nuR sllafretaW

No, I haven't lost my mind (completely), the run was the Waterfalls Run course run in reverse. Hence the backward spelling. I was debating about joining in on this group run in the Valley until yesterday. I decided that if I didn't drive over to run I probably wasn't going to get one in today. So once again on a Saturday, my alarm went off at 4:00 and I was up and about getting ready.

The drive over was dark, so I missed the snow remnants hanging around in the shady spots that I saw on the drive home. It was still a little dark as we got underway at 7:00, but light enough to see where we were going. As it was a clear sky overnight, once the sun crested the horizon it got bright out in a hurry. Since I didn't know where I was going, I had to make sure to keep with the group, so I didn't have time to snap as many photos as I would have liked. But I managed to get some decent ones.

The course consisted of three distinct loops, the first of which we ran in reverse to get back to the parking lot. The course and details of the run can be viewed here: Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Reverse Waterfalls Group Run. We began at the Lock 29 parking area in Peninsula. We then ran up an old brick road that parallels Rt. 303. Of all the times I've driven past there, I never knew that old street was there. From there we picked up the Pine Lane Trail which we followed up and down and around till we came out at the Boston Store. We ran past both I-80 and I-271 on our way.

The breakaway group I was running with coming down towards the Towpath, about to pass underneath I-271.

The sun was lighting everything up early.

After stopping for a quick restroom break we headed out loop number two. We were in search of waterfall #1, the Brandywine Falls. We found it easy enough and posed for a group picture there. I'll post it and the other group pictures once they become available.

Brandywine Falls

After leaving the falls we finished the loop back at the Boston Store. We had a close call with some deer crossing the trail, but nothing too exciting. Two deer came through some tall grass pretty fast directly ahead of us. As we got closer to the spot, we could see at least four more back in there looking at us, trying to decide to follow the others or wait. They decided not to follow the others. At least not with us there in between them. Good for us. I don't think anyone wanted to be run over by a deer. Even if they weren't reindeer!

Loop number two saw us run through the Boston Mills ski resort to get to the back of their property where waterfall number two was waiting for us. It felt like we were sneaking our way to the back, which I suppose we were. I'm sure they frown on anyone using their land as a cut-through. We had run through mud and had a couple easy water crossings and up until this point my shoes had stayed dry for the most part. This is where all that changed! You see, to get to the bottom of the falls for the group picture, we had to either try to cross a debris field consisting of some fallen trees and lots of leaves covering everything, or walk through nearly knee deep cold water. I tried to stick to the dry route, but with a little help from someone losing her balance behind me, leg number one went into the water. At that point I just thought "screw it" and leg number two followed right behind. The water was cold, yes, but it washed the mud off and my Cascadias quickly drained, leaving my feet a little squishy and cold, but not bad at all.

Waterfall #2. (not sure of it's name), with more debris at it's base.

Closer to the falls.

We found ourselves climbing a bit to get out of the ravine. It was nice to get moving again as the temperature dropped down there. We didn't have to go far to reach the waterfall number 3. It had a little paved trail leading down to it from a parking area. We would climb our way out that route after, but arrived from down stream. This is where I had my only spill. While trying to step up onto a large rock for the group photo, my slippery shoe went out from under me sending me down hard. I hit with my right shin and right palm, both of which are sporting some sore spots right now.

Waterfall #3.

A nice long flight of steps to climb up to the road on.

Once out on the ridge above the last two waterfalls, it was time to make our way back down to the Boston Store. We followed the Buckeye Trail as it wound down and around and switch-backed in spots. It was a fun descent with only one super slippery muddy downhill section that could have turned into a slide.

Our return trip back to Pine Lane was scenic, as the sun was at just the right angle to create some interesting shadows. Our group began to get very spread out on this section as we kind of knew where we were going. Here are some images from that last section, as I was able to stop without getting in any one's way.

Fallen tree across the path.

When in doubt, follow the Buckeye Trail.

I would have enjoyed this pine stand more without all the roots.

Roots.

This was much more fun going down than it was climbing up at the beginning.

Water crossing.

