I hope the repeated Bradbury posts don't get boring...the runs never do! Linda and I were on the Scuffle course before 8:30 am. To my knowledge, we were the only runners there and the few bikers we saw were on our way out.
There was still a lot of mud, but not as much as I expected given all the rain we had. After the new bridge there seemed to be big areas of added mud. I think part of the trail repair was to add dirt to some of the washed out areas, but it seemed to add to the sloppy conditions rather than help.
Definitely seeing more wild life this year. So far we've seen deer, a porcupine (not to mention an area covered with porcupine poop), a woodcock, a garter snake, beaver evidence, lots of red squirrels, a couple of gray ones, many chipmunks, and, perhaps, a pheasant!
My knee was better than yesterday when I woke up. It was still sore to the touch and definitely didn't like squatting down. Running was fine, even when I tried to push it on some ups. Still a little more sore after. It seems like I must have banged it on something. Oh well, running is good, so I'm good.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Testing, 1, 2,...That's It
Debated heading to Bradbury this a.m. after Linda got called into work (we'd plan to go). I always hem and haw about driving to run, but driving to run by myself seems pretty wasteful, especially when I can run from the house*. Then add to it that my knee was very painful upon waking and I heard thunder more than once....I couldn't seem to rationalize going.
My knee improved to a point. I decided to wait for Rick to get home and run with him, knowing that it would be a short run. The fields and a short two miles made me opt for my VFFs. It would have been a good choice except that they had recently manured the fields. With the rain (Rick's rain gauge indicated we'd gotten 1.3 inches) that made for very yucky feet. I always think I'm steeping my feet in manure tea. The Vibram's went right into the wash after.
So, my knee felt fine while running, but was back to being more sore after. Boop?
*I don't mean to sound preachy or even imply that people shouldn't drive to a place to run. I'd already run Bradbury 3x last week, one time by myself. That's when it starts to seem indulgent.
My knee improved to a point. I decided to wait for Rick to get home and run with him, knowing that it would be a short run. The fields and a short two miles made me opt for my VFFs. It would have been a good choice except that they had recently manured the fields. With the rain (Rick's rain gauge indicated we'd gotten 1.3 inches) that made for very yucky feet. I always think I'm steeping my feet in manure tea. The Vibram's went right into the wash after.
So, my knee felt fine while running, but was back to being more sore after. Boop?
*I don't mean to sound preachy or even imply that people shouldn't drive to a place to run. I'd already run Bradbury 3x last week, one time by myself. That's when it starts to seem indulgent.
What the...
Just woke up to a very unexpected, unfamiliar knee pain. Had a great run at Bradbury yesterday with a bunch of Monsters. Didn't feel anything then or during the day or last night. Now it feels like someone took a screw driver and drove it in to the middle of my knee cap - or maybe like it would if I'd fallen hard onto a rock or whacked it on the corner of the coffee table. I can't think of any impact though. Bummer.
Back to the run... Linda and I met up with Ian, Blaine, and Erin in the Bradbury parking lot. Christine, Susie, and a new runner, Melissa, were coming a little later. Erin waited for the late comers while the rest of us headed out. We were going to do the Scuffle course with a proposed detour (supposedly necessary because there is to be new bridge construction on the Fox East trail on race day. Seems like the bridge construction could be held off till after the race, but that's an entire other rant).
Linda had to make a bio stop early into the run so I followed Ian and Blaine to learn the detour and then headed back for Linda (the guys would have waited, but Linda didn't want them to). I had fun swatting Blaine...it was all in the interest of deer fly killing. Perhaps there is something to the blue theory. The flies were all over Blaine's blue shirt while Ian was fly-free in his light gray.
When Linda and I had run the detour, I was very surprised to find us going right over the area the bridge was to be built; had I messed up? When we got to the Batcave trail, I opted to head out on it in reverse hoping to meet up with the men. Good choice. Ian confirmed I'd gone the right way and that the detour made no sense. I continued running backward on the loop till I met back up with Linda. Then I did our usual, running ahead and coming back.
Feeling the best since Pineland, I pushed the pace in several places just testing. Yay! Fun running! I was able to get in 7.5 miles overall. Linda and I waited in the parking lot. Ian and Blaine had gone on to run/film the Breaker. Tammy, the ranger, talked with us while we waited. Blaine returned first, I think. He just did the one loop of the Breaker, thinking that Erin and the others would be finishing up the Scuffle by then. Sure enough, they weren't far behind.
Linda and I were introduced to Melissa, who seemed to have enjoyed her first Bradbury run. It was also the first I'd seen Christine's dog, Susie in person. She's even cuter in person with a great personality. After a nice visit, we headed out, leaving Ian to finish up by himself.
About two hours have gone by since I started this post. My knee is feeling better, though still sore to the touch. Boop? (A long time ago, Ryan would say that when he was confused about something. That or "question mark?" It's cause at the time he was into Pokemon and a question mark would pop up over the characters when they were confused. A little "boop" sound accompanied the ?)
Back to the run... Linda and I met up with Ian, Blaine, and Erin in the Bradbury parking lot. Christine, Susie, and a new runner, Melissa, were coming a little later. Erin waited for the late comers while the rest of us headed out. We were going to do the Scuffle course with a proposed detour (supposedly necessary because there is to be new bridge construction on the Fox East trail on race day. Seems like the bridge construction could be held off till after the race, but that's an entire other rant).
Linda had to make a bio stop early into the run so I followed Ian and Blaine to learn the detour and then headed back for Linda (the guys would have waited, but Linda didn't want them to). I had fun swatting Blaine...it was all in the interest of deer fly killing. Perhaps there is something to the blue theory. The flies were all over Blaine's blue shirt while Ian was fly-free in his light gray.
When Linda and I had run the detour, I was very surprised to find us going right over the area the bridge was to be built; had I messed up? When we got to the Batcave trail, I opted to head out on it in reverse hoping to meet up with the men. Good choice. Ian confirmed I'd gone the right way and that the detour made no sense. I continued running backward on the loop till I met back up with Linda. Then I did our usual, running ahead and coming back.
