Five Field Miles

I needed to get out early today. It was smart because of the heat, but I would have put it off if I didn't have places to be later. I'm really not an early morning runner given the choice.

So, I thought at very least I would be rewarded with even more wild life running the fields in the early morning hours. Nope. The reward was that it wasn't in the 90's and I had some shade in spots. The closest I came to an animal encounter was to realize I was running in the footprints of a coyote....and one that hadn't passed through that long ago; I was running in its path through the dew. Where it went into the woods, I turned to hug the edge of the field.

Falling Behind

I just poured myself a coffee and am not getting up till I get last week's runs down. Thursday and Friday I did a total of 10 miles in the fields. They are usually hard miles just because of the terrain. Also, I ran before the rain on Thursday so also had the heat to contend with. The nice thing about the fields (besides being able to start running as soon as I'm out the door) is I'm almost always rewarded with some wild life encounter.

Thursday I found out which tree the hawk couple has its nest in. One of them flew screeching in to the tree with a fairly large rodent dangling limp from its claws. Almost immediately, its mate took wing. They must still be feeding babies. I wonder when they'll fly the nest. Then I saw my turtle log. It was overflowing with turtles!

Friday's run, I saw two mom turkeys with their broods intermingled trying to avoid my interest. The turkeys have been very prolific this year.

Saturday Rick and I headed to Bradbury. When we got to the parking lot, a group of runners had already started gathering; none of them looked familiar. We did find Steve Day there a bit a part from the others. We chatted with Steve a bit, expecting to see Blaine and Erin and Chuck to be pulling in. The group of four other guys sorted of gathered at our car. Hmmm....I said something about not recognizing anyone, although one person looked familiar and sported an Inov8 hat. He said he recognized me. Sorry, Nate!

It seemed like it was time to get going. I was the only one that knew the course. So. I think I apologized that I wouldn't be going at a good enough pace (it was obvious just looking at the crew). Then Blaine and Erin pulled in! Whew! I was relieved. Mary showed up soon after. We waited a couple more minutes and then we were off.

Some how I was still the lead person. I wanted to go fast enough, but... somewhere short of four miles (on some wider part of the trail), I dropped back and asked Blaine to take the lead. He was more than happy to; after a fall he would be glad to see further down the trail than just the feet ahead of him. Bye! For a while, it was just Rick and I, but then we picked up Martin who didn't stay with the faster group.

Around 6.5 Rick decided to drop back more and told me to do my own pace. He was having ankle and achille issues. So I chatted Martin's ear off the rest of the Bruiser. He'd never done the race before and had only run at Bradbury one other time. I played tour guide and pointed out all my landmarks for miles.

I felt like I was pushing the pace on the O trail, but, the time didn't really reflect it. O well! It is sort of a Twilight Zone place. One pretty bad ankle twist near the end almost had me walking, but I know it's better to keep moving and ice it later. The worst part was wrenching the other knee when I was catching myself. Again, oh well, there'd be lots of icing that afternoon!

We chatted with the other runners who'd stayed in the lot after they finished. Another good day at Bradbury!

Sunday, I was dreading my run a bit because I was doing the shadeless fields and had waited till 11 a.m. to get going. It was already 86. Hot, yes, but a wonderful breeze had picked up. The humidity hadn't built in yet. I enjoyed my 4.5 way more than I thought.

It won't be long now before I am getting shots of adrenaline running the fields...I know from previous years that the snakes like to start sunning themselves out there. Almost stepping on a snake really makes the heart pound.

I apologize, but I'm not proofing this post.

Tuesday and a Wet Wednesday at Bradbury

Tuesday, I met up with TM Dora to run part of the Bruiser course. She'd already run with another friend for two laps of the Back Cove! I think driving up to the park after running, she probably stiffened up; our run started very slowly. About 3 miles in, she really started picking up the pace.

As always, we gabbed the entire way. The miles go much easier that way :) We did a little over 7 miles and called it good.

Today, Linda and I headed back to the Brad. The plan was for her to run the entire Bruiser. I decided to run it backwards. I hit the lap button at every mile marker, figuring it would be nice to make a note of where there's a mile left as well as all the other spots. This way, too, Linda would run her own pace and not feel like I was pushing her or that she was slowing me down.

