A little bit of this

I’m undecided about what to write about this week so I think I’ll cheat and provide you a set of notes, of which some may be of possible interest.

I sit here addressing you from behind the desk of the late Col. Harry M. Ayers, the founder and longtime publisher of the Anniston Star. However, it’s not the desk that’s the focal point of this column, but instead what lurks underneath.
As I write this column, there is a plastic Ziploc bag filled with ice resting on the top of my left foot. A disturbing inflammation developed this weekend on my big toe after running the Oak Mountain 50K; a malady created by traveling a long distance over very rocky and uneven terrain.
When I signed up for the event, I didn’t realize that I would leave with more than a finisher’s glass upon completion. But hey, there are no guarantees of coming out of any race unscathed, whether it is a local 5K or a regional trail marathon.
I found the Oak Mountain course to be significantly tougher on my body than February’s Mt. Cheaha 50K. The Cheaha event has more vertical climb, but the Oak Mountain trails are much more primitive, especially when relegated to running long stretches of well-used biking trails that are little more than narrow, rocky paths into perpetuity.
For local trail enthusiasts, the familiarity of Cheaha breeds a certain degree of respect conditioned by years of traveling the highest altitudes possible in our state by foot. Oak Mountain’s highest point is listed as 1,260 feet, but compared to the Cheaha’s apex listed as 2,400 feet, the ascents were nowhere near as taxing.

Speaking of high altitude running, I’m going to be a true April Fool and compete in the 6.5-mile version of this year’s River Gorge Creek Trail Run held in the Prentice Cooper State Park outside of Chattanooga, Tenn. Part of the event is along the Cumberland Trail that straddles the Lookout Mountains overlooking the city.
I just hope my sore knees and feet are up to the challenge…..

As you may already know, the Anniston Runners’ webmaster, John Moore, has been suffering from knee problems that have kept him from competing.
However, that hasn’t kept John from being actively involved in the local race scene. He’s a one-man dynamo, from visually cataloging all the local races to keeping us abreast of the latest happenings on the Anniston Runners’ website.
John, we hope you get well soon.

The Anniston Runners Club’s Grand Prix Series continues this Saturday in Golden Springs with the YMCA Healthy Kids Day 5K, along with a youth half-mile fun run. This is the third Grand Prix event of the season and benefits an organization dear to my heart.
I asked the YMCA’s senior program director, Maggie Burns Owens, for a little history of this run. She enthusiastically agreed, so here is a short FYI about this event.

- The first 5K was about 16 years ago along what is now called the Woodstock course. The run was held in mid-February and at the time was called the Heart to Heart 5K.
- About 9 years ago, the name of the event was changed to the Healthy Kids 5K and ½ Mile Fun Run for Kids.
- The course is now in Golden Springs, with the start/finish in front of the Hodges Community Center.
- The run serves as a forum to communicate how the YMCA helps children achieve healthy lifestyles and to showcase the breadth of the organization’s programming that can help children achieve this goal.

I spent a good portion of my childhood at the Y, playing basketball and learning a good bit about character development. So please, if you get the opportunity, support the YMCA by signing up for this year’s Healthy Kids 5K. For more information, you can contact Maggie at 238-9622.