5/23/2014 - Sehgahunda Trail Marathon and Relay

5/23/2014: 25.85 miles, 6:36:08, 15:14 pace, 55F at the start, around 80F at the end, 88% RH, calm, sunny.

Sit down, grab a drink ... this will be a long post. Sehgahunda deserves nothing but the best. For those who don't know  ... the Sehgahunda Trail Marathon and Relay is a grueling 26.3 mile trail run with over 2900 feet of elevation change from the Mount Morris Dam down to the Parade Grounds near Portageville. Why? Well ... why not?

My darling wife, Christine, and I woke up at the Allegiance Bed and Breakfast down in Mount Morris. We had arrived shortly before 9PM and I fell asleep a bit after midnight. Our windows faced the east so we were awake with the dawn around 5:30AM. We got out of bed at 6:20AM. Later Christine told me that she had not slept because she was worried about me and my history at Sehgahunda (more later).

The gear is all ready!

I had laid out my running clothes so I just put them on. I wore my CW-X shorts, Sehgahunda Training tech shirt from 2012, Darn Tough crew socks, Salomon SpeedCross 3 trail shoes and my lucky orange Fleet Feet hat. We left at 7:07AM and arrived at the Mount Morris Dam at 7:12AM. Nice!

I geared up with my cobbled together Salomon running vest and Camelbak water reservoir and 3 GUs. I walked around and say "Hi" to people I knew: Prem Kumar, Steve Levitsky, John Muoio, Frank Quattrone, Anzhela Knyaveza, Kathy Reardon, Bambi Jasmin, Joe M, Jim Roche, Jim McLaughlin, Laura Church and many more. The 2 Jims and Laura were members of the Brooks Endurance Team and were helping put on the event. Christine applied lots of sunscreen to my head, neck and shoulders.

The solo women went off at 7:45AM. I milled around, kissed Christine and got in with the solo men. I heard Boots tell us that the course was muddy. And .... we were off at 8AM.

The start - taken by Christine

Start to CP1, 6.1 miles: I started in the middle and was soon antsy. I was behind Frank and Steve before mile 1. Frank dared me to pass so I did. I soon found mud ... lots of mud. I started to pass the slower women around mile 3. I said "Hi" to the ones that I knew. Soon I saw high tension lines so I knew the climb to Check Point 1 (CP1) was soon. The tone was now set ... lots of unrelenting mud ... sticky, slippery, shoe sucking mud up and down to CP1 through CP6. Some of the people that I had put behind me real early passed me: John, Frank and Steve. I think I am destined to be a rabbit when I run long distances ... I start fast and finish slower. Anyway ... I managed to run a bit up through the mud as I said "Hi" to people that I knew coming down from CP1. I would see most of them at each CP. I saw Prem coming down from CP1 as I was going up so I knew he was ahead of me. Every time I saw him he always told me that Christine was waiting for me. Sure enough, Christine was at CP1. Leg1 of 6.1 miles was complete in 1:06:25, 10:55 pace. I had 2 Endurolytes, water and chips in the 2:27 I spent in CP1.

CP1 - taken by Christine

CP1 to CP2, 2.5 miles: I ran down from CP1 and said "Hi" to the people that I knew: Kathy, Bambi and others ... I would see them again and again. I turned left at the bottom and ran onward. Up and down, through mud fields. Faster relay runners would pass occasionally now. Soon up, up and up to CP2. I managed to run a bit through the mud up to CP2. Christine was at CP2. The CP2 people was insistent that I had enough fluid to reach CP3.

CP2 taken by Julie Schroth D'Ovidio

CP2 - taken by Christine

CP2 to CP3, 6.8 miles: This was a long stretch punctuated with the usual mud fields, long climbs, roots, rocks, descents into gulleys, ascents from gulleys, stream crossings, etc. I had a bad stretch for a bit around mile 12 to 13. I had a couple of GUs and soon felt a bit better. I remember looking at my Garmin and seeing it click over to 3 hours and saw that I had gone 14 miles. It had gotten hot. I walked most of the climb up to CP3 and ran just before I heard Christine. I changed from my black Sehgahunda Training tech to my white Flower City Half tech, had 2 Endurolytes, water, GU and potato chips. My trail shoes and Darn Tough socks were caked in mud. I was certain that I was getting a blister on my left foot somewhere. Leg 2 (CP1 to CP3) of 9.3 miles was complete in 2:10:29, 14:02 pace.  I spent 4:48 in CP3.

