Weekly Log 19-Dec to 25-Dec-2022: Vermont and Christmas

Monday:  0

Tuesday:  3 run, 1 walk

Westerly, RI.  Ran from the house with Brady.  Mix of roads and trails in Champlin.

Westerly, RI.  CCC.  Clearing a wall at Mastuxet North WLT property.  Followed by our annual CCC holiday party.  This year it was at Wahaneeta Preserve in the cabin, with the fire going, and plenty of home made soups, sandwiches from the Cooked Goose, and goodies.

Wednesday:  3 run, 14 ski

Hartford, VT.  Spent the night in White River Junction, with my son Mark and his friend Lucas.  Nice coincidence that right near our hotel was the Hurricane Forest Wildlife Refuge Park, complete with trails.  Or so I thought.  I figured I'd run 5 miles or so, but the going was just too much with a foot of frozen snow and without packed down trails.  Ran 1/2 mile in my Yak-Trax Run before switching to snowshoes.  The latter was a little better, but oh so much hard work.  I went up a 300' hill and that just about did me in.  Breathing so hard and heart rate racing, so decided to call it a day.  

Pretty in the woods, but tough to get any kind of momentum running.

Killington, VT.  Met up with my cousin Dave and his son for about 2/3 of a day of skiing.  Temps got up into the low 20s, but it felt much warmer than that with no wind and lots of sun.  Beautiful day out there.  Plenty of cover on most trails, but those that weren't groomed had a number of dirt spots.  

Beautiful snow-kissed trees

Thursday:  6 run, 21 ski

Killington, VT.  It was in the teens when I got up, but I bundled up and was fine.  Didn't see any other runners or even walkers out on my jaunt.  Downhill to start on the main Killington road.  This can be a busy road, but not at 9am when the lifts don't open for another two hours.  Of course, after a long downhill, I would need to make the uphill trek, and just after mile 3, I had a 500' continuous climb.  I knew it was coming, so I just slowed and got into a rhythm and it was fine.  Taxing for sure, but fine.  The hardest part was a 1/2 mile or so section of road that was not clear, as I slipped a bit in the snow.  Good run overall.

Final day of skiing, and that worked out great, as the next day's forecast called for rain and high winds.  Skied mostly on open slopes in the morning, but I much prefer the challenge of moguls and glades.  Fortunately, my cousin Dave prefers that as well, so that's when we split up from the younger guys and skied glades.

My cousin David (further back), 
and his son David (tan snowpants) amidst snow-blasted trees

So much fun skiing in the glades,
picking your way through the trees
(This was the Tin Man trail)

Friday:  0

Though about running.  Woke up and looked out the window to see several inches of slush on the road, snowplows out working, and a pouring wind-driven rain.  Yeah, I'm good.  Packed up and headed home.

Saturday:  8

Charlestown, RI.  10°F and about 20mph winds.  With Brady.  My first of 19 Border Patrol Challenge runs, a series that has to be done between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox in mid-March.  This was the Li'l Rhody Runaround course.  Started/finished from Buckeye Brook Road, as I knew the traditional picnic area start/finish would be so exposed to wind off the pond.  It was a still a cold start, but warmed up in the woods.  After a rainstorm and subsequent temperature plummet, there were both flooded and iced over sections, which I tried to avoid.  Brady avoided the ice but went through the flooded sections, which resulted in his legs and underside being laden with ice.

Pretty bad that I couldn't even break 57-minutes here today (ran 50:20 last month), but that's a combination of being bundled up in the cold and also tough to race solo.  

Thawing out his icy whiskers on the ride home

Sunday:  9

Westerly, RI.  Christmas Day!  'Round the Pond loop, making sure that the Atlantic Ave portion was going with the wind.  Sunny and toasty with the wind, a bit chilly on return.  It was nice to see some snow and flurries on Christmas Day, even if just a coating.

While I love the Christmas season,
most of the magic of the day itself is
for children.  With our own children grown up,
this guy is the closest that we have to a child now.

And he was very excited and wound up
with his new toys.

Weekly mileage:  29 run, 1 walk, 35 ski

Weekly synopsis:  Lowest mileage week in eight months.  Tempered by traveling, skiing, and Christmas, it makes sense.  Let's just not make it a pattern.

Weekly highlight:  Glade skiing in Vermont.

Weekly lowlight:  Not much running.

Weekly Log 12-Dec to 18-Dec-2022: First Snow

Miscellaneous rambling:

• I am very happy with my NB RC Elites, but now wonder how much or how often I will wear these expensive shoes and what their shelf life is.  The target race distance for my SuperComp Pacers is up to a half marathon, and I obviously I run many more races at a distance of half marathon and down than I do above a half.  
• Are you familiar with those highway electronic bulletin boards?  Driving on I-95 North in Delaware this week, I was amused to read in flashing letters, "Watch out for reindeer", followed by "Slower sleighs keep to the right"!  Glad someone in the DOT has a sense of humor.
• I pulled the trigger and signed up for the Border Patrol Challenge.  I wish there some routes in Westerly and I’m also not a fan of the numerous OABs, but the concept in general is fun, fits the winter season with less races around here, and it looks like a number of people I know will be participating.
• Speaking of triggers, this is a sad reflection on our country:

Monday:  10

Westerly, RI.  Went back to Grills to pick up the flags put down for yesterday's Fire & Ice Holiday Hike.  Still mildly annoyed that a number of the hikers ignored the course, some because they didn't pay attention that the course was flagged and others who just decided to hike their own way.  Imagine that happening in a trail race?  It all worked out fine since everyone made it back OK, but I don't think I would go through that effort again since many just wanted to ignore the flags and hike their own way.

