Trexler Course Unmarking

I didn't run yesterday.  I road my bike and took video while road running friends hit the pavement.  That was a fun change.  I wanted to get back on dirt today.

Since I didn't work today, things were perfect for an earlier than usual run.  I didn't get a chance to get to Trexler to remove the flags after the Ten Hours of Trexler.  I went out to do that today.

It was very hot and humid when I began around lunchtime.  At least I would beat the storms though.  I knew I'd be dieing at Trexler with so much exposure.  I ran without a shirt.  I had to take it easy.  I knew I had to be careful with water.  I only had one full handheld.  Ideally, two handhelds would've been better for this 8.5+ mile loop.  Maybe I should start parking at the Zoo trailhead and then I can get water halfway through at the Environmental Center.

Instead, I started at the Environmental Center.  I was very disappointed a month or so ago, when I first saw the Border Trail reroute.  It takes out the amazing first steep climb.  Since I was looking to remove flags, I had to take the new Border Trail that we used for the race.  This was the first time I was on this section.

It started downhill and I have to admit I was impressed.  It was a beautiful, flowing singletrack with lush green on the sides and tree coverage above.  After a short bit, it began to switchback around to climb.  The climb is still a bit tough, although I'm sure I'll handle it fine in the cooler weather.  Today, I hiked.

I was surprised to see no flags at any of the turns.  I guess either someone from Trexler or maybe even a hiker removed them.  That allowed me to run along, although I was carrying a plastic bag.

It wasn't long and I was back to the normal trail and route.  The bison were out, but they were up high in their pen.  I guess they like to be there in the middle of the day, rather than near the road.

It was already hot and I was sweating plenty.  The exposed sun sections were brutal, like the long climb about 1.5 miles in.  I hiked the first part, but ran a lot of the rest of it.  I wasn't feeling too bad, since I was being careful.

Even though it was hot, the views in the open part along the top were amazing as always.  I really took them in.  I then headed back on the singletrack.  I went where a friend might've spotted a cougar last week.  I didn't see anything, but I was on the lookout.

I ran for a good stretch here.  I have to be careful.  I can't really run for much more than a mile straight in these conditions, or I start to overheat.  I need to run and hike. 

I got to the two short "false" hills.  Even those, which are steep with loose rock, were a struggle.  The big hill was just a beast.  The bottom is so exposed and the top is so steep.  It was draining me.

I hiked more on the next hill too.  I was being cautious and taking it easy.  While I wasn't feeling strong, my slower pace was allowing me to survive the conditions.  I may be adapting slightly too.

I knew that I needed to cool off in the creek crossing.  I poured my wet buff over my head.  That felt great.  There was a couple on the other side of the creek.  I think they might've been running, but I couldn't tell. 

Shortly after the creek and just before the road crossing, I found my first flag.  They were all over from this point on.  Some might've been picked up or blown away, but I'm ending up getting most of them in this second half of the run.  I was almost wondering if maybe the creek crossing guy was picking them up, since I saw them only after him.  I doubt it, but it was odd.

I ran easy when I could and when I felt like it.  The exposed sections were certainly the worst.  It felt so hot.  After the climb near the zoo, there was a good stretch of running.  I found a small stream after the other road crossing and poured more water over my head.  I did the same about a mile later, when I came to the wider crossing.  Using my buff to cool off with the water was a huge help.

I hiked up the long hill on the way to KidsPeace.  I ran on the dirt road, but then hike/ran on the rolling singletrack after that.  I was happy to be closing in on the Environmental Center.  The heat was slowly wearing at me.

I crossed the final road and was ready to climb again.  I went on the new section.  Again, this is a gradual switchback.  It wasn't as pretty as the other reroute section though.  It adds quite a bit of length too.

I went right to the parking lot and finished up.  I had be hoping to run under 1:40, but the extra distance did me in.  Still, it was a solid and smart run.  In the fall, I can run it harder and faster.  For now, I'll just try to survive.  I think I was able to pick up all of our flags too.

I did just beat the rain, so that was good.  It is supposed to rain all week.  I don't know when or where I'll run.  I guess I'll have to work around the weather.  We shall see.

