Sunday, 11/26/2017 to Saturday, 12/2/2017

I ran 4 times this week, 33.7 miles.
I took 79,729 steps during this week according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Sunday, 11/26/2017: 13435 steps during the day; 9.35 miles, 1:15:47, 8:06 pace, 36F, 80% RH, 13 mph WNW wind, wind chill 27F, overcast.


I slept in until 8:30 AM. I puttered around a bit while I ate my usual pre-run bowl of cereal. I had set an unwritten goal of running all four days during Thanksgiving. It had turned colder overnight so it was back to wearing my Brooks running pants, Darn Tough socks, yellow/black Brooks 1/4 long sleeve pullover, yellow/black beanie and heavy gloves. But ... "a run doesn't get done by itself" ... so I got out there. The wind bit right through me as I ran west. I set up a nice and easy pace. I thought the run would hurt since this was my fourth day in a row so I shortened my stride and got the run done. It actually felt good. My splits were: 8:13, 8:15, 8:10, 8:11, 8:08, 8:03, 8:04, 7:59, 8:03 and 7:32 over the last 0.35 mile. So ... I ran all 4 days of Thanksgiving and went farther each time: 6.24, 7.75, 8.75 and 9.35. Boom!

Later I watched the Bills - Chiefs game. It was a tense game and the Bills won 16-10, link here. Their offense sucked and the only two reasons that they won is that the Chiefs suck (won 5 in a row to start the season and now lost 5 out of 6) and their defense held the Chiefs in the fourth quarter.

Monday, 11/27/2017: 5909 steps during the day, rest day.

I thought a rest day after 4 running days in a row over the Thanksgiving holiday was completely warranted.

Tuesday, 11/28/2017: 15122 steps during the day; 6.45 miles, 52:11, 8:05 pace, 52F, 50% RH, 20 mph SW wind, partly cloudy.


The forecast was for sun, temps in the low 60s but with a stiff SW breeze. So ... I wore shorts, a short sleeve tech, no gloves and no hat for this run. Yeah ... I almost turned around as I headed south to the Erie Canal path. I felt like I was running in place for the first 3/4 of a mile. But ... I warmed up. My thighs were tight the entire run. I still had a good pace though. My splits were: 8:32, 8:10, 7:58, 8:09, 8:10, 7:58 and 7:10 over the last 0.45 mile

Wednesday, 11/29/2017: 5302 steps during the day, rest day ...

Thursday, 11/30/2017: 16279 steps during the day; 6.45 miles, 51:24, 7:58 pace,

First off ... today is our (my darling wife, Christine, and I) fifth wedding anniversary! Yes, five years ago we tied the knot! A brief look into the past ... Christine and I first met way back in February 1977. I was a sophomore at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and a brother in the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. We were having a party and some girls from Ursuline College were invited down. I was tending bar when I saw Christine. I served her a tequila sunrise (heavy on the tequila) and asked if I could see her later. Well ... the house tour ended up in my room where we shared our first kiss. We went out until January 1978 (I think) when her parents broke us up (I was a wild child back then if you can believe it). Time went forward. I married Nancy on 5/31/80 and Christine married on 6/7/80 (totally unknown to each other). I divorced after 28 years and Christine divorced after 11 years. We never forgot each other. I tried looking for her before couldn't remember how to spell her last name, Wisniewski, and didn't even know her married name, Ligas. She told me that she drove out to see me in a blizzard once in 1995 (I am unsure of the year) but turned back south of Buffalo. She found me on Facebook in August 2009 and chatted with me ... which progressed to emails and phone calls. I went out to see her nine days later after the Summerfest 12K on 9/5/2009. Sparks definitely flew! She moved to Rochester that November, we got engaged after the Summerfest 12K on 9/3/2011. Yes, I surprised her and proposed in front of about 50 people as we were both sweaty from a race (I ran the 12K and she walked the 5K).

We had a very small wedding down the Rochester City Hall on 11/30/2012 and have been happily married ever since. There you go!


Back to present day ... I got out for my usual pre-lunch run. It was 40F so it was borderline ... wear shorts or wear tights. I chose my Brooks pants, my yellow/black Brook 1/4 pullover, yellow/black Brooks beanie and heavy gloves. I was glad I did! The breeze coming out of the south was definitely chilly! I struck up a nice and steady pace. My splits were: 8:28, 8:00, 7:54, 8:08, 8:04, 7:45 and 6:54 over the last 0.45 mile.

Our anniversary was a bit of a downer since Christine didn't feel too well. I had hoped to go out to eat at the Distillery to use the coupon (a BOGO 50%) that they had sent Christine. I was also saddened by the news that a runner named Jill Skivington Jackett was struck and killed in a hit and run accident while running as she was crossing Elmwood Ave near the U of R campus on Thursday morning, obituary here, news links here and here. I didn't know Jill but every runner is part of my running community ... may she rest in peace.

