14.5 Mile Ride Along the Erie Canalway Trail
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
OK, Maybe It Was For the Best...
Saturday, May 29, 2010
... that I stopped after 10 miles... since shortly after I left the park my alternator light popped on and stayed lit. Had I run the 2nd loop I probably never would have found someplace open long enough to replace my alternator (well... actually my Civic's alternator.)
On the other hand, the price tag on this silver lining ($428) was a bit steep. So it goes...
JMH
Saturday, May 29, 2010
... that I stopped after 10 miles... since shortly after I left the park my alternator light popped on and stayed lit. Had I run the 2nd loop I probably never would have found someplace open long enough to replace my alternator (well... actually my Civic's alternator.)
On the other hand, the price tag on this silver lining ($428) was a bit steep. So it goes...
JMH
Friday, May 28, 2010
Plans in the Works to Re-Open Closed NYS Parks?
Friday, May 28, 2010
Well, it looks like in some respects the folks in Albany have finally come to their senses... according to a number of sources, a deal has been reached to provide funding to keep all of our state parks open for the rest of the year. Hurray! Lots of cheering can now ensue!
Except...
Apparently funds are being diverted from the Environmental Protection Fund, which was established in 1993 as a way of funding a variety of environmental projects. While this isn't particularly surprising - the governor already had plans in place to request the transfer of $6 million to keep a little under half of the parks on the closure list open - it's accompanied by a plan to cut another $74 million from the EPF budget for transfer to the state's General Fund. Again, no great surprise - the EPF is a common target for this sort of thing. According to the NYNJ Trail Conference, since 2002 roughly 25% of the funds intended for the EPF have been diverted to other uses.
I'm thrilled that it looks like our parks are going to be re-opened. As I've already said, when I drove through Thacher Wednesday evening and saw "CLOSED" signs everywhere I went back and forth between being sick to my stomach and wanting to cry. But is there really no other way to make this happen? As it says on the NYNJ Trail Conference website,
JMH
Friday, May 28, 2010
Well, it looks like in some respects the folks in Albany have finally come to their senses... according to a number of sources, a deal has been reached to provide funding to keep all of our state parks open for the rest of the year. Hurray! Lots of cheering can now ensue!
Except...
Apparently funds are being diverted from the Environmental Protection Fund, which was established in 1993 as a way of funding a variety of environmental projects. While this isn't particularly surprising - the governor already had plans in place to request the transfer of $6 million to keep a little under half of the parks on the closure list open - it's accompanied by a plan to cut another $74 million from the EPF budget for transfer to the state's General Fund. Again, no great surprise - the EPF is a common target for this sort of thing. According to the NYNJ Trail Conference, since 2002 roughly 25% of the funds intended for the EPF have been diverted to other uses.
I'm thrilled that it looks like our parks are going to be re-opened. As I've already said, when I drove through Thacher Wednesday evening and saw "CLOSED" signs everywhere I went back and forth between being sick to my stomach and wanting to cry. But is there really no other way to make this happen? As it says on the NYNJ Trail Conference website,
The EPF protects our open space and farmland, clean drinking water, recreationalThose sound like some pretty important goals to me. Surely there are better choices for getting the money to accomplish keeping our wonderful parks open.
opportunities, related businesses, and quality of life. The EPF provides our communities recycling programs, waterfront revitalization, municipal parks,
solid waste management, zoos, botanical gardens and aquaria, pollution
prevention and more.
The EPF protects our natural resources and public health, and also plays an important role in our local economy. EPF programs eliminate solid waste, prevent pollution, provide clean drinking water, protect natural areas and community character, making our towns and villages desirable places to live, work and visit. The EPF has created or protected thousands of jobs in sectors including, but not limited to tourism, farming, engineering, solid waste management, education, science, land management, and forestry, in every county of New York State.
JMH
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
1.6 Mile Walk at Five Rivers EEC
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I had planned to go running this evening, but it was so freaking hot all day that once I got home I just had no motivation to go back out and actually work... though after a while I did convince myself to go for a walk. By the time I left it had cooled down a little bit, but by then I'd eaten dinner and running just wasn't happening.
Instead I headed over to Five Rivers to take a short walk around the Beaver Pond... I knew I wouldn't have enough time to do much more than that. The frogs were in full chorus mode as I walked past the Heron Pond. Unlike the peepers that I've heard so much this spring, these were tree frogs of some sort (making a loud high pitched chattering noise... I tried to spot one, but wasn't successful) and bullfrogs (I saw several of those.) Quite the racket they were making!
The water in the Beaver Pond was pretty murky, with a lot of scum and pollen on the surface, so I was surprised when several turtles showed up while I was on the bridge. Most were painted turtles but there was a large snapping turtle that also cruised by for a while. Then again, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, since I've watched people feeding the turtles from the bridge. It's been fairly clear for a while now that they associate people on the bridge with a possible free meal.
At the far end of the pond, the beaver that I watched for a while several weeks ago was once again swimming around enjoying his (or her) evening meal. He'd dive to the bottom and come up a few moments later with a plant, then float there munching away on it. He seemed remarkably unperturbed by my being right there on the new observation platform... a couple of times he swam by close enough that had I been carrying one of my hiking poles I probably could have poked him with it (not that I would, of course!) I took some really nice photos of him and even shot a brief video clip, then moved on down the trail... only to pause a few moments later to watch and photograph a hungry muskrat that was gnawing the bark off a branch that had gotten caught at the outlet to the pond.
On my way back to the parking area I again spent a few minutes checking out the frogs at the Heron Pond. I tried to get a photo of one as he "croaked" but either never managed to take the photo at the right moment or he quieted down each time I started watching him... a fairly wise defensive move, I think. Along the way I noticed the almost-full moon was shining brightly in the sky and tried getting some pictures. For some reason tonight I was motivated to play with the manual settings on my camera a bit and found one that let me get some really cool shots of the moon... so now I have something new to distract me when I go out on moonlight nights.
JMH
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I had planned to go running this evening, but it was so freaking hot all day that once I got home I just had no motivation to go back out and actually work... though after a while I did convince myself to go for a walk. By the time I left it had cooled down a little bit, but by then I'd eaten dinner and running just wasn't happening.
Instead I headed over to Five Rivers to take a short walk around the Beaver Pond... I knew I wouldn't have enough time to do much more than that. The frogs were in full chorus mode as I walked past the Heron Pond. Unlike the peepers that I've heard so much this spring, these were tree frogs of some sort (making a loud high pitched chattering noise... I tried to spot one, but wasn't successful) and bullfrogs (I saw several of those.) Quite the racket they were making!
The water in the Beaver Pond was pretty murky, with a lot of scum and pollen on the surface, so I was surprised when several turtles showed up while I was on the bridge. Most were painted turtles but there was a large snapping turtle that also cruised by for a while. Then again, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, since I've watched people feeding the turtles from the bridge. It's been fairly clear for a while now that they associate people on the bridge with a possible free meal.
At the far end of the pond, the beaver that I watched for a while several weeks ago was once again swimming around enjoying his (or her) evening meal. He'd dive to the bottom and come up a few moments later with a plant, then float there munching away on it. He seemed remarkably unperturbed by my being right there on the new observation platform... a couple of times he swam by close enough that had I been carrying one of my hiking poles I probably could have poked him with it (not that I would, of course!) I took some really nice photos of him and even shot a brief video clip, then moved on down the trail... only to pause a few moments later to watch and photograph a hungry muskrat that was gnawing the bark off a branch that had gotten caught at the outlet to the pond.
