The Boonie-docks

trying to get back in the saddle

2009-05-26T18:53:00.008-04:00

Plenty of reasons why ('Life" being #1 on the list), but this trail season has not quite gotten the start this year that last year had. The full list could be a full blog report on its own.Truth be told, I wasn't all that happy with how Oxford Dam went last August. The training after that was stale and although not slow by most standards, was showing small signs of over-training. That is why the

something to perk my day

2008-08-12T09:56:00.006-04:00

An encouraging article from the BBC News Service."Running can slow the ageing (sic) process"http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7554293.stmPeople that stay active (in the study, runners were chosen) have a longer life and a higher quality of life.Plus, onset of illness or limitations when they occur, occur later in life.Basically, stay active.I think I need a run later.

dam

2008-08-10T10:16:00.004-04:00

When is 10.5 not 10.5?When the race app says “more than 10 miles”Today, I found out that 10.5 could mean as much as 11.3. It certainly felt like almost 11.5!Not exactly what you want to hear when you can feel your fitness level falling faster than one of Wile E Coyote’s Acme anvils.The Oxford Dam was one that came onto my radar last summer as well organized event with somewhat varied surfaces (

surrounded by People's

2008-08-02T22:55:00.006-04:00

Peoples is one of my favorite weekends of the year...usually.This year for a variety of reasons, i drove there 'alone'.'Alone' is a very relative term in the Grand Tree because as soon as you get there, you run into 20 people to talk and joke with before the race.Like last year, this morning was humid. But unlike last year, the sun was behind the clouds and the temp was in the low 70's at race

finally assaulted

2008-07-20T17:35:00.008-04:00

For the last few years, the Soapstone Assault has hung out there as a tease – at the wrong time of summer if you work with camps, ideally placed right at the wrong time for mid summer illnesses, obligations etc.Except this year.I was told it is 5.4miler that seems like a bit more than a 10k. Basically, there are six approaches to the top of Soapstone Mountain in Somers, CT. The race app states

the stars align

2008-07-20T17:15:00.003-04:00

when the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with mars ~we’ve hit the age of aquarius here folks. I’ve been growing out much of my locks this summer in the hopes of changing the ch’i of staleness and headaches since Northfield. Today, it seemed to work.If not, at least I’ll be ready for the final scene of Hair.In an effort to resolve this continual sinusitis, headaches and assorted

black bear mating season

2008-07-09T22:02:00.002-04:00

as much as i enjoy the trail, life and work and my own aging body required me to back *way* off of training.Like run twice since Northfield.So, I did that.and tried to catch up on work and life (both without success).BUT we did get to catch up with most of our soccer friends at a great July 4th party.and got in two good runs this week on some very humid days.Skyline is Sunday and I just might do

taking a pass on greylock

2008-06-20T00:52:00.003-04:00

Awoke on the morning of Greylock with the flattest, most whole body exhaustion that I’ve had in quite some time.So...Follow the heart that wants to run?Or the brain that says “you’re headed for a crash”.For once, I followed my brain and went back to bed – giving up at least 60 Grand Tree points for another 6 hours of sleep (and still felt tired upon waking).This has been slowly building for

no boonie

2008-06-09T22:22:00.008-04:00

Northfield Mountain 10.3k2008 USAT&F New England Trail ChampionshipSometimes, things aren't always what they seem.Sometimes, they are.This is my first time doing this event even though with Dave Dunham and crew organizing the event, certainly it would be well run.and it was.I like Dave ~ he obviously is a high speed kind of person and keeps a great sense of humor as he runs the event and also

no problems. Only challenges.

2008-05-28T08:16:00.000-04:00

“Imaginary obstacles are insurmountable. Real ones aren't. But you can't tell the difference when you have no real information.”-- Barbara Sher

soapstone's magic mojo numbers

2008-05-18T21:28:00.012-04:00

I didn’t really get to prep any better for this year’s race than last and haven’t done any long training runs except for races since Northern Nipmuck. I got a 2:19 last year (2:16:18 is my PR) and was happy with that then, but I want to break a PR somewhere this season.Unfortunately, May is when all heck breaks loose in my life, and just getting the energy to train short distances can be a

7 + 100% + 12.1 > 10%

2008-05-11T10:24:00.007-04:00

The ideal for any athlete is to create the situation where you find yourself facing a challenge 10% out of your upper comfort level. Something more than that (like myself doing an ultra this training year) might still be accomplishable, but it is a tough thing to build upon if it is accomplished and demoralizing if it isn’t.For me, even though I have done this thing 4 times in a race and many

race update 4 May 08

2008-05-04T19:18:00.006-04:00

Finished 2:56 and change for 114 / 241. Only got 60.75 Grand Tree points.Six minutes off of my worst time, but actually, I'm kind of not unhappy with this result.Exceptionally humid (essentially, we ran in 100% humidity) and the trail conditions were slick on the rock and muddy where there was no rocks. Saw a few significant injuries out there. As unfortunate as it was for those that got hurt,

what is bad weather?