Feeling the best since Pineland, I pushed the pace in several places just testing. Yay! Fun running! I was able to get in 7.5 miles overall. Linda and I waited in the parking lot. Ian and Blaine had gone on to run/film the Breaker. Tammy, the ranger, talked with us while we waited. Blaine returned first, I think. He just did the one loop of the Breaker, thinking that Erin and the others would be finishing up the Scuffle by then. Sure enough, they weren't far behind.
Linda and I were introduced to Melissa, who seemed to have enjoyed her first Bradbury run. It was also the first I'd seen Christine's dog, Susie in person. She's even cuter in person with a great personality. After a nice visit, we headed out, leaving Ian to finish up by himself.
About two hours have gone by since I started this post. My knee is feeling better, though still sore to the touch. Boop? (A long time ago, Ryan would say that when he was confused about something. That or "question mark?" It's cause at the time he was into Pokemon and a question mark would pop up over the characters when they were confused. A little "boop" sound accompanied the ?)
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Two For the Trail
Friday I headed to Portland for a twice-canceled run with Dora. To make it an even better outing, we planned to have lunch at the Green Elephant after. We started out a little before 11:30 on the Fore River Sanctuary trails. Even though the maps say there are 2 miles of trails, my Garmin tells me otherwise. I think the mountain bikers have added a lot more out there. We had no worries just heading out on any of them...doesn't seem like an easy place to get lost.
We ended back at the cars with the Garmin reading 3.44 miles. After some water, we headed out for the Stroudwater Trail. We had lots of catching up to do and easily filled our run with interesting chatter. By the time we got back to the cars, both of us were super hungry. I was surprised to see our distance was almost the same as the first leg, 3.41 miles. This time we had cut the trail short because of time and hunger constraints!
Dora had never been to the Green Elephant before; I knew she was in for a treat, not even worried there was a chance she wouldn't like it. Even though we had big portions, neither of us needed doggy bags! I'm sure we'll repeat this more than once this summer.
Today, Ryan, Rick and I headed to Bradbury to run the Scuffle course. It was hotter than I expected, but we were compensated by having no bugs! While there was some mud on the trail, there really were not puddles. I didn't even have to scrape my shoes at the end. I think we jumped one deer and lots of squirrels and chipmunks. It was the first time the three of us had run in a very long time. Nice.
We ended back at the cars with the Garmin reading 3.44 miles. After some water, we headed out for the Stroudwater Trail. We had lots of catching up to do and easily filled our run with interesting chatter. By the time we got back to the cars, both of us were super hungry. I was surprised to see our distance was almost the same as the first leg, 3.41 miles. This time we had cut the trail short because of time and hunger constraints!
Dora had never been to the Green Elephant before; I knew she was in for a treat, not even worried there was a chance she wouldn't like it. Even though we had big portions, neither of us needed doggy bags! I'm sure we'll repeat this more than once this summer.
Today, Ryan, Rick and I headed to Bradbury to run the Scuffle course. It was hotter than I expected, but we were compensated by having no bugs! While there was some mud on the trail, there really were not puddles. I didn't even have to scrape my shoes at the end. I think we jumped one deer and lots of squirrels and chipmunks. It was the first time the three of us had run in a very long time. Nice.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Scuffling Again
Headed back to Bradbury with Linda and Bethany. It was still misting when we left, but had stopped by the time we were on the trail. The trail told us that we'd gotten a good amount of rain; there were muddy puddles everywhere.
I didn't bring a camera today so just ran at my pace and then headed back now and again to keep us all together and make sure everyone was on the right track (literally). I was often surprised that Beth wasn't that far back. I did end up doing 7.1 miles over the 6 mile course. Still, our overall time was 14 minutes faster than the last time. I told Bethany she was at a fun point where the progress happened in huge time chunks and to enjoy because it doesn't take long before the improvements are not in double digit minutes.
We were the first to cross the new bridge on the snow mobile trail in it's finished state - they hadn't even taken the "trail closed" sign down yet. We recognized the bridge builders and I think they us. We took pictures with them and apologized for not having champagne to christen their work.
All in all a fun run.
I didn't bring a camera today so just ran at my pace and then headed back now and again to keep us all together and make sure everyone was on the right track (literally). I was often surprised that Beth wasn't that far back. I did end up doing 7.1 miles over the 6 mile course. Still, our overall time was 14 minutes faster than the last time. I told Bethany she was at a fun point where the progress happened in huge time chunks and to enjoy because it doesn't take long before the improvements are not in double digit minutes.
We were the first to cross the new bridge on the snow mobile trail in it's finished state - they hadn't even taken the "trail closed" sign down yet. We recognized the bridge builders and I think they us. We took pictures with them and apologized for not having champagne to christen their work.
All in all a fun run.
Thorncrag Two Ways
The fields held no appeal to me; the lack of shade, the need for the long soccer socks, and just lack of novelty had me trying to justify driving to Bradbury. If Ryan had wanted to come I think I could have rationalized it. Well, I did need a few groceries...Thorncrag it would be!
When I pulled into the parking lot, I realized I'd left the Garmin at home even though I made certain to have the wrist band to wear under it. So, I just had my cell phone to tell me my time. I decided to try the VFFs even though the trails are much rootier than much of Bradbury. It seemed easier to pick my footing, probably since my foot/shoe was now smaller. The only part that was not fun was where the ground was covered in loose rocks. I couldn't avoid landing on them.
Since I hadn't run more than two miles in them yet, I did one loop (approximately 2.5 m) and switched into my Inov8s. I decided to run the same loop, in reverse. My feet loved being back in their protected homes when I ran across the before painful rocky section. It was funny thinking the Roclites seemed cushioned.
After I ran the steepest climb at the Sanctuary, I was rewarded with a bird sighting!!! A pair of pileated woodpeckers swooped/flew (their weird pattern of flying) into the trees just ahead of me. I tried to get my cell out for a picture, but only managed to scare them off. I wish Linda had been with me; it's one of the birds she's never seen.