Almost all these fallen trees had significant moss growth on them. I didn't notice the light flare as I was taking the pic.

Still more steps near the end.

It turned out to be a great run. Nearly 18 miles in just under 4 hours. And I didn't stop the time at any point so some of that was just standing around. I would like to get some road miles in tomorrow, but I'll just need to see how the day shapes up. But now I think I need a nap!

2009 Flying Feather 4 Miler

For the third Thanksgiving in a row, we drove down to central Ohio early to run the Flying Feather 4 Miler before heading over to Johnstown for dinner. I was pleasantly surprised to see the sky clear out the further south we went. We left home in a light rain and I was worried we would get wet during the run. And while that wouldn't bother me so much, I was worried how much Jr. P would not like it, as he was going to be running his longest race to date.

Clear skies on Interstate 71.

The highway was as empty as it would be for Thanksgiving Day and we had a nice drive down. We didn't get to park as close as we wanted to the start/finish line, but we found a spot close enough. After getting our numbers and visiting the trailer contained port-o-potties, John and i ran the course in reverse for a warm-up. Well, a warm-up for him and a good run for me. You see, Mrs. P was running hard today so Jr. P and I would be taking on the four miles together.

We ended up running nearly 4.5 miles at a 7:27 average pace, with our max pace being a 6:02. The course was in great condition with only a few puddles left on the paved trail. It felt good to get out and run after the nearly 2 hour drive down. And I knew there would be much walking during the second time around.

Before the start, Jr. P was looking a little nervous.

Jr. and Mrs. P waiting in the cold. Notice the large yellow creature walking past in the background.

He was heading over to his trailer for either a costume change or a break.

It was actually quite funny watching them try to pull his head off. That thing was on tight!

John and I after our warm-up, waiting for the start.

Team Pythagoras was running this morning.

We cued up toward the rear of the field, which had filled it's 3,000 person capacity.

Once in the crowd, Jr. P was starting to relax a bit.

He did pretty good, running the downhills, (mostly) running the flats, and walking the uphills.

This is where we began to get sleeted and/or freezing rained upon. (Thanks Mrs. P for jinxing us by saying, "I don't think it's going to rain on us!") Well there was rain in there too!

Out on the course.

For a shorter distance race, there were certainly a lot of people running.

Jr. P had a case of the yawns during the run. I told him it was because he wasn't running enough!

Half way!

Right before John made his way back and found us (after finishing in 25 minutes) the clouds broke apart and gave us some sunshine. It was nice while it lasted, which wasn't very long, and didn't do anything to help my hungry stomach.

We had a decent run, finishing in 53:18, averaging 13:03 per mile. Mrs. P found us too and ran us in. She managed to cut a HUGE chunk of time off of last year's race! I was proud of Jr. P for pushing through the cold to finish. We saw one mother giving a piggy-back ride to her daughter who "couldn't" go any further, but he made it all the way by himself. Not bad for someone who doesn't do any running other than at recess. And with my back, I couldn't have given him a ride anyway.

With my 8.5 miles in I was prepared to tackle the Thanksgiving Day dinner table with a clean conscience. And that I did, eating a little too much like I always do on Thanksgiving. The drive back home that afternoon was different from the one down in the morning given the additional traffic and the snow. That's right. SNOW. I'm so not ready for snow that I will write no more about it. Except that we had enough this morning to cover the grass. Ugh.

Running Repeats With George Thorogood

Usually when you have "George Thorogood" in a sentence with the word "repeats" it means you're a frequent listener to an FM station that either A: is a not-so-classic classic rock station, or B: also plays too much Lynyrd Skynyrd and caters to the Budweiser drinking biker crowd. In this case (fortunately) it has nothing to do with the amount of times he still gets radio play, but may have everything to do with the result of listening to said radio stations over the course of 35 years.

As I headed out the door for the track Tuesday night I didn't expect to see anyone else there. After all it's dark and cold now at 6:00 and who in their right mind would be out running in conditions like that? Well it wasn't so bad this week. Dark? Yes. Cold? No! It has still been very mild and Tuesday was no exception. A little chilly to start but soon it warmed up just fine.

