Wow! That was a SWEATY SWEATI! It was another step for me in moving toward getting back in shape since my last post a month ago. One day at a time. Thanks for the fun Backdraft! Live every day!

As a next step in the progression, I’d love to have you join me for a fellowship “run” but with plenty of options for what you are after. On this short trip you could:

• Trail run anywhere between ~3-6 miles (quite flexible)
• Ruck if you want (you will need to appoint someone to lead it because I will be running if the body is ready)
• Hike
• Train – you can do targeted training at this sight quite easily, especially different types of hill terrain
• Or I can bring you a “Minnow Pond/STL-style trail running” workout if you are up for a challenge.

When do we leave?

• 5:15 a.m. August 29, 2020 from Harris Teeter parking lot at 160/Pleasant Rd.
• You can choose if you want to clown car or drive separately.

Where are we going?

• It is a 65 minute drive to the location in Kershaw County. Very quick in the early morning.
• 40 Acre Rock: https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/forty-acre-rock or https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/MapsDirect/42
• We will be targeting to park in the lower (most south) parking lot. Limited spaces.

How long will I be away from my home?

• My estimate is the following:
  • 5:15 am-6:20ish drive time. It opens at dawn.
  • 6:20-6:40 stretch/warmup/get organized in parking lot
  • 6:40 explore and exercise 40 Acres
  • 8 am Hopeful finish back to parking lot
  • 8:10 am Snack it up and drive back
  • 9:15 back at HT parking lot or your home
• Total time: not less than 4 hours including drive time. Probably not more than 4.5.
• You will still be back in time to do your family responsibilities for the day starting at 10 a.m. (my goal).

What do I need to bring?

• Regular running shoes for street running (I do not recommend trail running shoes unless the tread is very low key as we will be on the rocks some)
• I will be wearing a small running backpack with plenty of water.
• Sunscreen if desired
• Snacks/energy bar
• Ruck if rucking
• Towel(s)
• Your phone and ID
• Hand sanitizer
• Extra shirt/shorts

How much does it cost?

• There is no cost
• There is no donation suggested or required.
• Just show up with a good attitude.

What will I see?

• An awesome series of rocks
• A cave
• Wildlife
• Kershaw County
• Waterfalls during winter, spring, fall only

What will I experience?

• Fun
• Hills in the middle of Kershaw County, SC 29067

What pace will you be running?

• The area is mostly shaded (minus the rocks) and pretty easy to understand so all paces are welcome. It is unlikely you would get lost or in a situation where we could not find you.

What are some reasons I would do this?

• To challenge yourself outside of a typical 45-60 minute F3 daily workout
• To do something a step above a “Minnow Pond/STL” and running the Greenway or Whitewater
• To get outside of York County
• To scout out a unique and awesome SC area to figure out how you will give your M multiple hours to herself in the future without the kids as you take them on a “hike/exploration”
• To discover how you could come back and do further running/training/rucking

What do I need to be aware of?

• There is no Port-o-Jon or bathroom.
• You will be using the woods if you need to go so plan accordingly.
• Closest bathroom is a 15 minute drive if they let you use it.

Are 2.0s invited?

• Not this time. I would not doubt that we would try to do this again with 2.0s.

What would cancel this outing?

• Expected rainy weather of 40% or more rain chance between 6:30-8:30 am that morning in Kershaw County
• Significant rainy weather the day before
• My M says at the last minute there is a change of plans

So whether you attend the 8/28 F3 discussion that night or not, make time in your schedule to join me at 5:15 a.m. for this unsanctioned F3 outing! Take time our of your schedule to scout out this beautiful area to take your family to in the future or to give your M some time to herself one day!

P.S. If you cannot come, then please attend one of our awesome Saturday F3 workout options: The Fort, Alcatraz, The Deep, The Patriot or Planet Pain!

P.P.S. Also keep in mind that this local YMCA event is coming up soon (9/12) so this would be good training ground for it: https://www.ymcacharlotte.org/community-events/c2-obstacle-trail-run-1

P.P.P.S. And this one (9/26) 70 minutes from Ft Mill (awesome trail/OCR course-mine and Yoshi’s favorite one and super cheap, F3 Hickory likes to compete at this one so if you want to get a team together let me know): https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/NC/GraniteFalls/ENDURE

Straight Up!