It's the end of the month so ... it's stat time. I ran 23 times during November for 135.6 miles, 5.9 miles/run. That's 23 months in a row of greater than 100 miles per month. I ran 6 races during November (the Grocery Run 5K on 11/3 - 21:53; DCSR #1 on 11/10 - 3.12 miles, 32:47; DCSR #2 on 11/11 - 4.65 miles, 47:36, DCSR #3 on 11/12 - 10.09 miles, 1:51:39, the MFAMTL run on 11/18 - 18.72 miles, 3:40:29 and the Race with Grace 10K on 11/23 - 46:10). I have run 209 times for 1517.25 miles, 7.26 miles/run so far in 2017. This is the most miles I have ever run in a year and I have a whole month to go. I have only one race slotted for December: the Freezeroo #1 on 12/9.

Friday, 12/1/2017: 6856 steps during the day, rest day.

I have been on a spending spree lately. Let's see: a pair of orange Scotts Palanti running shoes for $44.04 from Left Lane Sports, a Noxgear Tracer360 running vest (25% with free shipping) and a pair of reflective shoelaces (20% off with free shipping) from Nathan Sports. All running related ... hmm.

Saturday, 12/2/2017: 16826 steps during the day; 11.45 miles, 1:35:13, 8:19 pace, 34F, 86% RH, 4 mph SW wind, sunny.


The Bagel Bunch running group held a "Jill's run" from the Bruegger's Bagels at the corner of Long Pond and Latta, Facebook post here and news links here, here, here, here and here. I needed to sleep in so I held my own memorial run when I got out around 8:30 AM. I kept a nice and steady pace as I thought about a runner I didn't know. May she rest in peace ... gone from this world way too soon. I saw 9 female runners (a group of 2, 1 running with a dog and a group of 6) on the LOSP trail before I got 2 miles. I added my 10K loop of Island Cottage, Edgemere Drive, Long Pond and Janes so I couldn't cheat and head back. I almost felt like I could run forever. The temp and wind were almost perfect. It felt good. My splits were: 8:03, 8:09, 8:16, 8:16, 8:12, 8:21, 8:21, 8:24, 8:25, 8:33, 8:39 and 7:51 over the last 0.45 mile.

Sunday, 11/19/2017 to Saturday, 11/25/2017 - Race with Grace 10K

I ran 5 times this week, 30.3 miles.
I walked 66,003 steps this week according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Sunday, 11/19/2017: 1671 steps during the day, rest day.

Yes, a complete rest day on a Sunday. My left toes ached a bit from yesterday's festivities: 18.72 miles and 2 falls at the MFAMTL. I thought about getting out and taking a walk but didn't.

I did get out later to pick up my daughter, Karen, from the Amtrak station in Rochester and take her apartment in Palmyra. She paid me with two chocolate cupcakes ... mmm!

My daughter's cupcakes!

Monday, 11/20/2017: 5811 steps during the day, rest day.

Tuesday, 11/21/2017: 14070 steps during the day; 6.46 miles, 51:00, 7:54 pace, 48F, 37% RH, 14 mph SW wind, wind chill 43F, mostly cloudy.


I needed to run and I like to run during the daylight during the run so a run before lunch fit the bill. The weather forecast this morning foretold a high in the mid 50s so I figured shorts, a long sleeve tech, light running gloves and no hat .. all good, right? Well ... it was really a bit colder than that and a lot windier also. When I got out into the wine ... brrr!! I didn't warm up for 2 miles! I kind of doubted my sanity but I don't like to turn around so I continued on. I warmed up, ignored the tightness in my thighs and enjoyed the run. My splits were: 8:12, 7:57, 7:54, 8:08:8:00, 7:37 and 6:48 over the last 0.46 mile.

Wednesday, 11/22/2017: 5988 steps during the day, rest day.

Thursday, 11/23/2017: 14231 steps during the day; 2 runs of 1.1 and 6.24 miles, 30F, 74% RH, 5 mph SW wind, wind chill 25F, overcast.

Today's race was my sixth Race with Grace 10K (2012- 46:04, 2013 - 45:07, 2014 - 44:29, 2015 - 45:58 and 2016 - 46:26) out at First Bible Baptist Church. It was also the last of the 12 GRTC Rochester Runner of the Year races. I have run other races on Thanksgiving,  6 Newark Turkey Day 5 mile Turkey Races (2005 - Unknown time, 2006 - 38:00, 2007 - 38:57, 2008 - 37:38, 2009 - 38:50 and 2010 - 37:29) and a Turkey Trot 4.4 mile (one and done) in 2011 - 29:26.