8.85 miles - 1:45:41 (11:57 pace) 1177 feet of elevation gain

Four Loops of Mt. Tammany

I need to get training for the Escarpment Trail Run.  I need lots of climbing and technical terrain.  Therefore, Ryan, Kobey and I headed to Mt. Tammany this morning to run loops.  Earlier in the week, I had planned on 5 loops, but as I struggled with the heat, I cut it down to 4 loops.  That would still be a PR for me.  In the snow, Ryan and I did 3 over the winter.

The weather was actually nice when we started at 9 AM.  It was around 70, not too cloudy and only slightly humid.  I still ran without a shirt.  I knew it would be a long day.  I'm glad I made that choice.

Elaine from Trail WhippAss posted that they were starting at 9 AM there.  Since we were already planning to start at 8:30 AM, it turned out good.  Ryan and I were there first.  We didn't get rolling right away.  Therefore, we ended up starting with a couple other Trail WhippAss members Chipp and Mahesha.

Chipp had never run there before, so he followed our lead while Mahesha hung behind.  Elaine had not arrived yet.  Ryan took to the front.  I let him do that, because he says I run here too hard and that is my problem.  I told him I never run at all and I still struggle.  I was the one that was right today.

It wasn't long and Ryan was climbing quickly ahead of Chipp and I.  Ryan's climbing skills have improved a lot.  I let him go, as I needed to run my own pace.  Since Chipp didn't know the terrain, he stayed back with me for most of the climb.

I wasn't struggling at all this early, but I wouldn't say I was doing great.  It was a lot of hiking.  The trail was fairly busy and this point and got even busier as the day wore on.

Ryan had his GoPro, so he stopped at times.  I took a summit photo, as always.  We hung for a little bit and then continued on to the Blue Trail.  I ran along easy.

We got to the Blue descent and Ryan just took off.  It was obvious his easy and my easy are completely different.  He was long gone.  The only time I could ever see him was on one very long, steep section.  He was way up ahead.

Near the bottom another guy Gabriel came along.  He came up the other way and joined Chipp.  They knew each other.  Ryan waited for me and we bumped into another friend Dan who was coming from Sunfish Pond.  What odd timing, as he nearly literally ran into us.  I finished loop 1 around 56 minutes.  That was solid.  My watch had not started right away initially.

We rested for a bit.  I took salt caps, added some Tailwind to my water, toweled off and also used a cold rag to keep cool.  Even though it wasn't that hot, I did still struggle a bit in this first loop.

Kobey joined us for loop 2.  Chipp and Gabriel went flying uphill.  They were hiking so well.  Ryan followed for a bit, as he was strong.  Once again, his easy and my easy are different.  Kobey and I were both struggling with the humidity.  For me, it was so much so that my shorts got soaked after this loop.

The climb was a bit of a struggle.  However, it was still mostly hiking, so I survived.  We both couldn't wait until the Blue Trail and the descending.  Kobey and I switching leading on and off down the Blue Trail.  He decided he was only doing one loop, so he pulled a bit ahead to finish.

Near the bottom, we had caught up with Elaine.  Kobey had met her a bit earlier.  She was also with a fast guy, Paul.  They ran behind us.  We never saw Chipp and Gabriel again.  Apparently, Ryan caught up to them and had a mini race.

I wasn't too bad after loop 2.  I figured I would be able to finish 4 loops, but I knew it wouldn't be pretty.  I think I came in these two loops under 2 hours total.  I had not slipped yet, but that would change.

I knew loop 3 would be a struggle.  I hiked along, behind Elaine, Paul and Ryan.  It was fun and the chatting made things less painful.  Still, hiking was starting to become a bit of a struggle.  We were now approaching 3,000 feet of gain.  I didn't fair too bad on the hike actually.

I think Ryan and I got ahead.  Elaine and Paul have 100 milers next weekend, so they are taking it easy.  There were so many hikers up there and they often saw us doing multiple loops.  A few were impressed by our craziness.

We made it to the summit and I snapped a quick photo.  However, I couldn't run much on the technical, flat Blue Trail.  I struggled hiking along the ridge.  At least I could try the descent.

That was tricky too though.  I began losing concentration a little.  It wasn't terrible, but I was landing funny on some of the rocks and it was just slow.  The parts that I find fun, were quite the challenge today.  I had to simply hike some of them, where I would otherwise normally run.  I made it back to the car, but wasn't in great shape.  I think it was around 3:10 or 3:15 into the run now.

