Monday: 5 miles
Today's blog posting is dedicated to the memory of one of our own WTAC members, Laurie Lamb, who passed away one week ago and services were today. I met Laurie when I started road racing 9 years ago, and she was always friendly and encouraging. When she stopped participating due to her illness, she was still there at the races cheering people on. I last saw Laurie at the Super 5K, and last communicated with her on fixing an online registration issue when she was registering Colburn for Clamdigger, incidentally the day of her death. I had a good phone chat with Colburn yesterday, who at age 76, is planning to run many more road races this year, including State Police. I was thrilled to be able to say a few kind words for her today at the service on behalf of WTAC. At the reception after the service, I ran into a lot of runners from WTAC and Mohegan Striders, and officials from SNERRO.
Having taken the afternoon off, after the reception, I went running in Champlin alone. Life is short, as I reflected that both Laurie and my father died just weeks shy of their 59th birthday, reminding me I need to live life to the fullest. In that spirit, I did some extra gazelling in the park.
Rest in peace, Laurie.
Tuesday: 4 miles
Short Tom Harvey loop at 5AM. Cold, dark, and howling wind. Got spooked by a sudden clanging metal sound that I was sure was chasing me down; the "monster" turned out to be a real estate sign. Good thing gazelles can outrun metal signs.
Wednesday: 14 miles
Last 10+ miler before Providence. Ran out to Weekapaug. The rising sun on Noyes Neck Road felt good; the farm "aroma" did not. Took Tom's shortcut grass trail to Spray Rock Road, where I picked up and ran the remainder of Clamdigger course. Surprised I didn't see Tom and Muddy ahead of me on the course; oh that's right, at this point they were so far ahead of me I didn't see them that day either.
Although the rain stopped 2 days ago, Atlantic Ave in Misquamicut is still competely flooded out. Had to run high up people's driveways and through some scrub brush to get through. Continued out to Ocean View Highway half-way to Watch Hill, then back via Watch Hill Road and Shore. Tried to push it hard on this run, but by last couple of miles had trouble even maintaining low 7s. Average pace 7:00 flat.
Thursday: 0 miles
Volunteer timer at WMS track meet in the rain. Mark ran quite well and qualified in the 3,000 with an 11:01. Today was Matthew's day. Two years Mark's younger, he was looking to take 3 seconds off his previous 3,000 time of 12:03 in order to qualify for RI State Championships in mid May. He ran a really consistent race and killed it by taking 37 seconds off to finish with an 11:26. He surprised himself and was thrilled that the HS track coach commented that it was a really good time for a 6th grader. (Sorry for the bragging from a proud Dad.)
Friday: 5 miles
Blustering late afternoon run on the beach in western end of Misquamicut. Had to hoof it home to pick up the boys from track practice; average pace of 6:45.
Saturday: 8 miles
Fun jaunt with Muddy, Jonny, Tom, and newest weekend runner Mike B. Ran from Bradford School to and through Grills Preserve. Most of the run was spent on discussing various races and runs, reminiscing on Chariho soccer, etc. The aptly but simply named Big Hill was the highlight for me; the views are incredible from the top. The funny thing is that 8 miles now seems like a "short run" or at least a medium run to me, and when we finished today, I wished that we had kept running longer. Oh well, plenty of time for that; better to cut it short today between tomorrow's 5K and next weekend's marathon.
Sunday: 6 miles
RI State Police Foot Pursuit 5K. Separate write-up coming shortly.
Weekly total: 42 miles
Final tapering week coming up now before Providence Cox Marathon. My rough plans are to take two days off completely, mid-week run of 5-8 with a few short pick-me-ups and Saturday run of 3-4 easy.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Weekly Log 16-Apr-12 to 22-Apr-12
Monday: 0 miles
Took a break from work to go see the finish of the Boston Marathon. Upper 80s; glad I was watching it instead of running it. Slowest winning time in 5 years. More than 4,300 runners took advantage of an option to drop out and defer to next year. More than 100 runners went to the hospital with heat ailments.
Tuesday: zilch
Closest I got to running was picking up new "Marathon" book by Hal Higdon. When I went to pay, the clerk at our local bookstore said he was reading it as well as he's preparing to run his first marathon in Providence next month. Small world ...
Wednesday: 23 miles
Tri-town challenging (at least for me) run. Shore Road in Westerly out to Route 1. Continued flat crossing into Charlestown near Shelter Harbor.
Hill climb #1: Turned left (north) onto 216, also known as Ross Hill Road. Long climbing hill up from Route 1.
Hill climb #2: Right onto Buckeye Brook Road. These hills are killer, and just keep climbing fairly steep ascents.
Friday: 0 miles
Hiked 5 miles with family at Valley Forge National Park, PA. Legs were more tired than if I had run 5 miles.
Sunday: 6 miles
Morning run with Matthew. One thing about running with a 12-year old is that you have to have flexibility. Matthew designed today's course on the computer, showed it to me, and asked me to remember so that we take the right turns. I focused my feeble brain hard to remember, and about 1/2 mile into the run, he told me he didn't want to run that route anymore! OK, so now what are we doing? Can we run the fun run 5K route? Sure. Switched roads and ran to that course, and then back home adding in one diversion to get 6 miles. He's intent on gradually increasing the miles to 10+, a condition I gave him before I'd sign him up for the Blessing of the Fleet.
I checked my in-box later in the afternoon; found an entry from him titled "Next week's route: 7.25 miles" along with a mapped route!
Afternoon swim with Matthew. He just keeps going! We swam 750 yards at the Y. I raced him for 50 yards, but couldn't keep up.
Weekly total: 36 miles
Minuses: Didn't run as many miles or days as I had hoped.
