Highlands Sky 2011-Bob Haithcock’s 21 Reasons

10 Reasons why I shouldn’t run the 41m Highlands Sky Trail Race ever again:

• I don’t do well in the summer heat and humidity….
• I don’t like rocky trails…
• I don’t like muddy, rocky trails…
• I don’t like rocky, muddy, rocky trails…
• I always lose my lunch as I approach Aid Station #6…
• I always cramp up really bad as soon as I hit the Road Across the Sky Section…
• I always lose at least 3 toenails due to those rocky trails (4 this year!)…
• No micro brew to found at any of the aid stations…could open up a brand new award category…
• That stinging nettle gets you no matter how far back in the pack you are…
• 400 miles is a bit far to drive for a 40 mile trail race, though both take about the same time now (must be that slower damn car)…

11 Reasons why I’ll be back to run the 41m Highlands Sky Trail Race next year:

• The scenery is spectacular…
• The course is challenging and completing it leaves you with one helluva sense of accomplishment…
• The volunteers are the greatest…
• Love that feeling as you cross that finish line with Dan snapping your humble picture…
• Micro brew pre-race and post-race (thanks beer guys)…
• The butt slide is back and muddy as ever…
• Competition and camaraderie of fellow trail runners you run with throughout the journey that day…
• A pitcher of IPA at the Purple Fiddle Saturday night listening to some awesome music and all is well in the world once again…
• Great breakfast at Flying Pigs for the ride home…
• Backwater Falls
• Nobody puts on a better race than Dan and crew….thanks Dan and his merry band of volunteers…