Runnin' Rt 390 Trail

Cool under the canopy at Basil Marella Park. (6/16/20)

Weather: Sunny, 51°F (Real Feel 51°F), Wind WSW @ 1, 85% Humidity at 7:00 a.m.

Distance/Time/Pace: 7.5 miles, 1:05.12, 8:44 min/mile

Route: Starting at Basil Marella Park, south on Rt. 390 Trail past Greece Olympia High School to West Ridge Rd. turnaround then back through Basil and north on Rt. 390 Trail and to Latta Rd., turnaround back to Basil.

Yesterday was the final day of classes for my high school students, so this morning, I rolled out of bed and into my car for the short drive out to Greece, New York. Using Basil Marella Park, our cross-country team's "home" course, as a starting point I went north and south over familiar training and racing grounds. While the girls have their summer training plans and are beginning to prepare themselves (fingers-crossed!) independently, with any luck, we'll be back at it as a team in late August for official girls' team practices.

The weather was (once again) beautiful and the park was very quiet when I pulled in the parking lot at 6:30 a.m. In addition to sections of the 5k course we practice and compete on, which is comprised of two loops, I went south and north along the Rt. 390 Trail. Some of the student-athletes we've had on the team in the past have used this trail for distance runs from campus (which is about 1 mile from the park), and we regularly use the paved inclines for "hill" workouts. The Basil 5k course is relatively flat, especially compared to the more technical course I remember running in high school, so other than pre-season visits to other courses, thgere is a need to be creative when training in-season for hillier locales.

During the season, this point concludes first 800m going in to
woods and just over 2000m coming up over the small rise
at center. (6/16/20)

The main trails in the park are paved and well
maintained. (6/16/20)

Rt. 390 Trail continues to be paved after coming out of Basil
Marella and crossing Vintage Lane. (6/16/20)

After crossing Maiden Lane the trail moves to the other side of
the Rt. 390 Expressway, past Greece Olympia. (6/16/20)

Geese and goslings cross the trail coming from one of the
storm water retention ponds along 390. (6/16/20)

The pond on the way back after turning around at
West Ridge Rd. (6/16/20)

Back in Basil Marella, a small pond forms near the Paddy
Hill Creek. (6/16/20)

Side trails in Basil Marella are unpaved, though well
maintained; here, running parallel to the Route 390
Expressway. (6/16/20)

Coming out of the woods, a grassy trail leads to 2000 meter
and 2.5 mile marks during cross-country races. (6/16/20)

Passing through Basil Marella Park and crossing English Rd.,
 the paved trail extends another mile to Latta Rd. (6/16/20)

"Blind Curves ahead". (6/16/20)

Still quiet at Basil Marella Park following my hour
run. (6/16/20)