Run for the Pumpkins 10K

Westerly, RI

Saturday, October 1, 2022

This is the 7th year of the event being hosted on the trails at Bradford Preserve and Woody Hill.  The biggest change this year is the course change for the longer course, replacing the 8K course with a brand new 10K course.

The impetus for the course change was a wetlands violation on the 8K course, which caused us to make changes.  Last year we modified the course to have it double back on itself, but that in itself caused issues with faster runners running head on downhill into slower runners.  This year we had more time, so three of us met and planned out a completely different course.

The consensus was that we wanted to keep the use of the twisty uphill "Pumpkins Connector" trail in the 10K, yet also retain the traditional 5K course, which instead uses the traditional and easier "Pumpkins Up" trail section of the cross-country course.  So since both sections are right at the beginning of the new race course, and since the Pumpkins Connector section takes longer to ascend, how can you do that without penalizing the front runners of the 10K course and dumping them into the middle of the pack at the top of each respective hill climb where the trails converge?  We'll stagger the starts.  Since this is the first year ever that we're self-timing this event, we can control the start times.  Looking at my own race times on Strava, I see it took me 1:58 to climb "Pumpkins Up", versus 3:23 to climb the more challenging and twisty "Pumpkins Connector".  So we'll stagger by two minutes.  Let's see how it goes.

Coming off the field start, the first course split this year
would be 5K'ers taking the traditional and easier route up
the 80' initial hill, with 10K'ers taking the more circuitous
and twisty route.

Race day:  Absolute downpour!  Ugh.  I fretted about this, but what can you do?  I really need to get better at just accepting those things which are out of your control.  While I'm not a religious person, it reminds me of the poem, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change ...".  It has been adopted by AA and other help groups; I should follow suit in this principle as well, as it's certainly not helpful to get myself worked up.

The weather did result in a very small turnout (31 runners) and necessitate some changes.  When I saw runners huddled under our canopy looking cold waiting for me to get the race started, I decided to abandon the stagger lest the 5K'ers have to wait longer in the cold and rain.  I also decided to abandon the awards ceremony and mail out most of the awards instead, so runners could finish, grab some refreshments and light food, and be on their way.

Race start:  I made probably my briefest RD comments ever (something else that I should learn from and apply more broadly) and we were off.  Even in the field there were flooded sections, but once my feet were wet (which was almost instantly) I just went for it and took on every puddle and flooded section that was in front of me.  And most trails were flooded!  The trails couldn't drain quick enough with the rain coming down so hard.  Dave was out in the lead (he was "just" running the 5K, as he had run his first marathon the weekend before and was recovering).  Behind him was Chris and Jason Reilly, and I followed the two of them at the first split up Pumpkins Connector.  I like this section, as it's fun and twisty, and you can see both the leaders and your pursuers at switchbacks, but I also recognize it's not every runner's cup of tea, and several have voiced in the past they really don't like it.  That's fine and also why we kept the easier trail for the 5K runners.

Difficult to tell from this pic, but it is raining very hard,
which is why the runners are squeezed together huddled
under our canopy.

A small, but intrepid field of runners starts the
2022 Run for the Pumpkins race.

At the top of the first hill, the 5K and 10K course merge and the downside of my hasty decision to abandon the staggered start became obvious as I now had several slower 5K runners in front of me on the single-track out to Woody Hill.  They both graciously moved aside, or perhaps were turned off by my dinosaur-like loud breathing.  Whatever works, right?  

Race split:  A mile and a half in we went past course marshal Matthew at the second course split, and this kept 5K'ers and 10K'ers separated for the rest of the race.  I was concerned with grippiness on wet rocks, but really didn't have an issue for some reason.  Maybe because many of the rocks were under water?  On the twisty trail out to the solar field (trail name "Yo Mama"), I took advantage of switchbacks to see where my competition was.  I could see Jason not too far ahead of me, and both Nick and Matt right on my tail.