No, my George Thorogood experience happened a little ways into the ladder workout I was running. For whatever reason, while running down the back straight of the track, his I Drink Alone song began playing inside my head, only with lyrics customized for running:

I run alone, yeah, with nobody else.

I run alone, yeah, with nobody else.

Yeah, you know when I run alone, I prefer to be by myself!

Well I thought it was humorous at the time. Until I realized that I couldn't get that song out of my head and I would have to run the rest of the night with it stuck there! Annoying song or not, I still had a pretty decent outing by myself in the dark. Splits were:

200 m - :40

400 m - 1:25

800 m - 3:09

1200 m - 4:59

1600 m - 6:34

1200 m - 4:53

800 m - 3:07

400 m - 1:24

200 m - :36

I was delighted to see that all the duplicate distances were faster the second time. And that wasn't because I sandbagged the first set! I just felt like pushing on my way back down. Add a mile warm-up and another to cool-down and I had just over 8 miles for a Tuesday night in November. Nice.

It's Almost Thanksgiving

And you know what that means...

It's time to start focusing on the 2010 season! I have two MAJOR "A" races next year, the Boston Marathon in April and Ironman Wisconsin in September. I've gone ahead and set my countdown timers accordingly! While I already have other races scheduled, those are my two big events. I like how they bookend the year with one in the spring and the other in the fall. The winter and early spring will be training for Boston while the entire summer will be be devoted to Ironman training. That leaves me some room at the tail end of the year to add in some fun runs. I'm already planning on running the Run With Scissors Double Marathon next year. Because nothing says "fun" like running 52+ miles!

Of course I'll be adding in smaller races from time to time like the assorted 5K's, half-marathons, marathons, 50K's, duathlons, triathlons, and a little something I'm contemplating for June which I'm not going to elaborate upon at this time. All I'll say is that it has the possibility of becoming the most interesting event on my schedule for next year. But more info on that once I've reached a decision!

2009 Fall Classic Half Marathon

This year's installment of the Fall Classic Half Marathon, which happens every year thanks to the Cleveland West Road Runners, almost didn't happen for me. Up until Friday I wasn't planning on running this race. I've run here the three previous years with results representing both ends of the spectrum, but due to the busy Christmas shopping season demanding that Mrs. P. work today, I thought it would be easier to just pass this year. But upon finding out that Jr. P. wanted to go into work with his mom, I reconsidered my intentions. Especially considering that the weather this year was actually going to be nice!

While watching a little Weather Channel this morning while I was waiting to leave for the race, I was confused to see that they were reporting Medina to be experiencing 96% humidity. "That's odd," I thought to myself. Upon opening the garage door to leave I immediately understood the reason why: There was a thick blanket of fog obscuring everything.

My first thought after processing this: There's no wind.

My second thought: I'm in for an interesting drive up to Strongsville!

The view from my car shortly after arriving at the park. The fog wasn't as thick up here as it was back home.

Here's a view most people don't get to see on race morning: The parking spaces closest to all the activity, EMPTY! You need to arrive pretty early to see that.

My race number bib's reflection. I didn't realize at the time how much the trash can really stands out!

The sun trying to burn through all the fog.

MCRR group photo. Roseann, Nancy, Dan H. Debbie, and myself. Not pictured was Patrick.

The fog burnt off rather quickly, leaving us a sunny and only slightly chilly race start.

My funny story for this race: After a mile and a half warm-up run with Dan and Debbie, I still needed to drop off some layers at the car and finalize some things pre-race. The problem was that I was running out of time. I ran back to the car, discarded my jacket and my outer layer shirt, swapped my hat for an ear band, grabbed my sunglasses and gels, and took off for the starting line. Unfortunately, about half way to the start line I discovered I was missing something. My race number! It was still sitting on the dashboard. So I turned around and high-tailed it back to the car. I eventually made it to the starting line with a few minutes to spare, but I was back a little farther than was desirable.