CP3 taken by Christine

CP3 taken by Christine

CP3 to CP4: 2.3 miles: I was slowing. A shuffle down through the mud field, turn left at the bottom and onward. I reminded myself to be careful of the roots. Same old, same old and back up. Christine was at CP4. I had 1 Endurolyte, water, GU and potato chips. I had several PB&J squares since I was getting hungry. Christine told me that she could not drive to CP5 so she would see me at CP6.

CP4 - taken by Christine

CP4 to CP5: 1.7 miles: Onward ... down through the roots and mud field, turn left at the bottom, onward. More roots and rocks to be careful of. This section had a really long climb and descent. I was now walking the ups and trying to run the flats and downs. My run pace was more like a shuffle ... Steve Levitsky later called it the Sehgahunda shuffle. Then the climb up to CP5 ... just mud, roots and mud. The usual water, PB&J squares and chips were consumed.

CP5 to CP6: 2.5 miles: Onward ... down through the mud and roots, turn left at the bottom, onward and back up to CP6. The climb to CP6 was brutal. Up for about 1/4 mile in a kind of dry streambed, then more mud fields. Christine was there waiting for me. I was in kind of bad shape at CP6. I teetered a bit, put my hands on my knees, had 2 Endurolytes, water, PB&J squares and chips. Leg 3 (CP3 to CP6) of 6.5 miles was complete in 2:03:09, 18:57 pace. I spent 4:45 in CP6.

Only 4.4 miles to go ... I told Christine that I would see her at the finish. There was no way I was not going to finish ... the motto "run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must" came to me.

CP6 - taken by Christine

CP6 to CP7: 1.3 miles: Onward, mind over matter ... down through the mud fields and rocks for the last time, turn left at the bottom ... onward for a mile that seemed like it would never end. RFP was my motto ... Relentless Forward Progress. I was careful not to trip, I knew I was tired. I made it to the stone road and CP7. I had water, PB&J squares and chips ... onward.

CP7 to CP8: 1 mile. The stone road had some hills that should have been easy to run up ... but.not so much after 23 miles. I struck a deal with myself: walk the ups, try to shuffle the flats and downs, look for shade. I had water, PB&J squares and water at CP8 ... onward.

CP8 to the finish, 2.2 miles. The path was the Greenway now ... relatively flat and level. So I struck up what I could that resembled a run. Onward for about a mile. I walked a tenth and then ran onward. I could hear the finish. I saw the stop sign at the Park Rd. I turned left, went up the hill. I had to walk a bit. I got back to a shuffle, then a slow run, I turned into the Parade Grounds, took a wrong turn in the parking lot, got back on course and headed to the finish. I saw Christine. I raised my arms and did a V for victory sign as I crossed the finish line in 6:32:56. Leg 4 (CP6 to Finish) was complete in 1:01:01, 13:52 pace. Done!

At the finish line - taken by John Simpson

The finish line!

Finish: I had some Lemonade. I sat down where Christine had put the chairs that she had brought at Dollar General when I was running between CP2 and CP3. She got me some food. I was really tired. Both our cell phones were dead so I asked Anzhela Knyaveza to take a few post race pictures.

Prem came over. He had run a real strong 6:01:59 just 2 weeks after running 53 miles at Mind the Ducks. Tina Pellegrin came over to talk. She told us that she had DNFed at CP3 because of a wasp sting she got on her butt around mile 12. She said she remained calm and walked herself out for 3 miles until she reached CP3. I saw a lot of people as I sat next to the finish line watching people finish. It's all a blur. Taking off my trail shoes and socks was not enjoyable. They were soaked and caked with mud. I got a bit of a cramp in my left knee, ouch. I was surprised to find that I had no blisters. I might have picked up a couple more black toenails to go with the 3.5 I already had though.

Mud! - taken by John Simpson

Someone did take a picture of the scenery ... I did look around occasionally and saw a bit

Christine wanted to drive back to Mount Morris but I jumped into the drivers seat first. She was a bit pissed. We carried our gear up to our room. We charged our phones and powered up the laptops. We took turns using the bathroom. She had the bathtub first. Then I took a shower and a bath. My feet and legs were filthy. I noticed that the bath towel was a bit dirty when I toweled off ... maybe I should have taken 2 showers and baths.

