Not sure what they were,... too late and in too good of shape for halloween decorations. Some of them had
Sweet 16
4 months ago
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Weird things in the woods
Ran about 14 miles at Clinton Southshore/Rockhaven trails today. Ran into these little guys about 6 miles in:
Not sure what they were,... too late and in too good of shape for halloween decorations. Some of them had
Not sure what they were,... too late and in too good of shape for halloween decorations. Some of them had
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Sunday Night Thoughts
Hadn't been thinking about shoes too much lately, but ran in my Saucony Peregrines today and realized that I'm probably in the market for a new trail shoe. Granted, I have my 50k PR in peregrines, but I have had a series of issues in them that I'm hoping I can find a shoe that solves these problems:
Bottom line.. they're coming out with a shoe that's a Kinvara with a rock plate. the Kinvara TR. Looking forward to this.
Also, I've been steadily increasing mileage since the beginning of the year, hoping to run big weeks from now until April, and then jump into a half/marathon/ultra or something in April or May.
Finally here's my last long run at the Rockhaven trails at south Clinton lake. We had a lot of rain in the last week, so my winter running season on the Rockhaven trail may be ending soon. The usual running season on that side of the lake lasts from when the poison ivy dies in mid-October until whenever we get the first big snow of the year. I've had a lot of good runs there, and it gives me some good time to think. I'll post more on those runs later.
View Clinton South 10 Miler in a larger map
- Though billed as the trail version of my favorite road shoe (the Saucony Kinvara) this shoe gives a lot stiffer of a ride, and the tread looks kind of like a boot.
- The upper is really heavy-much heavier than I need.
- The insole does this weird thing where it wraps around my foot-especially around 10-15 miles on days when I'm sweating heavily. I super-glued them in, but it's not a great solution.
- They don't drop mud.
Bottom line.. they're coming out with a shoe that's a Kinvara with a rock plate. the Kinvara TR. Looking forward to this.
Also, I've been steadily increasing mileage since the beginning of the year, hoping to run big weeks from now until April, and then jump into a half/marathon/ultra or something in April or May.
Finally here's my last long run at the Rockhaven trails at south Clinton lake. We had a lot of rain in the last week, so my winter running season on the Rockhaven trail may be ending soon. The usual running season on that side of the lake lasts from when the poison ivy dies in mid-October until whenever we get the first big snow of the year. I've had a lot of good runs there, and it gives me some good time to think. I'll post more on those runs later.
View Clinton South 10 Miler in a larger map
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Shoes too tight...
This is why you should make sure you have plenty of forefoot room in your shoes.
Yes that's blood.
Kristin wants to wash them, but I like the look of blood stains on my shoes.
Yes that's blood.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Getting Lost
Scary day running-wise.
I went to Clinton South Shore for another medium-long run (intended to about 7 miles). I'm always a bit more cautious on that side of the lake, as it doesn't have the "easy outs" like the North Shore. On the North Shore I can always get off the trail to a campground or the road, for a shortcut back to my car.
Not so much on the south side. It's just farms and open fields in the area above the trails, and there's no easy way out for water, or to shortcut back to the car.
This morning my goal was to run a quick out and back on the orange trail-the one lowest on the ridge and closest to the lake. The trail was in good condition and I hit my turn around at 3.5 miles in a little over half an hour. I turned to head back-everything was still perfect, and about 1 mile from my end point I started to kick, figuring once I hit 7 miles I'd be back at the main trail connector to head up to my car.
My GPS beeped indicating 7 miles. I stop and look around.. no trail connector in 200 yards either direction. Oddly, I'm in the back of a deep cove, and I know the trail head is on more of a point.
The problem was I couldn't tell if I had overshot my mark or undershot it, so I had no clue which direction to go. I went forward, about another quarter to half a mile. I hit another trail connector, and decided I'd be better off going to the top of the ridge so I could at least look around to see where I was... the meadow I came to looked familiar.. I had gone too far. So I ran backwards on the trail. Finally, to my car.
This wouldn't have seemed so bad, except I didn't have any water on me, and had pushed the pace more than I planned on the last part of my run, so I was feeling that extra mile or so.
What I think happened: after the turn around I got off trail-briefly-but took an accidental shortcut that cut 300ish meters from my return trip. When I was running by my normal stopping point, I had my head down trying to go fast to the point that I just missed all the signs.
I went to Clinton South Shore for another medium-long run (intended to about 7 miles). I'm always a bit more cautious on that side of the lake, as it doesn't have the "easy outs" like the North Shore. On the North Shore I can always get off the trail to a campground or the road, for a shortcut back to my car.
Not so much on the south side. It's just farms and open fields in the area above the trails, and there's no easy way out for water, or to shortcut back to the car.