We got out the door a little earlier than normal, knowing the weather was supposed to deteriorate as the day went on. I'm not sure when the rain started, but know we got in at least an hour of dry running. It made things more slippery when it came, but, it sure felt good!

I was surprised to meet up with Linda as early as I did. I think she pushed on the first half. On the return, we did our usual; I run ahead and come back. We were both pretty tired by the time we got to the O. I think I like it better running it backwards!

We made it back to the parking lot just as the heavy rain moved in.

Happy Birthday, Chris.

Sunday - Long Day, Short Run

Ryan woke me at 5:25 a.m. (I'd gone to sleep at 2 a.m.) to head in to the balloon festival to see their last launch. We've gone for lots of years now; it really doesn't get old.

The threat of rain seemed to keep the crowd small. Some of the special, themed balloons didn't launch. There were still enough balloons to make it worth the early wake up!


After the balloons were all airborne, we rushed home. Rick was waiting for me to head to Bradbury for his introduction to the O Trail. I didn't know if all the hype would make it seem...less. Should have had faith in the O! According to the Garmin, we did just 2.5 from the start line to the O and back. That was all we had time for; Ryan needed to head back to Providence.

So, a quick shower for me. Ryan loaded his stuff into the car and we were off. Ugh! Sunday of one of the last weeks of summer is not a good time to be leaving Maine. It took forever to get to the Massachusetts border where traffic actually improved.

Ryan travels very light; it didn't take long to get him moved in. A quick trip to Antonio's for very yummy pizza and I was back in the car, very thankful for coffee!

Brouser (an O is in there this time!)

What a great day for National Trail Running Day! The weather was perfect: low 50's, dry, and sunny. Rick, Linda, and I headed for the TM group run at Bradbury. Appropriately, there were lots of Monsters there for the run. I'd list them, but don't want to leave anyone out.

Rick and I hung on to the back of the faster runners for a little over a mile and then ran at a very comfortable pace by ourselves. Somewhere before turning onto the Bat Cave trail, we found Four, looking at his map. He happily joined our little group; we had lots of catching up to do.

Rick peeled off at the O trail; he'd planned from the start to do an O delete. I have to confess that Four's company made the twisty 2.4 miles of the O much more enjoyable than my last solo running. Not far from the end, Blaine joined us; he'd been running it backward after already doing the entire Bruiser.

Later in the afternoon I did some field miles (my marathon training schedule had called for 18 today). Ryan joined me for 3 of them.

Oh, Linda, Bethany, and I were joined by Karen on Friday for just over 6.6 miles on the Bruiser course. We did the Lanzo, Ragan, and Ginn to start, but then ran down the snowmobile trail to get to the part of the Ginn that meets up with Fox West. We ran the rest of the race course from there except for the O.

There's No "O" in Bruiser

Pathfinder may be doing O Trail repeats; I'm doing O Trail deletes! Linda, Bethany, and I headed to Bradbury yesterday for some work on the Bruiser. I planned to run the entire course; they were looking for something over six miles. Linda had been in touch with a guy (David) camping at Bradbury who'd run the Breaker and was interested in running the Bruiser course while there. The plan was he'd run with me. This seemed pretty sensible since he'd beaten my time by like 5 seconds at the Breaker (OK, it was his first trail race ever).

When we got to the parking lot, David was just about to head out without us; we were late (can't skip Dunkin' Donuts on the way there no matter what the time). Quick introductions, runs to the outhouse and we were off. Being familiar with the course, I took the lead. Even though our times were nearly the same at the race, David is 28 and fit; I wanted to make sure I our pace was decent.

I hope he enjoyed the run as much as I did. Since he was new to trail running (not all that un-new to running altogether), we had lots to talk about. I was not really prepared for the humidity. I only brought 16 oz of Gatorade. David was even less prepared; he had about the same quantity, but it was just water AND he'd not eaten much at all. He hasn't found much in the way of running fuel that doesn't seem to bother his stomach. He's gonna have to work on that. He even gave me his GU. He only carries it for emergencies (like getting lost and needing food) because his stomach doesn't like that even while running. Nearly eight miles in, he was feeling pretty bad - a bit of nausea and lightheadedness. Wisely, he decided he would head back. Fortunately, we weren't far from the Link trail (off of Fox West) and I could point the way back for him.

