Big River Half Marathon Week...

OK, here we go:  the week of the epic Big River Half...this should be interesting.  I'm running almost exclusively on trails right now, and obviously that's going to be a huge help...

Monday, 3-25 - 1.6 Miles (Trail) - Exploratory drive-time check of the Northern Yawgoog scout property. Taking the back roads from my house gets me to this entire network of awesome trails in less than ten minutes!  After karate this morning, and taking care of a bunch of daily stuff, I had just enough time to go scope this spot out.  Bumpy dirt road drive to the RI/CT border (see pictures below, really the border), where the Narragansett Trail crosses into Rhode Island.  Down the road a bit is Hidden Lake, and the Northernmost Camp Yawgoog trails.  With limited time I had to cut the run short to go meet the bus, but I'll be out there tomorrow...

I'm in Rhode Island...

...and Connecticut!

Hidden Lake, the white trail wraps all the way around...

Many, many cool possibilities here...

Tuesday, 3-26 - 7+ Miles (Trail) - Big River recon runs, 4 on the "Triple Pink Dot" trail, and 3 on the Tarbox Pond trails.  This race is going to be crazy, from what I've seen so far...good running weather today, and the Sun even came out for a bit!  Great mellow single-track on the first run, and good, hilly technical trail on the second.  Needless to say, I'm really impressed with Big River, haven't even scratched the surface of the trails there and looking forward to the half this weekend:

Lots of this on Saturday...

Wednesday, 3-27 - 3 Miles (Trail) - Hidden Lake, Yawgoog white and yellow trails.  Awesome, scenic technical trails that wrap around the lakes of Camp Yawgoog.  Degree of difficulty much higher in places than the Strava stats would lead you to believe.  Really cool stuff, and mid-fifties, shorts and t-shirt weather!

Sun!

Wrapping around the ponds

Zero elevation?

Rock face across the pond

OLD log bridge

Great spot.  More exploration to come here, definitely...

Thursday, 3-28 - 0 - If my "Upcoming Races" list looks thin, it's because of a widespread issue with the blogger, where additions can't be saved and an error message pops up.  In my infinite wisdom, I thought deleting the list and starting it over would work, which is why the "Run With the Beavers" race I just signed up for is the only one on the list!  Good times...

Friday, 3-29 - 5 Miles (Trail) - Barn Island trails with Gazelle and FiveK.  Perfect morning, and I think I've officially retired the running tights for the season.  Met up at 8, brilliant sunshine and a light breeze coming across the water.  Barn Island is a great spot, but as it's all unmarked trails, I'd be hopelessly lost without a guide.  This was a perfect distance for the day before Big River:

View from Barn Island trails

FiveK's excited about Big River tomorrow...

Saturday, 3-30 - 12+ Miles (Trails) - Warmup, cooldown, and most of the Big River Trail Half Marathon course.

"Well, sure, he plays well with others, but he's not so good at following directions..."

I arrived an hour early for the race, which I never do, and immediately ran into pretty much everyone I expected to see there.  Got registered, and got my fancy race bib with my name, WTAC logo, and a special "5 race finisher" logo printed on it.  My name on a race bib?  Must have mistaken me for an "elite" runner...

Quick warmup on the opening stretch of trail with Gazelle, FiveK and David S., and then we lined up.  Eric B., Yvonne R., Beth L. and a few other friendly faces said hello, and then we're off.  I felt really good today, and looking at my numbers I'm pretty sure I could have come in sub- 2:00...alas, that was not to be, as we (myself and two other runners) missed a turn around mile 5, then backtracked several times, picking up more  wayward souls along the way...  

I think there were six or seven of us total that meandered along, both off course and on, and finally came across the finish line at exactly 9 miles.  Funny thing?  I was itching to get back out and get some more trail time in...ultimately, My time was 1:37, including a long stop to try to map out where we were, so I'm happy with my results, even if they won't officially be counted.  Did a quick cooldown with a couple of new friends, including one who ran the TARC race last year and gave me a review of the course.  And it was great to get to see everyone.  Mike puts on a great race, there's a great running scene going on in our little corner of the world, and there was even a Muddy Puddin' sighting!

