On the Road to - Danbury!
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Lots of memories stirred up driving down the TSP (Taconic State Parkway) and on I84 to Danbury this evening. A couple of years into grad school in CT, I decided I wanted to get to karate class at least once a week (I had started training during my senior year of high school, then only got to classes during breaks and the summer while I was in college, and once every month or so when I went off to grad school.) I spent a lot of time driving back and forth on the Taconic... a little less on I84, because after a while I started taking side roads for part of the trip just to provide some variety and help me stay awake.
Tomorrow I run for the first time in three weeks. Sounds like either a great idea or one of the dumbest things I've done in a while... guess I'll have a better idea which after 6 miles on the trails tomorrow, when I find out how much grief my foot is going to give me afterwards.
JMH
Showing posts with label races 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label races 2012. Show all posts
Saturday, November 24, 2012
NO RT TURKEY RUN FOR THE TURTLE...
Saturday, November 24, 2012
I'd been looking forward to taking a shot at the RT Turkey Run at Mendon Ponds Park all week... both to see how my foot would react and to finally have a chance to run again! But as I thought about it yesterday I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to have my first run in two weeks be a race, where I'd be more likely to overdo it (and less likely to stop if partway through it wasn't going well.) So I reluctantly bailed on yet another enjoyable run this month... but at least it leaves me more time to spend with Ann today...
JMH
Saturday, November 24, 2012
I'd been looking forward to taking a shot at the RT Turkey Run at Mendon Ponds Park all week... both to see how my foot would react and to finally have a chance to run again! But as I thought about it yesterday I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to have my first run in two weeks be a race, where I'd be more likely to overdo it (and less likely to stop if partway through it wasn't going well.) So I reluctantly bailed on yet another enjoyable run this month... but at least it leaves me more time to spend with Ann today...
JMH
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT...
No Seashore Nature Trail 50k for the Turtle
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I haven't run for almost two weeks, and my foot hasn't bounced back to normal... more like a slow crawl punctuated by occasionally being dragged backwards every once in a while when I do something stupid. I suspect this is going to be a slow-healing injury that I'm going to have to manage carefully so that I can be ready for the Big Island Marathon in March and Rock the Ridge in May - and attempting a 50k after little or no running for 6 weeks doesn't qualify as careful management. In any case, the 50k was going to be a struggle after spending November training for it - as things stand now, it's questionable if I'd even be able to finish in 8 1/2 hours, regardless of the state it would leave my foot in afterwards.
So I'm doing the smart, mature thing and pulling myself out of the 50k, growling and snarling all the way, damn it.
Hopefully taking it easy for the next month or so will leave me in a better place going into snowshoe season and next year's running season. And in the meantime I'll try to do some thinking and see if I can figure out how to have my running in 2013 not suck nearly as much as I did in 2012.
Can we have some cheese to go with all this whine? Sigh.
JMH
No Seashore Nature Trail 50k for the Turtle
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I haven't run for almost two weeks, and my foot hasn't bounced back to normal... more like a slow crawl punctuated by occasionally being dragged backwards every once in a while when I do something stupid. I suspect this is going to be a slow-healing injury that I'm going to have to manage carefully so that I can be ready for the Big Island Marathon in March and Rock the Ridge in May - and attempting a 50k after little or no running for 6 weeks doesn't qualify as careful management. In any case, the 50k was going to be a struggle after spending November training for it - as things stand now, it's questionable if I'd even be able to finish in 8 1/2 hours, regardless of the state it would leave my foot in afterwards.
So I'm doing the smart, mature thing and pulling myself out of the 50k, growling and snarling all the way, damn it.
Hopefully taking it easy for the next month or so will leave me in a better place going into snowshoe season and next year's running season. And in the meantime I'll try to do some thinking and see if I can figure out how to have my running in 2013 not suck nearly as much as I did in 2012.
Can we have some cheese to go with all this whine? Sigh.
JMH
Friday, November 16, 2012
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST...
Friday, November 16, 2012
I've been clinging stubbornly to my intention to run the Lil Rhody Runaround this Sunday, for a bunch of reasons - I enjoy the race a lot, it's one of my few remaining chances to run a race in RI this year, and I was also looking forward to visiting Trustom Pond NWR to check out the flocks of migrating waterfowl and Rome Point to hopefully check out the seals.
