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Well, on February 25th, a couple of us from the
Florida "flatlands", decided to run the Mount
Cheaha 50K Trail Run though the Talladega
National Forest. This ultra marathon is a point-to-
point trail run that starts off on Hwy 77 at the Porter’
s Gap trailhead and finishes at the summit of
Cheaha Mountain in Cheaha State Park. At 2,407
feet, this is the highest point in Alabama. Scenic
overlooks, creek crossings, lakes, waterfalls,
hardwood and pine forests, deer, turkey and
beautiful single-track trails touring through the
Talladega National Forest are what the runners will
see along the way. There are over 7,600 feet of
vertical climbing and 6,800 feet of descent.
Melinda Fountain and I decided to meet some
Tallahassee friends and run Cheaha. This was to
be Melinda's 1st Ultra. We figured that if you could
do this one, the rest would be a piece of cake!
Marty rode along to give moral support and also
work the race as a valuable volunteer.
The race is a point-to-point run through the hills,
valleys and mountains of North Alabama. The
Mountain Mist Ultra in Huntsville has been called
Alabama's toughest 50K but after the run at
Cheaha, most said this run was 3-4 times harder!
Mountain Mist will now have to change their boast
of being the hardest!
The race started at 7:30 a.m. on a cool, crisp
morning. The start siren screamed at us to begin
running the single-track trails. For those that have
never run single-track, you are at the mercy of
those immediately ahead of you. After starting in
the back of the pack in 2006, our strategy was to go
our slightly faster and avoid getting caught behind
the slower runners on the single track trails at the
start of the race.

The course took us through hardwood forests and
later pine forests. Some of the terrain was
extremely hilly and rocky. We had to traverse large
rock fields that threatened your ankles, knees and
other vital body parts. This was the toughest part of
the race for us. Every step had to be precise. We
still ran but it was like running on egg shells.
The trails went up and down large hills, over rocky
stream beds. 2007 was much drier than 2006 so
we didn't have to wade through thigh deep
mountain streams. Our feet hardly got wet! Andy,
Andrea and Marty helped at the few aid stations
that were present. We would be tired and hear
"hoo ah!" It was a big relief knowing we were finally
at an aid station. Marty and Andy took pictures just
to document this tough run.

Aid stations again had potatos, M&M's, peanut
butter cups, Gatorade, Snickers, peanut butter and
jelly sandwiches and hotdogs for those few brave
individuals.

At mile 28, we had to climb an 800-900 foot peak
by climbing over boulders. We met up with our
group that had Jo Lena, George and Dana. Andy,
Marty and Andrea had already tried out the climb!
We started up and went up and up!! It took 45
minutes of hard work to climb to the top! Having
done this, we only had 3.5 miles to go!

2007 differed from 2006 in that I had not trained
nearly enough! I had leg cramps and fatigue near
the end. George gave me some Succeed. Boy was
it a help! I ended up walking a good bit! Not what I
wanted to do.

This is a tough but extremely scenic run. The race
director did an awesome job! He vows to improve
even more.

Mount Cheaha 50K was a great experience and
one that any ultra "wannabee" should attempt. You
will meet some of the best people involved in
running. “Ultra's” are low key, fun events where you
talk with each other, help each other and lift each
other up mentally and emotionally.