Now I was alone and out of fluids myself, but still feeling pretty good. Chris's Garmin was not capturing the satellites well so I don't have the data, but I know we'd been running right along. When I stopped for a pee break, I couldn't believe how sweaty I was; the shorts were very difficult to get down and up. As I made my way up Knights Woods, I was convincing myself that I should skip the O Trail. It didn't take much; I really wanted liquids and I knew Linda and Beth would be waiting quite a while for me if I chose to run it.

Back at the car, I immediately downed another Gatorade. I called Linda; she and Beth were on the Link heading back. I ran out to meet them. They were pretty finished. Wow! None of us took the weather very seriously. Back in the parking lot, they marveled at my sweatiness. It looked like I'd just gotten out of a pool. I headed to the outhouse to change. I don't think I've ever left a puddle like that before (of sweat, guys). Yikes.

On the ride home, Linda's legs started doing the same cramping that she experienced during the Breaker : ( We all needed more fuel that run.

Saturday and Monday

Saturday, Rick and I headed to Bradbury to work on the Bruiser course. We met up with TMs, Ian, Emma, Julia, Blaine and Erin along with a new trail runner, Christian. I planned to do the entire course; Rick had 6 to 8 miles in mind.

We all stayed together for almost 2 miles, but then the faster runners pulled ahead and/or Erin, Rick and I relaxed our pace. We chatted easily as we ran. Somewhere after crossing the snowmobile trail, still on the Ginn, Rick and I lost Erin.

Rick stayed with me till just over 7 miles and then headed back getting in around 8 miles before he was done. So, just me for the rest of the miles. I enjoyed them all till I realized around 9 miles that 8 oz of liquid really wasn't enough for this run. I don't know if that's why I hated the O trail so much or what. I've never even disliked it before...Oh, I've found it perplexing, discouraging, and lots of other adjectives, but always enjoyed it in some way...Not Saturday. I was so glad to finally recognize when I was nearly done.

So, I didn't have a great run, but there were some very good things. It was the first time in a long time that Emma had joined the Monsters on a Saturday run. Yay!!!! Also, slowly (knock on wood) Rick seems to be fighting back. That would be Yay- squared!

Sunday was Rick's last day of vacation. We decided to spend the day in Portland again. Had a great lunch in Ri Ra's and enjoyed the city.

Today, I ran the fields around here. A lot more territory has opened up to me since the farmers have all hayed recently. I didn't get out till 2:30, but glad that's when I went; I had a great wildlife encounter. Cresting a small hill in the farthest field, I spotted (tee hee...it was already spotted!) a fawn. I stopped. (S)He was watching me. We stared at each other for what seemed like 5 minutes. So I decided to talk to him/her. Still just stood looking at me. Finally I said something the deer didn't like and (s)he bounded zig-zaggy away. The fawn seemed pretty big to still have its spots, but, well, Yay!

My nearly 6 miles took nearly 60 minutes.

Slow and Slower

Thursday I headed to Thorncrag in between a Walmart and Hannaford stop (I swear, the people in Hannaford must think I never shower!). My knees were feeling a little better as was my arch/ankle. Unfortunately, my right hamstring decided to ask for attention.

Good thing there were other things to keep myself occupied with. I enjoyed seeing various people multiple times on the trails. It makes me happy to see the Sanctuary get used so much. I had to smile at this huge kid running up the main trail. I'm sure he was a football player getting in shape for the season. I'd hate to get drag nearly 300 pounds up that grade!

Almost at the end of my run, I saw my pair of pileated woodpeckers. I hope they're nesting.

Today, I headed to Bradbury with Bethany. It was her first introduction to the Bruiser course. Bethany was surprised that the Scuffle looked totally different running it in reverse! We just did a bit over 7 miles and needed to call it a run.

Three Days Post-Breaker

I was totally spent after the Breaker, but still barely slept that night. I woke up with pretty stiff knees, the purple still developing. Instead of my twisted ankle being sore, it hurts in the arch of that foot.

