Cold Weather Running
The talking heads like to call this area the I95 Corridor. In fact that highway does mirror a real topographical and hence weather pattern. We are often on the in between and it is notoriously difficult to get the weather forecast since a small fluctuation is the difference between rain and snow; a storm and a near miss.
The Valentine’s Day storm that trapped so many on I78 was one of those. Here in Delaware County we saw rain, snow, sleet. Mostly we escaped the worst but it left an icy remnant I was still getting rid today.
Since my oak has fallen I have often chosen to begin my trail run in the Park instead of the Arboretum. This means I can avoid crossing Rt 352 and a long swampy area before the woods…I start on the multiuse trail and have several choices of where to enter the woods. Friday I chose to enter almost immediately on the yellow trail. It is a slight uphill. The snow cover in crusted over but each step I break thru. There is a single set of human tracks where someone walked yesterday and of course lots of animal prints. Later I would see the bloody remaina of a hunter – hunted encounter.
The going is difficult but doable. At the top of the hill I enter the arboretum property. Here I am breaking trail for a while and then a stream crossing. It looks tricky but I see one safe stepping and make it across dry shod. On the other side I join up with one of the main trails and this has more human traffic and surprisingly snowmobile tracks but the advantage is that by following the tracks I have better purchase. When the tracks lead off in another direction I am breaking trail again but after a few hundreds another set of tracks. Skis – tough trail for and later I can see the marks are the skier made their way uphill. Then more fresh trail but mostly downhill so the going is easier. I need to make my way across the stream – this time I am not so luck or skillful and my left foot goes in. I am about a mile from my car and figure I will be fine if I keep moving. A short climb and I know at the top of the next hill I take a short cut to the multi use trail and figure I better use it and get to asphalt. A short run downhill and I’m done – man that foot is cold. Now I know why in the wilderness it is so dangerous to get wet.
Saturday I got my long run early and found the going pretty easy. Saturday afternoon I volunteered to help out with the Fila The Love 5K . It was held in the Coopertown section of Haverford Township. This is a brand new run invented by Bob Schwelm owner of the Bryn Mawr Running Company. This has to be one of the most challenging ideas for a brand new run I ever heard of. The idea was to run teams in five categories (blood related, lovers, mixed couple, same sex couple, and individual). Each team would start together but after 100 yards separate each running the course in a separate direction. Seeing each other in passing on the course.
I worked registration which was complicated because you had to capture all the usual information plus the team info. Some the of couples were comical – they hadn’t chosen whether they were lovers or just mixed couple. One couple went back and forth before finally settling on lover. I felt like a match maker.
Despite the complications of running two courses and the icy streets the race went very well. The timers did a great jump of getting the results quickly. I think a great tradition was started.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Cold Weather Running
I wimped out on my Friday trail run. The weather forecast was for a cold rain. I just didn’t fancy a seven or eight mile slug in the wet. So I slept in and of course no rain = the storm had move far enough off coast we weren’t affected. Grrrrrrr.
So Saturday I was determined to get a good run in Saturday. It was cold but not Frank’s cold (although Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be the coldest days in 11 years which means it will be the coldest weather I have run in). I layered up and felt quite comfortable. I modified my course and it worked well – my finish was just short of 10 according to my garmin. The day was quite beautiful with bright blue skies and that crystal winter clarity. We have not had a real snowfall yet but we have had a series of snow showers that leave a coating that disappears during the day. It makes for pretty morning runs.
On my Ipod I had loaded Vince Gill’s new four album set These Days (What a great set as Gill ranges over a variety of styles – he really is a perfect choice of president of the Board of Trustees of the Country Music Hall of Fame as he obviously loves both the old and new) On a whim I had also placed the last moment of Beethoven's Ninth. I had already used the shuffle a couple of times without hearing the Ninth but as I began my last mile there was Beethoven. What a great way to finish.
Today was a couple of degrees colder and a little cloudier but still quite beautiful. I usually go uptown one day and downtown the next but today I thought the prettier run would to be go north again. The course included the nature trail at Haverford College. Parts of the trail were a snow cover that had melted and refroze making for some tricky footing. In fact throughout the course I had to be careful of black ice since the bright afternoon sun would thaw the ground despite the cold and later in the shade and night the wet refroze.
