Monroe / Dunbar Brook Part I

The Sunday before "Columbus" Day is the 10.5-Mile Dunbar Brook Trail Race.  I haven't participated at this event since 2007.  Prior to that, I "...made my way 'round" sixteen times, each year from 1992 thru 2007.  I imagine I have also run the loop as a fun run a dozen or more times through the years.

I knew that some of the briars would be trimmed for the race, so I had intentions of getting out at some point this week to enjoy this very beautiful course.  I did enjoy it, took some detours, and snapped many photos.  Spoke with the two pair of couples I encountered who were also visiting the forest today.

I was out on the course over 4-hours, finishing with 12.7-miles.  This would have placed me dead last at this year's race, by a lot.  My point is, while occasionally thinking about "racing" an official event, what I am into now is pretty far away from trail racing.

Looking at the times I've run at the race, it also occurs to me that toward the end of my racing days, the race wasn't that big a deal to me anyhow.  Enjoying the natural settings of the forest and the people I'm close to were the real draw.

1992 - 1:34:38

1993 - 1:31:48

1994 - 1:33:07

1995 - 1:34:35

1996 - 4:07:26 (30k Distance run with my Pop)

1997 - 2:07:30 (Half-Marathon Distance, run with RunSteveo)

1998 - 1:40:14

1999 - 1:36:22

2000 - 1:37:58

2001 - 1:31:53

2002 - 1:39:56

2003 - 1:34:08

2004 - 1:57:15 (Run with my Pop)

2005 - 1:48:02

2006 - 2:05:04 (Run with my Pop and Paul H)

2007 - 2:05:43 (Run with my Pop)

I'll continue this post with photos and thoughts...  there are too many photos to share in one post.  For today, I want to show Raycroft Lookout, on the Hunt Hill Trail.  This is a truly awesome spot in Massachusetts, and it is not part of the race.  Sometimes, we have to follow the path less followed.

Raycroft Lookout on Hunt Hill

Raycroft Lookout  w/ Bear Swamp Upper and Lower Reservoirs viewable

Looking toward the Clark - Todd Ridge in Mohawk Trail State Forest

On this day, October 9th, 2013, Tippi and I ran the DAR State Forest Marathon in 6:10:00.  It was my 50th completed marathon, and Tippi's 17th and final finish.  She ran some decent distance after this one, for a couple years, but nothing over 20-miles.

We began in Goshen, at the Daughter's of American Revolution State Forest, and ran out to Bullet Reservation, and back.  Had a nice stop along the way at Chapel Ledge and Chapel Falls.

Tippi looking off Chapel Ledge (or Pony Ledge).

 Tippi looking off Chapel Ledge.

 Tippi on Chapel Ledge.

 Chapel Falls.

 Chapel Falls.

 Tippi cooling off in a pool at Chapel Falls.

Course.

A warm, rainy, humid day in Connecticut.  Figuring any trail with rocks would be difficult, I went to McClean Reservation and the wonderful soft, pine needle covered paths. 

The warmth and humidity did make it uncomfortable, but I ran hard over a distance of 6.4-miles.  I was satisfied with my effort, which was around 1:13:00.  The most remarkable thing about the time spent in McClean today was that despite it not being a "sunshine day", I was not alone.  I came across four additional groups hiking during my run.

3.3-miles along the Metacomet at Hatchet Hill on a somewhat humid day in October.  I used the mountain bike options of Smaug's Lair and Keg Roller as well, before getting back on the Metacomet for the last mile.

View of Farmington River above the Tariffville Gorge

Old faithful, 3.6 miles along the Metacomet from Phelps Road, Suffield south.

View from the ridge

Some old photos from this day in 2002, at the Breakneck Trail Race, Union, CT

Pop on his way to the finish!

Very Good People and Great Friends!

Another Very Good Person and Great Friend!

 My Pop totally comfortable after running 20km and eating Molitoris Home-Cooking!

Very Good People and Great Friends!

Going to the Wayback Machine again, this day in 2002 at Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union, Connecticut.  This was the day prior to the Breakneck 20km Trail Race, and we were marking the route.

Old Best Friends...  Liddy and Tippi in Breakneck Pond

Wuzzam and K2 on the east side of Breakneck Pond

Wuzzam along many of the boulders on the west side of Breakneck Pond

Marathons Part VI

Looking back at my marathons once more, I wanted to take a look at the number of marathons run during each year.  Since my original marathon completed was in 1992, I'm looking back over twenty-five years. 

While it would have been great to have done at least one a year, that hasn't been the case.  The marathons reflect life;  some years allowed for better training and more attempts than others.  That being said, there have been only five years where I came up with a goose egg.  2015 & 2016 are two most recent with no attempts or finishes, and I understand the "why" behind those years.  Surgery and Recovery change time perception and expectations.

The most in a year was six completed marathons, in 2005.

The next biggest years had me completing five marathons, 1996 & 2009.

Next up, I also had three years with four completed marathons, 1997, 2006 & 2012.