But - it's been a very long week at work, leaving me less than enthused about spending 8 hours driving this weekend. And while my foot has been slowly feeling better - I suspect it hasn't improved much beyond where it was last Saturday, when a short easy run left me limping around for a couple of days afterward. And at this point - if I'm going to have any chance of running the Seashore Nature Trail 50k, I don't know that I can afford more setbacks.
So at much as it aggravates me to do so - no Lil Rhody for me this weekend.
Sigh. Being injured really sucks.
JMH
Friday, November 16, 2012
I've been clinging stubbornly to my intention to run the Lil Rhody Runaround this Sunday, for a bunch of reasons - I enjoy the race a lot, it's one of my few remaining chances to run a race in RI this year, and I was also looking forward to visiting Trustom Pond NWR to check out the flocks of migrating waterfowl and Rome Point to hopefully check out the seals.
But - it's been a very long week at work, leaving me less than enthused about spending 8 hours driving this weekend. And while my foot has been slowly feeling better - I suspect it hasn't improved much beyond where it was last Saturday, when a short easy run left me limping around for a couple of days afterward. And at this point - if I'm going to have any chance of running the Seashore Nature Trail 50k, I don't know that I can afford more setbacks.
So at much as it aggravates me to do so - no Lil Rhody for me this weekend.
Sigh. Being injured really sucks.
JMH
Sunday, November 11, 2012
So Much For After the Leaves...
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Yesterday's very easy run made it clear - any running in the near future is going to have painful consequences. And since I really want to be able to run the Lil Rhody Runaround next Sunday, that means the best plan is to skip After the Leaves Have Fallen today. Needless to say I am very unhappy about this - both the loss of today's run (though I might go to Minnewaska tomorrow and ride) and the fact that it throws in question my ability to run the Seashore Nature Trail 50k in mid- December.
Sigh. Injuries suck big time.
JMH
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Yesterday's very easy run made it clear - any running in the near future is going to have painful consequences. And since I really want to be able to run the Lil Rhody Runaround next Sunday, that means the best plan is to skip After the Leaves Have Fallen today. Needless to say I am very unhappy about this - both the loss of today's run (though I might go to Minnewaska tomorrow and ride) and the fact that it throws in question my ability to run the Seashore Nature Trail 50k in mid- December.
Sigh. Injuries suck big time.
JMH
Sunday, October 07, 2012
LONG DISTANCE 2012 - Race #28
Monroe Dunbar Brook10.5 11.5mi Trail Race
Sunday, October 7, 2012
OK, so I'm the only one who ran an 11.5 mile race today - but then doesn't that make me the first place finisher?
I have something of a love-hate relationship with the Monroe Dunbar Brook course... I love how secluded the forest is, and the woods are especially beautiful this time of year. The waterfalls on Dunbar Brook are also a real plus. On the other hand, there's only about 4 miles of the course that I can actually run - the rest is either relentless technical uphill or steep technical downhill. I never really hit a stretch where I can get into a good running rhythm until the final couple of miles. So that can be frustrating... or I can have days like today, where I decide "who cares what my finishing time is" and just enjoy the being out in the woods for a few hours - even detouring off-course for a mile to take in a great viewpoint.
The weather was a bit uncertain this year - we started with overcast skies, chilly temperatures, and the possibility of rain later in the day. I was tempted to pack a jacket but in the end went with a short sleeved shirt and my Asics arm warmers - I think that was the best decision, though I did end up pretty chilled when I foolishly stood around talking with Bill and Konrad afterwards, rather than pulling on a jacket or sweatshirt.
We were at the back of the pack right from the start, though we did beat the 2 mile frontrunners out to the previous site of the bridge across the brook (other than a set of stone steps down to where the bridge used to be, there's no sign it was ever there.) This first mile also treated us to the sight of Nipmuck Dave powering away from us - on crutches. So now I can say that I've had my butt kicked in races by a pregnant woman and a guy on crutches. Seriously, Dave is incredible - and this was a week after his doing the Nipmuck Marathon.
We spread out on the way up the hill to Raycroft Road - no one was in sight when I got to the first water stop, so I decided to add a detour down to the Raycroft Overlook, a stone observation platform built by the CCC reputed to have awesome views of the valley. While it would have been even more impressive on a sunny day, the view was indeed excellent, and well worth the detour.
Back on course it was a slow, slow slog to the top of Spruce Hill and then back down to Raycroft Road. About a mile and a half of technical uphill, with a few short stretches I found runnable, then the generally steep, technical, slippery drop down off the ridge which I had to crawl down for fear of blowing out a knee. Not fun. Crossing Dunbar Brook on the other hand, just after the 2nd water stop, was great - the very cold water really woke me up, and signalled that soon I'd be running along the brook, which I always enjoy. First, though, the was the climb away from the water and descent past the HUGE boulders - and then I was finally at my favorite part of the course - a trail I could actually run fairly consistently!