We rested a lot more now.  We took some group photos.  I cooled off.  I added some extra Tailwind.  I kind of just wanted to get going and get the suffering over with.

Almost immediately, I noticed that my quads were sore.  Hiking up the steep section was tough.  I felt a little better as time went on though.  Maybe it was knowing this was my last loop.  Whatever the case, I pushed a pretty solid hiking pace.  Ryan fell back a little and Elaine a little farther.

We all met up at the summit though.  I struggled hiking along the ridge on the Blue Trail.  Elaine and Ryan chatted away and pulled ahead.  I thought I might never see them again.

Another guy was running and he went by me.  I decided to run a little and surprisingly, I felt good.  It allowed me to catch up to Ryan and Elaine.  They were still hiking the descent.

I decided that I needed to run and get it over with.  I ran on down.  I picked my way over the rocks.  My concentration was actually better now.  I wasn't fast by any means, but I was at least solid and running.  The legs didn't hurt too much, but my feet were getting very sore from pounding the rocks.  I'm not sure they could take much more.

It was great to finally get to the bottom and on to the AT.  I enjoyed knowing I was nearly done.  I finished about a minute before Ryan and Elaine.  It was a good day and I hit my goal so I was happy.  I didn't overheat too bad, although I didn't do great in the final 2 loops either.

I could've went out for a 5th loop, but it would've been pointless.  I was just slowing too much and hiking too much at that point.  It really wasn't accomplishing much of anything.  If I can figure out how to not fade at Escarpment, then I'll do okay.  Otherwise, it could be a struggle.  This was close to the same distance as that, yet with much more elevation there.

Tomorrow, I'm waking up bright and early to ride my bike.  Kobey has a big group run.  I'm going to bike with Angie and Mel, as they run.  It should be fun and easy.  Maybe I'll add more miles too.  I'll probably take video as well.

14.61 miles - 4:32:59 (18:41 pace) 4768 feet of elevation gain
Mt. Tammany Summits 19, 20, 21 and 22 in 2015

Muggy Lehigh Gap Run

I didn't do anything yesterday, so I had to run today.  I just wasn't sure where.  I'm going to Tammany tomorrow, so that was out of the question.  Then, I realized that I have not been to Lehigh Gap since the winter.  Last time I was there, there was snow on the ground.

It was probably the worst day of summer yet.  If it didn't hit 90, it was near 90.  It was incredibly muggy too.  I started around 2 PM and of course went without a shirt.  The plan was for a short 5 miler.  With some mountain climbing, it wouldn't exactly be easy though.

I'm clearly never going to be good in the heat.  Maybe I can get better though.  I made sure to drink a lot before the run.  I also blasted my car AC, to the point where I was actually a little chilly.  I think basically headed right out to run.

The beginning is easy trail, but it is exposed for a bit.  I ran, but went super slow, so I wouldn't wear myself out.  I had a handheld, but that was it.

It wasn't long and I was back into the woods and on the Woodpecker Trail.  This is semi technical and I was worried about hidden rattlesnakes around the rocks.  I never saw any.  I was surprised that I basically ran all of this.  When it was snow covered, it was too difficult.  Now, it wasn't too steep.

The same thing happened when I got on to the AT.  Again, it was rocky and steep.  However, it wasn't as steep as I remembered it and I was able to run on it a bit.  I didn't think I'd be able to run on it at all.  I cool whether, I may even be able to run most of it.

I picked my way up the AT and began to eventually hike to the AT shelter.  I was definitely hot and sweating a lot, but not as much as I expected.  I was surviving and wondering if the pre cooling was helping.  It may have and I might have to try more techniques again.

The trail flattens out by the shelter, so I used that to run.  Some hikers were at the shelter already and I think surprised that I was running.  However, they obviously didn't know I was hiking a lot too.

I had to hike more after the shelter.  Not long after that though, the AT starts rolling.  It was much more runnable, although still a lot of uphill.  I ran and hiked.

At one point, I noticed some scat on the trail.  It looks like bear scat, so I was very bear aware after that.  I didn't see one though.  I continued on.

I had hoped to actually get out to 2 or 2.5 miles.  For some reason, the trees had not sprouted yet very much on this side of the mountain.  That made it much hotter for me.  I had to hike some and take cover in shade at times.