For me these cold runs are much more fun than slogging out those 80F / 80% humidity days in August. Let’s see if that feeling survives Tuesday night.
I wimped out on my Friday trail run. The weather forecast was for a cold rain. I just didn’t fancy a seven or eight mile slug in the wet. So I slept in and of course no rain = the storm had move far enough off coast we weren’t affected. Grrrrrrr.
So Saturday I was determined to get a good run in Saturday. It was cold but not Frank’s cold (although Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be the coldest days in 11 years which means it will be the coldest weather I have run in). I layered up and felt quite comfortable. I modified my course and it worked well – my finish was just short of 10 according to my garmin. The day was quite beautiful with bright blue skies and that crystal winter clarity. We have not had a real snowfall yet but we have had a series of snow showers that leave a coating that disappears during the day. It makes for pretty morning runs.
On my Ipod I had loaded Vince Gill’s new four album set These Days (What a great set as Gill ranges over a variety of styles – he really is a perfect choice of president of the Board of Trustees of the Country Music Hall of Fame as he obviously loves both the old and new) On a whim I had also placed the last moment of Beethoven's Ninth. I had already used the shuffle a couple of times without hearing the Ninth but as I began my last mile there was Beethoven. What a great way to finish.
Today was a couple of degrees colder and a little cloudier but still quite beautiful. I usually go uptown one day and downtown the next but today I thought the prettier run would to be go north again. The course included the nature trail at Haverford College. Parts of the trail were a snow cover that had melted and refroze making for some tricky footing. In fact throughout the course I had to be careful of black ice since the bright afternoon sun would thaw the ground despite the cold and later in the shade and night the wet refroze.
For me these cold runs are much more fun than slogging out those 80F / 80% humidity days in August. Let’s see if that feeling survives Tuesday night.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Cold Weather Running
Last Friday there was a light coating of snow when I ran the trails. You have probably seen the snowfall that covers lawns but not the streets. Here it was the opposite – there trails were covered but the wooded areas less so. The trails wound like white ribbons thru the woods. It had a fairy tale quality.
Today, there was much more snow (but still just a coating). It was very cold (7F) when I started (but no wind). I was concerned – this was the coldest weather in two years – that I might be uncomfortable but I must have dressed well for I felt great almost immediately.
The roads going to the park were crowded – maybe people getting an early start anticipating icy conditions, but the park itself was empty. Not a single car was in the small parking area I use. There was one set of footprints on the multiuse path and as soon as I entered the woods I was breaking trail (well except for the various animals who obviously view the trails as a very convenient way to travel). Last week I saw no animals but this morning I did encounter deer, but I know from the tracks that many others are active despite the cold.
It was an especially beautiful morning – one of those mornings where the rising sun constantly changes the colors and patterns of the woods. At one point high on a ridge I stopped to look across the valley to the opposite ridge where the sun was just peeking thru the tree line. The whiteness of the snow, the blue sky, the dark trees, the red light of the dawn sun all seemed so primary and clear. On the one hand it was cool to know I was here first, alone in this quiet spot (if someone plunked you down you would hardly guess busy roads were less than a mile away); on the other hand I was sad that there was no one else experiencing this great beauty.
Tears that a gust of wind had squeezed out of my eyes had frozen on my eyelashes, but I still felt comfortable. I was very tempted to try another loop but knew it was getting late (a wrong turn had already prolonged the run), and I reluctantly headed back to the paved road. A couple more sets of human prints on the road, but when I got back to the parking area my car still stood alone.
Last Friday there was a light coating of snow when I ran the trails. You have probably seen the snowfall that covers lawns but not the streets. Here it was the opposite – there trails were covered but the wooded areas less so. The trails wound like white ribbons thru the woods. It had a fairy tale quality.
Today, there was much more snow (but still just a coating). It was very cold (7F) when I started (but no wind). I was concerned – this was the coldest weather in two years – that I might be uncomfortable but I must have dressed well for I felt great almost immediately.