Still, between my detour and the generally slow day (I'll admit it - I just didn't feel like hammering today) it took a while to get to the 2nd brook crossing (even deeper and just as cold as the first - fun!) and the last stretch of trail high above the brook is always a mixed bag for me - lots of running, but also some short steep climbs to break up the flow, and I've awlways got it in my head that it would be a really bad place to fall, with the steep drop down to the brook. But I finally crossed the road and ran down the corridor of evergreens to finish in just under 3 hr 40 min. Even knocking 15-20 min off for my side trip, that's easily my slowest time in 6 runnings, and that includes 2005's longer more difficult course due to the torrential storm the previous day turning the brook into raging chest-deep whitewater. About par for the course for most of my races this year - but I'm still glad I spent the morning and early afternoon in the gorgeous woods of Monroe State Forest - and even more glad that I had a chance to catch up with Konrad and Bill, who I haven't seen much at all this year - amazingly, this was the first Grand Tree race that I've actually managed to run, usually I'd have done half a dozen by this point in the series.
JMH
2012 Event Totals
Run 239.1 mi, 58 hr 50 min
Bike 147.1 mi, 13 hr 34 min
Snowshoe 14.3 mi, 3 hr 37 min
Kayak 4.5 mi, 1 hr 23 min
states visited: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VT
Monroe Dunbar Brook
Sunday, October 7, 2012
OK, so I'm the only one who ran an 11.5 mile race today - but then doesn't that make me the first place finisher?
I have something of a love-hate relationship with the Monroe Dunbar Brook course... I love how secluded the forest is, and the woods are especially beautiful this time of year. The waterfalls on Dunbar Brook are also a real plus. On the other hand, there's only about 4 miles of the course that I can actually run - the rest is either relentless technical uphill or steep technical downhill. I never really hit a stretch where I can get into a good running rhythm until the final couple of miles. So that can be frustrating... or I can have days like today, where I decide "who cares what my finishing time is" and just enjoy the being out in the woods for a few hours - even detouring off-course for a mile to take in a great viewpoint.
The weather was a bit uncertain this year - we started with overcast skies, chilly temperatures, and the possibility of rain later in the day. I was tempted to pack a jacket but in the end went with a short sleeved shirt and my Asics arm warmers - I think that was the best decision, though I did end up pretty chilled when I foolishly stood around talking with Bill and Konrad afterwards, rather than pulling on a jacket or sweatshirt.
We were at the back of the pack right from the start, though we did beat the 2 mile frontrunners out to the previous site of the bridge across the brook (other than a set of stone steps down to where the bridge used to be, there's no sign it was ever there.) This first mile also treated us to the sight of Nipmuck Dave powering away from us - on crutches. So now I can say that I've had my butt kicked in races by a pregnant woman and a guy on crutches. Seriously, Dave is incredible - and this was a week after his doing the Nipmuck Marathon.
We spread out on the way up the hill to Raycroft Road - no one was in sight when I got to the first water stop, so I decided to add a detour down to the Raycroft Overlook, a stone observation platform built by the CCC reputed to have awesome views of the valley. While it would have been even more impressive on a sunny day, the view was indeed excellent, and well worth the detour.
Back on course it was a slow, slow slog to the top of Spruce Hill and then back down to Raycroft Road. About a mile and a half of technical uphill, with a few short stretches I found runnable, then the generally steep, technical, slippery drop down off the ridge which I had to crawl down for fear of blowing out a knee. Not fun. Crossing Dunbar Brook on the other hand, just after the 2nd water stop, was great - the very cold water really woke me up, and signalled that soon I'd be running along the brook, which I always enjoy. First, though, the was the climb away from the water and descent past the HUGE boulders - and then I was finally at my favorite part of the course - a trail I could actually run fairly consistently!
