Saturday, February 19, 2011

Day 81 - Very windy

I left the house around 9:40 a.m. and it was very windy. There was a tail wind for the first half mile and then a cross wind until I made it to the mountain. The wind is not that bad in the woods. The trees do a great job of blocking most of the wind. It was very loud on the trail today with the wind blowing the trees. The trails were clear in some spots and very icy in others. There were a lot of hikers out on the trail today. A lot of regulars that I see almost every week. Two people had a fire at the Pinnacle enjoying the view. On the way back down to the parking lot a lady was walking her dog with a leash. Another couple had 2 dogs not on a leash. The two dogs went right over and started to fight with the other dog on the leash. I guess they didn't see the sign in the parking lot that reads "All dogs must be leashed". Why wouldn't you leash your dog when you see someone coming with another dog? The last half mile was straight into the wind. Wow! That was tough! I never ran in a wind like that before. It just held me back and it felt like I couldn't go anywhere.

The rest of the family left for a movie so I went for another run. I have to get them in when I can. I drove up to the mountain around 3:40 p.m. On the way up I passed a lot of the same people that were heading out when I was finishing on my first run. It was a little colder this time and not as many people out on the trail. On my way back I ran by the Windsor Furnace shelter and there were tents set up with maybe 8 people standing around a fire. Looks like they were going to have a fun night. I finished with two nice runs today and ready for the wind to move out of here.

2-19-2011 - 12 miles - 2:20 - run
2-19-2011 - 9 miles - 1:44 - run


Pinnacle

Pinnacle

Sunset

Sunset





Friday, February 18, 2011

Day 80 - Mud & Rocks

The weather was perfect today for my walk. Halfway through I got stopped by a big black Great Dane right in the middle of the road. The dog didn't want to let my around and the owner was no where to be found. Eventually the dog moved off of the road and I made my way back to work. What a pretty dog but the dog kind of looked at me like I could of been it's lunch:-)


Tonight I ran from home to the Pinnacle and back. It was a 12 mile round trip and the trail was in good shape. I have to learn to run on rocks again and a lot of them were showing their face. They have been covered in snow or ice for a long time now. I passed a lot of hikers that were heading back to their car. The Pinnacle was very peaceful and wish I could of stayed longer but I didn't want to get cold. On the way back in the dark there were a lot of hikers heading up the mountain to see the full moon. Sun, slush, rocks and mud - what a great run! 



2-18-2011 - 4.1 miles - 50:58 - walk 
2-18-2011 - 12 miles - 1:52 - run














Day 79 - Sunny and warm ;-)


I almost didn't make it back to work today after my walk with this weather.  Short sleeve shirt weather is great. It’s even going to be warmer tomorrow. This is my fastest walk of the year so far. I know it’s only a walk but I love the challenge of staying focused for the whole walk. It’s good practice for my running.


Tonight I made it out the door by 5. I knew I wanted to run a little faster after taking yesterday off and the weather being so warm. My first 5 miles went real well. I was right around a 6:30 pace for 4 of the miles and a 7:30 with one that has a long hill. The last 5 miles I backed off big time and just enjoyed the weather.

2-17-2011 - 3.41 miles - 40:59 - walk (12:01 pace - PR for me)
2-17-2011 - 10 miles - 1:18 - run (1st 5 miles 33:17)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Day 78 - No run day


I really love this weather. No jacket, no hat, no gloves and the sun beaming down. After walking in the 20 degree weather for weeks now 40 feels so warm. I can’t believe how time is flying by. I was being stalked by a hawk for some of my walk. I think it was looking for a mouse. No running for me today. I am feeling the effects of running to much so I had to back off.

2-16-2011 - 3 miles - 38:40 - walk

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Day 77 - Beautiful sunset

I walked in my NB101 today. It feels like something is missing when I wear them to walk. I guess I am use to my hiking boots and they hit the ground faster with the bigger heal. The wind was blowing and felt very cold.

Tonight I ran from home up to the mountain. The sunset was beautiful. I snapped a couple pics along the way before it got dark. The sun was out today but it did not loosen up any of the snow/ice I was running on once I hit the trails. The view was great from the top and the moon was very bright. Full moon will be this Friday. Can’t wait to do a full moon run.


Sunset 2-15-2011

Sunset 2-15-2011

Sunset 2-15-2011


2-15-2011 - 3 miles - 39:13 - walk
2-15-2011 - 9 miles - 1:30 - run



Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Day 76 - Windy

There was a beautiful sunrise this morning. I can feel that spring is on the way. When I left for my walk it was calm and warm. Half way through the wind really started to pick up and of course it was a headwind for the last mile. My legs are feeling good today but my ankles are sore.

Tonight was a night I really didn't want to run. I was just trying to make excuses up in my head not to run and I really couldn’t come up with one I could live with. I left around 8:20 and the wind was blowing like crazy. After about 5 miles I got into a grove and kept moving forward. I was weaving around the town to only pass houses glowing with TV’s and very few cars on the road. Not a sole in sight. I finished with ten miles and a smile on my face.


Sunrise 2-14-2011

2-14-2011 - 3 miles - 37:38 - walk
2-14-2011 - 10 miles - 1:29 - run



Monday, February 14, 2011

Day 75 - Black vultures

Today I had to do some shopping before hitting the trail. I finally made it out around 1. My legs were feeling really good after yesterday’s hill fest. Roads were the plan today but I thought I would check out the trails first. It warmed up nice and the trails were great. A little slippery at some sports but no ice. So I decided to run up to Pulpit Rock and then the Pinnacle following the AT out and back. Passing only a few people I made it to the Pinnacle. I haven’t been up there since the ice came through. There were a lot of birds flying around and I got some pics. No real close ups at the Pinnacle but some nice silhouettes. Then when I made it back to Pulpit Rock I looked over and there were three black vultures standing on the rocks. Correct me if I am wrong but I think they are black vultures. This was the first time I ever saw them standing on the rocks right there. The one quickly flew away but the other two had not plans of flying off. I quickly snapped some pics in case they flew away. It is always best to take pics as fast as you can because you usually will miss the shot if you wait. I probably spent 10 min. within 15 feet of them. Taking more photos and some video. I wish I would have had my other camera to get some better close ups. Once on the road I was at 11 miles for the day and decided to go for 20. I headed down town and weaved my way around the streets and back home hitting 20. My legs could really feel it in the last two miles. Finally I finished a nice back to back long weekend of running.

2-13-2011 - 20 miles - 3:30 - run (9 trail/11 road)

Pinnacle


Pinnacle
Pulpit Rock - Black Vultures




Pulpit Rock - Black Vultures


Pulpit Rock - Black Vultures


Pulpit Rock - Black Vultures


Pulpit Rock - Black Vultures