Belleville Pond 10k Trail Race

First of all I want to send out props to Mike Galoob and crew; who ran a well organized, well marked course, but most importantly a very fun race today. 

Kate and I at the finish

I had been kicking around the idea of jumping up to a 10k trail race when I saw this one listed on line.  Not knowing anything about it, I decided to run it.  And later talked my fitness queen niece, Katelyn into running it with me.

Got there early, on what turned out to be a beautiful January day.  Sunny and mid-40's.  It had rained a lot yesterday so I expected a muddy course, but it drained out really well, and with the exception of a very few spots the footing was pretty good. 

I had planned on really just using this as a training run, but per usual for me I went out to fast and the quads would remind me of it around mile 4, but not enough to stop me.  Had planned on running somewhere around 1:15, with not knowing the trail, the anticipated mud, and just not in shape to run a heck of a lot faster.  But came in just over 1:06, so I was pretty happy with the day as a whole.

I continue to be very happy with the NB Minimus, although I am still working on perfecting my stride and midfoot strike, but that will come in time.  No ref'ing today, but will get a run over at Gilbert tomorrow morning, before I have to head to coach and then two late games to ref.

Until then, Be Well ~ Sank

50 degrees in New England in January - gotta love it

I had seen this video last week and meant to post it, but never got around to it.  So I'll post it now.  With the 2 small snowfalls we had last week, it's a good motivational tool on those days that you dont feel like getting out there in the cold and wet.  Although I have to admit that so far this year, I have looked forward to getting out there in whatever the weather was, and actually looked forward to the different scenarios that were thrown at me; be it from weather, work and life restrictions, or time of day. 

So with temps today in the low 50's, I am definitely going to get my butt out on (HOPEFULLY) some trails tonight.  Just got a pair of Knucklelights, that I tried out last night on the roads.  So I am going to strap them on tonight along with my headlamp, and do all I can to hit Gilbert.  After a couple runs, I'll do a quick review on them. 

So enjoy the video, the scenery is absolutely beautiful.  Not to mention that Anton Krupicka makes it look so effortless.

Be well ~ Sank

Zombie Run in Amesbury MA May 2012

Now this is a motivated training run.

Scared and close to a decision

Ok so for those of you that come over from Dailymile I know that some of what I write is repetitive, but I can go in more detail and rant on more over here.  Anyway, so last night by the time ran some errands, got home, and took a few minutes to hang with my roommates (Jack and Belle), I grabbed my stuff to hit the trails for a cold early evening run.  I had tried out a headlamp that I had bought at a local discount tool store, which I have to admit, with the exception of that it shines a tad low, the fit and stability of it just work for me.  So I hit Gilbert a little after dusk, and started up the trails.  I hadn't really gone out at night on the trails before so it was all new to me.  The wind was really whistling and as the night got darker and colder, all the little sounds started getting a lot clearer and even more scarier.

At one point I was running next to this pond, and I don't know what the hell made that noise, but it wasn't human and I wasn't sticking around to ask.  At this point, I just want to get the run over and quick.  I stayed on the fire roads and just got chugging.  On my way back I had to go thru this one section that is very dark even in the daytime, but it is really really creepy at night.  Once again, I either heard something or my very active imagination heard something, but I was about a 1/2 mile from being out and I took off. 

Well until I stubbed my toe on a rock, went down pretty good and (which I would really find out later) tore up my left knee pretty good.  But fear is a good motivator.  The hell with the knee, I was getting the hell out of there.  Whatever creature was in there wasn't going to eat me while I was checking out a few scrapes.   So up I bounced and out there I went.  You know in hindsight, although I was admittedly pretty scared, it was fun as hell!  Can't wait to do it again.

I've been doing some research and looking into it, and I'm really leaning towards doing the Vermont 50 miler this September.  I know it's a lot of work and mileage, but I know that I will find the time to get it done.  With a goal of less than 10:59:59 it would also make me eligible for entry in the Western States Lottery for the 2013 race.  Probably getting a bit a head of myself, but what the hell, that's what goals and aspirations are for, right?

Enjoy your day, Be Well ~ Sank

Weekend project

Woke up this morning and cautiously put my foot to the ground, wondering how my right ankle was going to react after yesterday's 4.6 mile trail run in Gilbert.  Nothing, nothing at all.  Cant tell you enough how pysched I was of that.  I was really concerned as this ankle has been an issue for me for a long long time, and how it was going to handle the change over to the NB Minimus (still loving them) and the increase in mileage as I start to increase it for my 50k (that I havent selected yet). 

Ankle history:  I had a metatarsal ankle fusion surgery back when I was in high school.  Basically they graphed a bone off my hip and fused the small bones that run to the ankle together.  It was so long ago I dont really remember why, just that my parents used to tell me that I limped when I was a kid.  It never stopped me from doing sports, but I was generally the last kid doing laps.  ANYWAY.... enough with the history lesson.  I had gone to a Dr a few years ago, when I started running again after taking about 10 years off after doing marathons and tons of triathlons.  The Dr said that I was just going to have to deal with it.  No shit, really?!?!?!

So back to today.  I am so happy that I passed this test.  Will take today off as a rest day (although I really have the itch to hit the trails again). 

Renovation update:  Some of you that read the blog had commented on my renovation project so I figured I would update you to this weekend's project.  Last post on the renovation I showed the door and window I had put in.  This past week/weekend, I finished the removal of the two 8 ft sliders and the replacement of them with the 5 36inch double hung windows.  Will insulate them this week and them move over the heat to the mudroom that never had it.  I know Jack and Belle (my 2 chocolate labs) will be happy to have some additional heat in their room.


Enough for now, Be well ~ Sank