Weekly Run Log Dec. 19-25, 2010

12/23/2010: Ran the McCabe loop down back the proper way. There were some cool ice bridges that made for easy passage over the brook. I wish I had more energy but I work nights - and I am quite dehydrated. At least I am still getting some trail running in! Screws worked well e en though I lost one. I am going to start removing them as I think I have too many in my shoes. 0:26, 2.2 miles, 100' vert.

12/25/2010: A fun Christmas run up Crotched by way of the Bennington Trail. Out to the ledges and back by Upper Link. Between 3 and 5 inches of snow. The studded shoes worked surprisingly well though I wonder if Microspikes would be slightly more appropriate. I would do it again with either. A good test. Let's continue. Beautiful views today although mildly overcast and crisp. Saw 2 mm Surface Hoar on much of the snow up top! I'm closer to Colorado than I thought! 1:04, 4.0 miles, 1,200' vert.

Weekly Summary: 6.2 miles, 1300' vert.

'Twas a short week mileage-wise. But I did work all days but Christmas Eve. I figure on any given night I might slog anywhere from 3 to 5 miles on gun runs.

Screws seemed to work well. I lost a few on Crotched Mountain. I will replace them and see if they come out again. I might need to use some sort of epoxy if need be. I am not worried about making some permanent winter shoes. These Vasque Transistors are too tight in the middle and too long anyway.

Weekly Run Log - Dec. 12-18, 2010

12/13/2010: Shannon's Trail from CMRC to the summit of Crotched. Then Upper Link, Summit Trail West, Lower Link and back on Shannon's. Actually it seems that Shannon's Trail  is closed right now but a new "accessible" trail called the Gregg Trail will take you to the top of the knoll where you can pick up an unmarked Shannon's Trail. The sign says it is closed to blueberry restoration. Either way it was a fun loop. Even if I left from Crotched Mountain Town Forrest I would rarther ascend Crotched by lower link than Summit West or Summit East. More things to think about: Going straight when I reach what I thought was the intersection of the Bennington Trail and Shannon's trail, a longer loop starting at CMTF and going Link, Summit West, Lower Link, Shannon's, Upper Link, Summit East, Link. 1:12, 4.5 miles , 1200' vert.

12/14/2010: Skatutakee and Thumb Mountain loop; Hariskat, Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Trails. A little more than an inch of snow covered the ground and flurries were falling backlit by a bright sun and blue skies between the dark clouds.  Quite good running! I might be able to trail run this winter afterall. I will try screws in my shoes soon. We'll see how that goes. 1:07, 4.5 miles, 850' vert.

12/17/2010: McCabe Forrest behind the house. Stream was flooded with amazingly huge ice formations so I had to go out to the road and use the 202 entrance. It was cool running by the river again. Tested out new screws in the soles. Not enough ice/snow to really tell but at least the screws didn't jab into my feet. :30, 2.2 miles, 100' vert.

Weekly Summary; 11.7 miles, 2150' vert.

I read in Ultrarunning about putting screws in the soles of shoes to act as studs in icy and snowy conditions and was intrigued by the idea. I found sheet metal screws at the local hardware store for $3.99 for box of 175 screws. Sized 3/8" number 6 sheet metal screws, hex head they seemed a little long but actually installed well (a somewhat time consuming process). Now all I have to do is play with the pattern until I find a good balance of quantity to grip. In rereading the article it recommends about 8 or 9 per shoe. I have somewhere near 20. Might need to pare it down a little.

I signed up for the Wasatch 100 lottery this week as well. I think I stand a much better chance of making it into this one than either Western States or Hardrock. Also, it will be held in September so I will have ample time to train for it. I am crossing my fingers.

Weekly Run Log - Dec. 05-11, 2010

I worked the entire week and was not able to get out running even once. I was able to get out skiing twice at Sunapee (I got my pass!). I am actually impressed by this mountain. It has skiing with character and a sub-alpine coniferous forrest feel at the top. Snow quality was also good. We make good snow!

Weekly Run Log - Nov. 28 - Dec. 04, 2010

11/28/2010: Craig Road/Reed Carr Road with a little Liberty Farm Road to make it an even 6.0 miles. Next time I will run a little more of Liberty Farm Road to enjoy the North Branch of the Contoocook a little more. 1:00, 6.0 miles, 450' vert.

12/3/2010: Bennington Trail and Upper Link to the south ledges on Crotched. I still really enjoy this run! Views were easier to see today as it is overcast (I even could see Boston on the horizon). :57, 4.0 miles, 1,200' vert.

Weekly Run Summary: 10.0 miles, 1650' vert.

I didn't make it into the Western States run this week. My chances were worse than one-in-ten and I lost. My losing the lottery showed me how much I actually wanted to make it into the run. On the bright side I can now put my energy into the Hardrock lottery and now that I have entered and lost once I will be offered automatic entry in two years if I lose next year's lottery as well (I think there is automatic entry for two-time losers).