Still, between my detour and the generally slow day (I'll admit it - I just didn't feel like hammering today) it took a while to get to the 2nd brook crossing (even deeper and just as cold as the first - fun!) and the last stretch of trail high above the brook is always a mixed bag for me - lots of running, but also some short steep climbs to break up the flow, and I've awlways got it in my head that it would be a really bad place to fall, with the steep drop down to the brook. But I finally crossed the road and ran down the corridor of evergreens to finish in just under 3 hr 40 min. Even knocking 15-20 min off for my side trip, that's easily my slowest time in 6 runnings, and that includes 2005's longer more difficult course due to the torrential storm the previous day turning the brook into raging chest-deep whitewater. About par for the course for most of my races this year - but I'm still glad I spent the morning and early afternoon in the gorgeous woods of Monroe State Forest - and even more glad that I had a chance to catch up with Konrad and Bill, who I haven't seen much at all this year - amazingly, this was the first Grand Tree race that I've actually managed to run, usually I'd have done half a dozen by this point in the series.
JMH
2012 Event Totals
Run 239.1 mi, 58 hr 50 min
Bike 147.1 mi, 13 hr 34 min
Snowshoe 14.3 mi, 3 hr 37 min
Kayak 4.5 mi, 1 hr 23 min
states visited: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VT
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
DECISION TIME...
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
... though more in the line of "figured out what I'm going to do".
After missing the Rochester Marathon last Sunday, I had originally figured I'd stay east this coming weekend and run Nipmuck, as an indicator of where I'm at, distance-wise. But as I was walking tonight I was struck by the thought that I'd really much rather do the Autumn Classic duathlon as I'd originally planned - both because it wouldn't leave me anywhere near as wiped out afterwards and because it would put far fewer restrictions on what running I can do this week. And bottom line - right now the du will just be more fun than Nipmuck (at which I'd probably have a struggle on my hands to meet all three time cutoffs.) As a bonus, I'll also get to spend time with Ann again this weekend, and the following weekend I can stay local and run Monroe Dunbar Brook on Sunday - I had especially wanted to do that this year because I'm hoping to be in Ohio next year on Columbus Day weekend, running the Towpath Marathon.
I've also decided to run the Empire State Marathon in Syracuse on October 21, for a number of reasons I'm not going to list hear - but not the least of which is, I'll finally be running a marathon this fall, even if a month later than I had originally planned. That race also fits nicely in to some of Ann's weekend commitments for October, which means I'll get to see her before November arrives.
And I'm 99% sure I'm going to tackle the Seashore Nature Trail 50k down in VA again in December, despite the additional complications of having a week of work between the weekend of the race and the start of our winter break at school.
Sounds like I better get off my backside and do some running...
JMH
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
... though more in the line of "figured out what I'm going to do".
After missing the Rochester Marathon last Sunday, I had originally figured I'd stay east this coming weekend and run Nipmuck, as an indicator of where I'm at, distance-wise. But as I was walking tonight I was struck by the thought that I'd really much rather do the Autumn Classic duathlon as I'd originally planned - both because it wouldn't leave me anywhere near as wiped out afterwards and because it would put far fewer restrictions on what running I can do this week. And bottom line - right now the du will just be more fun than Nipmuck (at which I'd probably have a struggle on my hands to meet all three time cutoffs.) As a bonus, I'll also get to spend time with Ann again this weekend, and the following weekend I can stay local and run Monroe Dunbar Brook on Sunday - I had especially wanted to do that this year because I'm hoping to be in Ohio next year on Columbus Day weekend, running the Towpath Marathon.
I've also decided to run the Empire State Marathon in Syracuse on October 21, for a number of reasons I'm not going to list hear - but not the least of which is, I'll finally be running a marathon this fall, even if a month later than I had originally planned. That race also fits nicely in to some of Ann's weekend commitments for October, which means I'll get to see her before November arrives.
And I'm 99% sure I'm going to tackle the Seashore Nature Trail 50k down in VA again in December, despite the additional complications of having a week of work between the weekend of the race and the start of our winter break at school.
Sounds like I better get off my backside and do some running...
JMH
Saturday, September 22, 2012
BAD TIMING...
Rochester Marathon Unlikely for the Turtle
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The signs were certainly there... last night my easy ride was much tougher than it should have been, and I was ready to fall asleep by around 8:30 PM... this morning I woke up feeling generally crappy and went mildly downhill from there. Nothing too drastic, but there's no question my body's trying to fight some sort of bug off.
There was a time when I would have said no big deal, I'll just run a slower time... but the reality is, if I haven't made a miraculous recovery by the end of the day, running the marathon tomorrow is a bad idea because (1) I probably won't finish (not a distaster, but it would be really frustrating, and would also involve complicated logistics of Ann coming to get me somewhere along the course and then getting me back to my car near the finish - and the area near the finish is nuts) and (2) I stand a good chance of walloping my system enough that whatever this bug is will take a really solid bite out of me and I'll end up being either really sick or sick for an extended period of time, or both.