On my way back to the parking area I again spent a few minutes checking out the frogs at the Heron Pond. I tried to get a photo of one as he "croaked" but either never managed to take the photo at the right moment or he quieted down each time I started watching him... a fairly wise defensive move, I think. Along the way I noticed the almost-full moon was shining brightly in the sky and tried getting some pictures. For some reason tonight I was motivated to play with the manual settings on my camera a bit and found one that let me get some really cool shots of the moon... so now I have something new to distract me when I go out on moonlight nights.
JMH
Sunday, May 23, 2010
No Eagles Today
A Brief Visit to Lock CS-1
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Swung by Lock CS-1 on the way home to see if the eagles were around... none in sight, and no apparent activity in the nest which has me wondering if they nested there this year. Lots of fishermen all around the lock, which I expected on a warm sunny Sunday afternoon. I also spent a little while watching a pair of swallows that took a break from swooping around and perched on one of the lock gates. It's tough to get photos of them when they're flying, so I always enjoy a chance to observe them standing still.
I considered stopping at Montezuma but it looked crowded... and I really wanted to get to the Old Erie Canal for some riding...
JMH
A Brief Visit to Lock CS-1
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Swung by Lock CS-1 on the way home to see if the eagles were around... none in sight, and no apparent activity in the nest which has me wondering if they nested there this year. Lots of fishermen all around the lock, which I expected on a warm sunny Sunday afternoon. I also spent a little while watching a pair of swallows that took a break from swooping around and perched on one of the lock gates. It's tough to get photos of them when they're flying, so I always enjoy a chance to observe them standing still.
I considered stopping at Montezuma but it looked crowded... and I really wanted to get to the Old Erie Canal for some riding...
JMH
BEES & BIRDS
1.6 Mile Walk Along the Erie Canal
Sunday, May 23, 2010
After breakfast Ann and I headed up to the Greece Canal Park for a short walk along the Erie Canalway Trail. When we got there we were surprised to learn that there's a new dog park (a fenced off area where dogs can run around off-leash) right near the spot where we parked. Wandered over to take a look and it's fairly cool... lots of space for the dogs to run, a water station, and a few big logs for the dogs to climb on and walk through. I initially thought it was unfortunate they used a stone dust surface for the dogs to run around on... but after doing a bit of reading up on it, apparently that's one of the best choices (I would think grass would be better but that's probably a lot of upkeep.)
Along the canal two things stood out. The locust trees were all blossoming - very pretty - and as we got close to them the buzzing of the honeybees was incredible. And all along the path there were birds, birds, and more birds. We were surrounded by constant bird songs... catbirds, cardinals, and a whole slew of calls I didn't recognize. We spotted several bright orange orioles flitting about and also a rose-breasted grosbeak, plus a number of birds neither of us could identify (in the end, we're both rank amateurs when it comes to birding.) All in all, despite the heat it was really nice just to have so much living, active nature around us.
While we were walking we also spotted a number of turkey vultures soaring overhead... toward the end of our walk we were surprised to see that two had landed on a big cell phone antenna across the canal. Still, I suppose when they don't have a cliff or a high hill to launch from, a tall antenna makes a reasonable substitute...
JMH
1.6 Mile Walk Along the Erie Canal
Sunday, May 23, 2010
After breakfast Ann and I headed up to the Greece Canal Park for a short walk along the Erie Canalway Trail. When we got there we were surprised to learn that there's a new dog park (a fenced off area where dogs can run around off-leash) right near the spot where we parked. Wandered over to take a look and it's fairly cool... lots of space for the dogs to run, a water station, and a few big logs for the dogs to climb on and walk through. I initially thought it was unfortunate they used a stone dust surface for the dogs to run around on... but after doing a bit of reading up on it, apparently that's one of the best choices (I would think grass would be better but that's probably a lot of upkeep.)
Along the canal two things stood out. The locust trees were all blossoming - very pretty - and as we got close to them the buzzing of the honeybees was incredible. And all along the path there were birds, birds, and more birds. We were surrounded by constant bird songs... catbirds, cardinals, and a whole slew of calls I didn't recognize. We spotted several bright orange orioles flitting about and also a rose-breasted grosbeak, plus a number of birds neither of us could identify (in the end, we're both rank amateurs when it comes to birding.) All in all, despite the heat it was really nice just to have so much living, active nature around us.
While we were walking we also spotted a number of turkey vultures soaring overhead... toward the end of our walk we were surprised to see that two had landed on a big cell phone antenna across the canal. Still, I suppose when they don't have a cliff or a high hill to launch from, a tall antenna makes a reasonable substitute...
JMH
Saturday, May 22, 2010
REBUILDING DISTANCE 2010 - Race #9
Rochester Spring Classic F1 Duathlon
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Wow. This was my 6th year of doing the Spring Classic Du... it's amazing how time flies.
Tough race today. Partially due to the heat (which was more late June than late May) and partially due to my being tired from a very long week and not in the shape I wish I was in right now.
Surprisingly, the rides went well... probably because I know the course really well at this point and am getting better at pacing myself. One thing I did notice is my climbing isn't very strong this year. Usually I pass people on the climbs, this year I was making up time on the descents and the flats.
My runs were definitely weak this time around... I was on the slow side during the 1st 2 miler and then even slower for the 1 mile and 2 mile legs later in the race. I guess I just haven't built up the distance reserves that let me hammer out shorter runs like this. Hopefully I can do better in the fall.
All in all, my finish was slower than I'd hoped for, a little over 2 hr 26 min... but when I checked previous years that turned out to be a fairly average time for me, so I guess I don't have too much to be disappointed about.
As always, the folks at Yellowjacket Racing and all the volunteers were fantastic. One of the biggest reasons I keep coming back to this race (besides the fact that it was the first duathlon I ever did and the Mendon area is beautiful in late May) is the incredibly positive attitude there. I like the fact that no matter how long it takes me to finish I always feel like I'm just as important to the folks organizing the race as the faster people are... this is one of the few races I attend that will actually hold off announcing the various winners until after everyone has finished, which is pretty cool of them. And it's why I expect to be back next May for a 7th go around the Spring Classic Du course.
JMH
2010 Event Totals
Run 72.5 mi, 16 hr 02 min
Bike 40.0 mi, 2 hr 56 min
Snowshoe 71.7 mi, 18 hr 26 min
Kayak 3.0 mi, 47 min
states visited: CT, MA, NY, VT
Rochester Spring Classic F1 Duathlon
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Wow. This was my 6th year of doing the Spring Classic Du... it's amazing how time flies.
Tough race today. Partially due to the heat (which was more late June than late May) and partially due to my being tired from a very long week and not in the shape I wish I was in right now.
Surprisingly, the rides went well... probably because I know the course really well at this point and am getting better at pacing myself. One thing I did notice is my climbing isn't very strong this year. Usually I pass people on the climbs, this year I was making up time on the descents and the flats.
My runs were definitely weak this time around... I was on the slow side during the 1st 2 miler and then even slower for the 1 mile and 2 mile legs later in the race. I guess I just haven't built up the distance reserves that let me hammer out shorter runs like this. Hopefully I can do better in the fall.
All in all, my finish was slower than I'd hoped for, a little over 2 hr 26 min... but when I checked previous years that turned out to be a fairly average time for me, so I guess I don't have too much to be disappointed about.
