Sunday, March 25, 2012

Running in the Wichita Mountains



OTRA decided to head to the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma to get in some hill training on Mt. Scott.  Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim is coming up quickly!  Mt. Scott is a mountain located in the Wichita Mountains near Fort Sill military base.  It rises to a height of 2,464 feet and is a perfect way to get ready for Rim-to-Rim and Angel Fire 50K, both in June.  The plan was 12 miles on Mt. Scott (3 miles up and 3 miles down, then repeart), then 6 miles running the Dog Run Hollow trail (very rocky and hilly trail) and then finish with a 3 mile run/hike up Elk Mountain.

We all met at the base of Mt. Scott at 7:30 am and started running up. (and up. and up. and up!)  : )  I am a former hill hater, now a hill lover and this was FUN!  I loved the trip up because I could push myself and the trip down was fun because gravity did most of the work and I could enjoy the gorgeous views.  Nancy, Cindy and Matt were off like rockets barreling up the mountain and back down.  Peggy, Beth and I took it a little slower and took some pictures.  It was so much fun we are planning on going back next weekend for round two!  

After 12 miles on the mountain, we went over to Dog Run Hollow and got in some good running, hiking and picture taking and then did the same at Elk Mountain.  I came home with 21 miles of hills on my legs, sunburned, happy and tired.  Who says Oklahoma isn't a beautiful state?!?!  
From the top of Mt. Scott


Beth running up

Me running up, up, up

Peggy enjoying the view running down Mt. Scott


Happy group of runners!

Peggy and Shay running on Dog Run Hollow

Beth, Cindy, Peg and I on Dog Run Hollow








Top of Elk Mountain



Where the buffalo roam

Longhorns grazing on the Wichita Wildlife Management Area


4 comments:

  1. Looks great! I may need to head north for a run!

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  2. Looking forward to it on Saturday!

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  3. Beautiful pictures! And so nice that you have great friends to run long miles with. Love it!

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  4. Interesting post, I enjoyed read this.

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