When I got back to the car, as near as I could tell, my loops took the same amount of time. I don't know if it's all the time I spend in the VFFs just wearing them or that I haven't run far in them, but I've yet to experience any tired/sore muscles from my runs in them. Oh! My IT band was fine on this run : )
When I pulled into the parking lot, I realized I'd left the Garmin at home even though I made certain to have the wrist band to wear under it. So, I just had my cell phone to tell me my time. I decided to try the VFFs even though the trails are much rootier than much of Bradbury. It seemed easier to pick my footing, probably since my foot/shoe was now smaller. The only part that was not fun was where the ground was covered in loose rocks. I couldn't avoid landing on them.
Since I hadn't run more than two miles in them yet, I did one loop (approximately 2.5 m) and switched into my Inov8s. I decided to run the same loop, in reverse. My feet loved being back in their protected homes when I ran across the before painful rocky section. It was funny thinking the Roclites seemed cushioned.
After I ran the steepest climb at the Sanctuary, I was rewarded with a bird sighting!!! A pair of pileated woodpeckers swooped/flew (their weird pattern of flying) into the trees just ahead of me. I tried to get my cell out for a picture, but only managed to scare them off. I wish Linda had been with me; it's one of the birds she's never seen.
When I got back to the car, as near as I could tell, my loops took the same amount of time. I don't know if it's all the time I spend in the VFFs just wearing them or that I haven't run far in them, but I've yet to experience any tired/sore muscles from my runs in them. Oh! My IT band was fine on this run : )
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Solstice Shenanigans
TMs Jim and Shauna hosted the best Solstice run ever! OK, it's the only one I've been to and they told tales of other year's shenanigans, but I can't imagine them being any more fun. The run is a 1.2 mile loop on single track, rooty trails with beer stops in between each lap. Yup. Beer was the aid station! Jim lead us (Rick, Blaine, Erin, Yana, Christine, Mary, and me) on the first lap. He wisely used flour to mark the intersections (it was not on his property so the flour was a smart choice from a environmental and temporary standpoint) as we went. I was given one of the water bottles filled with flour to add markers as I deemed fit.
Jeff, Ian and Bolt met up with us after the first lap. Jeff had his own big beer...some kind of double beast chocolate stout. Yikes! Appropriate for the event, but not something I'd want to run on. The Milwaukee's Best that Jim provided was probably good beer-water to run on. It seemed like we got faster as we went on! Ian, Bolt and Rick headed back after 3 loops. Bolt is maturing into a runner and Rick is still on the mend. Jim left us after 4 loops to head back for grill duty (Shauna was holding down the fort and tending to precious Schaefer, their black lab puppy). It seemed like we were getting faster with every lap, probably a reaction to the mosquitoes....unless beer is a good mid-run refueler. Most of us stopped after the 5th lap - even though it was the Summer Solstice, the trail was getting dark and I think we were all ready for solid food!
Jim proved to be an excellent griller providing perfect cheese burgers. Paired with Shauna's broccoli salad and the other dishes offered, it was a great post-run feast. Unfortunately, Rick has to get up for work at the nasty hour of 4:30 a.m. so we were the first to leave : (
PS. Erik and his puppy joined us somewhere along the way, as did another friend of Jim's I didn't know (perhaps, Julia?). Emma came just as we were leaving.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
THE Bradbury Monster
On Thursday I was only able to squeeze in a short run in the fields. Bethany joined me for the first two miles and then I added a couple more myself. Friday was a day off...I was busy getting the house squared away enough for company. The house was fairly good by the time Rick's folks pulled up at noon.
Saturday I headed out to meet the TMs running at Bradbury. Turned out I was the only one (at least the only one there for 8am). Seems most of the Monsters not running Mt. Washington were hiking up to cheer on the ones running. By all accounts they had a blast and great efforts were put forth (check the posts of runners Jeff and Kevin).
I decided to push the pace more than I had been on the Scuffle course. It felt good. Turned my left ankle twice. Not bad enough to stop or to need ice later, but a reminder to pay attention as I was getting tired. The bridge on the snow mobile trail is 3/4 finished. That meant I still needed to wade a bit, slowing my time and getting me muddy. I finished in 1:03:52. I got back before my in-laws were up and about!
Sunday Rick and I opted to run the fields. The heat and humidity were present early. The fields offer no shade. After 4 miles, I continued solo and changed into my VFFs for another 2. It changed me from plodding and griping about the conditions to feeling like a kid running barefoot on the farm! Oh, I was dripping wet when finished, but it's amazing how feeling like you're 12 can change your attitude!
Saturday I headed out to meet the TMs running at Bradbury. Turned out I was the only one (at least the only one there for 8am). Seems most of the Monsters not running Mt. Washington were hiking up to cheer on the ones running. By all accounts they had a blast and great efforts were put forth (check the posts of runners Jeff and Kevin).
I decided to push the pace more than I had been on the Scuffle course. It felt good. Turned my left ankle twice. Not bad enough to stop or to need ice later, but a reminder to pay attention as I was getting tired. The bridge on the snow mobile trail is 3/4 finished. That meant I still needed to wade a bit, slowing my time and getting me muddy. I finished in 1:03:52. I got back before my in-laws were up and about!
Sunday Rick and I opted to run the fields. The heat and humidity were present early. The fields offer no shade. After 4 miles, I continued solo and changed into my VFFs for another 2. It changed me from plodding and griping about the conditions to feeling like a kid running barefoot on the farm! Oh, I was dripping wet when finished, but it's amazing how feeling like you're 12 can change your attitude!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Bradbury Fun
Linda, Bethany and I headed to Bradbury yesterday morning to introduce Beth to the Scuffle course. The weather was still nice; the humidity hadn't built in yet. I brought my camera, knowing I'd have opportunity to take some shots since Beth is still at the run-with-walking-mixed-in stage (she did way more running than I expected though!).