I pulled up the Sehgahunda results, link here. Officially, I finished in 6:32:56, 14:57 pace, 111th out of 164 solo runners, 8th out of 15 in my 50-59 age group. 32 solo runners DNFed, the highest of any Sehgahunda. Other people that I knew who ran the solo: Joe Ciecierega finished in 5:30:17, Yoshihiro Nozaki finished in 5:31:36, John Muoio finished in 5:40:11, Frank Quattrone finished in 5:55:04, Anne Esposito finished 5:55:19, Anzhela Knyaveza finished in 6:12:13, Steve Levitsky finished in 6:22:01, Rob Ganey finished in 6:52:51, Bambi Jasmin and Kathy Reardon finished in 7:08:06, Marilee Pryor finished in 7:18:13, Bob Lonsberry finished in 7:22:53, Tom Butler finished in 7:45:01 (and ran the Buffalo Marathon the next day) and Veronica Falkevitz finished in 7:59:18. The relay team results are here.

But Sehghunda is more than results and stats ... it's about the experience of earning the hoodie and the necklace! It's the opportunity to test oneself and see if you are worthy.

The aftermath ... muddy shoes, socks, calf sleeves and bib along with a well earned hoodie and finisher's medal.

I would like to thank Fleet Feet, the Fleet Feet Endurance Team, Yellow Jacket Racing, their staff, the volunteers, the Park Police, the ambulance crews and spectators for all their help encouragement. I would especially like to thank my darling wife, Christine, for crewing and helping me during the race.

I am now 2 for 4 at Sehgahunda. I fell and broke a rib on my right side in 2010 between CP1 and CP2, DNFed at CP3, blog post here. I overhydrated in 2011, DNFed at CP6, blog post here,. I finished in 2012, blog post here and now 2014. Will I be back for 2015? Maybe, maybe not. It might be time to experience the Buffalo Marathon instead.

I collapsed on our king sized bed back at the Alligiance Bed and Breakfast. I revived my phone enough and texted my kids and siblings to let them know that I was still alive and had finished. I listened to Christine snore for a while as I watched a bit of TV. Supper was Bugles and cookies. Soon ... zzzz!

Sunday, 5/18/2014 to Friday, 5/23/2014 - Lilac 10K

I ran 3 times this week for 13.99 miles.

Sunday, 5/18/2014: 2 runs of 1.4 miles and Lilac 10K, 52F, 66% RH, 7 mph W wind, sunny

I was up around 6:30AM for my fifth running of the Lilac 10K. I called Bill Beyerbach to let him know that I wouldn't need a ride to the race since Christine had come home during the night after a quick visit to see her father in Ravenna OH. I quietly got ready, kissed Christine goodbye, was out the door around 7:45AM and was down at the Al Sigil Center by 8AM.

It was a bit cool but I wore shorts, a short sleeve Medved Madness tech, Brooks arm warmers, light gloves and my lucky orange Fleet Feet hat. I didn't carry water.

Peter Francia won the Lilac 10K in 16:35.

I hung out for a while and then took an easy 1.4 mile warmup run at 8:33 pace, link here, to get my legs warm. I got a drink of water, visited the bathroom and lined up about 10 feet from the start line right next to Prem Kumar. He had run the Lilac 5K at 8AM in a sizzling in 21:14 which is awesome in my book. Bill Beyerbach was just ahead next to some GVH runners.


And ... we were off! I soon settled in a nice running groove. I wanted to hold back and ran a 6:47 first mile. I jockeyed back and forth with Bill and Prem during the first two miles. I passed Prem for the last time around mile 2 and Bill around mile 2.5. I saw Mort Nace of Medved and then the Fleet Feet cheering section at the corner of Monroe Ave and S Winton Rd. It was nice to see familiar faces! I was running well ... mile 2 at 7:06 pace and mile 3 at 7:05 pace. I took a cup of water on the run just after mile 3 ... didn't cough it back up. Now it was into the neighborhoods south of Highland Ave. Mile 4 was a bit slower at 7:18 pace. I was getting tired as we ran north on Hemingway Drive. The slight hill onto Highland Hill seemed much steeper as I really wanted to stop to walk ... but I didn't. I slowed a bit but didn't walk. Mile 5 was endured at 7:31 pace. I ran onward on Highland Ave on the gentle uphill back to the finish. I concentrated on keeping my position ... not catching the runners in front and not getting passed. Almost there .. mile 6 at 7:17 pace. I kicked it up at bit to 7:04 pace for the last 0.26 miles. Done in 44:54, 7:15 pace. I needed water right away. Prem came in at 45:34 and Bill came in at 48:21.

Soon I had a bit of post race grub ... a bag of potato chips, juice and a banana. I learned that I was 3rd in my 55-59 age group ... which I didn't expect. I hung around for the awards as I talked with other runners. I received a nice medal and a Brooks drawstring running bag ... sweet!

The bling!

So ... I did pretty well. I was 141st out of 1204 runners and 3rd out of 45 runners in the 55-59 age group. A link to all of the Lilac 10K and 5K results is here. I also placed 56th out of 84 in the USATF-Niagara standings. Here is a Democrat and Chronicle news article, link here. I did stop to take a few pictures of the lilacs.

Soon ... I was home waking up my darling wife and drinking coffee. A nice way to spend a morning!

Later Bill Beyerbach called and asked me out for a bike ride. I felt like declining but didn't since he really wanted to go. He rode over to the apartment around 4:30PM. We geared up and headed out on my usual both sides of Genesee River route. Christine yelled out "Billy and Dougie have fun!" as we left.

I did have a bit of trouble about halfway. My front brakes locked up after I had a brief excursion into some bushes. A person came off the porch of the house we were stopped in front of and looked at my brakes. He ended up unhooking my front brakes so just my back brakes were working. We had no trouble the rest of the way ... except I was careful since I only had back brakes.

Christine suggested that we go out to eat and I didn't resist. We ate at Salvatore's. I must have had a tape worm ... it took half a medium pizza with pepperoni, pineapple and bacon followed by 5 chicken wings to satisfy my hunger. Huh?

Monday, 5/19/2014: Rest day ... lots of DVR watching.

Tuesday, 5/20/2014: 6.33 miles, 1:04:27, 10:11 pace, around 70F, overcast, perfectly calm.

MapMyRun activity for Ran 6.33 Miles on 5/20/2014

I needed to get one last hill workout before Sehgahunda so I drove down to Cobbs Hill ... where else? I wore my CW-X shorts, Sehgahunda Training tech from 2012, Salomon Speedcross 3s and my Salomon vest with the Camelback hydration pack so I could simulate running with my Sehgahunda gear. I noticed that I had forgot my Garmin so I downloaded MapMyRun onto my iPhone and set out. I took it nice and steady but determined. I powered through 5 switchbacks and 5 grassy Vs before I stopped. A nice and satisfying run!

Wednesday, 5/21/2014: Sehgahunda taper day 1 equals rest.

Thursday, 5/22/2014: Sehgahunda taper day 2 equals rest

Friday, 5/23/3014: Day before Sehgahuna

I picked up my Sehgahunda hoodie and drop bag at Fleet Feet Armory store after work. We had already booked a room at the Allegiance Bed and Breakfast down in Mount Morris so we packed for a two night stay, the night before and the night after Sehgahunda. I had all my stuff packed in about 30 minutes. My darling wife, Christine, took ... a bit longer.

We got down to Mount Morris around 8:30PM and checked in. The Alligiance Bed and Breakfast was an old mansion. We had the Fitzhugh room with a king size bed and a nice sized bathroom that required 2 steps down to get into. Here are some pictures from their website.

We were hungry so we stopped by the Charred American Bar and Grill to eat. Service was slow but I had the pulled pork and Christine had the taco salad. I was asleep by midnight. Our phones were set for 6AM.

Sunday, 5/11/2014 to Saturday, 5/17/2014 - Dirt Cheap #2 and NCA 5K

I ran 3 times this week, 9.74 miles.

Sunday, 5/11/2014: Happy Mother's Day

I stayed close and romantic to my darling wife, Christine, most of Mother's Day. We made a chicken salad together for a early supper. Then we watched our latest Netflix DVD (that we have had for 2 months like usual), "Oz The Great And Powerful". Then we watched an OnDemand movie: "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug". I did venture forth to procure a pizza from Pizza Hut for a late supper. All in all, a relaxing day.

Meanwhile, 1010 runners and walkers participated in the BCCR Pink Ribbon Run Walk in downtown Rochester on Sunday morning, results here. The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) raised $175K according the Democrat and Chronicle news article here.

And ... a local runner by the name of Bob Dyjak was down in Delaware to run the Delaware Marathon. This was his latest state in his quest to run a marathon in every state. He was 456th out of 517 in 5:42:26, 13:04 pace, results here. He thinks that his relatively poor (by his standards) time was the result of giving blood three weeks before. I did a Google search on "blood donation while running", link here. He is probably right judging from this link here.

Monday, 5/12/2014: 4 miles, 42:52, 10:42 pace, 73F, 41% RH, 5 mph NNE wind, partly cloudy

I attended the calling hours for Michael Shortley III, obituary here, in the morning along with other runners. It's sad that Michael's life, just three years older than I am, was cut short by cancer.

