Narragansett Trails (AKA Spiderville), 8/31

My run this morning totalled out to be 4 or so miles, but sectioned off as I wanted to check out a couple of pieces of the Narragansett Trail before hitting Lantern Hill again.  I started where the trail picks on Ryder Road, did a bit of that, then crossed Route 2 and did a quick out/back from Gallup Pond up part of Wintechog Hill.  Very narrow trails, technical, and left me with one burning question: when the Hell is spider season over???  I got to the top of the first hill, picked up speed and then skidded to a halt inches from a spider the size of a silver dollar, at face level.  Seriously.  Like I need that wrapping itself around my head.  I don't like spiders at all, not even a little bit.  I understand their place in the big picture and all that, but I'd prefer to not have to run through 50 webs during a run...hence the return to Lantern Hill.  It's more steep and a lot more sketchy, but it is wider and relatively arachnid-free.  Spiders, man...

For the fuller run, I parked at the back of the Two Trees Inn parking lot again, because it's easy access, but I went a different route today.  Took the initial trail, then cut across an old dirt access road over to Wintechog Road and up the street to where the official start of the Narragansett Trail is.  From there, it's a quick uphill, then level for a bit, then the big climb to the top of Lantern Hill.  I ended up getting to the top in a different spot, where someone (tribal, presumably) had put up several dreamcatchers:

Hopefully I wasn't on some kind of sacred spot...high enough, though, to be looking down at Foxwoods from the top:

Good run down and around and back to the truck before it got too hot out...nice day, but it's going to be cooler this weekend and I'm hoping to get a longer run in, preferably near the beach...

Lantern Hill Trails 8/30

I've known about Lantern Hill for years, since it's on Mashantucket tribal property and I used to drive by it every day on my way to work.  I live less than 5 minutes away from it, and while I knew that there were trails that led to the top, I didn't realize that the Narragansett trail starts at Lantern Hill, and runs all the way to Hopkinton, Rhode Island.  I now plan on hitting some sections of this system, as it runs right through my town, and I can actually run from my house to the closest section, about 4 miles to where it crosses Ryder Road.  So stoked.  Just found out, though, that Connecticut's hunting season starts in two days and that I'm required to wear a blaze orange vest when on the trails. OK, gotcha...

I found out through some research (thanks, Google!) that the Lantern Hill trail can be accessed at the back of the Two Trees parking lot, so that's where I went.  Sure enough, I was greeted with a nice, bright sign, and this start to the trails:

I did the Lantern Hill trail, marked in red and highlighted by black diamonds...proud to say I ran all the way to the top, and was greeted with this view:

Definitely some cool terrain, and I figure I did about three miles total (GPS kicked out again).  Some very narrow, rocky areas with very sharp dropoffs, definitely have to pay attention up there...but also some swooping, soft areas in the woods.  Blasted the downhill back to the truck.  Going back for more tomorrow, here's a couple more shots of the trail (check the last shot, that's part of the chute going up the last part to the overlook):

Good time!

15th Annual Roger H. Schonning 5K - 8/29

So after Sunday's jaunt in the woods, I was good for karate class and not much else on Monday morning, and praying that I wouldn't have to do "horse stance" at all (I was spared)...I was definitely feeling some soreness, but that's a good thing in my book.  Tuesday?  Hot out, I had too much to do at the house, and as it was Lori's birthday, I wanted to make sure I didn't disappear for three hours because "I had to get a run in".  Don't want to be that guy.  Which leads me to today, Wednesday the 29th, and the Roger Schonning 5K road race.

I hadn't been able to run this race before because I always had to work, but this year was different.  I've done almost the same route in the past, as part of my martial arts training, and it's a good, flat course, no surprises, and no heavy traffic.  Again, evening races.  Just like last week, I felt funky all day and unsure what/when to eat, so a smoothie at 7, salad at 12 and just liquids in the afternoon was it.  Much cooler at race time, though, than the past few races.  Love late summer...

About 125 runners at the race, local fast dudes are there.  I went out fairly fast on mile one, slower on mile two, and killed it on mile 3.  Came around the last turn and was squinting at the time, and saw that I was right on the bubble to beat last week, so I sprinted to the finish and crossed at 23:58...official time was 24:01 though, 7:45 pace, dead even with last week.  Have to respect the official time.  So I either beat or tied my PR.  Don't know whether I should be excited or just whatever.  I need my phone to heckle me in the last half mile, I think, maybe call me a girly man or something to get my ass moving...