As always, the folks at Yellowjacket Racing and all the volunteers were fantastic. One of the biggest reasons I keep coming back to this race (besides the fact that it was the first duathlon I ever did and the Mendon area is beautiful in late May) is the incredibly positive attitude there. I like the fact that no matter how long it takes me to finish I always feel like I'm just as important to the folks organizing the race as the faster people are... this is one of the few races I attend that will actually hold off announcing the various winners until after everyone has finished, which is pretty cool of them. And it's why I expect to be back next May for a 7th go around the Spring Classic Du course.
JMH
2010 Event Totals
Run 72.5 mi, 16 hr 02 min
Bike 40.0 mi, 2 hr 56 min
Snowshoe 71.7 mi, 18 hr 26 min
Kayak 3.0 mi, 47 min
states visited: CT, MA, NY, VT
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
2010 Ride of Silence
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Last year's Ride of Silence received a good deal of media coverage because the day before an 11 year old died when he ran his bicycle into the passenger door of a car. Sadly, this year's Ride seems to have gone mostly unnoticed by the media.
more to come...
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Last year's Ride of Silence received a good deal of media coverage because the day before an 11 year old died when he ran his bicycle into the passenger door of a car. Sadly, this year's Ride seems to have gone mostly unnoticed by the media.
more to come...
REBUILDING DISTANCE 2010 - Race #8
Catskill Mountain Spring Series #2 -
Olana Star Loop 10k Trail Race
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Olana is a beautiful place to run, and I have particularly enjoyed these late-May Wednesday evening runs since I first started doing them back in 2007. Tonight was pleasant in that it was a bit cooler than some years have been. But I was definitely feeling the effects of both being heavier and not in the shape I'd like to be... it was tough going during much of the run, especially on the many climbs.
The course covers most of the trails at Olana... first the carriage trail around the heart-shaped pond, with two out-and-backs to add in some hills and a little distance. Then up the road past the start (near the renovated barn that now serves as a visitors and education center) to a long climb up more carriage trails to the east of the house, followed by a descent down almost to the edge of Route 23... at which point you turn and run back up the hill you just ran down. Up and up along a series of switchbacks, until finally things level off a bit on a trail that goes past an awesome view out over the Hudson River toward the Catskill Mountains. Another steep descent, this time down to 9G, once again with an about-face and climb back to the top at the bottom. From there the rest isn't too bad... a gradual climb up to the house, followed by a rapid descent along the switchbacks and then a relatively straight shot down to the finish. Lots of hills, lots of woods, and some really nice views along the way... one plus to being slow is I can actually take a moment to enjoy those!
The trails have been re-surfaced in most places with crushed stone... while I can see the logic (making it easier for people to use them) I liked the old trails better, with some definitely rough and rugged sections. I actually felt like my footing was a bit less secure in some spots with loose stone underfoot. Still, that was a fairly minor issue, and I suspect over a few years the trails will work their way back to being somewhat less "domesticated" like they were previously.
Initially I was disappointed with my finishing time of 72 min and a bit, since I remember finishing in 66 min last year... but then I checked the previous years and found that they were comparable to this year. So I really didn't do all that badly... but I still hope I can run this one a little faster next time.
JMH
2010 Event Totals
Run 67.5 mi, 15 hr 05 min
Bike 20.0 mi, 1 hr 33 min
Snowshoe 71.7 mi, 18 hr 26 min
Kayak 3.0 mi, 47 min
states visited: CT, MA, NY, VT
Catskill Mountain Spring Series #2 -
Olana Star Loop 10k Trail Race
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Olana is a beautiful place to run, and I have particularly enjoyed these late-May Wednesday evening runs since I first started doing them back in 2007. Tonight was pleasant in that it was a bit cooler than some years have been. But I was definitely feeling the effects of both being heavier and not in the shape I'd like to be... it was tough going during much of the run, especially on the many climbs.
The course covers most of the trails at Olana... first the carriage trail around the heart-shaped pond, with two out-and-backs to add in some hills and a little distance. Then up the road past the start (near the renovated barn that now serves as a visitors and education center) to a long climb up more carriage trails to the east of the house, followed by a descent down almost to the edge of Route 23... at which point you turn and run back up the hill you just ran down. Up and up along a series of switchbacks, until finally things level off a bit on a trail that goes past an awesome view out over the Hudson River toward the Catskill Mountains. Another steep descent, this time down to 9G, once again with an about-face and climb back to the top at the bottom. From there the rest isn't too bad... a gradual climb up to the house, followed by a rapid descent along the switchbacks and then a relatively straight shot down to the finish. Lots of hills, lots of woods, and some really nice views along the way... one plus to being slow is I can actually take a moment to enjoy those!
The trails have been re-surfaced in most places with crushed stone... while I can see the logic (making it easier for people to use them) I liked the old trails better, with some definitely rough and rugged sections. I actually felt like my footing was a bit less secure in some spots with loose stone underfoot. Still, that was a fairly minor issue, and I suspect over a few years the trails will work their way back to being somewhat less "domesticated" like they were previously.
Initially I was disappointed with my finishing time of 72 min and a bit, since I remember finishing in 66 min last year... but then I checked the previous years and found that they were comparable to this year. So I really didn't do all that badly... but I still hope I can run this one a little faster next time.
JMH
2010 Event Totals
Run 67.5 mi, 15 hr 05 min
Bike 20.0 mi, 1 hr 33 min
Snowshoe 71.7 mi, 18 hr 26 min
Kayak 3.0 mi, 47 min
states visited: CT, MA, NY, VT
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Coincidences
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I often stop at bookstores when I go somewhere distant for a race to check the "local interest" section for trail guides or other books about the outdoors that I might not see in my usual stomping grounds. OK, I admit it, I'm a book junkie. After Sunday's race I stopped at a Barnes & Noble just down the road from Shenipsit State Forest and picked up several books, including one called Loop Year, by John Sheirer, who spent every day for a year walking the same 2-mile trail near his home (and then wrote a 365 word essay for many of those days reflecting on his thoughts and experiences... hence the book.) Earlier in the week I started reading and was surprised to discover that the author is local to the area and the trail he walked, at the Northern CT Land Trust McCann Family Farm preserve, is not far from where I ran today. I also suspect I've met a couple of the people he mentions at various trail and snowshoe races. Overall, a very pleasant surprise... and I think I'm definitely going to have to check out the trail he hiked on one of my trips into Connecticut!
JMH
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I often stop at bookstores when I go somewhere distant for a race to check the "local interest" section for trail guides or other books about the outdoors that I might not see in my usual stomping grounds. OK, I admit it, I'm a book junkie. After Sunday's race I stopped at a Barnes & Noble just down the road from Shenipsit State Forest and picked up several books, including one called Loop Year, by John Sheirer, who spent every day for a year walking the same 2-mile trail near his home (and then wrote a 365 word essay for many of those days reflecting on his thoughts and experiences... hence the book.) Earlier in the week I started reading and was surprised to discover that the author is local to the area and the trail he walked, at the Northern CT Land Trust McCann Family Farm preserve, is not far from where I ran today. I also suspect I've met a couple of the people he mentions at various trail and snowshoe races. Overall, a very pleasant surprise... and I think I'm definitely going to have to check out the trail he hiked on one of my trips into Connecticut!
JMH
Aargh... No Outdoors For Me Again Today!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
And it was tough to just head indoors when I got home... it was raining very lightly and just perfect weather to go out for a walk... unfortunately the end of the school year is rocketing toward us and I am, as always, buried under work.