After that trail, we had a series of twisty, hilly trails, and I didn't see anyone again for a while.  It was an absolute downpour and while I didn't have trouble seeing, I occasionally had to wipe the rain out of my eyes.  As we turned back towards the start and went along the edge of the Woody Hill Marsh, I was glad to see the water levels had come back and happy that we included this in our course.  Doesn't mean much this year, but a nice attraction for hopefully future years when the number of runners rebounds a little higher.  

After a few more climbs and descents on wet rocks and a slippery boardwalk, we started the run onto the Leaning Chimney Trail.  This trail is one that Matt Sweeney liked and recommended that we include on the course, and I'm glad we did it was a lot of fun today, especially through the flooded sections!  It was on this trail that I saw runners again, although only because the multiple switchbacks made it appear to me that they were closer than they actually were.  I could once again see Jason ahead of me and Nick behind me.  That was a good thing actually, as it incented me to push harder instead of being lulled into complacency.  

The fall:  Turning off the hard turn at the end of Leaning Chimney, I came to yet another flooded section of trail and thought I would just plow through it.  Only I had no idea how deep it was.  I stumbled and down I went.  In the middle of the wide, knee-deep puddle, I fell forward and went down on my chest.  I laughed at myself, and got up and going as quickly as I could.

The return:  Although we had 2.5 miles still left in the race, writing this 3+ weeks later, I cannot recall any significant details for the remainder of the race.  This suggests I should be more punctual in writing race reports.  But I also recall that for the rest of the race, I never saw anyone again either ahead of or behind me.  I thought I might on the southern end of the Hansel & Gretel trail, but that wasn't the case.  

Final result:  48:52, 3rd of 15 finishers.  Full results here

Given the weather, I decided to skip the awards ceremony altogether, and just mail out awards (except for pumpkins given out to 1st place finishers).  It was fun to race in the deluge, but not so much to stand around in the rain afterwards.  I welcomed a few runners in, chatted minimally, and then went back out with a crew to divide and conquer cleaning up the trail signs.  

A good day despite the weather, but next year I'd rather see drier weather and a bigger field size.  We already have a commitment from the town recreation department to provide technical hats and we have a date set aside in July to plan logistics, so that will be a fun addition.

Weekly Log 10-Oct to 16-Oct-2022: Detroit Marathon Week

Monday:  5

Westerly, RI.  Easy five in Wahaneeta and Woody Hill with Brady.  Felt like going longer, but that's the taper plan for today, and pretty much this whole week going into the marathon.

Tuesday:  2 walk, 6 run

Westerly, RI.

AM:  It's Tuesday, which means it's CCC (Coffee & Clearing Club) day.  Second consecutive week working at Grills Preserve, getting it ready for the Grills Trail Race.  A lot of volunteers today meant a lot of progress on cleaning up overgrowth on the trails.

PM:  Between getting home from CCC about 1pm, needing to finish up a kitchen sink project, and being registered for a cemetery tour at 5:15pm, I decided my best run solution for today was to combine a run with the cemetery tour.

Wednesday:  8

Charlestown, RI.  Burlingame Campground roads.  With the campground having closed for the year just two days earlier, from now until mid-April it's a great time to run the campground roads, as they're behind closed gates now.  I was surprised to see any cars at all, but there was some sort of gathering and presentation going on at the Legiontown fields.  There was smoke coming out of some machine, and I later learned it was an EPA Method 9 "Smoke School".  Had to Google that one!

At any rate, this was my "Dress Rehearsal" for the upcoming marathon.  In four days. Gulp.  In the middle of the run, I ran two miles at race pace (target 6:20, actual pretty close at 6:10-6:15).  It was in my race shoes, but still felt hard for some reason.  I fretted over how could I possibly carry this pace for 26 miles (or even 20).  Time will tell in four days.

Thursday:  6

Westerly, RI.  Mid-afternoon run with Brady at Grills.  Ran the Westerly side of the course to check out any required remaining maintenance work, and sent along my suggestions to the Land Trust for next Tuesday's CCC crew, as I will be out-of-state (out of country, actually) next week.