Anyway, while my sole purpose for going there today was to cover the 4 miles needed to retrieve the flags, I was pleasantly surprised that the snow overnight had stuck to the ground and was about 2 inches deep.  Not a huge amount, but it was beautiful and since Brady also seemed to be having fun in the snow, in Jeff Vuono speak, 4 miles became 10!

Brady at Grills.  It certainly was pretty there!

Top of Big Hill

Post-run, we went to Hartikka Tree Farm
(Voluntown, CT) to pick out our tree.
An 8' Nordmann Fir was selected by Brady.
I had never heard of this species.  Had you?

I just love the trappings of an old-fashioned Christmas.
No fake plastic trees for me, please, and no pre-cut trees in a
parking lot if possible.  There is just something magical 
about going out into a field and selecting, cutting, and dragging
your own Christmas tree.  And snow on the ground was a bonus!
Puts me in the Christmas mood.
(Pic by Jana)

Tuesday:  1 walk, 11 run

AM:  Westerly, RI.  Easy CCC assignment to take out a tree hanger at Wahaneeta with a pole saw.

PM:  Richmond, RI.  Went to Arcadia Y to park as I have before and run from there.  There were plenty of open spaces, but the big "Parking for Customers Only" signs turned me off and I drove away and parked instead at the RI DEM public lot at nearby Wyoming Pond Fishing Area.  My run was marred early on when I was yelled at and sworn at for peeing in the woods.  I was more than a mile way from the nearest building on a dirt road without houses or electricity, when I was surprised by the single car that came around the bend.  It's not likely they could even see anything as I had my back to them, but they could tell what I was doing.  There was no upshot in talking to them and they were clearly both enraged with me, so I just ignored them and kept running.

I had this fear I would run into them again during my run, but fortunately that was unfounded.  The rest of the run was quiet and mostly devoid of humans.

Wednesday:  12

Hopkinton, RI.  Very windy day with steady 16mph winds, so a great day for the woods!  26°F at start.  I can't believe I even had to think about whether to wear shorts or not.  Fortunately I went with shorts, as other than the first half-mile maybe and occasional open sections where the wind was whipping, I felt quite warm out there.  Fun, tranquil trail run with Brady, and I was happy there was still snow on most of the trails, even though it slowed me down a bit.

Finished the run and as I was getting into the car, I was very surprised to see blood running down my leg from my knee.  That's a telltale sign of a fall, which I didn't have, so I don't know what was going on there.

Thursday: 12

AM:  Stonington, CT.  6 mile run from Barn Island - Steward Road entrance.  I was planning to park at Pawcatuck River Wildlife Area, but since I had to change post-WLT meeting and there were people just hanging out there, I left and went to Barn Island instead.  Ran roads down in Lower Pawcatuck, including River Road and the nice River Crest Drive neighborhood.  Pretty quiet late morning on a weekday.

PM:  Westerly, RI.  Christmas Light Run.  6 miles.  Annual run with a few running friends.  Last year was from Tom's house, this year from mine.  Thanks for Jana for providing post race food and hot mulled cider.

Does anyone still split wood with a sledgehammer and wedge?
I split a few of these logs for firewood tonight.  That's the way
my Dad had my brothers and me split wood, way back when 
I was a teenager.

Post-run, gathered around the fire with running friends.

Friday:  12

Charlotte, NC.  Loop from my hotel just outside Charlotte Airport.  First and final mile were pretty uncomfortable on busy roads with almost no shoulder, but that was the best I could map out and I didn't have a car to drive to a better place.  The middle miles were OK, not great, but not scary like the first and last either.  Good to get this run in, but the most impressive thing to me about this run was nothing about the run itself but rather that it put me over 3,000 miles for the year.

Biggest reindeer structure I've ever seen
(Charlotte Airport lobby)

Saturday:  0

No running.  Long drive with Mark from Charlotte back to Westerly.  Tiring.

Best part of the drive was stopping for a full proper dinner in
New Jersey.  Mark's restaurant choice did not disappoint.

Sunday:  12

Union, CT.  Bigelow Hollow State Park.  With Matthew and Brady.  Pretty and very hilly state park, with many stream crossings.  Steep hill climb right out of the gate, with several more 200'+ climbs throughout.  Much of the run was technical.  A few brief crossings into Massachusetts.

Nipmuck Trail start,
at the MA/CT border

This river crossing on a log would have been a little dicey,
except for the cables above my head

Much of the trail was pretty technical

Probably the best shot of the day.
Brady atop a rock on the shores of Breakneck Pond

Weekly mileage:  69

Weekly synopsis:  Good mileage week, especially with no specific training goals currently.  A nice variety of runs.

Weekly highlight:  The run at Bigelow Hollow State Park.  This place is a gem.  But don't go there if you're looking for an easy run!

Weekly lowlight:  The run in Charlotte.  Just not a great place to run.  Made me appreciate Rhode Island roads and their wider shoulders that much more.

