3-miles of snowshoeing in Suffield Academy, with Dusty, 36:52.

3-miles in Suffield Academy, with Dusty.  37:33 of snowshoe adventure.

5-miles in Sunrise Park with Dusty, snowshoe total of 1:03:24.

3-miles in Suffield Academy with Dusty, 34:57.

Bigelow Hollow in Union, Connecticut to snowshoe 11-miles with the Old Goat, 2:50:11.

4-miles of snowshoeing in Suffield Academy, with Dusty, 56:04.

3-mile snowshoe in the Suffield Academy with Dusty, for 37:51.

2nd Annual Tannery Falls Winter Run Snowshoe
December 20th, 1997 - Florida/Savoy, Massachusetts

2nd Annual Tannery Falls Winter Run (Snowshoe) was held at Savoy Mountain State Forest.  Four total finishers for the event, two with snowshoes (the Bandit and I).  We ran 3:39:13 for the 25-Km.

3-miles on snowshoes in Stony Brook Park with Dusty, 31:30.

A first today, snowshoe'd 5-miles along Main Street at 5 a.m. in 49:35.

2nd Spruce Hill Climb Snowshoe Race
December 7th, 1997 - Florida/Savoy, Massachusetts

A Spruce Hill Snowshoe Adventure was held in Savoy Mountain State Forest.  We managed to have twelve-finishers on this fine, snowy day!  I completed my 8-mile route in 2:00:27.

Took a run through on snowshoes with Dusty on the South Pond Shuffle Course, which left North Pond, circled Tyler Swamp and South Pond before finding the way back to North Pond.  All this in Savoy Mountain State Forest, on the Florida and Savoy border.

I am hoping to pull off an event here during January or February, 1998!  Today, we managed the fairly easy 4.0-miles in 58:54.

The Bandit and I had set out for Savoy Mountain State Forest, but a pretty rough snowstorm stopped us from making the journey up Route 2 past the Mohawk State Forest in Charlemont.

We explored Mohawk over 4.0-miles of snowshoeing, including an attempt at climbing the steep Indian Path Trail to the saddle between Clark and Todd Mountains.  We made it about a third of the way up before the footing became too treacherous.  Finished with 1:17:38 on our legs.

7.0-miles of snowshoeing at Dubuque State Forest, from the Hawley Kiln.  Total time out 1:21:32.

3.5-miles of snowshoeing with Dusty in the Lewis Hill Bird Sanctuary, 36:39.

"Sunshine, Snowfall, and something called Frost"

Robert Frost Trail
Novemember 16, 1997

Sunderland - Amherst, MA

I am fairly sure that when organizer Keen-Eye scheduled the Robert Frost Trail Runs he wasn’t expecting the course to be covered with snow, not 4”-8” of it anyway. While this kept many potential runners away, I was in my glory and welcomed the snow with open arms, wool garments and snowshoes!!

The peaceful start from Cranberry Pond in the Mt. Toby Reservation (Sunderland, MA) was even more tranquil as only Keen-Eye and I would be willing to attempt the journey. Off we shuffled in unbroken virgin snow huffing and puffing steadily up the side of the hill that would turn into Mt. Toby (1269’), a 900+ foot climb in the first two miles. Five minutes into the jog we both ripped off our outer jackets as the chore of the climb materialized plenty of warmth around us, despite temperatures in the 20’s. Keen-Eye was kind, running slowly in front of me the whole way to keep me on course, as I am sure my snowshoes slowed us down plenty. I noticed plenty of uniform orange blazes on the trees throughout the course, so getting lost wouldn’t seem to be a problem (right).

As the shuffling continued, I was able to remember plenty of trail that made up the 1995 Trail Championship put on here. It really is amazing how memory works so selectively. The blast down hill from the firetower at Toby was a real treat as we kicked up snow propelling ourselves headlong off the mountain. As we chugged up and over Roaring Mountain a great big rise loomed directly in front of us, causing me to ask, “what is that?” It was Bull Hill (937’), which looked much bigger than it was but still contained about 500’ of climb.

