One of the best parts of the mountain lifestyle at Olde Mill is the endless miles of winding country roads. When I am not in the kitchen preparing for your next meal, I love to spend time out in the fresh air running up and down those country roads. There is such a calming effect that comes over me when I get out there to begin a new journey through the roads that twist through farmland, horse pastures, and of course the Blue Ridge Parkway. The fresh air is what fuels my runs and has a cleansing effect on my soul. All the stress and worries of daily life seem to melt away with every deep breath of that unspoiled stuff. It carries all the scents of the local blooms, which are ever changing. I have discovered many wildflowers and blooming trees along these barely traveled roads while happily trotting along. It is also a great treat for me when I come up to the crest of a rolling hill and find that cool breeze waiting for me at the top. It rewards and encourages me to continue on for another mile. Here in Southwest Virginia I have found myself running further and faster than at anytime in my life. The terrain and altitude have strengthened my lungs and increased my endurance to allow me to excel at new personal bests when I venture down the mountain to other towns for organized races. I posted the best time of my life for a 5k in Galax this past fall and I attribute that to the training I do here around Olde Mill.
I am very excited about our nature trails being cleared now alongside the Little Reed Island River which winds through our resort property. It has a layer of mulch that softens the shock on your knees and ankles for those who may be less likely to run on pavement or asphalt. The trails will be growing to several miles in length. They will also provide our guests and homeowners with a refuge like no other in our area. There will be plenty of places to stop, rest, and enjoy the sounds of the trickling water.
For those runners who are competitive or just casual that want to help with a fundraising event, we will be organizing a race here at Olde Mill over the next few months. It will be an opportunity to help raise money for worthy causes while we take an afternoon to enjoy some of this fresh mountain air and gather for some food and music after the race is complete. Our hopes are to make this an annual event. Details will be forthcoming! Meanwhile, I have listed a few of the local races going on in the next few months. Come stay with us to run a local race, and enjoy the relaxing calm that you can only get from mountain living at Olde Mill!
Chef Ed

Local Event Listings
Hope for Honduras
Pinnacle, NC Sat 06/05/2010 5 K
Race For The Land
Stanley, NC Sat 06/05/2010 Half Marathon, 8 K
Charity Chase Half Marathon
Hickory, NC Sat 06/05/2010 Half Marathon
Trail Nut 10K & Half Marathon
Bedford, VA Sat 06/05/2010 Half Marathon, 10 K
3 Mountain Madness
Pilot Mountain, NC Sat 06/05/2010 Varies
Hickory Jaycees Charity Chase Half Marathon
Hickory, NC Sat 06/05/2010 Half Marathon
Walk Don’t Work
Boone, NC Tue 06/08/2010 5 K
The China Grove Main Street Challenge 5K
China Grove, NC Fri 06/11/2010 5 K, 0.5 Mi
The Varmint 1/2 Marathon & 5K Run
Burkes Garden, VA Sat 06/12/2010 Half Marathon, Half Marathon, 5 K
EDUC8-K
Lynchburg, VA Sat 06/12/2010 5 Mi, 1 K
3rd Annual Beech Mountain A Cool 5 Race Weekend – 5M Race & 1.5M Fun Run/Walk
Beech Mountain, NC Sat 06/12/2010 5 Mi, 1 Mi
Dixie Diva Tri
Gibsonville, NC Sun 06/13/2010 Sprint
Bottom Dollar Food Miles of Mooresville
Mooresville, NC Fri 06/18/2010 1 Mi, 2 Mi, 5 K
Tour de Kale
Denton, NC Fri 06/18/2010
Sat 06/19/2010 75 miles, 62 Miles, 36 Miles, 10 Miles
Presbyterian Homes 5K & Youth Run
Lynchburg, VA Sat 06/19/2010 5 K, 1 K
Clemmons Rotary 5K
Clemmons, NC Sat 06/19/2010 5 K
9th Annual “Run for Justice”
Danville, VA Sat 06/19/2010 5 K, 10 K, 2 K
4th Annual Saddles and Spokes Ride
Winston-Salem, NC Sat 06/26/2010 100 K, 50 K
The West End Center “Race for the Kids”
Roanoke, VA Sat 07/03/2010 5 K, 1 Mi
Firecracker 5K, 10K & 1M Family Fun Run
Lenoir, NC Sat 07/03/2010 Varies
Alleghany Gran Fondo
Covington, VA Sat 07/10/2010 100 miles, 62 miles, 35 miles
Grandfather Mountain Marathon
Boone, NC Sat 07/10/2010 Marathon
Bottom Dollar Food Miles of Mooresville
Mooresville, NC Fri 07/16/2010 1 Mi, 2 Mi, 5 K
Beat the Heat 5K
Winston-Salem, NC Sat 07/17/2010 5 K, 1 Mi
2nd Annual Run For Life 5K
West Jefferson, NC Sat 07/17/2010 5 K, 1 Mi
Athletic Quilt Street Light 5K
Morganton, NC Sat 07/17/2010 5 K
XTERRA Beech Mountain Trail Run
Beech Mountain, NC Sun 07/18/2010 Varies
Bottom Dollar Food Miles of Mooresville
Mooresville, NC Fri 08/13/2010 1 Mi, 2 Mi, 5 K
Health Focus of Southwest Virginia
Salem, VA Sat 08/14/2010 5 K, 10 K, 3 Mi
Lynchburg Half Marathon & 5K
Lynchburg, VA Sat 08/14/2010 Half Marathon, 5 K
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