My darling wife, Christine, had supper ready when I got home. I ate a nice helping of beef and baked potato even though I was going to run hills a hour later. I met up with Bill Beyerbach who was training for the Mount Washingon Road Race on 6/21/2014. The running joke about Bill's upcoming race is that "It only has 1 hill".

Garmin Connect Activity for Hills at Cobbs Hill with Bill Beyerbach

Predictably I paid the price for having a full stomach. I was sluggish as I drudged up the first switchback and up and down the V. But I continued onward. The next two got better. We quit after 4 miles at 10:42 pace. I was thinking about a fourth but Bill has a GVH workout tomorrow night, then Dirt Cheap Trail Race #2 on Wednesday night (like I do) and another GVH workout on Thursday night so he needed to conserve his strength and legs. I didn't argue too much.

Tuesday, 5/13/2014: Rest day ... moving on!

Wednesday, 5/14/2014: 2 runs of 0.5 and Dirt Cheap #2, 60F, 71% RH, light NNE wind, overcast, light to heavy rain.

It looked like rain, there were rumbles of thunder and there was a severe thunderstorm watch. But it was a Dirt Cheap Trail Series Wednesday so the Lakeview Lodge in the Webster Town Park on Holt Rd was the place to go!

I got there around 6PM. It was definitely cooler up at Lake Ontario! It had been almost 80F during the day but it was a cool 60F. I debated on wearing gloves!

Garmin Connect Activity for Warmup before Dirt Cheap #2

I got out for a quick 1/2 mile warmup run, 8:41 pace, to warmup my legs and body. I settled in at the start and said "Hi" to Bill Beyerbach, Jim McLaughlin, Jim Roche and Prem Kumar before the start.


A light rain fell when the men started at 6:30PM.

I settled in and tried to hold my position as we splished and splashed through the mud ... lots of it! It started to pour about a mile into the race. I heard Bill behind me for the first two miles. The 100 yards through the creek was at mile 2.3. It washed a bit of the mud off our legs and shoes ... we soon found more! Bill had told me to shorten my stride and increase my turnover when I climbed hills. I tried that and I didn't walk any hills as a result ... sweet! This race is the longest of the three Dirt Cheap trail races. Up and down hills, round corners, slipping and sliding, splashing in and out of mud, keeping up with the guys in front of me, onward!

Eventually I could hear the sounds of the finish line ... only 1/2 mile to go with several hills in between. Up, up the last hill to the finish ... done in 48:36!



I got a drink of water and congratulated Bill and Prem when they came in. A hot dog and banana was a most welcome post race food. Yellow Jacket Racing knows what they are doing! I got a bit chilled so I brushed off most of the mud off my legs with what is now a dirty towel and changed into my dry tech shirt, socks and road shoes.

I did pretty well. I finished 39th out of 323 and was 1st out of 6 in my M55-59 age group, link here. Jim McLaughlin was 7th in 44:42 for 1st in his M40-44 age group, Jim Roche was 12th in 45:53 for 1st in his M50-54 age group, Bill was 63rd in 51:38 for 2nd in his M55-59 age group and Prem was 73rd in 53:08. Prem looked good after running 53.6 miles just three days ago!

Thursday, 5/15/2014 and Friday, 5/16/2014: Rest days ... nothing much happened.

Saturday, 5/17/2014: 2 runs of 0.6 mile and NCA 5K, 46F, 61% RH, 8 mph W wind, wind chill 42F, sunny.

I was up early at 6:40AM. I let my darling wife, Christine, sleep as I got ready for the NCA 5K. The temp was the mid 40s so I chose to wear shorts, Brooks arm warmers, a short sleeve tech shirt, light gloves and my lucky orange Fleet Feet hat. I left at 8:05AM and got down to the Northstar Christian Academy at 8:20AM. I parked next to Prem Kumar and hung out with him before the race.

Garmin Connect Activity for Warmup before the NCA 5K

We went out for a short 0.6 mile warmup run at 7:38 pace before the race to get our legs warm. I said Hi to Wilt Alston, Erik Juliani and Bob Dyjak before the race as we lined up.