I had fun actually looking at the scenery instead of just running it. Bradbury is much prettier than I kne
w. Too bad my camera work doesn't reflect it that well...most of the time the camera was telling me I was shaking too much (that's normal for me - not due to the run). Still managed to get a few shots not too blurry.The bridge on the return down the snowmobile path was in the beginning phase of reconstruction. We certainly seemed to surprise the kids working on it by just going right through the long stretch of knee-deep, mucky water - made crossing it even more fun : )
After our run Bethany found one of the many geo-caches hidden at the park. It was loaded with all sorts of little trinkets. I'd taken my shoes off for the "hiking" portion of our adventure. They were happy to get back to the car.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Soccer Socks
Walking Spot this morning, I noticed that Jerry had been back out mowing the fields. I kind of felt like I should give the path another chance, but was a bit apprehensive cause of the poison ivy.
During Pinelands, a very tall, skinny 50 miler told me he was using sleeves instead of compression socks (he was too tall and skinny for most of the socks to work). I asked if they made a difference (Rick had just started using the socks), he said that even if they didn't, they were at least a tick barrier and poison ivy shield.
I wasn't going to be near any good running/sports stores today, but Olympia Sports was right by the pet store I was heading to. It couldn't hurt to check. They didn't have the socks or the sleeves, but were having a huge sale on soccer socks. I figured the white ones would be good for spotting ticks and they were tall enough to protect me from any of the poison ivy. I got 4 pair for $5.95!
The difference in the path with the second mowing pass was immediately obvious. The footing was better and there were less patches of high grass. There were still lots of poison ivy that would have been an issue except for my socks! Almost all of our Fat Ass course is now runnable. I stopped after 5 miles, happy with the course and my purchase. I don't think I'd like to go much further in them however. The material did not breathe well and the top band was a bit too tight.
During Pinelands, a very tall, skinny 50 miler told me he was using sleeves instead of compression socks (he was too tall and skinny for most of the socks to work). I asked if they made a difference (Rick had just started using the socks), he said that even if they didn't, they were at least a tick barrier and poison ivy shield.
I wasn't going to be near any good running/sports stores today, but Olympia Sports was right by the pet store I was heading to. It couldn't hurt to check. They didn't have the socks or the sleeves, but were having a huge sale on soccer socks. I figured the white ones would be good for spotting ticks and they were tall enough to protect me from any of the poison ivy. I got 4 pair for $5.95!
The difference in the path with the second mowing pass was immediately obvious. The footing was better and there were less patches of high grass. There were still lots of poison ivy that would have been an issue except for my socks! Almost all of our Fat Ass course is now runnable. I stopped after 5 miles, happy with the course and my purchase. I don't think I'd like to go much further in them however. The material did not breathe well and the top band was a bit too tight.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Falling Behind
Oops. Didn't mean to fall behind on the posts. Running is way more fun than writing about running - especially for someone not normally into writing. So. Lets start with the best thing; Rick ran two days in a row with me. I don't know when the last time that happened.
Saturday, our road was being paved. Our fields were wet and pretty high. Rick and I opted to go to a local running/biking path (paved). We really didn't have a lot of time to do anything else since we were heading to a wedding in Newry later that afternoon. Just a quick four. Rick felt okay, but the leg/knee wasn't great (at least the wedding was!).
After a late night, we got up early to make sure we got to Danielle and Ryan's for a trail run and yummy breakfast. Katy and Chuck, Ryan, and I opted for the full nine mile run while Rick, Jamie, Linda, and Mindy met up with us for five of our middle miles. I'd never run on the Cathance trails before, but they were as advertised. Linda and I plan to return soon. Lots of good single track mixed with lots of interesting chatter!
Danielle stayed home with Sam and Jerry while we ran so that we had a great breakfast waiting for us. Besides pancakes (plain, blueberry, or chocolate chips), real maple syrup, fruit, bacon (lots and lots), coffee (pots and pots), there were chocolate cupcakes by Mindy. Good thing I'd run nine :)
Danielle and Ryan were the ideal hosts; besides the food and the run, we had entertainment - Sam is such a happy social little girl that smiles almost constantly. Their cats, mainly Gigi, were great fun to watch/play with. Gigi looks like she's always wound. Rick lasted a surprising amount of time before his cat allergies told us we had to leave. Some cats seem to be less allergy-causing than others.
Rick felt way better after those five than the run on Saturday. I think he's finding his body likes the Bradbury-like runs also. "The road to hell is paved...Run trails."
Monday I opted to try the fields; Jerry had bush-hogged a path around the perimeter. I'm glad he did, but it will take some more mowing and running before it's good. Plus there will need to be a few detours around some nasty patches of poison ivy. I hope I washed it off before it was too late (part of the reason I just ran four). After about a mile I switched back to the motor-cross path which is mowed very closely and which Dennis (Linda and Jerry's son) has expanded. Now one lap of that is almost a mile. Rather than run the roads (or through ticks and more poison ivy), mile laps seemed good. Oh, I was only about 15 minutes into the run before the sky really opened up. The rain felt refreshing.
Saturday, our road was being paved. Our fields were wet and pretty high. Rick and I opted to go to a local running/biking path (paved). We really didn't have a lot of time to do anything else since we were heading to a wedding in Newry later that afternoon. Just a quick four. Rick felt okay, but the leg/knee wasn't great (at least the wedding was!).
After a late night, we got up early to make sure we got to Danielle and Ryan's for a trail run and yummy breakfast. Katy and Chuck, Ryan, and I opted for the full nine mile run while Rick, Jamie, Linda, and Mindy met up with us for five of our middle miles. I'd never run on the Cathance trails before, but they were as advertised. Linda and I plan to return soon. Lots of good single track mixed with lots of interesting chatter!
