to the 25mi AS at Bald Mountain.  The excitement and anticipation of actually running some decent speed ended abruptly as intense cramps soon took control over both of my quads and right calf instantaneously.  My legs went stick straight and I fell sideways off the trail in slow motion onto a fortuitous soft patch of moss/leaves.  I laid there for a second in a great bit of pain and soon started laughing out loud.  I laughed so hard I had tears running down my cheeks that I'm almost certain were just from the laughing.  I laughed because after slugging it out for the last 3mi climb, I was so looking forward to this runnable portion and here I lay, I laughed because I'm laying on the trail around mile 24 where I wouldn't even be to the halfway mark in the race I'm training for, I laughed because of the entire situation and the thought of just laying there by the side of the trail not entirely sure that I could get my legs un-cramped and even if I did, I was unsure how far down the trail I could get before moving them again.  I massaged and even started punching my quads to try and bring back life (which of course led me to laughing at myself even more).  Luckily nobody was around to hear or see me because I probably looked like a lunatic.  After what felt like an eternity (but my watch tells me was ~3-4 minutes) I was back on my feet and painfully moving again.

Bald Mountain AS (25.3 miles) eventually came into view from the trail.  I could drop here and be perfectly content with my training run if I wanted.  I had loaned my car to Bryon & Meghan of iRunFar and one of them would be meeting me to pick me up when the leaders came back through on the out and back course.  We had planned that they could grab me anywhere between this AS to the next one (Spy Run Gap ~29 miles).  This AS was manned and had a nice spread of food with friendly folks to talk with and Spy Run was simply a water jug with nobody manning the station.  After a quick self assessment (cramps had eased some and legs could bend) and an update on where the elite leaders were, I decided to press on for a bit more.  I started eating anything with salt... potato chips, pretzels and even sprinkled salt from a shaker into my mouth.  A small pack of runners came into the AS (including Ayano) and we all headed out together.

The final 4 miles (for me) were filled with minor cramps but were enjoyable as I had a group of new running friends to chat with and I was glad to see Ayano still running well (she ended up finishing top female from the non-elite group).  It also probably helped to know that I would be quitting soon.  I shared this with our small group to save confusion for when I pulled up and stopped and tried to lend as much encouragement as I could (as I did with every runner I shared paces with).  I got to talk Czech (literally & figuratively) with a runner living here in the states from a small town outside of Prague.  If anyone knows me, I love to talk about all things Czech and Eastern European so it was fun to talk foods, phrases, and about some small towns Ashley and I had visited in the Czech Republic.  Whatever passes the time/miles while running always helps.

iRan(kinda)Far as I encountered my iRunFar savior driving my car... I was finished!  No injuries... sore/cramping legs but no injuries!  Mission 'Get in a fully supported long run without any injuries' Accomplished!  I had fun hanging out as the top elites started to pass by on their return trip and getting caught up on what had happened in the race so far.  Being behind the scenes watching iRunFar cover a race is exciting and boring all at the same time.  Those that follow the online coverage probably have no idea what Bryon and Meghan go through to try and get as much info out to their readers as possible.  I think I was still a little hyper (pulse going from the run) so for me it was hard to sit around waiting for runners to pass when all you want to do is drive along the course and see as many of the runners as possible (I'm sure I probably was annoying since I was still going 1000 miles a minute in my head).  This is the nature of their coverage though.  They have to drive along the course to find the best areas with signal to send out tweets/updates/pics then camp there to get as much info as possible to the web.  For those that have followed coverage and complained that there 'wasn't enough coverage of the women' or things like that... they have no clue what it would be like to cover things like this where the 2nd and 3rd place women are spread out over 1/2 to 1 hour apart and the top men are hours up on that.... they do the best they can to bring as much coverage as possible.  If you haven't followed iRunFar for ultras and trail running in general, then you definitely should.  They give selflessly to this sport and I don't know that anyone could come close to doing what they do (nor would anyone want to).

iRunFar Crew for UROC (Bryon, AJWs son Carson, Me, Meghan)
Image courtesy of iRunFar

