David Freeze

David took a bike trip up around the Great Lakes. I wonder if the 100 plus temperatures had anything to do with his decision??? Anyway, here is the link to read about the first day on his trip. ENJOY!!!

Great Lakes Adventure Begins

   In 2023, I rode north on the western side of Lake Superior to the Canadian border and then returned by the same route to Duluth, Minnesota. I spent about eight days on the largest Great Lake, but I have already cycled on all of them. When looking at my options for a short driving, cycling and running adventure for this summer, I saw a chance to see some of the areas I had not previously visited.

     I described the best possible plan in last weekend’s paper, but here it is in a nutshell. I drove yesterday about 650 miles from home to Port Huron, Michigan. I made great time driving until hitting Detroit at rush hour, which was no fun. My GPS kept changing to a different street trying to get on one that was moving and finally at almost 7pm last night, I made Port Huron. The highlight of the Detroit experience was seeing the Chrysler buildings, and yes, they were huge.

   On Thursday, July 31^st, I woke up to 62 degrees and drizzling rain at the Huron Inn Motel. I had a good deal on a nice motel in quiet surroundings. I still didn’t get enough sleep after the day that began at 4am. Before leaving, I got great tips and good conversation from the motel owner, Ashwin Patel. He shared information on a cyclist that he follows on You Tube who has now ridden in well over 100 countries. I promised to send him several of my books, and I suspect we will stay in touch.

    Driving north on Michigan Highway 25, the first significant town was Lexington, Michigan. A spectacular former town hall, a huge 1882 hotel and a walkable downtown with lots of interesting shops. Many old buildings currently in good use have made this historic town a great start. By this time, I was driving for the most part along the edge of Lake Huron. Many towns have a marina and are part of a Circle Tour boat excursion.

    Mostly small towns came every 20-30 miles and quite a few had historic highlights. I stopped often, grabbed photos and did some walking as I traveled over 200 miles of what is called the Thumb area of Michigan. You’ll see it on a map.

     I stopped in Port Sanilac and began my lighthouse visits, just ahead of National Lighthouse Weekend. The Port Sanilac Light Station was built in 1886. It underwent a major restoration in 2015-2016. The dwelling, lighthouse and grounds are now privately owned and beautiful. The Sanilac Marina sits just below the lighthouse.

     Next was the White Rock Light, now another private home. I then stopped at another highlight of the day, the Port Hope Chimney in Port Hope. The chimney was built in 1858 as part of a lumber mill that had become the dominant one in the Thumb area. The mill and other major buildings in town were destroyed by fire twice. Rail came to Port Hope in 1903 primarily because sugar beets had become a significant cash crop for local farmers. The beets were brought to the railyard by horse and wagon and then were hand loaded onto rail cars. The depot has been restored and was open for only a few minutes today, just as I found when I opened the door. Important folks were just leaving. Magnificent homes, circa 1880, were just across the road from Lake Huron. Bigfoot cutouts were seen on a revamped hardware store.

     The best and biggest lighthouse of the day was the Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse which is the highlight of a Huron County Park. Built in 1849, the lighthouse and its original keeper family have an amazing story. Three acres of wilderness were cleared for the lighthouse from wilderness that was surrounded by Indians. A husband brought his wife and eight children to live in the keeper dwelling. One year later, the husband keeper died by drowning. His wife took over without official approval and kept the light and grounds going. She became the first recognized female keeper the next time the light was inspected. This is one of the 109 lighthouses in Michigan, the most of any state. The museum onsite was wonderful largely because of the stories and info provided by two volunteers, Jack and Tobi Graham, who have extensive knowledge of lighthouses all the way down to the Carolinas. A lifesaving station is also onsite, similar to those made famous on NC’s outer banks. Some historians estimate up to 10,000 shipwrecks occurred on the Great Lakes.

     Next thing was a beautifully restored town from the mid-1850s, now listed as Huron City on the National Register of Historic Places. It all started with a steam powered sawmill and ended with a general store, a hotel and several magnificent homes that still remain.

    In Sebewaing, the Sugar Beet Capital of the World, I saw the big plant of the Pioneer-Big Chief Michigan Sugar Company. There is a huge Sugar Festival associated with this town.

    The last big town for the day was Bay City, birthplace of Madonna and the home of the U.S.S. Edison, a World War ll destroyer named for Thomas Edison. I didn’t see Madonna but did tour the Edison, a very well-done attraction.