I had signed my darling wife, Christine, up for this race way back in September (I think) but she was way too tired after cooking practically non-stop since Wednesday. We were not having anyone other but my wife doesn't do anything halfway. I had gathered with 2 trips to BJ's and 3 or 4 trips to Wegmans. Her task was to cook her usual tasty food for us.

I got up at 6:30 AM, dressed in my usual winter weather running attire (Brooks pants, yellow/black Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, yellow/black beanie and heavy running gloves), ate my usual pre-race bowl of cereal and banana, kissed Christine goodbye and headed out. I got to the race venue around 8 AM in plenty of time for the 9 AM start.

I met up with Joe Ciecierage and Tina Pellegrin before the race. Joe told me that he had dreamed about me. He was running a race with me (mini-Doug or little Doug) in a baby carrier. We laughed about it! He remarked that he was trying to get back up by my speed but was running 9 minute pace. I got out for a 1.1 mile warm up run at 8:34 pace, link here.

The start ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com 

A bit after the start ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com

I lined up next to Andy Ciaio and waited for the start. I knew Andy would be wearing shorts ... since it was only 32 degrees. And ... we were off! I got up to race pace quickly. Andy and I noticed that the race photographer, Tim Matthews, took a tumble while he was running backwards.. He bounced up and continued shooting pictures. Wilt Alston and his crew of 2 women caught us around 3/4 mile. He said that he would be walking in a mile or two but we rather doubted it. I got to the first mile mark just over 7 minute pace. I was keeping pace with Andy and felt good so I kept my pace. The 5K mark came around 22:30 or 7:15 pace. I was felt the strain but kept up with Andy until just before mile 4. I slowed but I resisted the temptation to walk. I knew it was only a 10K. I do a 10K in practice ... but not at this pace. The last 2 miles were a bit long and into the wind. Andy was about 100 yards ahead but I couldn't catch him. I saw the clock tick past 46:00 and ... done in 46:11!

Sprinting into the finish ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com 

I went inside the FBBC and had a bit of their usual post race grub ... just a pint of water, banana and 1/2 pint of chocolate milk. I noticed that I was third in my M 60-64 age group so I stuck around for the awards. Andy was third in his M 50-54 age group. So we both stuck around for the awards but heading our separate ways for Thanksgiving.

My official time was 46:10, 7:27 pace. I was 89th out of 763, 3rd out of 41 in my M 60-64 age group, link here. I was 7th in my unofficial M 55-59 age group so I picked up no RROY points. I will finish fourth in the 2017 RROY M 55-59 age group with 47 points in 10 races out of 12 (the top 6 races score), link here. My splits were: 7:07, 7:17, 7:23, 7:44, 7:23, 7:39 and 6:56 over the last 0.24 mile.

There were other races beside the Race with Grace 10K. The Turkey Trot out in Webster had 2272 finishers in the 4.4 mile race - link here, and 1854 in the 2.5 mile race - link here. The inaugural Feast of Burden 5 mile run held down in Rochester had 291 finishers, link here. The Newark Turkey Day 5 mile race had 101 finishers, link here. I ran my very first race back in 2005 on that course in Newark. Meanwhile out in Buffalo ... the 122nd annual Delaware YMCA Turkey Trot 8 Kilometer Race had 12,411 finishers, link here.

I got back home and started to help my darling wife, Christine, make our Thanksgiving dinner. First I had to bandage her right thumb where she had cut herself while she was slicing potatoes to make scalloped potatoes. Her thumb hurt so I was thrust into cook mode (along with her patient guidance). I made the seasoning, opened the turkey, put on the seasoning and cooked the bird. We ate around 5 PM ... it was delicious!

Thanksgiving dinner for Christine and I

So ... what did we have? An almost 12 pound fresh turkey (cooked in the oven based off a doubled Slow Cook Turkey Breast with Gravy recipe), sweet potatoes (Whipped Sweet Potatoes aand Bananas with Honey recipe) with pecans, scalloped potatoes (Potato Gratin recipe), green beans (Green Bean and Tomato Casserole recipe), cranberries and a French Apple Tart recipe (no top was added). They were delicious!



Friday, 11/24/2017: 11325 steps during the day; 7.75 miles, 1:02:20, 8:03 pace,

I slept in until 9 AM. I had plenty of opportunity to bag this run but between puttering around and spending a bit of quality time with my darling wife, Christine, I didn't get out until a bit after 3 PM. I have said many times that "A run doesn't get done by itself". So I got out there and got it done.