I'm hoping to take much of tomorrow afternoon/evening off from working to visit one or two nature preserves near Catskill before heading to Olana for the annual Olana Star Loop 10k race... lots of hills while running the beautiful carriage trails of Olana. Should be a really nice break from grading, grading, grading.
JMH
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
And it was tough to just head indoors when I got home... it was raining very lightly and just perfect weather to go out for a walk... unfortunately the end of the school year is rocketing toward us and I am, as always, buried under work.
I'm hoping to take much of tomorrow afternoon/evening off from working to visit one or two nature preserves near Catskill before heading to Olana for the annual Olana Star Loop 10k race... lots of hills while running the beautiful carriage trails of Olana. Should be a really nice break from grading, grading, grading.
JMH
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
15.5 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Headed over to the bike path west the Schenectady for my ride this evening. Once again it was tough going at first, until my legs loosened up... and then I ended up a little bit bummed that I had to start as late as I did and couldn't ride another half dozen miles or so.
Along the way I saw muskrats in the old canal, ducks in the river, and geese and goslings, again along the old canal. I also glimpsed some big fish and even a couple of snapping turtles swimming. The surprise of the evening was not one but two green herons... the first near a spot where I stopped to watch a couple of fish splashing in shallow water. While I was trying to get some decent photos of him, a woodchuck came across the path, paused when he realized I was there, and then crossed the canal on a log (it looked like he'd done this many times before.) The second green heron was further along and did a fantastic job of retreating into the grasses and reeds to hide from me... no matter what I did I wasn't able to get a shot of him.
I took it pretty easy from Lock 8 over to Scrafford Lane and back, then pushed a bit more down to Schenectady County Community College and back. I would have ridden through Rotterdam Junction to do the short section of bike path on the west side of town, but there was a train at Scrafford Lane and I didn't want to risk getting in trouble for crossing the tracks. It was a good night to be on the bike path... while there were a lot of riders in the first half (it looked like I caught the tail end of some group rides) there were very few people on the path between Lock 8 and Schenectady. Best of all, not only didn't it rain, but the clouds even parted a bit during the latter parts of the ride.
With luck the weather will be good on Saturday and I can get out for a longer stretch with plenty of daylight!
JMH
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Headed over to the bike path west the Schenectady for my ride this evening. Once again it was tough going at first, until my legs loosened up... and then I ended up a little bit bummed that I had to start as late as I did and couldn't ride another half dozen miles or so.
Along the way I saw muskrats in the old canal, ducks in the river, and geese and goslings, again along the old canal. I also glimpsed some big fish and even a couple of snapping turtles swimming. The surprise of the evening was not one but two green herons... the first near a spot where I stopped to watch a couple of fish splashing in shallow water. While I was trying to get some decent photos of him, a woodchuck came across the path, paused when he realized I was there, and then crossed the canal on a log (it looked like he'd done this many times before.) The second green heron was further along and did a fantastic job of retreating into the grasses and reeds to hide from me... no matter what I did I wasn't able to get a shot of him.
I took it pretty easy from Lock 8 over to Scrafford Lane and back, then pushed a bit more down to Schenectady County Community College and back. I would have ridden through Rotterdam Junction to do the short section of bike path on the west side of town, but there was a train at Scrafford Lane and I didn't want to risk getting in trouble for crossing the tracks. It was a good night to be on the bike path... while there were a lot of riders in the first half (it looked like I caught the tail end of some group rides) there were very few people on the path between Lock 8 and Schenectady. Best of all, not only didn't it rain, but the clouds even parted a bit during the latter parts of the ride.
With luck the weather will be good on Saturday and I can get out for a longer stretch with plenty of daylight!
JMH
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Seasons by Hal Higdon
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Recently I've been reading (among other things) Hal Higdon's On the Run from Dogs and People, a collection of articles he wrote in the 1960's about his experiences running, back in the days before the running boom in the 1970's. Overall it provides an interesting and rather humorous look at running back before it became such a popular thing for the average everyday person to do. This evening I read what I think is not only the best article in the book, but also one of the most eloquent expressions of how runners experience nature year-round (at least if they run year-round!) It's titled Seasons and fortunately, Hal Higdon has included it on his website as an excerpt from the book. Go and read it... it's wonderful. I only wish I could express myself half as well as he does in this piece.
Higdon includes a ton of info on his site, everything from training plans for all manner of distances to articles about a variety of subjects and samples of his artwork (while he's best known as a runner he's a pretty multifaceted guy!) He also sells signed copies of his books. All in all it's well worth a look.
JMH
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Recently I've been reading (among other things) Hal Higdon's On the Run from Dogs and People, a collection of articles he wrote in the 1960's about his experiences running, back in the days before the running boom in the 1970's. Overall it provides an interesting and rather humorous look at running back before it became such a popular thing for the average everyday person to do. This evening I read what I think is not only the best article in the book, but also one of the most eloquent expressions of how runners experience nature year-round (at least if they run year-round!) It's titled Seasons and fortunately, Hal Higdon has included it on his website as an excerpt from the book. Go and read it... it's wonderful. I only wish I could express myself half as well as he does in this piece.
Higdon includes a ton of info on his site, everything from training plans for all manner of distances to articles about a variety of subjects and samples of his artwork (while he's best known as a runner he's a pretty multifaceted guy!) He also sells signed copies of his books. All in all it's well worth a look.
JMH
8.5 Mile Run in the Albany Pine Bush
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tough run this evening... my legs seem to still be a bit tired from Monday's 14.5 mile plod on the bike path, plus I didn't get much sleep last night. But I was very pleased that I managed to actually go a bit further than my planned distance (8 miles.)
Another pleasant surprise was - sunshine! After a day of clouds I expected the same this evening, but the clouds started to break when I arrived at the Pine Bush Discovery Center and cleared even more shortly into my run. Even with the sunshine I was glad I'd brought a jacket... it was chilly to start with and later when the sun started setting I could actually see my breath in the air as I ran.
I love running through the woods after a rainy period... everything seems a little bit greener and all around is the deep earthy smell that the rain brings out. Lots of birds around tonight, though I didn't see most of them, just heard them calling and singing. No deer in sight, which was a little bit of a surprise.
The American Woodcocks were out in force once it started to get dark... as I ran past the various wooded fields I heard numerous "peent"s coming from the darkness, occasionally followed by the twittering their wings make as they flew up and circled the field. One was close enough that I spent a few minutes shooting a video of his calls. I'm not sure if the Woodcocks are more numerous this year or if I'm just noticing them a lot more (probably the latter.)
-JMH
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tough run this evening... my legs seem to still be a bit tired from Monday's 14.5 mile plod on the bike path, plus I didn't get much sleep last night. But I was very pleased that I managed to actually go a bit further than my planned distance (8 miles.)
Another pleasant surprise was - sunshine! After a day of clouds I expected the same this evening, but the clouds started to break when I arrived at the Pine Bush Discovery Center and cleared even more shortly into my run. Even with the sunshine I was glad I'd brought a jacket... it was chilly to start with and later when the sun started setting I could actually see my breath in the air as I ran.
I love running through the woods after a rainy period... everything seems a little bit greener and all around is the deep earthy smell that the rain brings out. Lots of birds around tonight, though I didn't see most of them, just heard them calling and singing. No deer in sight, which was a little bit of a surprise.