      My last stop for the night is a town called Pinconning, the Cheese Capital of Michigan. It is a small town with a nice motel and an all-day breakfast restaurant across the street. A loud train track is next door. I have now left the Thumb and am moving north again on the way toward Mackinac Island. I hope to tell all about this soon, so I will save any description until then. First up tomorrow morning hopefully is a brake repair on my truck, not my bike. Thanks for following along. See you soon!

By David Freeze

By David Freeze

Next Generation Track Club in Texas for Junior Olympics

   Alaiya Neri-Givens is a 9-year-old sprinter for the Next Generation DefendersTrack Club. She was one of about 35 runners and coaches working hard on Monday afternoon at the Salisbury High School track. When practice started at 5:30pm, the air temperature was 92 degrees.

    Alaiya said, “When I was a kid, I went out and ran around the house a lot on my own. And now I can beat most of the boys!” Alaiya loves math in school, but her dream is to be a track star. The next step for Alaiya and these coaches and kids is the National Junior Olympics in Humble, Texas, which is near Houston. She is one of about 70 kids who began practicing and competing in March, and the remaining 40 kids placed well enough in regionals to reach the national competition. Alaiya’s best 100-meter time is 14.08 seconds and she’s shooting for 13 seconds next week.

     Lennox Crutchfield, another 9-year-old, is about to enter 5^th grade. He competes in the long jump, the 100 and 200 meters. He said, “This is my only sport so far, and I want to keep getting better at whatever event I am best at.”

    Head coach for the track club is Shimiah Brooks who was born in Salisbury, then began running AAU track in 2006 at 12 years old. Brooks said, “Track gave me purpose, identity and discipline. I fell in love with the triple jump, then expanded into hurdles and sprints.”  She was a three-time North Carolina State Champion.

     At Clemson University, Brooks was a two-time ACC champion, then later earned two Sun Belt Conference titles at Arkansas State University. Her top collegiate efforts were 13.43 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles and 6.29 meters in the long jump.

    Brooks said,” Now, I use everything I learned as an athlete to shape and lead the next generation of competitors. When I am not coaching, I’m teaching. I love equipping students with practical skills in entrepreneurship, finance, and leadership that will carry them far beyond the classroom. When the opportunity came to launch a competitive AAU track in our hometown, I knew that I had to be part of it!”

     The Next Generation club had a first-time indoor track team earlier this year that took 16 athletes to AAU Indoor Nationals. Jordan Waller became the program’s first national champion and set a national meet record in the process. Jordan Waller runs track already for Salisbury High School. He said, “In the seventh grade at Knox, I thought I was a sprinter, but I fell in love with the 400 meters which is much more mental. I had to decide what I really wanted and now I am very goal oriented.” Waller’s best 400-meter time is 46.08 seconds, and he led most of the track workouts on Monday afternoon. 

          Many of the athletes already compete in various sports for Salisbury High School or will in the future. The track club uses the SHS and Catawba College facilities. The outdoor season typically runs from March through early August, depending on how far the athletes advance in the championship series.

      The AAU Junior Olympic Games take place from July 27 through August 2, which includes seven full days of elite competition. The team will be traveling from Salisbury in 15-passenger vans to create a shared experience that builds team unity. They will be staying in Airbnb’s near the competition venue to keep the environment comfortable, family-style, and focused.

     Brooks said, “This will be a life-changing experience for our athletes. For many of them, it will be their first time traveling out of state and competing on a national stage. Being able to travel all the way to Houston, Texas to represent Salisbury and the state of North Carolina is something they will never forget. They will be surrounded by the top youth athletes from across the country, which will push them to believe in themselves and raise their level of competition.”

       Additional coaches are Nick Summers, Brandon Broadway, Preston Ellis, Harold Reid, Shintara Crutchfield, Duwan Robertson, Justin Lewis and Allen Hines. Coaches are committed to making sure that every athlete gets the attention, development and discipline they need to succeed.  Brooks added, “Each coach brings unique strengths to the table. Together, we are not just building athletes. We are building character, confidence and community!  We are taking over 40 athletes, along with 8 to 10 coaches and assistants, and several parents will be traveling as well to help with supervision, meals, and support.”

      Each athlete’s total cost is around $600 to $750. This includes transportation, lodging, meals, registration, and uniforms. Many parents are traveling alongside their kids to Houston, to support and be fully present for what will be one of the most meaningful moments in their child’s athletic journey. Families cover a portion of the cost. Brooks said, “I always remind our parents this this not just a payment, but an investment in their child’s dream and future. We work hard to ease the financial burden through fundraisers, raffles, a car wash, and generous community donations. The club is grateful for every contribution that helps these kids get to the starting line.”