Niantic Jingle Bell 5K 2022

 

Niantic (East Lyme), CT

Saturday, December 10, 2022

This was my 2nd straight year running the Niantic Jingle Bell 5K.  Last year I ran it in a PR-tying 17:32.  Thus my singular goal of this race would be to run 17:31 or less.  Matthew offered to pace me and use this as a workout for him.  I thought the best course of action for me would be to attempt 5:35/5:35/5:45 splits, for a target of about 17:28 including the last 0.11 miles.

Santa and Mrs Claus were at the start,
while I was running a few strides
(Note the electronic tolling kind of chip readers overhead at
start, instead of the more common timing mats on ground.)

It's not a pancake flat course at about 140' of elevation, as there are several 30' hill climbs, but nothing more.  The overall winner, a polite 15-year old kid, led from wire to wire and was quickly out of our way.  There was another 20-something right around us for most of the race, and for the first mile I'd sometimes be next to him or just behind him.  

And we're off.  The winner is on far left in
white singlet, but the first few rows are filled
with a number of overexuberant kids who
will fade out in the first 1/4 mile or so.

For the first mile, and the first mile only, I was able to keep up with Matthew's pacing.  Mile 1 split 5:28.  So far, so good.

Mile 2 is where the wheels came off the wagon.  Matthew was consistent in his pacing, but I could not hold the pace.  The toughest was the 1/4 mile along the water leading to the cone turnaround.  We headed into a 15 mph headwind and although Matthew said to tuck in behind him, I really needed a much fatter pacer than him.  I could feel myself slowing in the headwind.  At the cone turnaround, I need a wide space to negotiate and typically come in on the far right side of the road, go CCW around the cone, and exit on the far right side returning.  Only this time there was a water stop and tables adjacent to the cone, further reducing the radius of the circle I could make.  Probably lost five seconds there.  Mile 2 split 5:46.  Not good.  Can I run a 5:35 final mile to make up for it?  With a 30' final uphill and mostly into the wind?  Not happening.

Just before finish

While resolved to my fate of not getting a PR, I still pushed as fast I could on the 3rd mile, but the results were even more disappointing, as that final split was a 5:53.

Final result:  17:44.3, 4th overall of 1,114, 1st of 92 in age group.  Full results here.

Well, I did not get my PR, not even close.  But unlike the Big Steps 5K, I knew a PR wouldn't be happening halfway into the race, whereas at Big Steps, at Mile 2 I falsely assumed it was "in the bag".  There is also a decent chance that this is a slightly short course.  It's not a certified course, and many got less than 3.11 on GPS.  Last year I got 3.08 and this 3.11, but for a road course with 15 90-degree turns and one cone turnaround, I really should be getting 3.14 or more.  How could I really possibly run the tangents perfectly?  So maybe it's better I didn't PR?

Brady with my age group award.  Or maybe Matthew's.
He doesn't seem very impressed.

The winner came through in 16:34.  I was really impressed that after I finished over a minute later and three places back, he came up to me and congratulated me.  I don't think a lot of 15-year olds would come up to someone almost four times their age to congratulate them.

Team WTAC today

This ends my road racing for the year.  Likely the next 5K I will run is the PLR Shamrock 5K, a certified course with about 50' of total elevation gain, 7 90-degree turns, and no cone turnarounds, in New Haven on March 5.

Pie Run 2022

Middletown, RI

Thanksgiving Day, 2022

Officially the "Newport County YMCA Pie Run", this was my 3rd Pie Run.  Previous results for this 5-miler were 30:08 (2016) and 31:01 (2019).  

Warm-up:  I met up with my sister-in-law and niece pre-run (they would be running the 3-mile run), and then I went out for a 2-mile solo warm-up.  Returned to the car ten minutes before race start to change into singlet and race shoes, and then there was an absolute mob between me and the start.  To quantify, there was a total of about 1,800 runners and walkers in a mass start, as both events started concurrently.  I was making my way through and around the crowd when I overheard one runner asking another if he knew where the registration table was for bib pickup.  Seriously?!  Five minutes to race start.  I don't understand why people do this.  It adds so much stress and is very unfair to the volunteers.  I had picked up my bib three days ago, and the instructions were very clear that if you were picking up your bib on race day, you should arrive 1 1/4 hours before race start, at latest.  That 75 minutes, not 5 minutes.  What do I care?  It bothers me because I see the same unthoughtful actions at our own races.  Ugh.

Pre-race with my sister-in-law and nieces

Flat 3 miles:  Lined up about two rows from the start.  I found it annoying that a couple in sweatpants and sweatshirt and carrying phones were in the first row, and as I suspected, once the gun went off, I had to work my way around both of them, but after that I had plenty of room to run my own race until Mile 4 (more on that shortly).  

In green singlet and blue cap,
about dead center in this picture.

Making my way past sweatshirt guy,
and then it's all clear

About 35°F at the start with almost no wind.  Chilly only at very start in short shorts and singlet, and then felt fine.  With the exception of about 1/4 mile near finish, we always had at least one full road lane to run in unimpeded by automobile traffic.  About 1 mile in I heard my name called out by a spectator.  I typically don't look over during a short race like this and I didn't need to either as I recognized the voice of Adrian.  There is little fan support on this course, which is too bad, as it does help.

My goal for the first three miles was 5:48.  I didn't have a high degree of confidence that I could that for three miles, but I did!  I'm also psyched with how consistent the mile splits were:  5:46, 5:48, 5:44, as consistency is not my hallmark.