The race ended, Max King (men's winner) and Ellie Greenwood (women's winner) absolutely flew (as did many other top elites).  I was lucky enough to be sitting near the finish line hanging out and chatting as I looked around to find myself surrounded by ultra royalty (Bryon Powell-iRunFar, Dave Mackey, Nick Clark, AJW, & UROC Champion Max King).  It was great to be a fly on the wall but also participate in the discussion from time to time.  The awards ceremony came and went and a huge group of us all went to dinner at the Devil's Backbone Brewing Co.  We couldn't talk Max or Ellie into bringing in their 'Happy Gilmore checks,' but a fun time was had where I again found myself in a game of 'one of these things is not like the other' surrounded by top names of the sport.  Topics of discussion ranged from the course today, continued talk of when Max will run a 100 miler (he toed the line at WS100 once but didn't finish), all of the top ultra runners showing up (flash mob style) to a race in costume and who would dress as what, etc.  Among the group was Max, Ellie, Jorge Maravilla, Nick Clark, Scott Jaime, Ian Sharman, Dave James, Bryon & Meghan, AJW & his family, Sage Canaday, Dave Mackey, and I'm sure I'm probably forgetting someone, but we had a large group.

Best Finish Photos Ever... Ellie Greenwood

...or Jorge Maravilla?

Finish photos courtesy of iRunFar

I planned to drive back that night, but it was getting late and since I had to drive Ellie, Dave & Nick back to the resort after dinner, Dave & Nick let me crash @ their condo.  This was much appreciated because I know I would have had a hard time staying awake for the 5hr drive home to Charlotte.  I woke up in the morning and turned down an easy run with AJW & Bryon to hit the road so I could get home a little earlier to see the family.  That was my reasoning on the outside... internally I think I knew my legs didn't want to have anything to do with running for at least a day or so.  I had a great trip filled with good miles and good times.  I'm sad that UROC is leaving us (the East Coast) next year but excited to see how it can grow with the planned route traveling from Breckenridge to Vail.

iRunFar results post

U (do not) ROC if you plan to DNF

I plan to do something at UROC (Ultra Race of Champions) this year that will have AJW scratching his head and probably looking down on me for years to come.  I plan to DNF (Did Not Finish) in the 100k.  You (and definitely he) may not agree with my reasoning but I have to do what makes the most sense for me and only be a quasi off the couch guy instead of going whole hog.  How do I know this bothers AJW (or others)?  For me, this all started last year in many ways.

Last year was the inaugural running of this new championship race (UROC = Ultra Race of Champions) and I drove up from Charlotte as a spectator because some high school XC buddies (Geoff & Justin) both planned to run the race.  Geoff's parents, who I always thought of as second set of parents, would be there as well so it was a great chance to catch up with everyone.  Geoff and the Roes' were staying in a large condo with a lot of the elite ultrarunners and industry types (TrailRunner Magazine & iRunFar) and I was lucky enough to secure a couch as my place to crash the night before the race.  

Some of the most fun I have had was hanging out late that night chatting with random top ultra runners, industry 'big wigs' (TrailRunner Mag & iRunFar) and the Roes'.  As elites slowly turned in for the night to get sleep before their big race the group whittled down to just a few of us (among them AJW, Bryon Powell of iRunFar and Benj and others from Trailrunner Magazine).  The discussion (sometimes debate) ran the standard gamut of ultra running topics from UROY (Ultra Runner Of the Year) selection processes and that years favorites, Western States and ultra history in general, 'big' money in ultras and of course DNFs among other topics.  AJW is of the (old school ?) thought that one should never DNF.  Run through whatever it is that might cause you to DNF and get to the finish line... no excuses!  Since I like to see both sides of the coin, I had some counter arguments how sometimes a DNF can be the smart move both physically and potentially financially (as some of the DNFs we talked about revolved around runners who are trying to make their living running races).  The discussion continued late into the night (past 2am) until the only one left was Bryon Powell working even later into the night as usual.  AJW (we're definitely blaming this on his voluminous laugh/voice) even got mentioned in Devon Crosby Helm's blog for keeping her up a bit later than she'd have liked the night before the race.  I feel sorry for being a part of it but the fact that she ran great helped ease the guilt.