     A benefit car wash is scheduled at Immunotek at 640 Jake Alexander West in Salisbury on July 19^th from 12-4pm. Car wash donations are $10, and trucks are $20.

        Romar Morris, co-founder and program director of Next Generation, said, “Our goal is to invest in the next generation. I believe that Rowan County has some of the best athletes in the state. The community of the team opens them up and we see parents and kids buying into our program. We want to plant seeds and provide the same opportunities that coaches gave me to create the cycle. We offer a year-round program that includes football and cheerleading, and competing in track makes these kids better in other sports. Look for more to come!”

      The next event for the local running community is the Prediction 5K on August 23^rd at City Park. Look for this and other activities at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

By David Freeze

Charlotte Corriher Makes Running Extreme Fun!

       Explaining the title of this column is my first challenge! I am not usually surprised about the capabilities of local runners, but I read with interest Mark Wineka’s column about Charlotte Corriher in 2017, I was floored. How could Charlotte be doing this and I didn’t know about it?

    Charlotte started running in 2004, after losing 25 pounds through improved nutrition and exercise.  She worked her way through local 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons, but then decided to run her first marathon in 2006 through the Team in Training program.  With more marathons, she met members of the 50 States Marathon Club and set her goal to run a marathon in every state.

     After completing the 50 state marathons, people kept asking her “What’s next?” Charlotte said, “Runners I met while living in Charleston convinced me to run further. I fell in love with the atmosphere of ultras, races longer than 50K (31.07 miles) and more relaxed than road races and regular marathons.  Since I am out there longer, and some races tend to be repeated loops of 3-5 miles, there’s more chance to meet and get to know other runners.”

       Charlotte once did three marathons in three days and another time she did three 100-milers in 16 days. She said, “That’s probably the craziest things I have done. That 100-miler schedule came about because in 2021 I had plans for four 100-milers in less than seven weeks (3/27, 4/9, 4/23, 5/15).  I decided to just run 100K at the 4/23 race, to save my legs for the very difficult Keys 100 on 5/15. The next year, I wanted to do the first three and make sure I got to 100 miles in all of them, but that 3rd race moved to the weekend in between the first two…so my mind was set and ready for the challenge.”

     I asked about Charlotte’s training plan to get all these races done. She replied, “Yes, I actually use the races for training, so I really don’t have a set training schedule. And since I run them year-round, there is no ‘off-season’. I may do fewer races in the summertime so I can enjoy living at the beach. I do take days off, but not a set day, as it may depend on my race schedule. I do try to lower my mileage before a race and take a day or two off after a 100-miler.”

       As of this writing, Charlotte has run 180 marathons (they are all 26.2 miles). She has also run 126 ultras. Of these ultras, 33 of them are 100-milers. Charlotte said, “Since I started running, I have 29,657 total miles with 12,621 being races. I am working on my eighth consecutive “Run the Year” (running the number of miles for the year, so 2025 this year).”

     I have written about a lot of serious runners, but none like Charlotte. She is seldom injured and reports her marathon personal best is 4 hours, 13 minutes and 55 seconds, a very respectable time. Charlotte added, “I love the fact that running, and specifically ultra running, is a very accessible sport. I see all ages, paces, body types, and experiences. There are so many races that are welcoming and inclusive, and those are the races I like to support.”

        Now for the festive part and what sets Charlotte apart from other runners. Of her 306 total marathons and ultra races, 302 of them have been done in extensive and uniquely designed costumes. Her motto is, “If you can’t be fast, be festive!”

       Here is a paragraph that explains festive better than I ever could. Charlotte said, “They may slow me down if it’s a hot day, but I’m always committed to finishing the race in my costume. The salmon in Alaska was a family project, as mom and I designed it, mom made it, and my sister Susan painted it. My Space Shuttle from the Space Coast Marathon 2017 even got the attention and approval of a NASA rocket scientist at the finish line.  Since my favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz, my 50 states finish at the 2018 Land of Oz Marathon in Kansas included six different costumes of the characters. Mom drove along and we met at pre-determined places for my costume changes. My costume during the 2022 A Race for The Ages was a tribute to my mom, as I dressed as the different life phases of the Monarch Butterfly when she raises and releases them every year. My 2023 Strolling Jim 42 miler was a tribute to my dad who had just passed. I was dressed as Floyd Carruthers riding Strolling Jim, the first Tennessee Walking Horse National Champion. My grandfather and father both rode Tennessee Walking Horses, and my family attended the National Championship in Shelbyville, TN. for many decades. In longer distances, I try to make my costumes a little simpler, but sometimes I still go a little crazy.”