While I was hot, I was cautious and not overdoing it.  I pushed myself on to 1.75 miles and that was enough for now.  I headed back downhill.  I proceeded slowly and felt much better with a breeze and easy running now.

I got to the intersection of the blue blazed North Trail.  This is much steeper than the AT, so I saved it until now, when I was recovered after the downhill.  I had to hike most of the way up this.  I got over 1200 feet of gain by doing so.

I then turned and ran down.  The descent was a little hot, but fun.  It is rocky, but not too bad.  I'm so used to technical terrain now.  I feel as though I'm getting much better on it.

Instead of going back on the Woodpecker Trail, I stayed on the AT.  That would add about a mile, as I'd run briefly on some road.  The AT is eventually exposed and very hot.  The scenery was great though.

I ran along the road and then turned and ran the road into the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.  I looped around the building and finished up.  I was over 4.5 miles and satisfied with my workout.  The heat certainly impacted my run, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  I did make sure to get in the shade and drink a lot of water afterward.  Cranking the AC in the car helped too.

It was a productive day.  Tomorrow is a big day.  Ryan and Kobey are meeting me at Mt. Tammany.  I'm going to plan for 4 loops.  Ryan is trying to push me to do 5 loops.  I just want to be careful and not overheat.  I'll rest between loops and cool myself off a lot.  Going in the morning might help too.  I hope it is a fun day and not a disaster.  Some Trail WhippAss people will be there too.

4.65 miles - 1:06:12 (14:14 pace) 1224 feet of elevation gain

South Mountain (Lehigh) w/ Ryan

Ryan and I talked about running at Mt. Tammany.  However, I just decided that I wanted to stay local.  We headed to South Mountain (Lehigh) for a short run.

The weather was much nicer than lately.  It was much less humid.  However, I still struggled with it.  I was breathing heavy, even early on.

Ryan and I have been arguing about my summertime struggles.  I tried to explain how poorly I handle the heat.  He keeps trying to insist I need to slow the pace.  I tell him pace doesn't matter, I just can't deal with hot conditions.  So, I let him set the pace and lead the way.  He's never been there, so I had to direct him on the turns.

The one nice thing about this run is it starts downhill.  Ryan cruised on this, already a faster pace that I would've run it.  I always take my time, but he doesn't believe me.

Before long, we were to the first road crossing.  Then, it was some fun singletrack and the first climb.  Sure enough, Ryan steadily picked his way up this moderate.  I didn't get far and my breathing was labored and I was already struggling.  I was forced to hike.  It should be an easy effort, but as usual, it wasn't for me.

Even hiking, I can't breath well.  I ran a little more when it flattened out.  Then, it was on to the next hill.  Again, he ran an easy effort and pace and I had to hike.

I was glad when we got to the downhill part.  I know I can run downhills okay.  I recovered somewhat and cruised along.  We ran past the disc golf course.  Then we crossed the road.

I noticed that even though I had run downhill, I was getting a bit worn out.  Luckily, most of this next technical section was downhill, so I could keep up with Ryan pretty well.

We decided after the small bridge to go across from it.  I don't run this part much and I'm glad I don't.  It winds in and out.  It went on and on and on.  I was wondering if we'd ever loop out of there, but I was sure.  There was some uphill here and I had to hike more. 

When we finally turned an headed back, I realized we were practically doing an out and back.  I got very frustrated, as we were so far out.  I had to hike more, as Ryan got ahead again.

I ran a little more when we went downhill.  I was so thrilled when we finally got out of that section.  I may not run there again for awhile.  Since Ryan was crashing a little himself too, we stuck with the normal loop.

On the way to the overlook, there was a deer right next to the road.  It just stood there and ate grass and stared at me.  I'm not sure I've ever been that close to one and not had it run away.  It didn't seem to care.  We enjoyed the overlook briefly after that.

Then it was on to more uphill.  Again, I struggled quite a bit with this.  It was a lot of hiking and some running.  Ryan was ahead as usual.  We got out to the road and were nearly done.

I even had to hiked the paved steps uphill.  This is a course I never even have to think about hiking in good weather.  My legs felt so fresh at this easy effort.  I just couldn't run much of the hills.  At least we were done and Ryan was able to see my struggles.

