Monday: 0. Guess I don't run Mondays anymore.
Tuesday: 15 Miles
Mt. Monadnock run with Aiden. 14.3 on strava but ran a little bit more that wasn't recorded after getting lost, probably about .5 mile. I planned out a long, challenging loop with two ascents of the mountain, one via Pumpelly trail and one via White Dot. I normally would not likely embark on such a difficult loop (14.5 miles, 5000ft gain) but since I had felt really strong on Franconia Ridge last week and this was only slightly harder, it didn't seem like too much of a step up. After stashing some water and gels outside the headquarters (where most people park, very crowded trailhead), we started in Dublin at the Pumpelly trailhead. 4 mile ascent with 2000 feet, didn't seem too crazy. Went out probably a little too aggressive like always, it's hard not to push it on ionic routes/trails since I don't run them often. Felt good for 1.5 miles as the climb was very gradual and runnable, Aiden was well ahead as usual. Towards the end of mile 2, the trail suddenly got very steep as it made its way to the ridgeline. My calves got super tight and my legs just felt spastic, unresponsive and very uncomfortable. I originally wanted to charge the entire ascent to the summit, but I needed to stop and stretch. Took a lot of stopping time to get my tight legs sorted out after, losing any chances of doing well on segments. The next two miles were scenic and the climbs were concentrated in specific sections- there were plenty of flat, gradual or even slight downs which broke up any steep climbs from being too long. I was able to shake some of the tightness out but started to feel really weak and was not moving at all, especially on the very technical terrain. Eventually got to the summit exhausted and miserable. It was warm and buggy.
I was seriously doubting my ability to get through the rest of the run but remember that the stash of water and gels should help a lot and it was mostly descent to get there. Very slow going down marlboro trail, a steep and very technical descent with unrunnable scrambles. Got discouraged after being on the trail for seemingly forever without turning off onto a side trail. I had forgotten my trail map and didn't know exactly where each turn was, but the plan was to go over on the two subpeaks/lookouts on the south side of the mountain, Monte Rosa and Bald Rock. Eventually got to Monte Rosa after some slow difficult miles, I think I walked the entirety of the climb. Got pretty lost and ended up taking the wrong trails so Bald Rock was skipped and gone around on the Halfway house dirt road to Parker trail. Parker trail was much more runnable which helped me a lot as it was nice to make some progress since I was so tired. Popped out at the HQ and had a nice break consuming a GU and water. Aiden suggested we run roads back and while I was initially hesistant (had been looking forward to the white dot descent), I realized I was not feeling good enough to do a trail that difficult followed by a technical descent down pumpelly that is hard to run in spots. I agreed and the first few miles on the road were actually quite enjoyable. I felt some renewed energy from the "aid station" and we were cruising. Eventually it just felt really long (5.5 miles on one road), had some decent climbs and I started to feel pretty tired again. We got really lost near the end and decided to walk back as we figured out to the route, which we did without too much wasted time/mileage. Ended up with 2700 feet elevation gain, we did really well on the first few segments but terribly on the rest.
Obviously didn't feel great on this run, I think I could really benefited from having a bigger breakfast and taking the time to do a short warmup/stretch. That likely would have alleviated my tightness and weakness, although its possible I just need to be running in a pack in these long outings. I wanted part of this run to be a scouting run for the Double Traverse (up Pumpelly, down Marloboro and return the same way) to see how strong the FKT is, and now, while I'm still interested in doing a hard time trial on this route, I know the time is really strong. 10:54 average pace is no joke, considering 4000+ feet elevation gain and lots of unrunnable terrain. Things would have to go very well for me and I'd have to be pretty risky with the descents to be close. Hoping I can take a shot at this before the summer ends, plenty of time left but there's also a lot of routes I want to do.
Wednesday: 8 Miles
Grills easy in the evening, felt strong and enjoyed most of the trails. Started from Hopkinton side and ran white blazes out, perimeter trails in Westerly portion and tacked on a yellow (Peninsula trail) blaze on the way back. White trail in Westerly is quite overgrown. White trail in Hopkinton is really fun.
Thursday: 12 Miles
Carolina Management area solo, out in South section on N/S trail, figure I could do an simple lollipop with minimal unmarked trails, looping back in the northern area. Took what I thought was the right turn only to come out to what I thought was the Northern end of the management area (it was). No problem, I'll just take the dirt road I'm on back to the central road. Came out to an unrecognizable road, thinking I was near the entrance to the southern section (was actually on switch road, west side of management area) until realizing I was totally lost as I saw no trails on the opposite side and came upon Richmond country club. Turned back into the trails, completely disoriented and lost. I had already hit 8 miles, my planned distance for the day, and was worried I'd end up running really long and get even more confused/lost. Fortunately around 9 miles I popped out on the road I was initially looking for and made my way back. Glad I happened to feel good today as I started around 10AM which could have been a disaster weather wise at this time of the year. Won't run here again solo. I wish the RI DEM did a better job marking/establishing trails as I really enjoy these trails and the ones in Big River, but there's so many of them (many confusing intersections) which makes it almost impossible to follow a route unless you know the place very well. RI is definitely behind in this aspect, as CT has most state-owned areas blazed and with nice trail maps, and the other new england states have signs with trails names/directions and mileage.