Fortunately, Rick has vacation this week. I didn't want to be around the house, especially if I wasn't going to run. Rick suggested we head to Portland for lunch. We decided to make it a late lunch and watch the 2pm Sox game. Ha-ha, Yankees!

Tuesday, the heat and humidity had built back in. Rick and I did lots of errands. He headed out for a run in the fields around 2-ish. I said I was waiting to see if a breeze picked up (usually happens sometime after 3 here). Well, by 4, there was no wind, but at least it had gotten hotter. Still, I needed to run. My stiff knees seemed to loosen up as I went.

The fields were hot, but it felt good to be out there. My pair of hawks yelled at me. I stopped at the brook to watch some minnows and crayfish (the baby hornpout must have taken to the weeds). I scare the shit (literally) out of a blue heron. I was almost equally startled. Saw some turtles sunning themselves on a log. At the far side of one of the fields where it borders some woods, I heard a lot of noise. I caught sight of a turkey running one way and a deer the other.

I was able to think of Scooter without crying. Watching nature, I thought a lot about what happened. I think I'll put those musings and other Scooter-related things at the end of the post.

Got in a sweaty, dusty 5.1

Today, reminded that I should have run the Bruiser course multiple times by now, I headed over to Bradbury. Rick had stuff to do around the house so I went solo, but didn't get started till 11:30. It was hotter than I thought it would be. My ankle and knees were still a bit grumpy. The trails were wet from the night's rain. I took it slowly. I still was beat up by it. Came home, showered, had lunch and then fell asleep for almost 3 hours. I felt worse for it when I woke up. I can't seem to get hydrated enough.



So, on my runs I've had this vision of me finding the coyote (I just assume it was a coyote) and, with my bare hands, tearing its face apart. I really think I am capable of this; it feels good to envision. That said, I also have thought about the couple people who have offered to hunt them or suggested that maybe that should happen. I appreciate them wanting to help, but...as I see it, by having a cat that goes out, I introduced a predator into the environment. Runner was my killing machine, but Scooter did his share. The coyotes are hunters too. They actually need to hunt; my kitties needed to, but only because of their nature, not need of food.

Danielle and lots of others have told me that I was a good mommy that gave my kitties a good home that they wouldn't have had. I know that (but really appreciate them telling me!!!). I know it. I know it. I know it, but don't feel it. I feel like I failed them; I should have kept them safe. I thought I had fixed what went wrong with Runner by always having Scooter in before dark - always. I guess I didn't realize how much the woods and wild were closing in on our house. Behind the rock wall is pretty much undergrowth and cover. Spot dog is not the presence that she once was. I can't have another kitty. Even if I were to find one in the same need of a home, I can't handle loosing another like that again.

I have no hope, yet can't bring myself to close off his little entrance to the garage. I still check and call. I am getting better, but, what a huge hole that little sole has left.

Broken Hearted and the Breaker

If you want to read about running, skip down to the sub-titled "Race" section of this post; otherwise, please join me for a tribute to my precious, precious Scooter kitty. First a little background. I love animals. Spot dog, a golden retriever-lab mix, joined our family in 1997. I thought that would be it for animals since, even though cats are my favorite animals, Rick is extremely allergic to them.

In July of 2003, I was running down a rural road in Lewiston with a friend. We had planned on running a different route, but, due to time constraints, settled on this one. I heard a teeny cry coming from behind us. I turned to see a very small kitten running after us. It was a gray kitten (vet estimated to be just 5 weeks old) with extra toes on every foot. She had an upper-respiratory infection and an attitude; she was fearless! I brought her directly to a vet and took home the antibiotics they prescribed.

I made her a temporary home in the garage and started making phone calls to find some one to take her. Her name was already Runner. She was not at all afraid of Spot dog. Every one of the shelters I called said they would put her down because they didn't have any quarantine spaces available. We were leaving for Colorado in two days to visit my brother; we needed to resolve this fast.

So, she would be put down if we didn't keep her. We decided to try to have her live in the garage and see how Rick did (she really was my cat from the second I held her). We paid the vets to keep her in their quarantine and board Spot while we vacationed in CO. The bill...Yikes!