Pluses: got in my last 20+ miler, spent lots of time with wife and kids on their spring break, ran 10 of my miles with my kids, fun in Philly
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| Race winner: 2:12:40 at mile 25 |
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| Fastest American runner: 4th place |
Reminded me of running 2004 when it was 86F and full sun at the start, back when it was a 12Noon start. Vowed I would never run it in that heat again. I have a qualifying time for next year by 13 minutes. Registration opens Sep 10; we'll see ...
Tuesday: zilch
Closest I got to running was picking up new "Marathon" book by Hal Higdon. When I went to pay, the clerk at our local bookstore said he was reading it as well as he's preparing to run his first marathon in Providence next month. Small world ...
Wednesday: 23 miles
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| Wednesday's run: hilly and long |
Hill climb #1: Turned left (north) onto 216, also known as Ross Hill Road. Long climbing hill up from Route 1.
Hill climb #2: Right onto Buckeye Brook Road. These hills are killer, and just keep climbing fairly steep ascents.
Got a respite running past entry and exit points on Li'l Rhody course. In fact, there are all sorts of neat trail junctures around here beckoning to me (funny how I never paid attention prior to trail running), but today is a road day. Onward.
Hill climb #3: On the eastern portion of Buckeye now. The hills pick up with the same intensity as the earlier climbs. It seems around every corner the climb just continues. Mercifully the road is coming to an end as I sight the cemetery on right and stop sign dead ahead. Having traversed the entire length of Buckeye, I can't imagine how much the non-Hammett toll will cost me.
Turning left onto Shumunkanuc Hill Road, I have another slight respite in a gradual decline.
Hill climb #4: Upward now on part of the Firm Man Half Ironman course. This climb is much shorter; nice views from top of hill.
Turning left onto Burdickville Road, there is a screaming descent down to the Amtrak bridge. I remember this as just a crazy tight turn on the bike course; running it is just killing my quads.
Hill climb #5: From the Amtrak bridge up to Riverside Farms. Like the previous hill climb, this one is not so steep or long, but at mile 13 of this, I can really feel it. At the top of the hill I see what appears to be a haywagon moving on its own. Focus! The wagon isn't moving at all. Not good. Take another gel and Gatorade; one more climb to go.
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| Ascending Mt. Burdickville |
Another downhill section to the Pawcatuck River and crossing into Hopkinton.
Hill climb #6: This one is only 1/2 mile, but man is it steep (see picture of me ascending this at right). My stride becomes shorter and shorter as my pace slows to a shuffle.
At mile 15, turned left (west) onto Route 91, there is a long slow decline to Bradford. At Bradford, I cross back over the Pawcatuck into Westerly, which sounded good until I realized it's a long ways from Bradford back to the Misquamicut area.
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| Don't look at the Dunkin' Donuts |
At mile 19, I reach Dunn's Corners and hear a voice in my head. I look right and I see it calling to me in all its glory: the DD palace! My left and right side of my brain are fighting between "Wouldn't an ice coffee and some food hit the spot" and "Don't look at the DD". Good thing I don't have any money on me.
By mile 21, even the rolling hills on Links Passage are painful, but I'm getting close. Stumble my way home.
Final stats: mileage - 22.7 miles, time - 2:52:07, average pace - 7:35, weight loss - 7 pounds (not good to lose more than 5% of my body weight), legs - sore for the rest of the day.
Outside of a marathon, this is the longest non-stop run I have ever done.
Outside of a marathon, this is the longest non-stop run I have ever done.
Thursday: 3 miles
Short slow run at pre-dawn in Misquamicut to try to get the kinks out of the legs from yesterday's adventure.
Friday: 0 miles
Hiked 5 miles with family at Valley Forge National Park, PA. Legs were more tired than if I had run 5 miles.
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| Housing of Gen James Varnum of RI, Valley Forge encampment 1777-78 |
Saturday: 4 miles
Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia, PA. Easy morning run with my two boys. Trail system here branches out for miles, including 20 miles out to Valley Forge, and eventually connecting to Appalachian Trail.  |
| Obligatory "Rocky" run up steps of Philly Art Museum, end of Philly Marathon course |
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| Views from the trail: Fairmount Water Works and Schuylkill River |
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| Schuylkill River Trail and Philadelphia marathon route |
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| Trail and river view |
Sunday: 6 miles
Morning run with Matthew. One thing about running with a 12-year old is that you have to have flexibility. Matthew designed today's course on the computer, showed it to me, and asked me to remember so that we take the right turns. I focused my feeble brain hard to remember, and about 1/2 mile into the run, he told me he didn't want to run that route anymore! OK, so now what are we doing? Can we run the fun run 5K route? Sure. Switched roads and ran to that course, and then back home adding in one diversion to get 6 miles. He's intent on gradually increasing the miles to 10+, a condition I gave him before I'd sign him up for the Blessing of the Fleet.
I checked my in-box later in the afternoon; found an entry from him titled "Next week's route: 7.25 miles" along with a mapped route!
Afternoon swim with Matthew. He just keeps going! We swam 750 yards at the Y. I raced him for 50 yards, but couldn't keep up.
Weekly total: 36 miles
Minuses: Didn't run as many miles or days as I had hoped.
Pluses: got in my last 20+ miler, spent lots of time with wife and kids on their spring break, ran 10 of my miles with my kids, fun in Philly
Monday, April 16, 2012
Clamdigger 2012
31:03. 5th place overall out of 167 runners. 1st in age group.
Clamdigger results.
I started out with a great pace, and quickly went downhill from there: 5:51, 6:06, 6:19, 6:15, 6:14. I just had trouble keeping the pace once we got into Weekapaug. Not sure if that was the warmth, or I needed a pacer, but I had a great time, the wind was only very slight, and the whole race went off quite well.
A record 167 runners.