Danielle stayed home with Sam and Jerry while we ran so that we had a great breakfast waiting for us. Besides pancakes (plain, blueberry, or chocolate chips), real maple syrup, fruit, bacon (lots and lots), coffee (pots and pots), there were chocolate cupcakes by Mindy. Good thing I'd run nine :)
Danielle and Ryan were the ideal hosts; besides the food and the run, we had entertainment - Sam is such a happy social little girl that smiles almost constantly. Their cats, mainly Gigi, were great fun to watch/play with. Gigi looks like she's always wound. Rick lasted a surprising amount of time before his cat allergies told us we had to leave. Some cats seem to be less allergy-causing than others.
Rick felt way better after those five than the run on Saturday. I think he's finding his body likes the Bradbury-like runs also. "The road to hell is paved...Run trails."
Monday I opted to try the fields; Jerry had bush-hogged a path around the perimeter. I'm glad he did, but it will take some more mowing and running before it's good. Plus there will need to be a few detours around some nasty patches of poison ivy. I hope I washed it off before it was too late (part of the reason I just ran four). After about a mile I switched back to the motor-cross path which is mowed very closely and which Dennis (Linda and Jerry's son) has expanded. Now one lap of that is almost a mile. Rather than run the roads (or through ticks and more poison ivy), mile laps seemed good. Oh, I was only about 15 minutes into the run before the sky really opened up. The rain felt refreshing.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thorncrag
It's been some time since I ran Thorncrag. I do love it there. Besides challenging hills, it is pretty near by and right next to my grocery store, but I learned that I'm not ready for it yet. The long steep downs told me that my IT band wasn't totally better. Linda and I got in 4.1 before I decided that I'd better stop. So I'll stick with Bradbury (and probably just the non-mountain side) for a bit longer. It seems like such a long time since Pineland, but it hasn't even been two weeks.
Yesterday had been a day off cause I went down to RI to bring Ryan home!
Yesterday had been a day off cause I went down to RI to bring Ryan home!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Three-peat
Yesterday, Linda and I headed to Bradbury. When we pulled into the parking lot, Linda said it'd take her a couple of minutes to get her Injinji's on...Then she realized that she didn't bring her Inov8s (or any running shoe) with her. I was all set to drive home and just run there, but she felt bad about me driving to Bradbury for nothing so, with her assurance she'd enjoy a walk, I headed out on the Scuffle course. About 40 minutes in my cell phone rang; Linda was checking on my whereabouts and letting me know she'd been running the entire time....In her Crocs!
I ran just under 30 minutes and then retraced my steps rather than finish the Scuffle. That would have been over and hour and I would have gone through the water at the missing bridge again (not something I'm opposed to, but...). I told Linda I'd head back on the Link not Knights Woods. She met me there, still running! I ended up with just under 5 miles in 52 minutes.
Today we headed back along with a friend of Linda's rather new to trail running, though into hiking. Linda made sure she had her Inov8s with her several times. We did the entire Scuffle course. Linda's friend is going to be a good trail runner. She handled the singe track just fine and was okay with the missing bridge (it was only knee deep this time instead of mid-thigh like it was on Sunday - still).
So that makes three Bradbury run in three days! ITB still feeling fine : )
I ran just under 30 minutes and then retraced my steps rather than finish the Scuffle. That would have been over and hour and I would have gone through the water at the missing bridge again (not something I'm opposed to, but...). I told Linda I'd head back on the Link not Knights Woods. She met me there, still running! I ended up with just under 5 miles in 52 minutes.
Today we headed back along with a friend of Linda's rather new to trail running, though into hiking. Linda made sure she had her Inov8s with her several times. We did the entire Scuffle course. Linda's friend is going to be a good trail runner. She handled the singe track just fine and was okay with the missing bridge (it was only knee deep this time instead of mid-thigh like it was on Sunday - still).
So that makes three Bradbury run in three days! ITB still feeling fine : )
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Now That's Bradbury!
With the two days of rain, Bradbury is looking like the Bradbury I know and love. The last time Rick and I ran the Scuffle course there wasn't a puddle and just a bit of mud. Today, there was steady rain with bouts of heavy stuff. Puddles lined the course, some deep, some slippery.
I was a little worried after yesterday's run that I might be walking a bit of it, not as fun in the rain. It seems my body loves those trails though. Before the Bruiser last year, I was worried cause my ITB was tight to start and had bothered me during the week. By the end of the race I was cured! Similarly, I felt better after our run today than at the outset.
A couple of fun things along the way...Early on, not far after the right onto Fox East two runners were heading towards us. Rick said, "It's Ian". I thought so, too. It wasn't till the guy spoke that I realized it wasn't. Before we got to the rock wall, the same two runners were catching us from behind. They ask, "Are you lost or are we?" I assured them it wasn't us and asked where they wanted to be going. They were looking for the snowmobile trail to head out. I told him to turn around and stay on Fox till the end and then make a left. Before they headed off, the one that looked like Ian said to me, "Nice hat!" That's when I noticed his Inov8 hat! I asked if it was from this year. Yup. We knuckle bumped and they headed off. : )
Our other fun was that the big bridge on the snowmobile trail on the way back was totally out. That's a pretty long, deep stretch of water to go through. I was sure we'd have leeches on us when we got out. Nope, just mud! The lumber is out there so I'm sure it'll be fixed by the Scuffle.
Good thing we brought dry clothes!
I was a little worried after yesterday's run that I might be walking a bit of it, not as fun in the rain. It seems my body loves those trails though. Before the Bruiser last year, I was worried cause my ITB was tight to start and had bothered me during the week. By the end of the race I was cured! Similarly, I felt better after our run today than at the outset.
A couple of fun things along the way...Early on, not far after the right onto Fox East two runners were heading towards us. Rick said, "It's Ian". I thought so, too. It wasn't till the guy spoke that I realized it wasn't. Before we got to the rock wall, the same two runners were catching us from behind. They ask, "Are you lost or are we?" I assured them it wasn't us and asked where they wanted to be going. They were looking for the snowmobile trail to head out. I told him to turn around and stay on Fox till the end and then make a left. Before they headed off, the one that looked like Ian said to me, "Nice hat!" That's when I noticed his Inov8 hat! I asked if it was from this year. Yup. We knuckle bumped and they headed off. : )
Our other fun was that the big bridge on the snowmobile trail on the way back was totally out. That's a pretty long, deep stretch of water to go through. I was sure we'd have leeches on us when we got out. Nope, just mud! The lumber is out there so I'm sure it'll be fixed by the Scuffle.