The race started among a fog/mist that we wouldn't escape all day.  I took lots of pictures, followed the action on the race course (partly along the almost magical Blue Ridge Parkway) with Bryon Powell & the Roes' and checked in with Justin from time to time who was making a valiant attempt at a technical/rocky/mountainous 100k for a flatlander Floridian.  Near the end of the race, minutes after Wardian makes a wrong turn (that's a whole other story you can read about in the later mentioned TrailRunner article), a lot of us were hanging out at the Slacks Overlook parking lot and the discussion once again turned to DNF'ing.  I was quoted in TrailRunner Magazine's multi-page UROC arcticle (December 2011 issue, page 48) when I told AJW  "its better to DNF than DNS" (meaning its better to start and make an effort but not finish than to never have started and tried in the first place).  This of course was meant in the 'off the couch' spirit of getting out there and trying something and even if you fail at least you tried, and not directed at him for being smart and not running due to PF issues he had been battling.

Justin had to drop out himself, but only after running around a marathon on some gnarly trails.  In Justin's defense, there were only 79 finishers of the 170+ starters from the 100k race.  Geoff goes on to win, and I walked away with a great time and lots of photos and memories.

For those that know me I take lots of pictures but am far from a professional.  If anything I think its more luck since I go for the take 100 pictures for that 1 'good' one method.  Sort of a bird shot photography if you will.  I posted the handful of decent pictures on facebook and decided to send the race director (Gill) a message letting him know he could used them if he wanted for the race website/facebook/whatever as long as he gave me photo credit (all the while giving the disclaimer that I'm far from a professional).  Evidently I was 'professional' enough because over the course of the year I started seeing my pictures being used on facebook, email blasts about the race, the race website, in a couple different magazines and other places online.  Gill later thanked me for the pictures and said I could get a free entry into any of the races in the 2012 UROC (100k, 50k, or 1/2 marathon).  I put it on my calendar and told him I would let them know which distance down the road.  I was undecided between the 100k or 50k until I got lucky and my registration went through for the quickly filling Mountain Masochist 50 mile race (MMTR50).  This helped me decide on the 50k since it could be a good training run just 5 weeks out from MMTR.

Now why plan to DNF?  My 'training' (or lack thereof) pretty much explains all... In true 'off the couch' fashion the highest mileage training week I had this year (since Uwharrie 40 miler in early February) is a 29 mile week a couple weeks ago that was inflated drastically by a 24 mile long run at Crowder's Mountain.  In fact, my highest mileage months for the year, since February, are barely over 40.  Through a friend I found out that somehow my name was on the 100k list and I may be an off the couch guy but I guess I'm also getting smarter in my old age because even I know that a 100k might not be the best plan 5 weeks out from MMTR.  I thought about dropping down to the 50k (the half is never an option in my mind) but the 50k is really 33 miles and I know I can't trust myself to just use this as a training run as planned and not be stupid and race it.  I also knew that 33 miles (with a great deal of elevation gain) is probably a bit more than I should run regardless of pace.

FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) also plays a big role.  I had a great deal of fun spectating last year and if I'm out taking my time on the 50k I'm not going to have the chance to get back out on the course to watch the end of the 100k unfold.   I'm also planning to lend my car to Bryon Powell during the race to help with online coverage and it should work out well that I can jump in with him when I drop.  I'd like to think i'll be able to provide some support for iRunFar like last year as they cover the race as well.  And of course if I'm out on the course for the final few hours of the race there's a shot I can get some more pictures of the runners, the course, the views or whatever.

So there you have it... a bit of reflection on my current running shape (or lack thereof) coupled with many other factors leads me to the conclusion that planning to DNF seems to be make sense.  By running the 100k I'll be able to take it easy and have the option of running anything from ~25mi (or less if something comes up) to 30 if I'm feeling great.  After all, If this race wasn't happening I would be hoping to get in a 25 mile training run so this is essentially what i'm doing (but with fully stocked aid station support).  I'll be the first to admit that I generally wouldn't think this is a good idea but for me all of the factors seem to fall into place and I feel like this is the smartest decision for me at this time.  If this was a race that filled and I was taking someone's spot or if this somehow hurt anyone or the race I wouldn't be doing this.