For the run out to Weekapaug, I was behind Tom, Muddy, and Riyan in that order. Caught up to Riyan and passed him just before the bridge at mile 1.5. For the rest of the race, it was a lonely run. Once I got into Weekapaug, I couldn't see anyone in front of me for pretty much the whole race, and couldn't hear anyone immediately behind me.
It seems like I had just finished and was catching my breath, when Matthew came across the finish line with a 7:13 average pace, having dropped just about 5 minutes off his 2011 time!
Next race: RI State Police Foot Pursuit April 29
Clamdigger results.
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| Start of the Clamdigger 2012: many familiar faces |
A record 167 runners.
For the run out to Weekapaug, I was behind Tom, Muddy, and Riyan in that order. Caught up to Riyan and passed him just before the bridge at mile 1.5. For the rest of the race, it was a lonely run. Once I got into Weekapaug, I couldn't see anyone in front of me for pretty much the whole race, and couldn't hear anyone immediately behind me.
It seems like I had just finished and was catching my breath, when Matthew came across the finish line with a 7:13 average pace, having dropped just about 5 minutes off his 2011 time!
Next race: RI State Police Foot Pursuit April 29
.jpg) |
| Glad to finish |
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Weekly Log 9-Apr-12 to 15-Apr-12
Monday: 0 miles
Rest day.
Tuesday: 5 miles
Ran to the Summer Fun Run course, and ran most of the loop and back. Several pick-me ups on Crandall and Shore. Average pace 6:47/mile.
Wednesday: 7 miles
Mid-afternoon run. Ran Shore Road out to the hills of Moonlight Drive. Huffed and puffed my way up the hills; came back on a rolling route via Wildflower and Links Passage. Average pace 6:59.
Got back just in time to help time the WMS track meet vs Chariho and EWG. Birds-eye view on the track for watching my 8th grade son take 1st place in both the 800 (2:31) and 1500 (5:03); both well below the qualifying time for states. My 6th grade son put in an awesome run in his first ever school track meet; starting his 3000 in the middle of the pack with majority 8th graders before passing many runners and eventually taking 3rd place in the 3000 with a 12:03, just 3 seconds off the state qualifying time.
Thursday: 0
Friday: 8 miles
Weekapaug/Misquamicut loop. 63o! Other than India, this was my warmest run this year. Picked it up for miles 3 and 5 with a 6:19 and 6:14, respectively. Average pace 6:54.
Saturday: 9 miles
Pawcatuck, CT. Late morning run. Dropped the kids off for their track practice, which was at the "bunny" at Wilcox Park, and started my run from there. Crossing quickly into CT, Mechanic Street was a little busy, but once I got down to River Road, it was dead quiet. Found a footpath that was gated, but it only had the sign "State of Connecticut", so I tried it. It turned out to be only 1/2 mile round-trip to a nice outpost on the Pawcatuck River. Continued to end of River Road at Greenhaven, then went down Riverside Drive, which extends south along the river. Had never been here before. Went across marshes and ended at Greenhaven Shores. Reversed direction back with beautiful views along the Pawcatuck River. Easy slow run at average pace of 7:51, as Clamdigger race in the morning.
Sunday: 6 miles
Clamdigger. See separate write-up shortly.
Weekly total: 35 miles
Rest day.
Tuesday: 5 miles
Ran to the Summer Fun Run course, and ran most of the loop and back. Several pick-me ups on Crandall and Shore. Average pace 6:47/mile.
Wednesday: 7 miles
Mid-afternoon run. Ran Shore Road out to the hills of Moonlight Drive. Huffed and puffed my way up the hills; came back on a rolling route via Wildflower and Links Passage. Average pace 6:59.
Got back just in time to help time the WMS track meet vs Chariho and EWG. Birds-eye view on the track for watching my 8th grade son take 1st place in both the 800 (2:31) and 1500 (5:03); both well below the qualifying time for states. My 6th grade son put in an awesome run in his first ever school track meet; starting his 3000 in the middle of the pack with majority 8th graders before passing many runners and eventually taking 3rd place in the 3000 with a 12:03, just 3 seconds off the state qualifying time.
Thursday: 0
Friday: 8 miles
Weekapaug/Misquamicut loop. 63o! Other than India, this was my warmest run this year. Picked it up for miles 3 and 5 with a 6:19 and 6:14, respectively. Average pace 6:54.
Saturday: 9 miles
Pawcatuck, CT. Late morning run. Dropped the kids off for their track practice, which was at the "bunny" at Wilcox Park, and started my run from there. Crossing quickly into CT, Mechanic Street was a little busy, but once I got down to River Road, it was dead quiet. Found a footpath that was gated, but it only had the sign "State of Connecticut", so I tried it. It turned out to be only 1/2 mile round-trip to a nice outpost on the Pawcatuck River. Continued to end of River Road at Greenhaven, then went down Riverside Drive, which extends south along the river. Had never been here before. Went across marshes and ended at Greenhaven Shores. Reversed direction back with beautiful views along the Pawcatuck River. Easy slow run at average pace of 7:51, as Clamdigger race in the morning.
Sunday: 6 miles
Clamdigger. See separate write-up shortly.
Weekly total: 35 miles
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Weekly Mileage 2-Apr-12 to 8-Apr-12
Monday: 3 miles
Ran trails in Champlin Park with Mark. Usually take Mondays completely off, but couldn't turn down an infrequent request from my 13-year old to go for a run.
Tuesday: 6 miles
Late afternoon run. Ran Shore Road to Rock Ridge. Found if I skirt behind the guardrail on RockRidge, there is a trail that drops sharply down to Lewis Pond. Startled a couple of guys fishing, who said they thought I was a deer in the woods. Should I tell them it's "gazelle", not "deer"? Nah...
