Training Log Archive: Fanatic

Colette and I met up with Bruce Shenker in Canaan, N. Y., and drove to Palenville where we hiked an out and back on the Long Path from Route 23A.

Since I am running the second leg of a three man relay entered in Manitou's Revenge ultra--a rugged 56 mile run through the Catskills--I wanted a preview of what would face me once I got to Route 23A; my first five miles are from North South Lake down to Route 23A, so that did not need any preview.

The climb out of Palenville starts at the lowest elevation, 593', along the race route and we climbed up to almost 2,400' today, before turning around and heading back down.

The first steep climb is on a very wide, very smooth gravel road, so nothing to complain about there, other than the steepness. After that the course takes a break from the climb for about a quarter mile, all on a very nice trail section, but after that the trail is rocky, rooted and climbs steadily once again. Finally we reached a long stretch that was fairly flat, but, alas, very wet and muddy, with lots of roots. Pretty slow going, including a couple of stream crossing, where there are some spectacular waterfalls below.

I knew there was one more climbing section, but we wanted to keep the hike short, so we headed back after two hours. A fine exploratory hike that lets me know what to expect on the 22nd.

C • I saw you had this on your ... 2

Another run in Kennedy Park, where some of the trails were wet and muddy, no thanks to the horse riders. :-)

Aside from the footing, the day was nice and cool and the sun was out by the time I finished.

Over to Kennedy Park for today's run. Took it easy, since I wasn't sure how the legs were going to respond. Turns out they were sore initially, but that seemed to dissipate and then they were fine for about five miles and not so great after that. A nice, cool moist day, so the weather was good for running; it started to rain with about a mile to go.

Colette and I picked up Bruce Shenker on our way to the High Rock Run Up to Indian Chairs race in Palenville, New York. Dick Vincent, the Escarpment Trail Race director, hosts the start-finish area, which is also where the runners get to hang out after the race and enjoy a pot luck meal.

While the uphill race is fairly short, most of the runners then opt to continue on along the trail, which has one more significant climb before a long descent back to Dick's house.

I had done this race last year and my remembrance of it was that it was a hard run. But this year, for some reason, after I had reached the top, I felt that it wasn't that bad after all, not that I ran it very fast.

Run Down from Indian Chairs

And then the run down from Indian Chairs, about five miles long with only one significant climb around the one mile mark. The trail varies from a nice, smooth singletrack to fairly wide old logging roads with lots of rocks and water, but the drop is fairly steep, so keeping up a fast pace isn't hard to do, if you are willing to put up with some twisting and turning of your lower extremities.

I like to run down quickly, it's about the only chance I have to go fast in my old age, and there are plenty of young guys to try and chase down, usually to no avail. :-)

A terrible night with a dull headache that wouldn't go away easily, but the drugs eventually won. Not much real sleep though, until after 5 a.m.

But overall I felt much better during the day, so I decided to do a short run in Kennedy Park, to test the legs. I felt OK while running, but after the run I'm feeling a bit wiped again--good thing I kept it short.

After dinner walk with Colette out toward Woods Pond--basically to where the cows are and back.

This was about all I could possibly do today. I'm not sure what is ailing me, but I woke up with lower back pain, of a nebulous sort, which I finally ascribed as being my kidneys aching. So, lots of water today, trying to flush out whatever was bothering me. I was lethargic all day, and had zilch desire to do anything strenuous. Very strange. Maybe the two long runs in the heat had something to do with it, who knows.