The American Woodcocks were out in force once it started to get dark... as I ran past the various wooded fields I heard numerous "peent"s coming from the darkness, occasionally followed by the twittering their wings make as they flew up and circled the field. One was close enough that I spent a few minutes shooting a video of his calls. I'm not sure if the Woodcocks are more numerous this year or if I'm just noticing them a lot more (probably the latter.)
-JMH
Monday, May 10, 2010
14.5 Mile Run on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Monday, May 10, 2010
Since I didn't run yesterday, tonight ended up being my latest long run. My plan was to do 16 miles on the bike path... first west out-and back from the Niskayuna Lions Park to the old Nisky landfill, then east out-and-back to the top of the big hill down to Island View Road. It seemed like a good plan - fairly flat, and roughly halfway I could resupply at the car. And as usual, shortly into the run I decided to change the plan, in this case I think for the better.
Made the run out to the base of the old landfill with a stop at Lock 7 to check out the birds (grackles and swallows... the swallows were especially fun to watch as they swooped around chasing down bugs) and the water going over the dam. At the base of the landfill I decided to run to the top and get in a little hill work... then I decided to run up the hill to the entrance to the GE research facility to get in some more hills and also to not have to run as far once I'd gone back to the car.
Of course, once I'd reached the top of that hill, I decided to head down the other side to the trailhead at the corner of the GE property. And then it just made sense to keep going, at least to the top of the steep hill through the woods. (Well, it made sense to me... in a "if I go far enough in this direction, maybe I can just stop when I get back to the car" kind of way. And a "I haven't been here in a while, this will be more interesting than running the same old path" kind of way.)
more to come...
Monday, May 10, 2010
Since I didn't run yesterday, tonight ended up being my latest long run. My plan was to do 16 miles on the bike path... first west out-and back from the Niskayuna Lions Park to the old Nisky landfill, then east out-and-back to the top of the big hill down to Island View Road. It seemed like a good plan - fairly flat, and roughly halfway I could resupply at the car. And as usual, shortly into the run I decided to change the plan, in this case I think for the better.
Made the run out to the base of the old landfill with a stop at Lock 7 to check out the birds (grackles and swallows... the swallows were especially fun to watch as they swooped around chasing down bugs) and the water going over the dam. At the base of the landfill I decided to run to the top and get in a little hill work... then I decided to run up the hill to the entrance to the GE research facility to get in some more hills and also to not have to run as far once I'd gone back to the car.
Of course, once I'd reached the top of that hill, I decided to head down the other side to the trailhead at the corner of the GE property. And then it just made sense to keep going, at least to the top of the steep hill through the woods. (Well, it made sense to me... in a "if I go far enough in this direction, maybe I can just stop when I get back to the car" kind of way. And a "I haven't been here in a while, this will be more interesting than running the same old path" kind of way.)
more to come...
Sunday, May 09, 2010
BRRR... WHAT HAPPENED TO SPRING? Part 3
A Chilly Visit to Lock CS-1 & Montezuma NWR
Sunday, May 9, 2010
I left Rochester to sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures, and arrived at Cayuga-Seneca Canal Lock 1 to grey skies with some sun peeking through the clouds and a frigid wind blowing across the lake. Not much to see at first... no eagles in view, so I settled for snapping pictures of the area of the lock and across the lake. I could just barely make out some birds bobbing up and down off in the water... even with the photos I'm still not sure if they were geese or cormorants. A heron flew by and landed near where I'd parked, but I spooked him when I went back to the car. As I was driving off I scanned the treeline along the shore of the lake and - success! A pair of eagles were perched in a tree further down the shoreline. I suspect that means any eggs have hatched (or presumably the female would be keeping them warm) but it will take further visits to be sure.
From there I headed to Montezuma, where the Main Pool has been drained... the usual suspects were around (blackbirds, swallows, geese... I also spotted a tern) but I didn't stick around long because the wind blasting across the wetlands made Lock CS-1 seem balmy. I decided to do the wildlife drive, though I didn't expect to see many birds, between the weather and the lack of water in the main pool. In the end I spotted lots of geese and blackbirds (no surprise there) but also a heron in the prime feeding spot by the outlet between the Main Pool and the Cayuga-Seneca canal... while I was taking photos of him I saw lots of carp swimming near the outlet, though not as many as the other times we've been there. Further along the drive I spotted a pair of mallards and also a pair of blue-winged teals. It's also incredible how much growth has occured in the areas which burned back in early April, but I guess I should have expected that, since even the Deputy Manager of the refuge has commented on the unexpected benefits of the burn. I guess it's a good reminder that often humans work to prevent things which are a part of the natural process and in some cases are ultimately beneficial to the environment and wildlife.
I debated about stopping at the other viewing areas but decided that since I was there anyway it didn't make sense to skip them. At Mays Point Pool I startled a group of mallards into the air and watched the swallows swooping around, and also enjoyed the fact that the sunshine finally caught up with me. With blue skies overhead the water took on a brilliant blue color that only seems possible on cold sunny days. The sun also helped cut the bite of the wind a bit, but I still wasn't able to stand being up on the Tschache Pool observation tower for long. Not that it mattered... there weren't any birds in sight. I stopped at the North Spring Pool mainly to get some pictures of the incredibly blue water and also took some shots of the osprey nesting platform... I know there's a nesting osprey in there because I've seen her on NY Wild's osprey webcam, but she wasn't visible from where I was. I did spot an osprey flying overhead as I drove back to route 5/20 to head back to the Thruway, though...
JMH
A Chilly Visit to Lock CS-1 & Montezuma NWR
Sunday, May 9, 2010
I left Rochester to sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures, and arrived at Cayuga-Seneca Canal Lock 1 to grey skies with some sun peeking through the clouds and a frigid wind blowing across the lake. Not much to see at first... no eagles in view, so I settled for snapping pictures of the area of the lock and across the lake. I could just barely make out some birds bobbing up and down off in the water... even with the photos I'm still not sure if they were geese or cormorants. A heron flew by and landed near where I'd parked, but I spooked him when I went back to the car. As I was driving off I scanned the treeline along the shore of the lake and - success! A pair of eagles were perched in a tree further down the shoreline. I suspect that means any eggs have hatched (or presumably the female would be keeping them warm) but it will take further visits to be sure.
From there I headed to Montezuma, where the Main Pool has been drained... the usual suspects were around (blackbirds, swallows, geese... I also spotted a tern) but I didn't stick around long because the wind blasting across the wetlands made Lock CS-1 seem balmy. I decided to do the wildlife drive, though I didn't expect to see many birds, between the weather and the lack of water in the main pool. In the end I spotted lots of geese and blackbirds (no surprise there) but also a heron in the prime feeding spot by the outlet between the Main Pool and the Cayuga-Seneca canal... while I was taking photos of him I saw lots of carp swimming near the outlet, though not as many as the other times we've been there. Further along the drive I spotted a pair of mallards and also a pair of blue-winged teals. It's also incredible how much growth has occured in the areas which burned back in early April, but I guess I should have expected that, since even the Deputy Manager of the refuge has commented on the unexpected benefits of the burn. I guess it's a good reminder that often humans work to prevent things which are a part of the natural process and in some cases are ultimately beneficial to the environment and wildlife.
