Sunday, 11/25/2018 to Saturday, 12/1/2018

I ran 4 times: 30.0 miles.
I took 65,981 steps according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Common abbreviations: OMEP is my Orange Mud Endurance Pack, NT360 is my NoxGear 
Tracer360 vest, UWRG is my usual winter running gear: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava and Brooks beanie.

Sunday, 11/25/2018: 9311 steps during the day, 6.25 miles, 52:07, 8:20 pace, 8:20 pace, 43F, 87% RH, 5 mph SSW wind, overcast.

I was up at 6:10 AM and out just before sunrise again. I wore what I wore the day before. It was a bit warmer than yesterday and it turned out I was a bit overdressed. I wasn't feeling like a long run on the fourth day of running in a row (Thursday - 7.3, Friday - 5.15 and Saturday - 9.45). so I just went for an out and back 10K at a light and steady pace. My splits were: 8:21, 8:16, 8:19, 8:23, 8:22, 8:21 and 8:16 over the last 0.25 mile. I was done and back before 8:15 AM. A couple cups of coffee ensued per usual.

So ... a long four day Thanksgiving weekend. I didn't enter it with an agenda of getting things done. I just relaxed and let the days happen. I ran 4 days in a row. I didn't get much of anything else done and I am OK with that. Maybe the next long weekend I will make more of a commitment to get something done.

Monday, 11/26/2018: 4469 steps during the day, rest day.

My knees were a bit cranky when I went down stairs. I did run 4 days in a row ... lol!

Tuesday, 11/27/2018: 14244 steps during the day, 6.45 miles, 54:22, 8:26 pace, 34F, 86% RH, 16 mph WNW wind, wind chill 24F, overcast with light snow

Yes, there was a light snow and wind but it was Tuesday so I ran. I had my running gear in the car and took a hour of vacation so I could run before it got dark ... which was a good thing as it turned out.

I dressed warmer than usual: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, heavy running gloves, balaclava, Brooks beanie, NT360 vest and my charged headlamp. I parked on Jane Rd by the I390 overpass since I wanted to run over to the LOSP trail to stay off the road as much as possible. The LOSP trail will be OK to run until it gets really icy or snow covered. I lit up NT360 vest and set out east at a nice and steady pace. The wind was a bit cold and I was glad that I had overdressed. My hands eventually warmed up ... eventually. I only had to worry about 2 road crossings (Dewey and Greenleaf). It started to get dark on the way back. No worries ... I clicked on my headlamp ... nothing. Well ... it must have gotten bounced around in my running bag and drained its batteries. So ... I just had my NT360 vest as I ran on Island Cottage and Janes Rd back to the 2014 Cruze. I made it back since as it got completely dark. My splits were: 8:17, 8:31, 8:28, 8:32, 8:24, 8:21 and 8:27 over the last 0.45 mile.

My headlamp, batteries and charger (all bought off of eBay)

I commented about my lack of light to my smart wife, Christine. She suggested that I pack my light and batteries separately so it can't do this again. Mmm ... smart idea!

Christine rocking her nails. I think the color is China Rogue.

Christine broke one of her nails making supper ... an emergency trip to Polish Me Up stat! Ok ... her appointment will be on Monday.

Wednesday, 11/28//2018: 6348 steps during the day, rest day.

Thursday, 11/29/2018: 6592 steps during the day.

I had all my running gear but ... pushed my run to Friday. I knew I was taking Friday off so I'll run three days in a row: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, 11/30/2018: 15951 steps during the day, 11.05 miles, 1:32:14, 8:21 pace, 34F, 86% RH, calm, overcast.

Well ... today is our 6th wedding anniversary with my darling wife, Christine. I am sure that we will get some shenanigans in during the day ... like going to dinner or such. But first things first.

I had the day off as a Ricoh floating holiday but first I needed to get a run in. The scale says I have gained 8 pounds up to 173 ... ugghh! Anyway ... the weather was around freezing with calm winds so I wore my usual gear: CW-X tight, Darn Tough socks, a short sleeve tech and Brooks 1/4 zip pullover, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I needed 11 miles so I just headed out to Lowden Point Rd. I set up a nice and steady pace. I felt a bit sluggish but I pushed through it. My splits were: 8:28, 8:17, 8:18, 8:15, 8:21, 8:17, 8:21, 8:20, 8:16, 8:28 and 8:28.