This morning my goal was to run a quick out and back on the orange trail-the one lowest on the ridge and closest to the lake. The trail was in good condition and I hit my turn around at 3.5 miles in a little over half an hour. I turned to head back-everything was still perfect, and about 1 mile from my end point I started to kick, figuring once I hit 7 miles I'd be back at the main trail connector to head up to my car.
My GPS beeped indicating 7 miles. I stop and look around.. no trail connector in 200 yards either direction. Oddly, I'm in the back of a deep cove, and I know the trail head is on more of a point.
The problem was I couldn't tell if I had overshot my mark or undershot it, so I had no clue which direction to go. I went forward, about another quarter to half a mile. I hit another trail connector, and decided I'd be better off going to the top of the ridge so I could at least look around to see where I was... the meadow I came to looked familiar.. I had gone too far. So I ran backwards on the trail. Finally, to my car.
This wouldn't have seemed so bad, except I didn't have any water on me, and had pushed the pace more than I planned on the last part of my run, so I was feeling that extra mile or so.
What I think happened: after the turn around I got off trail-briefly-but took an accidental shortcut that cut 300ish meters from my return trip. When I was running by my normal stopping point, I had my head down trying to go fast to the point that I just missed all the signs.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Hometown Marathon?
How did I miss this???
http://www.salinamarathon.com/index.php
Seriously.. if this is an event next year...
Though it might be Flatrock weekend.. which would be a difficult decision.. assuming I'm in shape.
http://www.salinamarathon.com/index.php
Seriously.. if this is an event next year...
Though it might be Flatrock weekend.. which would be a difficult decision.. assuming I'm in shape.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
First good run of the year
So.. I've ran everyday so far this year.. low mileage.. still a tender IT band and trying to build mileage. Anyways, I went to the Clinton South shore trails today. I tend to have good luck on the south side of the lake when I haven't been running well.
I think it is largely due to these trails being more physical/technical than most of the trails I normally run.. which gives me an opportunity to run a really hard workout, without having to run fast miles or actually "run well" from a speed perspective.
The trail conditions were perfect, ran 7 miles, see map below:
View South Clinton 7miler in a larger map
I think it is largely due to these trails being more physical/technical than most of the trails I normally run.. which gives me an opportunity to run a really hard workout, without having to run fast miles or actually "run well" from a speed perspective.
The trail conditions were perfect, ran 7 miles, see map below:
View South Clinton 7miler in a larger map
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Seriously?
Only two posts this year? Ok.. now three. Anyways, thought I would just do a quick update with running highlights from 2011.
Bottom line is this: I ran one good race all year, had about 4 months of good running, and fell apart since July. No injuries really, just a lot of work and personal obligations that I had to take care of. My obvious goal for 2012 is to start running serious mileage again (honestly, I've probably averaged in the mid-30's since July).
So... Highlights this year:
1. 5:20 50k pr. Still happy about this one, just wish I could have continued the streak. My only ultra of the year :(.
2. Pacing my buddy Gary through last 33ish miles of the Hawk 100. I had a great time, but he (a much better writer than I) describes it here: link.
3. Doing something smart with my running. OK, this is a weird one. At the end of August I was signed up for a 50k.. a road 50k.. I had signed up because I had a Groupon, it was cheap, and I wanted to break 5 hours for 50k. In late June I was in shape to do so, but by August I wasn't in the shape that would allow me to run my race. So I didn't start. I went to packet pickup, got my race goodies, but didn't show for the start. I consider it a great positive that I didn't go out and get hurt, but it was a difficult choice. The packet pickup was cool though, I got a lot of cool Northface schwag and was able to see/meet some famous ultra runners (notably Michael Wardian, Dean Karnazes was there too though *eye roll*)
Anyways, I'll try to post more, and run more in 2012. We'll see.
Bottom line is this: I ran one good race all year, had about 4 months of good running, and fell apart since July. No injuries really, just a lot of work and personal obligations that I had to take care of. My obvious goal for 2012 is to start running serious mileage again (honestly, I've probably averaged in the mid-30's since July).
So... Highlights this year:
1. 5:20 50k pr. Still happy about this one, just wish I could have continued the streak. My only ultra of the year :(.
2. Pacing my buddy Gary through last 33ish miles of the Hawk 100. I had a great time, but he (a much better writer than I) describes it here: link.
3. Doing something smart with my running. OK, this is a weird one. At the end of August I was signed up for a 50k.. a road 50k.. I had signed up because I had a Groupon, it was cheap, and I wanted to break 5 hours for 50k. In late June I was in shape to do so, but by August I wasn't in the shape that would allow me to run my race. So I didn't start. I went to packet pickup, got my race goodies, but didn't show for the start. I consider it a great positive that I didn't go out and get hurt, but it was a difficult choice. The packet pickup was cool though, I got a lot of cool Northface schwag and was able to see/meet some famous ultra runners (notably Michael Wardian, Dean Karnazes was there too though *eye roll*)
Anyways, I'll try to post more, and run more in 2012. We'll see.
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