Interestingly, the 1996 - 1997 and 2005 - 2006 two-year periods saw me doing some really decent running!

Year       # Marathons     

1992       1             

1993       1              2

1994       2              4

1995       3              7

1996       5              12

1997       4              16

1998       3              19

1999       2              21

2000       1              22

2001       1              23

2002       0              23

2003       1              24

2004       0              24

2005       6              30

2006       4              34

2007       1              35

2008       3              38

2009       5              43

2010       1              44

2011       0              44

2012       4              48

2013       2              50

2014       2              52

2015       0              52

2016       0              52

3.2-miles along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail from Route 20 (Turkey Hill Road) to Copper Hill Road in East Granby, CT.  Wonderful night for anything outdoors.

Marathons Part V

Next up to account for are the marathons which were made up by myself, or with a few friends.  These "Do It Yourself" Marathon's total twenty-four finishes.

I don't even remember how the earliest three came into being.  I know several of us had interest in the South Taconic and Appalachian Trails in  New York, Western Connecticut and Southwest Massachusetts.  There was some minor talk, and then the runs were attempted.

Greylock 2005 was simply a repeat of the actual Marathon from 1998, but held as a birthday run for the Old Goat.  We knew the route, the only issue was dropping some water.

After that, research became important.  Mapping, knowing the distances of sections, aid drops, and making the routes memorable became the focus.  Looking at the list, I am pleased with what has been accomplished.  I am hopeful that I have many of these type of runs left in me.

1996       AT Riga Plateau

1997       Bash Bish

2002/2003           Mt Riga Plateau

2005       Greylock Marathon

2005       Savoy General Store Marathon

2005       Hallockville Pond Marathon

2005       Mt Riga Plateau

2005       Northern Nipmuck Marathon

2006       Metacomet Marathon

2006       Tunxis Marathon

2006       Tunxis Marathon II

2007       Notchview Reservation

2008       Hallockville Pond - Mt Institute

2008       Metacomet Marathon II

2009       McLean Reservation

2009       Robert Frost

2009       Tunxis II (South)

2012       Tunxis

2012       Metacomet Marathon

2012       Conway Covered Bridge

2013       Hawley Berkshire East

2013       DAR to Bullet

2014       Mohawk - Savoy Mtn

2014       Dunbar-Whitcomb-Jambs

3.6-miles on a gorgeous day along the Metacomet Trail from Phelps Road south, and back.

Also on this day in 1994, I participated in the 1st Hartford Marathon, running a time of ~3:16:00.  I needed sub 3:10:00 to qualify for Boston, and completing the run "easily" at this pace gained me confidence for my official attempt the following May at Vermont City.  This was my 4th marathon.

Planned a drive to Adams, with an early visit to Mrs. Murphy's Donuts for my folks.  While on the drive I remembered a historical marker along Route 9 in West Cummington that I hadn't seen in ages.  I had to drive back and forth a bit to locate the stone (I only could remember the general area), and I was successful in spotting it.  

Basically the stone marks the location of the first home in West Cummington, that of Seth Wilder, in 1767.  The location is along the south side of Route 9 in West Cummington, roughly 1/10 mile west from the old Berkshire Snow Basin Ski Area and 1/10 mile east from the small parking area on the north side of the road along the Westfield River.

Just into Windsor nearing the top of the climb before Notchview, I noticed a roadside memorial for Daron Reynolds, who lost his life at this location in April of 2017.  I stopped to admire the effort of friends and family to keep Mr. Reynolds memory active with the memorial, as well as spend a few moments reflecting upon the sadness for those he left.  It seems as though I am noticing these memorials more often lately.

Once in Savoy, I ran 7.7-miles along the Tannery Trail, the Parker Brook Trail, and the Ross Brook Trail (as well as a bit along Tannery Road).  Mid forty degrees with light rain throughout, but manageable.

The last part of my journey was a visit with my folks, including a nice farm raised pork dinner.  Made it back to Connecticut safely and thought of this as a pretty good day.

1st home in West Cummington location marker

1st home in West Cummington location marker

Doran Reynolds Memorial

Doran Reynolds Memorial

Bridge over Tannery Road near the Tannery Falls Parking Area

 Stonework along Parker Brook Trail (CCC Remnants?)

Tannery Pond

Ross Brook

Cellar Hole along Tannery Road

Route for the day

Also on this day in 2012, I completed my 47th marathon, Nipmuck.  My time was 4:46:30, which was good for 28th place.  This was the 9th time I completed this event.

Going back to this day in 2002, a fun run in Monroe State Forest along the Monroe Power Run / Dunbar Brook 10.5-mile loop.  Pop, Wuzzam, Tippy and I enjoyed a beautiful day along Dunbar Brook and Spruce Mountain.

Wuzzam with Dunbar Brook in the background

Pop climbing up out of Dunbar Brook

Pop coming down from Spruce Mountain

Pop passing the giant boulder

Wuzzam and Pop on the bridge, which has been missing for the past many years...