Hilly two:  At Mile 2.8, there is a cone turnaround.  I really don't like these, and yes, much of that is because I'm frankly not good at executing 180° turns.  I turn them so wide and lose time as I slow down and awkwardly try to reverse direction.  Maybe I need a remedial course in cone turnarounds?  Or do others feel that way also?

As I head towards the finish now and against incoming runners, I hear my name called several times, which surprises me, as I didn't recognize anyone at the start of the race.  I'm mildly tempted to know who is calling me and offering encouragement, but not tempted enough to lose my focus and actually look their way.  

At Mile 3.5, we start our way up the 90' hill.  I was ready and prepared for that, and had practiced this just three days prior.  What I was not prepared for and did not remember was that we would very soon (Mile 3.7) merge with the 3-mile "non-competitive" run/walk.  And they took up the whole width of Purgatory Road, both lanes, many talking and oblivious or nonchalant as to my approaching.  I switched to running on the far left shoulder hoping that would be open to me, but even then twice there was someone walking on that shoulder, forcing me to cut back into the crowd and weave a little bit.  And once I went between two groups of people only to have them crowd back together as I approached and I had to yell out "Watch out!" as I ran between them.  6:13 pace for the uphill 4th mile - I'll take it!

What goes up must come down.  ("Spinning wheel got to go round ...")  You remember that song, right?  Anyway, the left shoulder opened up again as I opened up my own pace for the downhill stretch and 5:20 pace for the Purgatory downhill half-mile.  Closed the final half mile in 5:34 pace for 5th mile split of 5:27.  Pretty happy with that!

Final strides to finish

 Finishing on closed roads

Final results:   29:20 (chip time), 14th of 678 finishers, 1st of 68 age group finishers.  Full results here.

In past years, age group winners would receive full sized pies, very appropriate for Thanksgiving Day.  This year the prizes varied and mine was a knit YMCA hat.  That's fine, too, and certainly I don't go to races for the awards.

More importantly, I am very happy with my result.  In fact, I initially thought I had a new 5-mile PR as I mistakenly thought my 5-Mile PR (from Hangover Classic in Bristol) was 29:26, but in fact it is 29:18.  To come within two seconds of my PR on a course with a 90' hill climb and a cone turnaround, I am most pleased.

Weekly Log 5-Dec to 11-Dec-2022: Mixed Bag

Monday:  1 walk

Intentional day off from running.  Avondale walk with Brady late afternoon.

Tuesday:  3 walk, 11 run

AM:  Westerly, RI.  Leading a team of six, we carved a new trail at Barlow Preserve through a stand of American Cedars.  A pretty short trail, but neat to add to the small collection of trails at this property.

PM:  Charlestown, RI.  Solo run from Ninigret on Charlestown roads.  First time ever running on South Niantic Drive.  I didn't even know that North Niantic and South Niantic connected, but there is a short trail connector, and South Niantic is nice with a waterview.  I checked on Charlestown town GIS and see that the trail is a paper road, so although it runs close to roads, it seems like a public route.  Good to know.  Faster than expected run at 6:37 average pace.

Wednesday:  8

Charlestown, RI.  Lazily deferred running until mid-afternoon due to heavy rain.  Got to Burlingame Campground with Matthew about 3pm and was happy to start in just a few sprinkles.  Well, that lasted for about two minutes before we got into a heavy soaking rain.  Oh, well.  It's just water after all.

Got to a section of flooded road in West Beach.  Matthew opted to just run through the flooded road and was fine.  I thought I was being smart running onto a neighbor's lawn to avoid the flooded road.  It didn't work out that way.  Stepped into a puddle in his yard that was about knee-deep, and down I went, awkwardly falling with my right knee bashing into paver stones and my palms hitting loose rock in his driveway.  Man, did that hurt.  Yet another bloody knee.  How many does that make this year?

The rest of the run was uneventful.  The weather alternated between sprinkles and heavy rain, but regardless, at every subsequent section of flooded road, I ran through the flooded section!

Thursday:  12

AM:  Exeter, RI.  Five mile run with Brady in Arcadia circumnavigating Breakheart Pond.  Bashed knee felt pretty sore.  Kept it slow.  Brady led the whole time and had to keep waiting for me.

PM:  Westerly, RI.  Seven miles during WTAC Jingle Bell Run, including setup and takedown.

Trail running under headlamps
(Dave and Matt ahead of me)

Directional signs with LED lights

Friday:  8

Richmond, RI.  With Matthew and Brady at Carolina South and Carolina North.  Easy run.  Jingle Bell Run tomorrow.

Saturday:  7

East Lyme, CT.  Niantic Jingle Bell 5K.  Separate write-up to follow.

Sunday:  5 run, 4 walk

AM:  Westerly, RI.   Run with Brady at Grills, while flagging this afternoon's hike course.

PM:  Westerly, RI.  Led a group of about 30 on Westerly Land Trust's Fire & Ice Holiday Hike.  Mostly went well, but was disappointed by those that didn't pay attention and didn't follow the flags.  And of course once one person misses a turn and goes off course, it's human nature that others follow.

So happy to see snow falling and sticking in the evening!
Helps put me in the holiday spirit.

Weekly mileage:  52 run, 9 walk

Weekly synopsis:  Mixed bag.  One race, mix of road and trail runs.  Zero long runs or workouts.