At the intersection of Wicklow and Tom Harvey, found a gravel road to the right. Ran down this and quickly found a padlocked gate blocking the path. Didn't see any no trespassing signs, so went around it, continued for almost 1/2 mile until right in front of me are runways. Surprised they weren't fenced off (other than that gate, of course). Decided the airport folks probably wouldn't take kindly to me running on their runway, so turned back. Nice diversion.
Ran my favorite and hilly "green" trail in Champlin to finish off the run at a good clip.
Bousquet sightings: 0
By the way, do we have a moniker yet for that cat? Fodder for the next long run ...
Wednesday: 0
Thursday: 7 miles
Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile Race, Warren, RI. Traveled with Muddy, Jonny, and Mike. The race wasn't until 6:30PM, but due to Warren being on the extreme opposite end of our massive state, we had to get together and depart in the morning and allow ourselves enough time for meal breaks and pit stops. After 8 hours in the car our long and arduous trek came to a conclusion, as the Jonny-mobile faithfully delivered the four of us to the race start.
I have put enough humility in this blog that I can brag here that I am thrilled to have destroyed my previous PR of 31:47 by finishing in 30:06. Jonny and I ran side-by-side for the first 4.25 miles over roads and bike path, and pulled each other along. I would not have finished with the time I did otherwise. With 3/4 mile left, to avoid the rumors that we would finish the race holding hands, Jonny accelerated and I had neither the inclination nor energy left to chase. I saw Jonny finish just ahead of me and just under the 30 minute mark; super happy for him and for Muddy's PR, as well as Mike's win. We all gathered back at the Market Street Pub for food and drink to celebrate our PRs and fun before starting the long cross-state journey home.
Friday: 7 miles
Barn Island Management Area, Stonington, CT.
0.5 miles road; balance trails
Beautiful afternoon trail run in the mid-50s; what's not to love? Started with my usual single-track favorite in the NW section, then started exploring. Followed some new single-trail with plenty of gazelling opportunities, left me to a section of open mowed meadows I had never run before which then turned into a gravel road that brought me close to an area I am familiar with near the Civil War era cemetery. Followed the salt water bogs back to the parking area. Fun run!
Saturday: 20 miles
Cold dark solo 25o degree start in Wood River Jct at 5:30AM. Wondering to myself what the heck am I doing out here? Ran up to Chariho HS and back and then down 91E for a stretch before finishing 4 miles back at the parking lot.
Muddy and Jonny had arrived by 6AM and went out for another 16. By this time, most of me had warmed up so I took some perverse pleasure listing to these two complain about the cold. This was a repeat of a mid-January run the three of us had done. King's Factory to Carter Preserve out to 112, then backroads to Shannock, and North Road out to base of Shannock Hill Road. Jonny ascended Shannock Hill with ease and put some distance between Muddy and I before I finally caught up on the downhill. Ran the rolling hills of Pine Hill before taking North-South trail through Carolina Management back to WRJ. Had nothing left at the end. One more 20 miler to go before Providence Cox Marathon May 6th.
Sunday: 4 miles
Easter morning run with Matthew. He chose the course: Tom Harvey loop to Shore Road, entered Champlin Park near Venice, and ran trails in there before returning back home via Tom Harvey. Good conversational father/son run; tight legs after previous day's 20-miler.
Weekly total: 47 miles
Much better and healthier running week. Got in my 20-miler, as well as a huge confidence booster with the big 5 mile PR on Thursday.
Ran trails in Champlin Park with Mark. Usually take Mondays completely off, but couldn't turn down an infrequent request from my 13-year old to go for a run.
Tuesday: 6 miles
Late afternoon run. Ran Shore Road to Rock Ridge. Found if I skirt behind the guardrail on RockRidge, there is a trail that drops sharply down to Lewis Pond. Startled a couple of guys fishing, who said they thought I was a deer in the woods. Should I tell them it's "gazelle", not "deer"? Nah...
At the intersection of Wicklow and Tom Harvey, found a gravel road to the right. Ran down this and quickly found a padlocked gate blocking the path. Didn't see any no trespassing signs, so went around it, continued for almost 1/2 mile until right in front of me are runways. Surprised they weren't fenced off (other than that gate, of course). Decided the airport folks probably wouldn't take kindly to me running on their runway, so turned back. Nice diversion.
Ran my favorite and hilly "green" trail in Champlin to finish off the run at a good clip.
Bousquet sightings: 0
By the way, do we have a moniker yet for that cat? Fodder for the next long run ...
Wednesday: 0
Thursday: 7 miles
Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile Race, Warren, RI. Traveled with Muddy, Jonny, and Mike. The race wasn't until 6:30PM, but due to Warren being on the extreme opposite end of our massive state, we had to get together and depart in the morning and allow ourselves enough time for meal breaks and pit stops. After 8 hours in the car our long and arduous trek came to a conclusion, as the Jonny-mobile faithfully delivered the four of us to the race start.
I have put enough humility in this blog that I can brag here that I am thrilled to have destroyed my previous PR of 31:47 by finishing in 30:06. Jonny and I ran side-by-side for the first 4.25 miles over roads and bike path, and pulled each other along. I would not have finished with the time I did otherwise. With 3/4 mile left, to avoid the rumors that we would finish the race holding hands, Jonny accelerated and I had neither the inclination nor energy left to chase. I saw Jonny finish just ahead of me and just under the 30 minute mark; super happy for him and for Muddy's PR, as well as Mike's win. We all gathered back at the Market Street Pub for food and drink to celebrate our PRs and fun before starting the long cross-state journey home.
Friday: 7 miles
Barn Island Management Area, Stonington, CT.
0.5 miles road; balance trails
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| Trail's end: Wequetequock Cove, Barn Island, Stonington, CT |
Saturday: 20 miles
Cold dark solo 25o degree start in Wood River Jct at 5:30AM. Wondering to myself what the heck am I doing out here? Ran up to Chariho HS and back and then down 91E for a stretch before finishing 4 miles back at the parking lot.