Christine and I were a bit miffed with each other all morning and into the afternoon until she had the common sense to make sure that we cured that before it festered. Mission accomplished ... lol! Then we headed out to The Distillery for an anniversary dinner. We used a coupon for a buy one entree get one free coupon that Christine had in her inbox. She had the Guiness Bacon Burger and I had the Hangover Burger. Both were a bit greasy since we both had them cooked medium but they were quite tasty.

It's the end of November so it's stat time!

I ran 19 times for 119.09 miles in 30 days, 6.27 miles/run.
I have run 190 times for 1316.7 miles so far in 2018, 6.93 miles/run.
I ran 5 races in November:
 11/03 Grocery Run 5K, 22:49, 7:21 pace
 11/09 Dirt Cheap Stage Race #1, 3.1 miles, 35:51, 11:34 pace
 11/10 Dirt Cheap Stage Race #2, 4.65 miles, 50:20, 10:49 pace
 11/11 Dirt Cheap Stage Race #3, 10.3 miles, 2:00:23, 11:42 pace
 11/22 Race with Grace 10K, 47:39, 7:38 pace
I have run 34 races so far in 2018.
I took 319,452 steps in November and 3,960,139 steps so far in 2018.

Saturday, 12/1/2018: 9066 steps during the day, 6.25 miles, 50:09 pace, 8:01 pace, 36F, 87% RH, 6 mph SSE wind, wind chill 31F, overcast.


I slept in until around 6:45 AM. I puttered around per usual before got out around 8:30 AM. It was just as cold, calm and overcast as yesterday so I wore the same running gear. I decided on just a 10K on my out and back LOSP trail and a bit of Island Cottage course. I started a bit slow but sped up especially on the way back. I felt good so I just ran. My splits were: 8:24, 8:00, 8:04, 7:58, 7:57, 7:57 and 7:14.

Sunday, 11/19/2018 to Saturday, 11/26/2018 - Race with Grace 10K

I ran 5 times: 32.95 miles.
I took 76,939 steps  according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Common abbreviations: OMEP is my Orange Mud Endurance Pack, NT360 is my NoxGear 
Tracer360 vest, UWRG is my usual winter running gear: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava and Brooks beanie.

Sunday, 11/18/2018: 16703 steps during the day, 11.05 miles, 1:31:17, 8:16 pace, 34F, 69% RH, 3 mph S wind, overcast.

I slept in until 7:30 AM and puttered around like usual. I had my usual pre-run bowl of cereal and banana, started 1.5 loads of laundry, took out the garbage and cleaned the pots that were soaking in the sink. But ... I got out there. I figured that an Out to Lowden Point run was in order. It was the same temp as yesterday so I wore the almost the same: CW-X tights, a long and sleeve tech, Darn Tough socks and my Brooks beanie (no balaclava). I also married up my new earbud (just one ear) with my MP3 player, topped off my Nathan SpeedDraw flask with water and set forth. I set up a nice and steady pace. Out 5.5 miles .... and ... back 5.5 miles. Done! My splits were: 8:14, 8:15, 8:22, 8:14, 8:20, 8:09, 8:17, 8:00, 8:20, 8:30 and 8:14. Boom ... done!

The usual 2 mugs of coffee ensued along with finishing the laundry I had already started .. all told 4 loads. Done!

Monday, 11/19/2018: 6828 steps during the day, rest day.

The usual rest day on a Monday. Other stuff happened ... of course.

I got my replacement ESL ATM card today. Why is that important? Well ... it got hacked back on Friday, 11/9. I checked my ESL account on Saturday afternoon, 11/10, because I wanted to pay some bills and verify my previous couple of days worth of POS purchases. Well ... I saw 3 bogus charges ... WTF? One was an Aldi's purchase of $270 in San Francisco, another was a FTDFlorist purchase of $123.14 somewhere in Orange County CA and the last was IP Vanish of $10. I quickly called the ESL Fraud line and told them of it. The first 2 bogus purchases fell off on Sunday, 11/11. I also called the regular ESL line to tell them to halt all purchases on the ATM card. I called them on Tuesday 11/13 when the bank reopened after the Veteran's Day holiday to order a new ESL ATM card. I was told that it would be 7 to 10 business days or I would pay $15 to have express delivery. I waited and it took 4 business days (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Monday) ... not bad. Now ... I have to change all my accounts that use the ESL card. I already changed almost all the accounts to use my ESL checking account if they didn't already.

So ... how was I hacked? Did I put in my PIN into a skimmer at a gas station or POS? Was I scanned by someone as I passed them by? Who knows? I use a front pocket wallet that holds 8 cards pretty securely and has a pocket in the middle for paper money and receipts. But does not have RFID protection. I like it but I am on the prowl for something similar that does have RFID protection.