I look at it this way:  If I'm going to get a DQ, I'd rather it be because I was out on the trail, with friends, on the best weather day we've had in at least six months, having a great time and happened to miss a turn, know what I mean?  Great day, great time...looking forward to ramping up the miles for the next couple weeks, the Clamdigger, and enjoying Spring!  Finally!!!

Sunday, 3-31 - 3.5 Miles (Road) - Breezy out-and-back from the house.  Nothing special, first time off trails in a while, though, which was different, and with a short window in between family engagements I was able to get in a few miles and hit my weekly goal of 30+ miles.  Sweet.  Wasn't sore at all from yesterday's romp in the woods, either!  Great way to close out the Big River week.

Weekly Log 3-18 to 3-24

Monday, 3-18 - 4.5 Miles (Trail) - Old Furnace State Park trails, Killingly, CT.  Another awesome CFPA blue-blazed trail in northeastern CT, with good climbs, and good variety in the single-track trail.  Very well marked, I only missed one turn in 4.5 miles...great views of the pond from the top of the ridge, and although this is an out and back trail, it was a good workout with some technical spots.  Cool rock formations, too:

Old Furnace rocks

Stone single-track...

Supposed to get some snow again tonight, so I'm glad I was able to get this one in...another good start to the week!

Tuesday, 3-19 - 0 - Possibly the most dismal day I've ever seen, snow last night topped off with a steady rain all day...to anyone who ran today, I give you credit...

Wednesday, 3-20 - 2.5 Miles (Road) - Killing time waiting for the schoolbus to get here, but a good, albeit short run...looking for something longer tomorrow, followed by a possible long run Sunday?



Thursday, 3-21 - 7 Miles (Trail) - Grills Preserve with Jim H., Big River trails from Exit 7 commuter lot alone...met Jim at Grills and did 5 miles there, and I'm thinking that it might make a good trainer for the TARC, as the big loop around and back to the parking lot would mimic the TARC setup well?  After Grills, I had some time and wanted to see where the Big River race was going to start?  Quickly realized as I pulled into the commuter lot that there was still quite a bit of snow/slush on the ground, so I threw on the Yaktrax and went for an exploratory run...having no blazes to go by, I followed a set of bike tracks in the snow until I got to Division Street?  Turned back from there.  I've never been to Big River before, had heard it's very cool but also a labyrinth of unmarked trails...will go out with a guide next trip.  Here's a shot of the trail:

Snow!

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention this, to any and all who run Grills Preserve and are interested:  when we got to the place along the river where "Polly's Bridge" (I think that's what it was called) used to be, there were three guys on the other side working on the foundation for a new bridge...I asked how long until it was in place, and they said three weeks, give or take.  I believe there are a whole lot more trails on the other side???

Friday, 3-22 - 2.75 Miles (Trail) - Messy Grindstone-Fowler Preserve trails from the house.  Lots of trees down, many across the trail and lots of branches and stuff everywhere...fun, but a testing run out to the waterfall and back.  Might have to hit something else this afternoon...



Saturday, 3-23 - 0 - Judging a karate tournament took up the better part of the day, and with a relentless wind howling outside, I decided to to take a zero today...

Sunday, 3-24 - 9 Miles (Trail) - Grills Preserve with Mike K., Eric B. and Al F. - Great morning for a run, 40 degrees, sunny and a light breeze.  Ran all over Grills, some double loops, trails were pretty clear and made for a good time:

Eric, Al and Mike on "Big Hill"

No Shamrock Shuffle...Weekly Log 3-11 to 3-17

Indecision, indecision...post Ocean's Run, I haven't decided on a race this weekend with friends, or just opting for a long trail run with friends.  I do like the "Shuffle" 5K course though, runs right through Wickford and is pretty flat and scenic.  Game day decision?  Possibly...

Monday, 3-11 - 0 - Post Ocean's Run rest day, 1 hour of karate...thankfully, no leg workout today!

