Attempted powerline loop run

I headed out to the greenbelt this morning with full intentions of running the powerline loop. The problem with that, is that I had no idea where the loop was, nor how long it was. No matter, I thought, I know where the powerlines are, I’ll just run to them and pick up the loop from there. I mean, I’ve run under the lines several times, how hard could it be to find them on my own, right? Apparently, it can be very hard since I got lost looking for them.

I started down the hill of life, but veered off down one of the side trails right after the turn. We ran down one of these trails during the 30k last Sunday, and I was sure that I’d picked the right one. Well, I didn’t. I ended up running along some really narrow and gnarly trails pretty much all along the side of the HOL and all the way down to the water crossing at the dam. I got my feet wet, and started snaking my uphill on the other side of the dam. I ran some of the same course from Sunday that so thoroughly kicked my ass only today the ground was dry so I had good footing and I ran it instead of walked it.

Once at the top of this hill, I ran around looking for the trail that leads to the power lines but couldn’t find it. I ran around for about an hour before I decided to turn back. On my way back, I decided to try a different route up the HOL, so I went up one of the side trails near the dam. I’d just finished eating the remainder of my Clif bar so I was feeling energetic to say the least. After about 30 minutes or so, I decided that I must’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere and started my way back down the mountain looking for trail that would take me back to the Scottish Woods trail head.

Eventually, I found some trail that lead up hill, so I took it. I ran, and walked, but mostly ran up the hills. After going uphill for what seemed like forever, I got to an opening in the woods and almost simultaneously ran out of water.

What do you think I found at the opening in the woods? The dang on powerlines. As I was looking up at them, I noticed a vulture over head circling about. I wondered how it knew that I was lost, out of food and water and sans cell phone. I climbed up on a rock to try to get my bearings, but all I saw was green trees in all directions. I climbed down, and started walking under the power lines until I came to a split, one side going up the hill some more, and the other going back down. On a whim, I took the one that went up, and ended up coming out about 200 yards up the street from the trailhead I was looking for. Phew!

I was never actually worried until I ran out of water, but even then, I knew that I was close to the trail head, so I wasn’t actually worried, worried. I’d only planned on being out for about an hour and a bit, but not for the 2 plus hours I was out. I had a great time out there today and I actually enjoyed being lost running through the woods on my own. I don’t know that a normal person would say that, but then again, I am a little off as are a lot of my fellow trail running ultramarathoning and ultramarathoning wannabe brethren.