The Bridges to Nowhere

Good afternoon World, this is Adam Lytle with my Co-host Dalton Greer. This is the 2nd run post game show. This second run featured two bridges, one river, one major highway, and Bambi. It was a much more difficult run than the first and left us both exhausted. We are now eagerly awaiting nap time with special guests Graylin "Long Strides" Cleery and Luke "Sky Runner" Miller. Its shaping up to be a great 3 hours of rest. We'll see you next time on The 3rd run post game show. 

Groundhog Day group 6 leg 13

Once again had a flight pattern in the rain. Nighthawk and Maverick were not to pleased but they did witness from long range cameras a ground hog running across the road presumably heading to torture Bill Murray. Still rather uneventful besides having a close call in the tunnel and ending up on the walls like a cave man drawing. Next run is this evening. You stay classy world. This is Luke Miller signing off.

Civilization

No better feeling than being ahead of schedule and being able to get off the parkway to use the bathroom in civilization. -D.Rivas

Rookie mistake part 2! Leg#12

Erin, Jason and I still can't seem to figure this thing out! Luckily for Jay and Jacob this time it was in their favor. The first leg the newbs ran 4.5 because we missed the exchange point. Yet again on our second leg we messed it up again! Needless to say we ran a little extra this time. You're welcome Jay and Jacob.-D. Rivas

Leg #11: Youth Trumps Experience

Jacob and Jay started Leg #11 in a steady rain with another uphill climb.  The first 1.5 miles were a steady climb but Jacob attacked the hill at record pace.  The first mile at sub-7 was enough to leave the old man in the dust.  At the 1.5 mile mark, the climb gave way to some rolling hills.... A welcome change after lots of uphills.  Then, suddenly a glorious two plus mile descent.  Apparently Jacob, who says he can't run downhill, is sadly mistaken.  The last two miles were downhill and FAST.... Both under six minute mile pace.  So fast, in fact, that I couldn't close on him at all.  Our pace for the run was a blistering 6:42.  (Now that would make even Jeremiah Nichols proud!).... I guess youth beats experience when it comes to the R4R.

Leg #10 - Light at the End of the Tunnel

This particular rainy leg was more hilly than the first, but most of us (sorry Floyd) felt pretty good by the end of this one. Nothing too notable to report. Just lots of puddles, foggy mountains and car dodging; these leaf-lookers are touchy about sharing the road. Floyd and I (Sarah) had some technology malfunctions; apparently water and electronics don't work too well together. Anyways, the last bit of the run was through Fryingpan Tunnel where the light at the end of the tunnel ended our second leg. Go team. On to the next one. 

Here's what most of our view has been!

Cliff Hanger

Adam Lytle- First every run was great, so many wonderful views, plus soggy and soaking wet shoes; it was definitely an unforgettable experience. Started off with one driver coming in too hot. Jay nearly took a nose dive off the side of the mountain in his minivan. I'm not sure if it was safety tested for high altitude drops. Dalton Greer and I nearly got hit by a bus. A giant tour bus. Seriously. Ready to see how the next ones go. Luckily I won't need a shower at the end.

Squeezin' Cheeks (Shout Out To Ruth)

As we drove through a curtain of rain up Balsam Mountain towards the next checkpoint to wait on the second leg of runners, two of our group members,

Danny and Jason were relieved to know that they would be able to use the restroom at The Mountain County Store so they wouldn't have to (as they put) "squeeze cheeks" on the parkway where there are no bathrooms (except trees) for over 70 miles. To their dismay, the Mountain Country Store was closed.

However, there was a modest brick home behind the gas station with a resident by the name of Ruth...how do we know this?

Well, Danny and Jason proceeded to go knock on her door and say, "Hi we are from the Western Carolina Athletic Training Program and we are running from Cullowhee to Boone. We thought we could use the bathroom at the gas station but it's closed. May we use your restroom...? Because after this, there aren't any other places to go." Hesitantly Ruth allowed them to use her restroom and told them about her children and grandchildren. Thank you, Ruth, for allowing two young men into your home. We may be running 25 miles, but you are the real MVP. 

First Time First Leg

WE DID IT! Well...the first leg. This is what the weather looked like when we started

We finished our first leg in about 45 minutes. Words to describe this run: hills, wet, cold, tired, accomplished. 1 down 4 to go. That run was our hardest and we killed it. We can do this. More pictures and blogs to come. 

Oh and I may be the only runner to do this relay and put make up on before...this was the after math of makeup in a rainy run 

4 more! 

Leg #8 Water We Doing!?

When it started, April and I (Brennan) had to wait far too long, of our own misjudgment, for Adam and Dalton to finish. The rain was like ice and the wind insane, blustery and cold. I swear the temperature went down as we were standing there. The run was full of waterfalls and puddles and rain. It was a struggle to keep up with the terminator (April) an unstoppable machine with one pace, fast. It ended with the inability to move my hands, making changing clothes rather difficult.