Friday:  6

White Haven, PA.  Drove from Westerly to Cleveland metro area today.  Midway through we stopped and ran a very small portion of the Delaware & Lehigh Trail.  This section was flat and easy crushed gravel with nice river views.  Two days to marathon.  5 miles easy + (5 x 100 meter) strides.

Lehigh River, which we ran along today

Lehigh Tannery remains (end of run):
All that remains of the tannery, after a fire in 1875.

Saturday:  4 run, 1 walk

AM:  Lakewood, OH.  Final run before Detroit Marathon.  Ran easy on flat paved recreational paths in the Cleveland Metroparks system.  Checked out and drove to Sylvania, Ohio, and had lunch with my cousin and 88-year old aunt (my Dad's sister) before continuing on to Detroit.

PM:  Detroit, MI.  Just over a mile of walking to expo, checking out starting line, market, and back to the hotel.

Sunday:  28

Detroit, MI.  Detroit Marathon!!!  Full write-up to follow soon.

Weekly Mileage:  63 run, 3 walk

Weekly Synopsis:  I'll leave the details to my separate marathon write-up, but what a week!  My marathon result exceeded my expectations, and my post-marathon soreness was much less than Philly.

Weekly Highlight:  Detroit Marathon, of course!

Weekly Lowlight:  Maybe leg stiffness from the drive out?  That's my issue, as I opted to drive instead of fly in order to be able to visit relatives while out there and sightsee on the way back.

Trail Weekend Double-Header

Westerly, RI

Saturday, September 17

7th annual race, and unfortunately our lowest showing except for inaugural year.  There are just so many races and other events now, especially given COVID restrictions are pretty much completely lifted.  On the bright side, as we self-time many of our events now, and this is a no-frills race, the breakeven point is very low.

Start of 2022 Wahaneeta 5K

My short race review:  I asked Emma, a Westerly Land Trust intern, to start the race.  She did great, and we were off.  Dave and Tommy 5K were in the lead in the 1st half mile, as we headed down the dirt road.  As we were running out of double-track runway and headed towards a short technical section, Tommy actually encouraged me to pass him before we got to the technical stuff, so I did just that.  I kept Dave in sight as we wound through the first mile, and I could feel the wolves just behind me.  Towards the end of the first mile, I tripped and went down.  I soon found out who was right behind me, as Adrian leap-frogged over my sprawled body.  Mercifully, he didn't step on me!  He asked if I was alright, and I waved him on.  Got up and got going.

Nothing noteworthy in the second mile.  I could see Dave and Adrian ahead of me, and thought Adrian would pass Dave either in the open field or at the start of the second loop on the dirt road, but that was not the case.  Try as I might, I could not gain on either one of them, and the gap widened.

1.5 miles in, by myself now
in 3rd place

Coming through the start/finish field for the final time, I started the short OAB on orange and now saw Adrian in the lead headed for home, followed closely by Dave.  Made the short loop over the stream and back on the bridge, saw Tommy coming next and finished in 3rd almost a minute behind Adrian and Dave.

Most of today's WTAC contingent

Final result:  21:36, 3rd overall of 34  Full results here

Easy cool-down with Adrian and Dave into Woody Hill.

-----

Trails to a Cure

Chester, CT

Sunday, September 18

In my younger days, I would think nothing of running back-to-back on a Saturday AND a Sunday of the same weekend.  Nowadays, not so much.  It takes too much out of me, and as John a/k/a Pard once told me, the older you get, the longer the recovery needed.  True enough.

So why did I race this when I just raced yesterday?  Because this is a unique race, and one of my favorites.  Nick and I lined up on the front line of about 100 runners combined for the 4 and 8 mile courses.  Charlie, the RD, explained that this year the course was changed, and would be closer to 8.5 miles than 8.  The primary reason given was that the previous area of the water crossing was overgrown and partially filled in, so we would be finishing on the eastern shore of the Pattaconk Reservoir instead of the traditional western shore.  And, yes, there would still be an optional water crossing, but this one would be longer, deeper, and more pristine.