Went on a cool down run of 1.5 miles with Jeff W, Justin B, and Josh, and felt like I was more loose and running easier at that point.  Congrats to Jeff, who PR'd???  And Mike B, who also PR'd???  What the?

Longish run tomorrow.  Stay tuned.

Nipmuck Trails 8/26 12-miler

So this morning I'm up at 4:30, walk the dog in the dark, feed the cats, down a quick smoothie and get my gear together.  Jeff W. meets me at my place and we make the drive to Ashford, CT, to the Nipmuck Marathon portion of the Nipmuck Trail, one of the blue-blazed trails in Eastern CT.  The Nipmuck Marathon is a six mile out/back, then seven out/back in the other direction, for 26 total miles.  This morning's run consisted of the first leg, which was what I'd call a day of discovery.

Cool morning, temps in the 60s, but humid.  Nipmuck, I soon found out, is not a course to be taken lightly, and I'm calling it a good test.  We finished at just under 12 miles (like 11.8? Jeff?) in 2:15, and that included several water breaks, and stopping for a couple of photos at the halfway point.  Going to get a belt with bigger and water bottles this week, my piddly 8 ounce bottle was empty by mile 9, and I was really thirsty by the time we finished.  I'm not too proud to say that I did have to walk a couple of times on the uphill shots toward the end, but I'm already thinking about strategy and how/where I'll need to slow down for a bit.

Now about that second part...

Surf on 8/23, Run on 8/24

Ended up surfing yesterday - had all my running gear with me just in case, but I rolled up to my favorite break next to the Point Judith lighthouse, and saw perfect waist-high longboard waves peeling off the point, and nobody out...called one of my surf buds, he came down and we had it to ourselves for over two hours.  That never happens here in the summer.  Great workout.

This morning was an 8-mile run, in what I'd refer to as an "oppressive" air quality.  During the run, I met another local runner, Scott, who was sporting his Blessing of the Fleet race shirt.  Pretty fast dude.  I brought along a water bottle, and ended up using all of it.  Very humid, heavy air this morning, but even with a stop to chat, one stop to fix my MapMyRun app, and a couple stops to get a good swig of water, I came in at a 9:16 pace, with a gradually increasing pace.  And it's friggin' hot out there...hoping that this week's runs and workouts translate to another faster time at the Schonning race on Wednesday night!

2012 Battle of Stonington 5K - 8/21

So I'm always a bit apprehensive about doing the evening runs...I like getting up early and getting the race started before the butterflies have a chance to get going.  I had a normal breakfast, but by noon I found myself standing in the middle of the supermarket, drawing a complete blank.  I went conservative with my lunch, and stayed moderately well hydrated during the afternoon.  Hey, I didn't cramp up so I did something right, right?

This race is cool for a number of reasons:  First, it's the "Grand Finale" of the Stonington Borough fun runs, held every Tuesday during the summer by Stephen Bessette and his wife Heather.  Great runners in their own right, and they put on a great event.  Second, it's a double loop through one of the most scenic villages in New England, and gives spectators the chance to cheer on their favorite runner four times during the race, just by walking across the town green.  Love that.  Third, it's a community event that also draws some very fast, well-known local runners who continue to amaze me with their speed.  Awesome to watch.  And lastly, the event concludes with a free drink for all the runners at the Dogwatch Cafe, and gives everyone the chance to catch up after the race.  Free drinks? Why, sure!

