Wetmore Trail Run

I was so proud of myself yesterday...for most of the run I kept up with the gazelles. It was a great run...until this mornings run. My legs were screaming at me to stop, my back hurt, and I had one of those pulled ass-muscles...I was a mess. Don't get me wrong I had a good time running...as long as I ran slow. Part of the group (Jamie, Matt, Marta, and Brett H.) ran an hour, it was tempting to run back with them but I needed some miles. LOOK EVERYONE JAMIE'S RUNNING FASTER THAN BRETT H.

Oh No Water Crossing......
"What in cornbread do we do now?"

The pack was Trail-cheetah, Bob Clark and Lindsey (and another fast guy I just met that day). The last time I ran Wetmore, was last year. I went out for an hour run and end up lost for 3 hours. Very easy to get turned around, run the wrong trail. The Pack would turn around and make sure I was OK. They didn't want me to get lost again, they know I had to get make to bake more PURE FUEL ENERGY BARS.
Thanks For not leaving me out there!!!! We were out for about 2 hours I'll count it as 12 miles for today.

Water Falls Trail Run

Nick Billock came up with a great trail run to wrap up 2007. The 17 mile 3 hour 15 minute trail run covered the BT Winter 1/2 Marathon Course, up to Blue Hen Falls then to Buttermilk Falls.
Here we all are bright eyed and bushy tail at 6:30am ready to run from Lock 29. There were a few of us who forget the sun doesn't come up for quit some time. This would include myself, I forgot my headlamp. The group split into two groups. We headed up to Pine Lane to start out the run, which was good for me, I've ran this trail in the dark a number of times. I stuck with Mel, she had a lamp and was running at a good pace for me.

I had to get the camera out for the water crossing just in case someone fell in.
Had to get some muddy shoe shots. we were all covered in mud.

Our first stop Brandy Wine Falls

(Nick B., Vince R., Stephen, Arron, Bret H., Mel, & Chef Bill)

Our second stop Blue Hen Falls

Mel turn back, and we pickup two more late arrivals

My camera is up on top of a cliff, I had to setup the timer and jump down and over huge rocks to get to the spot I'm in in 10 seconds. That's way I look blurry.

(Brandon, Stephen, Bret H., Nick B. Vince R, Arron, Mike, & Chef Bill)

What a great picture!!!!

Vince Rucci's favorite hill. It's the Bridal Trail next to the turnpike. This took us up to the Bridal Trail heading back to Pine Lane Parking Lot.

What a great way to retire a pair of shoes. Time for a new pair of shoes.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year

The Top Ten Reasons I Like Running Trails With Monet

FYI (MONET IN MY TRAIL RUNNING DOG, Shes an all black Miniature Schnauzer and loves to run. I'll post tonight's picture later.)

Tonight Monet & I ran Pine Lane to Boston Store then back on the towpath. I thought we would have some light but we ended up running in the dark. She spotted several deer but was very responsive when I shouted out commands to follow me and leave the deer alone. Very muddy trails tonight. My shoes were very heavy with mud.

10. She loves the mud.
9. She doesn't mind peeing in the woods.
8. She's a great listener.
7. We get to shower together after our run.
6. NO SHOES TO BUY!!!!
5. After 7-8 miles it makes for a calm & quit ride home.
4. She's always ready to run, not prep, no schedule issues.
3. She never whines or complains about the hills.
2. She loves Pine Lane.
1. She never quits.

Water Falls Trail Run

17-18 miles. Bring your party hats!!!!
We are going to party like rock-stars>>>>>

Water Falls Trail Run

Saturday December 29th

Special Addition of the Saturday Morning Group Run to close out 2007:Begin at Lock 29 at 6:30amHead up the "Brick Hill" to Pine LaneVia the Buckeye Trail to the Boston StoreLoop the Winter 50K Brandywine Falls LoopThen take the Buckeye Trail north to Blue Hen FallsNext we will head on the trail to Buttermilk FallsPop out behind Boston Mills Ski ResortTake Riverview Rd back to the Boston StoreFinish up the run by taking the Valley trail back to Pine Lane

Enjoy the downhill finish back to Lock 29Total Run Time = 2.5 to 3 Hours

MUDDY TRAILS

I chucked my training schedule out the window this week (Sorry Vince). My schedule had me running 50 miles with a 22 mile long run. With all I had going on this week I couldn't get it done. Not to fear I still ended up with 48 mile week.
Sat. was going to be a 6:30am run with Mr. Rucci then hook up at 7:30am to run with the Lock 29 group. I ended up snoozing the alarm to many times and got to lock 29 by 8am for a solo Pine Lane & Brandy Wine Loop run. 13 miles...The trails are muddy!!!

Sunday's AM run started at Boston Store to Ottawa. The Group (Cinda, Kirt O, Jim Chaney, Maria, Don, Melissa, The big bald guy, Debbie, and a few others). Brett was MIA.
It was around 51 degrees, rainy, very muddy, wet. I was the smart one...All were bundled up for a hike in the Arctic, I wore shorts and a long tech. I didn't think it was going to get cold just wet. everyone was shedding jackets left & right. Jim & I headed back from Snowville. 10 miles.

Soup On

It's cold out and what better way to warm your body after a run.
This recipe is from my favorite recipe website http://www.epicurious.com/
Red-lentil soup
Red lentils, faster-cooking than other varieties of the legume, are the foundation of this earthy, rustic soup. Light but satisfying, it's a wonderful (and easy) start to an autumn meal.
Makes 4 to 6 servings (makes 6 cups)

1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1bay leaf
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 cup red lentils (7 ounces), picked over and rinsed
3 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Accompaniment: lemon wedges

Cook onion in oil with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, bay leaf, and thyme and cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Add lentils, broth, water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until lentils are very soft and falling apart, about 30 to 45 minutes. Discard bay leaf and thyme sprig, then purée 2 cups of mixture in blender (use caution when blending hot liquids) and return to pan. Stir in parsley and season with salt.

BRRRRRR

24 degrees this morning.
While all of you where snoring, scratching and creating the goo that stick in the corner of your eyes; I was out running.
Up at 4am armed with my winter gear, a garmin, and PURE FUEL ORGANIC ENERGY BAR, APPLE-CINNAMON. I headed out towards Downtown Akron OH. My plan was to run to GOJO Plaza. My wife, Jen works in the Marketing dept. there. It's about 14 miles round trip. I say about because the 24 degrees wasn't nice to the garmin. I think it got to cold and shut down. I got right back into the groove, the only thing I noticed was my legs ached at the end of the run. Other than that I was fine.
Sidewalks were very icy streets were OK but had some patches of black ice.
Monday was a 5 mile run around Silver Lake, then a 6 mile run in the neighborhood on Wednesday Night.
I'm back on track with my training schedule. Next week Jen will be home so I can run during the day on trails.

50K Training

My training has slowed down this week because of a busy work & family week. My 50K training plan was to run ALL trails NO PAVEMENT!!! This plan isn't working. My new plan will start Monday 12/11. For my weekday runs I'm going to start at 5am and run from home. Some days pavement and some days I'll run to Glens/High-bridge/Gorge trails.
Saturday long runs I'll head back to BT50K training grounds.

Training this time of year gets challenging. Not because of the cold, snow, or ice. The holidays!! Running around doing cheery joyfully stuff. That's why I want to running in the morning. I can get it out of the way.

I did get my new camera but I've been afraid to take it out in the cold. Once I get a pouch to keep it warm I'll get it out.