Weekly highlight:  Tuesday Charlestown road run.  Just felt great.

Weekly lowlight:  Bashing my knee on stone pavers.  Ouch.

Li'l Rhody Runaround 2022

 

Charlestown, RI

Sunday, November 20, 2022

The 31st edition of the Li'l Rhody Runaround Trail Race.  My 19th running personally, with 18 years on the 8-mile course and one year (last year) on the newer 4-mile course as I was one week out from the Philadelphia Marathon at that time.

I've written plenty of times about this race and its background and all the great volunteer work that goes into it, so this time we'll jump right into my 2022 race experience:

First half of race:  After two consecutive years of COVID-related restrictions, including waves and a modified race start, this year we were back to "normal" with a mass start from the traditional start line on Sanctuary Road.  It was chilly in shorts and a singlet at the start with 37°F and 20mph wind off the water, but once we got going and especially into the woods I warmed up just fine.

Lead pack in '22 Li'l Rhody

There were at least eight of us that stayed together in the lead pack for the entire distance on Sanctuary Road (about 3/4 mile).  As Jonny Hammett would later muse, the pace was slow and nobody wanted to take it out.  I contemplated taking the lead myself but thought better of it.  I have run my Mile 1 pace in the past as fast as 5:35, but today we did not even break 6!

Just at the split, Tom and Dave went left for the 4-miler, while I edged in just behind Brian Coyne and Brendan Atkins (Grills 10-Mile '22 winner) to enter the single-track.  After a short single-track section to the campground, we open up onto asphalt road for about 1/2 mile.  At this point, Thomas McLaughlin goes by me easily and joins the two ahead of me.  

The first two miles are flat and fast, with substantial road sections, and it is a struggle for me to keep the lead runners in sight and fend off other runners.  Just after two miles, though, as we get close to Klondike Road, there are twists, bog bridges, and roots, and I'm able to catch and repass young Thomas here.  After Klondike Road intersection, there are some rocky sections and by then I can no longer hear or sense Thomas immediately behind me.  Good.

Mile 3 I run as an island, but for most of Mile 4 I can sense someone just behind me and closing.  Is it Thomas again?  No, towards the end of the mile and not long before the water stop, Ben Q announces he's passing me on my left, and I give him some encouragement to catch the two leaders.  Where did he come from?!  I knew he was signed up for the race, but not having seen him until now and knowing he wasn't ahead of me at that point, I just assumed he didn't show up.  See what happens when you assume?

I came into the water stop that Team Garvin (Chris and Seb) were manning and I totally botched getting my cup of water and spilled it instead.  Chris later said that he spilled it on me, but I'm pretty sure it was my own clumsy error.

Half-way done, coming into the water stop
(Pic by Chris G)

Second half:  After the water stop, on the short section on Buckeye Brook Road, I could see the top three guys ahead of me.  As each turned off the road back onto the single-track, that would be the last I would see of each of them until after the race.  

I ran the entire second half as an island, and periodically reminded myself to keep the pace up and try not to resort to the default of just naturally slowing down.  I don't remember anything remarkable on the second half, except that I was relieved to see the sharp turn at Mile 5.5 intact from this morning's save.  Specifically, at Mile 5.5 there is a trail intersection where a trail goes straight but our course makes a turn more than 90°.  Jonny had heavily marked this the afternoon before, including a sign in the middle of the trail directing runners to go right.  Sometime between then and race morning, some hooligan(s) had rerouted the sign and flags to point runners straight (the wrong direction).  This has been a fear of mine dating back to pranksters removing flags from the old Big River Half Marathon, but had never materialized until now.  And I don't think we would normally catch this, except that Matthew just happened to be running the course before his volunteer course marshal duties and caught and fixed the error.  We got lucky this year thanks to Matthew, and while hopefully just a one-off random occurrence, we'll have to give thought on how to verify next year.

Back out on the road, I ran a 5:43 pace to the finish.  I lamented about how much I dislike the asphalt road finish and feared someone would pass me here.  My fears were unfounded as I crossed the finish line almost a minute and a half of the next runner.

Headed to the finish line

Final result:  50:20, 4th overall of 152, 1st in age group.  Full results here.

This ended up being my 3rd fastest Li'l Rhody ever.  I only broke 50 minutes once (49:10) and I ran 50:16 in 2014.  So while I was secretly hoping to got sub-50, I'll take it.  While I'm certainly not making any excuses and am happy with my performance overall, I believe there was a heavier leaf cover than in recent past years and I'm just wondering if that had any impact at all.

I felt warm during the run, but post-race even after donning
pants and a quarter-zip, I quickly got cold.
The fire felt great, as did the hot soup.

This ends the WTAC Fall Trail Race series, and trail racing overall for me this year.  I'm contemplating running in the Border Patrol Challenge to have some trail runs to keep me motivated during the winter, but even if I do, that will have to take a lower priority than training for any spring marathon that I decide upon.  Much more to come!

Weekly Log 28-Nov to 4-Dec-2022: Down Week

Monday:  0

Complete day off after 42 miles of trails in three days.

Tuesday:  1 walk, 5 run

AM:  Westerly, RI.  For today's CCC assignment, I worked with two others on clearing a lot of overgrowth at the Rathbun Cemetery at Wahaneeta Preserve.  Much progress made, but a perennial task.

