Running in Banner Elk,NC (Charlotte, Raleigh: home, buy, university)

[HereToRun]

I am very very interested in moving to Banner Elk or Blowing Rock,NC. Ive seen a bunch of pictures and am sold on the beauty. I did see one post about how the jobs are few and far between and the economy is kind of a bust. Well that somewhat concerns me, because im certainly not wealthy. But ultimately im coming to run and to run as high as i can on the eastern side of the country. I am from Md originally, but spent the last three years out in western colorado at 7700ft. Any athletes who train near their...is this the place to go? I know the road biking is fine and the mtn biking, probably better...any help would be nice.thanks. I am strictly a road runner. i know how the east coast is...not very friendly and the humidity is always their,which i actually like.

[charlottePA]

I'm a competitive road runner in Charlotte. Some of the competition comes out of Asheville, Boone, Brevard. Most from the cities though: Charlotte, Raleigh, etc. The difference in altitude should not be an enormous physiological advantage to you. From Colorado, yes, you're up high. Several controlled studies have demonstrated the benefits of altitude only manifest at over 8500 feet. Banner Elk and Blowing Rock are about half this. You can find decent "hills" to train on in most any town in Piedmont/Western NC.

I'd put the move just to run at altitude way down on the list. Instead I'd consider factors like: does the place have runner-friendly streets, sidewalks, paths, trails, etc. Is there a base of runners in the area to train with? Can I get a job so that I can buy food and shelter?

Just personally speaking, I think Banner Elk and Blowing Rock would be miserable places to live and run. I'd explore nearby Boone. Or even try and land a job in Hickory or one of the larger "cities" where I know from first hand experience that the running community is stronger.

Good luck.

[gigimac]

Yes, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock are small villages outside the town of Boone. It's also small, but with the university there, you might have a better chance of finding work. It is indeed a scenic area to explore, especially the way from Boone to Banner Elk. The roads all up in there are usually pretty curvy, not much shoulder, but there are some straighter and wider spots in various places. Snowfall is heavy and temps are cold in winter, clouds drift around, but I can remember walking all over the place when I used to live up that way and even driving on snow.

Pull up some websites about the Blue Ridge Parkway as relates to runners...seems like I see them up there from time to time, and it comes by the Boone area somewhere nearby. There are parts of it that have good shoulders, and it goes all the way down through the mountain part of the state. Also, the Appalachian Trail, while it is too rough for running, you just might like hiking it for a change, hiking is big up in these mountains, plus there are hiking groups, and some people, as I'm sure you've heard, have walked it all the way from somewhere up in the Northeast U.S. right on down to Georgia. Seems like it also goes near Boone, but again you'll have to pull some websites and see what the situation is.

[OconeeMountains]

I think banner elk or blowing rock areas (Boone vicinity) would be a great for a person who wants to run or train at altitude. The cycling team at little Leas Mcrae college in Banner Elk has won many competitions for this little home field training advantage. If you enjoy a small town feel and don't mind a bit of inconvenience to visit the 'big box' stores (in Boone, about 25 min from Banner Elk, 15 min from Blowing Rock) then you'd likely enjoy the area. The folks are very friendly and come from different parts of the US because, outside of the locals, many come to vacation or retire in this part of NC. The long time local population (outside the towns) is largely invloved in agricuture, which lends to the scenic beauty of the area. I enjoy mountain biking in these mountain counties (Watauga, Avery, Ashe) on the many back way country roads myself. The scenery is awesome and a true testament to our creator's majesty.

[anifani821]

You didn't say anything about your skills or job experience. Just don't come w/o a job. Do your research.

The suggestion about Hickory is actually quite good. Short trip to enjoy the Blowing Rock/Boone/Banner Elk area.

[Catbirds]

Hickory is a lot cheaper to live in than this part of the mountains.