Well this morning I woke up with every intention of doing the 3 mountain loop. The weather was kind of chilly and overcast. The rain was holding when I landed in the Brom parking lot. My first 2 minutes into it right before I hit the I beam bridge I tripped, slammed my knee and jammed my finger. I soldiered on and hit the summit. On the way down my knee started to act up a little. The trail was wet and sketch. I took my time in both directions. The down is what kills me.
I headed over to $tratton. Stratton is a little higher up and the temp at the base was way cooler. The summit was in the clouds, so I headed up. I followed the work road up which was in good shape, I started to get a little cold and my feet were already soaked. I finally summited in the cold clouds and the descent sucked! My quads were burning, it was cold, and my feet were soaked.
Back at the truck I called my wife and asked her to pick up a tupper ware tub so I could soak my legs in ice water. Next stop Magic.
I was 3 miles from Magic and turned around. Then I got pissed at myself and headed back to Magic. I was pretty cold and wet getting ready for the last run I pulled a base layer out and a pair of dry socks popped out!! I put on dry socks, dry Salomons, and headed out(it was cold,cloudy, and looked like rain). I got about .2 miles into the workroad to the summit and called it off. My little voice was saying don't do it. I was solo, feeling lightheaded and just not feeling it. Next time will be it.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Two-fer part 2
Well I'm back on the keyboard, the days must be getting shorter. I'm really getting pumped for ski season! Hopefully it will be as good or better than last winter.
Today I came close to completing a goal that's been on my list for a while. I've been wanting to run up Bromley, Magic, and Stratton for the longest time. It actually started as biking to each one and running up each one, hopefully that will be done one day!
I ended up getting a late start today which only allowed me to finish Brom via the Long Trail and Magic via ski trails. The weather today felt more like summer than fall, however the foliage was perfect! The LT was in perfect condition(thanks to the volunteers) a couple muddy spots but eh. I went up Magic via a green trail that was super steep(that's what makes Magic awesome). The ascent wasn't very long, maybe a mile or a little over but it was tough!! The descent down Magic was rough because of the steepness and loose terrain but hey it's effing trail running!!!!!
I had every intention of doing $tratton but just ran out of time, and I am kind of kicking myself right now. Hey that's life and running isn't my full time job. I along with you have this thing called life that's constantly calling.
Today I came close to completing a goal that's been on my list for a while. I've been wanting to run up Bromley, Magic, and Stratton for the longest time. It actually started as biking to each one and running up each one, hopefully that will be done one day!
I ended up getting a late start today which only allowed me to finish Brom via the Long Trail and Magic via ski trails. The weather today felt more like summer than fall, however the foliage was perfect! The LT was in perfect condition(thanks to the volunteers) a couple muddy spots but eh. I went up Magic via a green trail that was super steep(that's what makes Magic awesome). The ascent wasn't very long, maybe a mile or a little over but it was tough!! The descent down Magic was rough because of the steepness and loose terrain but hey it's effing trail running!!!!!
I had every intention of doing $tratton but just ran out of time, and I am kind of kicking myself right now. Hey that's life and running isn't my full time job. I along with you have this thing called life that's constantly calling.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Hamma FEST
The Red Sox are on a winning streak and the world is going to end tomorrow. Figures.
Anyway after the back to back mountain runs I was surprised that I was able to go out and hammer for 41 miles with some big climbs thrown. I kept it in the big ring for the whole ride and felt really good! On the Wilcox flats I was able to hold it at around 30mph for pretty much the whole flat section(the new pavement and tail wind did help).
I headed out on East Arlington Rd up Sunderland hill to River Rd past the Wilburton to Man West-Morse Hill-Tollgate-Bromley-Man East-Union-River-Muddy lane-East Arlington. I ended up averaging 18 mph and am pretty happy about that.(ya I know all you hard-core superstars that ain't shit, but it made me feel good! biatches) Every spring I feel really strong then as work gets busy and it gets hotter it just slowly chips away at my endurance and motivation to train. But thats life!
Anyway after the back to back mountain runs I was surprised that I was able to go out and hammer for 41 miles with some big climbs thrown. I kept it in the big ring for the whole ride and felt really good! On the Wilcox flats I was able to hold it at around 30mph for pretty much the whole flat section(the new pavement and tail wind did help).