That’s pretty much how it went for the Mt. Toby section of this run, up a mountain and back down only to do it all again. The snow was layered upon the tree limbs, sinking branches down towards earth, the numerous brooks were barely perceptible under the pure blanket of white, the air was clean and cool and crisp and there was nothing and no one but the two of us making our way through the forest. As the sun began to warm things up, a great blue sky opened and I was truly glad I was taking part in this event on a most magical day. Winter and its snow bring a whole new look to many of our forest, making them appear to be entirely different entities. The lonesome and secluded nature that arrives with the first snowfall is welcome as crowds disappear.

The route sent us towards the wooded ledges of Pulpit Hill, past the scenic and slowly icing Puffers Pond, sharp steep rises to a wonderful bluff overlooking Cushman Brook and views under to rollicking cascades, all in all continuing to send a smile to my face. The majority of the trail is pleasant to the eye, forever changing terrain that keeps one taxed physically but relaxed mentally. Although I enjoyed the uninterrupted 7-mile section through the Mt. Toby Reservation most, the remaining sections I covered were wonderful also.

After cresting Mt. Boreas and reaching Atkins Reservoir (which I believe I have run past when I used to race roads in the DH Jones 10 miler) I knew my day was done with a total of 15-miles in 3:03:56. Keen-Eye told me the next aid station / bailout point was merely a half mile downhill, and after that was a four mile section that would take us over the backwoods of the Pelham Hills and the 957’ Mt. Orient, complete with it’s outstanding views from ledges. Simple decision for me as three hours for the first snowshoe run of the year was plenty (my mind said to go on, continue -- the legs were trashed though).

Keen-Eye continued and I rode the sag wagon to Amethyst Brook to pick him up, close to 20 miles of running in snow for Keen-Eye (3:50:33). He looked very fresh at the end, no doubt due to the slow pace he kept to stick with me. Although we tried to convince him to continue, nail the 33 miles, he was ready to relax too. That ended it up, both of us willing to wait until next year to tackle the 33 miles. The only trouble is the trail has been extended to 40 miles (a new northern section) and plans are to go south from the notch ten more to make it a 50 miler.

1.5-mile snowshoe in thirty minutes, first of the season!

Bash Bish Falls Marathon

November 2, 1997 - South Taconic Trail, MA & NY

The Old Goat, the Gullivers, and a few others rambled out to Bash Bish Falls to participate in a marathon along the South Taconic Trail.  

I managed 26-miles in 6:28:00, with the last few miles being in a driving rain.  This was my 18th marathon.

Pisgah Marathon

September 21, 1997 - Winchester & Chesterfield, NH

I raced and completed the Pisgah Marathon today (29.3-miles), in 5:03:39.  Ran the majority with Zeke Z, covering a beautiful park in New Hampshire.  This was my 17th finished marathon.

The Old Goat Reporteth...

2ND ANNUAL NORTHERN TUNXIS TRAIL RUn

July 5, 1997

The second annual installment of the Tunxis Sag-wagon Saga happened on a perfect July morning.  Clear skies, a slight breeze, temperatures in the 70’s, and good footing awaited 5 pairs of legs that were ready to run.  EA, RF, PP, PR, and I (the Old Goat) met in East Hartland and took 2 cars up the dirt road to the start of the Northern Tunxis Trail on the Mass. / Conn. border.  Our goal was to run the Tunxis Trail in a southerly direction from the MA / CT border to Satan’s Kingdom at the Rt. 44 - Housatonic River junction.  Due to family commitments, EA intended only run with us to the top of Pine Mt. and then double back to his car.  I missed the farmer for the last 3/5 of the run.  If he were there, I at least would have had a chance of keeping contact with someone ahead of me on the uphills instead of eating trail dust (just a bit of envy toward the Quarterhorses from us Clydesdales).

