It's that time of year again...time for the most fun and low key ultra around -- Glacial Trail. Good luck to all running, and thanks to all the volunteers. Extra Good Luck to the Greenbush Trail Runners taking part!
In other news, check out Matt's report from an attempt to cover 72 miles of Northern Kettle Goodness...AMAZING! http://mattrunswild.blogspot.com/2013/10/ice-age-trail-northern-kettle-moraine.html
Now, let's all hope the rain we are getting right now ensures a (relatively) dry track next weekend...unlike last year.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Local & National Grand Slam Thoughts
I'm in a bit of "Taper Madness" right now, with my first trail race coming up this weekend at Lapham Peak (I HIGHLY recommend putting this race--whether it's the 10k, 13.1, or 26.2--on your calendar. It takes place on "The Black Loop" of Lapham Peak, which is a legendary loop.
On my last run this morning before the marathon on Saturday, I was thinking a bit about what races or series of races I might want to try next year, and it fit in well with a 'current events' story in the trail running world right now...
There's an interesting news story occurring around the "Grand Slam of Ultrarunning" and instead of trying to explain it here, I'd suggest you read this report, as it's a good synopsis of what seems to me to be an interesting but also ridiculous story. From that story, the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning is:
It got me to thinking...is there a "Grand Slam of Wisconsin" or an "Ice Age Trail Grand Slam"? Here are a couple ideas...
"Ice Age Trail Grand Slam" could consist of FOUR 50-milers that contain a lot of Ice Age Trail: May's Ice Age Trail 50, July's Dances with Dirt 50, September's North Face 50, and finally the October Glacial Trail 50.
"Ice Age Trail Mini Slam" could be completing the 50k race at each of those events...but then again, when it comes to 50k's, how does one leave out John Dick in February (although rarely run on the Ice Age Trail; due to conditions, it's mostly snowmobile trails) and Chippewa Moraine in April (all Ice Age Trail)? Including those two events could the "IAT Six Pack"!
What if we picked the biggest, most-historic, or most-prestigious races in Wisconsin? Kettle, Mad City, Fall 50?
There could be a series of races where there's one completed at each distance (50k, 50 mile, 100k, 100 mile).
I'm guessing someone reading this HAS completed one of these ideas already--maybe not in a year, but in a career--and if so, please share your thoughts in a comment or on Facebook! For additional references and a calendar, check out this page courtesy of RunningInTheUsa.com.
On my last run this morning before the marathon on Saturday, I was thinking a bit about what races or series of races I might want to try next year, and it fit in well with a 'current events' story in the trail running world right now...
There's an interesting news story occurring around the "Grand Slam of Ultrarunning" and instead of trying to explain it here, I'd suggest you read this report, as it's a good synopsis of what seems to me to be an interesting but also ridiculous story. From that story, the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning is:
...a fun sideshow to watch. A few dozen folks get into Western States, decide it’s their year to do it, then sign up for the other three hundos: Vermont, Leadville, and Wasatch, all taking place over the next few months. It is, in my mind, the ultimate FKT.
It got me to thinking...is there a "Grand Slam of Wisconsin" or an "Ice Age Trail Grand Slam"? Here are a couple ideas...
"Ice Age Trail Grand Slam" could consist of FOUR 50-milers that contain a lot of Ice Age Trail: May's Ice Age Trail 50, July's Dances with Dirt 50, September's North Face 50, and finally the October Glacial Trail 50.
"Ice Age Trail Mini Slam" could be completing the 50k race at each of those events...but then again, when it comes to 50k's, how does one leave out John Dick in February (although rarely run on the Ice Age Trail; due to conditions, it's mostly snowmobile trails) and Chippewa Moraine in April (all Ice Age Trail)? Including those two events could the "IAT Six Pack"!
What if we picked the biggest, most-historic, or most-prestigious races in Wisconsin? Kettle, Mad City, Fall 50?
There could be a series of races where there's one completed at each distance (50k, 50 mile, 100k, 100 mile).
I'm guessing someone reading this HAS completed one of these ideas already--maybe not in a year, but in a career--and if so, please share your thoughts in a comment or on Facebook! For additional references and a calendar, check out this page courtesy of RunningInTheUsa.com.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
2013 GTR Night Run
This year's GTR Night Run will be held in Greenbush on Saturday July 13th at 9pm. Six miles of ski trails/mtn bike trails is the planned route. Anyone interested in putting in an extra 5 or 6 miles can meet up early at 7:30. There will be beer at the finish! The Night Run will start and end in the group camp parking lot at the ski shelter, this was the same location as last year's Night Run. To park in this lot you must have a state sticker or a daily parking pass.
Everyone is welcome, all four legged friends are warmly welcomed as well. Hope that you can join us for a night out in the great Kettle Moraine State Forest!
Everyone is welcome, all four legged friends are warmly welcomed as well. Hope that you can join us for a night out in the great Kettle Moraine State Forest!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Things That Occur When Running on Roads (That Probably Wouldn't Occur on the Trails)
I'm running an event that is about as opposite as a runner can get from the trails--a flat road marathon (Manitowoc Maritime Marathon). Because of this, I'm trying to get some leg speed back...although I miss using every hill I come across on the Ice Age Trail as a reason to Power Hike!
Tonight I again worked on speed. I set my Garmin Auto Lap at .5 miles, and figured I'd push hard for a mile, then try and cruise at my goal marathon pace for 1/2 mile, then push hard again for another mile. This worked great...with several exceptions:
At 1.5 miles, a dog ran out of his owner's garage and started barking and growling at me. Right out in to the road he came despite his shock collar (actually, I think it was a hunting collar, but either way) that was TOTALLY useless. Every time I turned to start my running again, this pooch would get aggressive again and start chasing. Then, his owner would alarm his collar to no avail. This process repeated itself for a full 3 housed down the road. Hey buddy, yeah, you, the one in the garage...COME GET YOUR DOG. Ugh! There goes one fast split...