It's particularly frustrating because in the last day or so I reached a point where I have been really looking forward to running on Sunday.
Sigh...
JMH
Rochester Marathon Unlikely for the Turtle
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The signs were certainly there... last night my easy ride was much tougher than it should have been, and I was ready to fall asleep by around 8:30 PM... this morning I woke up feeling generally crappy and went mildly downhill from there. Nothing too drastic, but there's no question my body's trying to fight some sort of bug off.
There was a time when I would have said no big deal, I'll just run a slower time... but the reality is, if I haven't made a miraculous recovery by the end of the day, running the marathon tomorrow is a bad idea because (1) I probably won't finish (not a distaster, but it would be really frustrating, and would also involve complicated logistics of Ann coming to get me somewhere along the course and then getting me back to my car near the finish - and the area near the finish is nuts) and (2) I stand a good chance of walloping my system enough that whatever this bug is will take a really solid bite out of me and I'll end up being either really sick or sick for an extended period of time, or both.
It's particularly frustrating because in the last day or so I reached a point where I have been really looking forward to running on Sunday.
Sigh...
JMH
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
T Minus 3.5 Days & Counting: It's Hard to Believe...
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
... that in 3 1/2 days or so I'll be running the Rochester Marathon... and I'm not even thinking about it all that much, beyond trying to make sure I don't tire my legs out too much this week. When did I go from being anxious about an upcoming marathon to it just being one of those things I do periodically?
Of course, it probably helps that I know I'm not ready to run this race all that well, so I'm treating it essentially as an expensive training run where the goal is to finish. And I suspect it helps to be fairly confident that I can finish, barring mishaps or stupidity on my part... it's really just a matter of how long it will take (my predicition is somewhere between 5 1/2 and 6 hours) and how much it's going to hurt...
And no doubt I'll have plenty of anxiety Sunday morning...
JMH
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
... that in 3 1/2 days or so I'll be running the Rochester Marathon... and I'm not even thinking about it all that much, beyond trying to make sure I don't tire my legs out too much this week. When did I go from being anxious about an upcoming marathon to it just being one of those things I do periodically?
Of course, it probably helps that I know I'm not ready to run this race all that well, so I'm treating it essentially as an expensive training run where the goal is to finish. And I suspect it helps to be fairly confident that I can finish, barring mishaps or stupidity on my part... it's really just a matter of how long it will take (my predicition is somewhere between 5 1/2 and 6 hours) and how much it's going to hurt...
And no doubt I'll have plenty of anxiety Sunday morning...
JMH
Saturday, August 25, 2012
A TALE OF TWO SHEDS
Hammerin' Turtle, Day 4 -
WE HAVE A ROOF!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
I had hoped to get out of Albany early enough to run the 5 mile Run for the Woods in Marcellus, a fundraiser for the exellent Baltimore Woods Nature Center that Ann and I visited last December. Unfortunately sleep did not cooperate and I ended up leaving in the early afternoon instead... but at least I got out to Rochester with a couple of hours left to work on the new shed.
During the week Ann painted the exterior and got help pushing it into position against the back wall of the garage. So tonight we installed the rafters and then attached the sections of the roof - one of the more annoying aspects of this kit is how many parts of the shed are in separate sections rather than single pieces of wood. In the case of the roof, however, I don't know that it could have been done any other way, since each side is approximately 5' x 10', and particle board comes in 4' x 8' sheets.
It was a bit tricky getting everything lined up, especially with the way some of the rafters are warped - but by dusk the shed had a roof - a significant step. Tomorrow is the big push to the finish - shingle the roof, install the windows and doors, and attached various pieces of decorative trim.
JMH
Hammerin' Turtle, Day 4 -
WE HAVE A ROOF!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
I had hoped to get out of Albany early enough to run the 5 mile Run for the Woods in Marcellus, a fundraiser for the exellent Baltimore Woods Nature Center that Ann and I visited last December. Unfortunately sleep did not cooperate and I ended up leaving in the early afternoon instead... but at least I got out to Rochester with a couple of hours left to work on the new shed.
During the week Ann painted the exterior and got help pushing it into position against the back wall of the garage. So tonight we installed the rafters and then attached the sections of the roof - one of the more annoying aspects of this kit is how many parts of the shed are in separate sections rather than single pieces of wood. In the case of the roof, however, I don't know that it could have been done any other way, since each side is approximately 5' x 10', and particle board comes in 4' x 8' sheets.