Marathons Part IV

After completing two road marathons, I felt I was ready for a trail marathon.  I was scared, and had no idea what to think.  The event was Nipmuck, and I wasn't familiar with the forest, the course, the hills, or the drain on a body during 26-miles along a rolling, wooded trail.  A friend of mine from Adams, RunSteveo, met me at the half-way point to run the second half of the route with me.

The event that day was actually easier than I thought it would be.  I recall being very cautious regarding my pace, and not getting caught up in "racing".  This really helped me enjoy the distance and the forest.  Also, I had some difficult trail runs in the bank.  I had completed a couple Savoy 20-milers, as well as a couple Wapack finishes over the previous two trail racing seasons, and both of those events included some serious hills. 

Lesson learned, again, was do the homework.  I had a lot in the bank, and was maybe over-prepared.  These attentions to detail resulted in success.

My official trail race marathons total twenty-one finishes. as follows:

1994       Nipmuck Marathon, Ashford, CT

1995       1st Moby Dick, Lanesborough, MA

1996       2nd Moby Dick, Lanesborough, MA

1996       Nipmuck Marathon, Ashford, CT

1997       Gruba Dupa, West Hartford, CT

1997       Nipmuck Marathon, Ashford, CT

1997       Pisgah, Chesterfield/Winchester, VT

1998       4th Moby Dick, Lanesborough, MA

1998       Nipmuck Marathon, Ashford, CT

1998       Greylock Marathon, Lanesborough, MA

1999       Pisgah, Chesterfield/Winchester, VT

1999       Watery Hill I, Rhode Island

2000       Watery Hill II, Rhode Island

2001       Nipmuck Marathon, Ashford, CT

2005       Nipmuck Marathon, Ashford, CT

2006       Greylock Marathon, Lanesborough, MA

2008       Curlys, Pittsfield, MA

2009       Nipmuck Marathon, Ashford, CT

2009       Curlys, Pittsfield, MA

2010       Nipmuck Marathon, Ashford, CT

2012       Nipmuck Marathon, Ashford, CT

Marathons Part III

Of the 52 completed marathons under my belt, seven were on the road.  It began in 1992 in Lowell, Massachusetts.  I remember that being two loops, on a decently nice fall day in late October.  I finished, my folks drove out to support my efforts, and with a 3:35 or so, I felt like a marathoner.  The ability to complete the 26.2-miles that day gave me confidence to attempt anything else I could think of.

The history of my seven completed road marathons is as follows:

1992       Bay State Marathon, Lowell, MA

1993       1st Bridgeport Marathon, Bridgeport, CT

1994       1st Hartford Marathon, Hartford, CT

1995       Vermont City, Burlington, VT

1995       2nd Hartford Marathon, Hartford, CT

1996       Fat Ass Fifty, North Adams, MA

1996       100th Boston Marathon, Boston, MA

As previously written, April of 1996 was the end of running road marathons.

Marathons Part II

Continuing to think more about the marathon, namely how long I've been at attempting the distance, and also why this is important to me

At first I'm sure it was just the distance, being able to be fit enough to finish 26-miles.  Then the 100th Boston was happening, and I was one of the many who got caught up in the excitement, lore, and challenge of qualifying for that race in 1996.

Qualifying for Boston was an interesting lesson for me;  the year of making every run important with an end goal in mind (being able to qualify with a sub 3:10 marathon somewhere else) started out exciting enough.  But, as the year went on, and time was constantly spent figuring out my fitness level versus time left to qualify, the entire process became a bit stressful.  Especially when I would skip "fun" runs because they didn't support my end goal, and might be counter-productive to my overall training.  Luckily, I was far enough into my program to push through once the building negativity started.  I realized at some point that Boston wasn't that important, evidently.

I was fortunate, blessed, and trained enough to run the qualifying standard of sub 3:10 with a 3:08 at Vermont City.  That qualifying run was stressful, difficult, and exhausting.  Everything a marathon should be, according to most, I guess.  It was also something I felt very satisfied, or rewarded, by.  I realized that I put in the work and achieved the desired results due to the year-long effort and planning.  This became an important lesson I carry with me to this day regarding any type of "project"...  do your "homework", make that "homework" harder than the "test", and things often go well.

The Boston Marathon itself, for me, was a mixed bag.  The course was historic, and the people lining the streets were simply awesome.  It was memorable to be part of the 100th running, and realizing that it took a great effort to even get to the starting line was encouraging.  I didn't like the travel logistics or the crowd.  I also, at some point, realized I didn't really like running 26-miles on a paved road.  Or running on paved road at all.

That became it; I have never attempted another marathon on the road.  Since 1996 I believe I've not even run "on the road"  more than 100 times, with this past year being a high count.  My feet have been on the trail for the past 20+ years.

To look at my marathon history, I can't deny that it started with the roads.  It moved to the trail, with organized events, and then moved once again to "do-it-yourself" events done by myself or with a small group.

Pointing toward the future, I've learned never to say never, so a road marathon may enter my life at some point.  I am just not ready to embrace it just yet.