At 5.5 miles I came across a controlled burn of a brush pile--firefighters, fire trucks, and a TON of smoke billowing to the west. A slight asthma flare up, and I was on my way again...but at about 30 seconds per mile off my pace.
At 6.5 I came across a pair of Geese Parents and their goslings. Not only do Geese crap everywhere...they're also not all that friendly to passers-by. I also have heard that the parents shed their flying wings when raising their babies. I'm not sure if this is true or not...but either way, a very defensive Papa Goose has exactly two ways to ward off a predator (or, in this case, just a guy trying to get some speed work in): Stick your tongue out and hiss, and charge the threat. These geese did both. I did learn something, though--if this happens to you, drag your feet on the gravel shoulder of the road, and they'll back off. They're not keen on loud noises apparently. Or, perhaps it was the action of me dragging my feet on the ground that looked so much like an injured animal myself, that they left me alone?
I really wish I would have had a camera around for all of this...and I really look forward to running the marathon on June 23rd, and promptly returning to the trails.
Just in time for the deerflies to arrive.
What don't you miss about the roads? What do you like about the roads?
-Nic
PS - Here are the splits...you can see the spikes in my pace pretty easily :)
Tonight I again worked on speed. I set my Garmin Auto Lap at .5 miles, and figured I'd push hard for a mile, then try and cruise at my goal marathon pace for 1/2 mile, then push hard again for another mile. This worked great...with several exceptions:
At 1.5 miles, a dog ran out of his owner's garage and started barking and growling at me. Right out in to the road he came despite his shock collar (actually, I think it was a hunting collar, but either way) that was TOTALLY useless. Every time I turned to start my running again, this pooch would get aggressive again and start chasing. Then, his owner would alarm his collar to no avail. This process repeated itself for a full 3 housed down the road. Hey buddy, yeah, you, the one in the garage...COME GET YOUR DOG. Ugh! There goes one fast split...
At 5.5 miles I came across a controlled burn of a brush pile--firefighters, fire trucks, and a TON of smoke billowing to the west. A slight asthma flare up, and I was on my way again...but at about 30 seconds per mile off my pace.
At 6.5 I came across a pair of Geese Parents and their goslings. Not only do Geese crap everywhere...they're also not all that friendly to passers-by. I also have heard that the parents shed their flying wings when raising their babies. I'm not sure if this is true or not...but either way, a very defensive Papa Goose has exactly two ways to ward off a predator (or, in this case, just a guy trying to get some speed work in): Stick your tongue out and hiss, and charge the threat. These geese did both. I did learn something, though--if this happens to you, drag your feet on the gravel shoulder of the road, and they'll back off. They're not keen on loud noises apparently. Or, perhaps it was the action of me dragging my feet on the ground that looked so much like an injured animal myself, that they left me alone?
I really wish I would have had a camera around for all of this...and I really look forward to running the marathon on June 23rd, and promptly returning to the trails.
Just in time for the deerflies to arrive.
What don't you miss about the roads? What do you like about the roads?
-Nic
PS - Here are the splits...you can see the spikes in my pace pretty easily :)
Monday, April 22, 2013
High Cliff State Park
I spent about an hour running around High Cliff State Park this weekend. I can't recommend it enough! There are a couple options for events this summer:
The CliffRunner 10k on July 21st - More Info Here.
High Cliff 50k/25k on August 11th - This will be a FunRun/FatAss event, with a marked course and a couple aid stations. Put it on your calendar today!
The CliffRunner 10k on July 21st - More Info Here.
High Cliff 50k/25k on August 11th - This will be a FunRun/FatAss event, with a marked course and a couple aid stations. Put it on your calendar today!
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| I've never seen a sign like that when running before! |
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| That's the cliff at the end of the trail. |
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| Statue of Chief Red Bird |
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| Stone Fence that just went on forever...right in the midle of the woods! |
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| Stairway Up, UP, Up! |
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| At the top of the Escarpment |
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| Sharing the trail with a Turkey Vulture |
Monday, April 8, 2013
2013 NK 50k
This year's weather made things interesting for the 3rd Annual NK 50k.
5 very stubborn runners got it done, though, earning the highly coveted 31.6 sticker...and a Greenbush Trail Runners shirt.
Here are some snapshots of the day. I am disappointed with myself for not getting a group shot or any shot of the food and beer that was eaten at Fudgies afterwards!
5 very stubborn runners got it done, though, earning the highly coveted 31.6 sticker...and a Greenbush Trail Runners shirt.
Here are some snapshots of the day. I am disappointed with myself for not getting a group shot or any shot of the food and beer that was eaten at Fudgies afterwards!
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| The View looking south from about 4 miles in to the run. Sunburst Ski Hill in the distance. |
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| No Snow...for now. Beautiful single track was the scene for the first 5-10 miles. |
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| The rivers are running high |
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| Jennifer, steady as always. |
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| Rookie Mike leading Uber Veteran Scott |
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| Matt and Jennifer working their way up the hills |
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| The trail transitioned from snow to dirt to ice the entire day. |
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| This guy was crabby about the weather. |
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| Jennifer finishes up the NK 50k! |
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| Matt finishes a couple minutes later! |
Friday, March 22, 2013
Silence.
Doesn't get much better than this, so take 7 minutes and take it all in:
Silence from ARC'TERYX on Vimeo.
Also, check this one out:Cheetahs on the Edge--Director's Cut from Gregory Wilson on Vimeo.
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