It was over 50F so I just wore shorts, my orange Empire State Marathon long sleeve tech, yellow/black Brooks running gloves and orange Fleet Feet hat. Shorts on the day after Thanksgiving! I set up a nice and easy pace. I thought about just doing a 10K. Then I thought about stretching to a 15K. But my thighs hurt a bit so I turned for home. But ... I felt bad about cutting a run so I stretched it at the end by going to the other end of the LOSP trail. There were a lot of people out ... a runner, several bikes, dog walkers and even a lady using a walker! My splits were: 8:03, 7:58, 8:00, 8:13, 8:15, 8:04, 7:57 and 7:47 over the last 0.75 mile.

Saturday, 11/25/2017: 12907 steps during the day; 8.75 miles, 1:09:04, 7:54 pace, 53F, 54% RH, 14 mph WSW wind, overcast with a few sprinkles.

The sunrise this morning was quite red. I kind of figured that someone would post a picture (or two or three) of the sunrise. Yeah ... lots of people did!

John Kucko captured this photo near Avon NY at 6:55 AM

I was up around early around 7:30 AM even though I went to bed late because I didn't want to be waste the morning. I did putter around for a long while but I did get out just after 11 AM.


I decided to head east to explore the pier at Ontario Beach Park first. I set up a slightly better than nice and easy pace. I had the same slight right thigh tightness. I did take a few slight walks but kept a fast pace. My splits were: 7:59, 7:46, 7:49, 8:07, 8:04, 7:55, 7:41, 8:05, 7:31 over the last 0.75 mile.

Yes ... we had Thanksgiving leftovers for supper ... mmm!!

Monday, 11/13/2017 to Saturday, 11/18/2017 - MFAMTL

I ran twice during 6 days, 25.17 miles.
I took 73,537 steps during 6 days according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Monday, 11/13/2017: 5328 steps during the days, rest day.

Nothing like leftover ribs and yams for supper on a rest day!

Tuesday, 11/14/2017: 5817 steps during the days, rest day.

I seriously thought about running but I ran late getting ready for work plus my legs still ached going the stairs to get my first mug of coffee at 6 AM. Then I got out of work late so that put the brakes on a run after work. I know I will be running a lot this weekend so I need to go into the 8 hour MFAMTL with fresh legs.

Oh ... the last of the ribs and white potatoes for supper ... mmm! My darling wife, Christine, sure can whip up tasty meals for me!

Wednesday, 11/15/2017: 19185 steps during the days; 6.45 miles, 52:46. 8:10 pace, 45F, 57% RH, 11 mpn SSE wind, sunny.


I was getting a bit stir crazy so I got out for a pre-lunch run. Nothing special ... just one foot of the other, repeat until done. The legs were a bit sluggish at the start but I didn't pay any attention to their nagging. My splits were: 8:17, 8:16, 8:06, 8:17, 8:12, 8:10 and 7:39 over the last 0.45 mile.

I forgot my bag that had my towel so I couldn't take a shower after this run. Shhh ... don't tell anyone!

Thursday, 11/16/2017: 6434 steps during the day, rest day.

I like to run on Thursday but the MFTAML trail run on Saturday loomed and told me to rest up.

Friday, 11/17/2017: 5808 steps during the day, rest day.

Saturday, 11/18/2017: 30965 steps during the day; 18.72 miles, 3:40:29, 11:47 miles, 43F, 75% RH, 4 mph S wind, overcast.

Today's race was the MFAMTL 2017 Fall Edition, Facebook group link here. It's a impromptu run put together by Mike Vallone down in Oatka Creek Park from 9 AM to 5 PM. There were going to be 2 1.6 mile loops, 1 orange loop run from 9 AM to 1 PM and the blue loop from 1 PM to 5 PM. There have been two other (I think) MFAMTLs (which means Maybe the First Annual, Maybe The Last). I went to the first one and missed the second one because it was the day before the Boilermaker back in July. The first two were free with donations accepted. This one was "official" with a $10 entry fee accepted from Ultrasignup.com, link here.

I was up at 6:15 AM.I had my usual pre-race meal of a bowl of cereal and banana. The weather forecast was for rain and rain so I rustled together some long sleeve tech shirts and a sweatshirt along with a second pair of pants and shoes. Then I made a lunch pail of 6 sandwiches (3 PB&J, 2 ham and cheese and 1 turkey and cheese), 2 bananas and 2 apples along with a mug of coffee. My darling wife, Christine, needed more sleep but said she would drop by later. The drive down to the race venue took about 30 minutes like Google Maps foretold. I got down to the race venue around 8:15 AM.

Signing my life away ... photo courtesy of Tom Reding

There were many people there I knew. I quietly got ready. I overdressed slightly: my Brooks running pants, yellow/black Brooks 1/4 zip pullover, yellow/black Brooks beanie and heavy running water. I carried water in my Nathan SpeedDraw Plus flask. I expected rain and raw condition so I dressed for it.

The start ... photo courtesy of Tom Reding

And ... we were off! The rain never came ... there was a bit of wind but it was actually quite nice and pleasant ... perfect weather for running in the woods. I set up a nice and easy trail pace that kept me in sight of the leaders for the first 4 loops. The orange course was actually 1.7 miles with some rollers, and one hill along some roots, rocks and leaves on most of the rest of the course.

Keeping up with the lead pack for a bit ... photo courtesy of Tom Reding

Following Kimbery Wrate. We flip-flopped for a while before she pulled ahead. She kept on running (and running) and ran 44.2 miles! ... photo courtesy of Tom Reding

Well ... I found a root with my left foot at mile 7.3. Down I went. I let myself roll a bit. I got back up and kept running. I had a PB&J after 1 hour. I hit 13.1 miles around 2:17. I had another PB&J after 2.5 hours. My left toes started hurting a bit after that.

All by my lonesome ... photo courtesy of Tom Reding

I almost quit after 10 loops or 17 miles. But I just grabbed a ham & cheese sandwich and kept walking while I ate it. Then ... I got up to a run and tripped again with my left foot ... HARD! I fell and lay there for a couple of seconds. I got up and told myself .. "enough". I could walk and I tried to run again but it hurt so I just walked. I quit when I got back to the start. Done with 11 loops and 18.72 miles for the day.

A smile after the run with Eric Eagan

I was a bit tired, sore and hungry. I stayed for a while while I had a bit of something to eat and changed from my trail shoes into my road shoes. The runners who were still running were excited about getting to run the blue trail from 1 PM to 5 PM. But ... I was done.

I think my body is trying to tell me that I should stick to the half marathon or less distance. I try to keep not listening though .. I have run a marathon (Empire State) and two 40 mile ultras (Mind the Ducks and Many on the Genny) this year. I had hoped to run another ultra today. But ... I knew I had been wise. I knew that if I stayed I would have tripped again and maybe hurt myself worse because I was tired and not picking up my feet. So ... I went home.

Soon I was home with my feet up and my obligatory mug of coffee by my side. I uploaded to Garmin. My splits were: 10:04, 10:10, 9:53, 10:46, 9:31, 9:44, 10:06, 11:50, 10:34, 11:10, 10:18, 11:09, 10:17, 10:31, 13:48, 11:18, 13:34, 12:31, 19:25 and 18:53 over the last 0.72 mile. The results were posted and I finished 52nd out of 77, link here.

Later I took my clothes off and took a shower. I found that I had a dime sized scab below my left knee. I bandaged it so it would heal faster. The joys and perils of trail running. It's peaceful but if you don't pick up your feet ... shit happens.

Friday, 11/10/2017 to Sunday, 11/12/2017 - Dirt Cheap Stage Race

The race this weekend is the three race Dirt Cheap Stage Race at Mendon Ponds Park (MPP) put on by Yellow Jacket Racing for the past nine years. I have run it every year since its inception in 2009. It was 3 races in 2 days for the first six years: Stage 1 - the 3 mile Time Trial on Saturday morning at 9 AM, Stage 2 - the 5 mile Devil's Bathtub race at 1 PM and Stage 3 - the 11 mile Epic Race on Sunday at 9 AM. Stage 1 was moved to Friday night at 6:30 PM (yes ... in the dark) in 2015. So now it is 3 races in 3 days.

I did some number crunching and totaled up all my times for these races since 2010. I couldn't do 2009 because I had missed a turn during Stage 1 that year and DQ'ed myself afterward. I wasn't the only one who missed that turn but I was one of the very few who went to the timer and took a DQ. Anyway ... I noticed that I ran my fastest cumulative time for the DCSR was last year, 2:58:21, in 2016. My Stage 1 time of 30:55 was my second slowest and Stage 2 time of 43:19 was my third fastest but my Stage 3 time of 1:44:07 was my fastest ... so I beat my previous best from 2011 by 25 seconds. Insert snark about cagey veteran runner here! I have run 425 races so I qualify, lol.

Friday, 11/10/2017: 16394 steps during the day, 2 runs of 1.0 and 3.13 miles, 19F, 67% RH, 8 mph W wind, wind chill 10F, clear.

I knew that Stage 1 is a time trial with runners going off every 5 seconds. I remembered that you are seeded according to when you pick up your bib. I also remembered that I picked up my bib at the race venue last year and had to wait for some long and rather cold minutes to race. So I made my way to Fleet Feet Armory to pick up my bib and series mug before I went to lunch. Boom .. bib 151.

I charged my headlamp for about 18 hours but it never came to a full charge. It was bright enough but I think a new running headlamp is in my future.

I didn't get out of work as early as I wanted so I didn't start out until just before 5:30 PM. I wore my usual winter running gear: Brooks running pants, white Freezeroo long sleeve tech, yellow/black Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover along with my blue Salomon SpeedCross 3 trail shoes. I thought about wearing my black Salomon SpeedCross 3 trail shoes that I had screws put in 2 years ago ... I think I should have. I saw runners with Micro-Spikes later. I got down to the parking lot at the intersection of Pond Rd and Douglas Rd around 6 PM. I added my balaclava, yellow/black Brooks beanie, headlamp and ski mittens along with a jacket that I found in the trunk as I walked the cold and dark 1/4 mile up to the race venue. Did I mention it was cold?

I got up there at 6:23 PM. I was cold so I stuffed my jacket into my drawstring bag and got out for a 1 mile warm up run at 8:23 pace, link here. I knew I had a bit over 12 minutes from the race start since every runner was going off every 5 seconds and I had bib 151. So I only had to wait about 5 minutes before I started.


And .. I was off! DCSR #1 is a short, just over 3 miles, trail race in the dark. This particular one was made more difficult by the one inch of snow and a bit of ice along with leaves obscuring the rocks and roots underneath. My headlamp wasn't as bright as I would have liked either. Another difficulty was passing some of the 150 runners in front of me. The upshot was that I fell not once but twice. The first fall was about 1.5 miles in. I was going around a tree to the right and putting down my right foot on a slope that fell away from the tree. My foot slipped on some ice and boom! I went down on my right hip just like that! I bounced back up and continued running. I walked a few of the hills along with everyone else. The second fall with due to a root on a downhill. I let myself tumble a bit instead of trying to stop right away. I bounced up again and kept on running. I did slow down a bit. I could hear Ellen so I knew I was close to the finish. I passed a few runners and ... done in 32:51, 10:30 pace!

Post DSCR #1 selfie

I went to the food tent and quickly downed 2 hot dogs and 2 cookies. I put my jacket and headed back to the Cruze fairly quickly ... another race tomorrow.

I laid out my somewhat wet running clothes for them to dry ... I don't change my clothes for the DCSR if I can help it. Just pick them up and put them back on the next day. Boom ... easy peasy.

I checked the results when I got home. I did OK, 3.13 miles in 32:47 (32:51 by Garmin), 10:30 pace, 352 feet elevation gain, 68th out of 203, 1st out of 2 (!) in my M 60-69 age group, link here. My splits were: 10:03, 11:22, 10:27 and 7:26 over the last 0.13 mile.

I was tired when I got home and went to bed by 11 PM. My alarm was set for 7:15 AM.

Saturday, 11/11/2017: 11187 steps during the day, 2 runs of 1.1 and 4.65 miles, 27F, 68% RH, 3 mph SSE wind, cloudy.

I got up with my alarm and puttered for a bit. I had a pre-race breakfast of a English muffin with ham and cheese along with a glass of apple cider. I kissed Christine goodbye and headed back to MPP. The venue this time was Devil's Bathtub. I got there around 9:10 AM and got a nice parking spot just below the parking lot on top of the hill. I did stop for a much needed pit stop at the heated bathroom near Stewart Lodge ....nice!

A Facebook grab

A peace sign I saw marched off in the snow at Stewart Lodge

 It was a bit warmer so I just wore my yellow/black Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I got out for a nice and easy warm up run of 1.1 miles at 9:04 pace, link here.


I talked a bit with Andy Ciaio as we walked up to the start. And ... we were off! I was up with the fast kids and was passed a bit in the first mile before we got to single track.

DCSR #2 - start ... photo courtesy of Jo Meleca-Voigt

Andy (yellow top and shorts) and I (4 runners back) ... photo courtesy of Jo Meleca-Voigt

The trail conditions were variable like last night: an inch of snow, bare trail, a bit of ice, rocks, roots, leaves. Today we had areas of ice with mud and water underneath! But I could mostly see the hazards today. I was a bit more careful, didn't fall and walked the hills I had to walk. I found a lot of mud and water though! The mud was sticky and tired me out. I saved enough strength to make it up the infamous stairs to the finish. And ... done in 47:36, 10:14 pace!

The infamous stairs of DCSR #2 ... photo courtesy of Jo Meleca-Voigt

I had 1.5 cinnamon raisin bagels and 4 cookies along with some water after the race. I had wisely brought a change of shoes and socks. I changed into them as I was sitting in the driver's seat of the Cruze. I may have gotten some mud inside the car. But .. my feet were freezing!

Post DCSR #2 selfie

I checked the results when I got home. I did OK, 4.65 miles in 47:34 (47:36 by Garmin), 10:14 pace, 348 feet elevation gain, 56th out of 220, 1st out of 2 in my M 60-69 age group, link here. My splits were: 8:12, 10:37, 11:24, 9:23 and 12:16 over the last 0.65 mile.

