Gore Mountain Leaf Cruncher 5K: 09/21/2014

Not too many leaves got crunched in Sunday’s Leaf Cruncher 5k trail race at Gore as there’s just a bit of color and so far all the leaves are still on the trees. And with temperatures in the low 70s, fall seemed pretty far away.

The course was altered this year to eliminate some of the more difficult trail segments, substituting a long lap through the parking lots past lift towers and other components staged for the new Adirondack Express II high speed quad chairlift. As a result of the easier course, I took more than two minutes off my time from last year.

Whiteface Mtn uphill footrace: 09/13/2014

There’s not much that I haven’t already said about the Whiteface Mountain Uphill Footrace (2013, 2012), except that if there’s a race that I have to run each year, this is it. Because it’s New York’s fifth highest peak, because of its Olympic heritage and skiing history, because of the pure challenge of running 3600 vertical feet uphill in 8 miles.

Two runners crossing the finish line just below Whiteface's summit

Moreau Lake trail 15K: 09/07/2014

Beach starting area at the Moreau Lake trail 15K

Chalk it up to training (doubtful), experience (maybe) or just good luck (more like it), I ran a successful race at Sunday’s Moreau Lake 15K trail race, put on by Green Leaf Racing. By successful, I mean that a) I didn’t get lost, b) I didn’t get hurt or suffer any spectacular falls, and c) I beat my time from last year’s race by 6 minutes, finishing in less than 2 hours. Not getting lost or hurt might seem like odd criteria for “success” in a race, but this is no ordinary race, even by trail running standards. Featuring lots of rocks and roots, big vertical, downed trees and the infamous “staircase of death,” the Moreau Lake 15K course is known as one of the toughest around.

Gore Mountain Leaf Cruncher 5K: 09/28/2013

Next time I complain that Cedars – the ski trail from Gore’s main base to the Burnt Ridge chairlift – is flat, remind me of last weekend’s Leaf Cruncher, the trail race that follows ski trails, work roads and single track on a course billed as “the North Country’s toughest 5K.”

Before actually running the race, I chalked up that “toughest” claim to enthusiastic exaggeration, but the course was tough enough that I logged what is probably my slowest-ever 5K result: 27:03, still good enough for 3rd place overall (don’t be too impressed, there were only 20 competitors).

The start of the Leaf Cruncher 5K

Whiteface Mtn Uphill Footrace: 09/14/2013

Cool temperatures and a touch of early autumn color made for another memorable Whiteface Mountain Uphill Foot Race on Saturday, with around a hundred runners lining up for the start. As usual, conditions varied widely between the starting line (upper 40s, calm, broken clouds) and the finish (upper 30s, gusty, fog, clouds), adding to the challenge of the 8-mile, 3500’ vertical climb to the summit.

Runners lined up at the start...

To me, the hardest part of the race is covering the first three miles. It’s a public road with traffic, houses, power lines. It’s where you find your pace and confront the reality that you’ve got an unforgiving, unrelenting, hour-plus climb ahead of you. By the time you get to the tollhouse at the 3-mile mark, you’ve settled into a pace, the woods close in and it’s just you and the mountain for the rest of the race.

...and crossing the finish line in the Whiteface Mountain Uphill Footrace

Moreau Lake 15K trail race: 09/08/2013

There are trail races, and there are trail races. At the pre-race meeting Sunday morning, organizers from Green Leaf Racing explained that their idea behind the creation of the Moreau Lake 15K Trail Race was to challenge runners from start to finish on hiking trails with plenty of rocks, roots and vertical. The result is the most technical yet runnable trail race in the Capital District, with well over 2,000 vertical feet of climbing. No carriage roads here!

Course preview video (from 2011):

With Moreau Lake State Park practically in my backyard, the race landed at the top of my must-do list this year. Despite that home course advantage, the race kicked my butt, yet at the same time it was one of the funnest races I’ve done in a long time.

Cat and Thomas Mountains trail run: 09/01/2013

This past Sunday Beth and I did an 8-mile trail run over Cat and Thomas Mountains, ownership of which was recently transferred from the Lake George Land Conservancy to New York State.