I can't see my house from here

Group 6: Leg 6: Nighthawk and Maverick (Greylin and Luke) reporting to base camp, mission was a success despite heavy rains, zero visibility, and rough flight pattern. Our pattern flew us right over the peak of the parkway making for an interesting accent into the clouds and a failed photoshoot at the peak. 

Leg #4- Rookie Mistake / A Little Extra For R.T. Floyd

Jacob Scifers and Jay Scifers took on Leg #4 in a steady rain and brought the R4R on to the Parkway.  The Parkway has a funny way of telling you that no matter what shape you are in, you should have run more hills in preparation.  This five (plus) miles could be the poster child for the "run more hills" motto.  We climbed 1535 feet in just over 5 miles (more about that in a second).  It was a rude welcome to Jacob in his first R4R.  But, then again, the Parkway can be a rude host to even the most seasoned runners.  

The leg ended up being about 5.6 miles.  Rookie drivers had trouble navigating the distance in he absence of a mile marker, leaving us to run a little extra.  We kept a good pace, but lost our sense of humor the last part of the run, running just under 44 minutes for the hilly leg.  

Leg #3 - Bridge Out!

Mike, Floyd and I (Sarah) started our first leg at The (closed) Mountain View gas station. We started out at a nice pace and Mike swiftly took the lead (even though he's slow). We passed some lovely scenery, including mountains tucked amongst foggy rain, bursts of fall-colored leaves, and a couple bloated dead frogs. About two miles in, we got to a bridge that is under construction......

I (Mike) decided to run right up to where the bridge was out. I was forced to take an alternate route which consisted of backtracking on a small path with many muddy puddles. I should have taken a leap off the bridge while I had the chance because the next 3 miles were uphill! 

.......We ended up running along the side of the bridge on about a foot of concrete with no railing that dropped off into a river.. But we all survived and lived to make it up a solid uphill finish. Go team. On to the next one.

Leg #2- Roadkill Uphill

One down four to go!  Nothing like some cold water to wake you up in the morning... Bryson and I (Jackson) have finished our first leg and it looks like we were some of lucky ones to attempt our route... For there were plenty fallen comrades on the side of the road(raccoons,opossums...).  Nevertheless we will persevere and give our best effort until it's over.  Let's keep it up team! #R4R2015.

Leg #1 - Wet Donuts

Brennan and I (April) just finished up the run from the gates at the football stadium at WCU to Dunkin Donuts. The rain and wind made this run so much more enjoyable! And running on highway 107 with cars coming at you at 65 mph was totally not scary (I might be a very sarcastic person). 

Pinching cheeks

2nd leg in and the adventure already begins! We get to the mountain country store expecting to find it open with a nice bathroom for us to use and it's closed. Awesome. Nevertheless, shout out to Ruth for letting two strangers come in and use her bathroom. We couldn't do it with out ya Ruth! Jason and I thank you Ruth. You're the best. 

2015 Run for Research Group

The 2015 R4R team preparing to leave the campus of WCU en route to ASU.  

8:09 am.... And they are off

The 2015 R4R is off to a rainy start.  A little after 8 am this morning, sophomores Brennan Dorsch and April Duke departed from the campus of WCU.  This is Leg #1 of 35 for the group as they traverse the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway on their trek to Boone and the campus of ASU.

2015 Run for Research

The 2015 edition of the Run for Research begins on Saturday, October 10, 2015.  Sixteen runners, including AT faculty members, AT graduate assistants, junior, sophomore and freshmen, will take to the Blue Ridge Parkway this weekend running the 175 miles from Cullowhee to Boone in relay fashion.

This year's participants include: Professor Jay Scifers (8th R4R), Graduate Assistant Sarah McNamara (4th R4R), juniors Greylin Cleary (3rd R4R), Floyd Graber (2nd R4R), Dalton Greer (3rd R4R), Luke Miller (3rd R4R), Michael Rabey, Danny Rivas, Jackson Roper (2nd R4R), and Jason Shull, sophomores Bryson Bradley, Brennen Dorsch, April Duke, and Erin Grimsley and freshmen Adam Lytle and Jacob Scifers.  

The run begins at 8 am on Saturday and the group expects to complete the run in Boone Sunday morning at ~10 am.  We are chasing the course record of 27 hours, 8 minutes and 18 second.  Please follow and support us as we raise money for the NATA Foundation.  

2014 Run for Research Wrap-Up

The 2014 version of the Run for Research (our seventh trip up and down the Parkway) ended in the rain in Cullowhee.  A great team effort resulted in another record time this year.  We tackled the hills, fog and rain over the 175 miles between Boone and Cullowhee in an amazing 27 hours 8 minutes and 18 seconds (17 minutes and 31 seconds faster than 2013).  This equated to a 9:18 pace each mile. 

We want to thank everyone for their support along the run and for their donations / pledges to this event.  We will continue accepting donations to the REF through the end of the semester.  We look forward to another great run in 2015!