Tuesday, 3-12 - 4+ (Trails) - Champlin Trails with Jim H. Trails are perfect right now, hopefully we don't get  too much rain later today.  Ran until I started getting nonstop calls about something that had to be taken care of immediately, glad I run with the phone...going to try to stay strictly to trails until Big River, with the possible exception of this weekend?



Wednesday, 3-13 - 5-ish (Road/Trails) - Fowler Road climb, unmarked State Land trails, Fowler Preserve trails, etc.  This was a mish-mash of road and trails - I've been trying to stick to all trails lately, but I knew I was going to get wet at some point after last night's rains, so I threw some roads in first and scoped out some state land trails (didn't go anywhere), before hitting the preserve up the street from me.  Sure enough, got one foot planted right in the muck while trying to rock hop across a wide stretch of boggy submerged trail, but it's all good, that's what trail running is all about!  Perfect day for it, too...



           Afternoon update:  My daughter and I started the first 60-70 feet of our own trail, along the wetlands that sit off the back corner of our property.  Considering that there are miles of forest going straight back from our place, this leads to some interesting prospects...hope I don't step on any property owners' toes...either way, I'm pretty sure I can outrun them :)

Looking back toward the house

Along the wetlands, headed west?

Thursday, 3-14 - 0

Friday, 3-15 - 3+ (Trail/Road) - Lantern Hill trails with Gazelle.  Chilly morning but warmed right up once we hit the trail.  Great climbs there, good technical spots and a good clear view at the top...

We started at lake level...

Saturday, 3-16 - 13.5 Miles (Road) - Local roads with a short intermission on Henne Preserve trails.  Cool day, very little wind, and since I opted out of the O'Niantic 5K, wanted to get a good long-ish run in.  Nice day for it:

Nice single track along the marsh

View from the trails in Henne Preserve

So a pretty solid run, and I still have to make up my mind about the Shamrock Shuffle...

Sunday, 3-17 - 3.5 Miles (Road) - Short out and back from the house.  Opted out of the Shuffle 5K, as it started at 9 a.m., and was a bit pricey.  Chilly and breezy day today, can't wait for a solid day in the 50's or 60's...I feel like all this winter work is going to lead to some much faster times this spring/summer.  Did a bit of telephone pole-to-pole speedwork today, and then pushed it coming home.  I think I may have hit Mike G.'s race pace for a brief, shining moment...and that's progress!

Ocean's Run Half Marathon, Matunuck, RI, 3-10 - 13.1 Miles (Road)

Sunday, 3-10 - 13.1 miles (Road) - Ocean's Run Half Marathon, Matunuck, RI.  I'm now 100% sure that increased mileage, combined with lots of trail running, is doing wonders for my road racing...here's my half marathon results since my first one 18 months ago:

2011 Surftown Half Marathon (My first) - 2:12:04
2012 Surftown Half Marathon (Second) - 1:56:10
2013 Ocean's Run Half Marathon (Third) - 1:49:12

Here's the Run:



So I arrived at the parking area and immediately got yelled at by a guy I surf with, who was directing traffic, for not being in the water, gave me the whole "You're missing it!!!" lecture...dammit, and the course route runs right past my favorite break.  Pulled in right next to Tommy FiveK, who oddly enough was running the 5K...Dude!  You totally woulda been top 10!!!  But congrats on coming in 2nd at the 5K, very cool!  Gathered my gear and did the short warmup run to the start area, with a pit stop at Matunuck Surf Shop to say hello to Bob Fox, surf buddy and shop owner, who was grumbling about the race shutting down traffic.  Sorry, Bob, suck it up...Ran into the WTAC crew right before the start, along with my friend Don W. and a few other familiar faces, and got ready to go.

At the gun, we did a short loop around the parking lot and then hit the streets of Matunuck, which I know well, having surfed there for almost 20 years.  I almost tripped and fell when we passed my favorite break and I saw perfect, offshore, head-high plus waves reeling down the line...wow, I knew it was good, but...WOW.