I debated about stopping at the other viewing areas but decided that since I was there anyway it didn't make sense to skip them. At Mays Point Pool I startled a group of mallards into the air and watched the swallows swooping around, and also enjoyed the fact that the sunshine finally caught up with me. With blue skies overhead the water took on a brilliant blue color that only seems possible on cold sunny days. The sun also helped cut the bite of the wind a bit, but I still wasn't able to stand being up on the Tschache Pool observation tower for long. Not that it mattered... there weren't any birds in sight. I stopped at the North Spring Pool mainly to get some pictures of the incredibly blue water and also took some shots of the osprey nesting platform... I know there's a nesting osprey in there because I've seen her on NY Wild's osprey webcam, but she wasn't visible from where I was. I did spot an osprey flying overhead as I drove back to route 5/20 to head back to the Thruway, though...
JMH
BRRR... WHAT HAPPENED TO SPRING? Part 2
SNOW?!!!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Yup, snow. A bit was sticking on the grass and leaves and cars when I first woke up, though by the time I actually got up for the morning that was gone and the snow that was falling was melting as soon as it hit the ground.
Incongruous sight of the morning - a robin gathering batches of dried grass as the snow fell around him.
It turned out to be a really good morning for the backyard birds... in addition to all the usual suspects (robins, sparrows, doves, cardinals, and grackles) we spotted both a male and female rose-breasted grosbeak (Ann saw the male a day or two ago when she was adding seed to the feeders) and a northern flicker spent a while catching bugs and grubs in the grass. The goldfinches also seem quite happy that their thistle sock is back...
JMH
SNOW?!!!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Yup, snow. A bit was sticking on the grass and leaves and cars when I first woke up, though by the time I actually got up for the morning that was gone and the snow that was falling was melting as soon as it hit the ground.
Incongruous sight of the morning - a robin gathering batches of dried grass as the snow fell around him.
It turned out to be a really good morning for the backyard birds... in addition to all the usual suspects (robins, sparrows, doves, cardinals, and grackles) we spotted both a male and female rose-breasted grosbeak (Ann saw the male a day or two ago when she was adding seed to the feeders) and a northern flicker spent a while catching bugs and grubs in the grass. The goldfinches also seem quite happy that their thistle sock is back...
JMH
Saturday, May 08, 2010
BRRR... WHAT HAPPENED TO SPRING? Part 1
2.3 Mile Walk at Mendon Ponds Park
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Woke up to rain but by the time I got ready to leave for Rochester it was simply overcast, and a good deal warmer than I expected, though very windy. On the drive west, I actually had a stretch of nice sunshine... that made me wish I'd left earlier so I could have had time to do a little running. Then just past Syracuse the dark clouds rolled in and it was wind and rain for the rest of the drive... and the temperature started dropping to boot.
The rain had mostly let up out in Rochester so Ann and I decided to head over to Mendon for a walk. It had gotten cold enough that I needed one of my winter fleece pullovers, and the rain kicked back in occasionally making me happy I had a rain jacket in the car. We started out at Hopkins Point, checked out the geese and goslings at the shore of Hundred Acre Pond, then headed off into the woods, climbing gradually to the ridge (an esker, I believe - a ridge deposited by glacial activity.) The wind was really whipping along, even through the trees, so it was really nice when we dropped down off the ridge to the trail running along its base, at the edge of the wetlands and around one side of the Devils Bathtub (a kettle pond left behind by the previously-mentioned glacial activity... Mendon Ponds Park is one huge lesson in glacially-shaped topography/geology.) While I've run up on the ridge many times over the last five years, I can't remember when we last walked down by the pond and wetlands, so it was a nice treat.
From there we walked back along the shore of Deep Pond and Hundred Acre Pond, listening to the wind howling and watching the trees thrash on the far shore of the ponds. Spotted a bufflehead out on the water, as well as many swallows darting about over the water's surface, presumably catching insects. We walked out on the causeway between the two ponds and the wind was strong enough that it felt like we were going to be blown into the water.
Back at Hopkins Point, while I was using the restroom Ann watched an osprey catch a fish and land on a dead tree across the pond to enjoy his dinner. We could barely see him, even with my camera on full zoom, but this is the first time I've seen an osprey at Mendon, so it was pretty darn cool.
After that we drove over to the beach parking lot and tried to walk down to the beach, but the wind was too strong. It was also getting very cold with the windchill. Our next stop was at the boat launch, in hopes of spotting the osprey again... no luck, but we did see four more geese with close to 2 dozen goslings between them... the little guys were huddling around one of the geese trying to shelter from the cold and wind. Pretty comical to watch, though I also suspect some of them might not make it through the night unless all the adults surround them to help keep them warm... on the one hand, a sad thought because they are cute little buggers, but also a fact of life and a necessary one... if all of them survived we would be overrun by geese in just a few years.
On our way out of the park we saw the only deer of the day (unusual for Mendon... perhaps they were all hunkered down in the woods and shrubs) and a small raptor which looks like it was probably a juvenile broad-winged hawk. Despite the cold, wind, and occasional rain it was definitely a good visit to one of the most beautiful parks in the Rochester area.
JMH
2.3 Mile Walk at Mendon Ponds Park
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Woke up to rain but by the time I got ready to leave for Rochester it was simply overcast, and a good deal warmer than I expected, though very windy. On the drive west, I actually had a stretch of nice sunshine... that made me wish I'd left earlier so I could have had time to do a little running. Then just past Syracuse the dark clouds rolled in and it was wind and rain for the rest of the drive... and the temperature started dropping to boot.
The rain had mostly let up out in Rochester so Ann and I decided to head over to Mendon for a walk. It had gotten cold enough that I needed one of my winter fleece pullovers, and the rain kicked back in occasionally making me happy I had a rain jacket in the car. We started out at Hopkins Point, checked out the geese and goslings at the shore of Hundred Acre Pond, then headed off into the woods, climbing gradually to the ridge (an esker, I believe - a ridge deposited by glacial activity.) The wind was really whipping along, even through the trees, so it was really nice when we dropped down off the ridge to the trail running along its base, at the edge of the wetlands and around one side of the Devils Bathtub (a kettle pond left behind by the previously-mentioned glacial activity... Mendon Ponds Park is one huge lesson in glacially-shaped topography/geology.) While I've run up on the ridge many times over the last five years, I can't remember when we last walked down by the pond and wetlands, so it was a nice treat.
From there we walked back along the shore of Deep Pond and Hundred Acre Pond, listening to the wind howling and watching the trees thrash on the far shore of the ponds. Spotted a bufflehead out on the water, as well as many swallows darting about over the water's surface, presumably catching insects. We walked out on the causeway between the two ponds and the wind was strong enough that it felt like we were going to be blown into the water.
Back at Hopkins Point, while I was using the restroom Ann watched an osprey catch a fish and land on a dead tree across the pond to enjoy his dinner. We could barely see him, even with my camera on full zoom, but this is the first time I've seen an osprey at Mendon, so it was pretty darn cool.
After that we drove over to the beach parking lot and tried to walk down to the beach, but the wind was too strong. It was also getting very cold with the windchill. Our next stop was at the boat launch, in hopes of spotting the osprey again... no luck, but we did see four more geese with close to 2 dozen goslings between them... the little guys were huddling around one of the geese trying to shelter from the cold and wind. Pretty comical to watch, though I also suspect some of them might not make it through the night unless all the adults surround them to help keep them warm... on the one hand, a sad thought because they are cute little buggers, but also a fact of life and a necessary one... if all of them survived we would be overrun by geese in just a few years.
On our way out of the park we saw the only deer of the day (unusual for Mendon... perhaps they were all hunkered down in the woods and shrubs) and a small raptor which looks like it was probably a juvenile broad-winged hawk. Despite the cold, wind, and occasional rain it was definitely a good visit to one of the most beautiful parks in the Rochester area.