It was a bit tricky getting everything lined up, especially with the way some of the rafters are warped - but by dusk the shed had a roof - a significant step. Tomorrow is the big push to the finish - shingle the roof, install the windows and doors, and attached various pieces of decorative trim.
Almost there...
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Whupped Turtle - TFWOAC! Kicked My Butt Big Time
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Yup, I was right... 4 races in 2 days was not the brightest thing to attempt, especially in the middle of summer (hot weather sucks for racing, in my book) and given my current state of training (or rather, lack thereof.)
So the final score is
Race the Train - DNS, due to lack of sleep the night before
Moonlight in Vermont - a definite success
Indian Ladder 15k - survived, with a lot of walking
Indian Ladder 3.5mi - DNS, the 15k wiped me out and I would have had to walk most of the short race
I think it is fair to say I well and truly got my butt kicked by TFWOAC!
Of course, if past experience is a reliable guide, Moonlight in Vermont will probably not fall on this weekend next year - usually it's mid-July. So if I decide to take on a challenge it will have to be a "mere" three races... and I'd better be a lot more consistent in my training than I was this year.
JMH
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Yup, I was right... 4 races in 2 days was not the brightest thing to attempt, especially in the middle of summer (hot weather sucks for racing, in my book) and given my current state of training (or rather, lack thereof.)
So the final score is
Race the Train - DNS, due to lack of sleep the night before
Moonlight in Vermont - a definite success
Indian Ladder 15k - survived, with a lot of walking
Indian Ladder 3.5mi - DNS, the 15k wiped me out and I would have had to walk most of the short race
I think it is fair to say I well and truly got my butt kicked by TFWOAC!
Of course, if past experience is a reliable guide, Moonlight in Vermont will probably not fall on this weekend next year - usually it's mid-July. So if I decide to take on a challenge it will have to be a "mere" three races... and I'd better be a lot more consistent in my training than I was this year.
JMH
Saturday, August 04, 2012
Jinxed Turtle - TFWOAC! Truncated Before It Even Begins
Saturday, August 4, 2012
The plan was a reasonable one - got to bed early (for me) with the alarm set for 4:45 allowing a 6 AM departure for North Creek. Didn't count on not being able to get to sleep, probably in part to the heat (noisy neighbors were in their backyard, which means I have to have the bedroom window shut both the reduce the noise and to block the fumes from all the smoking they do.) Got back up and scanned a bunch of photos into the PC (the new scanner works GREAT! Though scanning photos is still a tedious process...) and finally managed to doze off some time after 3 AM... so when the alarm went off 90 minutes or so later, I looked at the idea of driving a 3 hr round trip with a train ride and 1.5-2 hr run in the middle and made what I think was a smart decision to go back to bed.
So instead I will have to settle for TFSOAC... with Moonlight in Vermont at midnight and then the two Indian Ladder races in the morning.
Time to do a bit of riding... and then maybe a bit of napping (to make up for the sleep I'll lose when I get up at 6:30 to get ready for the drive to Thacher) before I leave for Pownal.
JMH
Saturday, August 4, 2012
The plan was a reasonable one - got to bed early (for me) with the alarm set for 4:45 allowing a 6 AM departure for North Creek. Didn't count on not being able to get to sleep, probably in part to the heat (noisy neighbors were in their backyard, which means I have to have the bedroom window shut both the reduce the noise and to block the fumes from all the smoking they do.) Got back up and scanned a bunch of photos into the PC (the new scanner works GREAT! Though scanning photos is still a tedious process...) and finally managed to doze off some time after 3 AM... so when the alarm went off 90 minutes or so later, I looked at the idea of driving a 3 hr round trip with a train ride and 1.5-2 hr run in the middle and made what I think was a smart decision to go back to bed.
So instead I will have to settle for TFSOAC... with Moonlight in Vermont at midnight and then the two Indian Ladder races in the morning.
Time to do a bit of riding... and then maybe a bit of napping (to make up for the sleep I'll lose when I get up at 6:30 to get ready for the drive to Thacher) before I leave for Pownal.
JMH
Friday, August 03, 2012
NOT MY SMARTEST PLAN...
THE FIRST WEEKEND OF AUGUST RUNNING CHALLENGE! (TFWOARC!)
Friday, August 3, 2012
Saturday morning - Race the Train 8.4mi road race
Saturday night at midnight - Moonlight in Vermont 4mi road race
Sunday morning - Indian Ladder 15k trail race
Sunday morning - Indian Ladder 3.5mi trail race
So... if I'm successful, I'll have run 4 races and something like 25 miles by early Sunday afternoon... and I will be the official TFWOARC! champion. (Of course, it helps that I'm the only fool I know of doing this!)