Tomorrow, I'm hoping to run again.  I might go to the Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival.  If I do, I may run the Katellen Trail beforehand.  A few repeats would be nice.  However, it will be super hot and humid.  We'll see what I can do.

6.34 miles - 1:15:39 (11:56 pace) 782 feet of elevation gain

Humid Double Tammany Loop

I had a busy weekend, with the Ten Hours of Trexler on Saturday and working on some stuff for it on Sunday.  I had to get out and run today.  The plan was several loops at Mt. Tammany.  I arrived there around 2 PM and the lot was already packed.  Quite impressive for a Monday afternoon.

It was around 80 when I started, but it was also humid.  I debated going shirtless, but in the end, the new Trail WhippAss singlet won out.  It only last one loop in this weather though.  The next loop was run shirtless.

I began as usual, running to the first technical section and then up part of that as well.  I'd have to work really hard to run the rest of this part.  Maybe one day I'll try that.  I hiked the rest of it this time.

I cruised on past the bottom view.  I rarely stop on this run/hike any more.  It was much more of a hike today.  I felt quite terrible for some reason, even early on.  The heat might've had an impact, but it wasn't just that.

What always screws me up is that I try to hike after running and that never works.  My breathing is already labored and the hiking isn't easy, so I can't recover.  I noticed that I do hike quickly and I really lean into the mountain well. 

When I got to the rocky section, a bunch of school age children came hiking down.  I was laughing to myself, as my singlet said Trail WhippAss.  No one said anything if they noticed. 

After most of the really technical section was over, I encountered a guy resting on the rocks, while his friend was encouraging him to go on.  I told him that I'm doing two loops, so he can certainly do one.  Not sure if that worked, but I saw them on my second loop and they were hiking down and did make it to the top.

I encountered quite a few hikers.  I had run around the young kids and that made me go a little faster.  It was tough, as I was overheating and getting really beat.  I figured I'd still do another loop, but really I wasn't sure how.  I was mainly just hiking up and it was a struggle.  I drank some water.

Eventually, I came to the top.  That was a relief.  I got there in under 27 minutes too.  That's fairly quick for me.  I took a selfie of me with the singlet on at the view.  I then headed on the Blue Trail.

I was beat, but there was a breeze on the ridge.  That was nice.  It cooled me off a bit.  I was still stumbling on rocks every now and then and it was rocks that I should not be tripping over.

It was great to be heading downhill.  I took it much easier than last week's run here though.  For one, the heat had made me much less steady.  I did cool off going downhill and actually sort of recovered and felt good.

I picked my way down slowly.  While the Red Dot Trail was crowded, no one was taking the Blue Trail back down.  I think I might've had it all to myself.  If I didn't, I passed one or two groups of people at most.

I cruised back on to the AT at the bottom.  I ran along nice and easy back to the car.  It was over 55 minutes when I arrived there.  I felt much better now, but still had to take a break at the car.

I toweled off, took of my singlet and grabbed more water.  I also drank some concentrated Tailwind.  I had some of that before the run too.  It is so old though, so I'm not sure if it even worked.  I need to park in the shade next time I run here.

I headed back out after a couple minutes of rest.  I was quite beat as this loop started, so I knew it would be even more hiking.  I just wanted to get it in under 2 hours.

I hiked the early stairs and some of the flats.  I knew I'd also hike the technical section.  I saw a few of the hikers come down that were going up or down on my first loop.

I ended up running a little around the bottom view, but again I was so destroyed.  My body was overheating again, even as I was hiking.  My legs felt strong, but my body simply couldn't regulate its temperature very well.

I'm getting to know this trail so well now.  It is both good and bad.  Somehow, I keep missing this one turn in the technical part.  This loop, I finally didn't.  It is tough because even after this part, there is still about 400 feet of gain left.  I battled on up.

Finally, I got to the top about 1.5 hours into the run/hike.  I took a brief photo and headed on my way.  With my body struggling with the heat and the terrain being rocky, I ended up hiking a lot of the Blue Trail along the ridge too.

Once I started really hitting the downhill, I began to run again.  It was a slow run though.  I just picked my way through the rocks.  I passed two hikers on the steepest part.  They had poles and were moving carefully.  I noticed the one guy just watched my feet as I ran through the boulder minefield.

