Race Team Members Sal Coll Runs Black Warrior 50k & Dreama Campbell joins him for Land Between the Lakes 50 Mile Run

Well I signed up for the Land Between the Lakes 50 mile run at the beginning of the year and was in my training mode, But, I went on a Wednesday night trail run and my headlamp was starting to fail me, it was cold and wet/muddy, I was struggling and with just a mile left I pulled my hamstring. I had to hobble back and this is the first injury I have had in my running over the past 8 years.

Well I knew I needed to take some time off and let this heal, but also hated it. I had already signed up for the Black Warrior 50k run that was 4 weeks out and wasn't sure if I should attempt to run it. With just 1 week prior to the run I was feeling pretty refreshed and the leg was doing good thanks to alot of ice and rest.

So, I decided to go ahead and run Black Warrior 50K and told myself that I would take it easy, however, the people that know me best, know that's not possible. Race day was perfect weather and I was ready to go, I wasn't sure how things would go since I hadn't ran in almost 4 weeks. Things were going good at the start, I was running with fellow Rock/Creek Race Team Member Johnny Pryor.

We chatted and ran easy for the first 5 miles and then I was just feeling really good and before I knew it I was on my own cruising. By mile 20, I was still feeling good and was told that I was in 5Th place and that got me going!

The next two miles I picked up the pace and was hoping for a top 5 finish, but then at mile 23 I felt the injury start the hurt and I slowed down, I was still thinking maybe I could still do good if I just stay at this 9 minute mile, but then some runners came by and they flew on by and there was nothing I could do because my leg was starting to hurt even more and then my friend Johnny caught up with me and He asked how I was doing and I told him about my leg hurtting and I was taking it easy.

By mile 27 I was really starting to hurt and now I was just shuffling my feet and more runners were passing me, I knew my day was over but I just wanted to finish. Over the next 3 miles I was run- walking and was wondering why there weren't any runners coming up and passing me.

When I came out the woods to the road, with just 1.2 miles to go, I came out on the wrong side and the volunteers said I must have taken a wrong turn and that added an extra 1/2 mile!

I finished the last mile walking and limping, instead of a top 5 finish it was a 30Th place finish, but with everything that went wrong I was still happy and glad I came out to run.

After that, I knew I would need to take some more time off, some more ice and rest and strecthing.

Land Between the Lakes Grand Rivers, KY March 13, 2010-

Now, with LBL 50 mile run just 3 weeks out, I really wasn't sure if I'd be ready, so I stayed off my feet for 3 weeks. Once I felt good and refreshed, with just 1 week out I still wasn't sure. I made my decision just 1 day away from the run and then again told everybody that I was going to take it easy and just enjoy the day and the aide stations. Again we had pretty good weather.

I started out feeling really good but stuck to my game plan and after the 1st loop 12 miles I was feeling great and on the 2nd loop I decided that I would stick to my pace and stop and enjoy the great aide stations. There was one aide station that had pizza, fried egg biscuits and all kinds of goodies, so when I stopped there I stayed for awhile. I had my belly full and was ready to go.

After the 2nd loop I was feeling good and knew I could make it, but half way through the 3rd loop my body was starting to wear out; I guess from the lack of training. I stopped at the famous aide station and this time it was pizza, sweets and Advil. I finished up the 3rd loop and felt I could probably finish this up but my body was really feeling it.

I decided to call it a day and drop down to the 60k and actually finished the last 1.6 miles strong, I still got my belt buckle and was glad that I took it easy, because my leg felt good and I felt this was the start of my come back.

My new running shoes La Sportiva Crosslite did very well [Lots of grip, light weight, roomy toe box and very comfortable], I wore my Patagonia Nine Trails Jacket for the first 2 loops and really loved it, it's light weight, breathable and water resistant, it's great for the spring runs.

After the run I met up with fellow Rock/Creek Race Team Member Drema Campbell and her husband Trey, also from chattanooga was Lance Steel that did really good placed 3rd in the 60K. Now it's time to get some training in and get ready for the Rock/Creek Trail series.

Black Warrior webiste: http://www.blackwarrior50k.com/

Full results from the LBL Trail Run can be found here: