Photo Essay: Tinker Nature Park

Weather Report: Cloudy, 40°F, 68% Humidity, Winds: SSW @ 15 mph; feels like 36°F.

This morning Anne and I headed out to the Tinker Nature Center in the town of Henrietta, New York, about 20 minutes outside of our River City. The weather was unseasonably warm, and as we are anticipating another cool down in a few days, we thought it a good time to take advantage of the opportunity to get out and snowshoe.

It had not registered for me just how grey the morning actually was until I downloaded the photos from the camera. Despite what some might see as a "depressing" color scheme, I think the contrast between the grey skies and brown and green flora makes for some beautiful looks at the duality of our winter nature-scape: cold and bleak, yet life goes on...

I've selected an excerpt from a piece by English novelist Charles Kingsley to provide as a narration, of sorts, for this photo essay.

"Every winter,
When the great sun has turned his face away,"



The earth goes down into a vale of grief,
And fasts, and weeps, and shrouds herself in sables,



Leaving her wedding-garlands to decay--
hen leaps in spring to his returning kisses."~Charles Kingsley

Lake Effect Snowshoe Festival 1/2 Marathon 9.7 mi.

Run: 9.7 miles in :00:00 min. @ 8:00 a.m.
Weather: Cloudy, 11°F, 66% Humidity, Winds: SSW @ 10 mph; feels like -1°F(!).
Pace: Approximately 10:00 min./per mile
Course: Seven Five loops of a two-mile course in Webster Park, just across from Lake Ontario, pictured below in wintry repose!). The course itself will be dependent on the amount of snow, but it's a mixture of fields and trails.


Pre-Run Observations: It's hard to believe that after having registered for oodles of snowshoe runs, and there actually being snow this year, about one month into the "season" I am finally getting around to doing the deed. I suspect my "debut" will be an auspicious one... a matter of survival and mere completion. Of course, "over a month ago," my goal might have been to place in the top fifteen-to-twenty percent of total finishers, and now (given my lack of training since December 12), I hope to finish.

The temperature outside if freezing (-5°F when I left home!), and with the actual location of the vent being nearly right on Lake Ontario, I hold little hope that my thirty minute drive northeast will yield any increases or warmth... as I sit here and noodle through what to wear (I probably should have bought or dug out some wind pants) I continue to ask myself, "why the hell are you putting yourself through this..." of course, I'm not there yet, so maybe I won't..."

Post-Race Reflections: As you can tell from the post title, I did not run the entire 13+ miles, but felt pretty well in completing five 2-ish mile loops of the intended seven. Though marginally disappointed that I didn't "finish," all things being equal, it seemed unnecessary as I likely would have had to walk part of the remaining two laps due to my current state of poor conditioning. I did, however, feel that I had an excellent workout, running almost ten miles in snowshoes at a fair (to middling) pace.

I certainly feel that after Friday's run and today's effort, I am soon to be righting my training ship... and there's always the Freezeroo 10k I signed up for next weekend to look toward for some improvement!

Embrassez votre été invincible!

Snowshoe Flashback & Weekend Foreshadowing

The next two weekends will both include three road races I have already registered for, none of which I have properly trained for, and one that I am most likely to give a go. These next three weekends also represent the culmination of a my first Varsity Indoor Track & Field season as coach--the activity that has most impacted my ability (and motivation) to train.

I have also recently been hired to assist in coaching our middle school's Modified Track & Field beginning in March, which given the level and program goals is much easier to manage though I suspect I will be helping out the Varsity when the need arises. So, while I will continue to be busy, the lighter coaching schedule, aligned with (hopefully) more conducive weather, should allow me to begin training soon and re-establishing my base in short order.

Next up, Sunday's Lake Effect Snowshoe Festival's Half-Marathon at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning. I have "run" this race each of the previous two years (at distances beginning at four miles two years ago and building up to the thirteen-miler last year) and found it challenging. In 2007, my son (pictured to the right above) attended with me and he snapped a number of pictures, some of which are posted below.













