Signal Knob Loop

After yesterday's easy 20 that felt great, I was slightly intrigued as to how I would feel today. I planned to do a loop I have done previously in Winchester...Signal Knob. The route encompasses the northern portion of Massanutten Mountain near Strasburg and Front Royal, VA. It is 10 miles normally with 2 major climbs. The first starts immediately from the parking lot and last 2.5 to 3 miles. The total gain is around 1800 ft. I planned to add an out and back over the Meneka Peak trail that connects the center of the loop. This will add 2 miles and only a few hundred feet of climbing total. The loop culminates with a descent down a rocky fire road, a final ascent 800 feet and 0.8 mile up the ridge again, and finally a 4.5 mile descent back to parking.

I had previously done the loop in 2 hours 20ish (I need to look it up to verify) and was very tired. I planned on running more of the uphill than previously, even if my pace was ridiculously slow.

I woke up with Carbon licking my forehead incessantly, as if to say, "Get up, get going lazy bones!" My alarm failed to go off, or I slept through it, and it was 10 till 5 am...late. At least I would not need a light.

The climb started in earnest straight away and I settled into a nice climbing rhythm. I was not sore or very tired as I have been on previous back to back long runs. Seems my training plan is working. There are several sections on this trail where walking is really a necessity for me. There are rock fields that stretch for 100 feet, followed by 100 feet of "regular" trail, then more rocks. I could run these, but the risk of damage is too great in my mind. I place regular in quotes to indicate that the trails are not my normal diet. They are much rockier in general and mostly require greater vigilance, stability, and ankle flexibility.

After these rock fields, the trails levels for a bit or climbs gently as it traverses around a saddle like area heading to the tip of the ridge. Here, the Meneka Peak trail connects the middle of the loop. I decide to take this now, earlier in the run than planned. I haven't been on this trail before, so I hope any climbing and such will be done before the next climb, which really wears me out. It's not bad though, as it climbs for about 1/2 mile or less, then descends along the ridge to intersect the other side of the loop. I turn around and retrace my steps and continue on to the knob.

Signal Knob offers perhaps the most spectacular view of the Shenandoah Vally around besides the 360 view from the Big Schloss. I take in the views to the north and east for a few, then head off. I forgot to grab my camera in my morning rush, so no pics.

The downhill was steep at first and rocky, but then settled into a relaxing easy fire road. The next climb has always wore me out and I couldn't run very much of it. This time I was determined to run more. I ended up walking some of the steeper, rocker sections, but interspersed some running in between, and that made me feel better. Also, the climb seemed much shorter than I remember and went quickly. I was soon on the longer, winding section that descends back to the parking lot. There are a few small ups here and my climbing muscles don't scream at me to bad to my surprise.

I really put some faster downhill running into this trail, using shorter but more rapid strides to maintain control and a light touch. This seems to really help navigate the rockier downhills. Soon I am in the parking lot basking in the after run high. A few others are preparing for a hike, which is more than I normally see here.

The weekend went well and I'm now excited about finally putting in some good weekend miles without injury.