Good thing we brought dry clothes!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Baby Steps
Yesterday I ran just two little miles to test out the parts. Things felt surprisingly OK. Today I went four. A little over 3 miles in I needed to stretch and massage the IT band. I walked a bit and then was able to run in. Hmmm....more time on the roller.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
50 Mile Battle or How I Got My Favorite Cowbell
I've been struggling with this post. The event is so huge to me that I want so badly to capture everything just right. I think that's too much to ask of my writing skills so...I'm going to "just do it".
Going in I was telling everyone that I just wanted to finish, but that my stretch goal was 10 hours. Having done the distance the year before and having had training go really well, it was in actuality my real goal.
Rick saw to all my gear and made sure that running was my only concern. At the start, the weather was cool and cloudy, yet already humid. I started at the back of the pack to keep me from going out too fast, but felt strong and kept moving up.
For the first 8 miles things were great. My pace was between 9:30 and 10 min/mi when I wasn't walking up one of the steep parts. Then I started feeling the twinge by my knee. Shit. That could be my IT band acting up. Sometimes it goes away. I hoped. It wasn't long before I was feeling twinges in my hip, too - where the band attaches at the top. That is a bad sign. I don't think that once I've felt it there it has ever relented. By 10 miles the entire band was tight and the pain was getting bad.
I came into The Grove in a lot of pain and really pissed. Rick wanted to know what I needed. I think my standard answer was "everything". Poor Rick, that's not much help when he's trying to attend to me. My first focus was on rolling the band ( the foam roller and The Stick were in our bag of tricks), but ate some pbj's and picked up a couple more GUs. Snowman was there too. That was a great boost : ) and would be all along. I don't know if he's heard such language from me before....I found the right spot with the roller. I'm sure I also kept saying, "But my time is still good".
I headed out even though I was already thinking DNF. The first year I tried the 50, my ITB acted up around mile 20 and I dropped at about 28. It's a pain I have trouble running through. The roller, Rick, and Ryan helped. Maybe.
I'm not sure where I saw Ian the first time. But I know I complained about my knee. He told me to be smart. I said I know...I didn't want to pull an Emma. HA! Like that was remotely possible. Emma ran through her ITB pain to turn in such a good time that she earned a place among the top 50 milers of the year! The only part I was referring to was the then being injured a long time. That was my main concern. I said I wasn't sure when I saw Ian the first time because he seemed to be everywhere on the course. And he was always checking on me in a good way!
Sorry. This is a ramble.
Even though I found the second side of the course much more friendly to my body, the band got grumpier. I started a new gait that didn't bend the knee much. I liken it to a flutter kick. And it was surprisingly fast (ok, not fast, but surprisingly not slow). When I made it back to The Grove, I'd been running for 3:26:55. According to the Garmin, I'd gone 18.73 miles resulting in an avg. pace of 11:03min/mi. Still pretty good. Rick got me "everything" again and I told him about my new running style.
I started the 2nd lap with not a lot of hope, but I started meeting up with familiar faces. The chatting helped some. I could stay with people for a bit, but then need to stop to stretch or walk. It seemed like then another familiar face would join me. Shampoo, rinse, repeat.
By the time I hit the Yurt for the 2nd time on this lap, most of my leg muscles were angry. They were not used to my knew gait and certainly weren't conditioned to doing it for lots and lots of miles. My hip flexors were on fire. Even my shins were starting to hurt? I was thinking DNF again. Was it now that the heat was building, too? Fuzzy on that, but it did at some point.
It was a boost to see other TMs running their races. Cheering someone else takes the focus off yourself for a second or too. Very good to do.
Back to the Grove again, Rick now had a worried face on. Paul, my friend Judy's husband, was with him. I'm glad he had company at our camp. Waiting for a suffering loved one is hard. Judy was doing the 25k for the 3rd time. I bitched a lot. I had a hard time not crying. The roller helped my new sore spots. PBJ, pretzels, potatoes with salt, Gatorade, maybe some Coke. I headed back out. No DNF yet.
Again I found the second side so much friendlier. It almost helped. I was surprised to find myself feeling slightly less sore by the time I was heading back to the Grove. I rolled again. Trail Monster Dave saw me and offered me his beer. I said no. I was still going! I thought he assumed I was quitting. He said he knew, but thought a sip would be good. Nope. I had my Coke.
OK. I was starting the final lap. I broke camp and started, but spotted team Snowplug and stopped to check in. D told me her news. She still looked really pale. Snowman offered his beer. I refused, but, then, what the hell. Took a sip and was surprised to find it yummy!
I don't have details for the next few miles. I know I was in pain. I kept calculating whether I could finish if I had to walk the remaining miles. But with the temperature rising and the pain unrelenting, I was nearing the breaking point. This was a mental meltdown. Perhaps more difficult to deal with than the physical one. I had convinced myself to stick it out to 40 miles. That somehow seemed respectable.
As I neared the Yurt for the 2nd time on this last lap, any resolve was fading. It would be about 38 miles. OK. I said to the woman, "I think I'm done". I'm not sure of her exact words, but they were encouraging and to the effect that I could do it. SHIT. I hadn't done 40 yet and she said I could keep going. I was so sad, but started to leave. THEN the damn cart showed up. I could just get on. I could just get on. And yet I kept walking away. I kept walking away and the sobbing started. It got so bad I thought I was going to hyperventilate. So I started singing loudly, "Show me the way to go home. I'm tired and I want to go to bed..." It didn't help. The crying started welling up again. I had to make it around to the Yurt again and then I'd have to wait for the cart.