Muddy and Jonny had arrived by 6AM and went out for another 16. By this time, most of me had warmed up so I took some perverse pleasure listing to these two complain about the cold. This was a repeat of a mid-January run the three of us had done. King's Factory to Carter Preserve out to 112, then backroads to Shannock, and North Road out to base of Shannock Hill Road. Jonny ascended Shannock Hill with ease and put some distance between Muddy and I before I finally caught up on the downhill. Ran the rolling hills of Pine Hill before taking North-South trail through Carolina Management back to WRJ. Had nothing left at the end. One more 20 miler to go before Providence Cox Marathon May 6th.
Sunday: 4 miles
Easter morning run with Matthew. He chose the course: Tom Harvey loop to Shore Road, entered Champlin Park near Venice, and ran trails in there before returning back home via Tom Harvey. Good conversational father/son run; tight legs after previous day's 20-miler.
Weekly total: 47 miles
Much better and healthier running week. Got in my 20-miler, as well as a huge confidence booster with the big 5 mile PR on Thursday.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Weekly Mileage 26-Mar-12 to 1-Apr-12
Monday: 0
Rest day
Tuesday: 3 miles
Geriatric shuffle to get the legs moving on day 3 of a stomach bug. Was complaining to myself about my maladies and shin splints, when mid-run a neighbor pulled his car over to chat, and I got the latest update on his battle with leukemia and learned he had lost some internal organs. Time to stop my whining and put things in perspective.
Wednesday: 0
Running clothes just sat there. Work day unexpectedly started at 2:45AM and continued into the evening. On the few breaks in between, I had neither the time nor energy to attempt a run. The weekend cannot come fast enough. I am so run down and behind on everything professional and personal, including running.
Thursday: 0
Can't get a break at all this week! Left work early at 3PM, looking forward to a late afternoon run. Then came the 5 hour commute from hell due to a derailed Amtrak train in North Kingstown.
Friday: 4 miles
Back roads in Misquamicut. Wish I had more time, but for the first time this week felt great to be out running. 6:51 pace. I survived the work week; bring on the weekend!
Saturday: 7 miles
39o and steady rain late morning; took a while to warm up on this one. Parked at WHS. Ran down hill and past the Y out to Canal and White Rock. Ran past Springbrook School, before starting to head back via Potter Hill area and out to Route 3. Finished by climbing Narragansett and Top St back to WHS just in time to pick up boys from track practice. Turns out they were running hill repeats in the rain on Narragansett as well - I'm impressed! 7:06 average pace. Glad to be back running!
Sunday: 15 miles
8 miles on sand (I think a PR, no April Fools), plus 7 on the road
A chilly 32o to start. I read in RW that the average threshold for runners to wear shorts vs long pants (tights, etc) is 40o. I'm guessing my threshold is somewhere in the 20-25o range.
I ran Shore Road to Noyes Neck, then backroads of Weekpaug, plus the public ROW that Tom had shown me. Then took the Weekapaug Sand Trail (protected for public foot access year round by a 1997 RI court order) for the approximate two miles out to Quonochontaug Breachway in Charlestown. Ran the length of the beach all the way past Weekapaug and Misquamicut, except for the small section in Weekapaug that I needed to get on Spray Rock Road.
At the west end of Misquamicut, I paused to sit on a rock, soak in the sun, gaze out at the sea, and solve the meaning of life. Beautiful place! I had intended to finish the last 2 miles of beach out to Watch Hill, but after sitting there for a while, I was done and jogged home. Ran into two neighbors that I shared my morning beach expedition with, and they advised never to take our beautiful surroundings for granted. Great counsel; try visiting the slums in India some day.
Weekly mileage: 29
A paltry mileage week, and a rough few first days of the week, but an awesome end with my beach adventure.
Rest day
Tuesday: 3 miles
Geriatric shuffle to get the legs moving on day 3 of a stomach bug. Was complaining to myself about my maladies and shin splints, when mid-run a neighbor pulled his car over to chat, and I got the latest update on his battle with leukemia and learned he had lost some internal organs. Time to stop my whining and put things in perspective.
Wednesday: 0
Running clothes just sat there. Work day unexpectedly started at 2:45AM and continued into the evening. On the few breaks in between, I had neither the time nor energy to attempt a run. The weekend cannot come fast enough. I am so run down and behind on everything professional and personal, including running.
Thursday: 0
Can't get a break at all this week! Left work early at 3PM, looking forward to a late afternoon run. Then came the 5 hour commute from hell due to a derailed Amtrak train in North Kingstown.
Friday: 4 miles
Back roads in Misquamicut. Wish I had more time, but for the first time this week felt great to be out running. 6:51 pace. I survived the work week; bring on the weekend!
Saturday: 7 miles
39o and steady rain late morning; took a while to warm up on this one. Parked at WHS. Ran down hill and past the Y out to Canal and White Rock. Ran past Springbrook School, before starting to head back via Potter Hill area and out to Route 3. Finished by climbing Narragansett and Top St back to WHS just in time to pick up boys from track practice. Turns out they were running hill repeats in the rain on Narragansett as well - I'm impressed! 7:06 average pace. Glad to be back running!
Sunday: 15 miles
8 miles on sand (I think a PR, no April Fools), plus 7 on the road
A chilly 32o to start. I read in RW that the average threshold for runners to wear shorts vs long pants (tights, etc) is 40o. I'm guessing my threshold is somewhere in the 20-25o range.