A warm shower did feel good after I put my wet gear up to dry. I have my doubts that my blue Salomon SpeedCross 3 trail shoes would be dry by morning.

Sunday, 11/12/2017: 19958 steps during the day, 2 runs of 0.52 and 10.09 miles, 30F, 64% RH, 6 mph SW wind, wind chill 27F, cloudy with some sun.

I was up by 6:30 AM. Today was all about running for the coveted DCSR hoodie! Ellen is fond of saying even she doesn't know what color the hoodies are until she opens the box! I had my usual bowl of cereal and banana for breakfast. I kissed Christine goodbye and left around 7:40 AM. The 30 minute drive down to MPP was uneventful. There is something comforting about following a Dodge Caravan sporting a Sehgahunda sticker on its rear window ... you're pretty sure that they're going where you're going!

I went up to Stewart Lodge to hang out for a while. Ellen was a bit concerned about the a**holes that had removed the course flags overnight. She told everyone that they were being replaced.

I got out for a short 0.52 mile warm up run on my virgin Saucony Kinvera trail shoes at 11:03 pace, link here. I had these Fleet Feet clearance shoes in my closet for a couple of years but never had dug them out. My trusty blue Salomon SpeedCross 3 trail shoes were still damp. I was not impressed with the lack of room in the toe box but ... what choice did I have? You run in what you bring to the dance. I met up with Andy Ciaio just before the race and got my Garmin Live Update fired off about 2 seconds before the race started.


 And ... we were off! I have run this race more than a few times so I knew to go out nice and easy. Easy to do and hard to do ... so I didn't. I talked a bit with Andy off and on for the first mile before I pulled ahead. There was too much mud for the first four miles.

Maybe two or miles ... photo courtesy of Marsha Barrett

Somewhere in the middle ... photo courtesy of Marsha Barrett

Somewhere else in the middle ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

I took a mouthful of Hammer Gel at mile 4.75 just before I crossed Canfield Rd. Andy passed me as I drank some water as I crossed the road. He told me that he had kept me in view ... I just love being a rabbit, lol! I set off after him. There was a lot of cold mud and water for the next three miles. There was even a bit of glare ice on Hopkins Point Rd at mile 7 that required a bit of skating ... err ... putting on the brakes a bit and trying not to fall on my ass. I skirted the edge of most of the bog by Devil's Bathtub instead of taking the higher but very rooty route above it. Getting it done! I saw Boots at the top of what he said was "the last hill before the finish". I laughed a bit. It's mostly true ... it's the last "big" hill that requires most runners to walk (err ... crawl) up it. I could hear Ellen at the finish so I just kept on running.

About a mile from the finish ... photo courtesy of Marsha Barrett

About 1/4 mile from the finish ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

Mud ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

Barb took my picture ... a couple hundred yards more ... right turn ... up the last hill ... cross a foot wide log ... and done in 1:51:39!

My newest favorite DCSR hoodie!

I found lots of mud!

I went inside to get my new 2017 DCSR hoodie. Ellen told me and everyone else that "no one can wear this hoodie but you". The color this year is chocolate ... sweet! I was a bit chilled so I changed right into my newest favorite hoodie. I talked with Andy (1:47:23) and Doug Miller (1:56:58) for a bit as we watched other runners run up the last hill to the finish.

I am not a soup person so I just had a bagel and some cookies after the race. I had brought a change of shoes and socks again. It may have been a bit gross ... but I changed my shoes and shoes right in Stewart Lodge. My toes were freezing! I finished ahead of Chris Barry who was the other M 60-69 runner. I talked to him for a bit before I picked up my age group award ... a jar of creamy Once Again peanut butter and a nice plaque.

The M 60-69 age group winner swag ... I was running out of peanut butter!

I stopped by Herrema's to get a couple of large cinnamon buns ... I figured that I had earned their sweet goodness ... mmm!

I stripped and took a nice hot shower and bath when I got home. I don't normally take baths but usually do after long and dirty races. I checked the results as I sitting with my feet up with my obligatory mug of coffee. I did OK, 10.09 miles in 1:51:38 (1:51:39 by Garmin), 10:14 pace, 804 feet elevation gain, 57th out of 197, 1st out of 2 in my M 60-69 age group, link here. I was 50th out of 175 overall in the series, link here. My splits were: 9:22, 9:25, 11:20, 10:33, 11:13, 9:27, 11:18, 14:16, 13:24 and 10:16 over the last 0.09 mile.

