When I met Steve Hooper for the first time we talked about running up to the top of Pine Valley Mountain. I was still trail running in Solomon GTX’s and pretending to run like the Taraumara. So Up to the top of PVM was a shod goal, a barefoot marathon, and other adventures were still a few years ahead of me. As many of you know Steve is quite famous here in St George as a capable ultra-runner / marathoner and the owner of the St George Running Center. On my 41st Birthday I set a goal for myself to run up to the top of Pine Valley Mountain Barefoot. I remember telling Michelle that I was going to do this but was unsure if I could. I then forgot about this goal.
Two weeks ago, Steve says to me, “Hey do you want to run up to the top of Pine Valley Mountain and do research for an Ultra here in St. George?” “Yes!” was my answer.
June 2nd 2010 we took off from Steve’s house to the Oak Grove Camp Grounds. I had on my Vibram Sprints as my feet were quite tender from the training I have been doing. “Yea I don’t think I will be doing this barefoot this morning” I said to Steve. “Good idea” he replied. We set out on the trail at a relaxed conversational pace, my body still working to get used to the starting elevation around 6000 feet. For two weeks I have been dreading this run as I was not sure if my body was ready. I have lost about 10 lbs and I am picking up the pace for my 6 and 12 mile runs, but for some reason the climb made me a bit nervous.
I ran for about 15 minutes, my Calves and Achilles burning, and then I got a rock in under the pad of my foot. I took off my Vibram Sprints removed the debris and pondered for a second, and then decided the make the run barefoot. My Calves stopped burning, my speed increased, and I was smiling from ear to ear.
Except for the rattlesnake on the trail, I had a blast playing catch up to Steve who was burning up the trail.
When I got to the top I remembered my goal of doing this run barefoot. It was quite an emotional feeling to be on top of the world, checking of a significant achievement for myself, and to do it with Steve Hooper. YES! Wow what an incredible feeling.
Incredible view – Steve to the left and me on the right.
Yes it is always required to do pushups at the top. AARUGHA!
YES! It felt good.
Steve looking at the trail going over into the town of Pine Valley completely snow packed. If we do do an Ultra here it would have to be in the Fall.
Awesome stuff. I’ve been wanting to do this for years now, whenever I come in to town. How long did it take from bottom to top? What is the elevation to the top? I take it Oak Grove is the best place to start? I’m super impressed that you did it barefoot.
Golden, for the elevation see Steve’s comment. We were not watching the time, but I think we were on the trail up and back about 2 hours? Its in the 100′s here and the soak at the bottom in the Oak Grove Creek was amazing. Ice cold is a perfect description. Oak Grove is the easiest to get to from Leeds right before you get to the Hurricane exit on I-15.
Michael
Michael, what a great morning this was!
I just want to give Props to Michael for kicking butt on this trail running Barefoot!
For those of you reading this that aren’t familiar with this trail it’s not what I would call smooth. It climbs from 6250 ft to almost 10000 in 2.7 miles and is filled with boulders, rocks, sticks and pine needle – and snow as you noticed above.
To run/ power hike up it completely barefoot takes balls. The picture of Michael going through the snow above says it all.
Thanks for the great run – Looking forward to some more in the future!
I am just glad you did not turn on the gas and ditch me. LOL!
Impressive run! I have to agree with Steve – that took some serious balls to go barefoot in the snow. I’ve been increasing my run frequency too and be sure to give me a shout if you guys feel crazy enough to take that one on again.
I stumbled upon your blog researching a summit trail loop I’m planning for this weekend…. Having done the oak grove to summit a few times (yeah, I’ve dodged the rattlesnake on a couple of occasions as well) I want you to know that running that sucker barefoot ranks pretty high on my “crazy meter”.
see ya on the trails
Turd’L