      Charlotte has never had a major injury. For post-race treats, Charlotte loves Rice Krispies and French fries. She said, “Typically I like red meat for lunch/dinner after a race so a big fat cheeseburger, or nice juicy steak. I used to allow myself to eat anything I wanted for a week after a marathon, but now I am doing them closer together, so I had to cut that back to just a day or two.”

     Charlotte is set to run the 2026 Winter Flight 8K on February 1^st, and she will be the keynote speaker at the SRR meeting and pasta dinner the evening before. Charlotte is a 1986 South Rowan High grad and grew up in Landis.

      Charlotte added, “My sister Susan Corriher lives in Landis, and she helps me with painting some of my costumes. My other sister is Mary, and I have two brothers, Frederick and John. My Dad, Fred Corriher Jr, passed away in 2022, and although he never understood why I wanted to run so many miles, he was still very supportive.  I used to call him every Friday afternoon, typically while I was driving to a race, and we would talk about it. Mom, Kay, usually creates and sews the new costumes back in Landis.”

     More on Charlotte in a later column and at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

By David Freeze

The Unique Journey Debra Cress Chose to Better Fitness

    Debra Cress is a long-time volunteer at races and other events in the area. After volunteering with the Girls on the Run program at Enochville Elementary School where her oldest granddaughter was a participant, Debra found a calling. Her daughter, Tonya Kepley, was a teacher and coach for the program and Debra began to volunteer weekly, assisting the teachers and coaches and eventually served as a mentor to many young girls over the years.

     The rest of the family includes son in law Billie Kepley, another daughter Angie Fink and grandson Korben Fink along with three granddaughters, Kyrsten Kepley, Kadence Kepley and Kassie Fink. They all began to do 5K’s together. Debra said, “Along each trail, we talked and encouraged one another to keep pushing and not to give up. The faster ones of us would finish and come back to run with the ones who were a little slower. My son-in-law, Billie Kepley, continues to be an avid runner.”

    On June 25, 2024, Debra’s mom passed away after a vehicle accident. Debra said, “I decided on July 1st to start running/walking at least 10,000 steps a day as a tribute to her life. I have gone as far as 27,000 steps on multiple occasions. Through this journey, I have retired four pairs of Brooks running shoes, the steps and miles have been monumental and each day has been memorable.”

    Now 71 years old, Debra said, “At my age, I felt it was important to keep moving. That’s when I decided to challenge myself to do it for a month, which turned into two months and now a year later I am still going strong. I have had a few unusual days. One night I realized at 11:00 pm that I wasn’t at my goal. My friend Earl took me to the IGA parking lot, and I completed my steps before midnight. Another time during bad weather, he took me to seven or eight different stores so that I could make sure to get my steps in for the day.

    Debra took one of the best and most unique approaches to improving her health that I have ever heard of. She decided to regravel her driveway and had multiple truckloads of new gravel delivered. Each morning following breakfast, Debra used a gallon can, hand scooped the gravel into it and then dumped it on her driveway. Many neighbors offered to use their tractors to quickly get the job done.

    Debra wouldn’t take the help and said, “This had become my new exercise plan and after three months of perseverance, the task was complete. What a feeling of accomplishment it was!”

     She continued, “As a tomboy, I have enjoyed the outdoors all my life. I plan to continue my adventure and see where it leads me. This has been the best spring I can remember with my asthma. Due to walking and being active, I have been able to avoid and prolong various medications and have dropped my weight. It is my goal to live my best life and be as active as possible for as long as I am able! Regardless of the weather, I never give up and continue to push through each day.”

      Debra weighed 177.6 pounds last June 30^th and, on this June 28th, she weighed 161.4. Debra’s food choices have improved, and she also is a proponent of intermediate fasting. Over her lifetime, Debra has also given a total of 97 pints of blood. Her 10,000 steps a day regularly average about five miles, so a good estimate of mileage for the year is just over 1800 miles. Well done! She added, “I almost wore out Cress Road!”

     The next race locally is the Run for the Greenway 5K and Fun Run on July 19^th. And past that, the SRR August Prediction 5K at City Park is set for August 23^rd. Look for more information on both these events and others at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

By David Freeze

The Arrival of High Humidity Slows Running!

   No other single obstacle to running or any physical activity outside compares to humidity in warm temperatures. We’ve had a great spring so far, but the humidity hit us hard starting this past weekend and continues to linger.

   Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air. In most weather apps and forecasts, humidity is recorded as a percentage. The percentage of humidity measures how saturated the air is with moisture.