I headed out on East Arlington Rd up Sunderland hill to River Rd past the Wilburton to Man West-Morse Hill-Tollgate-Bromley-Man East-Union-River-Muddy lane-East Arlington. I ended up averaging 18 mph and am pretty happy about that.(ya I know all you hard-core superstars that ain't shit, but it made me feel good! biatches) Every spring I feel really strong then as work gets busy and it gets hotter it just slowly chips away at my endurance and motivation to train. But thats life!
Big Spruce
Wednesday I took off into the A.B.C. on a run with Shay where I skiied this past winter. Even with all the rain it was relatively dry. When I came to the junction where I usually continue up I continued straight and took a different route up. It was pretty steep but it took me to the summit. I was really excited because I had yet to summit a mountain in Arlington. There are no "real hiking" trails around here, you have to look and explore to find them. Usually I get "dead-ended". But today we found a route to the summit. The trip total was around 3.6 miles.
Thursday Shay and I went back and tackled it again. I wasn't sure how my legs would feel. I started out with a 20# weight vest on but it made by bad knee feel really tweaky. I went back to the car ditched it and continued on without it. My legs felt really good! I was wondering how Shay would do with it being humid around 70 degrees, and back to back days for him as well. We started off strong then he started to get hot. He managed to keep a good tempo, we stopped at multiple streams where he drank and just dipped his feet in. By the time we were close to the summit I was at a fast walk with him and he was panting like crazy. We didn't summit coming to within around 200 ft. I think the summit is 2335. Nothing crazy.
The descent was steep but we took it easy. At the first stream Shay drank and I covered him with the cool stream water, this seemed to help him quite a bit.
Thursday Shay and I went back and tackled it again. I wasn't sure how my legs would feel. I started out with a 20# weight vest on but it made by bad knee feel really tweaky. I went back to the car ditched it and continued on without it. My legs felt really good! I was wondering how Shay would do with it being humid around 70 degrees, and back to back days for him as well. We started off strong then he started to get hot. He managed to keep a good tempo, we stopped at multiple streams where he drank and just dipped his feet in. By the time we were close to the summit I was at a fast walk with him and he was panting like crazy. We didn't summit coming to within around 200 ft. I think the summit is 2335. Nothing crazy.
The descent was steep but we took it easy. At the first stream Shay drank and I covered him with the cool stream water, this seemed to help him quite a bit.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Summertime Rolls
As the weather gets warmer the restaurant where I work becomes increasingly busier. Once July 4 rolls around it's balls to the wall until the last leaf falls off the tree in November. Every spring I find myself getting in a lot of quality training rides and trail runs in with grand thoughts of racing. Then in middle to late June those dreams are broken like a buerre blanc where the butter is just not cold enough.
I'm planning on doing a 13.3 mile trail race in June on Father's day. It is typically slower that day but the night before is always wicked busy, and it's hot, oh yea and there's a ton of STRESS!! Last summer I did an 11 mile trail run after a super busy night and was in awesome position but around mile 8 I was stupid and almost killed myself hammering down a rock staircase. Thankfully I only blew out my knee. I finished the race running/walking/limping.I came home and iced it for an hour then went to work and did service. It's just me the Chef and usually one other person so calling in sick is not an option, we work through the pain only to suffer more. Just to make it clear this is not McDonald's short order food we're preparing. We do fine dining with a crew of 3-4 that is equal to the stuff that kitchens with a crew of 15-20 cooks prepare. To top it off we usually work out everyday before we come in.
Going back to my original thought, I would love to be able to race. I have in the past and then come in and done service but I must be getting older because I just don't enjoy suffering twice anymore. As the summer season progresses and it gets super hot the heat just drains something out of me that I can't explain. By the end of the work week I am toast! So I will enjoy the spring rides and runs still considering doing races but in all actuality it probably won't happen. I will definately do some shorter 5 and 10k runs, every year we do Race for the Cure which is a great event here in Manchester.
I'm planning on doing a 13.3 mile trail race in June on Father's day. It is typically slower that day but the night before is always wicked busy, and it's hot, oh yea and there's a ton of STRESS!! Last summer I did an 11 mile trail run after a super busy night and was in awesome position but around mile 8 I was stupid and almost killed myself hammering down a rock staircase. Thankfully I only blew out my knee. I finished the race running/walking/limping.I came home and iced it for an hour then went to work and did service. It's just me the Chef and usually one other person so calling in sick is not an option, we work through the pain only to suffer more. Just to make it clear this is not McDonald's short order food we're preparing. We do fine dining with a crew of 3-4 that is equal to the stuff that kitchens with a crew of 15-20 cooks prepare. To top it off we usually work out everyday before we come in.