What a great kitty though! She remained fearless. Runner tormented Spot and killed every kind of rodent and lots of birds. She growled at cars that came up the driveway, except mine. She would walk right out in front of me. Of course I would stop and park where I was.

If the kids were playing in the yard, she would make sure to interrupt and be in at least one of their laps - but never for too long. She loved us, but on her terms.
Most nights, I was able to get her in, but, again, if she wanted me too. With the cats I'd had from childhood on up, we just filled their dishes with food as it was emptied. It never occurred to me to do otherwise.

Runner was with us for three years. One night she didn't come home. I looked everywhere, put posters up, and offered a reward in the paper. She never came home. I didn't even care that Ryan left for college; I was too distraught over Runner.

I missed Runner. I missed having a cat. Even though we had made the garage work (a heated pad during the winter that heated to cat temperature when stepped on in a insulated box that she could go in and out of, a mommy that would go out and sit for every night, paths shoveled all over the yard during the winter, and more), I decided it wasn't safe to have an outdoor cat where we lived.

That winter I worked as a seasonal employee for LL Bean. It turns out, one of the women I worked with was a volunteer at a shelter in Westbrook. They were trapping feral cats, spaying and neutering, and then releasing. I told her about my Runner and how I missed having a kitty, but why I wouldn't have another. She told me she might have the answer to that....She had been fostering some kittens taken from a feral cat colony at just 4 weeks. There was one that she didn't think would be adoptable. He wasn't adjusting to people. He did like her dog though. She thought my set up would be ideal for him.

I was so excited. Two days later I brought home this extremely furry adorable kitten. Since he was a feral cat, I thought he was gonna be a straggly thing ; he was beautiful. And afraid of everything.

It was a very cold December. He took to his insulated, heated box right away. As soon as we opened the door to the garage, you could hear him purring, LOUDLY. In fact, that's how he got his name. Sam thought the kitty sounded like his Vespa scooter. The funny thing is that he grew out of his loud purring, but grew into his name in another way...He had dwarfed legs and, since he remained fearful of almost everything, was always scooting away.

In just two days, he was climbing into my lap. I was always sitting with him in the cold garage. Running is a great way to stay sane. Having a kitty in your lap that loves you is another one.

To begin with, I thought he was always crouching because he was so fearful. It took almost a month before I was sure he was dwarfed and not crouching at all. Sam rigged up an old children's fishing pole for me to cast kitty toys for him to chase.

Look at his pictures. He had such a special face. Sometimes it looked like he had a goatee and mustache, sometimes it looked more like a perpetual smile. Linda's granddaughter thought he looked like a big caterpillar when she first saw him running through the grass...his little legs and long hair made him look like one.

Scooter liked Spot right off even though he was afraid of every person except me. In his four years with us, he was just starting to allow Rick to touch him. Ryan was away too much for Scooter to get used to him. Sam could pet him at night and sometimes in the daylight (for whatever reason, Scooter was always much braver at night).

I figured out something that I should have with Runner; the kitty would come in at night if that was the only time I put out food. Not that he ever really went far (Runner was a real roamer); he stayed mostly in the rock wall behind our house, barn, and behind Linda's. Whenever I was in the yard, he'd appear looking for me to hold him or, at very least, rub his belly. If Rick and I were in the garden, he was right there. Around six in the evening during the longer hours of summer, he would be out on the patio waiting. In the winter, he would show up even sooner, sometimes already in the garage if it were cold. He was closed in before dark.

When I went to Colorado after my brother's son, Elliott, was born last spring, I gave Sam the task of getting him closed in: first night, fine, second night it took him hours, third night when I called, Sam was still out there working on it till 1 am. I told John, in all seriousness, I was heading to the airport if Sam didn't get Scooter to come in. Finally the call came; Scooter was in. Sam asked to please, please keep him in for the rest of my trip. YES!

Whenever I came home after being away for more than a day, Scooter would get in my lap and try to get as close to me as possible, pushing his little body against me. I could tell he missed me. More than that, he needed me.

In the summer, I would sometimes find little slugs on his belly; it was so low to the ground. In the winter, even though I shoveled paths (till I figured out trampling them with snowshoes was much easier) everywhere he usually went. Still, he would have snow clinging in balls to his fluffy belly.

