SO LONG 2017
Sunday, December 31, 2017
2017 Overall Totals
RUN 748.5 mi
RIDE 1766.6 mi
SNOWSHOE 34.8 mi
HIKE/WALK 404.0 mi
PADDLE 5.6 mi
XC SKI 1.9 mi
DAYS OUTDOORS 359/365
MONTHS BIKED 12/12
2017 Event Totals
Run 395.6 mi, 104 hr 46 min
Bike 80.2 mi, 6 hr 32 min
Snowshoe 33.1 mi, 11 hr 5 min
Kayak 0 mi, 0 hr 0 min
states visited: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT
12 road races
31 trail races
6 road/trail races
8 snowshoe races
7 duathlons
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Disappointing
Saturday, December 30, 2017
One of my favorite places to visit in Nyack is Nyack Beach State Park, or rather the trail that runs north along the Hudson River shoreline from the park. Towering cliffs, the river, views of the Tappan Zee Bridge (or the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, as the new bridge is officially named) - what's not to love? Well, one thing - apparently the access road is closed in the winter, and there's no parking nearby... so after the race this morning Ann and I drove to the park entrance, stared at the closed gate, and then sadly drove away.
Another favorite place is Minnewaska State Park Preserve. We got back to New Paltz around 3:40 and reached the park around 4, and were happy to learn that we could stay until 5. Unfortunately... the majority of the trails are closed to all use but skiing when there's sufficient snow. We drove to the upper lot but then didn't even get out of the car because there was nowhere we could walk without breaking the rules. I understand that it's a lot of work to groom the trails for skiing but really, they could at least allow snowshoeing along the sides. So no Lake Minnewaska in the snow for us today, either.
JMH
Saturday, December 30, 2017
One of my favorite places to visit in Nyack is Nyack Beach State Park, or rather the trail that runs north along the Hudson River shoreline from the park. Towering cliffs, the river, views of the Tappan Zee Bridge (or the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, as the new bridge is officially named) - what's not to love? Well, one thing - apparently the access road is closed in the winter, and there's no parking nearby... so after the race this morning Ann and I drove to the park entrance, stared at the closed gate, and then sadly drove away.
Another favorite place is Minnewaska State Park Preserve. We got back to New Paltz around 3:40 and reached the park around 4, and were happy to learn that we could stay until 5. Unfortunately... the majority of the trails are closed to all use but skiing when there's sufficient snow. We drove to the upper lot but then didn't even get out of the car because there was nowhere we could walk without breaking the rules. I understand that it's a lot of work to groom the trails for skiing but really, they could at least allow snowshoeing along the sides. So no Lake Minnewaska in the snow for us today, either.
JMH
Friday, December 29, 2017
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Friday, December 22, 2017
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Monday, December 11, 2017
Sunday, December 10, 2017
TOO DANG COLD!
Sunday, December 10, 2017
I'm very glad the race was yesterday instead of today. While the inch or so of snow on the ground wouldn't have been a big deal, temperatures this morning were in the high 20's with a nasty windchill that was probably down into the teens. Ann and I initially planned to go for a walk after breakfast, but walking from the car to Denny's and then from Denny's to the car convinced me otherwise... after all, I could always go for a walk in Albany after getting back and only have one of us freezing rather than both of us.
Even though the temperatures weren't bad in Albany (slightly warmer) I ended up going for a short walk rather than a run or ride mainly to save time, plus I needed to go to the store to get some protein for the carnivore in me. Given the couple of inches of snow on the ground, I think it's time to haul the fat bike up from its summer home in the basement.
JMH
Sunday, December 10, 2017
I'm very glad the race was yesterday instead of today. While the inch or so of snow on the ground wouldn't have been a big deal, temperatures this morning were in the high 20's with a nasty windchill that was probably down into the teens. Ann and I initially planned to go for a walk after breakfast, but walking from the car to Denny's and then from Denny's to the car convinced me otherwise... after all, I could always go for a walk in Albany after getting back and only have one of us freezing rather than both of us.
Even though the temperatures weren't bad in Albany (slightly warmer) I ended up going for a short walk rather than a run or ride mainly to save time, plus I needed to go to the store to get some protein for the carnivore in me. Given the couple of inches of snow on the ground, I think it's time to haul the fat bike up from its summer home in the basement.
