Towpath Twenty 12-1-12



What blog re-boot would be complete without some photos from the trail? The Towpath Trail, that is. Saturday, which the calender said was December 1 but felt more like November 1 if not earlier, I wanted to get in some miles. A long run, one could say. Trails would have worked, but I didn't want to be gone all day. After considering my options, I chose the Towpath for a flat out-and-back of 15 to 20 miles.

 

Parking at Lock 29, I ran north. As I was getting a later start, people were already out and about, but it was nowhere near crowded and I had a pleasant run with just my thoughts and a certain Christmas song, which shall remain nameless, that I couldn't get out of my head.

 



 

 Passing under the I-80 bridge near the Boston Store.

 

 

One of the first things I noticed was how much wildlife was out and enjoying the warm weather. I could hear critters everywhere, and with a little inspection, I could spot most of them. The squirrels were overhead chowing on their nuts. Ducks were in the canal sections the entire way, as were some geese. Blue jays and cardinals were the easiest birds to spot. There was even a turkey, which I could hear well enough, I just couldn't find it through the underbrush.

 

A squirrel eating a nut overhead on the Towpath.

 

 

I warmed up a bit running north. The breeze I could feel was very slight. Even though it wasn't as warm as the weather people were calling for, it was very comfortable. Hey, it's Dec. 1st and I'm running in shorts! No complaints!

 



 The Cuyahoga River just south of Station Road in Brecksville.

 

 

I ran past the Station Road spur feeling just fine at nearly 7 miles. I had my "ultra" pack on and didn't need to stop for fluids. I would need to eat something soon, however. I could feel myself fading already. But I had 3 miles to go before turning around and decided I would have some Clif Bar at the Frazee House a little further on. It turns out that the Frazee House is almost to my turn-around point and everything works out well. I run a little further to hit 10 miles and find myself on new trail. I've never been this way before. My turn-around is at Lock 37 which is behind an operating feed store that used to be a mill.

 



 Lock 37 looking south.

 

I turn around and begin my 10 mile trek back to the car. This is when I notice how strong the wind is. I had been running with a tail wind all this time! Now I've got a decent head wind to accompany me and IT'S COLD! Oh, well. It happens. I press on. Once back into the narrower sections of The Valley, the wind isn't so bad. I make a quick stop at Station Road to finish my Clif Bar and keep going. I'm feeling good, nothing is hurting, but I just don't have much energy. By the time I'm at the Jaite area, I take a gel to get me back in one piece. From there it's about 4 miles.

 



Crossing under the I-80 bridge heading south.

 

 

I finish my 20 in just over 3 hours, which is a good time for some LSD (Long Slow Distance). I get an interesting look from a woman, who also has just finished a run, as I enjoy a post-long-run Reese's Tree. I had a Reese's. She had a banana... and Reese's envy.