It was good to get through that part.  I kept running and felt a little better now that I was going downhill.  My concentration came back, although I still tripped on some rocks.  For the most part, my foot placement was at least acceptable.

I had a bad issue near the bottom though.  I bashed the front of my toe really hard on a rock.  I had to limp/walk after that for a bit.  Luckily, the pain wore off and I could run again and it isn't a problem now either.

I knew I had to hustle a little.  I would be very close to 2 hours when the loop was completed.  I cruised down the AT.  I saw a thru hiker on the AT. 

I kept watching the clock and it was at 1 hour 59 minutes for awhile.  Luckily, I made it in in just under 3 hours.  I was hot, but I feeling better than I had when I was hiking up.

I don't know what to think.  I clearly struggled so much running or hiking uphill and yet recovered so well going downhill.  I probably could've hiked another loop and then run down, but that would've been a suffer fest for sure.  I'd like to think maybe I can do 4 or 5 loops if I started in the early morning.  I seem to be pushing close to my limits though with the heat on the way up.  My legs felt super fresh and have a lot more in them.

It was a productive day.  Despite the heat and all the climbing, I really enjoyed it.  I never get tired of this loop.  I'm sure one day I will eventually, but not now.  It is such a great training ground.  It just short enough to run over and over again in the summer too.  I was glad to see no snakes or bears up there either.  I guess eventually I'll encounter them.

Tomorrow, I hope to run again.  I'd like to do something else with elevation.  Maybe I'll do repeats somewhere.  I have a nice and steep hill at South Mountain now.  There's also always the Katellen Trail.  I haven't been there in awhile.

7.42 miles - 1:59:52 (16:09 pace) 2351 feet of elevation gain
Summits 17 and 18 for 2015

Ten Hours of Trexler Course Marking

I've been busy putting together the Ten Hours of Trexler all week.  Combined with all the rain, I didn't run much.  I had to mark the course today, before the race.

It was getting hot and humid when I started.  I was able to wear a sleeveless shirt and there was a breeze, so it wasn't too hot.  However, I was run/hiking with a pack on my back, so it was hot.

I started by the bison pen, since that is our start/finish line.  There was a guy parked by the shed there, so I decided not to mark the course yet.  After I got over the hill, I began flagging.  I put flags in the ground at every turn and tried to put a ribbon in a nearby tree too.

It was stop and go, stop and go.  I forgot how many little parts of the trail there are with turns.  Before long, I was on to the road and out of the zoo.  I had to make sure to mark this turn back on to the trail.

There was a guy about to bike as I marked the course.  I ran/hiked up the long hill.  It was pretty running through the open fields, but it was also sunny and hot. 

It was good to be back on the singletrack.  Some of this part has overgrown branches.  I broke a few of them where I could.  I wanted a clipper, but I forgot it.

These first few miles weren't bad, but I knew the hills were coming.  Even hiking them was difficult.  The steepest one is still taxing.  Slowly, this run/hike was wearing on me.

It was good to get to the creek crossing.  It was at its typical height.  There was a dead animal before it.  We should probably remove that.

The big hills were done, but I was tiring a lot.  I had to hike most of the uphills.  I put up a lot of flags in the zoo area.  It took forever for me to open new packs of flags.  I was surprised at how many I used.  Maybe I over marked the course, but I think it is good.

At one point I was finally able to run for a stretch.  I was cruising along and didn't even see the two deer.  They jumped away, one in each direction.  That was cool.

I heard something else move off the trail.  If I didn't hear the toad, I never would've even noticed it.  It blended in so well.  I took some pictures.

I continued to mark the course, running and hiking.  I was getting exhausted with over 6 miles into the run.  I hiked the long hill.  I had to mark a bit on the dirt road later.

I came through the rolling section.  This was pretty, but hot again.  Before I knew it, I was to the new trail part.

I marked the old trail, but it was getting overgrown.  They cut the grass on the new trail quite well.  Ryan went through later and we decided that we'll use the new trail.

It was great to finally get back to the bison area.  It took well over 2 hours and I was beat and soaked.  I trimmed some grass for aid station too as well.  I packed up and I think we are good to go now.  People are still signing up, but that is about it.

Tomorrow will be no running, but a lot of time running around.  I'll be on my feet plenty.  Hopefully this event will go smoothly.  We are around 50 people now.  I'll probably need a good run on Sunday, after a crazy day tomorrow.