PM:  Charlestown, RI.  Parked at Burlingame Campground entrance, and ran the road perimeter, which is pretty much exactly 5 miles.  Sunny but crisp day with temps in the mid-40s.

Wednesday:  10

Westerly, RI.  Run with Brady at Woody Hill.  Ran a fun CCW loop from Fallon Trail.  Other than in the parking lot, never saw a single person on the trail the whole time.

Thursday:  5 walk

Hopkinton, RI.  Led today's Thursday WLT hike.  I am new to this since retiring in July, but the basics are that anyone is welcome, although the target audience is "agile seniors", which I guess with me pushing 60 and retired now I fit that profile as well.  50% of the hikes are supposed to be on WLT properties and the rest can be anywhere else in the nearby SE CT / SW RI region.  

For the hike I led last month, I chose a WLT property (Grills Preserve), so this month I went with something different and chose Canonchet Brook Preserve.  Besides our trio (Jana, Brady, me), there were twelve others that joined us.  Many of the group had visited the stone structures on the Canonchet Trail, including the sawmill ruins and house and root cellar foundations from Jonathan Foster in the early 1800s.  However, few had gone on the Table Rock Trail or Narragansett Trail extension.  Unfortunately, the Table Rock Trail was pretty overgrown and needs some work.  I was also concerned about the river (Canonchet Brook) that you need to cross on the Table Rock Trail as there is no bridge there and just go across on rocks and logs.  Not to worry, many in the group, including spry octogenarians simply jumped over rocks and river to my surprise and delight!

The first mile or so was unfortunately leaf-blown, both unnecessary and a source of erosion.  One woman (who also maintains several HLT properties) was especially upset by this and reached out to find out who did this.  It turns out it was the Nature Conservancy that did this!  They are the properties owners, but if they have that kind of time to work on trails, maybe instead of wasting fuel and creating emissions and erosion unnecessarily, they could put that time to better use by actually maintaining and pruning the Table Rock Trail, also on their property.

Friday:  10 

Charlestown, RI.  Solo mid-morning road run at Quonochontaug.  Temps in the high 30s, but felt very comfortable in the sunny and calm weather.  It's so nice there this time of year.

Saturday:  1 walk, 5 run

AM:  Westerly, RI.  Short hike as part of Westerly Land Trust's annual meeting.  From WLT headquarters at the 80-acre Barlow Preserve, we walked the trails just to the west of the Barlow buildings, including a soon-to-be-cut trail going through a section of tall cedars.

PM:  Charlestown, RI.  Short 5-miler in wind-driven rain with Matthew.  Still warm (mid-50s) and comfortable.

Sunday:  10

Groton, CT.  WTAC monthly group run.  December was my turn to host the group run, and I chose trails at Bluff Point and Haley Farm State Parks.  I would venture a guess that 95%+ of people walk or run the fire roads there, and I emphasized that I was looking to get off "the beaten path" and run the single-track trails there instead.  It worked out well.  Group of nine total, including Brady.

Today's group (or most of us anyway)

Weekly mileage:  41 run, 7 walk

Weekly synopsis:  Lowest mileage week since April, with not one, but two days off from running this week.  Just nothing planned and took an easy week.  Which is OK with me only I if I get some goals and get back into it.    Next week should keep me focused with a 5K on Saturday, and hopefully a workout midweek, but beyond that?

Weekly highlight:  Group run today at Bluff & Haley.

Weekly lowlight:  Lack of focus.

USATF-NE 5K Championships 2022

USATF-NE 5K Championships

Needham, MA

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Signed up for this race about a week ago with a single goal of beating my 5K PR (17:32).  5K is NOT my favorite or best distance, but some of the attractions were 1) stacked field could pull me along, 2) Matthew was signed up to race this also, 3) it goes through my old "stomping grounds" of when I ran here early mornings before going to work in nearby Wellesley, 4) certified course with no cone turnarounds.

Was a little nervous of this race in the two days leading up to the race.  Fell asleep going through mathematical calculations and permutations of Mile 1/2/3 splits that would get me to a PR.  

Very nervous race morning.  Multiple trips to the bathroom.  5Ks are hard!  Or at least if you take them serious, they are.  Sure, they're over quickly, but that's also the problem as you're in oxygen debt and have very little room for error, unlike marathons where you're more comfortable (well, maybe not Mile 26), can talk, and make minor adjustments as needed.

After a two-mile warm-up on the course with Matthew, came back to the start, used the facilities AGAIN, and got into position in the very crowded, packed start.  I lined up about 12 (?) rows back directly at the sign for 5:00 pace.  Can I run a 5:00 pace?  Absolutely not!  But I saw Bob Jackman in the pack, figured he's not running a 5:00 pace either, was concerned about getting wedged in with slower runners, and lined up roughly in the same row as him.  Dummy disclosure:  While I noticed it was all women around me, I thought nothing of it until I heard someone announce women on the left, men on the right.  Oh, well that explains it.

Waited in the rain for the race to start, with temps about 50°F.

Mile 1:  What an awkward and very packed start.  Glad I didn't go back any further to my actual designated pace.  I just had nowhere to move as we made our way down the school driveway and onto the first road (Webster Street).  We went four blocks in very tight formation before making a 90-degree right turn, and the crowd certainly had not dissipated by then.  Bob Jackman must've had a better inside position, as he went by me easily here as I was just concerned on not tripping on the tight outside path I had right along the road and sidewalk confluence.  