JMH
Saturday, December 09, 2017
UP & DOWN THE KILLER HILLS OF POWDER MILLS
Slow Going 2017 - Race #52
0 Degree WTF 10mi Trail Race
Saturday, December 9, 2017
2017 Event Totals
Run 389.4 mi, 103 hr 27 min
Bike 80.2 mi, 6 hr 32 min
Snowshoe 30.0 mi, 10 hr 16 min
Kayak 0 mi, 0 hr 0 min
states visited: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT
Slow Going 2017 - Race #52
0 Degree WTF 10mi Trail Race
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Run 389.4 mi, 103 hr 27 min
Bike 80.2 mi, 6 hr 32 min
Snowshoe 30.0 mi, 10 hr 16 min
Kayak 0 mi, 0 hr 0 min
states visited: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT
Wednesday, December 06, 2017
Tuesday, December 05, 2017
Sunday, December 03, 2017
Friday, December 01, 2017
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Making a Run For It Ahead of the Storm
Sunday, November 12, 2017
So the plan was to stop in Syracuse tonight, do some work, get some sleep, and then leave for Albany at 4:30 AM to give myself time to change clothes and still be at school on time. After all, 5 hours of driving is more than enough for one day.
Except ... apparently not. The forecast calls for a snowstorm to hit the central NY area right around when I'd have been driving back, and driving back in the dark in a snowstorm with no snow tires on the car didn't appeal in the slightest. So half an hour after checking in to the motel saw me throwing my stuff back in the car and making a dash for Albany before the bad weather hit.
On the plus side, the remaining two hours went by without a hitch. On the minus side, I still have all that work I was going to do tonight, but I'm starting two plus hours later than I planned. So I'll probably still be getting up at a god-awful hour, to finish whatever I don't get to tonight.
Of course, it's my own fault for playing all weekend (well, playing, and driving a 15+ hour round trip to play) but we won't talk about that.
JMH
Sunday, November 12, 2017
So the plan was to stop in Syracuse tonight, do some work, get some sleep, and then leave for Albany at 4:30 AM to give myself time to change clothes and still be at school on time. After all, 5 hours of driving is more than enough for one day.
Except ... apparently not. The forecast calls for a snowstorm to hit the central NY area right around when I'd have been driving back, and driving back in the dark in a snowstorm with no snow tires on the car didn't appeal in the slightest. So half an hour after checking in to the motel saw me throwing my stuff back in the car and making a dash for Albany before the bad weather hit.
On the plus side, the remaining two hours went by without a hitch. On the minus side, I still have all that work I was going to do tonight, but I'm starting two plus hours later than I planned. So I'll probably still be getting up at a god-awful hour, to finish whatever I don't get to tonight.
Of course, it's my own fault for playing all weekend (well, playing, and driving a 15+ hour round trip to play) but we won't talk about that.
JMH
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Friday, November 10, 2017
Thursday, November 09, 2017
Tuesday, November 07, 2017
Monday, November 06, 2017
Sunday, November 05, 2017
Saturday, November 04, 2017
BACK TO THE BERKSHIRES
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Well, driving through them, actually, on my way to tonight's hotel to have a significantly shorter drive to Steep Rock tomorrow. Nevertheless I was reminded of how much I miss the Berkshires - I really haven't spent much time there this year. I think next year I will have to make time for a few more of the "classic" Grand Tree races that I've missed over the past few years in favor of seeing and running at some new locations.
JMH
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Well, driving through them, actually, on my way to tonight's hotel to have a significantly shorter drive to Steep Rock tomorrow. Nevertheless I was reminded of how much I miss the Berkshires - I really haven't spent much time there this year. I think next year I will have to make time for a few more of the "classic" Grand Tree races that I've missed over the past few years in favor of seeing and running at some new locations.
JMH
Friday, November 03, 2017
Thursday, November 02, 2017
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Monday, October 30, 2017
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
THANKS, VERIZON.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
My home internet service has been out since Tuesday evening - what I discovered when I got home today is that's because I have no signal whatsoever coming in over the phone lines, not even a telephone signal. So I powered up my mobile access that I use when I'm at Ann's house and went looking for help filing a repair request with Verizon. After wading through a number of pages that tried to get me to do a bunch of diagnostic procedures (because after all I'm paying Verizon a bunch of money every month so I can work for them for free) I finally reached a page that essentially said "No dial tone - contact Customer Service by calling 1-800-VERIZON"
Now I realize most people would just pull out their cell phones and make the call (don't have one and I'm certainly not getting one just to do this... besides if I did get one, my first choice would NOT be Verizon!) but did no one at Verizon see the potential problem with having their answer to "No dial tone" be "call us"? That's right up there with telling the tech help guy that your email isn't working and having him tell you that if you'll just send him an email describing the problem he'll get right on it.