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| Part of today's sand trail run |
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| Turn around point: Quonochontaug Breachway, Charlestown |
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| Miles of deserted beach for me to explore |
I ran Shore Road to Noyes Neck, then backroads of Weekpaug, plus the public ROW that Tom had shown me. Then took the Weekapaug Sand Trail (protected for public foot access year round by a 1997 RI court order) for the approximate two miles out to Quonochontaug Breachway in Charlestown. Ran the length of the beach all the way past Weekapaug and Misquamicut, except for the small section in Weekapaug that I needed to get on Spray Rock Road.
At the west end of Misquamicut, I paused to sit on a rock, soak in the sun, gaze out at the sea, and solve the meaning of life. Beautiful place! I had intended to finish the last 2 miles of beach out to Watch Hill, but after sitting there for a while, I was done and jogged home. Ran into two neighbors that I shared my morning beach expedition with, and they advised never to take our beautiful surroundings for granted. Great counsel; try visiting the slums in India some day.
Weekly mileage: 29
A paltry mileage week, and a rough few first days of the week, but an awesome end with my beach adventure.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Running in India: Weekly Log 19-Mar-12 to 25-Mar-12
Monday: 0 miles
I'll let my photos tell the rest of today's story:
Wednesday: 6 miles
Bangalore, India. 78o F. Ran back to and through Cubbon Park today. More refreshed, or I should say at least less jet-lagged today. Had just ran past my landmark of the State Library when I spied a group of 3 runners, all in shorts!, one in a singlet, moving at a good clip, and looking like serious runners. Let's see where these guys go. I caught up to them, and then feeling awkward running next to them as they glanced at me, I passed them. Then the lead guy sped up and passed me. Interesting! What to do now? I sped up and tried to hang with the guy, as I followed him for a mile and a half further into the park into an area I hadn't been before. My Garmin split was 6:20! This was too fast for me in the heat, I needed to back off, and besides didn't what this guy thought of me following him, so I broke off on a different path.
This area of the park was still closed off to traffic, and was teeming with activity! Boys were playing cricket, India's national favorite pasttime sport, and men had strung up a badminton net between two trees and were playing some serious badminton!
So many runners here! I started counting runners as I ran on a long dirt path circling through tropical trees, and finally I stopped counting at 30! It ran the gamut from people running slow jogs to a group of about 8 guys running repeat sprints of about 50 yards. This place was great!
Time to head back to hotel:
A shopkeeper is setting up what appears to be a fruit stall, and he calls out "hello" to me. I say "hello" back and he smiles. I feel great at this minor and rare exchange here out on the streets of India. From what I hear, most of my US colleagues that have come here don't venture out in the streets alone, and while I was at first nervous, I feel more comfortable today and feel they're missing out.
Back at the hotel:
Thursday: 9 miles
Lalbagh, Bangalore, southern India. 82o F. Looked for a different place to run. On the advice of local colleagues and Internet searches, they all led me to Lalbagh Gardens. I hesitated because, unlike Cubbon Park, Lalbagh is a ways from my hotel and meant I would have to bother my hired driver, Murthy, to drive me there at 7AM and I know he'll be with me until 9 or so tonight and then again at 4AM tomorrow. Besides, I'd be getting back into the car filthy sweaty. On the other hand, let's make the most of my stay in India and GO FOR IT!
Lalbagh Gardens has a number of differences from Cubbon Park. Although slightly smaller at 240 acres, there are no roads whatsoever in this park and it's completely gated off to vehicles at all times. Dating to 1760, it predates even British India colonial days. There are no British references or statues here. The entry fee is 10 rupees (~ US $0.20, yes that's twenty cents), but to encourage Indians to walk and exercise in the morning, if you enter prior to 9AM, the fee is waved.
I'm about 1 hour 15 minutes into my run, when my cell phone rings. It's Murthy asking me where I am and when I will be back. OK, time to head back. Later he apologizes for his "disturbance"; it turns out he was just worried about me. He explains that he's been driving Western visitors for Fidelity and other major firms for 8 years now, and during this entire time, he has never once had a visitor want to venture out of their hotel compound in the morning, and occasionally in the evening he is asked to bring people around town, but just to look, not to get out and walk into the parks. He says the Western visitors that exercise will do so in the hotel gym and hotel treadmills. He doesn't know what to make of me. Travel 8,000+ miles to India and run a treadmill?!!
My pace for today's run was about 7:30, except for when slowing down to drink in the scenery.
Friday: 0
Arrived India. While I didn't run, can't exactly call it my usual Monday "rest" day, and I'm exhausted. Flew British Airways from London Heathrow to Bangalore Hindustan Aiport, India. Cleared customs, met my hired driver "Murthy", who navigated me for the hour plus over the dusty roads from the airport to my hotel in Bangalore. My first visit to India. Anything goes on the roads. Sometimes there are lanes, sometimes there aren't and you just muscle your way through. Everything is on the roads from a few modern cars to aging buses, thousands of motorcycles, horses, entire families on a single moped, and many rickshaws, all just criss-crossing each other. Showered, changed, and off to work. Fought to keep my eyes open all day, especially through meetings. Ate dinner outdoors at the hotel, and to bed. My Indian colleague hosts are very kind and gracious.
Tuesday: 8 miles
Bangalore, India. 82o F. Woke up and time for some exploring. The traffic is light in the morning, as most firms here work a staggered shift of 11AM - 8PM local time to align closer to the UK and US business hours, as this is a prime location for technology and customer service support for major European and American firms.
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| State Central Library, Cubbon Park |
Went out the hotel gates, headed for Cubbon Park, a 300 acre public park named for Sir Mark Cubbon, a commissioner during the time this was British India in the late 1800s. The roads are closed in the park until 8AM, so it's best to run in early AM for two reasons: low traffic, and lower temperature (it's forecast to reach 95o F by this afternoon). I made my way on the sidewalk and precariously crossed one street to make it to the park; less than one mile.