9.47 miles - 2:34:26 (16:19 pace) 1445 feet of elevation gain

Cool Evening on Tammany

It rained the last two days, so I didn't get to do anything.  I rode indoors a little, but I don't really count that.  Today was National Running Day, so of course I had to get out there.  I decided to head to Mt. Tammany in the evening.

It was definitely cooler than it had been before the rain.  It was more like typical June weather.  For me, that still met a soaked singlet, but at least I could wear that.  On top of the ridge, it was even a bit chilly. 

I signed up for the Escarpment Trail Race, so I need to get to Tammany even more frequently than I already have been.  On the way up, I hit a lot of traffic for Route 33 construction.  That was frustrating and cost me valuable time.  I was considering two loops, but now was unsure.

I arrived around 6:30 PM.  I got my stuff together quickly and headed up.  A guy went by just before me and I saw him starting to run up the trail.  When I got up the steps, I was disappointed to see that he went down to the other parking lot.  I think I would've caught him if he was running.

Even though it was cooler, my breathing still labored early on.  I was huffing and puffing on the flat section.  If I had a longer warmup, I could definitely run more on the way up.  As it is, my lungs are struggling at the start.

That said, this time, I was able to run more than usual.  I slowly picked my way up the early rocky part.  I got to maybe halfway up before I decided that I was doing too much work.  I began to hike.  I got to 220 feet of elevation gain before hiking.  I noticed at the top of the rocky section, it is 320 feet of elevation gain.  I want to work on running up that far at least.

Near the top, there were some young guys hiking down.  They told me they saw a bear nearby.  I simply said, "Okay, thanks.  I'll keep an eye out for it."  They looked stunned, as I simply continued on up the trail.  I looked all around for it, but couldn't find it.  It was fairly wide in this section, so I wasn't overly worried about an encounter.

I ran a little more after that, but I still didn't run too much more than usual.  I need to work on running certain parts.  If cooler weather would stay, it was sure help.  I amaze myself with how fast I now hike up this trail.  Before long, I was up to the rockiest section.

As I was going up, these young girls and a guy were coming down slowly.  They were impressed at how I flew up the mountain.  Of course, they weren't even following the trail, as they took the steeper way do.  I warned them of the potential bear and that scared them.

I hiked through the boulders quickly.  It was uneventful.  I'm getting faster and faster in sections like this.  Soon, I'll have to start working on running down these too.  At one point, I looked at the gain on my watch and it was approaching 800 feet.  This hiking up is getting easy.  I don't even look at the distance, I just follow the gain.

I ran here and there toward the top.  I made it there in about 27 minutes.  That seems pretty typical for me.  I took a quick photo of the summit and the setting sun.  It was pretty, but I didn't stay.  I was in a hurry this day.

I ran most of the way on the Blue Trail along the ridge.  It is good practice over rocks.  I passed a young couple and they were impressed that I was running.  I told them I have a tough race coming up.

I remember not too long ago that I thought the Blue Trail was gnarly.  It is still an interesting descent, but I cruise down it.  With the setting sun, I did stumble a little, but overall it was still fast.  I was having a blast going down.

Near the bottom, I startled some hikers when I told them I was coming.  I ran right by them and some hikers with dogs too.  I was then on the AT.  I bomb down this sometimes, but today I was still considering a second loop, so I took it easy.

I got back at the car at a little over 51 minutes.  That is a solid time for this loop.  I thought hard about another loop.  However, I was worried about darkness.  The Blue Trail with fading light could've been interesting.  So too would've been the hollow that the AT runs through.  My other concerns were the bear and the side of my foot, which I bashed on a rock.  I opted to call it a day.

Doing one loop here and not going hard doesn't do much for me any more.  I guess it is still good technical practice anyway, but I can move up and down rather quickly now.  To really get a good workout, I definitely need to do multiple loops.  That's my hope in the coming weeks.

I have to start preparing the Trexler course for our race on Saturday.  Therefore, I'll probably head there and run a loop tomorrow.  I'd love to go to Tammany again.  That probably won't happen though.  At least I should be running somewhere.

3.65 miles - 51:22 (14:05 pace) 1204 feet of elevation gain
16th Summit of the Year