Now for the run/race itself... my goals are simple: try to get in over 20 miles without getting injured and have fun.  I won't have a finishing time, a belt buckle, finisher's medal or probably anything tangible to show for my marathon (or more) length run but as long as those goals are accomplished I'll end very happy... with apologies to AJW of course (who hopefully can run this year himself).

a couple that runs together...

a couple that runs together...

lives longer together

takes turns leading each other

and enjoys the view while following

has fun together

finds more time for each other

knows baby joggers are made out of lead
learns and appreciates each others strengths
loves each other despite the weaknesses

experiences new things together

learns how to share the road/trail with each other

climbs mountains together

learns to enjoy the journey together

becomes healthier together
are going in the same direction together

bare their 'soles' with each other
spends quality time side by side

goes further together
learn to be silly together

knows how to 'workout' things
are miles ahead of those that don't

gets more out of life

...and knows it doesn't matter how fast or slow they go, 
or what obstacles they find in their path, 
as long as they are heading in the same direction and making relentless forward progress... together

long may we run!

happy valentine's day love!

new blog

Welcome to the start of my running, sports, activities blog.  I started this mostly just for myself to serve as a training/racing log of sorts for me to be able to look back on.  If others can get anything from my words or thoughts then all the better.

All posts from around the Fourth of July (2011) and before were migrated from our family blog http://aswistakstory.blogspot.com and i'm planning to go back and fill in the blanks since July with some race reports and probably pictures/thoughts from other runs and experiences i've had.

... when I get off the couch of course

App Trail Exploring Via Grayson Highlands

 

2 eager hikers.

1 great  {26 lb.} sport.

4.5 miles.

$2,000 + of camera equipment.

Hundreds of pictures.

The best family day ever.

  

 Pine Mountain Summit (we think)
{near Mt. Rogers, VA with NC in the background}

Mount Jefferson Challenge 2011

BACKGROUND:
My in-laws moved from Blowing Rock to a small mountain town named West Jefferson.  The first time I saw the house I looked up past it... they live at the base of Mount Jefferson (elev. 4,683') and I knew right away I would like this place.  Surely there were trails to run and elevation to gobble up!  I was a little sad to learn there was no trail actually up the mountain and you 'had to' drive to the top.  There are trails at the top but not much to really run on although having them in close proximity would be nice as a future fun run.

Mt. Jefferson as seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway
Image courtesy of Google Earth

Mount Jefferson is unique in that it stands separate from its Blue Ridge brothers & sisters.  Ever since they bought the cabin I thought of running to the top of this lone peak (even if it meant running on dreaded roads).  Enter the Mount Jefferson Challenge... or 'The MOJE' (pronounced 'Mo Jay' as they call it on the event website).  A race was just started one year prior that starts a half mile from the cabin and runs the 3.6 miles to the summit (1,500' of gain) then turns around and flies back down the hill.  Of course I had to look into this race and give it a go.

The only reservation I had of racing about one month after a 39mi ultra run (Woods Ferry) were put to rest the week after Woods Ferry when I ran a truncated preview run starting at the cabin (~.75mi into the course) the week after the ultra.  I had no plans really and wasn't sure how my knees would hold up so I told Ashley I could be back after maybe 20-30 minutes or I could be gone for a while.  I was gone for a while and ran to the false summit (where the road ends) and on to the real summit including the trails that take you to the top and tour around the peak/ridgeline and back down.  I was gassed on the way up so I mixed in a lot of walking to be safe.  Within the first half mile I would run two minutes then walk two and repeat for a while but eventually was running more as I went on and walking the steeper portions.  I ran the whole way down and other than my quads screaming, and expected muscle soreness from my prior weekend, I was fine.  Much better than an attempt to run down (i hitched a ride to the top to run the trails) last Thanksgiving (2010) where I started having severe (left) knee pain and had to walk, stop and sit, walk, stop and sit the whole miserable way down.

Looking down Mt. Jefferson's curvy roads (in the Spring?)
Photo courtesy of MOJE FB page

With this successful preview run I estimated that if I pushed it more uphill I could possibly finish around, and even possibly under, one hour since it would have been around 1:12 at my pace that day.  I did have a few races planned each weekend after this (Homecoming 5k & Zombie Challenge) but these were fun and I wasn't really training for them (or Mt Jefferson for that matter) so these were of little concern.

MOJE Elevation Profile (with grade)... pretty straight forward!

THE RACE:

~.5mi in and calves already burning

7.2 total miles = 3.6 up + 3.6 down
Ascent/Descent = 1,526 feet (each way)
Grade = 5 - 16%
100% paved roads

Whats not to love with a race like this, other than the 'paved roads' portion?  Unfortunately I started feeling sick the day before the race (head cold with sore throat and some stomach issues) but decided to run anyway.  I didn't have much of a voice and with a really sore throat the morning of the race I left the cabin with the usual colder weather running gear but included a few cough drops for my race shorts pockets.  I ran into a runner named Jen (also from CLT) and got in a brief w/u (<1mi) and after chatting and hearing her plans I thought maybe we could run together (she's a speedster and it would be great if I could hang with her).

