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.

Sonny Rollins in Amherst?

No.

After years of wondering when and where this concert was (which DL and I attended), I found some notes on it in my old running logs.

Finally, on March 16th, 2015, I have the answer to this riddle:

October 9, 1997, Sonny Rollins at Mt Holyoke with DL and L Germo.

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.

Traveled to Peaks Island, Maine with DL. 

Savoy Mountain 20-miler in 3:34:27. 

Ran the Bridge of Flowers Race today, first the 2-miler with DL, and then I continued with the 10k on my own.

I had a time of 49:18. 

Trip to the Catskills with the Bandit for the Escarpment 30k.

5:03:15 finish with the Bandit.

We walked the last 6-miles, as I found him laying on a blanket at Stoppel.

I had been suffering and feeling horrible as well up to that point.

RunSteveo was further behind us as well.  Rough day for each of us.

This was pretty humbling, as my three prior finishes at this event were in the 3:40:00 range.

Long Run with RunSteveo, Penwood to Talcott Mountain for 16.5-miles in 3:08:17. 

Hiked back to Greylock's summit with Dusty, our camping was completed.

Savoy Short Course with Pop later on. 

Hike Greylock with Dusty, 8-miles before backpack camping at Sperry Site.

From Greylock's Summit - AT North - Notch Road - Money Brook - Mt Prospect - Money Brook to Hopper Connect to Campground at Sperry.

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

My Splits were 1:27:00 to Pine, 1:51:00 back for 3:18:49 total.