Christine went up to bed early so I watched Pulp Fiction off of OnDemand. I had only seen parts of it before. Disjointed like Kill Bill but entertaining.

Tuesday, 11/20/2018: 4937 steps during the day, rest day.

I had all my running gear to go for a run after work but I thought that I would take my wife out to grocery shop instead. Well ... Christine didn't want to go out after supper so we watched the first four episodes of the new Doctor Who Season 11 (with the quirky woman doctor) instead, link here. It was interesting. I have never watched Doctor Who before believe it or not. One of the episodes was about Rosa Parks and her refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery Alabama on 12/1/1955. I looked up the Wiki of Rosa Parks and found that they found an actress who looked almost exactly like her.

Wednesday, 11/21/2018: 9481 steps during the day, rest day.

Christine went out to grocery shop during the day but left the heavy lifting of bringing the groceries in from the 2018 Cruze for me ... how sweet! I had gone to BJ's and Wegmans to get some stuff that I thought she had forgotten so I had double heavy lifting to do in the cold. Cold and windy weather had returned just in time for Thanksgiving.

Thursday, 11/22/2018: 14636 steps during the day, 2 runs of 1.05 and 6.25 miles, 18F, 73% RH, 9 mph WNW wind, wind chill 7F, partly cloudy.

Today's race was my seventh Race with Grace 10K (RwG 10K). My previous six times were: 2012 - 46:04, 2013 - 45:07, 2014 - 44:29, 2015 - 45:58, 2016 - 46:26 and 2017 - 46:11. It was also the last of the 12 GRTC Rochester Runner of the Year races. I am 2nd after 11 races in my M 60-64 age group with 51 points out of 60. Kevin Clinefelter is first with 57 points.

One of my alarms was set for 5:45 AM and the second was set for 6:40 AM. I chose to sort of snooze after the first one and get up on the second one. I had my usual pre-race bowl of cereal and banana while I pondered what to wear ... it was 16F on Thanksgiving day. I ended up going back to the tried and true: CW-X tights with shorts and Darn Tough socks on the bottom along with a long sleeve tech and my trusty yellow/black 1/4 zip pullover on the top. I brought all my other cold weather running gear. I put on my Brooks jacket and red parka for warmth. Man ... did it feel cold when I stepped outside!

I headed out early for the 15 minute drive to the First Bible Baptist Church and got there at 8 AM in plenty of time for the 9 AM start. I saw Bob Dyjak right away. He is back on the mend after an aneurysm in his knee. He was going to take the early start.

I put on my balaclava, Brooks beanie and ski mittens ... and headed out for a warm up (?) run. It was 1.05 miles at 8:51 pace, link here. Man ... was it cold heading into the wind! I stopped by the 2014 Cruze to put on my sunglasses to protect my eyes and to put on my blue GRTC neck gaiter. I headed slowly up to the start.

And ... we were off! I felt like my feet were frozen for the 2 miles that we ran north on Manitou Rd into the NW wind. A lady passed me at about 1/2 mile and said "Hi, Doug". It took me a few seconds to figure out that it was Wendy "Flash" Abbot. OK ... the fact that she wore her trademark runner's skirt underneath all her garments helped too, lol! OK ... she usually passes me in the first 1/2 mile too, lol! I was happy when we made the turn east onto Hincher Rd. I hiked up my sleeves and pushed the pace a bit. I turned south onto N Greece Rd at mile 3. I caught up and passed Andy Ciaio as we made the turn west onto Frisbee Hill Rd at mile 4. He yelled out "You're killing it, Doug!" I passed Steve Levitsky shortly afterward. We turned south back on Manitou Rd. I slowly caught up to a runner who turned out to be Joe Ciecierega. I matched his pace for a bit before I pulled away. The mile down Manitou Rd seemed to last forever. Mile 6 was just before the turn into FBBC ... only 2/10s to go ... push ... right turn into the finish chute ... no inflatable Score-This arch ... over 47:30 ... and done. It was cold so I grabbed a pint of water. I fist pumped Joe (47:51) and Andy (47:52). Then I headed right inside the church. I had a chocolate milk and a blueberry bagel before I headed out to change into some dry upper clothes. It's always challenging to change clothes in the front driver's seat, trust me. I came back and checked the results. I finished first and Kevin Clinefelter was 10 seconds behind me! I talked to him during the awards. He had suffered a hamstring pull during the Syracuse Half 11 days ago and was upon doctor's orders to run easy. So ... running a 7:37 pace was his idea of easy. I saw his pace on his Garmin ... he was catching with a 7:26, 7:26 last 2 miles. He told me that he saw me and that he wanted to catch me but his "hammie told him no". Charlie Waters was pulled out of the M 60-64 age group since he won first Veteran so I was first. Well ... first in each age group won $25 cash!