What goes up... The race starts and I find myself sucked into the front group yet sitting somewhere around 5th and all too soon fighting for breath.  I Started walking just after I passed the cabin where the course starts to get steep and knew this would be a tough one.  I continued to run/walk my way up the mountain and apologize to runners I was playing leap frog with because I've read race reports of peoples frustration with 'Gallowalking' but I was moving.  Around mile 2 I puked and felt a little better but now my throat really burned and each breath seared as it came in, and breathing through my nose wasn't an option since I was stuffed up.  After I collected myself I was able to stay just in front of 5th and trading spots (depending on walk breaks) between 3rd and 4th until the summit turn at 33:27.

Must come down...  Amazingly, sub 60 looked well within reach as long as I could hold on and not have any knee issues, puking stops, etc.  I really was running for time despite finding myself in 3rd (about 40 seconds up on 4th and 5th running together) and I wanted to do what I could to still break 60.  Luckily the downhill run was rather uneventful (other than dry heaving a few times) and I found myself somewhat in no mans land with the runner in front a few minutes up and the runners behind nowhere to be seen.

My #1 fan (or maybe tied for #1 w/ Ashley)

I finished 3rd overall in 53:32 (33:27 up & 20:05 down) with the leaders close to each other around 4.5 minutes up on me and 4th and 5th close together and almost exactly 1 minute back.  Even without the circumstances this was a lot better than I could have hoped.  It was great finishing to a cheering Ashley and shouting Alekzander to give me sweaty hugs at the finish!  Jen came in as the first female and 6th place overall (58:14)!  It was a great day for CRC (Charlotte Running Club) as the only two members probably within a hundred miles both placed at this event!  We both won large Christmas Wreaths from the award winning West End Wreaths and cheezed for a picture we hoped would make the CRC Newsletter.

Other than the sickness this was a fun race and I consider myself very Blessed to be able to run an event like this and finish.  It was great to look up to the mountain from the finish and think 'I just ran up that'.  I don't know if doing this race again would be testing my luck with my knees but I do feel like I may have unfinished business with this course that I may have to settle someday.  I know this race will only grow bigger and I was gaped by 1st and 2nd enough that I have zero delusions that my finish position would have been better but it may be 'fun' to see how much faster I can run this.  Time will tell but with the ability to run this course on my own anytime I visit the in-laws I won't necessarily make it a priority to put the actual race on my calendar again.  I will, however, try and tell as many friends as possible about it in hopes that they can come up and experience this roller coaster of a race... I just hope their ride is only from the up then down of the mountain and not the other ups and (mostly) downs I had to deal with.

RESULTS

Cruising into the finish

Go Team CRC!  Jen finished 1st female and I was 3rd OA
That is not Mt Jefferson in the background... it was MUCH larger!

Bunker Hill Monument on Breed's Hill

Only have a few minutes to view a historic monument
that you've wanted to see for a long time?  
No problem if you are a runner.  This is one of the things I like about running... 
it provides opportunities (albeit sometimes small)
and opens doors that might normally not be there.
For me that was an opportunity to check out Bunker Hill and go to the top 
of the monument while Ashley waiting in the car with a sleeping Alekzander.

 Up-close views of the Bunker Hill 

& Col. William Prescott monuments

on Breed's Hill

{Did you know that the famous Bunker Hill battle and 

"Don't shoot until you see the white's of the enemies' eyes" tactic

actually took place on Breed's Hill NOT Bunker Hill?}

Breathtaking (for more reasons than one) view of Boston
from the top of the monument which was opened to the public
specifically and exclusively for/during Harbor Fest

{Did you know you can reach the top in just over 2 minutes?
I climbed/ran all 294 steps and felt every one but the experience/views were worth it}

Ashley's view of Breed's Hill

{Alekzander fell asleep during the 3 minute drive up and over 
two blocks from our secret parking spot on a Charlestown street 
and Ashley was content with this view which gave 
me the opportunity to get a little stair workout in}

(Originally posted @ http://aswistakstory.blogspot.com/)