So ... another epic Dirt Cheap Stage Race is in the books. What have I learned? I may be getting older and may be losing a step or two but I still love running in the woods from time to time. It's so different and more peaceful than running on the road. It may be a bit more dangerous but it's a different kind of dangerous. Trail running requires your attention and concentration to adjust your foot falls to the varying terrain. If you lose focus you can and will fall. It may not seem it but trail running is relaxing.  I would have never believed you if someone had told that when I first starting running way back in 2005. But it is. Plus you get to play in mud! That's my story and I am sticking to it.

Sunday, 11/5/2017 to Thursday, 11/9/2017

This blog post will be only for 5 days since the upcoming Dirt Cheap Stage Race (DCSR) deserves its own blog post (as usual). This will be my ninth DCSR!

I ran 3 times this week, 23.35 miles.
I walked 54,852 steps this week according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Sunday, 11/5/2017: 12786 steps during the day; 8.15 miles (7.55 miles recorded), 1:04:29, 8:32 pace, 54F, 88% RH, 10 mph S wind, rain with some lightning and thunder.

The clocks "fell back" overnight and I used it to full advantage. I went to bed around midnight and woke at 8:50 AM with the time change ... so I could almost 10 hours of sleep. Boom!

I saw the NYC Marathon elite women go off and knew that I had to get out there on my own run. Yes, it looked like rain ... but out I went. It was a bit chilly so I wore my Brook pants, white Rochester Marathon long sleeve tech, orange Charlie's Old Goat short sleeve tech (on top) and light Brooks running gloves along with my Brooks Transcend 3 running shoes. But ... I should have worn my orange Fleet Feet hat too!


I set up a nice and easy pace as I headed out. It started to sprinkle ... then rain ... then some lightning and rumbles of thunder ... all before I got to the 390 underpass on the LOSP trail. I took a brief rest to let some rain pass by and took off my short sleeve tech. I forgot to turn my Garmin FR 220 on for about 0.6 mile. The rain came back, stopped a few minutes and then continued. I was getting drenched. I had to blink my eyes quite a bit to see where I was going. But once you get drenched ... you can't get any wetter! I was soaked to the skin when I got done but there was no nipple irritation ... thankfully. I stripped as soon as I got in. I draped my wet clothes all over and went to take a warm shower. My darling wife, Christine, said she was a bit worried about me as I headed upstairs. She also doesn't nag me about my leaving my running clothes all over the place! But ... it was only rain, wind, lightning and thunder! My splits were: 8:18, 8:10, 9:42, 8:29, 8:27, 8:22, 8:28 and 8:14 over the last 0.55 mile.

Christine and I watched the ESPN2 coverage of the NYC Marathon. It was great watching Shalane Flanagain.win in 2:26:53! She had a final mile of 5:04, won by 1:01 and was the first US woman to win in 40 years!

A screen grab from a Rodale Publications ad celebrating their author of "Run Fast, Eat Slow" (and winner), Shalane Flanagan!

Barry Cherney was the only runner that I knew running so I tracked him with their tracker app. He finished in 5:12:16. He had been given a free entry for this marathon by Fleet Feet Rochester.

Monday, 11/6/2017: 6463 steps during the day, rest day.

Tuesday, 11/7/2017: 16922 steps during the day; 8.70 miles, 1:08:27, 7:52 pace, 43F, 56% RH, 4 mph ENE wind, mostly cloudy.

So it begins ... runs before lunch twice a week (until the Erie Canal trail is snow covered and/or icy) so I don't have to run in the dark after work. It was a bit cool and windy so I wore my Brook pants, white Freezeroo long sleeve tech, heavy gloves and orange Fleet Feet hat. I set a fast pace so I was only cold for about a mile. That is the key to running when it's cold ... let yourself be a bit cold at the start since you will warm up. My splits were: 7:54, 7:48, 7:52, 7:35, 7:58, 7:55, 8:08, 7:59 and 7:34 over the last 0.75 mile.

Wednesday, 11/8/2017: 15773 steps during the day; 6.45 miles, 51:16: 7:57 pace, 45F, 53% RH, 5 mph SW wind, sunny.


Another run before lunch. This time it was sunny but just as chilly and windy. My thighs hurt a bit from yesterday but I ignored them and ran onward. I did shorten my stride a bit to lessen the pain. My splits were: 7:53, 7:55, 7:51, 8:06, 8:00, 7:45 and 7:07 over the last 0.45 mile.

Thursday, 11/9/2017: 2908 steps during the day, rest day.

I took a few minutes before I went to bed to dig out my cold weather running gear. I put my Black Diamond rechargeable headlamp on charge. Then I found my black balaclava, yellow/black 1/4 zip Brooks long sleeve pullover, another long sleeve tech shirt and my old but reliable ski mittens. I even made sure that my blue Salomon SpeedCross 3 trail shoes were in front of the door so I wouldn't forget them. Boom ... ready. Been there, done that and have the DCSR hoodies to prove it.