Whereas in previous years, there were a definite time advantage to taking the water crossing instead of the trail around it, this year was not so certain.  The "water cooler talk" around the starting line was whether to take the water crossing or the trail.  Nick seemed inclined to take the trail, and I only committed that if I weren't in first place, I would take the water crossing as my finishing time and place wouldn't matter so much.

Race start:  Lined up in the front row, along with Nick and two younger fast look guys from Hamden.  The first mile of the race is my least favorite, as it's uphill and on rough asphalt for about 2/3 mile.  There were five of us that went out.  The four previously noted that I figured would take out the lead, plus a guy in orange shorts.  Hmm.  Maybe Rob Low?  Anyway, I was pushing and panting harder than I wanted on the gated paved road, as I wanted to be in a good position when we turned off onto the single-track.  I'm not sure how much it helped as I was in 3rd going into the single-track, well behind the young leader (Dan) and just on the heels of his running friend (Lee).  I'm pretty sure Nick was right on my heels, but I think Rob (?) had dropped back by now.

Standing around (in blue singlet and blue hat) waiting for
race to start.  Staring at my feet apparently, being the true introvert
that I am.  To my right is Lee, and to my left is Dan, with Nick
just behind him.
(Photos from event FB page)

Start of the race, with the beautiful Pattaconk Reservoir
behind us.

Early on in the single-track it became apparent to me that I should be able to pass and stay ahead of Lee, at least on technical sections.  I certainly don't mean that to sound pompous and hope it doesn't, but I just felt I was navigating quicker on the technical stuff than he was.  When the time was right, I gave an "On your left!" and went by.  Now it's time to push.  The second mile featured a 180' drop so this was right up my alley.  I could only occasionally see Dan way ahead of me, but my immediate goal was to put some distance on my pursuers.  At the southern turnaround, I took a quick cup of water off the table there as I was feeling dehydrated.  It was only two miles in, but it was also 70°F and near 90% humidity.  I was a little worried about this.  

More technical stuff, and I could see the leader (Dan) now closer in my grasps.  Worked my way down a rocky stream bed, and all of a sudden the two guys behind me (Lee and Nick) were coming right up to me.  Wait a minute; where did you guys come from?  Cheaters!  Just kidding, as it was totally inadvertent, but they had gone just slightly off course and likely saw me and came towards me.  I pointed them back to the set of flags where they would have to go up the other side of the riverbed, cross the river, and then back down.  It wouldn't really add much time, but if they were catching or passing me, I wanted to be legit, as I'm sure they did as well.

OK, whew, that bought me a little bit of breathing room, but my next nemesis was one of my weaknesses:  a 200' hill climb.  This one wasn't technical, but just taxing for me.  The leader, Dan, was gone and out of sight by the time I crested the hill, and I wrote him off as winning the race and I'd be battling to hold 2nd.  

In Mile 4, I could once again see Dan on certain stretches, but it was deceptive as he would seem close to me but only because he was slowed going up on a rock scramble or because the trail twisted back on itself.  We came up on the course split, where 4-milers turned off to the finish, and 8+ milers continued on for more fun.  There was a manned water stop there and I was happy to get a full cup of water.

After the course split, next we were on a technical 3/4 mile segment aptly named "Rocks n'Shit".  This is where I was able to reel Dan in and catch him.  Not on the uphill, although I narrowed the gap here, but on the subsequent downhill I caught him and he was complimentary as I went passed him.  He would later write in his Strava post that it was the technical sections that slowed him down.  I forged ahead, as I most certainly did not want to prematurely assume I would win and knew the technical sections would not last the remainder of the course.

I love most of the new section that RD Charlie added north of County Road, and I was relieved that when I periodically glanced back at several switchbacks, I could no longer see Dan.  But eventually we were dropped back onto a dirt road, and I feared he might re-catch me.  Fear of being caught can be a good thing instead of being lulled into a false complacency.  It harkens me back to my MBA days reading the book "Only the Paranoid Survive" as a case study.  Written by the chairman of Intel Corp at the time, the take-away (and parallel to running in this race for me) is even when you're ahead of your competition, you have to be hyper vigilant at all times.