With this plan in place, everything was set.  Or was it?  How would we get “sagged”?  Since old goats aren’t known for their running legs, it’s a good thing we still have half a brain!  My diabolical plan was then unfolded.  After leaving the others off at the start, I would drive the sag wagon (the same car as reported in Hairy Beary’s Greylock story in the last issue) to the next sagpoint, park it, run like hell in a northerly direction until I ran into the others and then reverse direction and run with them until we reached the car.  I then would make sure everyone was replenished.  They would continue running south on the Tunxis and I would again drive to the next sagpoint, etc.  Repeat 4 times.

Because of this, I may have stumbled on a brilliancy.  How else / where else could an old goat like me have the opportunity to run with the big boys and still genuinely keep up with them?  The answer is “Run with them but don’t run as long as they do!”  This can be accomplished by doing exactly what I did.  It turned out to be a wonderful plan for all involved.  They got a 20.8 miler over 3 hours and 1 minute.  I got 1 hour and 43 minutes broken into 5 semi-equal parts of 15-30 minutes each (kind of like doing five, 5K races with 20 minutes of active rest - driving a car - between each one).  They got an endurance workout; I got a speed interval workout; everyone was happy.

Runners of all abilities can now enjoy running together.  The possibilities are endless.  I’ve created a monster! 

Ps:       It helps if the parts you run with them are downhill; as was the case in 4 of the 5 legs.  They’re brutal on the uphills!

The Old Goat

2nd Wapack Range End-To-End

June 29, 1997 - Greenfield, NH to Ashburnham, MA

Second  installment of the "Wapack End-to-End" adventure.

The Gulliver's did another really nice job coordinating the shuttle between points, as well as the aid stations.

Ran with Curt P and Eric M, I didn't get a finish time, but I think it may have been quicker than last year's effort.  This was my 16th completed marathon.

Nipmuck Trail Marathon

June 1, 1997 - Ashford, Connecticut

Completed my 15th marathon distance run today at Nipmuck Trail Marathon.  My finish time was recorded as 4:31:44, which was good for 42nd place.

Metacomet Trail from Sunrise Park.

8.5-miles at 1:20:35.

Road Run around Suffield.

Suffield 15-Miler.

Bridge Street to Phelps Road/Mountain Road - 45:36

Phelps to Route 187 - 41:28

Route 187 - Bridge Street - 42:29

Total - 2:09:33 

Bald Mountain in Shenipsit State Forest.

5-miles in 57:14.

3 Visits to Bird Sanctuary with Dusty through week. 

Four Yasso 800's (3:04 - 3:09)

2 Visits to Bird Sanctuary with Dusty through week. 

I hike on Metacomet (Phelps North) with Dusty.

Four Yasso 800's (3:09 - 3:13)

1 Hill Street 7.2-miler in 59:06

Road Race in Suffield.

2.6-miler for DL in 26:00

10k for me in 43:00 

Hill Street 7.2-miles in 55:19.

2 Visits to Bird Sanctuary Dusty through week. 

1st Yasso 800's this year - four total between 3:16 - 3:18.

Mount Greylock Reservation Winter Run
March 2nd, 1997 - Adams, Massachusetts

40 degrees / windy / rainy / dense fog.

12 Starters / zero finishers of the planned 17.5 mile route.

First runner to the top:  Ed Jr. 65 minutes, followed by Jimmy D.

Lost in Order of Appearance:

Mel, PH & the Wolf Canine dropped first (and early). 
Ed Jr, Jimmy D and “P” out after 7 miles  (1:59:30). 
BD, Old Goat, SB, KG and AG, finished 11.5-miles with me (3:43 thru 4:07).

Route:

• 3.5 initial miles of sheet of ice on the Cheshire Harbor Trail. 
• 4.0 miles from the summit to Jones Nose on the AT and Jones Nose Trail in Knee to Waist deep snow, without the aid of snowshoes (we left them in the vehicles). 
• 3.0 miles on Old Adams Road with fairly decent snow packed trail, only small amounts of ice. 
• Last 1.0 down Cheshire Harbor, very treacherous.