JMH
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
My home internet service has been out since Tuesday evening - what I discovered when I got home today is that's because I have no signal whatsoever coming in over the phone lines, not even a telephone signal. So I powered up my mobile access that I use when I'm at Ann's house and went looking for help filing a repair request with Verizon. After wading through a number of pages that tried to get me to do a bunch of diagnostic procedures (because after all I'm paying Verizon a bunch of money every month so I can work for them for free) I finally reached a page that essentially said "No dial tone - contact Customer Service by calling 1-800-VERIZON"
Now I realize most people would just pull out their cell phones and make the call (don't have one and I'm certainly not getting one just to do this... besides if I did get one, my first choice would NOT be Verizon!) but did no one at Verizon see the potential problem with having their answer to "No dial tone" be "call us"? That's right up there with telling the tech help guy that your email isn't working and having him tell you that if you'll just send him an email describing the problem he'll get right on it.
JMH
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Friday, October 20, 2017
Thursday, October 19, 2017
THE LAST DANCE
Runrig's Final Concert Set For August 2018
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Runrig's Final Concert Set For August 2018
Thursday, October 19, 2017
A little over a year ago (has it really been over a year since I got my copy of The Story, Runrig's last studio album?) I wrote about how hearing that they had made their last studio album made me sad, because it reminded me that the day would come sooner rather than later that they would retire.
Looks like 45 years is the end for Runrig. About three weeks ago they announced that in 2018 they would have their Last Mile tour wrapping up with a massive farewell concert in Scotland on August 18.
From the official Runrig website:
After 45 wonderful years in the music business, we have finally taken the very difficult and heart wrenching decision to pull the curtain down on our long career, in 2018. We are now simply at that point in time where longevity and circumstance have to be balanced against what is right for the art and the muse. We feel that the time for this decision is now upon us, and we embrace it with a sense of positivity, but tinged with understandable sadness and reflection.
It was always inevitable that this day had to arrive, but it’s arrival does not make our situation any easier.
Taking the decision in 2015 to record the final studio album, The Story was a positive decision for us all. It was musically cathartic, creatively exciting, and it brought our recording career to a completed circle. It was very much a closing statement. We want to do the same for the live side of the band. To leave it unresolved would be a negative: to complete the circle with a series of farewell shows and celebrate our story together is the positive, meaningful, Runrig thing to do.
Will Runrig ever perform in some way again? – no one can say, but a door can be left open for any possible future, creative ventures. It would not be possible for us, as musicians, to stop writing, to stop recording and to stop the joy of live performance, but Runrig in its present form, as we’ve known it for 45 years, will come to an end.
Runrig the brand will of course continue and there are various exciting legacy projects in the pipeline and in the planning. We will leave information about all of that for another day, but for now, we are in a position to announce our series of farewell concerts for 2018. Entitled The Final Mile, the tour will take in shows in Germany, Denmark and England throughout the early summer, culminating in August with The Last Dance, the big final farewell concert in the heart of Scotland. The venue, City Park, Stirling, below the castle ramparts, is one that has newly been created for live performance events.
Needless to say, as soon as I found out about this I went online to check on tickets. Ann has been talking about going to Ireland, and going to Runrig's final concert is a darn good reason to go to the UK next summer.
What I discovered is that the 25000 tickets for the concert sold out the morning they went on sale.
But then a week later the band announced that they would do a 2nd concert the night before, presumably with another 25000 tickets. Hope!
But no, all of those tickets have sold out too. And I am bummed.
(There is some slight hope... while the venue apparently can't handle any more people, the organizers are looking for a way to allow more people to the concert despite that.)
It would be incredibly ironic if I did get to one of their final concerts, since I heard Silly Wizard do a live concert in CT way back in 1988 and it turned out to be their final tour. And we may still go to the UK next summer. Part of me very much hopes that somehow we can go to one of the concerts - and part of me almost wishes it doesn't work out, both because I really dislike huge crowds (and 25000+ people at a concert is a damn huge crowd) and partly because it will be a very bittersweet experience.
JMH
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Friday, October 13, 2017
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Monday, October 09, 2017
Sunday, October 08, 2017
Saturday, October 07, 2017
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