JMH
Friday, May 07, 2010
13.1 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path & Through Colonie Mohawk River Park
Friday, May 7, 2010
It was tough to drag myself back out the door once I got home from work (it's been a very long week, as all the weeks rocketing toward the end of the school year are) but the weather was looking too nice to stay indoors, and tomorrow is supposed to be rainy and cold. So I put the bike on the car and headed over to the bike path to do a little bit of riding before it got too dark.
Headed east to the Colonie Mohawk River Park and rode down to the picnic area/boat launch. Lots of people at the Little League games near the entrance to the park, but no one else down at the boat launch... just me, a few geese, and two kildeer (and some ducks somewhere out on the water; I could hear them but didn't see them.) Spent a few minutes taking pictures and enjoying the scenery, then headed back up the hill to get the short stretch of road between there and the bike path done before it got too dark to ride safely.
Just past the water treatment plant I heard what I think was a grey catbird singing off in the bushes, so I stopped and shot a short video clip... couldn't see him, but his singing certainly was pretty. A mile or two later I heard a woodcock calling in one of the fields across River Road, but he was too far away to get a decent recording. On the way back to the Niskayuna Lions Park I thought about riding over to Lock 7 and back, but it was getting darker and chillier so I decided getting home for dinner made more sense, so I could get some sleep before heading west in the morning. As I was pulling into the parking lot two herons flew overhead, silhouetted against the darkening sky... before I could get my camera out they were gone across the river.
JMH
Friday, May 7, 2010
It was tough to drag myself back out the door once I got home from work (it's been a very long week, as all the weeks rocketing toward the end of the school year are) but the weather was looking too nice to stay indoors, and tomorrow is supposed to be rainy and cold. So I put the bike on the car and headed over to the bike path to do a little bit of riding before it got too dark.
Headed east to the Colonie Mohawk River Park and rode down to the picnic area/boat launch. Lots of people at the Little League games near the entrance to the park, but no one else down at the boat launch... just me, a few geese, and two kildeer (and some ducks somewhere out on the water; I could hear them but didn't see them.) Spent a few minutes taking pictures and enjoying the scenery, then headed back up the hill to get the short stretch of road between there and the bike path done before it got too dark to ride safely.
Just past the water treatment plant I heard what I think was a grey catbird singing off in the bushes, so I stopped and shot a short video clip... couldn't see him, but his singing certainly was pretty. A mile or two later I heard a woodcock calling in one of the fields across River Road, but he was too far away to get a decent recording. On the way back to the Niskayuna Lions Park I thought about riding over to Lock 7 and back, but it was getting darker and chillier so I decided getting home for dinner made more sense, so I could get some sleep before heading west in the morning. As I was pulling into the parking lot two herons flew overhead, silhouetted against the darkening sky... before I could get my camera out they were gone across the river.
JMH
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
REBUILDING DISTANCE 2010 - Race #6
Catskill Mountain Spring Series #1 -
Platte Clove Mountain 3 Mile Road Run
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
This is one of those races that occasionally cause me to question my sanity and sometimes prompt the thought of "why am I doing this to myself?" The Platte Clove Mountain Run starts with about a mile of level/downhill running on a rolling road, then turns and heads up Platte Clove Mountain Road for 2 miles... a paved road that is sufficiently steep that instead of plowing it in the winter the town has it marked as "seasonal use only." In other words, after the first mile and a bit I don't have a prayer of running most of this one.
On the other hand... it's definitely a challenge, and the folks who show up for the Catskill Mountain Spring Series races are usually a nice bunch of people to run with, and as races go it's very low key (drop $2 in a basket and sign a waiver sheet.) And what else would I do on a warm spring evening?
I ended up doing a total of about 6.6 miles tonight, because I ran out to the start (about three quarters of a mile from parking/registration) and then went a bit further because I had time to spare. And after the race I still had two miles of steep mountain road to run back down, to get back to the car.
Smaller group this year than last year, and the back of the pack disappeared more quickly... I fgured I'd be way behind the next-to-last runners, but I ended up gaining some distance on them on the 2 mile climb. I managed to keep to a pretty good pace up the mountain, fast-hiking the whole way with two short spurts of "running", at a spot that was a little less steep and just before the end. There's a wonderful view about 2/3 of the way to the top, where the road winds around a curve... tonight the sun was sinking down below the mountains above me and covered Platte Clove in golden light. Awesome. Even more awesome was finally making it to the finish line in 46:41, pretty much the same time as last year... better than I expected, because I'm definitely in worse shape than I was at this time last year.
Wandered around near the finish for a bit, checking out the nearby waterfalls and trying to catch my breath, then headed back down... which in a lot of ways hurt more than the climb up, since I spent the whole time trying to protect my knees.
Maybe next year I can be in good enough shape to run at least part of the climb up the mountain... only time will tell. But I have little doubt I'll be back, even if that does cast some doubt on my sanity. Because if nothing else... it's fun when it's over!
JMH
2010 Event Totals
Run 46.8 mi, 10 hr 00 min
Bike 20.0 mi, 1 hr 33 min
Snowshoe 71.7 mi, 18 hr 26 min
Kayak 3.0 mi, 47 min
states visited: CT, MA, NY, VT
Catskill Mountain Spring Series #1 -
Platte Clove Mountain 3 Mile Road Run
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
This is one of those races that occasionally cause me to question my sanity and sometimes prompt the thought of "why am I doing this to myself?" The Platte Clove Mountain Run starts with about a mile of level/downhill running on a rolling road, then turns and heads up Platte Clove Mountain Road for 2 miles... a paved road that is sufficiently steep that instead of plowing it in the winter the town has it marked as "seasonal use only." In other words, after the first mile and a bit I don't have a prayer of running most of this one.
On the other hand... it's definitely a challenge, and the folks who show up for the Catskill Mountain Spring Series races are usually a nice bunch of people to run with, and as races go it's very low key (drop $2 in a basket and sign a waiver sheet.) And what else would I do on a warm spring evening?
I ended up doing a total of about 6.6 miles tonight, because I ran out to the start (about three quarters of a mile from parking/registration) and then went a bit further because I had time to spare. And after the race I still had two miles of steep mountain road to run back down, to get back to the car.
Smaller group this year than last year, and the back of the pack disappeared more quickly... I fgured I'd be way behind the next-to-last runners, but I ended up gaining some distance on them on the 2 mile climb. I managed to keep to a pretty good pace up the mountain, fast-hiking the whole way with two short spurts of "running", at a spot that was a little less steep and just before the end. There's a wonderful view about 2/3 of the way to the top, where the road winds around a curve... tonight the sun was sinking down below the mountains above me and covered Platte Clove in golden light. Awesome. Even more awesome was finally making it to the finish line in 46:41, pretty much the same time as last year... better than I expected, because I'm definitely in worse shape than I was at this time last year.
Wandered around near the finish for a bit, checking out the nearby waterfalls and trying to catch my breath, then headed back down... which in a lot of ways hurt more than the climb up, since I spent the whole time trying to protect my knees.
Maybe next year I can be in good enough shape to run at least part of the climb up the mountain... only time will tell. But I have little doubt I'll be back, even if that does cast some doubt on my sanity. Because if nothing else... it's fun when it's over!