I'd be a heck of a lot more confident if I'd actually been running consistently (so I'm "well rested", right?) And if the forecast didn't call for hot, humid weather all weekend...
I'd have my head examined but I fear all they'd find is a sign that says "SPACE FOR RENT"
JMH
THE FIRST WEEKEND OF AUGUST RUNNING CHALLENGE! (TFWOARC!)
Friday, August 3, 2012
Saturday morning - Race the Train 8.4mi road race
Saturday night at midnight - Moonlight in Vermont 4mi road race
Sunday morning - Indian Ladder 15k trail race
Sunday morning - Indian Ladder 3.5mi trail race
So... if I'm successful, I'll have run 4 races and something like 25 miles by early Sunday afternoon... and I will be the official TFWOARC! champion. (Of course, it helps that I'm the only fool I know of doing this!)
I'd be a heck of a lot more confident if I'd actually been running consistently (so I'm "well rested", right?) And if the forecast didn't call for hot, humid weather all weekend...
I'd have my head examined but I fear all they'd find is a sign that says "SPACE FOR RENT"
JMH
Monday, July 09, 2012
THE YEAR OF THE DNS (DID NOT START)
1.7 Mile Walk at Buckingham Lake
Monday, July 9, 2012
I was really looking forward to running the 1st race in the New Paltz Summer Series, Undercliff/Overcliff, this evening... unfortunately I didn't get much sleep last night and when I started the drive south, I found myself doing inexplicable things like stopping at green lights (fortunately with no one behind me!) So before I got on the thruway I turned around and came back home. Darn it.
1.7 Mile Walk at Buckingham Lake
Monday, July 9, 2012
I was really looking forward to running the 1st race in the New Paltz Summer Series, Undercliff/Overcliff, this evening... unfortunately I didn't get much sleep last night and when I started the drive south, I found myself doing inexplicable things like stopping at green lights (fortunately with no one behind me!) So before I got on the thruway I turned around and came back home. Darn it.
I considered going out for a run but again didn't feel like driving far... or running, to be honest. So instead I headed over to Buckingham Lake for a walk. Lots of people, and a distinct lack of ducks, though at the end one of the mallards with youngsters showed up, and the lone youngster that everyone seemed to enjoy beating up on was looking for food too.
Water levels are the lowest I've ever seen them - but then that's the same everywhere around here. Around here we're close to 4" below normal for the year so far, and that's on top of the lack of snow melt after our horrendously snow-free winter.
JMH
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Lazy Turtle
Sunday, June 17, 2012
So much for this weekend's races... Friday I decided I was too tired to spend 10+ hours driving between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening, so I cancelled my room and skipped the Parvin State Park Duathlon in NJ yesterday. I'll have to get a NJ race in later this year. I was still planning to do the Greylock Half Marathon today - right up to the point where my alarm went off, I fell back asleep, and woke up too late to have any real chance of getting there on time. Bloody shame, too - conditions today were about as good as they get for a mid-June race.
JMH
Sunday, June 17, 2012
So much for this weekend's races... Friday I decided I was too tired to spend 10+ hours driving between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening, so I cancelled my room and skipped the Parvin State Park Duathlon in NJ yesterday. I'll have to get a NJ race in later this year. I was still planning to do the Greylock Half Marathon today - right up to the point where my alarm went off, I fell back asleep, and woke up too late to have any real chance of getting there on time. Bloody shame, too - conditions today were about as good as they get for a mid-June race.
JMH
Friday, June 01, 2012
SIGH... NO RYE-BY-THE-SEA DUATHLON FOR THE TURTLE...
Friday, June 1, 2012
A tough decision, but I think the right one... the forecast for tomorrow morning calls for temperatures in the low 50's and rain, which would make for a miserable, unsafe morning. Factor in the cost of a motel room and the additional driving to get there and the decision became something of a no-brainer.
Sometimes I have to remind myself that I do races for a couple of reasons - (1) to motivate myself to get out and run, ride, etc, (2) to push myself harder than I would on a "training" run or ride, (3) to give myself an excuse to visit cool places, and (4) to have some fun. If the forecast is correct, tomorrow will not be fun... and afterwards I'd end up just driving home, instead of visiting parks and nature preserves in the general vicinity of the race. So after the Twilight Trail Run wraps up tonight, I'll be heading home instead of up into New Hampshire.
