Super Psyched for the Super Hike!

This coming Saturday, September 8th, is the date for the 2012 Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run. The "Super Hike" as most people just call it, is one of the more challenging trail races in the lower Susquehanna Valley area, and at 28.4 miles in length, one of the longer events as well.

I've wanted to participate in this event for well over a year now. I attended both of the preview hikes that the Keystone Trails Association hosted in early summer of last year for the 2011 event. These hikes provide prospective participates with the opportunity to see just what they're potentially signing up for.

The great scenery and diversity in the trail itself was what really appealed to me. While short stretches are on actual paved roads, a good 85% or more is on dirt trails, mostly the Mason-Dixon trail in York County and then the Conestoga trail in Lancaster County. Some spots are flat and fairly easy to run/hike while other spots are very steep, very rocky, or both. And there's some fallen trees and stream crossings thrown into mix as well.

The weather from hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee unfortunately produced flooding of historic proportion on the Susquehanna River, forcing the cancellation of the Super Hike in 2011. Much of the trails were washed out or even under water. The campground where the race finishes was completely under water as well. So my anticipation for this grand event would have to wait another year.

Just with the level of trail running that I was at in summer of 2011, I was only going hike the event—not run it. I figured the course was just too much to attempt with only a year or so of trail running under my belt. I thought the next time I sign up, then I'd run it. Well with the cancellation, and the fact I was able to get in a good amount of trail running from then until now, I figured here in 2012 I would run the event—or run as much as I possibly can. There's many spots that are so steep that running is not really an option—you'd be so out of breath going uphill your heart rate would be through the roof or if you were going downhill you would be so out of control it wouldn't be funny.

This will be my fourth marathon and first race at an ultra-marathon distance. Because of the distance and difficulty I know my pace will be slower than every race I done previously but I'm OK with that because that's what is to be expected. I figure I'll be out there for 6-7 hours and expend about 3000 calories, but YES, I will have fun doing it!

To me, there's just something about the challenge. Seeing how well you react to all that will be thrown at you in 28.4 miles. Stones, rocks, tree roots, uphills, downhills, tiredness, fatigue—all of them can be a real pain, both literally and figuratively. There's just something about trail running that really appeals to me. Being out in the woods running allows me to forget about the everyday stresses and worries I have.

While reading the best-selling book Born To Run, most of how I feel was summed up by a quote from ultrarunner Jenn Shelton: "When I'm out on a long run, the only thing in life that matters is finishing the run. For once, my brain isn't going bleh bleh bleh all the time. Everything quiets down, and the only thing going on is pure flow. It's just me and the movement and the motion. That's what I love——just being a barbarian, running through the woods."

Me and the movement and the motion. How simple is that? That's what I hope to feel!

A race re-cap will be coming in an upcoming post.

More information on the Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run can be found at this link.