The route was the same as the Freezeroo #1 in December 2013 so I knew what to expect. I started out hot at 6:34 pace for the first mile as we weaved in between buildings and parking lots in Lions Park, out Kentucky Ave and north Long Pond Ave. I tried to hold my position but some young runners passed me, then Prem and Wilt passed me around mile 1. I kept them in sight as I headed down Trolley Blvd to the turnaround. Back I went. I wanted to stop but I wanted to hold my position relative to Wilt and Prem so I continued onward through mile 2 at 6:56 pace and then mile 3 at 6:57 pace. I knew I was going to catch them but no one else caught me as I sprinted at 6:23 pace toward the finish line. Done in 21:23! Wilt caught Prem in the last tenth to finish in 21:03 and Prem finished in 21:06. Erik ran a 5K PR of 20:58 ... nice!

A pint of water tasted really good afterward. I congratulated Prem and Wilt on their races. I did OK. I was 18th out of 153, link here. I was 6th out of 15 in my fast M50-59 age group, link here. All in all, a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

Later, I kissed my darling wife goodbye around 2:30PM as she headed out to Ravenna OH to see her father. I thought that her plan was to spend the night at her daughter's house in Lakewood OH. I wanted to spend some time cleaning up the apartment in her absence.

Soon my youngest son, David, called and invited me out to Roncone's for some fine Italian food. He had the gnocchi and I had the chicken parm. A nice early supper! I did get the bathroom cleaned and 3 loads of laundry done before I got a phone call at 11PM that Christine was in Erie PA and headed home. She crawled into bed around 3AM. So ... she did an out and back of her own of 555 miles in about 12 hours.

Monday, 5/5/2014 to Saturday, 5/10/2014

I ran 4 times this week, 25.15 miles

Monday, 5/5/2014: A deserved rest day.

I found what caused my pain when I was running downhill yesterday: my toenails. I had forgotten to cut my toenails. They were slamming against the front end of my trail shoes and causing pain. I trimmed my toenails. I have 2 new black toenails on my left foot though ... nice!

Tuesday, 5/6/2014: Another rest day.

I had wanted to either head down to Cobbs Hill to do trails or run flat around the neighborhood. But my darling Christine had a roaster chicken cooking in the oven with 37 minutes to go ... so I didn't argue.

Wednesday, 5/7/2014: Another rest day.

Arrgghh ... starting to get antsy. I am thinking of running a bit long on Thursday and then a long trail run on Saturday morning will do the trick for the week.

Thursday, 5/8/2014: 9.5 miles, 1:15:41, 7:58 pace, 68F, 43% RH, 10 mph NE wind, sunny.

Garmin Connect Activity for Out and about in Irondequoit

I needed to run. I dallied around like usual after work but got out around 6:30PM. I thought about doing a "Both sides of the Genesee River" route or maybe going out and then down Seneca Park Ave, back up Thomas Ave and St Paul St but just decided on my usual 15K route. I guess I am predictable. Maybe next time. Anyway I took it out a bit nice and easy. But ... I picked up a bit and ran kind of fast like usual. My splits were: 8:11, 7:52, 7:57, 8:16, 7:4, 7:53, 8:04, 7:51, 7:54 and 7:55 over the last 0.5 mile.

My feet hurt after mile 8. They felt like I was running on "dead" shoe but my Brooks Adrenalines only have 316 miles on them. I usually run until I have 500 miles on a pair of shoes before I change them. Maybe my feet were tired?

Friday, 5/9/2014: Rest day.

The usual rest day plus early to bed to boot! Summer came suddenly to Rochester. The high was in the mid 80s.

Saturday, 5/10/2014: 3 trail runs of 5.65, 4 and 6 miles.

I got up early, geared up and was out the door by 6:40AM. I headed over to Webster to see the start of the Mind the Ducks 12 Hour Run (MTD). MTD is a 12 hour race on a 1.012 mile course in North Ponds Park. I said "Hi" to the runners that I knew or knew me: Prem Kumar, Amy Lord, Tom Butler, Bill Murphy, Suzanne Macaulay, Jacob McManus, Sean Storie and Rob Wilder. A few runners thought I was there to run ... maybe next year.

The start of Mind the Ducks with Rob Wilder, Prem Kumar, Suzanne Macaulay and Jacob McManus - pardon the fingers!

Prem Kumar after 1 loop

Suzanne Macaulay and Jacob McManus after 1 loop

Amy Lord after 1 loop

Tom Butler all smiles after 1 loop

Then I headed out for some miles of my own. I had this crazy idea of running on three different trails in the same morning.

