Nipmuck trail marathon --June 7

out of the woods to the finish

me, elaine and barbara -the nifty fifties!

Frank, Dave (race director) and me

Frank and Jim after Nipmuck
wow --can't believe that it is the second week of June. Last weekend, on May 3, I ended up running the Brooklyn half with Frank and Rob...it was a perfect day, and a new fast course...unfortunately i was tired from the 100 mile trek but I had rested that week -no more than 4 miles a day:) and actually felt alot better than thought i would..
the start was so slow, and the park crowded so it was impossible to get going too fast.
So when we did 2 loops of the park, it was flat and fast to the finish at Coney island.
I was able to maintain somewhat of a sub-7:30 pace...we finished at Coney island and found Frank's wife Pat, who had driven us, and friends Pam, Eliot and Ilana. Also ran into Bob from nj who is doing 50 races durng his 50th birthday year...it was a fun morning...probably not the best thing for my old and tired body but got my running in for the weekend.
Nipmuck trail marathon came the day after the taconic North county news 5K, and decided to run the 5K for some speedwork and because it was my club event...I did ed up running sub 7s and won $50 (a surprise -knew there was money but didn't expect to be first master)--my knee was bothering me alittle AND QUADS TIRED but managed to run 21:20..then i drove to mahopac and handed out flyers. A busy day as also drove 4 boys to soccer in darien...
Nipmuck marathon almost didn't happen as we had some confusion about where to meet.
By the time we left Stamford with Frank and Rob it was 6:20 and we had to drive to North of Hartford by 8 a.m. -lol...good thing I am a fast driver (but safe driver-ha)as we made it by 7:40, with time to spare. The race goes out and back along the Nipmuch trail from Ashford to the Ct state line. It is a beautiful but rocky and technical single track trail, and is a cult race--we knew so many of the runners also as only people who ran the race last year were allowed in to keep entrants down to 150 and preserve the trail -more will be allowed next year. We also had to cross a road, and run a mile on a dirt road...so the race has alot of variety...however,one can get injured and my knee had been bothering me so it was rolling the dice to run. But I like this course (except for the first part and the rocks and mud) and wanted to run it slowly...slowly i did!! The first loop --an out and back portion of 12 miles --was 2 1/2 hours, and at a very easy pace. Not hilly, but rocks and roots...I was running with my friend Barbara and her friend Rob, and didn't want to get lost so quickly followed them into the woods for the northern section --but Barbara had to make a bathroom stop and Rb went ahead so i was on my own. I followed the trail the best i could, which was made easier by all the speedy men coming back (like Frank, who ran 4:46!!)...the 4.5 miles until the turnaround seemed to take forever..and they did -it prob. took me an hour. My knee was starting to hurt a little and my quads were stiff and tired. Finally, I was at the road section and at mile 24!! less than 3 miles to go. I stretched out my stride and walked along the mud and rocks; almost fell, but made it to the finish in 5:47 (Frank joked that i was last but i think i was 112th). After i changed my clothes, we had a beer, diet Polar (which is made in that town) and some hot dogs and food ...best of all, we did not need to hurry home and could drive at a normal speed.
I literally did not take a shower but went straight to my friend's son's eagle scout ceremony --I apologized to everyone for my dirty legs:) and tried not to stand too close to anyone.

Race update --Pioneer Memorial Day 100 mile Trek

I have been lazy about updating my blog but am writing a few quick reports (as if I can be quick) for Anton to publish in the Wolfpit newsletter....so here goes!
The Broadway Ultra Society Memorial weekend Trek
This is a 100 mile (total) 3 day stage race that, in it's 15 running, is put on every 2 years. However, Ritchie, the race director, is ready to retire so this was probably the last year. So, in a fit of craziness, I decided to try it...we were to run 33.3 miles each day, in mile loops, (or close to it) in a different Queens park. This meant running almost 100 loops on pavement...a mental and physical challenge, to be sure:)
Day 1 was in Kissena Park, and we ran on a nice shaded loop...Frank and CT's Al Toth were in the 3-day 100, and my friend Rob was in the accompanying 50K....as with all loop courses, you get to run with and see the other runners-plus food and drink are offered every loop (this race had great volunteers as they had to count loops --very tedious)...the race included several elite ultrarunners on both the mens' and womens' side...so I plodded along and finished in 5:44 --3rd female for the day. Fran and I carpooled all 3 days --I dropped him off and stopped at the local Mobil station for 3 ice bags and immediately took -in my running clothes - a half hour ice bath. Torture but it worked --my Ike talked to me and I read...
Day 2 was in Alley Pond park, on a shaded 1 mile loop --we had to circle the park 33 times!! I have all but wiped the day from my mind as this was the toughest day!! I was stiff and quads were tired, and it was hot!!! I walked alot, complained alot -felt like dropping out at mile 15. But music, companionship from other runners, food and drink got me through!! I think my time was 6:03...meanwhile Frank was in second place behind Phil, and elite runner.
Took another 1/2 hour ice bath and tried to stay off my feet --this was a great excuse to order take out dinner, not to do dishes or laundry...
Day 3 was in crocheron park --we had to climb some long steps just to get up to the park! But thankfully this was the last day --some of the slower runners had been allowed an early start so that we all finished together. No guarantees I would finish!!! I felt much better, though, than day 2 until about mile 15 when hit the wall (unusual for me)and felt headachy and lightheaded...my veteran ultra friend Lydia said I needed salt right away...so I had some pretzels and s-caps and drank alot and walked a loop. That helped, and pretty soon, although my quads were aching and i had blisters, i was back running. Frank. Lydia, grant and almost everyone finished when I had 3 laps to go, but finally I felt good. It was going to be over!!! I finished the 34 laps in 5:58 --I had run 100 miles in 17:46...we then relaxed and were treated to a nice award ceremony where all finishers got a trophy and medal from the estate of Ted Corbitt --that was cool.
I was so proud of the 34 runner, mostly B.U.S. members, who finished --it was a big accomplishment, when like a 100 iler, so much cn go wrong. Frank battled horrible blisters on the third day but managed to come in second in 15 hours and change, 2 hours faster than his race 2 years ago!! Would I ever do this again? NO...it definately beat down my body. But i am so happy I did run it one time and prove tha I could do a stage race and am thrilled that I got that special ted Corbitt medal.