He had the teeniest of voices. He would talk to me, but, I can't even describe it. It was barely audible. I loved his purr. It was like he was a tribble (any one remember the little sounds they made?) - sometimes. Others, it was the regular purr, but never the super loud one that earned him his name.

When I was walking the grounds calling to him, all I could think of was that I wouldn't even hear him if he was calling to me. I opened every shed/structure on the properties. The brush and undergrowth are so thick around, I could have been very close to him and not known it. I sat in a chair out back till late. I stayed on the couch and went out every hour calling. No kitty.

So totally heart broken, dehydrated from crying, and sleep deprived, it was time to head to Bradbury.

THE RACE:

Rick and I headed there early to help out. Like last race, we just handed out the T-shirts to the pre-registered runners. Everyone was commenting on the shirts. They may be the best ever, of all races. I was just trying not to make too much eye contact, trying to hold it together. I think I did pretty good. I had already put it out on facebook that he was missing, so I had sympathy and support from my caring friends.

As it got closer to the start, we all amassed in the big field for Ian's pre-race words. It was a large group. I tried to place myself well in the pack - not too far up to be in a fast runner's way, but not too far back that I'd be weaving through runners to hit my pace. I think I got it right.

And we were off! Since I've been running there so much, I had a real sense of the pace I thought I could maintain. It was so good to be running and needing to focus so hard on footing and just the physical. When we got to the steepest part of the Boundary Trail, I was able to run up and pass some of the people that had been just ahead, but out of reach. A bit in oxygen debt by the time I made it to the top, my pace slowed for a bit as I recovered. I was at the head of a group when we turned onto the South Ridge. I warned that we were coming to a short, steep down that could be slide-y. I did that because I didn't want them falling into me and I was going to be slowing a lot. I took the line that Ian showed me and was happy that I ran it rather than walked. Just when I was done with the last of the steep part, I fell. Hard. I lay there prone for a bit, with people asking if I were OK as the group split and ran around me. Yes. But then the pain of my fall tapped into the pain of loosing Scooter. I started crying. LOUDLY. Runners were going to stop. I said something about my cat being dead, leave, I'm not hurt. Sobbing is bad for running. Breathing is already hard enough.

I made myself get up and run. I liked seeing the blood running down my leg, my sock getting bloody. Oh, my other knee was whacked too. And both hands. The pain gave me something to refocus on. I made it to the first aid station, manned by TM Dave and another person. Dave handed me a water and Gatorade. I stayed and drank it and showed off my wound. He thought it was the best he'd seen as yet. Back to the race...

I ran the summit in the three very runnable spots that I had planned to, but walked the rest. Got the best of encouragement from Dora at the top and I'm pretty sure Rob took my picture. I love the Tote Road. After the Summit, I knew I could quickly recover there and even push the pace for most of it. On perfectly even, non-rooty ground (in very short supply on that trail!), I turned my ankle. I knew it was still runnable, but would hurt later.

I was able to run fairly well up the Northern Loop. I was probably more conservative on the Switchback than I should have been. Still finished the first lap in a fast (for me) time of 45:53. I stopped again for a Gatorade and water. I ran the first part of the Boundary Trail almost as hard as the first time through, but this time only ran 1/2 the big hill. I think there were a couple more places were I walked along there, but tried to push it after I recovered each time. Through the South Ridge vertically this time! Stopped for another water/Gatorade and visit with Dave. I managed to run to the first rock of the Summit, but then walked the entire way up. Again greeted by the bubbly Dora and Rob. Headed onto the Tote with lots of encouragement.
If I didn't have any more wipe outs, I knew I would pr. After running up the Northern Loop, I was looking forward to the best down on the mountain. I'm pretty sure I ran it faster than I ever have, trying to fight the urge to brake too much. Then the hard right leading to the finish. My final time was 1:34:02, nearly 4 minutes faster than last year. The effort of the race had my emotions unable to be kept in check; I just kept going to our car rather than have to cry all over everyone. After a long drink and some solo time, I headed back to cheer the runners coming in.
Thank you, Trail Monsters. I can't even tell you all how much I felt your concern.

It is very hard being home. I still expect that sweet face in all his spots. I miss sitting with him at night. I hope he didn't suffer.