I'll just have to get in some running and riding closer to home this weekend...
JMH
Friday, June 1, 2012
A tough decision, but I think the right one... the forecast for tomorrow morning calls for temperatures in the low 50's and rain, which would make for a miserable, unsafe morning. Factor in the cost of a motel room and the additional driving to get there and the decision became something of a no-brainer.
Sometimes I have to remind myself that I do races for a couple of reasons - (1) to motivate myself to get out and run, ride, etc, (2) to push myself harder than I would on a "training" run or ride, (3) to give myself an excuse to visit cool places, and (4) to have some fun. If the forecast is correct, tomorrow will not be fun... and afterwards I'd end up just driving home, instead of visiting parks and nature preserves in the general vicinity of the race. So after the Twilight Trail Run wraps up tonight, I'll be heading home instead of up into New Hampshire.
I'll just have to get in some running and riding closer to home this weekend...
JMH
Friday, March 30, 2012
I'm In!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Just got word that a spot has opened up for the Muddy Sneaker 20k in a couple of weeks - looks like I'll be slogging up and down the hills at Hi Tor again this year! Definitely welcome news, as much as I would have enjoyed doing the Hook Mountain Half Marathon if I hadn't made it off the Muddy Sneaker wait list...
JMH
Friday, March 30, 2012
Just got word that a spot has opened up for the Muddy Sneaker 20k in a couple of weeks - looks like I'll be slogging up and down the hills at Hi Tor again this year! Definitely welcome news, as much as I would have enjoyed doing the Hook Mountain Half Marathon if I hadn't made it off the Muddy Sneaker wait list...
JMH
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
No Surprise... No SnōShū...
Tuesday, February 20, 2012
Didn't take a psychic to see this one coming... we cancelled last weekend's snowshoe races because, well - there's no snow! And with temperatures forecast for the 40's and even 50's this week, along with on and off rain - doesn't look like that will be changing anytime soon, so the plug has been pulled on this weekend's race as well. Fortunately it does sound like they have plenty of snow for Nationals in Frisco, CO... but it's going to be tough going for anyone from around here, between the the few opportunities to train and racing at altitude.
On the plus side, the lack of winter weather has made it much easier to run trails... if only I was getting my backside out the door to run. At this point it seems more and more likely that I will have to skip the Instant Classic Trail Marathon in Virginia in mid-March - I've been way too lazy over the past few weeks and right now I doubt I could even finish 26+ miles, much less in 7 hours or less. Nothing's definite but right now I can't say it's looking good...
JMH
Tuesday, February 20, 2012
Didn't take a psychic to see this one coming... we cancelled last weekend's snowshoe races because, well - there's no snow! And with temperatures forecast for the 40's and even 50's this week, along with on and off rain - doesn't look like that will be changing anytime soon, so the plug has been pulled on this weekend's race as well. Fortunately it does sound like they have plenty of snow for Nationals in Frisco, CO... but it's going to be tough going for anyone from around here, between the the few opportunities to train and racing at altitude.
On the plus side, the lack of winter weather has made it much easier to run trails... if only I was getting my backside out the door to run. At this point it seems more and more likely that I will have to skip the Instant Classic Trail Marathon in Virginia in mid-March - I've been way too lazy over the past few weeks and right now I doubt I could even finish 26+ miles, much less in 7 hours or less. Nothing's definite but right now I can't say it's looking good...
JMH
Saturday, February 04, 2012
I Am An IDIOT.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
I printed out the race application for the Cast A Shadow 6 hour race in Rochester this morning - and was very unhappy to see that I misread the date on the website. The race is actually TODAY, not tomorrow. Can't make it out there in time now, so - no race for me this weekend.
(Cue repeated sound of me thumping my head against the wall.)
On the plus side - Ann and I will have more time to spend together, and I can work on getting in a long run on Monday, since the weather is supposed to be nice and I've already taken the day off.
But I'm still an idiot.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
JMH
Saturday, February 4, 2012
I printed out the race application for the Cast A Shadow 6 hour race in Rochester this morning - and was very unhappy to see that I misread the date on the website. The race is actually TODAY, not tomorrow. Can't make it out there in time now, so - no race for me this weekend.
(Cue repeated sound of me thumping my head against the wall.)
On the plus side - Ann and I will have more time to spend together, and I can work on getting in a long run on Monday, since the weather is supposed to be nice and I've already taken the day off.
But I'm still an idiot.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
JMH
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