Warming up after the race

Race with Grace 1/4 pullover, bib, medal and cash

Officially I finished in 47:39, 7:38 pace, 102nd out of 603, 1st out of 34 in my M 60-64 age group, link here. My splits were: 7:47, 7:47, 7:38, 7:44, 7:32, 7:31 and 6:47 over the last 0.25 mile.

There were other Thanksgiving races of course. The 47th Turkey Trot was run out in Webster. There were 1547 finishers in the 4.4 mile race, link here. There were 1605 finishers in the 2.5 mile race, link here. The Feast of Burden 5 Miler was held downtown. There were 304 finishers, link here. The Newark Turkey Day 5 Mile Race had 114 finishers, link here. I do have history with some of these races (except the 2 year old Feast of Burden race). I ran the Newark Turkey Day 5 Mile Race in 2005 though 2010. I ran the Turkey Trot 4.4 Mile race in 2011. I have run the Race with Grace 10K ever since 2012. Fact: the 2005 Newark Turkey Day 5 Mile Race (results lost forever) was my first race. I have run 468 races since in the last 13 years (I counted on my fingertips to make sure it was 13)..

I headed home and helped Christine with our turkey dinner. I helped mostly with the cleanup though. Ohh ... and with the eating too. Christine did a basic Thanksgiving dinner this week: turkey, stuffing, a celery salad along with cranberries. No potatoes. She did make not 1 but 2 excellent apple pies. One apple pie disappeared once we had room in our tummies.

I found out at the WeatherUnderground website that the KROC airport had the official low of 7F and high of 19F, D&C link here and KROC link here. This gave Thanksgiving 2018 the coldest low (old record 11F in 1196) and coldest high (old record 20F in 1903) on record.

Friday, 11/23/2018: 7303 steps during the day, 5.15 miles, 44:00, 8:33 pace, 18F, 48% RH, 8 mph S wind, wind chill 8F, overcast.

I slept in until around 7:30 AM, puttered around for a bit like I usually do but I got out there. It was just as cold as yesterday so I wore exactly the same. My legs felt a bit tired so I just set out at a really nice and easy pace. I cut the run short to 5 miles too. My splits were: 8:46, 8:33, 8:27, 8:25, 8:33 and 8:16 over the last 0.15 mile.

The 173 spots of the 2019 Mind the Ducks opened up at midnight. The race filled up by 8 PM. Egil Robs, the Race Director, posted on Facebook to sign up for the wait list since 50 got in from the wait list in 2018.

I managed not to shop, either physically or online, at any of the Black Friday sales that I was constantly bombarded with in my Yahoo! inbox.

Saturday, 11/24/2018: 17051 steps during the day, 9.45 miles, 1:17:44, 8;13 pace, 34F, 59% RH, 8 mph SSW wind, wind chill 28F, partly cloudy.

I was up at 6:10 AM and out the door by 7:20 AM. I had just a banana and got dressed with what I had the day before and the day before that. I think I might have thrown on another long sleeve tech though, didn't wear my balaclava plus I wore my heavy running gloves instead of ski mittens. I didn't want 11 but needed at least 9 so I went out to Long Pond Rd. It was a crisp, quiet and beautiful morning! I just set up a nice and steady pace. The miles flew by! My splits were: 8:20, 8:16, 8:14, 8:17, 8:11, 8:05, 8:07, 8:15, 8:18 and 8:06 over the last 0.45 mile. Boom ... done!

The usual mug of coffee soon ensued along with some general relaxing. But ... not too much. I showered and got dressed since I had to head out to neighboring Wayne County to take my oldest son, Michael, and daughter, Karen, out grocery shopping. Michael in Macedon was first and Karen in Palmyra was next. Michael's new 17" gaming laptop looked sweet and Karen's dog, Pooka, looked a lot lighter with his new grooming. I got back up to Rochester by 6 PM.

Monday, 11/12/2018 to Saturday, 11/17/2018

I ran 2 times: 14.35 miles.
I took 73,288 steps  according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Common abbreviations: OMEP is my Orange Mud Endurance Pack, NT360 is my NoxGear 
Tracer360 vest, UWRG is my usual winter running gear: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava and Brooks beanie.