Although I’m constantly greeted with skepticism from runners and hikers alike regarding the suitability of rugged trails like Cat and Thomas for running, the combination of roots, rocks and vertical pays dividends in the form of balance, agility and strength. At least that’s what I’m hoping for when I run in the Moreau Lake 15K trail run this weekend and the Whiteface Uphill Footrace the next weekend.

Don't let the horses do all the running

I've got a piece on the Times Union's Runners Blog today on how to combine a run through Saratoga Springs with a visit to the track. The run follows a route from eastside residential neighborhoods near the track to the mansions of North Broadway and then through the Skidmore North Woods.

You can read my post here.

Trail running

I've got a short piece on the Times Union's Runners Blog today with some local suggestions for trail running.

You can read my post here.

The marathon is an act of defiance and courage

Running a marathon is a big deal. Months of preparation. Time away from family. Long training runs, often solo, sometimes beginning or ending in the dark. By pushing your body to endure pain and run faster and farther than you ever have before, the act of running a marathon seems to defy human physical limits. Marathoners often run as a symbol of fighting back against a disease like cancer or diabetes, or in honor of a lost loved one. The marathon is a celebration of the human spirit.

Whiteface Mtn Uphill Footrace: 09/22/2012

The Whiteface Mountain Uphill Footrace might correctly be called a "niche" race, but as a skier, hiker, 46er and runner, it falls exactly in the niche that appeals to me. At 4,867 feet, Whiteface is the fifth highest peak in New York, and it is the only High Peak accessible by automobile, via the 5-mile long Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway. Whiteface’s commanding position apart from the rest of the High Peaks, its ski area and Olympic heritage, its auto road, castle and summit observatory all contribute to a status that rivals Mount Marcy as the Adirondacks’ most significant peak. “This is a sacred place in the State of New York,” said North Elba Supervisor Roby Politi on Friday, during a meeting of state and local officials to discuss needed repairs to the highway. Thousands of bicyclists, runners and skiers (on snow and dry pavement) who have made human-powered ascents of Whiteface via the highway will no doubt agree with that assessment.

Trail run up Thomas Mountain: 09/16/2012

With the upcoming Whiteface Mountain Uphill Footrace as my excuse for “needing” to run up a mountain, I did a quick trail run up Thomas Mountain on Sunday afternoon. Since we were already in Bolton Landing for the afternoon, the trailhead was only a few minutes’ drive away.

View from the blue trail overlook

Thomas Mountain might not be ideal for trail running: there are some steep sections, and the jeep road that I descended has quite a bit of loose rock. But since I only had a one-hour window for my run, convenience wins out.

Upcoming Fall races

Following are some upcoming races that may be of interest to local runners.

The third annual Malta Business & Professional Association 5K, Saturday 9/08/2012, will benefit the Saratoga Rural Preservation Council and Town of Malta First Responders. The race course follows a new route this year, making a circuit of bike paths and roads through Luther Forest that will offer participants an opportunity to view the new Global Foundries chip fab plant up close. I don't run a lot of road 5Ks, but I'm running this one looking for a sub-20 minute finish, so hopefully the new course is flat and fast.

Also on Saturday, 9/08/2012, the Camp Challenge 5K Run, will benefit Double H Ranch’s programs serving children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The race course is on trails at Double H’s camp facility in Lake Luzerne. A Camp Challenge Ride will also be held on the same day, with cyclists riding 15 miles, 30 miles or a Metric Century through the Adirondacks to help raise awareness and funds for Double H.

The Moreau Lake 15k Trail Run will be held Sunday 9/09/2012, on the trails at Moreau Lake State Park. The race is billed as “a classic trail run: a brutal start up the ‘Staircase of Death’ leads into miles of rollers, creeks, etc. before heading back down the ridge to the beach.” Sounds like my kind of race, but I'll have to put it on my calendar for next year. An aquathlon (1.5k swim, 5k trail run) as well as 1.5k and 3k open water swims are also scheduled for the same day.