JMH
2010 Event Totals
Run 46.8 mi, 10 hr 00 min
Bike 20.0 mi, 1 hr 33 min
Snowshoe 71.7 mi, 18 hr 26 min
Kayak 3.0 mi, 47 min
states visited: CT, MA, NY, VT
The Falcons Are Back!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
This is actually old news but I only just remembered the check the DEC Dunn Memorial Bridge Falcon Nest Camera site... apparently the falcons are back and the female has laid 4 eggs! With luck this year all 4 will hatch...
-JMH
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
This is actually old news but I only just remembered the check the DEC Dunn Memorial Bridge Falcon Nest Camera site... apparently the falcons are back and the female has laid 4 eggs! With luck this year all 4 will hatch...
-JMH
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Tough Times for NYS Wildlife Pathologist Ward Stone
Tuesday, April 4, 2010
As I was driving home last night I was looking forward to listening to WAMC's weekly nature program In Our Backyard with NYS Wildlife Pathologist Ward Stone. Instead, producer and co-host Joe Donahue read the following statement:
A number of people have questioned the timing of these allegations, just as the Lafarge cement plant is approaching final reviews in its current permit process for a planned expansion... an expansion which he is clearly against. Stone has worked with several groups opposed to the plant expansion doing analysis of harmful materials such as mercury in the areas surrounding the plant. The DEC apparently denied his request to do the study, which ended up being funded by outside donations with Stone volunteering his time. While none of the allegations have questioned the validity of his past scientific work, there is no question that his credibility has taken a major hit as a result of the Times Union article.
Time will tell how all of this plays out, both with the official investigation and in the court of public opinion.
JMH
Tuesday, April 4, 2010
As I was driving home last night I was looking forward to listening to WAMC's weekly nature program In Our Backyard with NYS Wildlife Pathologist Ward Stone. Instead, producer and co-host Joe Donahue read the following statement:
A recent article in the Albany Times Union has made some serious allegations against New York State Wildlife Pathologist Dr. Ward Stone, host of WAMC’s popular environmental program, “In Our Backyard.” A state investigation has been opened into Dr. Stone’s alleged misconduct. WAMC believes in the concept that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. We are grateful to Ward Stone for his generous volunteer contribution to WAMC’s “In Our Backyard” program and for his tireless work for the state as Wildlife Pathologist. We hope these allegations prove to be false, nevertheless, we believe it is prudent to suspend production of the program until these charges are resolved. WAMC news will continue to cover this story.As a fan of the program and a supporter of the fine work Ward Stone has done to help the environment during his 41 years with the DEC, my interest was more than piqued, so I looked up the May 2 Times Union article when I got home... and it's a doozy. Five pages of allegations of all sorts of misconduct, some of it pretty awful if it's true. Some of the sources could very well have an axe to grind, but I will certainly say that at least some of what he's being accused of seems to fall well within his reputation of being a maverick who doesn't suffer fools lightly and is very passionate about the importance of the work he does. I have long admired his work... but I suspect I wouldn't want to actually work with him. If what he is accused of is even partially true, some of it involves serious violation of the trust put in all public servants. Some of the allegations also paint a very uncomfortable picture of his personal life and his financial situation; I find it unfortunate that those points have ended up becoming a matter for public discussion, and it will be even more unfortunate if his personal difficulties end up undermining many years of excellent work as both wildlife pathologist and defender of the environment.
A number of people have questioned the timing of these allegations, just as the Lafarge cement plant is approaching final reviews in its current permit process for a planned expansion... an expansion which he is clearly against. Stone has worked with several groups opposed to the plant expansion doing analysis of harmful materials such as mercury in the areas surrounding the plant. The DEC apparently denied his request to do the study, which ended up being funded by outside donations with Stone volunteering his time. While none of the allegations have questioned the validity of his past scientific work, there is no question that his credibility has taken a major hit as a result of the Times Union article.
Time will tell how all of this plays out, both with the official investigation and in the court of public opinion.
JMH
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Trail Runners... Littering?!!!!! GRRRR!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Time for me to climb up on my soapbox...
Over the years I've seen a number of trail race applications which state that littering is grounds for disqualification, which I've always supported... few things aggravate me more than running a race and having to stop to pick up a gel packet or other trash dropped by someone ahead of me. Thankfully, I rarely need to do so, since most trail runners are very conscientious about picking up after themselves. Unfortunately, as more and more folks take up trail running, it may be inevitable that this will become more of a problem...
Case in point - just before the Medved Madness 15 mile race yesterday, I watched a runner drink the last of the water in his Powerade bottle and then just toss the bottle on the ground off to the side. I suppose I should have said something (maybe something a bit more diplomatic than "You jerk, how about you pick that up and throw it in the trash instead?") or picked it up and thrown it out myself; that's where I blew it.
Later in the race, about halfway through the 2nd loop, there was an unmanned aid station where the RDs had requested that folks take a moment to throw any cups in the trash container rather than on the ground. I'm pleased to say that I only saw two or three cups on the ground... but what was up with those runners? If you're pausing to fill a cup it really doesn't take that much longer to drink it and then throw it in the trash instead of on the ground... and not only is it much more responsible, but it seems like an easy to to say "thank you" to the race organizers instead of making them pick up a bunch of used cups.
I glanced over the results of the Merrimack 10 mile trail race (which I bailed on to go running with Konrad, Ed, and Bob over in Hawley instead) and noticed that the last runner listed was DQ'd due to littering. I don't know the story behind this but I applaud the race organizers for taking a stand in this way. We shouldn't need to have a threat hanging over our heads to get us to behave responsibly, but if it helps remind some of the folks who are more interested in their finishing times to take care of the beautiful surroundings we're fortunate enough to be running through, then I'm all for it.
Climbing back down from my soapbox now...
JMH
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Time for me to climb up on my soapbox...
Over the years I've seen a number of trail race applications which state that littering is grounds for disqualification, which I've always supported... few things aggravate me more than running a race and having to stop to pick up a gel packet or other trash dropped by someone ahead of me. Thankfully, I rarely need to do so, since most trail runners are very conscientious about picking up after themselves. Unfortunately, as more and more folks take up trail running, it may be inevitable that this will become more of a problem...
Case in point - just before the Medved Madness 15 mile race yesterday, I watched a runner drink the last of the water in his Powerade bottle and then just toss the bottle on the ground off to the side. I suppose I should have said something (maybe something a bit more diplomatic than "You jerk, how about you pick that up and throw it in the trash instead?") or picked it up and thrown it out myself; that's where I blew it.
Later in the race, about halfway through the 2nd loop, there was an unmanned aid station where the RDs had requested that folks take a moment to throw any cups in the trash container rather than on the ground. I'm pleased to say that I only saw two or three cups on the ground... but what was up with those runners? If you're pausing to fill a cup it really doesn't take that much longer to drink it and then throw it in the trash instead of on the ground... and not only is it much more responsible, but it seems like an easy to to say "thank you" to the race organizers instead of making them pick up a bunch of used cups.
I glanced over the results of the Merrimack 10 mile trail race (which I bailed on to go running with Konrad, Ed, and Bob over in Hawley instead) and noticed that the last runner listed was DQ'd due to littering. I don't know the story behind this but I applaud the race organizers for taking a stand in this way. We shouldn't need to have a threat hanging over our heads to get us to behave responsibly, but if it helps remind some of the folks who are more interested in their finishing times to take care of the beautiful surroundings we're fortunate enough to be running through, then I'm all for it.
Climbing back down from my soapbox now...
JMH
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