Monday, 11/13/2018: 1138 steps during the day, vacation and rest day.

I have 11 Ricoh vacations days to take before the end of March 2019 so I took one today. I slept in until 8 AM and lazed around until 5 PM. Then ... I got up, showered, got dressed and went off to Lisa Vallone's calling hours at the , Kevin W Doughtery Funeral Home, obituary here. I sent what I thought were the directions to my cell but somehow I got to the wrong funeral home in Honeoye. It was dark so I was a bit stumped at first. I searched for the obituary, found it and then Google Maps routed me on a desolate, hilly and winding (and kind of scary) road over to Livonia. But I got there.

Mike Vallone was not taking his young wife's death well. Mike hugged me and thanked me for coming. He was very emotional. I don't think I would be much better come to think of it. I got there just before everyone went outside for an Irish song and ceremonial shot of Irish whiskey. I stood out there and eventually I saw people that I knew. Trail runners look a lot different when we are in street clothes. I talked with Mike Meynadasy for a while. He told me that Eric and Sheila Eagan have essentially moved in with Mike Vallone until he is ready to be on his own. I got choked up for a bit. Death and dying young at age 37 are sad subjects. Mike and Lisa had only been married for 6 years. I talked with Chris O'Brien. He told me about his Oil Creek 100K battle of walking the last 17 miles in the rain through peanut butter mud while enduring lots of chafing. I didn't ask where ... though I really wanted to, lol! I got turned around a bit on the way home too. My cell did give visual directions but not audible so I have to sneak looks at it once I was off the beaten path during the entire trip. I have not been able to figure out why either. I found later that there is also another Stephenson-Doughtery Funeral Home in Avon and a O'Connell-Doughtery Funeral Home in Lima. So I was glad I made it to right place in the dark thanks to modern technology. Let's not talk about me not making sure I was heading to the right place in the first place ... hmm?

Tuesday, 11/13/2018: 6819 steps during the day, rest day.

I got out of work late so I bagged the run.

Wednesday, 11/14/2018: 13577 steps during the day, 5 miles on the treadmill, 9:39 pace.

Yes, 5 miles on the treadmill at the Greenleaf Meadows fitness center. I was cold during day and the ideas of running outside just didn't do it for me. So ... I dressed just before work ended and headed to a treadmill in November for heaven's sake. I set it for 6 mph (10:00 pace) and 2% incline. I endured that pace for 3.8 miles and then kicked it up to 7 mph (8:34 pace) just to get 5 miles done. One thing about running on a treadmill in November ... you sweat a lot more than if you were running outdoors. Anyway ... running 5 miles on a treadmill is better than running 0 miles outdoors.

Thursday, 11/15/2018: 5163 steps during the day, rest day.

It snowed during the night but had quit early enough so that the main roads were clear. Six inches of wet snow fell up where we live. More snow fell east in Wayne County. Macedon and Palmyra got about 10 to 12 inches. I didn't want to hit the treadmill again nor did I want to risk the roads so I stayed in.

Friday, 11/16/2018: 8982 steps during the day, rest day.

Saturday, 11/17/2018: 16703 steps during the day, 9.35 miles, 1:19:39, 8:31 pace, 39F, 70% RH, 13 mph W wind, wind chill 32F, overcast.

I set my alarm for 5:50 AM so I could go on a Race with Grace 10K (RwG 10K) run at 7 AM. I didn't do much puttering around ... so enough to check a bit of email and Facebook and then eat a banana. I dressed like usual for upper 30s: CW-X, a long and short sleeve tech, balaclava, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I wore the Darn Tough socks that I won for placing first in the Dirt Cheap Trail Race series back in September ... had to let them age a bit ... lol! I got out a bit late but I would have made it if I hadn't turned on N Greece Rd instead of Manitou Rd to get to the First Bible Baptist Church (FBBC). I got there at 7:05 AM just as all the runners were heading out. I set off after them about three to four minutes later. I set up a nice and steady pace. I just let the run happen. I added another 5K afterward by heading down Manitou Rd past FBBC and out Parma Center Rd to Butcher Rd. My splits were: 8:20, 8:25, 8:18, 8:32, 8:24, 8:37, 8:43, 8:57, 8:34 and 8:02 over 0.35 pace.