Then, heading out into the Valley Farm Loop field, I saw an orange shirt of a runner I knew from last year. I actually started my weird running gait to catch up. He was walking. I could get there. He was having stomach issues, but was still upbeat. He looked at his watched and said no matter what it was doable now. I wasn't sure I really wanted to endure any more pain that long, but enjoyed his positiveness and the company. I told him about my meltdown and the cart. I was surprised to find that the mere mention of the cart could bring the tears back. We talked, walked, and then started putting more periods of running in. By the time we were back to the Yurt, the same woman told me how much better I was looking. She said she didn't think she'd ever seen such a sad face as when I'd left. I gave Tim the credit. Took more Coke and a couple of salted potato pieces. Jeff showed up at the aid station (he'd run a great 25K) to check on them and also commented that I was doing better than the last time he saw me.
Tim's stomach improved and I told him to go for it. I walked/ran as best I could back to the Grove. Rick, Ian, and Ryan were all there worried. I said it'd be silly to stop now. I'm sure any damage to the IT band was done early and that my new gait was only painful. I could breathe (very necessarry) and had been able to hydrate and refuel all the way. So, I didn't have the band to stop me and I survived the mental challenge. Yes, I'd try the last bit. Ian offered to go with me. I warned him there'd be crying. Rick then said he'd come (I think he would have offered first, but, a lot of time I'm a person who likes to be alone when I'm hurting). It was actually easier for him to be with me than worrying. I do appreciate Ian's offer cause I know he had race things to deal with.
After the usual camp routine we headed out. Again, I found the second side better. Rick was great keeping me from drifting on the course. I'm not sure when we saw them, but I saw these two runners (perfectly nice people I'm sure) who in my misery I'd come to hate. They kept zooming by me on the downs that I had to walk during the 3rd loop. I would catch up when I got to the flats where I could run and they still walked. During my meltdown they got out of my sights. Well, there they were. I told Rick of my hatred. He noticed we were running more. They were my carrot. When we finally passed them, not long before heading out into that final field, they became my stick. I was afraid they'd repass me. Nope!
I finished. Not only did I finish, but lots of my wonderful, wonderful friends hung out to watch me finish. I can cry all over again. I may have been well over an hour over my goal, but this finish was very...rewarding.
The garmin tells me I did 9:24's for about 9.1 miles, 11:28's for 30.9, and 22:55 (includes stopping) for 10.35miles.
I'm gonna try to include the video that Jerry took of my finish.
Going in I was telling everyone that I just wanted to finish, but that my stretch goal was 10 hours. Having done the distance the year before and having had training go really well, it was in actuality my real goal.
Rick saw to all my gear and made sure that running was my only concern. At the start, the weather was cool and cloudy, yet already humid. I started at the back of the pack to keep me from going out too fast, but felt strong and kept moving up.
For the first 8 miles things were great. My pace was between 9:30 and 10 min/mi when I wasn't walking up one of the steep parts. Then I started feeling the twinge by my knee. Shit. That could be my IT band acting up. Sometimes it goes away. I hoped. It wasn't long before I was feeling twinges in my hip, too - where the band attaches at the top. That is a bad sign. I don't think that once I've felt it there it has ever relented. By 10 miles the entire band was tight and the pain was getting bad.
I came into The Grove in a lot of pain and really pissed. Rick wanted to know what I needed. I think my standard answer was "everything". Poor Rick, that's not much help when he's trying to attend to me. My first focus was on rolling the band ( the foam roller and The Stick were in our bag of tricks), but ate some pbj's and picked up a couple more GUs. Snowman was there too. That was a great boost : ) and would be all along. I don't know if he's heard such language from me before....I found the right spot with the roller. I'm sure I also kept saying, "But my time is still good".
I headed out even though I was already thinking DNF. The first year I tried the 50, my ITB acted up around mile 20 and I dropped at about 28. It's a pain I have trouble running through. The roller, Rick, and Ryan helped. Maybe.
I'm not sure where I saw Ian the first time. But I know I complained about my knee. He told me to be smart. I said I know...I didn't want to pull an Emma. HA! Like that was remotely possible. Emma ran through her ITB pain to turn in such a good time that she earned a place among the top 50 milers of the year! The only part I was referring to was the then being injured a long time. That was my main concern. I said I wasn't sure when I saw Ian the first time because he seemed to be everywhere on the course. And he was always checking on me in a good way!
Sorry. This is a ramble.
Even though I found the second side of the course much more friendly to my body, the band got grumpier. I started a new gait that didn't bend the knee much. I liken it to a flutter kick. And it was surprisingly fast (ok, not fast, but surprisingly not slow). When I made it back to The Grove, I'd been running for 3:26:55. According to the Garmin, I'd gone 18.73 miles resulting in an avg. pace of 11:03min/mi. Still pretty good. Rick got me "everything" again and I told him about my new running style.
I started the 2nd lap with not a lot of hope, but I started meeting up with familiar faces. The chatting helped some. I could stay with people for a bit, but then need to stop to stretch or walk. It seemed like then another familiar face would join me. Shampoo, rinse, repeat.
By the time I hit the Yurt for the 2nd time on this lap, most of my leg muscles were angry. They were not used to my knew gait and certainly weren't conditioned to doing it for lots and lots of miles. My hip flexors were on fire. Even my shins were starting to hurt? I was thinking DNF again. Was it now that the heat was building, too? Fuzzy on that, but it did at some point.
It was a boost to see other TMs running their races. Cheering someone else takes the focus off yourself for a second or too. Very good to do.
Back to the Grove again, Rick now had a worried face on. Paul, my friend Judy's husband, was with him. I'm glad he had company at our camp. Waiting for a suffering loved one is hard. Judy was doing the 25k for the 3rd time. I bitched a lot. I had a hard time not crying. The roller helped my new sore spots. PBJ, pretzels, potatoes with salt, Gatorade, maybe some Coke. I headed back out. No DNF yet.