Packed start, quite a few rows
I'm somewhere around Bob Jackman 
(white singlet, light green shoes)
---
Pics by Jana, unless otherwise noted

We went only one block before making another 90-degree right turn, but somehow this one was smoother for me.  Now we had 3/4 mile of straight shot on the same road, and the gaps between runners widened enough that I could open it up a bit with no constraints.  I tried to avoid the slick wet sewer grate covers and just stick to the wet asphalt.  I saw Jana and Brady here spectating.  I think I lost some time early in this mile with the crowding and weaving, but still finished with a 5:31 split.  OK, good, we're on track so far.

About 3/4 mile in.
I'm in with a pack of BAA runners, but finally have room to
maneuver a bit.  Looks like Dave Dunham just behind me in the next pack,
with Bob Jackman not far diagonally behind him.

Mile 2:  Making the next left onto Great Plain Road is no issue at all, even though we have to follow through cones and are being reduced to one lane of road travel here.  Mile 1 was relatively flat, and there are a few very slight downhills in this mile, which I use to my advantage.  I check my watch at the Mile 2 split:  5:31 again!  Yes!  I believe this is my fastest ever 2-mile total split (11:02) in a 5K!  I'm thinking a 5K PR is now pretty much assured even with the upcoming slight uphill in Mile 3, and I even have a healthy buffer.

Mile 3:  I proceed up a small, but noticeable hill, and then unfortunately go over an awkward steel grate probably 15' lengthwise undoubtedly covering a construction hole in the road.  I wanted to go around, but was a bit boxed in here with competitors.  My feet slipped a little, but 3 awkward strides and I'm over it.  I check my watch at the next opportunity and it shows a lap pace thus far of 5:43.  That's OK, I'm thinking, as I just had the slight uphill and steel grate issue, and I'll probably pick it up from here, but even if not and I just hold the 5:43, I'm still on track for the PR.

I felt good for the rest of the mile.  Tired and breathing hard for sure, but I felt I was moving well and even passing a few runners, with none that I remember passing me.  Awesome!  Almost there.  I come right up on Scott Grandfield's shoulders at the Mile 3 mark.  He sees me and goes into another gear for the uphill finish back on the school driveway.  I chase after him despite not having another gear, but that's OK, as my race isn't against Scott today, it's against the clock.  

Just behind Scott Grandfield steps before the finish
(Photo by Ted Tyler)

And then I see it, the clock:  17:36, and ticking away.  What?  That's wrong, isn't it?  Maybe they started the clock early?  I cross the finish line as the clock shows 17:43, and then I pull over, try to catch my breath, and check my watch to see what's going on.  My watch shows 17:43 also.  NO!!!!  How did that happen?  I find that my Mile 3 split was a 5:52.  A 21-second slow down.  Well, that would do it.  Ugh.

Happy to be done.
Not happy with my time.

Final result:  17:40 (chip time), 101st out of 504 overall, 4th in age group (one second behind Scott). Full results here.

I am really disappointed in this one, and can't wait to get out of here.  Matthew seems ready to go as well, neither of us are getting an award nor have interest in the post-race party at a nearby Bertucci's, so it's time to go.  Cooled down on familiar trails in nearby Cutler Park, as I lick my wounds and try to understand and rationalize what happened.

As other's Strava posts come online later, I notice their 3rd mile splits are slower as well (although many did not fall off as much as mine), so that gives me some needed perspective.  I just had no idea that such a small elevation gain (80' total?) mostly all in the final mile would have such an effect.  When I get home, I review my GAP (grade-adjusted pace) and unfortunately that confirms that even taking into account the grade change, I did slow down every mile:

Time to move on.  My initial thought is to immediately seek out another 5K, this time pancake flat, also certified and with no cone turnarounds, but honestly it's time to move on.  In the bigger scheme, this has been an amazing year for me personally in running, and even if I had succeeded in beating my 5K PR by a few seconds, it would have paled in comparison to last month's success of knocking yet another 2 1/2 minutes off my marathon PR to run 2:47:57.

Grills Trail Race 2022

Westerly, RI

Saturday, October 29, 2022

This was the 2nd annual Grills Trail Race.  I put a lot of time and energy into creating and building this trail race, as did a number of other volunteers, and I'm just thrilled to see it come to fruition!  We received unanimous support from everyone in both the Westerly Land Trust and Hopkinton Land Trust to host on their properties, and we sold out both years to date!  Last year we limited to 75 runners due to parking constraints, and this year we parked tighter and raised capacity to 100, and sold out again.

Race start:  After my initial bungle of not assigning anyone to start the race, I started it myself with the speaker and siren, tossed the device aside, and under sunny skies and temps in the high 40s, we were off and running!  

Steve Brightman leading out the pack at start;
I'm on far right next to Chris
(Pic by Jana)

The first mile was our fastest by far (6:04).  This mile is a slight downhill to and along the Pawcatuck River, almost entirely on fast and flat double-track.  Chris and a tall guy I didn't know at the time (Brandon) took out the lead, and then there were several of us in a pack, with Steve Brightman just ahead of me, and Dave and Nick right around me.   We came upon Matthew working the course split one mile in, with 10K runners heading straight and 10-Milers turning hard right to go to the Polly Coon bridge, where they would cross the Pawcatuck River into Hopkinton.