Did a couple of warmup runs to loosen up.  My nephew Tristan, who's a certified Crossfit Instructor at only 17 years old, called and said he was going to meet me and run the race...and for his first road race, he killed it, coming in 45th at 21:12 (6:50 pace)!  I had a minor coronary at mile 1, though, when I thought my GPS called out a 9:57 first mile...I thought I was going pretty fast for me!  Frantically checked it. Turned out it was a 7:57 :).  Very cool to have several people I know give a cheer at the end of lap one as well!  Another local runner, Rosann, was ahead of me the entire race in a bright orange tank top, so I focused on her, and trying to catch her, and I did at mile 2.75 or so.  Yelled at a lady in a fancy car trying to bulldog her way through the runners, and yelled to the police, who stopped her.  Saw the timer at the last couple hundred yards, and with a good kick I finished in 24:01, at a 7:45 pace, and a new PR!!!  So excited, because I kept a consistent pace and increased it slightly each mile. I think it's the fact that I've increased my weekly mileage, so doing three is mentally much easier.  Came in 92nd out of 250 or so runners...friend Jeff W had one of his best 5Ks ever, and came in 11th at 17:58???  His son Matthew, who is 12 and wicked fast, had a personal best (I think) of 20:48?  Really?  I'll be stoked if I can ever keep up with him.  Mike B blazed an 18:58, and came in 17th.  Great to see everyone doing well and progressing, and I was able to go on a cool down run with Mike and Jeff, before we grabbed a complimentary cocktail at Dogwatch.  Great time, my third year in a row, and one of my favorite races.

Here's me huffing and puffing toward the finish:

And here's sunset over the BOS:

Mike B, me, and Jeff W.  Photos courtesy of the best race photographer I know, Jana W :)

Work and life shot down my designs on getting in some miles today, no problem. It happens.

Tomorrow:  surf...but if no surf, then the first half of the Nipmuck...we'll see what the day brings!  Life is good.

5 Mile Beach Run 8/19

Went with the family to Misquamicut Beach today, and met up with Mike B., who, in spite of running 15 miles this morning with some of the local speedsters, did a barefoot 5-miler with me from Seaside Beach Club down to about the Windjammer and back.  Tide was pretty high, but we kept a conversational pace of just under 9 minutes per mile down and back, and overall I felt pretty good.  Summertime in New England, alternating sunny/cloudy, warm and breezy, and a jump in the ocean at the end.  A good day for a run!

Nipmuck 26.2 Trail

Just signed up, and looking forward to this addition to the insanity...I've already Mapquested directions to the start line, and I'll do the Southern Leg before the Northern Leg, before the race.  Looks great though!!!

http://www.shenipsitstriders.org/nipmuck.html

Rainy 6 on 8/18

Waited all morning for the rain to let up; when it finally eased, I threw on my shoes and got out the door.  6 miles in a little over 50 minutes, including a low 7 last mile.  Humid and drizzly, and I was pretty well drenched by the time I finished.  Tomorrow has been promised by all the weather dudes to be a fantastic day, so we're (meaning me) either going to run from here to the beach, or get to the beach and do the barefoot thing...

Pachaug State Forest 8/17

Friday morning:  Decided to head to Pachaug again and do parts of the Nehantic and Pachaug trails.  Thankfully, Connecticut's trail system is clearly marked, and relatively free of major obstructions.  Parked right at the entrance, which lines up with part of the Nehantic Trail, and a nice rolling trail with lots of roots, but a mostly soft bed of pine needles to run on.  Decided to turn onto a gravel road and run down and back on that, then down toward the Mt. Misery part of the trails.  Saw a sign for the Rhododendron Reserve on the right, part of Pachaug Trail, so did that as well.  Smoothest part of the run, and I even stopped to take a couple of pictures:

Then on to Mt. Misery, which as an out-and-back run is a pretty good midpoint for this run, which ended up being about 5 miles, at 48 minutes, including the amateur photography.  Very buggy, even with spray, and if I had a nickel for every spider web I ran through this morning, well, I'd have a roll of nickels!  Finished the last leg to the truck at a 6:19 pace, according to my GPS, happy about that, and then promptly got stung in the back of my head by a wasp as I arrived at the truck.  Bastards...going to get a long run in tomorrow :), hopefully sans insects...

Short and Sweet Wednesday, 8/15

So life sometimes stands in the way and says "I know you have things you'd like to do, but NO."  I had intentions of hitting the Stonington Fun Run last night, but had a scheduling conflict and didn't make it.  No prob, got up this morning determined to do something...had to get something in to keep to my training schedule (seriously, I have a spreadsheet with a block of what I should do, next to a block of what I actually do, and I've been pretty good about keeping to it).  By the time I had a small window, though, it was a really small window, so might as well make the most of it...did a two-mile run and alternated between a 7:30 pace, and a 6:00 pace, which is as fast as I've ever done, and showed me that I have it in me to sustain it...now if I can keep it up for a 5K, I'll be pretty stoked...

