Sunday, July 31, 2016

2 Mile Run at Thacher Park
Sunday, July 31, 2016

Since I was totally soaked already I decided to put in a little extra distance before getting back to the car. Went back up the hill toward the old sewage plant and ran along one of the new mountain biking trails, then along the Long Path behind the picnic area and over to and along the escarpment down to the under-construction visitors' center. And there was no question my legs had had enough by then.

Of course, it was mighty pleasant to finally get into dry clothes after about three hours of being soaked.

The original plan was that Ann would be here today, like she was at a couple of previous runnings over a decade ago, and I have to admit that I was just a little bit sad that she wasn't when I finished. But that was by far outweighed by how glad I was she wasn't stuck waiting for over 2 hours for me in the rain. And it was really good to just drive home after the race, instead of needing to head out to Rochester so she could be back to work tomorrow. I think changing our travel plans really worked out for the best.

JMH
WET, WETTER, WETTEST
Slow & Steady 2016 - Race #25
Indian Ladder 15k Trail Race
Sunday, July 31, 2016

Thirteenth time I've run Indian Ladder since first doing it in 1998. Minor changes in the course that's been used since 2000 (I think... I know the race was run out of the Hailes Cave picnic area in 2001) mostly due to trail re-routes, though the RD did add a new bit toward the end this year that took us out of the field (now home to Thacher Park's mountain bike skills course) and onto some Long Path single track before the last half a km dash to the finish.

It was raining steadily when I left the house and never really let up until after I'd finished. I'd like to think that's why I ran my slowest time yet, though even if it hadn't been the Year of the Flood I probably would have been slower than in the past. Lots and lots of water on the trail. It was interesting to watch people trying to avoid the puddles for the first mile or so (after that there were no other runners in sight.) I mean, come on - it's pouring rain, you've set out to run either 3.5 or 9.3 miles on trails in that pouring rain, and you're worried about walking/running through puddles?

The folks I felt a little bad for were the volunteers, standing around in the rain for as long as it took me to get past their positions - when I could run that course totally unmarked. But then I did find out there were four newbies (who I'd assumed, based on the comments and the previously mentioned attempts to avoid puddles, were doing the short race) a couple of minutes behind me, so just as well those good folks were out there.

I do wish I'd thought to bring along my waterproof camera to get some pictures of the trails... it was definitely a different experience than the usual Indian Ladder trail races.

JMH



2016 Event Totals
Run 187.8 mi, 45 hr 55 min
Bike 67.3 mi, 5 hr 3 min

Snowshoe 6.2 mi, 1 hr 39 min
Kayak 1.5 mi, 20 min

states visited: CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI
Weekly Activity Summary
7/24/2016 - 7/30/2016

running (1) - 4.7 mi
riding (2) - 30.0 mi
walking/hiking (13) - 20.7 mi
paddling - 0 mi

outdoor activity 7/7 days

YRG -

JMH

Saturday, July 30, 2016

END-TO-END-TO-END, Year 1
14.9 Mile Ride on the Erie Canalway Trail (Utica to Oriskany)
Saturday, July 30, 2016
2 Mile Walk at Tinker Nature Park
Saturday, July 30, 2016

Friday, July 29, 2016

Screech Owl Callin'...
Friday, July 29, 2016

Got the car unloaded and found Ann wondering about a strange trilling noise from the woods out back. Fortunately I'd heard (and researched) it once before, during an evening ride along the bike path... the descending trill of an eastern screech owl. Very cool.

JMH
1.2 Mile Walk on the Erie Canalway Trail (Port Byron)
A Brief Visit to Montezuma NWR
Friday, July 29, 2016

Thursday, July 28, 2016

BUNNIES & BEAVERS
1.7 Mile Walk at Five Rivers
Thursday, July 28, 2016
END-TO-END-TO-END, Year 1
NINE EGRETS... & THOSE NISKAYUNA HILLS...
15.1 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Thursday, July 28, 2016

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

1.6 Mile Walk at Buckingham Pond
2.0 Mile Walk at the Crossings of Colonie
0.6 Mile Walk at Blatnick Park
Wednesday, Jul 27, 2016

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

1.9 Mile Walk at Olana State Historic Site
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
2.3 Mile Walk at the Walkway Over the Hudson & Upper Landing Park
Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Monday, July 25, 2016

Slow & Steady 2016 - Race #24
New Paltz Summer XC Series #3 -
Undercliff/Overcliff 4.7mi Trail Race
Monday, July 25, 2016


2016 Event Totals
Run 178.5 mi, 43 hr 34 min
Bike 67.3 mi, 5 hr 3 min

Snowshoe 6.2 mi, 1 hr 39 min
Kayak 1.5 mi, 20 min

states visited: CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI
1 Mile Walk at Five Rivers
Monday, July 25, 2016

Sunday, July 24, 2016

2.4 Mile Walk on the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
1.3 Mile Walk at Collis Huntington State Park
Sunday, July 24, 2016
OODLES OF OSPREY
1.2 Mile Walk on the Branford Trolley Trail
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Weekly Activity Summary
7/17/2016 - 7/23/2016

running (4) - 21.2 mi
riding (3) - 44.2 mi
walking/hiking (9) - 9.2 mi
paddling - 0 mi

outdoor activity 7/7 days

YRG -

JMH

Saturday, July 23, 2016

0.3 Mile Walk at Brenton Point State Park
1.6 Mile Walk at Sachuest Point NWR
1.5 Mile Walk at Trustom Pond NR
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Slow & Steady 2016 - Race #23
Run With The Beavers 5mi Trail Race
Saturday, July 23, 2016


2016 Event Totals
Run 173.8 mi, 42 hr 35 min
Bike 67.3 mi, 5 hr 3 min

Snowshoe 6.2 mi, 1 hr 39 min
Kayak 1.5 mi, 20 min

states visited: CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI

Friday, July 22, 2016

A LITTLE COOLER...
0.7 Mile Walk at Ooms PCA
0.7 Mile Walk on the Norwottuck Rail Trail
Friday, July 22, 2016