The joy of trail running

I immerse myself into the surrounding

Trail Blaizing – May 31, 2015

Pushing the limit.

Pushing my body into the unknown with the assistance of my new forefoot striking Newton shoes…not knowing what to expect.

I’ve never heard of Newtons, and they were expensive. But they give me a bounce as my forefoot rebounds off the “lugs” in the front of the shoe.

Longest run in six months, and 25% longer than my previous longest. I’m talking six miles versus four. This would not be a big deal twenty years ago, but as I approach seventy years old, it seems overwhelming…and it may be.

Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) trails all the way…running the Sakonnet Greenway. Trails are my forte now. I love the varied paths, lack of vehicles, the sounds of nature and striking views.

Starting at the massive sports complex of the Glen…soccer and baseball fields abound, accompanied by the meticulously groomed enormous Polo field.

Firing up my iPod and off at a slow-pace into the wooded path behind Pennfield School toward Sandy Point Ave…about half a mile.

Crossing Sandy Point to cow pastures inhabited by Big Brown cows wearing ear tags and protected by an electric fence.

Feeling good… edging around the pasture, music blasting….Stones: “Brown Sugar” lighting up my psyche.

Crossing a dry creek to Vacluse Farm. Sign: “no horses beyond this point.”

Transitioning  from pasture to woods. Trees glowing–infused with brilliant sunlight. Bright green leaves dancing–reflecting the noon sun. Sunglasses off to enjoying the vividness.

The path feels challenging. Gotta watch the complex of roots and rocks.. leaping, twisting and jumping with joy, negotiating the obstacles…music turned off so I can inhale the sounds and sights of the forest…birds, breeze and wonder.

The path feels welcoming…periodically padded with leaves and pine needles.

Transitioning to semi wetlands but  mostly dry now. Big leaves like lily pads.

On to a boardwalk over the wetlands and still under the sparkling canopy.

Sprinting out of the woods to more pasture, electric fences, and cows staring impassively as I go by…their attention focusing on chewing grass, and an occaisional glance of relative boredom.

Feeling good…breathing smoothly, knees good, but metatarsals hurting as always.

Trail narrowing between a long row of trees. Its loaded with branches that snake back, forth and across, commanding my complete attention.

Braman’s Lane looming ahead and open spaces…back to music.

Cover gone, sun bearing down drawing lots of sweat. Crossing the road, heading for the golf course and semi shade.

Turning onto the forested golf course trail…about 1.75 miles so far. Starting to feel the run. and I’m nowhere near half way. Holding an almost exact 15 minute pace. So that’s good.

Golf course provides some needed shade. Resisting the desire to look for balls staying the course.

Leaden legs and screaming metatarsals…par for the course as forefoot striking takes its toll.

Passing knots of golfers as they slice and hook some gems into the briar infested woods.

Harlow Pond on the left, bringing nostalgia, sadness and beauty.

Over the Little Creek bridge and nearing the end of the golf leg (3.75 miles) at Mitchells Lane.

Everything hurts…this is where I usually stop.

Not today.

Crossing the road to the new circuit with its cornfields, woods and a confusing myriad of trails….I inevitably get lost every time I run this area.

This time its better. Managing to stay on the official trail which (in many places) is layered with mulch and even gravel. The trek through the woods is particularly rewarding with all sorts of trees, bushes and little side paths.

The plan is to cut across the middle of the trail complex and end the run after doing the Albro woods loop.

Really struggling at this point…wishing I brought some water.

Emerging from the woods, noting that many of the corn fields are plowed. No stalks yet…visibility is good.

Taking the “green” trail toward the deep dark Albro woods with its convoluted system of  branches and roots snaking across the trail…strategically placed for a stubbed toe or a crash. I’ve done both before and its no fun.

Finishing the loop with burning feet, sore knees and general exhaustion, and guess what? I have to run the loop  again.

Unfortunately, the loop was not long enough. I’m only at about 5 miles. Gross miscalculation!

I just want it to end. Please!

But no,  I have to run the loop again!

Albro is so confusing with forks to nowhere and pesky disorientation under the big trees.

Anyway, I’m doing the loop twice to add distance…aggravating and discouraging in my exhausted state.

But no matter.

Finished another loop and check my iPod distance “app”…still not enough. After two loops!!

Gotta do a little back and forth after Albro to get the right distance.

Finally ducking out of the forest and seeing the end ahead.

Seeing Diane and the car at East Main gives me a boost as I stagger to the finish.

Six miles….my pace slipped in the second half and the official mark was 15:46. This was a big decrease from the 15 even during the first half.

But again, no matter.

Went home and slept two hours.

Cliff Walk at the Solstice – Sept 22, 2013

Running lower Cliff Walk. First time since Sandy. Lots of devastation…sinkholes, boulders strewn like marbles. fences crushed…tough negotiation, lots of twisting and climbing.

But still in paradise. Gorgeous blue waves splashing and foaming. So much vivid green and wildflowers.

