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Moonshine in the Smokies

kolokoy101

September 20-24, 2019. I traveled back to Tennessee to do another Barkley Fall Classic. And included in my itinerary was a visit back to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Last year, it was right in that moment when hurricane Florence hit the Carolinas and nearby Tennessee areas that forced the closure of some roads in the Smokies. This year, the weather was more accommodating for playtime activities. I stayed at the same hotel because it’s right in the spot close to both the park and Gatlinburg downtown. I planned to do some hiking in the smokies as part of … Continue reading Moonshine in the Smokies

events, running1 Comment

Barkley Fall Classic – 2019 Edition

kolokoy101

September 21, 2019 Focus on what you have … Prologue. The first sign that this day was going to be great was this – You were following the long line of vehicles slowly moving to get to the event’s parking lot. You were the last one allowed to get in. The rest was directed to the park’s parking lot, which was half-a-mile away. And having a small car, you got the best parking space next to the event’s staging tent. Score! Then, while putting everything on, and prepping for the start, you realized you missed your supplementary nutrition – your … Continue reading Barkley Fall Classic – 2019 Edition

events, running1 Comment

Eastern States 100

kolokoy101

Prologue. If someone would have asked me weeks, or even months, before this event if I could run a sub 3:50 marathon, the answer would have been a ‘No’. I have not been running before this event. I had better weekly mileage when I was training for a marathon. But no worries, it’s part of the plan. “Can you hike Eastern States 100, with minimal and very slow running, and still finish?” I can say now that you can, because I have done it. The Plan. Like I’ve said, I have not been running before this event. Don’t get me … Continue reading Eastern States 100

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Whiteface Sky Race

kolokoy101

July 21, 2019. Still the hardest short distance race I have ever done. 15 miles with 8k feet of elevation gain. And most of that 8k feet of elevation gain comes from under 5 miles of ascent. 2.3 miles climb up Whiteface Mtn with 3.3k feet gain, then 2.3 miles down back to the base. Twice. Oh yes, you get a break in between. 5+ miles to recover on a considerably flatter trail. 5+ miles to ponder whether the body is still willing to go up that 2.3 miles again, and 2.3 down. 2 years ago, I did this event. … Continue reading Whiteface Sky Race

events, running1 Comment

MR54 – Not Another Race Report

kolokoy101

This is the 3rd time I have done Manitou’s Revenge 54 Miler, aka MR54. I have created race reports the previous years I’ve done it. This year, I decided not to create Yet Another Race Report. Why? The race itself has not changed since the past 2 years that I have done it. The course remains the same, from start to finish, and every aid stations in between, mile per mile. If you want to have detailed info on the course (and my experience tackling this event), please check my previous posts in 2017 and 2018. So this year, I … Continue reading MR54 – Not Another Race Report

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A Marathon, In A Day’s Notice

kolokoy101

Friday, May 10th. A conversation between friends. Friend1: Hey, do you want to run a marathon? Friend2 (aka Idiot, aka Me): When? Friend1: This weekend (means tomorrow, Saturday) Friend2: Sure, why not. I’m not doing anything tomorrow… (without thinking logically) A spontaneous decision – an exciting weekend adventure! After crossing 5 states and 8 hours on the road, the idiot realized the idiocy of the idea … Arriving before midnight at the hotel, tired but couldn’t sleep because of the effect of caffeine while driving, only to wake up at 5 am to run 26.2 miles! Who the crap thinks … Continue reading A Marathon, In A Day’s Notice

musingLeave a comment

I Want A House …

kolokoy101

i want a house on the beachwhere i would walk every morningbarefoot, on the endless shorewatching sunrise on the horizonlistening to the gentle wave. i want a house in the mountain where i would wake up each morning stepping on the trail, taking a hike enjoying the view at the summit feeling the breeze of the cool air. i want a house near a park where i would pass my time sitting on a bench, with coffee in hand enjoying the peace of the winter lake having a sip, and resting my mind. Continue reading I Want A House …

hiking, photography1 Comment

Valley of Fire State Park

kolokoy101

An underrated park An hour away from Vegas Skip the strip, take the drive Scenic views without the lights Be a kid, you’ll surely see Zebra stripes or ice cream swirls Even fried egg on a platter? A short side trip before flying back home, but the moment I entered the park, I’ve wished I could have stayed longer. This was on the last day of this trip, after the backpacking trip in Havasupai, and camping at Red Rock Canyon. My flight was in the afternoon and I was thinking of doing something before heading to the airport. Should I … Continue reading Valley of Fire State Park