Still perturbed about the New Balance shopping experience, and their people have offered to get in contact with me, but nothing yet...I did buy the exact same shoes but in a different color.  I'm a terrible shopper, according to my wife, probably from working retail management for years...I tried the 1010 Trail shoe, but it felt wrong.  Too "slidy".  So back to the MT10's, and that's what I'll run the Bimbler's in.  I'm also toying with the idea of running the Nipmuck Trail Marathon at the end of September.  It's a six out, six back, seven out the other way, and seven back race.  Going to drive up this weekend and do the first half, time willing, and make a decision.  75 spots left, and only a $40 entry.  Hmmm...

No run, just surf!

Today was my scheduled lay day for running, and my nephew called last night and asked if we could surf...so we met at my house at 6 a.m.  Nice and cool this morning and not nearly as humid, so we took the van and drove down to Matunuck, where we were greeted with nice waist-high waves, perfect for longboarding...surfed for three hours, got a great workout and headed back to the house.

This is the van, with my daughter Sophia holding one of my surfboards...photo taken by famous surf photographer Dick "Mez" Meseroll.  Perfect summertime surf vehicle!


Going to shoot for the Stonington Borough fun run tomorrow, I think I even talked my nephew Tristan into running it...

This humidity is killin' me...

Sunday, August 12 - Another sticky, warm and overcast morning in North Stonington, but I'd gotten all the chores at the house done...so out the door at 10 for a 5.5 mile run, at a hair under a 9 minute pace, nice and easy and even stopped to take a picture of the waterfall at Spalding Pond:

Felt pretty good in my new running shoes, picked up yesterday at the New Balance store (that's a long story...).  Had to get a new pair and get comfortable with them, so today's run was a bit more tentative than I would have liked, but glad I got out!

8/11 Gray and Muggy Morning

Rained all night and it's very warm and sticky out.  Did the hilly but scenic six-mile loop in my 'hood this morning at a nice, leisurely 9-minute pace, getting myself into a comfortable rhythm and hydrating more than I usually do on this length run.  Starting to realize that the midway to back ends of my runs is where I'm most comfortable, and that for race days, I should probably do a longer warmup than I do...but overall, feeling pretty good.  I was entered to run the Bobby Doyle 5 Mile road race in Narragansett this afternoon, but I have a friend testing for her black belt in karate today, and I wouldn't miss it for the world...so next year, Bobby Doyle, next year...

8/9 - 8/10...Yesterday's run was the short and sweet uphill shot around the corner from my house, as I had a small window of opportunity to do a short run.  Best part about the straight uphill run?  The last half is straight downhill...averaged an 8:30 on the way up, then a low-7 average on the way back down.  Good and muggy too.

Today I went to Pachaug State Forest and ran part of the Pachaug Trail...bugs!  Lots of bugs, and even with repellent, i got attacked in the first mile up Mount Misery (appropriately named) by deerflies, on the top of my head, and had to go back to the truck for my hat...decided to go to a different part of the trail, and did a nice out and back on a gently rolling, but pretty smooth path.  Narrow in spots, but clear and as I'm not a fan of spiders, I'd like it known that there were very few webs to run through.  Temperature about 80 degrees, and overcast, humid conditions, but fairly dry.  Nobody at all on the trails, just me, averaging about an 8:30 pace and keeping my eyes out for roots and rocks :)

Getting caught up...

So I put the blog on the side burner and sort of forgot about it, until I saw my friend Jeff's blog, which is very well put together, and has all kinds of links and fancy stuff added in.  I realized that staying current with this was the goal, and I need keep track of what the Hell I'm doing, since there are about a dozen races leading up to the Bimbler's race in mid-October.

With that in mind, some of the highlights from the last six weeks or so (what a slacker):

6/24 - 3rd annual KIAI 5K, Wakefield, RI.  I am lucky enough to be part of a pretty tight-knit martial arts community, so in 2010, when I found out that Chick Gavitt (Owner of Ichiban Karate) was putting on a 5K in Wakefield, I signed right up.  What I didn't realize until I looked it up was that KIAI stands for Karate Instruction Assistance Initiative, and raises money to provide martial arts scholarships to kids who otherwise would not be able to afford tuition.  Great cause, and one that hits close to home, as I understand the benefits of martial arts training in every aspect of my life, and how much it benefits kids to learn respect, discipline, commitment and self-defense in a safe environment.  So I've run this event every year, and this year I came in 40th, at 25:04 (8:04 pace).  Better finish than my previous two years, felt pretty good and it was a gorgeous day for a race.