My analogy for the mentality needed
to keep hyper-focused on the win today.

At seven miles in, I know we have to be getting close to the water crossing, so I'm running out of time on making a decision of water crossing or trail bypass.  We're on a non-technical dirt road for quite a while, and I am nervous about that.  I can now see course monitors ahead and the split for water and trail bypass.  What to do?  What to do?  I really want to take the water crossing even if  it's not the fastest route.  I take one final look back a long stretch of fairly straight dirt road and I don't see any runners in sight behind me.  Decision made:  water crossing!  I go through a campsite area where there are Scouts and run as far as I can into the water, make a split section decision to remove and clutch my favorite running cap, and dive headfirst into the water.  I don't use the rope at all as I know that will be slower to pull me along than swim, and swim my fastest pathetic stroke that I can while I looking up briefly every five strokes to sight the opposite bank and a quick glance to my right to make sure I'm swimming parallel to the rope.

Making my way through the water 
crossing

And here's a good perspective photo
(of 3rd place finisher) showing
the rope and just how long the water
crossing actually is

As I exit the water and put my hat back on, I ask someone standing on shore if any runners have come through and are ahead of me, as I wouldn't have been able to see them if they beat me on the trail.  The answer comes back a resounding no and that I am in first place.  It is at this point that I finally am confident that I will win the race.  We have about a 1/2 mile left, and the remainder of the course is quite technical.  Yes!  

Super technical, but very short section,
near very end of race.

I run reasonably hard back but not crazy out of control over the roots and rocks, knowing I have this wrapped up.  This is my third consecutive win here as I cross the finish line with a big smile on my face!

Finish line

Finished and immediately dove into the lake.  Refreshing.

Final result:  1:05:53, 1st overall!  Full results here

My winnings included a blueberry bush,
plus homemade pumpkin bread.
Pretty awesome prizes,
and a really fun race!

Weekly Log 3-Oct to 9-Oct: One Week to Go

Monday:  20

To start on a non-running topic, my scare today was my Army stint.  I was drafted (is conscripted the correct word?) and sent out to a base in Alaska, with a 3-year commitment.  Upon arriving, we had a social get-together at a movie theatre on base, and the other soldiers seemed happy and outgoing and I was just glum.  Then again, the other new recruits seemed to be in their 20s, and I'm 58 with a family back home.  I'm also upset about not being able to run in the Detroit Marathon in two weeks and wonder what my running opportunities will be like here in the US Army in Alaska.  All of a sudden, I feel my face being washed.  What?  Oh, it's Brady jumped up on our bed to wake me up.  Whew, that was a bad dream.  I research on the Internet just to make sure it was a bad dream.  Turns out that conscription ends at age 26!  Even during WWII, you couldn't be drafted after age 44.  Yes!  OK, life is good again.  I certainly applaud those who serve their country, and sometimes wonder what would have happened had I gone ahead with the Coast Guard when I was looking into it in my twenties, but not at my current stage of life.  And now we return you back to the the regularly scheduled running programming ...

Remember Stripes from the '80s?
Funny, if not silly, movie.
That's what my bad dream reminds me of.

AM:  Westerly, RI.  16 miles.  This morning I got in my "deferred" long run from yesterday.  This is also my last long run before Detroit, and my only long run in my race day shoes.  All went well!  I woke up to a second consecutive day of overcast and wind, so I'm thinking a good day for trails, but I had to get this one in.  Blustery winds out of the northeast meant sometimes I had a headwind, sometimes a tailwind, and often just buffeting cross-winds.  Stopped in Weekapaug for a drink from the fountain at the beach (glad that's not turned off yet), quick pee break, and tightening of the shoe laces as I was having a bit of a lockdown issue again.  BUT:  no foot pain, no midfoot tightness, and no numb toes.  So success!  Finally, after my Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 failure (not trying to disparage these shoes as they're highly rated and apparently work for many, just not for me).