Swimming at Bradbury

I felt like a fish out of water or, more correctly, a human trying to breath water. Bethany and I hit Bradbury early hoping to avoid the heat. I guess we were successful, but the dew point was so high it really didn't matter. We took it pretty easy, opting to take the Boundary to the summit rather than doing the South Ridge. To make up for the mileage, we did Krista's Trail off of the Tote Road. That actually gave us slightly more distance than if we'd done the Breaker's real 1st loop.

Beth wanted to walk back up to the summit to take some photos. I decided to run up the Northern Loop to meet her there with the intent of really pushing the pace since I had slacked off so much already. Well, I ran. I don't think I could really call it pushing it. Ended up with 5.9 for the day.

A Tale of Two Runs

I guess this could be a tale of three runs - two literally though (three literature-ly!). Monday I ran the fields just before 4 pm. I expected it to be one of the "if-only-there-were-shade" runs. Since the neighboring farm had hayed their fields, it opened a lot more territory to me. Some of the edges of field were shaded by tall pines. Mmmm.... My 5 miles were surprisingly comfortable.

Tuesday I headed to Providence with Sam to visit Ryan. We did a lot of walking and eating. I have come to really like Providence; the more I visit, the more I like it. We came across a running store that was called "Rhode Runners".

Today was my run that could be the tale of two runs...It was the best of runs; it was the worst of runs (well, not worst, but....very, very hot and humid). I ran at Thorncrag with Mindy, hence the best of runs. I always enjoy running with Mindy; it means great conversation. I think, without her company, I would have felt the conditions much more. Instead, I was happy to be reintroducing Mindy to Thorncrag (the last time she ran there was in the dead of winter with brutally cold temps). We ran almost all of the trails, which gave us a total of 4.44 miles.

I was so sweaty that I was shivering in Hannaford when I stopped for a few items before heading home. Nice!

Great Day, Great Run

Headed over to Bradbury early Saturday, expecting to see a big group of Trail Monsters. I was only in the lot for a few minutes when Bethany pulled in. She decided to head out instead of waiting for the group to amass; she figured she'd see everyone on the trail. Randy drove in just a few minutes later. We caught up a bit on our summers and wondered how long to wait before deciding we were it. At 8:10, Randy said he'd like to get going. OK, just a quick trip to the outhouse for me...Good thing ,too, cause when I came out, James was driving in!

The three of us headed out at a pace that I'm sure was very moderate for them. It was at, or faster than, what I would consider my race pace. James asked if he should slow down. Nope. I was even able to keep my end of the conversation up (thanks, Dad; us Beckwith's can talk no matter what!). About 1.5 miles in I told them to pick it up if they wanted cause I was going to drop back. They did.

Still kept up a fairly fast pace. I like how just a little fast running makes you faster. I notice the week after a race, even when I'm trying to run slowly, my pace is always quicker. I ran small stretches of the Summit and pushed on the Tote Road. When I got done with the Switch Back (which I ran like it goes on race day, right into the starting field), my time was slightly better than 1/2 of last year's Breaker, 48:15!

I went back to the car to refill my one 8 oz bottle with Gatorade and found James and Randy there talking. Both of them were calling it a day. I hung out and talked for 12 minutes, so pretty much recovered before heading on the second lap. Even going easy, I did the last lap in under 53 minutes!

This time when I finished, I found Ian in the parking lot getting ready for trail maintenance. He had all the tools (rakes and clippers). We headed to the Switch Back (definitely the least followable of the trails). Starting at its finish, we worked our way up the mountain, basically raking the entire path. Bethany joined us after her Breaker run. She took over any clipping duties. From the top, it was neat to look down and be able to follow the trail all the way down. Good job, us!

It was cool going up the mountain. I recommend walking back up. It's really quite beautiful. I can't believe how many times I've been on that trail and not known what was there!

From the Switch Back, we head over to South Ridge. It needed less work. The only place where it wasn't obvious where to run was from the lower parking lot up to the playground before the Summit. It's clear now! My hands now sport four new blisters/callouses. It was work, but a lot of fun with Ian and Beth. Oh, yeah...The day couldn't be better for running or working on the trail; the humidity was low and the high of the day was 75!