This year's run will be at least as challenging as in year's past, especially given my inadequate training thus far in 2009. Though I am not looking forward to the C-O-L-D, I am looking forward to getting back out onto the trails... but, I need to buck up and realize that (and the photographic evidence is above!) I've enjoyed running in tundra conditions before and will do so again!

Embrassez votre été invincible!

Drifting Thoughts of Snow & Shoes

With the snow flurries finally "sticking" to the ground (almost 2" this morning for my drive into school!), my own thoughts are also drifting to the upcoming Winter months and, of course, snowshoeing.

This will be my third year "shoeing," and, fortunately, if November thus far is any indication of things to come, there will actually be plenty of snow on the ground this year. In past year's, many a snow shoeing race has become a trail run due to lack of snow and though it is always nice to make one's way into the woods, the running experience is definitely different (preferable even!) than the shoeing one.

In the best of all possible world's, this Winter will find me completing a couple of different local "racing" series, beginning in only one month. With Indoor Track practices, work, and just life in general, my ability to make all meets is small... but when the heart is willing, you never know.

Lake Effect Snowshoe Festival Half-Marathon

Run: 13.1 miles in 1:30:30 min. @ 8:30 a.m.

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 14°F, 85% Humidity, Wind: CALM; feels like 14°F.
Course: Webster Park (a loop course with an aid station every 2 "miles-ish"), on the shore of Lake Ontario (pictured this morning, above).
Pace: Approximately 6:54 min./per mile

Pre-Run Observations: It sure was DARK outside this morning as I dragged myself from bed to go through my pre-race rituals. Letting the dog out first thing also gave me a very visceral reminder that it was not only dark, but also COLD! It had also snowed, just a little, and probably not enough to turn this snowshoe race back into a race with snowshoes, rather than the trail run the Lake Effect Snowshoe Festival events had become (except for the sprint races which will be in snowshoes regardless).

A bowl of Quaker Oats, one glass of orange juice and two cups o' joe later and I would be set to drive out to the Webster Park, where I have little doubt it will (thanks to Ontario Lake) be even colder! Fortunately (and I'm hoping not to jinx myself with these comments), my previous experience has given me some comfort as I generally warm-up inside my clothes, after about a mile or so of freezing, and I will be bundling-up (relatively speaking) for this morning's race.

My previous PR at this distance (half-marathon) and surface (trail) is right around two hours, and I hope to better that today, though that PR was at a very challenging course. I can't imagine today's course in Webster, which consists of six trips on a two(?) mile loop, holding too many secret monster hills, though if memory from previous years serves me well, there are a few opportunities to leap and push through and over creeks... YUMMY!

Post-Race Reflections: As I thought it was very cold out at the start and following the completion of the first of six two mile loops, my fingers and hands felt as if they might fall off... and then "the worm turned" and I warmed up, thanks in no small part to the two other folks whom I trailed and who kept me moving at a pace faster than I thought I was capable of. I ran another PR today for the distance and surface thanks to those folks who helped me along with motivation and conversation.

The course was pretty much as I recalled, though "rootier(?)" than I last remembered due mostly to the lack of snow this morning which might otherwise have evened out the ground. The ground grew choppier and slipperier and resulted in my taking three or four small spills during the race, including a stick-poke to the back of the ankle.

No big deal, as the sill-spills were worth it given the beautiful scenery which I managed to take in some of during the first loop but missed out on during the rest though much of what occupied my line of vision was the trail in front of me--it was touch enough trying to stay with those with whom I was running!

My success today has me thinking about my next "big race," and has me wondering if I might not want to try and run a good marathon for once, having not run a regular marathon for over twelve months now. Hmmm... I reckon I'll dig around online and see what opportunities can be found!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

2008 Winterfest "Snowshoe" 10k

Run: 6.2 miles racing in :48:07 min. @ 11:00 a.m. + 1 mile total warm-up and cool-down for a total daily mileage of 7.2 miles.