B.U.S. 3-day Memorial day weekend 100 mile trek..photos.

winners Alicja and Phil

frank d and frank c --done!!

Finally -done!!

the 9 a.m. group before day 3 (early starters wee out running)

frank and phil before the day 3

grant, frank and frank d. after day 1

after day 1
The 100 mile trek is over!! What am amazing journey....3 days of 33.3 miles. Race report coming in a few days when get done all the stuff i didn't get done this weekend.
Finished in 17:47 --loops of 3 different Queens parks and tough mentally and physically. 27 finishers!!! and great volunteers and race director -ritchie.
day 1 --5:44
day 2 --6:02
day 3--5:58
see Frank's photos!!! Frank finished second overall in 15 hours and change --awesome. Here are some photos-will post more photos and report this week !

photos from Boys scouts of america 5K and healthy kidney 10K

Tom, bob and Frank after 10K --Tom has on new singlet...

after the rainy 10K --Jane models new singlet

A pug puppy at the start of 5K

Frank finishing 5K

me finishing (finishing photos courtesy of Emily schurr)

chris wins the 5K in 19-something

chris, bea and frank after the 5K
one race for boy scouts...another for an organ. Both races for a good cause. I enjoy the BSA 5K, as the course is flat, it's a low key event (so low key that I have won the past 3 years) and a party is after at Mickey mantle's --last year Frank and I met Chris and bea, a wonderful couple who are both ultrarunners --Chris showed up and wn this year with Frank right behind. Bea was injured but came after for a drink. I think this is my 4th year -as I am a boy scout mom, and like to combine the race with a trip into NYC for a museum or similiar (hey, the wall street run is tonight --perfect weather)..except Thursday was rainy and cold so just took the train in and jogged up to the park...both Frank and I complained that we were tired before the race but he rallied and ran 20:25?? and I ran a 22 something --probably pushing it too much for having to run on sat. a.m. but i definately didn't go all out and didn't do much mileage last week as needed a break!!! Knee hurting alittle also.
Flash forward to Saturday --a 10K team race. Wasn't sure how knee or body would hold up...I lined up with Frank and in the first mile he passed me -then it started to pour rain!!! I passed Tom, and caught u with Bob H., who had to use the port-o-john. I pretty much ran with Bob and then Ted until mile 5 when the rain stopped. Poor Frank -no hat. I was elated to finish in 43 minutes --a sub 7 min pace, despite quad tightness and fatigue --happy to have it over. Afterwards, Tom and jane modelled the new singlets. Frank and I (and all taconics need to get one fo the new outfits!!).
Now moving ahead, contemplating the weekend and the 3-day Trek. Think I will take it day by day. Ice bath, anyone?? The nice thing about this race, besides the fact that it honors ted, is that one can walk!!!

May watercolor art show and random photos

Hank leaves soccer field dejected after losing...

My friend's puppy at a soccer game!



4 frog paintings --mine in in lower right


recent sketches of lilacs, primroses, and peonies.
My watercolor class is having an art show for the month of May. I have 4 pieces in the show, but mine is the worst of the show --I am astounded by the talent in our class!!! My teacher says that May is the 'cruelest month' as nature tempts us with so may things to paint --she doesn't have time enough in the day to paint all the spring blossoms, plants, flowers, landscapes...i feel that way about races --not enough in the legs to run all the May races.

Glen's photos from Greenbelt Trail 50K--may 9

Thanks, Glen (Susan's partner/boyfriend)--for taking and sending to all of us -Joe, Frank and Grant...these photos at the Greenbelt trail 50K --somehow I missed the swans and swan-lings, so it was a treat to get that photo...Susan and Glen, enjoy Pinelands:) I realized that you have done a marathon and 2 50Ks all in the span of 3 weeks --so recover well. See Frank's blog for race report and photos.

NY Bot. Garden photos and Wilton 'where the wild things are' 5K

Above, photos from NY Botanical garden --pink is everywhere!

Frank won overall in 20:35 -his seco9nd career win!

Entrance to nature center and start of the race

The sign directing us into the nature center
the day after Sybil, I decided w/Frank to run this low key half trail 5K --the Hook 1/2 marathon was too long...westport was too competitive...so we decided that this would be a good one to run --plus we would support the Woodcock nature center for earth day.
Well-what a good decision I made:) --First of all, the More marathon was cancelled due to heat so that made my decision to run short easy (as opposed to lake waramug 50K) -and we lined up, and Frank won overall and i came in second. we met some new friends
and the race director was thrilled that we came. For winning we each got a tote bag, nalgene water bottle, hat, and t-shirt --more than I ever expected for my entry fee.
It turned out to be a nice course, too. And I felt Ok racing, as it was different muscles -lol. As I write this Monday though, my quads are hurting and my feet hurt from Sybil...6 miles on pavement is painful..