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).

Weekly Run Log - Nov. 21-27, 2010

11/21/2010: Bennington Trail with an extender to the ledge viewpoint just beyond the junction of Upper Link and the Summit Trail. Beautiful day: upper 30's and sunny. :55, 4.0 miles, 1200' vert.

11/23/2010: Pack Monadnock and part of Temple Mountain by way of the Wapack Trail. Ran with Dena. 1:00, 3.5 miles, 1,100' vert.

11/25/2010: Windham Turkey Trot 5 miles. Very interesting running with hundreds of other runners, bikers, rollercoaster, dog walkers, walkers and scooter riders. Good energy. All pavement. 1:00, 5 miles, 150' vert.

Week Totals: 12.5 miles, 2,450' vert.

Not a terribly strong week but I did start actually working my snowmaking job this week. Now that I have seen a typical week of working I might need to reevaluate my plan to run 20 miles a week. I think any running that i can manage is good.

The Turkey Trot was fun. It was great to take part in this tradition that many runners embrace each Thanksgiving (regardless of it being on pavement and flat).

Weekly Run Log - Nov. 14-20, 2010

11/14/2010: Wapack Trail from the Windblown Crosscountry Ski Area (123) up over Barrett Mt. to New Ipswich Mountain and back. Slow because of the leaves. Nice to be out running again in a time I am getting sucked into a rut! We'll see if I can get out two more times this week. 1:25, 6.0 miles, 1200' vert.

11/16/2010: Craig Road to Rt 9 by Reed Carr. Cloudy. A fast run! 0:54, 5.8 miles, 450' vert.

11/18/2010: Crotched Mt. from the Crotched Mountain Town Forest in Francestown. Link/Summit east/Upper Link/Summit west trails. Trails need some work, cleaning up trees, but there are tremendous possibilities here. Links everywhere could make runs of any length possible. Beautiful views from many ledges allow for recon of future runs. I need to run it in reverse before I can definitely say this but running the loop from West to East might be easier. West is just one straight push the the top while East meanders causing me to search for the trail a lot on the uphill. 1:45, 6.8 miles, 1,300' vert.

11/19/2010: Crotched Mountain by way of the Bennington/Shannon's Trail. Went Anaerobic for one good steep stretch. Trail is in great condition but Shannon's Trail is filled with brick-size rocks, mud, roots, and water. Ran 1050' vert in 22 minutes! :45, 3.0 miles, 1050' vert.

Weekly Summary: 21.6 miles, 4,000' vert.

The drive to get out there is back. I have been exploring more this week mostly the Wapack Trail (I have one or two sections left to explore!) and the Crotched Mountain Town Forest. I am excited to have discovered he Crotched trail system as it offers 1000' plus of vert and it is within 20 minutes of home!

Also this week I applied for the Western States 100 lottery. I am pretty excited for the lottery which will be held on December 4th regardless of the fact that I have a slim chance of making it in. I would actually prefer to go to the Hardrock this year instead, but I will take what I can get. We'll just see what happens on the 4th. I can start worrying then!

Weekly Run Log - Nov. 07 - Nov. 13, 2010

11/11/2010: Ran Skatutakee by way of the Hariskat Trail instead of running the full loop. Saw a beautiful sunset mostly red with a dark alpinglow! Good time as well, I pushed it a little. 0:37, 3.0 miles, 660' vert.


Weekly Total: 3.0 miles, 660' vert.


I feel as though I am getting into a rut at home with the projects on the house in full swing. I am also a bit nervous about the new job so I have been worrying myself a little...

Weekly Run Log - Oct. 31 - Nov. 06, 2010

Took the week off from running. Household projects got the better of me this week.

Weekly Run Log - Oct. 24 - Oct. 30, 2010

10/26/2010: Wapack trail from Temple Rd. up and over Burton, Holt, and Temple Mountains to 101 then back. Runable in entirety. Like riding a rollercoaster in slow motion. My watch altimeter said 1500' vert but I bet it is mug more due to the quick gains and losses of 10-20' at a time. Technical fun! 1:53, 9.6 miles, 1,500' vert.

10/28/2010: Craig Rd. and Reed Carr Rd. to Route 9 and back. A fun way of linking my normal Craig Road run with somewhere I know in driving. :58, 5.75, 450' vert.

10/30/2010: What started as a quick run up Skatutakee turned into a fantastic discovery of a loop including Thumb Mountain! I think next time i should do it in reverse. The Harriskat Trail is more gradual and the running to Thumb would be pleasant (minus the short steep section to the summit). This would take advantage of the grades and technical difficulty.  1:01, 4.5 miles, 850' vert.

Week 8 Totals: 19.8 miles, 2,800' vert.