   The difficulty with humidity is that the measurement is relative to the temperature – the higher the temperature, the more moisture the air can hold. When the measurement is not absolute, it is difficult to compare. 90% humidity will feel entirely different in 50-degree temperatures as compared to 80 degrees. And we’ve just had some 70’s morning temps and upper 80’s to low 90’s humidity. Typically, as the day evolves and temps rise, the humidity does lower but several days this past week the air retained a level of 60% or higher.

   Running in high humidity can make it feel difficult to breathe and we often struggle to settle into a rhythm throughout the run. You know it’s bad when your shoes get soaked with sweat inside. Enough humid miles make for a sloshing sensation. And a shirt and shorts left outside on the deck takes hours to dry.

    Conditions are considered “ideal” when humidity is between 30-50%. When humidity creeps above 50%, running might begin to suffer. Humidity above 70% is sure to slow most runners down. According to Runner’s World, the average decrease in pace is about 30 – 90 seconds per mile when running in high humidity.

     Runners who have already acclimated to a humid climate will find it easier to sustain their typical pace, whereas runners in our area who were thrown into humid conditions suddenly will likely experience a decline in performance for multiple days.

   What can we do? Run early to beat the heat and direct sun. Reduce the intensity of the run. Be Ok by dialing the pace back to keep the run going. And even consider walking during some of the most oppressive times, remembering that the quicker the body acclimatizes to the conditions, the better the runs and walks will be.

   Run in light and loose-fitting clothing, and as minimal as you feel comfortable dressing so that more skin can be exposed to the air. Run early enough to avoid the need for a hat and if sunny, wear a visor instead. Trapping warm humid air in a hat makes for a hot head.

    Make sure to hydrate ahead of your run or walk. I don’t always get it done right but make sure to note each morning your urine color. I’m looking for clear or only slightly yellow, bringing the prospect of a better run. If not, I will drink another cold half bottle of water before leaving the house. Usually this brings an easier effort as the water catches up in my system. Drinking colder water helps to cool the body. If you are carrying water, consider adding ice to it.

    If you can, just as I did on Sunday, manage your run so that you find any available shade and catch any breeze in the second half of your run. Just remember that any advantage gained will help you get past another workout, and get you more used to the humid conditions. That is the biggest issue of the first humid runs of the season,

     Next up on the local race circuit is the 15^th Annual Shiloh Run for Missions 5K at Shiloh First Reformed Church in Faith. This popular race begins at 8am and is a two-loop course, meaning that spectators can see the runners and walkers pass by the church twice on the way to the finish. Known for great awards and some of the best door prizes in the county, the race will benefit Shiloh mission teams that have served in various places in the US and abroad for 20 years.

    Look for this and other upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

By David Freeze

Back to Stone Mountain State Park to do it right!

    Back on July 16^th of last year, I had a good start on visiting all of our state parks. I had heard from others that Stone Mountain State Park was one of the best, so I was looking forward to visiting there. It was two months after my broken back farm accident, and I was wearing a back brace full time. My walking was a struggle, but I wanted to help the recovery and strengthening process by challenging myself to hike at least one trail in every park. I stopped in the visitor center for a map of trails and waterfalls within the park, and to get my passport stamp on the way to complete all the NC state parks.

    I asked the attendant last year about the most popular hiking trails in the park, and she mentioned the Stone Mountain Loop Trail. Listed at 4.5 miles, the trail goes up over 700 feet in elevation and over the top of the stone-faced mountain, peaking at the summit of 2,305 feet, and is marked strenuous. The distance was too long, and the climb was more than I could do on that day, so I chose to walk a one-mile trail to the middle falls/lower falls, listed as moderate. But I did walk a small part of the easier section of the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, enough to see a restored 1860’s farm. I vowed to return and complete the trail within a year.

     Wednesday, June 18^th was the day I set aside to take on the mountain that was only growing higher and steeper in my imagination. The drive was about 80 minutes from home to near Roaring Gap and the park. I stopped at the visitor center again, got a new map and two choices from the attendant. About my age, she looked fit and energetic. She said, “You have two options, get the major climbing done first or go the other way and you’ll be gradually climbing most of the way. I like doing the steep part first.” I knew I would do the same.

    At about 9:30am and at 71 degrees, I started an intense climb with lots of wooden steps, steep grades and even cables to hold onto while climbing. On and on, the climbing stayed intense while I was tracking the distance on my Garmin watch. I could see what looked like the summit ahead but some of the most intense climbing required the anchored cables to help me get there. About 300 wooden steps helped out too. The sharp uphill side was .97 of a mile to the summit with mostly a decline or flat the rest of the way to what my Garmin registered as 4.41 miles total.