Friday, 11/9/2018 to Sunday, 11/11/2018 - Dirt Cheap Stage Race

I ran 4 times: 19.06 miles.
I took 45.665 steps  according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Common abbreviations: OMEP is my Orange Mud Endurance Pack, NT360 is my NoxGear 
Tracer360 vest, UWRG is my usual winter running gear: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava and Brooks beanie.

This blog post is devoted to the 3 day, 3 race Dirt Cheap Stage Race (DCSR). It's an epic event so it deserves a blog post of its own.

Friday, 11/9/2018: 14233 steps during the day, 3.1 miles estimated, 35:51. 11:34 pace, 39F, 93% RH, 7 mph SW wind, wind chill 34F, overcast with light sprinkles

I took ibuprofen at 7 AM and noon to help make my right knee feel better. I also wore my new black P. W. Minor shoes that Christine bought for me last month. Both of these actions helped. My right knee slowly felt better until it didn't ache.

It started to snow during the day. A real heavy wet snow. Then it changed to rain. Tonight was DCSR #1 held out on Pond Rd in Mendon Ponds Park. I got out of work at 4 PM and got dressed for the conditions. I chose my CW-X tights, an orange long sleeve tech, an orange short sleeve tech, old Salamon SpeedCross 3 shoes and Darn Tough socks. I wore blaze orange (and all weekend) because I was my way of paying tribute to Lisa Vallone, obit here,  who had died from Crohns Disease on Wednesday. Then ... I couldn't find my race bib. I called Christine at home and sure enough it was there. So ... I drove home to get it. It took 45 minutes in rush hour traffic to get back out to Mendon Ponds Park. Still ... I was there by 5:40 in plenty of time for the 6:30 PM start. It was still raining so I tried to find everything in my 2014 Cruze without getting out of the car. But ... I couldn't find my Brooks beanie. So ... I wore an ear warmer and my orange Fleet Feet hat. I wore my Brooks jacket for warmth and brought my 2017 DCSR hoodie to wear afterward. I also wore my NT360 vest and the headlamp that I bought off of eBay last year. I walked slowly the 1/4 mile up to race venue and got there about 6:20 PM.

DCSR #1 was started in time trial fashion with a runner going off every 5 seconds. Luckily the rain has mostly stopped. I had bib 150 so I had to 12.5 minutes before my start. I didn't warm up so I had a bit of trouble getting my breathing under control during the roughly 1/2 mile uphill at the start. I concentrated on just running under control and not falling. There were lots of wet rocks, wet roots and slippery mud to look out for so I had to really concentrate on every foot placement. Soon enough ... I could hear Ellen calling out the finishers ... and I was done.

before DCSR #1

The DCSR logo and a bit of crusty snow

After DCSR #1 with a bit of runner fuel

I checked my Garmin ... it had been paused at 0:23. I must have hit the pause button with my gloves so ... no Garmin data for this run. Oh well! Stuff happens. Christine sent me the eCrumb link that I sent here when I started. It's not official since I started it about 20 seconds before I started and stopped it about 20 seconds after I finished, link here. I did OK, I was 95 out of 225 and 1st out of 7 in my M 60-69 age group, link here.

I ate a couple of hot dogs and cookies after I changed out of my damp tech shirts and into my 2017 DCSR hoodie. I walked the 1/4 mile back to my car and drove home. The drive back was a lot better without rain and rush hour traffic.

Saturday, 11/10/2018: 10526 steps during the day, 2 runs of 1.01 and 4.65 miles, 30F, 47% RH, 20 mph W wind, wind chill 21F, sunny.

Today's race was DCSR #2 out at Devil's Bathtub in Mendon Ponds Park. I woke up at 6:10 AM. I puttered around like usual as I ate my usual pre-race bowl of cereal and banana. It was about the same temp so I wore the same as yesterday. I got out at 7:35 AM and got down to the race venue at 8:05 AM. I was surprised that I got a prime parking spot right at the top of the hill. So ... I surfed Facebook ... then I checked my email ... and still not too many cars. I checked the yellowjacketracing.com website. The race start was at 10 AM. OK ... I ditched my Brooks jacket and donned my Brooks beanie. I headed out for a 1.01 mile warm up run at 9:02 pace, link here. It was just an out and back ... like I usually do on DCSR #2 or a Dirt Cheap that starts at Devil's Bathtub.

I lined up next to Andy Ciaio. He had left DCSR #1 last night after only 1 hot dog so I had told him that I had stayed for 2 hot dogs. It's a three day race so you don't waste energy after DCSR #1. Ellen warned of the usual: follow the pink flag and not the runner in front of you, if you get lost it's your own fault and don't litter. She also warned of ice on all the wood planks and told us to be careful. And ... we were off.