Lots of people partying.

Turned at Ledge Road and back to Marine Ave. Low sun glimmers all over the landscape. Salve campus so peaceful and loaded with the feeling of summertime relaxation.

Nice loud ipod…buds too big, no biggie. Sweaty and slipping form my ears.

Running in new structured red shoes (so kool). Muscle soreness up and down left side of left leg. Glad I didn’t take the minimalist shoes…too much twisting over the rocks.

Music psyched and lots of rock dancing. In total heaven.

Pie Run – Nov. 25, 2012

Not much training since I did the Bridge Run on November 11th.

Two long runs (say 4 miles): One on the new Land Trust trail (between E. Main Rd and Michell’s Lane) and two loops around the reservoir between 1st and 2nd Beach. and a few short  runs: one around the reservoir and another along 1st Beach and Cliff Walk.

Today is the 2nd Pie Run for me. Beautiful morning, clear and sunny…wearing shorts.

Seems like thousands of runners lining up in front of the YMCA. I’m finding a slot with my usual three-quarters of the way back of the pack group. Only a five-miler so I have to keep a fast pace (judt like the Bridge Run).

Jockeying for position among the crowd…iPod going and getting in the groove.

Eclectic mix of runners, but I don’t see to many in my age group…several runners pushing baby strollers.

Turning onto to Tuckerman Rd and looking across First Beach to Cliff Walk and mansions bathed in sunlight.

Trying to visualize my pace… I can see the push off my forefoot as I set my rhythmic breathing. Nice pace, it seems.

Picking out runners ahead of me to catch (or try to). These targets really help me move and keep a race pace. It’s working, I’m gaining.

Rounding Tuckerman and heading along the coast back toward Purgatory Road. I’m trying to gain on this couple that I want to believe are not as fast as me. They look about early 30s but heavier than me. So like I often say “I should be able to beat those two.” However, I know this is often a fallacy. Anyway, I’m not gaining…they persistently stay about thirty feet ahead (sometimes more).

Runners catching me a pulling ahead. I find one and stay right behind, picking up the pace until I tire and have to release her. The first couple is still way up there.

Purgatory and the right turn downhill to Second Beach is looming ahead.

Catching a young woman…she’s wearing “University of Dublin” on her shirt. I yell “Go Irish” pointing at My Notre Dame cap. She smiles as I pass and make the turn down to the beach.

Runners passing me and me passing runners. Kids who usually go out too fast are tiring. Parents slow down and walk with them, then start running again.

Don’t know my pace, there are no splits, but it seems fast enough. Heading for the turn around point just past the half-way point. Checking my watch, looks like just over a ten-minute pace. Damn, I’m hoping to be under ten.

Picking up, road is flat now, but the Purgatory hill is coming up.

I still see that couple that I was trying to catch. The woman is stopping and walking, while the man goes on ahead. Passing the woman, I see the man picking up his pace.

Starting up the hill…first part is brutal and I gotta stay strong…can’t lose the pace. I know hills are heartbreakers, but also racemakers. Others may falter, but I keep the pace. At least that’s the idea, but I don’t see it happening yet.

Picking up a little now as the hill flattens slightly in front of St George’s School. Someone on the sideline yells “Go Striders.” That’s me, love to hear it.

Still see that guy up there. Reaching the top of the hill and I hear “Go Irish.” It’s her again. “looking good,” I smile and she pulls ahead.

At the top of the hill, while others ease up and rest from the climb I open up and run as fast as I can for a long burst. Dodging in and out of runners, I accelerate, passing thirty-somethings, kids, strollers and heavier runners that I should beat (like I said, a fallacy). I’m evening gaining on “Go Irish” and that guy I’ve been following for miles.

Bottom of the hill now…turning inland to the “Y” and the finish line..maybe a half mile left.

I’m reeling in that guy slowly…and I decide to just catch him no matter what…even if I can’t hold him.

Blowing by the guy, and now I want to stay ahead, so I’m mentally looking over my shoulder and hoping he’s not gaining.

Really hurting now…my knees, soles of my feet. Pain from the waist down and breathing severly labored.

“Go Irish” still in front but I’m right behind. Finish lime is looming and I don’t care about the guy behind me (wherever he is).

Trying to decide if I want to make a run at “Go Irish” and do a test pick up. Can’t maintain this for long.

We’re almost there. I decide to stay on her tail and follow her across the line.

Done! I tap her shoulder and congratulate her effort. “Followed you all the way in and across the line, nice race.” She smiles, sweat rolling off her face.

I look to see Diane snapping my picture.

Whew! Staggering to the grass and drop to my knees, catching my breath slowly.

Check my stop watch: 53 minutes and maybe 50 seconds, don’t remember exactly. But I missed my sub-ten minute pace.

No biggie, I gave it everything. And that feels good.

Love these people. They make it possible for me to enjoy these peak experiences.

And they gave me a great shirt and a Table Talk pie!

Running with music and surf