     Nearly all those who hike the loop trail decide to take the easier but longer climb by choosing a right turn out of the park’s lower trailhead. I met more than 80 people coming from that direction. There are flat sections, but the ongoing grade is slightly upward. Of the 80 people, about 60 of them were a group of older teenage girls divided into three smaller groups of 20. The first group was intense and said little as I met them. The second group was more jovial and nearly all either spoke or waved. The third group was working hard to hike and said little as we passed. I met the same two women twice while they rested the second time after one of them had slipped on a wet rock face.

     Stone Mountain State Park was started in 1969 and is listed as one of the 38 best places to visit in western North Carolina by the Bucket List Book.  The park today boasts over 14,000 acres and ten other scenic trails of varying distances and difficulty. It also boasts the Hutchison homestead, a mid-1850s farm that has been restored and has lots of explanatory signage.

      I did have other conversations, all brief ones, as we hiked in different directions. I finished about noon, especially enjoying the heavy shade cover. The temperature had risen to 80 at the trailhead as I left. If you go, I hope you will enjoy this spectacular trail as much as I did. By the way, you’ll walk downhill past the 200-foot Stone Mountain Falls on the loop if you choose the hard climb first. Consider stopping at the Stone Mountain Country Store on the way out of the park for the blackberry cobbler ice cream and peanut butter fudge like I did. This park ranks as one of my favorites in all of NC.

    Next up on the local race circuit is the July 19^th Run for the Greenway 5K and Fun Run. Look for it and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

By David Freeze

My Biggest Challenge Conquered Out West

   Last year during the long night of May 15^th, I had plenty of time to think. Although I didn’t know the details of the damage to my back, I knew I would miss one of my favorite running events for 2024 and the already purchased airfare tickets wouldn’t be used.

    The Reno/Tahoe Odyssey is what I call a crazy team race, but the details are what makes it a must do for me. About 220 teams of 12 runners cover 178 miles over a day, a night and part of the next day. The course is intriguing, starting at about 3,000 feet of elevation in Reno and climbing to Lake Tahoe, then eventually climbing even more to just above 7,000 feet past Virginia City, itself at 6.148 feet. From there the course gradually falls back to Reno, this year finishing in an outdoor event center.

    Most teams consist of two vehicles with six runners each. My group’s vehicle just had five runners, including Nate and Sammi Williams, both former college runners, triathlete Greg Southard from New Mexico and Luis Abundis, a super high mileage runner who would do two legs of each round of six.  We had a deluxe Wagoneer as our transportation and left our motels at 8:15am Friday morning for a 9am start. After a finish line celebration and photo shoot, we got out of the vehicle for the last time and back at the motel close to 2pm on Saturday. All of us were sleep deprived, hungry and dehydrated by that time and each of us had run somewhere between 13 and 16 challenging miles over that time.

     At the outset, the Wagoneer was loaded with water and snacks for the group’s use, plus we each had our own backpack of the things experienced runners might need. We had a small amount of personal space until each of us took his or her turn running. I had three legs, numbers 6, 18 and 30. Swapping to the next runner happened at what are called exchange points, the biggest of those happened when both vans converge to finish the legs of one vehicle and start the next set of legs for the second vehicle.

     Runners ran day and night. Lighted vests, headlamps and flashlights were used to see and be seen. The slowest teams had started early, and the fastest teams started last, with the hopes that the finish line celebration would stay busy as teams completed the course on Saturday.

     Weather complicated things as record highs were set in the Reno area for both Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31^st. Verified highs of 96 on Friday and 99 on Saturday offset low humidity. A weather warning of 30-40 mph winds for Saturday didn’t prove correct thankfully. Night running at elevation dropped temperatures into the mid to upper 50s.

    With all that said about the team concept for the Odyssey, I had my own concern about how I would run. Still only 85-90% back to “prior to the accident” pace, I had several poot runs in the week leading up to the Odyssey. Watching the first five legs for our group left me more time to think about my first run. I was admittedly anxious.  

    My first leg (6) was 5.4 miles and ended at Boyington Mill Campground near Truckee, California after a sharp climb to the exchange point. I felt especially good on this early afternoon run and suddenly the pressure was off. I could relax and enjoy the fun the rest of the way. Our group rested at the edge of Lake Tahoe on a spectacular afternoon while the team’s other runners were on the roads.