I got up to a nice trail race pace. The first mile is rolling hills out in the open so we could feel the wind. I didn't warm up until mile 2. Then ... the mud started. The rain from last night caused a lot of mud that we all slogged through off and on for 2 miles. I slipped onto my butt once on a steep downhill. I was getting pretty tired with trying to raise up my feet through the mud. Then ... I could hear Ellen from the finish above me ... the wood planks were still a bit ice covered so I was careful ... up the infamous stairs to the finish ... and done in 50:20. I had a half bagel with Nutella ... which hit the spot. My feet were freezing so I went to my 2014 Cruze, put the heat on full to the feet and went home ... boom, done.

My muddy CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks and Salomon SpeedCross 3 trail shoes (I washed the first two)

I did OK. I finished 4.65 miles in 50:20, 10:40 pace. I was 86th out of 264, 1st out of 7 in my M 60-69 age group, link here. My splits were: 8:13, 10:47, 12:20, 9:52 and 14:01 over the last 0.65 mile.

Sunday, 11/11/2018: 20906 steps during the day, 10.3 miles, 2:00:26, 11:42 pace, 36F, 69% RH, 9 mph WSW wind, wind chill 29F, sunny.

Today's race was DCSR #3 out at Stewart Lodge at Mendon Ponds Park. I woke up at 6:10 AM. I puttered around like usual as I ate my usual pre-race bowl of cereal and banana. It was about the same temp so I wore the same as yesterday.  I got out at 7:35 AM and got down to the race venue at 8:05 AM. How many times have I parked in the Beach parking lot at MPP ... who knows?

I ambled up to Stewart Lodge and hung out a while. I stashed a bag that had my Brooks jacket, orange Fleet Feet hat and Brooks light running gloves to change into afterward. I put my heavy running gloves by the fire in an attempt to dry them out a bit before the race (didn't work). I just stretched before the race. I lined up next to Andy Ciaio again and settled in for the start. And ... we were off.

I started in the middle of the pack so I could warm up slowly. No need for a fast pace at first ... it's a long trail race. Boots and Sean Hendricks were everywhere. I saw them 4 times during the race ... the road crossing on Douglas Rd just after the start at 0.5 mile, the road crossing on Canfield Rd at mile 4.8 (I had a Chocolate Gu) and twice on the same hill at mile 8 or 9 as we came from two different directions. I developed a hot spot on my right heel around mile 5. I stopped just after the S Wilmarth Rd crossing at mile 6. I took off my shoe and banged out any debris but the damage had been done. About 10 runners passed me. I put the shoe back on and kept running. It hurt for another mile before it either quit or I got used to it. There was about just about as much mud and water as yesterday. I avoided some of the mud if it wasn't too much trouble but I tended to just go straight through it too. You know ... the shortest distance and all. I concentrated on the terrain and my foot placement but ... did look up occasionally to check out the scenery. I walked the hills when I needed to so I could catch my breath. I can walk some hills faster than I can run them with my long legs. I started to get hungry around mile 9. I have run DCSR #3 enough (10 times) to know when I am getting closer to the finish ... just keep going. I could hear the music from the finish ... I was really hungry ... a bit more mud ... up the final hill ... up the 5 more steps to the new deck on the Stewart Lodge and done!

I was famished and went inside to find something to eat as soon as I caught my breath. I found cookies and had 4 of them ASAP. I stood in line for the coveted DCSR hoodie ... hunter green was the color this year. Ellen told me what she told everyone: "You earned this hoodie. Don't let anyone other than you wear it." I went outside, peeled off my wet tech shirts and put on my newest favorite DCSR hoodie. OK, I put it on backwards for a second (one guy saw it and promised not to tell anyone).

Wearing my newest favorite DCSR hoodie

Just your basic well enjoyed and mud covered pair of Salomon SpeedCross 3 trail shoes and Darn Tough socks

I ate a half bagel with Nutella ... not bad. I am beginning to like Nutella. Then I had a moment of panic. I checked my Zipster and then my Nathan SpeedDraw flask for my key to the 2014 Cruze ... no key. So ... I quickly walked out the car ... it was unlocked ... and the key was in the ignition. Whew! Sometimes I do really stupid stuff. It didn't bite me this time. I went back up to Stewart Lodge for the awards. I was first in my DCSR series M 60-69 age group. I won a DCSR tea glass and a jar of Once Again peanut butter.