Garmin Connect Activity for Lucien Morin Park - White Trail

First, I headed down to Lucien Morin Park to run the white trail. The weather conditions were: 64F, 68% RH, 17 mph WSW wind, sunny. I found mud very quickly as I headed up the hill from the trailhead and more toward the end. I just did an out and back, 5.65 miles, 13:11 pace. I had forgotten how twisty the White Trail was in this park!

A selfie at Lucien Morin Park. I have to worry about sunburn on my head now. Definitely don't have to worry about combing my hair though.

Garmin Connect Activity for Hills at Cobbs Hill

Then it was onward to Cobbs Hill. The weather conditions were: 68F, 64%, 10 mph W wind, sunny. I had a Hammer Gel before I headed out. I did 3 switchbacks and 3 grassy Vs for 4 miles, 10:50 pace.

Garmin Connect Activity for Mendon Ponds Park - Blue & Green Trail

Third I headed down to Mendon Ponds Park. The weather conditions were: 70F, 56% RH, 17 mph W wind, sunny. I put on sunscreen and had a candy bar before I headed out. I did my usual Blue and Green trail for 6 miles that I knew so well. I flat out ran out of energy during this run. I had another Hammer Gel en route but ended up walking a lot more than I usually do. I think I should have had more to eat before and during these three runs. I ran between 7:45 AM until 12:15 PM with breaks in between with only 2 Hammer Gels, candy bar and water. Lesson learned.

I recovered from my morning's exertions for a bit. Meanwhile, the runners at MTD were running and walking and running ... Anzhela Knyazeva took some pictures around 11AM.

Bill Murphy - picture by Anzhela

Jacob McManus - picture by Anzhela

Kim Rapp - picture by Anzhela

Prem Kumar - picture by Anzhela

Rob Wilder - picture by Anzhela

Suzanne Macaulay - picture by Anzhela

 

Amy Lord - taken by Ron Heerkens Jr

Later I headed back out to Webster to see the end of the MTD. I met up with Bill Beyerbach and Bambi Jasmin and talked with them while we watched all the runners cross the finish line as they ran or walked around the mile course.

Sean Storie - taken by his wife

It was quite inspirational seeing the remaining runners reach the finish line before 7PM. One guy, Robert Veeder, sprinted to the finish line to finish at 12:00:04. Bill Murphy ran 31 loops, Amy Lord ran 32 loops, Tom Butler ran 40 loops, Kim Rapp ran 52 loops, Prem Kumar ran 53 loops, Jacob McManus ran 54 loops, Suzanne Macaulay ran 58 loops, Sean Storie ran 58 loops and Rob Wilder ran 63 loops. Results are here.

Meanwhile, some of the multisport athletes from the Rochester area ventured down to Watkins Glen for the Fly by Night Duathlon, results here. It was Run-Bike-Run-Bike-Run. Each run was 1.7 miles and Each Bike was three long laps of the Watkins Glen International course of 3.4 miles.



Wendy Abbott on the podium - taken by John Muoio

Kathy Reardon - taken by John Muoio

Local athletes did well; Jim Roche finished 12th in 1:32:00 for 1st in his M40-44 age group, Tom Dutton finished 50th in 1:41:04 for 1st in his M65-59 age group, John Muoio finished 54th in 1:42:26, Wendy Abbott finished 59th in 1:43:41 for 1st her F40-44 age group, Barry Cherney finished 73rd in 1:47:46, Steve Levitsky finished 86th in 1:50:45, Rob Ganey finished 103rd in 1:57:27,  Anne Esposito finished 113rd in 2:01:04, Kimberly Levitsky finished 120th in 2:03:54 and Kathy Reardon finished 121st in 2:04:00 and was 2nd in her age F50-54 age group. Sounds like fun!

Sunday, 5/4/2014 - Medved Madness 15 mile Trail Race

Sunday, 5/4/2014, 2 runs of 0.8 and 14.9 miles, 45F, 70% RH, 17 mph W wind, wind chill 37F, partly cloudy

Another weekend, another big race worthy of its own post ... the Medved Madness 15 mile Trail Race. This race is three loops with each loop beginning and ending at Hopkinton Point. This was my fifth time running this race.

I didn't sleep well the night before a race as usual. I didn't get to sleep until just before midnight and woke up a couple of times during the night. But I was up at 6AM, woke up Christine, packed up my usual stuff and a complete change of clothes. We were out the door at 7:04AM and down to Hopkinton Point at Mendon Park Park, map here, by 7:25AM. Soon I had my bib and was ready to go. My bib number was 1975, the year that I graduated from high school (wow, almost 40 years ago).