I immediately saw the impressive and imposing State Central Library (photo left), which I tried to use as a landmark when I got lost. The park is a mix of streets, cobblestone pathways, and finally I found a bigger wooded section of the park with many dirt pathways. I was self conscious at first that I was 1) the only person wearing shorts, 2) the only person running (although there were many people walking), and 3) the only Caucasian amongst hundreds of Indians. After a while, I just got into my groove running, and then I was happy to see an older Indian gentleman out for a run (in long pants) and finally a younger Indian couple out for a run and the man was wearing shorts, so I felt vindicated.I'll let my photos tell the rest of today's story:
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| Trail I ran in Cubbon Park |
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| Cubbon Park scenery |
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| Temple in park |
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| "Mike Galoob style" jump over brook w/ bamboo |
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| Vidhana Soudha - legislative assembly |
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| I was lost, but after seeing this helpful road sign, it's all clear to me! |
Wednesday: 6 miles
Bangalore, India. 78o F. Ran back to and through Cubbon Park today. More refreshed, or I should say at least less jet-lagged today. Had just ran past my landmark of the State Library when I spied a group of 3 runners, all in shorts!, one in a singlet, moving at a good clip, and looking like serious runners. Let's see where these guys go. I caught up to them, and then feeling awkward running next to them as they glanced at me, I passed them. Then the lead guy sped up and passed me. Interesting! What to do now? I sped up and tried to hang with the guy, as I followed him for a mile and a half further into the park into an area I hadn't been before. My Garmin split was 6:20! This was too fast for me in the heat, I needed to back off, and besides didn't what this guy thought of me following him, so I broke off on a different path.
This area of the park was still closed off to traffic, and was teeming with activity! Boys were playing cricket, India's national favorite pasttime sport, and men had strung up a badminton net between two trees and were playing some serious badminton!
So many runners here! I started counting runners as I ran on a long dirt path circling through tropical trees, and finally I stopped counting at 30! It ran the gamut from people running slow jogs to a group of about 8 guys running repeat sprints of about 50 yards. This place was great!
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| Two runners on dirt path I ran in Cubbon Park today |
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| A relic from British colonial days: Queen Victoria, longest serving monarch in UK history: 1837-1901 |
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| Today's sign WAS actually helpful, as in Hindi AND English, and I did need to get back to Vidhana Soudha en route to hotel |
Time to head back to hotel:
A shopkeeper is setting up what appears to be a fruit stall, and he calls out "hello" to me. I say "hello" back and he smiles. I feel great at this minor and rare exchange here out on the streets of India. From what I hear, most of my US colleagues that have come here don't venture out in the streets alone, and while I was at first nervous, I feel more comfortable today and feel they're missing out.
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| Let's let sleeping dogs lie... |
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| Cool architecture at the High Court of Karnataka (Karnataka is the state I'm in) |
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| Nobody stops at the crosswalk for nothing! I follow these street-savvy young girls to know when to cross |
Back at the hotel:
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| Entrance to guarded hotel compound |
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| Walking/jogging path on hotel's 20 acres of flora and fauna |
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| Me at morning outdoor breakfast - the fresh papaya picked from hotel trees is delicious! |
Thursday: 9 miles
Lalbagh, Bangalore, southern India. 82o F. Looked for a different place to run. On the advice of local colleagues and Internet searches, they all led me to Lalbagh Gardens. I hesitated because, unlike Cubbon Park, Lalbagh is a ways from my hotel and meant I would have to bother my hired driver, Murthy, to drive me there at 7AM and I know he'll be with me until 9 or so tonight and then again at 4AM tomorrow. Besides, I'd be getting back into the car filthy sweaty. On the other hand, let's make the most of my stay in India and GO FOR IT!
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| Lalbagh Gardens gate |
I'll let my pictures tell my running story again today, but first, a few quick interesting encounters with local people:
1) A man asked me a question in some Indian language, and when I didn't answer, pointed to my watch. I realize I never changed my Garmin from Eastern time. I can do this, add 9.5 hours for the time zone difference, and I respond it's 8:30AM. He smiles, flashes me a thumbs-up and departs. OK, here's the wierd part: I'm looking around, and again I'm standing out like a sore thumb as the only Westerner or even non-Indian in a sea of what must be more than 1,000 Indians in the park, most Indians have watches on their wrist and presumably speak either his local language or the national language of Hindi, and he has to walk over to see me to ask the time. He must have chosen to ask me because he wanted to try to talk with me. Cool.
2) A runner comes up to talk to me!!! He starts with "Excuse me, Sir, but you look like a marathon runner". What a way to butter a guy up! He speaks impeccable, if not accented, English and we talk for 5-10 minutes about the Boston Marathon, how he started running two months ago, is up to running 6 km per day now and is training to run his first ever race, a 10K coming up in two months, and he asks me for advice.
3) I'm running up a steep dirt hill when two elderly gentlemen sitting on a bench at the top begin pointing at me and saying something. I imagine it to be "Look at the form and stamina on that gazelle of a runner", but it probably was, "Hey Bob (or Kumar), look at that idiot!".
1) A man asked me a question in some Indian language, and when I didn't answer, pointed to my watch. I realize I never changed my Garmin from Eastern time. I can do this, add 9.5 hours for the time zone difference, and I respond it's 8:30AM. He smiles, flashes me a thumbs-up and departs. OK, here's the wierd part: I'm looking around, and again I'm standing out like a sore thumb as the only Westerner or even non-Indian in a sea of what must be more than 1,000 Indians in the park, most Indians have watches on their wrist and presumably speak either his local language or the national language of Hindi, and he has to walk over to see me to ask the time. He must have chosen to ask me because he wanted to try to talk with me. Cool.