Weather: Partly Sunny, 10°F, 58% Humidity, Wind: From WSW @ 21 mph, gusting up to 26 mph; feels like -2°F(!).
Course: Mendon Ponds Park (trails, very hilly)
Pace: Approximately 7:45 min./per mile

Pre-Run Observations: The 10k snowshoe run of the morning long Winterfest Snowshoe Races was to be the first snowshoe event I was to participate in this winter, but as the snow gods would have it, there is not quite enough "snow" to warrant special "shoes." There is plenty of bitter winter air to be had, and given what is likely to be a challenging Menond Ponds trail course, I am looking at this "race" as an exciting nature run, rather than a competitive opportunity.

Different from last year's event, this year promises to be a "'no frills' event," which suits the spirit of those hearty souls who participate just fine, thank you. How many t-shirts can one store in their closet or donate to charity without it seeming too many, anyway? I kind of like the idea of a lower entry fee, an opportunity for camaraderie, and a beatify course being the carrot for registering.

My only regret in preparing to get dressed for the ride to Mendon is that I wish I had washed my "winter" tights... is COLD (-2°F with the wind chill!)out!


Post-Race Reflections: The 10k I was registered for this morning began after the Men's and Women's 5ks had been run, and one lady coming across the finish line noted that the scenery had been beutiful. She was right. Though I did not "know" the course, it ran through some familiar parts of the park and the 10k loop, as a whole, was made up of parts of other races I had run so I knew when to expect the steep(er) inclines of which there were quite a few. The cold was not as much of an issue as the wind, which was dispersed within the woods for a good part of the race. Given my somewhat leisurely pace, I had the goo fortune to take in some of the wintry sites which were, as the young lady said earlier "beautiful."

I also had the good fortune of finishing a few runners with which to pace myself and we took turns briefly switching the lead, but in the end, if I were competing, I was clearly undone by my undone shoelaces... I had to stop three(!) times to re-tie them! (It is a sad reality that at most races, my wife will tie them so that they don't come undone... this time I actually made the conscious effort to tie them well prior to the start, but to no avail!

Overall, it was an excellent experience running in the windy, cold with other like-minded folks who just dig the trails... though one thought I had was that maybe I should not have pre-registered for that snowshoe half-marathon next week! If today's run had been in snowshoes, I'd likely had a heart attack--who knows what next week will bring, but that is part of the fun... isn't it?

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

2nd Annual Scrubs & Stethoscopes 5k

Run: 3.1 miles in :19:19 @ 10:30 a.m.
Pace: :06:13 min. per mile

Weather Report: Sunny, 47°F, 46% Humidity, Winds: From NNE @ 11 mph; feels like 42°F.

Pre-Race Observations: This morning's race, 2nd Annual Scrubs & Stethoscopes 5k will be my first in two weeks and, due to Sunday school, Gregory will be sitting this one out, so I will attempt to use my wife's suggested approach: "Just run fast." This particular run is a hybrid: 1/2 trail race and 1/2 road, which makes it all the more attractive to me. I enjoy participating in gimmicky races which are just a slight variation of a traditional 5k. A hybrid run also strikes me as an interesting and unique way to "celebrate," or recognize, National Nurses' Week (May 6-12).

Post-Race Reflections: Jack and I arrived a little early to the event which was taking place at Mendon Ponds Park, a popular race locale. Unfortunately I arrived to find out that for whatever reason, I was not registered for the race. The understanding folks at FleetFeet Rochester (who were the organizers of the event) permitted me to simply complete another registration form.

Sportingly, I finished the day clocking a PR at the 5k distance of :19:19! This was especially gratifying as I didn't feel "top-notch" prior to the start, but quickly became more comfortable, especially once the last half of the race course moved into the woods for the cross-country portion.

In the end, Jack and I enjoyed I nice spread which included hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni salad (MMMMMM!), and cookies. I also won my age group (M 30-39), thanks in no small part to a small registration. A nice morning was enjoyed by those who did participate though!

