As the title indicates, today I did my long run up on the Huckleberry Trail. I felt like a 13 mile long run justified the 40 minute drive to and from Christiansburg. The Huckleberry is a paved trail just shy of 6 miles that runs from Christiansburg to Blacksburg. It is used by walkers, runners, dog walkers, and cyclists. I used to run on this trail for almost every run when I was in school and for the first two years after I graduated. One thing I really miss about this trail is getting to see all the people out and about on a Saturday morning. It’s really enjoyable just seeing everyone and getting to say hi or good morning.
The trail I normally run on at home is the Dora Trail. It is a 2.5 mile trail that starts in downtown Pulaski and connects to the New River State Park Trail. The Dora trail is paved for 0.8 miles and then the rest of it, as well as the state park trail, is crushed gravel. The area is not as populated as the Blacksburg/Christiansburg area, so I usually see a lot less people. Sometimes I don’t see anyone the whole time during a long run. The state park trail also gets use from horseback riders, so we have to watch out for the horses (and their poop).
Distance- 13.12 miles
Time- 2:17:16
Pace- 10:28/mile
Calories- 1495
As I first started out I was a bit chilly. It was around 33 degrees at the start and I was in shorts and a long sleeve technical shirt. I also felt kind of sluggish for the first mile. But after that I started to feel better and really just enjoyed being back on the trail.
I cruised through the first half of my run and got down to the Blacksburg Library at 6.5 miles. I stopped for a quick bathroom break and to refill my water bottle at the library. I also ate two shot blocks at this point. Then I got back to it.
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| View of campus from the trail. I love that place. |
As I started back up the trail, I passed the memorial for a police officer who was killed on the trail. The first day of class my freshman year a prisoner being treated at the hospital escaped and they had a manhunt in the area for him. Corporal Sutphin found him on the trail, but sadly the prisoner shot and killed him. They apprehended the prisoner 8 hours later and he eventually was sentenced to death. There was a temporary memorial until this was put in place, along with a tree and another plaque.
I continued to feel great through miles 7 and 8, like I was just on top of the world. But miles 8-10 were a little tougher. This is where I went back through the rolling hills that the trail has, and my legs started to feel fatigued. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t still loving every second of being on this trail, because I was.
I stopped and ate two more shot blocks at mile 10 (and dropped my other 2 in the dirt, which I wasn’t happy about….) and kept plugging along. From there I just took it 1 mile at a time until I was back to my starting point at the trail head in Christiansburg. At the end it had warmed up to 46 degrees (it is beautiful outside today!!), but I was still comfortable in my shorts and long sleeve.
If I could have given the trail a hug at the end of my run I would have. Thanks for a great run, Huckleberry! I miss you.
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| Barry snapped this picture of me halfway through mile 12, headed for home. |
Turkey Runner 
How fun! I am about to head out for a long run (I have been saying this for a couple hours and keep delaying) Isn’t it nice to go to a place you used to be so familiar with? It has been a few months since I hit up the trail I am going to today so it will be nice, but nothing spectacular. I love the picture of the bridge. Looks awesome 🙂
Hope you had a good long run!
That trail looks like it is totally worth the 40 miles each way! Glad you enjoyed your run so much :)I’ve only been to Chick-fil-a once and I can’t remember what I had. One opened recently in Flagstaff so I might have to stop in and try the sandwich you had. It looks really good.
The Chargrilled chicken sandwich is my favorite thing to get. I bet you’ll like it!
Yay glad your run went well!!! I love familiar trails that just feel like friends. I have a trail run that I’ve really been feeling that way about here in DC – we’re new friends, but I think it’s going to last ;). I’ve done a few mud runs or runs, like my one last week, where I didn’t have any goals in mind.
Those “no pressure” runs can be a lot of fun, and sometimes you end up doing a lot better than you were expecting!
I love the Huckleberry Trail! Bill and I run on it when we’re in Blacksburg for the games! Often it’s still dark when we start if we are doing a longer run and the game is at noon (like many were this year). I wanted to start jumping when I saw your picture of Lane Stadium! 🙂 Do you want to try to meet up before the 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance in two weeks? We could do a blogger meet-up run, take pics, and both write about it. Just a thought. I’d love to meet you in person, and at least run the first part together. I plan to run it very easy and take pictures along the way… so I wouldn’t want to hold you back.
I bet we’ve unknowingly passed each other on the trail before football games in the past! I did all of my long runs on the Huckleberry trail up until this past football season. Sure, I’d love to try and meet up! I am planning on parking at the dairy farm and running a few miles on the Huckleberry over to campus beforehand. Would it be best to work out the logistics through email? I’ve never done a blogger meet-up at a race before.
Yes, let’s figure this out with email, so we can exchange mobile numbers to text on race morning, etc. We will be staying at a friend’s place on South Main. Should I use your VT email address that I can see on my admin page?
Yep, thats the one!
Found this entry while visiting the area and trying to find somewhere for a long run. The Huckleberry Trail was perfect! Thanks so much for the post.
That’s great! I’m glad I could help you find a good place for a long run 🙂 Hope you enjoyed my favorite trail.