DCSR bling

I did OK. I was 95th out of 217 and 1st out of 6 in my M 60-69 age group, link here. I was also 1st out of 6 in the DCSR series M 60-69 age group, link here. My splits were: 10:01, 9:42, 11:28, 11:42, 12:45 (ate a GU0, 9:44, 10:36, 12:58 (emptied my right shoe), 13:11, 10:42 and 10:22 over the last 0.30 mile

I initially thought that I did really well but I found out later that I have run 7 of my 10 DCSR #3 races faster than today. But ... I have to keep telling myself that I am still out there ... still running ... still moving forward ... so that is a good thing. The couch may call me but I don't have to answer its call.

I went home and lazed around the rest of the day. I discovered that I did indeed get (earned) a blister on my right heel. I don't usually get blisters so I bet I caught some debris in my shoe. Oh well.

Sunday, 11/4/2018 to Thursday, 11/8/2018

I ran 2 times this week: 18.5 miles.
I took 55,158 steps these 5 days according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.
Common abbreviations: OMEP is my Orange Mud Endurance Pack and NT360 is my NoxGear Tracer360 vest.

Sunday, 11/4/2018: 17102 steps during the day, 11.05 miles, 1:30:38, 8:12 pace, 39F, 87% RH, calm, sunny.

The time changed from DST to EST overnight so I used the extra hour to sleep in. I puttered around and had my usual bowl of cereal and banana. But ... long runs don't get done by themselves. I wore my CW-X tights, an orange Moore Than A Race long sleeve tech, a white Sauerkraut 20K short sleeve tech, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I set up a nice and easy pace and just let the run happen. I wanted 11 and got 11 ... out to Lowden Point Rd. There were some people out (2 male and 3 female runners, a couple of bicyclists and a couple of walkers). I got a bit sweaty on the way back and flapped my shirt a few times. I went straight up to take a shower when I got home ... OUCH!!! I had irritated my right nipple (90%) and underneath my scrotum (10%) ... OUCH!!! So ... the rest of the day I grimaced with pain whenever my shirt brushed my right nipple. Anyway ... my splits were: 8:22, 8:13, 8:07, 8:12, 8:17, 8:11, 8:08, 8:07, 8:09, 8:24 and 8:05.

The NYC Marathon was held down in New York City. Several Rochester runners went down and Barry Cherney volunteered.

Monday, 11/5/2018: 7297 steps during the day, rest day.

Interesting tidbits: I saw a license on a car in the passing lane - ALWAYSL8 and a sticker of Gandalf on the back windows of a minivan - You Shall Not Pass.

Tuesday, 11/6/2018: 19536 steps during the day, 7.35 miles, 1:02:24, 8:29 pace, 57F, 63% RH, 20 mph W wind, sunny.

I voted before work and even got there on time ... win, win.

I Voted Today!

I took a hour of vacation so I could get out just before sunset. It was kind of cool and windy so I wore shorts, my orange Moore Than A Race long sleeve tech, Brooks light gloves and my Brooks beanie. I also wore my NT360 vest.

I set up a nice and steady. I decided to just run Island Cottage and Janes Rd. I turned on my NT360 vest as I turned back on Island Cottage. I could see that it didn't really light up too well which made me a bit apprehensive. I stayed as far left as I could and got the run done. My splits were: 8:24, 8:54 (into the wind), 8:33, 8:15, 8:14, 8:20, 8:37 and 8:56 over the last 0.35 mile. I put in fresh batteries in my NT360 vest as soon as I got a chance.

My NT360 vest before and after new batteries

I took Christine out to the fire house on Ling Rd where we vote when I got home. I had already voted before I went to work. I may lose any readers who are Republican ... but I voted for the Democrats. I could type liberal talking points all day but I will spare you. Suffice to say that I believe the MSM and not Fox News or any of its ilk.

Wednesday, 11/7/2018: 4620 steps during the day, rest day.

My right knee felt a bit funky, I was tired and cranky so I bagged my run that I had kind of wanted.

Oh ... politics. Well ... enough Democrats were elected to the House so that 45 will have checks and balances for the next 2 years or until he resigns or is impeached. The votes were close enough in FL (governor and senator) and GA (governor) that recounts may be necessary.

Thursday, 11/8/2018: 6603 steps during the day, rest day.

My right knee still felt a bit weird but ... I am signed for the 3 races of Dirt Cheap Stage Race for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I may or may not be able to finish. The weather looks wet, cold and windy for a lot of the weekend. Joy ... not! It looks like I will have to dig out all my cold weather running gear.