Jack was once again working the camera and managed to take some... uh... "interesting" shots:





Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Photo Essay: Family Snowshoe Expedition

Weather Report: Cloudy, 22°F, 51% Humidity, Winds: From W @ 9 mph; feels like 12°F.

Anne, the boys, and I took advantage of the "nice" weather today to do some snowshoeing at Mendon Ponds Park. We are all fairly new (actually brand new) at snowshoeing, but are avid hikers, so getting used to the fotwear did not take long. The poem accompanying the pictures captures some of the crazy winter-walk spirit... although the setting (day rather than "night") is slightly different...

"Pine tree tops" by Gary Snyder

In the blue night
frost haze, the sky glows
with the moon
pine tree tops
bend snow-blue, fade
into sky, frost, starlight.
The creak of boots.
Rabbit tracks, deer tracks,
what do we know.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

NOTE: More photos are posted at Earth-House-Hold. Check 'em out!

Photo Essay: Lake Effect Snowshoe Festival

My son, Jack, and I spent some time following my "run" in the 2 Mile Snowshoe Fun Run taking some pictures of the scenery, which consisted primarily of the area around the finish line and transiotn area for a snowshoe duathlon that was being held concurrently with the purely snowshoe runs... and we also snapped some pix of one another.






















Adio, wli nanawalmezi.

Lake Effect Snowshoe Festival 4-Miler 2 Mile Fun Run

Run: 4 miles in :17:00 min. @ 1:15 p.m.

Weather Report: Light Snow, 23°F, 83% Humidity, Winds: from N @ 9 mph; 13°F.

Pre-Race Observations: One day after running about 6.4 road miles, I'm getting ready to shoe a 4 mile jaunt through the Lake Ontario coastal snows...

My normal "pre-game" routine is a little off this morning due to the late start time of my event. The latest I have ever started a traditional race is 10:00 a.m., but today we will not be leaving the start until 1:15 p.m. or so. Fortunately, I slept in later than normal this morning (a whopping 7:45 a.m.!), and have begun drinking some joe and boiling water for oatmeal. The later start will likely necessitate a snack a few hours before the race--or not!

This will be my second time running the course. Last year, I had registered for the snowshoe race, but because of a freakish snow shortage, lake effect or otherwise, the event defaulted to a trail race. I don't recall much about the course, other than the fact that it was a little hilly and, having no perspective about how to preform a snowshoe run back then, my memory of the experience has given me little insight as to what I can do today to improve my chances for placing.

My goal going into the event is to continue following through on my recent focus, which is to say that I want to finish strong with a smile on my face!

Post-race Observations: My son went to the race with me today, and I told him just before the start not to wander too far away--I suspected that might take the a "early release" by opting out of the 4 miler after the first two mile loop... which turned out to be exactly what I did. While running the first loop, which consisted of some severe ups and downs, crossing two creeks (one which required me to step into the water), my ankle were aching slightly, and about half way though my pride told me to "keep going! Nobody else is going to stop!"

Projecting ahead to the next few weeks, though, I realized that I really wanted to do both the six-hour snowshoe relay next Saturday and the marathon in two Saturdays, so I set my pride aside and wrapped up my afternoon after two miles. There was another athlete who finished just after me, and as far as I know, we were the only two not to finish the four miler!

For my trouble I received a nice glass snowflake as a reward, and more importantly, gained the opportunity to interact with some of my running peers whom I hadn't seen in a while. The event was well organized by the good folks at YellowJacket Racing, and bith Jack and I had a great time together, looking at it as a dry-run for our roadie to Ohio (hopefully) in two weeks.

Adio, wli nanawalmezi.

Weekend Race Preview

The next three weeks are fairly busy as I am registered to run or snowshoe in a variety of events at a few different distances. Since I have placed myself on the "physically unable to perform" list for the past few days, I thought I'd maintain a degree of focus by reviewing what is coming up this weekend, and perhaps add a few comments regarding the likelihood of my participation...