    My second leg (18) was 4.6 miles from Lake Tahoe Community College to Stateline, Nevada at another van exchange point. Before the run, I was told the distance was just over 3.4 miles, but the distance grew to 4.6 with a late course update. I was decent on this one but slightly slower per mile than my second leg.

       The third leg (30) was the one I had been dreading for a couple of months. The hardest climb in the event is leg 30, a 3.4 mile run up the steepest grade I have ever faced. Parts of it are impossible to run, reducing nearly everyone to walking some. I struggled but got it done and found myself with almost immediately sore quads. They are still sore as I write this recap on Monday.

     Our finish-line celebration and photos took place at J Resorts Glow Plaza in downtown Reno. In some ways, we were sad that the Odyssey was over but with plenty of talk of next year. After everyone went their separate ways, I knocked out a breakfast burrito, 3 or 4 PB&J prepacked sandwiches and eventually a small pizza along with six bottles of water. All that was wrapped around a deep nap. I eventually went to bed early. My quads were no better.

     A great connecting flight to home started in Reno, stopped in Phoenix and finished in Charlotte. I was back home at 5pm Sunday after what I realized was one of the most important weekends of my life. I was able to celebrate with great friends the successful recovery from the accident. Once in a long while, we have an event that we’ll never forget. My fourth Odyssey was one of those.

     Next week’s area race is the Myles for a Mission 5K at Grace Lutheran Church. Look for it and other area events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

By David Freeze

Cycling and Museum Opportunities

    Two of my favorite things, other than running, are cycling and chasing history. I just found out about two opportunities that fit those interests. On August 23^rd, there is an annual charity cycling event sponsored by All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Concord, NC. The event offers fully supported 50k, 50 mile, and 100k routes that wind their way through the beautiful countryside of Eastern Cabarrus and Rowan counties. It’s a wonderful event that draws cyclists from all over our area. The All Saints rides are known for their great rest-stop snacks, a delicious post-ride lunch, and a post-ride beer garden sponsored by Cabarrus Brewing. 

    Safely pulling off the multi-distance cycling event with well-supported rest stops requires the assistance of four other churches, two private landowners, a Boy Scout troop, the Concord Police Department, the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Department, the Cabarrus-Stanly Ham radio operators, numerous volunteers, and financial sponsorships from local businesses. This is the 13th annual All Saints Episcopal cycling event, and to date it has raised over $130,000 for local charities and collected over 12.5 tons of food to feed the hungry in our community. 100% of the proceeds from Tour de Saints 2025 will be donated to the following local organizations: Early Childhood Foundation of Cabarrus County, Cabarrus Meals on Wheels, CVAN, Community Free Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, Cooperative Christian Ministry, and the Salvation Army’s Tucker Center of Hope.

    Rowan County rest stops are at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Gold Hill and Organ Lutheran Church in Salisbury. All rest stops along the route offer Gatorade, Water, snacks (fruit, baked goods, pickle juice, etc.), and either restrooms or portable toilets. Rest stop lemon bars are very popular! Usually somewhere between 200 and 300 riders compete.

     Jennifer Cook of Landis is one of the co-directors. She said, “We invite area cyclists to join us because, at its heart, the Tour de Saints is all about community. It is an opportunity to have fun and connect with other cyclists while also supporting individuals in our communities who are in crisis. Many riders come back every year to experience our beautiful and well-supported route and the camaraderie of the event.  My event co-directors are Ben Smith and Joy Marie DeBlock.  We can be contacted with questions at tourdesaints@allsaintsconcord.org.  In addition to riders, we are always looking for additional event sponsors. Interested parties can contact us via email for that as well.”  

     Here is a link to their website: https://tourdesaints.com/index.html

    Also, the Price of Freedom Museum on Weaver Road is participating in the Miles for Museums Summer Passport Program. Created by the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society in 2023, the program was expanded with a redesigned passport, interactive map, and website created by the Matthews Heritage Museum. This fun, family-friendly program encourages community members and visitors to explore local museums and communities throughout the summer while collecting passport stamps along the way for a chance to win prizes.

         The Miles for Museums program offers free or low-cost adventures with an educational twist, giving participants the opportunity to learn about regional history while discovering new places across the area. Visitors can begin their journey by picking up a passport at the Matthews Heritage Museum, then collecting stamps from each of the participating museums.

      The program is free and runs through Labor Day. To collect a stamp, simply present your passport at each museum. Once you’ve visited all 13 locations, take a photo of your fully stamped passport—making sure the section with your name, phone number, and email is visible—and email it to info@milesformuseums.org to be entered into a drawing for the grand prize.