2) A runner comes up to talk to me!!! He starts with "Excuse me, Sir, but you look like a marathon runner". What a way to butter a guy up! He speaks impeccable, if not accented, English and we talk for 5-10 minutes about the Boston Marathon, how he started running two months ago, is up to running 6 km per day now and is training to run his first ever race, a 10K coming up in two months, and he asks me for advice.
3) I'm running up a steep dirt hill when two elderly gentlemen sitting on a bench at the top begin pointing at me and saying something. I imagine it to be "Look at the form and stamina on that gazelle of a runner", but it probably was, "Hey Bob (or Kumar), look at that idiot!".
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| Scrub cactus along my run |
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| Most arrive by moped- car ownership is not common |
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| Running dirt trail out to island in Lake Lalbagh |
I'm about 1 hour 15 minutes into my run, when my cell phone rings. It's Murthy asking me where I am and when I will be back. OK, time to head back. Later he apologizes for his "disturbance"; it turns out he was just worried about me. He explains that he's been driving Western visitors for Fidelity and other major firms for 8 years now, and during this entire time, he has never once had a visitor want to venture out of their hotel compound in the morning, and occasionally in the evening he is asked to bring people around town, but just to look, not to get out and walk into the parks. He says the Western visitors that exercise will do so in the hotel gym and hotel treadmills. He doesn't know what to make of me. Travel 8,000+ miles to India and run a treadmill?!!
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| The unfortunate side of India: huge wealth gap & abject poverty |
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| Bizarre, eh? Fortunately it didn't apply to running |
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| The trail climbs stairs, then turns to a rock climb to right |
My pace for today's run was about 7:30, except for when slowing down to drink in the scenery.
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| Finishing the run following others with an uphill sprint on rocks up to Kempe Gowde Tower |
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| Kempe Gowde Tower, constructed in 1597 and relocated here |
Friday: 0
Bengaluru Hindustan Airport, India. Arrived airport 5AM Friday (7:30PM Thursday Eastern time). Awaiting flight departure for an 11-hour flight to London. Layover in London this time too short for a run or even excursion. 21 hours after this flight departs, I will touch down at Boston's Logan Airport. Next run will be Saturday in RI.
What a wild week! Reminds me of lyrics from Supertramp:
I really have enjoyed my stay,
But I must be moving on ...
Saturday: 17 miles
Charlestown, RI, back in the USA. Trail run in Burlingame w/ Muddy, Jonny, and Tom. Wasn't sure if I'd get this run in with the guys as jet-lagged and just a few hours sleep since arriving home at Midnight. Woke up at 4AM and couldn't sleep anymore; let's go for it. 6AM start in the dark with a couple of miles up Prosser Trail and Kings Factory, before taking a trail out to Schoolhouse Pond. Most of the rest of the run was a repeat of the neat run we did with Jonny, Sandals, and Galoob back on Feb 25. The section down by Pawcatuck River and ensuing single track is especially fun. I was feeling it on the uphill climbs and my legs in general now are sore. Glad I made it today.
Sunday: 6 miles
Been out of it and sick all day since yesterday afternoon with headaches and stomach bug, inevitably tied to my trip and/or jetlag. Finally got off my duff in the late afternoon and ran an easy 6-miler out Shore Road to Rock Ridge and Links Passage. Ran in the woods around Lewis Pond, until I went off the trail and scraped my knee along a big rock. When I got home, my son asked me why I frequently come home bloodied. Finished up with a slow mile and a half through the wooded trails of Champlin Glacier Park; struggled through here on what is usually my bread and butter.
Weekly totals: 46 miles
High points:
What a wild week! Reminds me of lyrics from Supertramp:
I really have enjoyed my stay,
But I must be moving on ...
Saturday: 17 miles
Charlestown, RI, back in the USA. Trail run in Burlingame w/ Muddy, Jonny, and Tom. Wasn't sure if I'd get this run in with the guys as jet-lagged and just a few hours sleep since arriving home at Midnight. Woke up at 4AM and couldn't sleep anymore; let's go for it. 6AM start in the dark with a couple of miles up Prosser Trail and Kings Factory, before taking a trail out to Schoolhouse Pond. Most of the rest of the run was a repeat of the neat run we did with Jonny, Sandals, and Galoob back on Feb 25. The section down by Pawcatuck River and ensuing single track is especially fun. I was feeling it on the uphill climbs and my legs in general now are sore. Glad I made it today.
Sunday: 6 miles
Been out of it and sick all day since yesterday afternoon with headaches and stomach bug, inevitably tied to my trip and/or jetlag. Finally got off my duff in the late afternoon and ran an easy 6-miler out Shore Road to Rock Ridge and Links Passage. Ran in the woods around Lewis Pond, until I went off the trail and scraped my knee along a big rock. When I got home, my son asked me why I frequently come home bloodied. Finished up with a slow mile and a half through the wooded trails of Champlin Glacier Park; struggled through here on what is usually my bread and butter.
Weekly totals: 46 miles
High points:
- Running in exotic locales: 1) India most of the week, and 2) English countryside at beginning of trip
- Compliments that gave me a mental high: 1) runner in India telling me I looked like a marathon runner, and 2) descending out of the local Westerly trails yesterday, passing a woman out walking who called out "Wow, great legs!". She was probably 20 years my senior, but she still sure made my day (by the way, why is her checking out my legs considered a compliment, but if I "check out" a female runner, it's considered that I'm a pervert?)
- India: the heat (up to 97F), the dust, and the insane traffic flow making it near impossible to cross streets
- India: seeing throngs of people living in crowded dirty slums without running water or electricity, and trying to promise myself I won't take things for granted. I think I'll rent "Slumdog Millionaire" to watch and show my kids, even if not 100% realistic, at least to show the scenery.
- Getting sick: I tried hard only to drink bottled water, avoid salads, etc.; hope I didn't bring home a parasite like I did from Jamaica a few years back.
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