1. Freezeroo Race #4 The Hearne-ish 10k (Saturday, January 27): this is the fourth in a series of six races, and, were I to run it, the third I would complete this season. The closer Saturday gets the less likely I will be at the run. My stepson has a swim meet and (more to the point) my son has a sledding party for school that I was unaware of until yesterday... about three months after registering for the series. At least my not showing up will not mean my having wasted money on an unrequited entry fee. Because I signed up for the race series, the cost was nominal and goes toward "the good of the order" anyway.

2. The Lake Effect Snowshoe Festival (Sunday, January 28): This would be my second snowshoe race, the prospect of which really excites me. Of course, during my first snowshoe experience, I tweaked both my ankles in such a way that running since has been a challenge. It is far more likely that I will make it to this race, rather than the run the previous day, due to my having no other commitments that require my attention.

In the last few hours, I may have felt like maybe I could go running this evening, but the very bitter cold front, complete with snow, have helped convince me otherwise... the trainer (cycle) is a likely alternative. The "competitive drum" beats on during the following weeks, which are equally as busy with some pretty cool competitive options coming up, including the Cast-a-Shadow 6 Hour Relay to "celebrate" Groundhogs Day and a winter marathon, consisting of 26 laps of a mile loop, in Dublin... Ohio.

Adio, wli nanawalmezi.

Winterfest Snowshoe 10k

Snowshoe (Run): 6.2 miles in (approx.) :57:00 min. @ 11:00 a.m.

Weather Report: Light Snow, 19°F, 68% Humidity, Winds: from NW @ 20 mph, gusting up to 25 mph; 4°F.

Pre-Race Observations: Uh... boy, is it cold out. Not really just cold, but freezing! As I'm sitting here in the comfort of my living room, sipping a smoking hot cup o' joe, I'm trying to figure out what it is I'm going to wear in a few hours when I head to the snowshoe race. Again, referencing the Adirondack Sports and Fitness website, "...best rule of thumb for dressing properly is to think wicking... Using the "less is best" motto, all you really need is a pair of polartec fleece pants, an undershirt, a long sleeved shirt and a zippered lightweight jacket... If the trails are unpacked or if the snow is wet, wear gaiters." Wicking shirt, check. Winter running tights, check. Cold weather pullover, check. Gaiters,... uh, maybe next time.

Today's race, the Winterfest Snowshoe 10k, is part of a weekend long festival celebrating all the great activities available for individuals and families in Monroe County, Upstate New York, and as such, there will be quite a few races for different age groups going off beginning at 9:00 a.m. If I can find some clothes to help maintain my body heat in advance of my own race, I'm planning on coming early to watch the other's run and maybe pick up some last minutes tips about snowshoe running form.

Post-Race Reflections:As promised by Goose Racing in their race porting, this was indeed a "no-frills" event, and in an era of microchips and corporately sponsored water stops, this fact lent a refreshing quality to the event. It was nice to be part of an "old school" event, that did not give off an "old school" vibe, as much as one that was communal. The lodge in which registration was held, also offered drinks, heat and an opportunity to connect and re-connect with other registrants. We of River City are nothing if not both hearty and friendly and the tenor of the event certainly reflected that.

The course itself offered a beautiful tour of the area, showcasing some wonderful scenery covered in a wintry fresh snow. I spoke with some of my fellow participants during the race about how pleasant the views were, even if the running of the course itself was something of a challenge. (During the run I kept thinking of the saying about how golfing is a "good walk wasted," but was comforted by the fact that snowshoeing is "a better walk enhanced"...)

Many of the "stars" at all (high school, men, women) were out for the events, too, as I readily recognized some of the local club runners and high school athletes who were in attendance for the run. In the end, my own time was not spectacular, but I was true to my original goal of finishing standing and with a smile on my face, and even more importantly, looking forward to the next opportunity I might have to strap on the snowshoes...

Adio, wli nanawalmezi.