7/4 - Camire's Firecracker 4-Miler, Wakefield, RI.  My first time running this race, at the insistence of a friend (you know who you are!) who pulled a no-show...some very fast runners at this race, as it's been around a long time, is sponsored by running stores, and Vibram was giving out pairs of their shoes to the top finishers!  It had rained the night before, and was still drizzling and very humid when the race started.  Somebody at the start line casually mentioned to me that the first part was mostly downhill, and not to go out too fast because the finish was an uphill to the end.  Great advice.  Pretty cool on an out-and-back course to see the "elite" runners and how fast they're moving, I have tremendous respect for them.  I placed 179th, at 33:41 (8:26 pace).  My best 4-mile time in a race so far!

7/8 - Charter Oak Sailfest 5K, New London, CT.  Another new race for me, and a hot day!!!  Very little shade on this course in downtown New London.  A big upside to the race, though, was the fact that the New London Police basically shut the roads down on the course route, which isn't an easy feat in a city, even on a Sunday.  Thanks!!!  A couple of minor hills, but nothing major, and a pretty good party atmosphere going on downtown, with Sailfest happening.  I came in at #147, at 25:11 (8:07 pace).

7/14 - Celebrate Summer 5K, East Matunuck, RI.  This is a race I'd never heard of, and since I didn't have a race scheduled that weekend, I signed up.  Worse things to spend 20 bucks on, right?  And it's a great way to start the day.  Good and hot and humid, temps in the 80s, and 200 or so people turned out.  I was 46th across the line, at 25:03 (8:04 pace), which means that over the last few races, I haven't really gotten faster...but still not a bad thing, I suppose.

Between the 14th and the Blessing Race, I decided to focus more on getting out to some trails.  Living where I do, I have very close access to some very big state parks, and an extensive trail system.  I started hitting parts of the Pachaug and Nehantic trails, in Pachaug State Forest, Arcadia Management Area in Rhode Island, and Bluff Point State Park in Groton, CT.  Big learning curve here, as I've always been a "road guy," and running trails, while infinitely more challenging, also offers a different mental spin on the run.  Especially when you're going miles and miles into state parks, over rocky and hilly terrain, and by yourself.  More about that later...

7/27 - Blessing of the Fleet 10-Mile Road Race, Narragansett, RI.  The 41st running of this classic road race takes place in the heat of Summer, but at 6PM.  The race was delayed by 30 minutes while a big thunderstorm moved through and soaked everything, and pushed the humidity levels through the roof...I was soaked head to toe, socks included, before the race began.  10 miles in wet socks!!!  Whooooo!  Cool race, though, big party atmosphere, bands and hoses, drum circles and more along the course route.  I love Narragansett - I surf there, run there whenever I can, cool seaside town that Lori and I plan on retiring in.  Hydrated all day right up until race time, hydrated after the race and ate two cheeseburgers and still lost 4 pounds...I came in 1606th (big race), at 1:37 (9:44 pace), not quite as good as I was expecting but I was happy with the result anyway.  Second longest road race I've done, also!

8/4 - I was invited by my friend Jeff Walker of the WTAC to help out at a water station at mile 5/6, at the 50th annual John Kelley 11.6 Mile Road Race.  Completely different perspective being a volunteer, had a great time amid the madness of frantically handing out water at what turned out to be an epically hot and humid morning.  Great time, lots of fun!

8/5 - Run4Kerri, Matunuck, RI.  The first race I ever ran, in 2009.  I've run it four years straight now, and this year's race marks the beginning of my fourth year of running races.  Love this race - it's always warm, nice flat course, and my times have been getting better by the year.  This year's race was very warm, and I finished 197th, at 33:48 (8:28 pace).  Great race, great cause and a very festive atmosphere there, with almost 700 runners competing.  My favorite race :)

This is me coming to the end of the race, a bit sweaty but feeling pretty good!