Towards the end of Mile 1, just before the course split,
with Dave and Nick behind me
(Screen grab from Seth's excellent video:  link here  )

I saw Chris and Brandon continue straight onto the 10K course, and then just a moment later Brandon turned around and headed towards the bridge (10-Mile).  Steve Brightman went next across the bridge.  I was just behind him, with Nick, Dave, Bob Jackman, and others on our heels.

Hopkinton:  Getting onto and off the Polly Coon aluminum bridge is difficult dodging the overlapping bars that are there to deter motorcycles crossing.  I followed Brandon and Steve on the Tomaquag Trail climb.  In the first technical section, Brandon slowed down and Steve went right past him.  (or left past him, but you know what I mean)  Hmm.  Made a split second decision to go with him, and passed Brandon as well.  Followed Steve the rest of the way up the first hill, but then on the descent I was surprised when he slowed on technical sections as well.  Downhill running is my forte, so I made the bold decision to pass Steve, even mentioning to him as I went by that he would likely repass me.  

In the remaining 1/2 mile of technical trail, as I surmised, I did not get passed.  And then after we crossed the Tomaquag Brook Bridge onto two miles of very flat non-technical trails, I figured any minute I would get repassed by both of them.  I did get repassed, but only by Brandon, not Steve, and not right away, but rather at the very end of the 2-mile flat loop.  

Mile 4, in Hopkinton, just before
re-crossing the Tomaquag Brook bridge
(Photo by Geoff Sewall)

I followed Brandon on the same Tomaquag Trail back to Westerly.  I tried to push and stay in his footsteps and I noticed only then that he was wearing road shoes and occasionally slipping on the leaf-covered ascent.  On the final descent before crossing the bridge back into Westerly, I once again went for it and passed Brandon to re-take the lead, knowing full well that this would be short lived.

Mile 5:  Returning from Hopkinton back
into Westerly now, I'm just ahead of
Brandon for the final time
(Screen grab from Seth's video)

Crossing the Pawcatuck River (into Westerly)
on the Polly Coon Bridge
(from Seth's video)

2nd half:  Sure enough, not long after getting off the bridge on the Westerly side and onto double-track, Brandon retook the lead again.  I was just steps behind him as we went through the water stop and quickly grabbed a cup of water, but then he pulled away and by another mile in he was out of my sight.

Following Brandon into water stop
(Photo from Justin P)

I was soon running on my favorite Grills trail, the yellow trail along the Pawcatuck River.  I came up on a mountain biker and figured he was the trailer for the 10K race.  Sure enough, as I called out to him and he got off the trail, I saw several 10K back-of-the-pack runners.  The next couple of miles were uneventful.  I passed a few more 10K runners, all who yielded as I yelled out "On your left!".

Mile 6:  Heading uphill on the white trail
(from Seth's video)

At mile 7, we go past the historic Larson foundation (dating to the 1660s), and then enter the racetrack trail.  This is a 1/2 mile OAB trail to the "race track" (an oval dirt track previously and unfortunately sometimes still used for motorcycle racing).  This is an unmarked trail, but I'm glad we incorporated it into the course as it allows a check as to where your competition is at this stage, with three miles to go.  As I entered the 1/8 mile long race track, I noticed Brandon was still in the race track, with my guess of him being 100 meters ahead of me.  This gave me encouragement.  I left the racetrack and was on my way back when I encountered Steve Brightman, giving me an indication that he was a little over a minute behind me.  Could I hold him off for the next three miles?  Nick was just behind him, and a little ways back was Bob Jackman.  

Heading up the steep red trail on the south side of Big Hill, I could see Brandon again ahead of me, but my thoughts turned to how good of an uphill runner Steve Brightman is and how poor I am at the same.  After "summiting" the mighty Big Hill, I saw a couple of volunteers at the top who had brought chairs and were cheering for runners, and then we started the steep descent back down.  There were two 10K runners who had cautiously slowed to a walk on this steep section laced with loose rocks.  I yelled out to both of them as I came recklessly bombing down the trail, and fortunately they gave way quickly.

Beautiful views off the summit of Big Hill,
as Brandon (leader) goes past a couple of volunteers
at a checkpoint

Dropping down a tough section off the back of Big Hill
(this and above frame from Seth's video)

Two more miles to go, and none of it hilly or technical, so nothing to my advantage.  I thought I had pushed hard here a year ago when I was chasing Adrian Massie, but this year I ran these two miles 20 seconds faster than last year.

Final results:  1:09:05.  2nd overall of 37 (there were an additional 52 in the 10K version).  1st in age group.  Full results here.

I finished over a minute faster than last year, and over a minute faster than Steve Brightman in 3rd place.  I was just 17 seconds behind the overall winner Brandon.  I was really happy with my own finish, but even more pleased to see the success of this race and the trail vibe.  With two years of a sellout race, I think this race should be well established going forward into the 3rd year next year.  We just need to figure out how to solve some of the parking constraints, and it could be a premier trail race for this region, as there are really so few trail races around here of 10 miles of more that are entirely on trail and with very little overlap.

Write-up from Westerly Sun

Honey for awards,
courtesy of Kevin Murphy (and his bees)
(Pic here and below from Jana)

This year pizza delivery.  A downside is that the finishing
times vary wildly, so some get it hot and some get it cold.
Next year's goal is to have a pizza truck onsite.

Team WTAC today.  Thankful for all the runners and volunteers.