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Friends:Breakheart DanTrail Pixie Trespas Kevin kZ Trailgrrl Michelle RunninRob Cookie Monster Steve Latour Pictures:AlbumRunning Data:20102009 2008 |
Sun, 18 Oct 2009Last week I took a break from running at exactly the wrong time. A month before my first 50 mile run, I just couldn't make the time to get out for my long runs. I did have an excellent weekend with my wife and daugter at Rocking Horse Ranch in New York's Hudson Valley. We've been spending Columbus Day Weekend there for six years now. Connie is a much better rider than either Carol or me. We do enjoy riding, though. The trails at RHR lie in a small valley and on the ridge of the hill that forms one side of the valley. The land is former farmland retaken by birch, oak, hickory, and maple forest. In mid-October the forest is spectacularly colorful. Over the three days we were there, we got 10 one hour long trail rides in. Actually, I was a bit lazy and only managed 9. Connie has been riding for four years and canters easily. Carol and I have traditionally stuck to the intermediate trot ride and early morning walk rides. This time, though, I managed two advanced canter rides. Cantering was huge fun. Gil's Athletic Club, which sponsors the Stone Cat Trail Race, organized a run on the course yesterday for entered runners. I planned to get out early and take in a loop on the course before the 9 am start, but didn't manage to get there until just before 9. Once there I found 'Breakheart' Dan, Kevin 'kZ,' and Steve Latour. I knew Dan and Kevin from earlier runs in the Fells, although I hadn't seen them in months. I knew of Steve from his pictures from the Fells Trail Race, emails that circulate within our little group of runners, and his coverage of the Fells Trail Race in Ultrarunning Magazine. Hearing that 'Trail Pixie' Emily was only a minute away, we let the organized run start without us. Within minute we were joined by a speedy runner named Paul. This group of five ran together for the next 12.5 miles exchanging schemes for entering 100-mile races, animal puns, and other pleasant banter. We got lost a couple of times, but not too badly or too often. After this first loop, I had to scurry home. I'm looking forward to seeing these guys again at the race if not earlier. View Return to Willowdale, October 17, 2009 in a larger map I felt the need to get a much longer running day in than just the 12.5 miles, so after Connie went to bed, I headed out again. I ignored the weather.com warning about coastal flooding and took my standard route in the direction of Deer Island. This route follows Chelsea Creek to Suffolk Downs Ractrack and then over the Beachmont Hill to the beach. The plan was to turn around when the GPS indicated 5.25 miles for a 10.5 mile run and a total of 23 for the day. Along Chelsea Creek, a tidal river, I realized the water was higher than I had ever seen it. Drizzle started about 2 miles in. Arriving at the beach at mile 3.5, I found seaweed strewn over the road. I looked over the seawall to see huge Pacific-Ocean-looking surf. Every now and then a wave would splash over the wall. This made for a wild run, and I got a mouthfull of saltwater more than once. View Coastal Flooding Run, October 17, 2009 in a larger map |