2 hikes on the Metacomet (Phelps North) with Dusty this week.

1 hike to Copper / Peak Mtn with Dusty.

Hike with Dusty in Shenipsit State Forest, northern section from Galbreath Road.

2:59:37 for roughly 7-miles. 

Run from Bigelow Hollow  along the Nipmuck Trail from Route 171 to Boston Hollow Road and back.

12.5-miles, finished in 2:34:20.  Took a dirt road shortcut for a bit of a break on the return,

3 hikes at Stony Brook Park with Dusty during the week.

5-mile snowshoe along the Metacomet Trail in Suffield, from Phelps Road south.

5 hikes in the Bird Sanctuary with DL and Dusty during the week.

Bigelow Hollow State Park Winter Run
February 15th, 1997 - Union, Connecticut

We were hoping for snow.  Instead we got slush.

To misquote Chief Dan George, “It’s a good day to run”.  So we did.  Started out on snow covered dirt logging road at 9:00 am sharp - ‘veteran’ Farmer Ed, ‘used to be a good trail runner, but now’s a roadie’ Leon C, ‘warm up slowly, but kick butt later’ Johnny Bandit, and myself (the Old Goat).  

Conditions were nice; mid-30’s, no wind, and slushy.  Everybody kept needling me at the start about running with just shorts on, but soon they would realize it was they who were overdressed.  They blamed it on the pace - I wouldn’t hear a word of it.  I believe it was because this is my territory.   As we proceeded on, even though it was at a leisurely pace, I became aware of where I would place each footfall to cross a stream, to go through some downed trees, to go around rocks, and where the other guys would place theirs.  Each of my steps, subconsciously would account for minuscule gains in efficiency, but these would add up.  Ha, ha, local knowledge lives!

After a half an hour, we ran into a couple of good hills which of course had to be climbed.  Mr. Ed was wearing a pair of P235 R14 slicks which gave him the traction of 10W-40 on Teflon.  This, though, proved to be rather funny (just don’t get in front of him on the downhills).  Remind me to requisition Adidas to make some mud-grabbing size 97EEE’s for him.

Crested the hill and flew down the other side (god I love downhills).  Back on an ice-covered road and “skated” down the rest of the hill to the southern end of long, thin Breakneck Pond.  Ran out on the ice and waited for the other three.  Got some strange looks from some stranger guys.  To boldly go where no summer runner could go before! (or after for that matter; unless you were J.C.).  “You’re intending to do what?”, they said as they checked their maps again, and continued to sink in about 3 inches of slush that covered the pond.  “Up the gut for 1 3/4 miles” I said.  “But if it’s too soft we can go off onto a trail after about 1/3 mile.”  So as that old disco song goes...Drink a little water, eat a little GU, get wet today!  We did, we did, and we surely did.  The ice was solid underneath, but the slush layer on top would have made any 7-11 Manager green with envy envisioning a 96 acre Cherry Slurpee.

I was a bit disappointed for Ed and John for they’ve never seen Breakneck Pond before (which can only be accessed by foot; it being about 5/8 mile from the nearest tar road and dirt road access fenced off) and with the warm, misty fog that was ever present, the views were less than their normal fantastic.  This is truly one of the last bastions of uncivilization left in CT and I pray it stays that way.

By the way, we were wimps and diverted off the pond and onto the Nipmuck Trail.  This section, the northern most of the Nipmuck, is about 8 miles north of the 3/4 turnaround mark on the Nipmuck Marathon and goes for about 3.5 miles to end at the Mass. border.  Normally an excellent run-able trail, add some good ice and you get panic city.  The side hill pitch throws you toward the pond.  Turns are negotiated by running into trees and hoping you bounce off in the right direction. And there are lots of turns!  The pace wasn’t fast, but we got a workout.