Friday: 8 Miles
Ninigret. Early because I had a dentist appointment. Felt tight and not that good. Usual route. Slow today.
Saturday: 8 Miles
Barn Island with Dad and Brady, so many overgrown trails, not sure how much I like running here anymore (I do enjoy the Marsh doubletrack trails). Felt weak today and had some bad stomach distress leading to many unplanned bathroom stops and chafing. Got dropped.
Sunday: 15 Miles
Cockaponset Trail FKT. This seemed nice to do as a long run and it was fairly local (45 min drive, only Pequot/Pachaug/Nehantic are closer for FKTs, the latter two are too long for me, Pequot has no established FKT and is apparently not a very good trail) so I set my sights on it. The route seemed really hilly, possibly technical. However, the former FKT was 10:30 pace which seemed doable. He had wrote in his report that around 2 hours was attainable for a fast runner so that was my goal today. That would take about 8:20 pace which I wasn't sure about hitting but I'd find out if that was possible.
I was very worried about the heat, I could start earlier at 6AM and deal with less sleep and near-100% humidity or start at 8AM better rested with less humidity but the temp already in the mid-70s and rising. I chose the latter. I decided to keep the effort conservative and not push too hard at any point, at least early in the run. Went for a short warm-up (1 mile) which I'm glad I did as both achilles were extremely tight at the start but loosened up during. Short stretching, bathroom break, changed to singlet, water break, change to trail shoes before getting going. I decided to bring a GU along as I was worried about low energy. It was really annoying having both the GU and my car key in my small side pocket as it was a little heavy and bounced around a lot. I got too a pretty good start and hit the first mile, which had a decent hill in 8:00, high 6s GAP. This would be the only segment I would take all day that wasn't a full traverse of the trail (the first climb). Had an awkward encounter with another runner going the other way on a tight technical section, neither of us moved and we had to slow to pass each other. Kept it steady in mile 2 with a sub-8 but flatter mile. I felt good about this, well under goal pace. I had already been drenched in sweat at that point and began to feel sluggish. The pace suffered a bit from this, I was much less aggressive on the climbs and felt really slow on them, but I still was sub-9 on each mile and average pace was still headed for sub 2. Some technical spots mixed in there, but for the most part it wasn't that technical and a lot of easy dirt singletrack. The climbs were the real factor, lots of short steep ups and downs (not that steep, about 10% grade but tiring). I began to throw the idea of sub-2 out the window as my average pace ticked up and up without me decreasing effort and as I felt worse. Before, I had lost time on ascents as expected but was really cutting down the pace on the downs. I was no longer very fast on the downs and wasn't making up much time at all.
Pretty tired and hot, just past mile 6 I was glad to be approaching the turnaround soon (should be just past 7 miles). I came out to a dirt road crossing with a small open area and the blue blazes were suddenly just gone. I ran to the other side of the road and saw red blazes leading down a singletrack trail and down the dirt road as well. No blue blazes. Ran back to the last blue blaze and there was no clear direction other than straight where the trail picked up. I ended up jogging around this area for more than 5 minutes, checking every direction as well as running down both the red trail and the dirt road for a short distance looking for blue blazes. Was pretty close to just calling it quits on the day- I felt like crap and would surely feel worse on the return and it's not my fault the blazes are so poorly marked. Returning from my short jog down the dirt road, a woman came out of a trail. I asked her if she knew where the Cockaponset trail continued and she said right there, pointing to the trail she came. I had no idea what she was talking about and I asked her to clarify before realizing there was a trail that she was referencing, it was just really hidden as the entrance was very overgrown. After seeing a blue blaze, I thanked her and was on my way. Based on strava, I spent 5.5 minutes in this area searching for the trail.
Sub-2 was totally out the window now and I was content to run easy all the way back. Trail was fairly easy out to the end and I made the turnaround and started to head back. I was surprised to hit it in 1:02 or so despite having lost so much time at the last intersection. It didn't take long for feeling crappy to turn into total exhaustion and weakness and the pace slowed dramatically shortly on the return. The way back was a long sufferfest. Most of my climbs were over 12:00 minute pace, and I averaged about 10 minute pace on the return. I had my GU which was really difficult to consume without water since I was so dehydrated. The strong taste lingered for a while and I really could have used something to wash that down. Maybe the gels only work in combination with good hydration because I felt terrible the entire way back, there was no energy boost of any kind. Walked a short distance on the one of the hill and completely stopped at the end as I was quite miserable. Kept on going knowing that even with this huge addition in time, I still had a good gap on the FKT pace and would likely get it unless I walked much of the return. That was probably my only motivation not to give up and walk back, I likely would have, or at least taken breaks if this was just another run. It kept me moving, but the time passed so slowly and every step of the way was absolutely torture. Definitely a contender for the worst I've felt on a run. Getting back wasn't even relieving, I didn't feel good/normal until after a meal and nap at home. Seeing a 91 real feel at finish wasn't too surprising.