The race. I won't get into individual mile splits for this one. My finish time was 1:33:15 by my watch. That's only about 45 seconds off my PR! Not bad. I wish I felt "not bad" for the entire run and not just the first three miles or so. For the rest of the race I felt distinctly "not good". My energy faded quickly and I got really hungry. (That may be due to me running 9 miles on the trails yesterday) I was carrying only one gel with me and I took it with slightly less than half to go. The Gatorade on the course was watered down and didn't supply the carbs I needed. I'm thinking this calorie deficit I was in is what led to my eye spots. I will occasionally get funny spots in my vision. They usually affect my peripheral vision with only isolated spots in the center. I've read that it's related to migraines, but fortunately without the pain. I developed spots today while running, directly in my field of vision. They made it rather difficult to pay attention to what I was doing and I had to concentrate to keep running hard and not do anything stupid like step in a pothole or run into someone. They eventually went away, but I missed Jeannine and her children cheering my on as I ran by. I heard my name but I couldn't see who yelled it! Sorry Jeannine!

I was trying to chase down Dan H the entire race but I was unsuccessful. He maintained a pace I just couldn't overcome. And I threw out the idea of catching Rachel immediately. She was smoking fast again today, finishing 2nd overall for the women. Congrats Rachel!

Here's Jack heading into the finish line!

Debbie dueling with another woman as they approach the finish.

I think I really need to take some time to rest a bit. I've just been racing too much lately. I was supposed to be winding down this fall and instead I've really ramped up everything! The Flying Feather is awaiting us on Thanksgiving morning and I don't think I'm "racing" it this year. Mrs. P. can do that this time. I think I'll run the 4 mile course before the start and then run it again with Jr. P. Yeah, that sounds like a plan.

To finish off the race report, here are some photos from after the race, once the sun was out.

The falls behind the park.

A view upstream.

And downstream.

And for all the ladies who went out to see New Moon this weekend, does this car look familiar?

2009 Bills' Bad Ass 50K

50 kilometers = 31.0 miles. I've run 26.2 miles more than a few times, but never anything longer. So far, I've done nothing to earn the title "ultra-marathoner". Until Saturday November 14, 2009, that is!

The weather forecast for the weekend was looking to be too good to be true. And so even though I had sworn off hills the week before at the Bobcat Trail Marathon, I found myself wanting to take a shot at a hilly 50K. I hadn't confirmed my entry by the deadline so I wasn't sure I would even be able to "officially" get in. But that was OK because this wasn't a typical race. This wasn't an "official" anything. This was a group run organized on Facebook. No entry fee. No course support (even though there was). Finishers even got a sweet shirt! We just showed up, dropped off our gear and nutrition at the staging area, and ran.

For anyone interested, here's a link I'm going to try posting for the first time that will show all the data from the run: distance, pace, elevation, etc... Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Bill's Bad Ass 50K. I'm hoping it will work OK.

The sun peeking into the Cuyahoga Valley where all our gear was placed and where we would return each lap to log our time and refuel.

Although we numbered more than the event organizers expected, we weren't a large group.

The Bad Ass course consisted of 6 loops of the 5 mile Perkins Trail, followed by a half mile out and back section which took us up and back down a huge set of log steps. I actually enjoyed the course. There was a tough uphill section at the beginning of the loop, but we were blessed with some flat sections to recover. The final two miles were flat to downright downhill, which made finishing each loop a pleasure. So, without anymore delay, onto a photographic report of the day!

Just after the start I found myself running behind Austin, whom I had run with for a few miles at Run With Scissors and worked with at the North Coast 24 Hour Run.

The covered bridge, which we ran over twice each loop, going out and coming back in.

Ladd and I ran together for the entire 50K. Here he is, having ditched the pants and top layer, but still sporting the gloves.

Part of the initial uphill section of the first mile and a half or so.

We ran this downhill section the first loop but decided to walk it each time after. It was just too steep and the layer of leaves prevented you from seeing any rocks or holes.

I decided to wear black and black because it's something Chuck D. would do!

Looking back up the hill we just came down.

I was really surprised to find traces of green scattered here and there...

because every other leaf had turned brown and fallen down!

Ladd was working to keep our pace honest, which is why he will be in many of the photos!

See what I mean?