PM:  Westerly, RI.  4 miles.  Volunteer work with Justin to setup and breakdown the high school XC course for the last time this year.  I felt fine setting up the course, especially in the woods, but while waiting in the field watching the male and female races, I got cold really quickly.  Couldn't wait for the meet to end, and then went to Dunkin for a hot coffee.  At the end of the meet, it was 48°, windy, and raining.

Tuesday:  2 walk, 6 run

AM:  Westerly, RI.  4th straight day of cold and rain.  Small CCC turnout, likely due to weather.  My team of four cleared the racetrack at Grills.  Someone mentioned to me "Didn't we just do that last year?".  Yes, it's a perennial task.  Completely overgrown to the point of being impassable.  I should've taken a before and after picture.  The only before and after pic I have is dropping an awkward large tree flat onto the trail:

One year ago:  giant tree across the trail
near race track, marked for inaugural Grills Trail Race

Today:  I dropped the tree flat onto the trail to make for
easier traverse over.
Two reasons for not completely cutting and removing:
1) we don't have chainsaws big enough to cut through!, and
2) we want to leave this as an impediment to motorcycles and ATVs.

PM:  Charlestown, RI.  Six at Burlingame with Matthew and Brady.  In the rain.  Tired of it.  I'm running out of dry shoes.

Wednesday:  6

Groton, CT.  Bluff Point with Brady.  5th straight day of rain.  The rain actually stopped just before we got to Bluff Point, but everything was wet and bleak.  Ran slow and easy as per the tapering plan.  Some weird new sensation in my left heel, like I've hyper-extended it or something.  Hopefully nothing.

Thursday:  7 run, 4 hike

AM:  Charlestown, RI.  Quonnie, from West Beach DEM boat launch area.  Final workout before Detroit:  3 x mile @ 5K pace, with 1/2 mile recovery jog in between.  I was aiming for about 5:45 pace, and pretty much hit that, which isn't bad given I only looked at my watch once in the middle of each mile.  5:50, 5:45, 5:39.  Level of difficulty was pretty high for me.  I kept trying to talk myself out of this or at least nixing the 3rd mile, but fortunately I stuck to the plan.  With the exception of Dress Rehearsal Day middle of next week, this was my last time in my race shoes pre-marathon.  I would call today's run a success!

AM:  Hopkinton, RI.  WLT group hike in the Hopkinton Grills Preserve.  I used to think that the HLT Grills Preserve was adjacent to Westerly Land Trust's Grills Preserve, but it isn't.  That one (i.e., Chase Hill Road trailhead) is Grills Wildlife Sanctuary, and the one we went to today is Route 91 Bradford trailhead.  Confusing.  At any rate, this was a neat hike and I hadn't been here in a few years.  Much more structured and marked now, and a 1700s homestead foundation has been found and cleared.

Friday:  5

Westerly, RI.  Grills surveillance run, as we plan out and prioritize remaining clean-up tasks prior to Grills Trail Race on October 29.

Saturday:  6

Stonington, CT.  WTAC group of six, including Brady.  Chilly and rainy upon arrival, quickly turning sunny.  Fun trail run and catch up.

Wequetequock Cove, at start of run.

Sunday:  10

Charlestown, RI.  Solo road run from The Bakery Jitters Cafe on Charlestown Beach and Green Hill roads.  My car temperature showed 36°F as I got out.  Wore a quarter-zip and for the first time this season, a light pair of gloves.  Average pace about 7-flat, slightly faster in the back half.  Wore my Rebel 2s.  Felt good.  Final double-digit run until Detroit.

My first visit to Jitters Care, since The Bakery was sold.  Trying to give this a fair shot.  The new owners seemed nice and they do still have scones.  It will just take me some time to get used to.

Weekly mileage:  60 run, 6 walk

Weekly synopsis:  One week to go to Detroit.  I'm feeling pretty good.  Sixty miles doesn't really feel like a taper, but other than my 16-miler on Monday, all my runs this week were relatively short compared to my "normal" running.

Weekly highlight:  Getting in a long run in race shoes that felt good.