Got the FKT in 2:09:59. 8 minute positive split, would have been 13 minute without the navigation issue. Trail is definitely hilly but pretty runnable, I think in good conditions, I could run 1:50-1:55 on this route. If I take off the 5.5 minutes, I was about 56-57 minutes on the first half which would translate to 1:52-1:54 total time. I'd likely positive split in any conditions even in a moderate effort as I start off a little agressive and it's hard to make up that early fast pace but since I still felt kinda crappy going out, I think I could hit between 53-55 minutes out and then 55-57 back. Would like to try this again in the winter.
Weekly Total: 65 Miles
YTD Total: 1,577 (on track for: 3327)
Weekly Highlight: Return to good mileage, 60 is probably the minimum amount where I feel like I'm actually training and it's been a while since I've been here. Would be happy to maintain this for the next few months or so and obviously would like to get back to the 70s at some point. Shouldn't be too hard since I did this on 6 days, but I'll to wait to run 7 days until I feel healthier and road-ready. Shin continues to heal nicely but refuses to cooperate on roads.
Weekly Lowlight: Feeling like garbage on most runs, especially the two hard trail runs. Disappointing to both bail on a second Monadnock summit and realize I'm not good enough for the Double Traverse FKT (probably)
Just bought a Camelbak, I'm planning on doing some long, difficult trail runs in the mountains in July and early August. I hope to test this out next week on another blue-blazed FKT attempt.
I've set an unofficial goal of doing at least one of: FKT attempt, mountain run, or mountain hike per week until I return to school/return to XC training. Been successful so far, I'm loving the mountain running but not sure how I could get in a solid summer of hiking without sacrificing that. If I scope a nice route in the mountains, I'll likely want to run it instead of hiking it. I still really enjoy hiking, so I hope I can still put together a few really cool hikes at some point. Camping is semi-open right now, I'd like to get up to Vermont, Maine and hopefully New Brunswick at some point.
I have zero travel plans of any kind, just somewhat of a bucket list. My work schedule is very light and would allow me to take 2-3 days without having to take time off, so I'll mostly be looking at short trips like that, with 1-2 potentially longer trips. NH and ME have strict quarantine requirements that won't work for me for out of state camping, so a trip to vermont may more reasonable. Hoping some of these restrictions get lifted, it'd be great to do some back to back mountain runs in NH or ME with camping at night.
Here's some of the bucket list I'm looking at. I'd like to cross off a handful of these items, but just don't have anything at all locked in yet. There are some more ambitious items I'd like to do that may become possible if Cross Country doesn't happen, but right now are unlikely. I think, most likely, highpointing will have to be delayed again. The southern highpoints line up really well to do a bunch of them in a 2-3 week road trip but there's a lot of National Parks along the way that I wouldn't want to miss out on and currently have restrictions against camping. It'd also be very difficult to plan such a long trip at this stage.
Bucket list runs/FKTs/hikes/travel/etc that I could do this summer:
-Quinnipiac Trail FKT
-Menunkatuck FKT
-Taconic Rim/Tri State run
-Belknap Range Run
-Cannon and Kinsmans run or hike
-Franconia Ridge FKT (probably this or Cannon, not both)
-Acadia NP mountain runs, possible FKT attempts
-Fundy Footpath FKT
-Sunapee Resort Loop FKT
-Monadnock DT FKT
-Cardigan Mountain FKT or just a run
-Mount Kearsarge hike
-Camels hump hike, probably combine with camping + lake champlain
-Storm King Round FKT
-Undermountain Trail FKT
The only one of the above that I really want to do (as in, I'd be bummed to finish out the summer without doing the rest as the rest is truly just a bucket list I want to make progress on) is the Fundy Footpath. The route looks awesome, scenic and is somewhat iconic as a long hike. The 24-26 mile length as well as the extreme elevation (9000 ft or so) would be a welcome challenge and since the current FKT isn't extremely fast, I think it would be doable and would mean a lot to attempt it before it gets too fast.
FKTs I'd like to try over winter break (I go home at Thanksgiving this year, so will be home from late november-mid january):
-Cockaponset Trail
-Newport Cliff Walk
-Ragged mountain
-Zoar trail
-Middlesex fells
-blue hills skyline
There's many more in the back of my head, I'll leave that for a separate post or for when I have my summer more planned out.
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