Eventually got back on the icy dirt roads (today’s staple) a few hundred feet short of the Mass. border and headed back southward.  It was here where “Oh, you’re going too fast” John S’s. GU kicked in and he flew by us like we were rime-ice statues.  Watch out for this guy at the 7-mile mark of a race.  Continued to bounce along the logging roads - trying to avoid all the downed trees from that ice storm a few months ago - and held a good conversation the whole way.  I’ve got to believe that more of you sofa spuds would enjoy such tomfoolery if you got out here with us and gave it a go.

With Leon wheel-suck’n the whole way (he said my footprints were good traction - I think he just wanted me to test the road ice.  If this Clydesdale didn’t go through, he surely wasn’t go to.  Come to think of it, is drafting legal in trail running?), J Bandit on his heels and the Farmer a few steps behind that, we coasted down the last hill to the cars.  Ten icy miles in 1:52 with a couple of water / picture breaks.  Chief Dan George was right.

The Old Goat

3rd Annual Moby Dick Marathons
February 9th, 1997 - Lanesborough, Massachusetts

The 3rd Moby Dick Marathons were held.  This time I managed the 16-mile version on snowshoes, finishing in 2:57:33.

The "Up" was with Old Goat, GH Bear, and the young Gulliver.

The "Down" was with Old Goat and my Pop, who joined us in the last couple miles.

3 Visits to Bird Sanctuary with DL & Dusty through week. 

1 hike on the Metacomet from Phelps north as well.

2 Visits to Bird Sanctuary and 1 visit to Stony Brook Park with DL & Dusty through week. 

1 hike on the Metacomet from Route 20 north for 4-miles total with Dusty.

1 hike in Sunrise Park with DL and Dusty.

A return to Dubuque State Forest in Hawley, to explore Moody Spring area over 14-miles of snowshoeing.  Finished in 4:23:38.

4 Visits to Bird Sanctuary with DL & Dusty through week. 

1 hike on the Metacomet to Copper / Peak Mtn as well.

Granville State Forest with GH, the Bandit and Old Goat.  

We covered roughly 12-miles on a lot of ice, in 2:15:20.

Dubuque State Forest in Hawley, Massachusetts for 8-miles of snowshoeing, completed in 2:22:57.

A visit with the folks with a hike / run up to High Bridge (6-miles in 1:36:35). 

Hike with Dusty in Granville State Forest, 2:22:36 time on feet.

We covered "Halfway Brook", "Hubbard River Trail",  "Wood Trail" and back.

4 Visits to Bird Sanctuary and 1 visit to Stony Brook Park with DL & Dusty through week. 

1 hike on the Metacomet from Phelps north as well.

Lost Mountain Exploration

GH & Old Goat joined me on a trek towards "Lost Mountain", or Mount Riga, in Salisbury, CT.

We climbed up the Undermountain Trail to Riga Junction, and out to cross the road and climb Round and Frissel.  Then back.  Slippery and snow covered.  Great day, no Lost Mountain found though...

59:38 /    59:38

43:24 / 1:43:03

31:30 / 2:14:34

45:06 / 2:59:40

1st Grupa Dupa 50Km

January 4, 1997 - West Hartford, Connecticut

I completed my 14th marathon today, the "Grupa Dupa" at Talcott Mountain State Park, home of the Hueblin Tower.  Tony W and Janice K did a great job as organizers of this "Fat Ass 50" type of event.

We completed multiple loops up and around the tower, with a final distance right around 50km.  My time ended up a pretty quick 5:11:13.

Highlander Route (1 lowlander and 3 highlanders).

1:15:10 / 

1:25:27 / 2:40:37

1:51:02 / 4:31:40 (long rest (16 minutes))

   39:32 / 5:11:13

3 Visits to Bird Sanctuary and 1 visit to Stony Brook Park with DL & Dusty through week.