Monday, September 24, 2018
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Another day spent with Wuzzam and K2 at Shenipsit. Outstanding weather for being in the woods, or for anything really.
We managed 5.5-miles through the maze of trails around Bald Mountain Pond. While the basic structure of the trails are embedded in our memory, I do get frustrated with "loops within loops". Regardless, it was an awesome run.
Wuzzam at rocks
Rocks
Wuzzam identifying Black Birch
Saturday, September 22, 2018
A beautiful morning... clear, crisp, no humidity or bugs. Drove out to Unquomonk & Big View and explored trails leading around the reservoir and to Petticoat Hill along the Gas-Line.
I connected some trails, which was the purpose of the run. I was still feeling poorly due to the head cold, but managed a solid 5-miles total.
Pond along the way, looking north
Pond along the way, looking south
Stonewall at Petticoat Hill Gasline
Stonewall at Petticoat Hill Gasline
Falls along Unquomonk Brook
Falls along Unquomonk Brook
Falls along Unquomonk Brook
Friday, September 21, 2018
A nice cool day, especially compared to what the last 3+ months have been like. I visited Cowles Park, and ran a nice looping track inside the park for 3.5-miles.
Back in Time...
On this day in 1997 I completed my 15th marathon in 5:03:39. This
was my first attempt at Pisgah, and I have it listed as 29.3-miles.
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Early morning run on South Main Street to the underpass, 3-miles.
... And On this day in 2009, I completed my 43rd marathon, the 2nd Curly's Marathon. After feeling as though I was demolished at this event in 2008, I had a goal of finishing under 5-hours this time around. In 2008, the event took me 5:54:36. This would be a challenge, and something I do not usually stress myself with (having a "goal" time).
... And On this day in 2009, I completed my 43rd marathon, the 2nd Curly's Marathon. After feeling as though I was demolished at this event in 2008, I had a goal of finishing under 5-hours this time around. In 2008, the event took me 5:54:36. This would be a challenge, and something I do not usually stress myself with (having a "goal" time).
The
day was tremendous, and I felt great. Somehow though, in the first 5
or 6 miles, I missed a turn. I ran a ways before I turned around. By
the time I re-entered the correct course, I was at the very back of the
race. After several minutes, I caught my (at the time) 70-year old
father. This was not great, but I felt so fantastically good that I
wasn't really bothered by it.
A
few miles later I caught Wuzzam, and we ran along the top and Berry
Pond together. I pushed decently down the Turner Trail, lost Wuzzam but
got to half-way just after 2:30:00. All I needed to do was run the
same time for the second loop - yes, I would be tired, but I wouldn't
have to run the extra mile or more.
I
can still recall getting back to the top and knowing I would really
have to push down the entire Turner Trail. I did, and finished under my
5-hour goal with a 4:59:27. I felt really, really good on this day. I
have no idea how far I went out of my way on that first loop - but
judging where I came back out on the course and who I was behind at that
point, it was meaningful minutes. Keeping a positive attitude through
it really helped, and I felt blessed.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Monday, September 17, 2018
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Today is my Mom's Birthday; this is a great opportunity to share a picture of her with her best buddy "Otis", from 2012.
And... Shenipsit State Forest in Somers with K2 & Wuzzam today for 5.2-miles. We made it up and around Bald Mountain, as that is what the Wuzzam wanted to do.
Tree ID of the day - Chestnut Oak
The old Shenipsit Trail markers still exist on the more "western" route
Wuzzam having completed the climb up the east side of Bald
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Friday, September 14, 2018
Ventured out to Williamsburg again, trying to tie up loose ends. This time, it was from the snowmobile crossing along Route 143 to Chesterfield, south to connect to the Petticoat Hill area.
I had only been on this trail once before, about a decade ago, late winter or early spring. Some of it came back to me, which was a source of encouragement and strength. I managed 8.2-miles, and connected to where I needed to be.
The gas line is interrupted by a swamp, which I think I recall during that winter. There are a slew of single-track trails scattered throughout, very nice work. The snowmobile trails connect to Unquomonk and the Big View area as well. More work awaits here, but I have the connections to complete a Bullitt Reservation to Route 9 Williamsburg Marathon.
Signage for the Williamsburg Rod & Gun Club
Brook along single-track trail
Snowmobile signage
Rock Balanced on larger Rock
Swamp in the late afternoon
On this day in 1999, I completed my 20th marathon at Pisgah. Time was 5:47:30, and I am fairly certain this was a 50km event. I missed a turn somewhere around 10-miles, and had to backtrack a bunch.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
3-Mile run along Main Street in the dark.
Also, on this day in 2005, I completed my 29th marathon at Mt Washington State Forest, with the Riga Plateau, Appalachian Trail, and South Taconic Trail thrown in for good measure. I had Tippi and Wuzzam along for the day, which set a record for high temperature unfortunately for us. This was Tippi's 5th completed marathon.
Also, on this day in 2005, I completed my 29th marathon at Mt Washington State Forest, with the Riga Plateau, Appalachian Trail, and South Taconic Trail thrown in for good measure. I had Tippi and Wuzzam along for the day, which set a record for high temperature unfortunately for us. This was Tippi's 5th completed marathon.
Our
time was 5:10:41, which shows we were really running pretty hard. The
lack of water on the trail was a real concern for me, with Tippi.
Luckily, the stream at the bottom of Bear had plenty, and from there on
we were set.
Wuzzam looked absolutely beat climbing and coming down off Bear. He needed the stream to cool off in as much as Tips did.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Monday, September 10, 2018
On this day in 2007, Tippi and I finished the Notchview Marathon. We ran from Notchview Reservation in Windsor, Massachusetts into Dubuque State Forest in Hawley, then to Savoy Mountain State Forest in Savoy. I remember that we got crushed by a heavy rainstorm for the last 3-miles.
This was my 35th completed marathon, and Tippi's 11th. All in all, I recall not being in fantastic shape but the year was winding down, and the run was incredibly enjoyable. I also recall missing a turn shortly after Windsor Jambs, continuing on the dirt road for a bit.
Looking at the map, we passed Windsor Pond, Crooked Neck Pond, and Hallockville Pond along the journey.
Meadow at Notchview
Tippi on the Jambs Trail.
Windsor Jambs.
Alert, as always.
Jambs, with Tippi on the ledge, upper right,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)