2008-04-30T08:39:00.003-04:00

The countdown to the 7 Sisters has begun. T-minus 4 days.Final packing for the race is tonight.The butterflies are starting too.weather.com is regularly checked and is looking good and bad. Forecasts call for everything from sunny and 70 (really bad) to wet and high 40's (too cold) - all within the same 5 minute period of checking. There is a Nordic saying: "There is no such thing as bad weather.

race update 28 April 08

2008-04-28T20:39:00.006-04:00

As you can see form the right column, on a beautiful day for something resembling a 7 mile trail run (felt like shorter) I pulled a 54:50 ~ good for 11th place...I think.At least that was the placement I received at the finish line.That whole first paragraph apparently is up for debate depending upon your point of view - except the beautiful day part.The Grand Tree people I recognized there all

photos from last week

2008-04-19T17:34:00.005-04:00

A great photo of the Merrimack River start.The runners all get down into that little itty-bitty trail in the next 20 feet.Somehow...Photos by Dave Dunham via photobucketLink to race photos at bottom.Joe's finish is certainly one of the strongest-looking poses I've ever seen.Neil's isn't far behind.I look like I need the blue cart (but finished ahead of the two gentlemen above...)Gotta work on

inspire someone this week

2008-04-16T09:06:00.001-04:00

We should try to be the parents of our future rather than the offspring of our past. -Miguel de Unamuno, writer and philosopher (1864-1936)

The Merrimack RivAH 10miler

2008-04-13T20:31:00.003-04:00

Guest Blogger: Joe CarpenterBeing my second race that Paul has motivated me into doing I already had a good feel of the "trail racer mentality" and was by no means let down this weekend. No doubt I still felt a little out of place; especially, watching Paul's pre-race routine which entailed a most detailed verbal walkthrough of split times, goo consumption, and utilizing items from two

the Riv-AH runs fast

2008-04-13T13:04:00.014-04:00

Paul, Joe and Neil made the trip to Andover for the Merrimack River Trail Race.The Riv-AH started out cold (in the 40's) and wet.2 miles in was warm (in the 60's) and wet. One good 20 foot wide and knee deep water crossing (twice). Plus, plenty of slippery wood bridges being crossed with muddy shoes.Paul finished 47th (just like last week) at 1:19:52 for 10 miles and 72.33 points.Joe finished in

round numbers

2008-04-06T10:53:00.009-04:00

Don Kardong is a storied (Olympic) runner and story writer with a sense of humor runners can appreciate.When discussing weekly mileage a few decades back, he mentioned that many elite distance runners aim for 100 miles each week ‘because 100 is a nice round number’.Don suggested 88 miles as an alternative – because 88 is a ‘rounder number’.The NN16 for me was a story of rounder numbers.Should

post race update

2008-04-06T09:46:00.005-04:00

Northern Nimuck 16, 04-05-08final time 3:03:203 seconds off of PR3:21 slower than goalCourse Descrption:The course starts at the Nipmuck Trail & Rt. 171 junction just opposite the Bigelow Hollow State Park entrance. The course runs 8 miles south on the Nipmuck Trail to Boston Hollow Road in Ashford (the northernmost point of Nipmuck Marathon) and returns on the same trail. The terrain is

missing in action

2008-03-31T19:04:00.003-04:00

Training lately has really been difficult.Confidence is at a low point only 5 days away from NN16. Although I have done may long bikes, my only long run ended up being a 10 miler in 90 minutes.Not quite a 180 minute run no matter what speed.You see, I miss my Dad.I also miss my friend and mentor Gary.We lost them both 2 years ago within 18 hours of each other.My head still swims for a few days

QOTD

2008-03-19T22:03:00.001-04:00

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.-William James, psychologist (1842-1910)

like a kid at christmas

2008-03-19T21:39:00.006-04:00

During this time of year, we all catch cold, get caught up in life's minutiae, find it challenging to stay on track with training.It is March Madness.But occasionally, there are gems.Found a friend from way back and got back in touch. That does the soul well. He apparently has read my blog, so maybe he'll stay in touch.Got just run down over the weekend between the youth hockey, work, training

twenty-one for a forty-something

2008-03-13T23:41:00.005-04:00

Funny number, that twenty-one.At Mohegan Sun, that takes the money.As a salute, it honors the brave who have passedIt marks the start of your life when you may legally consume alcohol ~ and incidentally when consuming alcohol becomes a great deal less fun and exciting.Two of my hometown teams have retired that number. (brownie points if you know the person other than Roberto Clemente).Today, it