Going back to my original thought, I would love to be able to race. I have in the past and then come in and done service but I must be getting older because I just don't enjoy suffering twice anymore. As the summer season progresses and it gets super hot the heat just drains something out of me that I can't explain. By the end of the work week I am toast! So I will enjoy the spring rides and runs still considering doing races but in all actuality it probably won't happen. I will definately do some shorter 5 and 10k runs, every year we do Race for the Cure which is a great event here in Manchester.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Bromley to Rootville Rd
Tuesday was cloudy but there was no rain. Shay, Gary and I headed out from the Bromley LT trailhead parking lot from VT 11/30. We left Gary's truck on Rootville Rd in Manchester and took mine up to Bromley. I wasn't sure how I was going to fare today. I did a hilly 54 miler before work on Sunday up to Stratton. I did stop a couple times to take pictures of the racers doing the Tour of the Dragons. Monday I followed up with a 34 mile big ring up to Bromley.
Shay took the lead with Gary and I following. The trail was in really good condition! Mostly dry except there was a lot of downed limbs etc. We ended up seeing three other hikers as well. The total distance ended up being around 6.1miles. Our time was 1:22:00. This was a section that both of us had been wanting to do for a while. All in all it was a great run!
Shay took the lead with Gary and I following. The trail was in really good condition! Mostly dry except there was a lot of downed limbs etc. We ended up seeing three other hikers as well. The total distance ended up being around 6.1miles. Our time was 1:22:00. This was a section that both of us had been wanting to do for a while. All in all it was a great run!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Two-fer
Yesterday and today the weather-fools were calling for rain and thunderstorms. Thankfully it never happened and both days turned out to be really nice, a little warm but really nice. I took Shay out for a trail run yesterday but the heat was just killing him, we ended up doing 3.5 miles. It was an out and back with a nice little climb. Evidence of the recent windstorms are apparent everywhere in the woods right now.
After an afternoon trip to Rutland with my wife the weather was so nice I had to get on the bike. I wasn't sure how my legs were going to feel but I felt like I had to keep it at a high intensity because I just didn't get enough riding in this winter. I ended up doing 35 miles on a rolling course with a couple nice kickers thrown. I was suprised how good I felt even going into the headwind.
This morning the sun was out again so I decided to take Shay up Bromley. The trail was in rugged shape with lots of water and downed limbs once you went past the shelter. I had to move a lot of tree parts off the trail. We turned around once we hit the ski trail Runaround. My gore-tex Salomons were already soaked and I didn't feel like post-holing for a mere .3 miles.
I dropped Shay off at the house, ate a couple sandwiches and decided to go for Equinox. This was my original plan but I was debating on a bike ride as well. I started out at a slow run. My legs were really tight and it got steep real fast. I made it about half way up before it became too snowpacked. I switched out my Salomons for my Sportiva's when I was home, which are not Gore-tex. I wanted to go the the land slide but it just wasn't worth it. On the descent my legs felt really good, no cramping etc. All in all I figure it was about 8 miles all together.
After an afternoon trip to Rutland with my wife the weather was so nice I had to get on the bike. I wasn't sure how my legs were going to feel but I felt like I had to keep it at a high intensity because I just didn't get enough riding in this winter. I ended up doing 35 miles on a rolling course with a couple nice kickers thrown. I was suprised how good I felt even going into the headwind.
This morning the sun was out again so I decided to take Shay up Bromley. The trail was in rugged shape with lots of water and downed limbs once you went past the shelter. I had to move a lot of tree parts off the trail. We turned around once we hit the ski trail Runaround. My gore-tex Salomons were already soaked and I didn't feel like post-holing for a mere .3 miles.
I dropped Shay off at the house, ate a couple sandwiches and decided to go for Equinox. This was my original plan but I was debating on a bike ride as well. I started out at a slow run. My legs were really tight and it got steep real fast. I made it about half way up before it became too snowpacked. I switched out my Salomons for my Sportiva's when I was home, which are not Gore-tex. I wanted to go the the land slide but it just wasn't worth it. On the descent my legs felt really good, no cramping etc. All in all I figure it was about 8 miles all together.
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