The weather was a bit chilly and windy. I wore my Salomon Speedcross 3 trail shoes, Darn Tough socks, Brooks shorts, heavy long sleeve tech, Fleet Feet orange hat and Brooks jacket when I went out for a short warmup run of 0.8 mile at 8:16 pace, link here.

I thought I would be too hot so I took out my Brooks jacket and layered a short sleeve tech. I also changed to my Brooks beanie and heavy gloves. I kissed Christine for good luck and headed to the start. I said "Hi" to Prem Kumar and Bill Beyerbach as I got ready to go.

And we were off!

I took it out a bit fast on Loop 1. I found lots of mud and roots. The mud splashed all over and inside my shoes (the first of many, many times). I passed Bill Beyerbach of the RFP Trailblazers around mile 3. Bill was doing the first leg of the relay. Mark Monachino passed me too. Just before Loop 1 we went out into the Hundred Acre Pond for about 50 feet. It helped clean some of the mud off. Loop 1 was done in 5.4 miles, 47:45, 8:51 pace. Christine wasn't there when I passed through the timing loop to start Loop 2. My splits for miles 1-5 were: 8:29, 8:49, 8:52, 8:09 and 9:44.

Early in Loop 1 - photo courtesy of Michael Lesher

Along the beach (with Hundred Acre Pond on the left) in Loop 1 - photo courtesy of Michael Lesher

Taking a dip in Hundred Acre Pond just before the end of Loop 1 - photo courtesy of Michael Lesher

Loop 2 was more of a grassy, level loop with not as much mud. I took off my short sleeve tech early in the loop because I was getting too hot. I was glad that I had pinned my bib to my shorts. My right knee started to hurt around mile 8. I slowed and walked for a bit while I tried to figure out what to do. Steve Levitsky and Wilt Alston soon passed me. I shortened my stride and ran slower. This seemed to help so I continued onward. I had a Hammer Gel just before Loop 2 ended. Loop 2 was done in 4.1 miles, 43:46, 10:41 pace; 9.5 miles, 1:31:31 total, 9:38 pace. Christine was there at the timing loop to greet me. I gave her my used gel, had another Hammer Gel, filled my water bottle, gave Christine my short sleeve tech, kissed her and headed back out for Loop 3. My splits for miles 6-10 were: 9:58, 9:20, 10:16, 10:27, 12:26 (includes stop for Gel and water).

Loop 3 was by far the muddiest loop. I headed out ahead of Diana Knyazeva of the RFP Trailblazers for a bit before she passed me. I followed her right into a long section of mud and water. She went straight through ... with over the ankle mud and water. I followed her ... splash, splash! Feet drenched again ... check! It was onward ... up and down hills, through mud ... onward seemingly forever. My legs were tired. I was just running the flats, mostly walking the uphills and gingerly running the downs ... onward. Finally, it was up Cardiac hill (again) and down into the finish. I was done with loop 3, 5.4 miles, 1:00:59, 11:18 pace; 14.9 miles (by my Garmin), 2:32:30 total, 10:14 pace. My last 5 splits for miles 11-15 were: 11:37, 10:45, 9:47, 11:19 and 10:36 over the last 0.9 mile.

The solo results are posted here. I was 66th out of 111, 13th out of 20 in my wide M50-59 age group, 8th out of 10 in my narrow M55-59 age group. Mark Monachino finished in 2:16:06, Wilt Alston in 2:22:01, Steve Levitsky in 2:29:28 and Prem Kumar in 2:36:28 ... strong running, guys! The relay results are posted here, some of the names were interesting. The relay team RFP Trailblazers of Bill, Peter and Diana finished in 2:30:32.

I had some potato chips immediately at the finish line. The catered chicken lunch that the Medved Madness is known for was excellent as always. Medved always puts on a nice race!

Post race - taken by Christine

Mud selfies, front ...

... and back

I hobbled down toward the Hundred Acre Pond and found a water pump. I washed off  some of the mud off my trail shoes and changed into dry socks, road shoes and a sweatshirt. Afterward I was chilled to the bone and my fingertips were white. Luckily Christine had packed a package of Hot Hands ... useful even in May in Rochester don't you know. I used them to warm my hands inside a pair of gloves while I went back into the lodge to hang with some of the Relentless Forward Progress crowd for a while. They chuckled about my new haircut. Most of the guys had short hair so they seemed to like it, lol. We were home by 1PM ... a great way to spend a morning!

Soon we were home. I promptly went to the couch for some well deserved "feet up, drinking coffee and lounging" time. Soon ....zzzzzz.