Camp Saratoga 5K trail series 2012 wrap-up

Monday night was the final race in the Camp Saratoga 5K trail series. My primary personal goal for the series this year was to shave a couple minutes off last year’s cumulative time for the 5 races. I improved by 3 minutes, a result I'm pretty happy with. The comparison to 2010 - my first year back running after 6 or 7 years off - really shows the value of cumulative training miles over time:

A tougher goal was to see if I could be the “fastest old guy” – in other words, nobody older than me finishing ahead of me. While I hit that in one or two of the races, there’s an awful lot of fit and fast runners out there in the 50+ age bracket.

Hickory Ski Center 5K race to benefit Double H Ranch, August 11

NOTE - OCTOBER 20 DATE HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED


The first annual Hickory 5K race will be held Saturday, August 11 to benefit the Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne and their Adaptive Winter Sports Program. Runners who preregister for the race save $5 and will be guaranteed a race t-shirt. Race packet pick up and day-of-race registration begins at 8am, with a 9:30 start. There will also be a one mile kids race.

A post-race barbecue will feature food from the Stony Creek Inn and beer from the Adirondack Pub and Brewery in Lake George. Prizes will be awarded for each age category, and all runners will receive 2-for-1 coupons good for skiing at Hickory this winter.

Camp Saratoga 5K trail race series 2012

Near ideal conditions Monday night allowed me to log a solid time (22:08) for the first race of the Saratoga Stryders' 5K trail race series at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. Not a PR for me on that course (I ran it faster twice last summer), but not far off.

It's amazing how many variables contribute to a runner's outcome in any given race. On Monday evening my legs felt strong, I was reasonably well rested, I hadn't eaten anything I regretted earlier in the day, the weather was a coolish 72 degrees, the trail surfaces were firm and slightly damp. But my head was foggy and I wanted the race to be over before it even started. When the starting gun went off (actually just a "Go!") the first several hundred yards was congested and I had trouble getting around other runners and establishing a good pace. Halfway through the first mile I settled into a comfortable race pace and got my focus back. I didn't concern myself with my 1- and 2-mile splits, and was somewhat surprised when I finished at just over 22 minutes.

Lake Placid Half Marathon: 06/10/2012

It's a good thing I didn't look at the course profile before entering the Lake Placid Half Marathon, or I might have chickened out. I don't mind a challenging race, but I wanted to beat my half marathon time from last year (1:39:47 in the Vermont Covered Bridges Half Marathon).


Whiteface dominates the view along River Road

The course is scenic but challenging. After starting in front of the Olympic Arena, runners proceed up Main Street, around Mirror Lake, then out Route 73 to the ski jumping complex. At the ski jumps, the course turns onto River Road and follows a beautiful, scenic route along the Ausable River for nearly 4 miles before turning around, retracing the route back and finishing with a lap around the 400-meter speed skating oval. This route is very similar to the run segment of the Lake Placid Ironman triathlon in July.

Ready to Run

The silver lining in this winter's mild winter - and I'll admit this ain't much of a silver lining - was being able to run outdoors all winter. Don't get me wrong: I'd trade all of my outdoor runs this winter for a single honest-to-god Nor'easter or a few more days of great spring skiing like we had on Saint Patrick's Day. But at least I've got a head start on running this year.

My winter running course is a roughly 3.5 mile loop around the SUNY Albany campus. It's lighted (I run after work, usually in the dark) and crews quickly clear any snow and ice (a non-factor this winter). Running in the dark and cold may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me it beats the hell out of slogging out miles on the treadmill.

Turkey Trot (11/24/2011) and the end of running season

Thanksgiving Day may be synonymous with overeating, but there's no guilt attached when the turkey is preceded by a morning race. The Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot has become a Saratoga Springs Thanksgiving tradition, and a record 3,000-plus participants turned out for the 10th annual running, including Beth and me.

Camp Saratoga 5K Trail Race Series wrap-up

Monday night was the final race in the Saratoga Stryders' Camp Saratoga 5K trail race series. Before the race even started, I knew I had essentially no chance of winning the Ironman Award for the fastest cumulative time over the 5 races. I was in sixth place after 4 races, and even though attrition plays a big role, I would need the 3 or 4 fastest guys to stay home to have even a fighting chance. But the Ironman Award was never my goal anyway – like most runners my only real goal was to run my best time.