This is a course made for PR's, and it didn't disappoint.  The goal in my head as we clicked off the miles was to come in sub- 1:50, totally doable.  The great thing about this course isn't the flatness, it's the multiple times the leaders cross paths with the rest of the pack, which gave me several chances to cheer on my WTAC teammates.  Crazy good results by our crew, which included a 1st place by Mike G., 3rd by Muddy, 7th by the Gazelle, and 10th by Rhody Seth???  PR's for everyone (again), I believe, in the world according to Strava!  The crew were out on their cool-down run as I was getting to the finish, and Jeff even attempted to snap off a picture of my flailing body falling toward the end of the race...

Very happy with my result!  Shaved 7 minutes off my PR.  Finished the last 4+ miles with Diane, who used to work with Mike years ago, small world!  Met Beth after the race, a friend of Don's whose blog I just started following, she's awesome!  Had some snacks after and watched the awards after, then caught the shuttle back to the lot.  Great day, and a great race by TRIMOM.  Volunteers were everywhere, including water stops at every mile! Love races like this that are well thought out.

Great run, awesome heated pizza tent after, and a nifty finisher's medal to boot:

Sweet...almost enough medals now to make a wind chime!

So now we get back after it this week, and decide whether to keep to the trails, or mix it up.  The trails have been great this week, and I've discovered some really cool places that don't get the traffic they deserve...sooo, more bloody, muddy fun in the woods (time permitting)?  Big River Trail 1/2 in three weeks...and maybe a St. Paddy's Day 5K next weekend...

Ocean's 1/2 Week (Weekly Log 3-4 to 3-10)

Monday, 3-4 - 3 Miles (Trail) - The Fowler Grindstone Preserve, which starts literally 50 yards from my house.  After karate I went home and, pressed for time, decided to check out the small preserve across the street from me.  Great streams, and a nice dam/waterfall at the far end.  I did an out and back and it came out to just under 3 miles.  The trails definitely need some basic maintenance, and there were several blowdowns, but they were pretty clearly marked and easy to follow.  I even went back out with the puppy and did another mile.  Once again, I'm blown away that such cool trails and incredible scenery are within a few seconds from my front door...

Stream with footbridge crossing

Glacial erratic, cool view from the top

Great way to kick off the week!

Tuesday, 3-5 - 4 Miles (Trail) - Exploring Ledyard, CT day.  I wanted to check out a couple of places in Ledyard today.  The first was the Pike-Marshall Preserve, which ended up being a short, but very cool Nature Conservancy trail that Mike K. and I had run past during a long run.  Well kept and fairly well marked, although I don't think I got all of it.  The second place was the Ledyard Glacial Boulder Train Preserve, which was very short, horribly marked, and possibly one of the coolest places I've ever seen.  Totally surreal landscape, and the trail actually went over the boulders in places.  1.6 miles total and I was drenched with sweat from rock hopping.  Here's a rock I came across on the trail, and the boulder field you had to traverse in places:

Can't believe it ended up like that...

Yes, the trail goes through there...

I'd also like to mention that six of us WTAC dudes met for dinner/drinks at the Mews Tavern, where we used up the gift card we got for winning the team category at the Super 5K.  I'll also happily point out that the beer total was higher than the food total, and special thanks goes to Muddy for putting us over the top!!!

Wednesday, 3-6 - 0 - 1 hour of karate in the morning, weights and stretching in the p.m.

Thursday, 3-7 - 3.5 Miles (Trail) - Very windy Lantern Hill climb, but hey!  It ain't snowing...Lots of trees down on the Mashantucket trails there, but only a few branches across the Narragansett Trail part that were easily cleared...

Friday, 3-8 - 0 - Snow day!

Saturday, 3-9 - 3.5 Miles (Trail) - Cossaduck Hill portion of Narragansett Trail.  Gorgeous day, low fifties and sunny, and snagged the course record for the Cossaduck Hill climb (probably get beat tomorrow).  Stopped to take a picture and forgot to start the Strava app back up, thereby screwing up my map, but no worries!  Gorgeous day, got to run in shorts and a light pullover :)

Bright sunny day!

Sunday, 3-10 - 13.1 (Road) - Ocean's Run 1/2 Marathon - See separate post!  Good times...