I found that when I started bowhunting, that I found more people who had the same ideas about hunting methods and motivations as I did.  More so than the folks I grew up with.  As I have grown as a hunter, I have come to appreciate an increased fitness level when it comes time to head into the mountains.  This weekend I had the distinct pleasure of spending time with two fellow bowhunters who train (and surpass me) to be in great shape for hunting season.

On Saturday, I met trophy bear and elk killer (and turkey misser), Rich Howarth at the Sequoia Summer Trail Run.  Rich is a fellow Sage Creek Forum Member who I have developed a good repore with over the last couple of years.  We had made arrangements to run the 10 K trail run put on by Pacific Coast Trail Runs.  Rich has spent the off season training on stairs with a loaded pack, and his leg strength was quickly apparent as he left me in the dust on the first hill.  Even taking a tumble at just past Skyline drive, he stayed far enough ahead of me that I never saw him until the finish.  This being my first trail run, I didn’t quite know what to expect.  I had been training on asphalt roads since February, and the few trails I’d run on didn’t have the steepness that I encountered on this run.

That first hill that went up 400 feet in less than a half mile got me huffing and puffing right off the bat, and when it finally “levelled” off, I was able to find a bit of a rhythm.  On this run it was not uncommon to see folks walking up the hills.  In fact it is a good trail running strategy especially when roots and rocks are sticking out waiting to grab your toe at precisely the wrong moment. 

When I hit the first downgrade, I was able to pass a number of more cautious runners.  One of them caught up to me on the way back up the canyon and made the comment “..sure loved watching your feet on the down hill!”  I stumbled on the last downgrade, but escaped serious injury.  Of course at 225 pounds I have a lot more inertia than many MOST other runners.  When I finally crossed the finish Rich was sitting there waiting for me.  In the picture, there is no visible blood on either of us, so I consider that an “injury free run”.

 
Upon looking up the results, I saw Rich took 4th in his age division with a 1:06:49, while I was 13th in my age group with my 1:14:51.  At the finish line the organizers, Sarah and Wendall, had soup and chili and plenty of drinks and snacks as we relaxed afterwards.  It was a great experience and I think there are more trail runs in my future, when we get through the Fall hunting season!