Participating Museums:

• Badin Historic Museum – Badin, NC
• Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum – Mt. Pleasant, NC
• Historic Rosedale – Charlotte, NC
• Hugh Torance House & Store – Huntersville, NC
• Kings Mountain Historical Museum – Kings Mountain, NC
• Matthews Heritage Museum – Matthews, NC
• Mint Hill Historical Society / Carl J. McEwen Historic Village – Mint Hill, NC
• Mount Holly Historical Society – Mount Holly, NC
• Oakboro Museum of History & Oakboro Railroad Museum – Oakboro, NC
• President James K. Polk State Historic Site – Pineville, NC
• Price of Freedom Museum – China Grove, NC
• Stanly County History Center – Albemarle, NC

    For a map of all locations, FAQs, and more information, visit the new website: www.milesformuseums.org

     The next race locally is the Shiloh Run for Missions 5K and Fun Run on June 28^th at Shiloh Reformed Church in Faith. Look for this and other coming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

By David Freeze

Physical Therapy Success

   We finished our spring beginning runners class a few weeks ago and during the class I happened to mention to Mike Lippard, an exercise physiologist by trade, that I was still very tight in my core area even though healing well from my broken back. Mike suggested cupping and said he had great success with it and that it improved flexibility for him. I thought about what he said, read some and then contacted Delaine Fowler, owner of Accelerate Therapy and Performance in Salisbury.

     I told her that my back was healing well but that I wasn’t happy with my flexibility. Such things as leg extension and even the ability to reach normally to put on socks and tie shoes were challenging. Delaine’s group was able to set up a series of appointments and insurance helped, making the appointments very affordable with only a $20 copay.

       I had seen basketball players with red circles on their backs, shoulders, etc. I read that cupping and scraping could help me continue to heal in the hands of a licensed therapist. I had scraping before for a serious hamstring injury from softball, but this would be a new experience for me using the cupping and scraping together.

       From Delaine, “Physical therapists use two ancient-yet-modern techniques, cupping and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), often called “scraping”, to help people recover from pain and movement issues.”.

      What is cupping? Cupping uses special suction cups placed on the skin to gently lift tissue. This increases blood flow, relaxes muscles, and reduces inflammation. It’s often used for muscle strains, tension headaches, chronic pain, and sports injuries. Though it may leave red marks, it’s generally safe when performed by a trained therapist.

     What is IASTM? IASTM involves using metal tools to “scrape” over the skin, helping to break up scar tissue and adhesions. It improves range of motion, reduces pain, and speeds recovery especially useful for tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel, and post-surgical scar tissue. Mild soreness or bruising can occur but typically fades quickly.

     Why do these therapies matter? Both techniques are often part of a broader treatment plan that includes exercise, education, and movement training. They help restore motion, ease pain, and promote healing. While cupping works by lifting and improving circulation, IASTM works by applying pressure to target tight or restricted tissues.

     Which one is right for you? Delaine said, “That depends on your condition. Cupping might feel like a gentle pull; scraping may be more intense. A licensed physical therapist can help determine which therapy or combination is most appropriate for your goals. Never use these tools on yourself or allow someone untrained to use these tools on you. Always consult with a trained provider of these services.” 

  These therapies are not just trends, they’re tools that, when used correctly, can offer profound relief and foster recovery in an approachable, hands-on way. Results for me so far include the ability to pull my knees closer to my chest and to normally put on my socks just by reaching for the end of my feet. I also seem to have more flexibility in my quads, a less tight IT Band and a general feeling of strength and balance in my legs. I also learned that the hip flexors are attached to the spine in the exact area of my worst injuries, the L3 and T12 vertebrae. I now have a looped strap that helps in stretching the hamstrings, the least flexible muscle in the body for many runners.

     In unfinished business from Special Olympics Torch Run, the Salisbury PD has more benefit events upcoming. Organizational Development Sergeant Adam Bouk said, “We definitely had a bigger turnout this year and hopefully even bigger next year. Between the lunches we sold, merchandise and a few donations we raised $750 for NCLETR on Wednesday. Our goal for 2025 is $15,000…we have never exceeded $7,500, and this year we are doing big things! We have the dead lift on June 7^th, a poker run on September 20^th and a fall softball tournament in October.” Contact Bouk at 704-216-7556.

      Our next race upcoming is the Fun Fest 5K Trail Run for Nazareth Children’s Home on June 7^th. This is a first-time trail run event in conjunction with Nazareth’s Fun Fest that will use the East Rowan YMCA trails for the 5K course. Look for this event and more at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org