Weekly lowlight:  Five straight days of rain.  Glad that's behind us!

Weekly Log 26-Sep to 2-Oct: Taper Time

Monday:  5

Westerly, RI.  Easy recovery run at Woody Hill with Brady.  Legs sore from yesterday's 20-mile long run / workout.

Tuesday:  9 run, 2 walk

Westerly, RI.

AM:  CCC session leading a team of three clearing blowdowns at Barlow and Grills.

PM:  Workout - 5 x (600 meters at 5K pace, 50% recovery), sandwiched between a 3-mile warm-up and 3-mile cool-down.  From/to Westerly Town Beach.  Paces for the 5 600-meter splits:

• 5:35, 5:34, 5:35, 5:31, 5:27

OK, so a little faster than intended pace, but also slightly wind-aided with a tail wind, so I'm fine with it.  Finished on the beach and plunged into the ocean.  Nice!

Wednesday:  6 run, 5 walk

Hopkinton, RI.

AM:  Walk Hopkinton side of Grills Trail Race course, with four others.  Assessed and planned out trail maintenance duties.

Westerly, RI.

PM:  Mid-afternoon run with Brady at Wahaneeta / Woody Hill.  Easy recovery pace.

Thursday:  11

Richmond, RI.  Ran an 11-mile section of the North South Trail, entirely within Richmond.  Started at Carolina North (checkpoint on Pine Hill Road) and ran up to Browning Mill Pond.  We parked a car at either end to make for easy navigation.

It was good to get this section in, much of which I had never been on before, but I really didn't care for this section.  There was a very long road section, including busy Route 138 with a narrow shoulder where I had to keep the leash very short and close to me.  After that, sections were quite overgrown, including the "Baker Pines" sections that I have run several times before.  Glad to be done.  Temps in the 60s.  Finished up with a jump and dive into the Wood River.  That water was COLD!

Friday:  5

Charlestown, RI.  Easy pace run with Brady.  Burlingame North loop, plus loop down to North Camp Beach and back.  Frolicked and took a dip in pond at North Camp.  Today is the last day of September and temps in the 50s.  Not sure how many more post-run dips are left this fall.

Saturday:  18

Westerly, RI.  Run for the Pumpkins trail race in a downpour, including course marking and break-down.  Fun mudfest times.  Separate write-up to follow.

Sunday:  6

Narragansett, RI.  Had planned a 16-mile final long run for today.  Then after watching Matthew run the Ocean Road 10K, I ran 6 miles with him on his cooldown, and after that just decided to defer the long run to another day (hopefully tomorrow).  Easy to justify most any point of view, but maybe it was better given I just ran 18 yesterday and was sore.  

Brady joined us as well.  Mix of trail (Canonchet Farm Trail), bike path, and roads.  This was my first ride in my new New Balance RC Elite V2, and after my personal negative experience with the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2, I was a little nervous as to how it would go.  Fortunately no issues!  When I adjusted the lacing this time, it was because I needed to tighten it up to get a better heel lockdown.  Much better than the Endorphins, where I had to keep loosening the laces because my midfoot hurt and my toes went numb.  I read and watched many reviews (these shoes aren't cheap at $225!) and took comfort in that several noted that unlike many other carbon fiber marathon shoes, the midfoot and toe box space was more spacious.

New Balance RC Elite V2:
Wouldn't be my color choice, but at this point with one failed
carbon-fiber experiment and just two weeks to marathon day,
color is the least of my worries.  Fortunately, it appears we
finally have a winner.

Spent the afternoon drying out our club's soggy signs,
and flags, and streamers, and ...

Weekly mileage:  61 run, 7 walk/hike

Weekly synopsis:  Got the weekly miles in, even if not as planned.  A workout, a race, and a mix of runs on trails and roads, so not bad overall.  Just no long run.

Weekly highlight:  Most fun was clearly the Run for the Pumpkins 10K in a downpour.  Most satisfying was finally getting a shoe locked down for the Detroit Marathon.  Lesson learned to figure out these things a little earlier next time.

Weekly lowlight:  No long run.