The landscape in that area is truly spectacular.

This sweeping downhill rapidly took us back down to the valley floor. It was a joy to run early, but by the fifth and sixth laps it was hammering the quads!

A fabulous pine tree stand. As I mentioned in the Bobcat report, I loved the changes running under these trees. It was quieter and the light was different.

Here we're about to catch a fellow wearing an HFP Maumee Bay Triathlon shirt. I was able to talk with him about Steelhead, IM's Louisville, Lake Placid, and Wisconsin. He ended up finishing right after us.

Here we're about to be joined by Chef Bill Bailey, one of the two Bills who put on this fine event! Thanks for your hard work Bills!

Chef Bill and Ladd.

Somewhere into the third (?) loop I started getting goofy with the camera. I call this, "Being Chased by a Horny Deer."

For a day in mid-November, we were blessed with something from early September. The grass in the field behind the staging area looked so green all morning.

Passing through the covered bridge again.

The stream that passed under the bridge on it's way to join the mighty Cuyahoga River.

Looking back at the bridge as we're about to plunge back in to the trees.

The Perkins Trail awaits us with it's climbs and roots and rocks. But fortunately not much mud and relatively easy water crossings.

Looking back at one of the simple water crossings.

The uphills were beginning to wear on me.

Ladd didn't seem to have any problems with them.

Low angle shot.

High speed shot.

High angle shot.

I always felt better when running through my pine trees.

Everett Road. We got to cross it each loop on our way back down.

Ladd running through the pine trees.

Ladd running through a field of some large grasses. There was also a pile of horse poop here that someone stepped in, breaking it open to fill the air with it's wonderful aroma.

The tall grasses, which I've seen elsewhere but don't know the name of.

Almost back to the covered bridge and the staging area, running with Mike K. and another gentleman.

Mike and Ladd heading for the covered bridge and the end of yet another loop.

Stopping to take photos proved to be a nice way to catch a little rest. Here you can see my shadow resting before descending that big downhill.

And here I am doing the descending.

Water crossing.

Another water crossing.

This lady followed us for a while. We offered to let her pass us, but she declined saying that her horse was enjoying catching us. She didn't know it, but she was really pushing us. We ran up sections we would have walked just so we wouldn't slow her down too much.

Back into my pine trees.

This was the greenest section we ran through.

Marsha joined us for our last loop, number 6.

Uncharted territory: Mile 27 +!

I was thrilled to be going farther than I ever had before.

Marsha planted one foot into the water immediately after I took this photo.

Ladd was concerned about Marsha making it safely across this crossing, but notice that he's not helping her too much!

Upon reaching the staging area for the sixth time, we crossed the road and picked up a new trail which had these babies waiting for us!

I was so happy to climb them!

So was Ladd!

Marsha? Not so much!

After finishing the steps we wound down the trail for a little bit until we came upon that which we were seeking: Dum Dum's!

Time to head back with our treasure.

I picked a cherry Dum Dum.

It was good!

I kind of suspected it on the way up the stairs, that the way down would be much more difficult!

And it certainly was!

Marsha wasn't happy about going back down them either.

But the finish was waiting for us at the bottom. 31 miles in 6:46. A sub-7 hour fun run!

A new distance record deserves a thumbs-up!

I truly believe the great weather really made this race as enjoyable as it was. I had so much fun running that kind of distance that I'm looking forward to my next scheduled 50K and possibly beyond that distance. I was tired afterward, yes, but nowhere near as sore as I get road running. Trail running is amazing in that way! The hills will really get you, but taken as a whole it's much easier on the body.

After cleaning up and a short rest we were off to dinner at The Melting Pot, which was described in the previous post. I can't believe it's taken me an entire week to get this race report up, but at least it's done. What else has happened since? Well, Thursday I met with Roy, Shannon, and Patrick in Hinckley for 13 miles of night trail running and just this morning I hit the mountain bike trails in Reagan Park for 9 miles. Tomorrow is the Fall Classic Half Marathon and once again I will be driving up and registering "day of". I don't know how fast I'll be able to run it, but at least the weather will be pleasant this year.