Again I found the second side so much friendlier. It almost helped. I was surprised to find myself feeling slightly less sore by the time I was heading back to the Grove. I rolled again. Trail Monster Dave saw me and offered me his beer. I said no. I was still going! I thought he assumed I was quitting. He said he knew, but thought a sip would be good. Nope. I had my Coke.
OK. I was starting the final lap. I broke camp and started, but spotted team Snowplug and stopped to check in. D told me her news. She still looked really pale. Snowman offered his beer. I refused, but, then, what the hell. Took a sip and was surprised to find it yummy!
I don't have details for the next few miles. I know I was in pain. I kept calculating whether I could finish if I had to walk the remaining miles. But with the temperature rising and the pain unrelenting, I was nearing the breaking point. This was a mental meltdown. Perhaps more difficult to deal with than the physical one. I had convinced myself to stick it out to 40 miles. That somehow seemed respectable.
As I neared the Yurt for the 2nd time on this last lap, any resolve was fading. It would be about 38 miles. OK. I said to the woman, "I think I'm done". I'm not sure of her exact words, but they were encouraging and to the effect that I could do it. SHIT. I hadn't done 40 yet and she said I could keep going. I was so sad, but started to leave. THEN the damn cart showed up. I could just get on. I could just get on. And yet I kept walking away. I kept walking away and the sobbing started. It got so bad I thought I was going to hyperventilate. So I started singing loudly, "Show me the way to go home. I'm tired and I want to go to bed..." It didn't help. The crying started welling up again. I had to make it around to the Yurt again and then I'd have to wait for the cart.
Then, heading out into the Valley Farm Loop field, I saw an orange shirt of a runner I knew from last year. I actually started my weird running gait to catch up. He was walking. I could get there. He was having stomach issues, but was still upbeat. He looked at his watched and said no matter what it was doable now. I wasn't sure I really wanted to endure any more pain that long, but enjoyed his positiveness and the company. I told him about my meltdown and the cart. I was surprised to find that the mere mention of the cart could bring the tears back. We talked, walked, and then started putting more periods of running in. By the time we were back to the Yurt, the same woman told me how much better I was looking. She said she didn't think she'd ever seen such a sad face as when I'd left. I gave Tim the credit. Took more Coke and a couple of salted potato pieces. Jeff showed up at the aid station (he'd run a great 25K) to check on them and also commented that I was doing better than the last time he saw me.
Tim's stomach improved and I told him to go for it. I walked/ran as best I could back to the Grove. Rick, Ian, and Ryan were all there worried. I said it'd be silly to stop now. I'm sure any damage to the IT band was done early and that my new gait was only painful. I could breathe (very necessarry) and had been able to hydrate and refuel all the way. So, I didn't have the band to stop me and I survived the mental challenge. Yes, I'd try the last bit. Ian offered to go with me. I warned him there'd be crying. Rick then said he'd come (I think he would have offered first, but, a lot of time I'm a person who likes to be alone when I'm hurting). It was actually easier for him to be with me than worrying. I do appreciate Ian's offer cause I know he had race things to deal with.
After the usual camp routine we headed out. Again, I found the second side better. Rick was great keeping me from drifting on the course. I'm not sure when we saw them, but I saw these two runners (perfectly nice people I'm sure) who in my misery I'd come to hate. They kept zooming by me on the downs that I had to walk during the 3rd loop. I would catch up when I got to the flats where I could run and they still walked. During my meltdown they got out of my sights. Well, there they were. I told Rick of my hatred. He noticed we were running more. They were my carrot. When we finally passed them, not long before heading out into that final field, they became my stick. I was afraid they'd repass me. Nope!
I finished. Not only did I finish, but lots of my wonderful, wonderful friends hung out to watch me finish. I can cry all over again. I may have been well over an hour over my goal, but this finish was very...rewarding.
The garmin tells me I did 9:24's for about 9.1 miles, 11:28's for 30.9, and 22:55 (includes stopping) for 10.35miles.
I'm gonna try to include the video that Jerry took of my finish.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival
I'm having a hard time getting myself to write up Sunday's run, but wanted to make sure I at least wrote about the weekend festival itself. Ian and Erik, along with a lot of very cheerful, hardworking volunteers, deserve so much praise and thanks for making the Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival an amazing success. All the big things were taken care of, but it was also the details.
Handing out the shirts and numbers on Saturday, I heard delighted surprise to find that there were actual women's shirts in all the sizes. Also people were in love with the designs for the different races (a barefoot print for the barefoot race, a dog on the canicross shirt...).
Someone looked at the twisty, crazy-looking map and commented, "Yeah, can't get lost...right!" I reassured him that was really the case if Ian was involved. I'd be really surprised if a runner had any issue with the marking.
The enthusiasm of the groups manning the aid stations was incredible. They were out there a long time (I know) providing us with whatever was needed. I hate voting for a favorite. If you asked during the race, I'm sure it would have been whichever I just left.
Since I was on the course most of the time, I didn't get to enjoy as much of the party that went on at the start/finish, but I could knew there was good food, music, and beer. You could feel the fun.
Trail running/racing...It doesn't get any better. Well, except maybe for the Bradbury Series!
PS. I'll try to write up the race tonight.
Handing out the shirts and numbers on Saturday, I heard delighted surprise to find that there were actual women's shirts in all the sizes. Also people were in love with the designs for the different races (a barefoot print for the barefoot race, a dog on the canicross shirt...).
Someone looked at the twisty, crazy-looking map and commented, "Yeah, can't get lost...right!" I reassured him that was really the case if Ian was involved. I'd be really surprised if a runner had any issue with the marking.
The enthusiasm of the groups manning the aid stations was incredible. They were out there a long time (I know) providing us with whatever was needed. I hate voting for a favorite. If you asked during the race, I'm sure it would have been whichever I just left.
Since I was on the course most of the time, I didn't get to enjoy as much of the party that went on at the start/finish, but I could knew there was good food, music, and beer. You could feel the fun.
Trail running/racing...It doesn't get any better. Well, except maybe for the Bradbury Series!
PS. I'll try to write up the race tonight.
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