The roads going to the park were crowded – maybe people getting an early start anticipating icy conditions, but the park itself was empty. Not a single car was in the small parking area I use. There was one set of footprints on the multiuse path and as soon as I entered the woods I was breaking trail (well except for the various animals who obviously view the trails as a very convenient way to travel). Last week I saw no animals but this morning I did encounter deer, but I know from the tracks that many others are active despite the cold.
It was an especially beautiful morning – one of those mornings where the rising sun constantly changes the colors and patterns of the woods. At one point high on a ridge I stopped to look across the valley to the opposite ridge where the sun was just peeking thru the tree line. The whiteness of the snow, the blue sky, the dark trees, the red light of the dawn sun all seemed so primary and clear. On the one hand it was cool to know I was here first, alone in this quiet spot (if someone plunked you down you would hardly guess busy roads were less than a mile away); on the other hand I was sad that there was no one else experiencing this great beauty.
Tears that a gust of wind had squeezed out of my eyes had frozen on my eyelashes, but I still felt comfortable. I was very tempted to try another loop but knew it was getting late (a wrong turn had already prolonged the run), and I reluctantly headed back to the paved road. A couple more sets of human prints on the road, but when I got back to the parking area my car still stood alone.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Eight Seconds
I am a mid pack runner, competing in the 60 over group for third, so why should it matter. But it did.
Before running the Icicle Ten Miler I had checked my time from last year and what it took to place in my new age group. It looked like my time from last year was close to being in the money so I was optimistic.
The Icicle is held in Wilmington, Delaware and is a very nice but hilly course
The Caesar Rodney Half Marathon follows a very similar route.
Being mid January I have run this race in adverse conditions – last year’s race was very cold and windy, and it has been run in snow, ice, and one year a cold, cold sleety rain. But Sunday was mild – very humid and in the 50’s. These are not conditions I prefer, especially the humidity.
It was different to be lining up at the start in shorts and short sleeves.
I knew the start would be fast – the first two miles are more down than up. I expected to average about 8:30 miles but planned on the first mile at 8:00 and was actually a little faster.
The real climb begins just after mile two and continues thru five. I was pretty pleased with my progress thru the hills and felt on schedule. I struggled a bit more than I expected on five and six, most of which is a rolling out and back on Route 52. But once back in the park I ran the downhills well. There is a steep climb to finish the race and knowing it was there helped and I ran up as hard as I could. The final stretch is flat and I picked up as much speed as I could.
This was one of those races where despite a lot of runners I was running alone most of the time, i.e. the knot of runners directly in front of me were about 30 yards away. I don’t think anyone passed me in the last two miles and finally I did pass a couple of runners but mostly there was a big gap between me and the runner in front of me. It would have been nice to have someone to pace off of.
As I closed in on the finish I saw that I was going to be under 1:24 if I pushed and I did. I was almost a minute faster than last year.
I was pretty confident that would put me in the money but alas this was a race with some very fast runners. When they called out the age group winners I wasn’t in it but I knew from the time I had been close. I don’t remember third place passing me so I am presuming that he was in that knot of runners just ahead of me and that my push up the hill and the last quarter had closed the gap between us.
I was left wondering that if I knew there was a competitor that close if I could have squeeze out those eight seconds somewhere along the course. Of course if challenged my competition may have amp’d up his game so who knows.
BTW this guy was a very young looking 61 and I wonder if he had passed me if I would have recognized him as a competitor.
A good race, no real regrets I ran hard, stayed on schedule….. but still some disappointment. It seems once again I matched the Eagles with an almost. (See my post on the PDR.) Still I am optimistic – my time was better than last year. Improvement is still possible. Now to find the next race.
I am a mid pack runner, competing in the 60 over group for third, so why should it matter. But it did.
Before running the Icicle Ten Miler I had checked my time from last year and what it took to place in my new age group. It looked like my time from last year was close to being in the money so I was optimistic.
The Icicle is held in Wilmington, Delaware and is a very nice but hilly course
The Caesar Rodney Half Marathon follows a very similar route.
Being mid January I have run this race in adverse conditions – last year’s race was very cold and windy, and it has been run in snow, ice, and one year a cold, cold sleety rain. But Sunday was mild – very humid and in the 50’s. These are not conditions I prefer, especially the humidity.
It was different to be lining up at the start in shorts and short sleeves.
I knew the start would be fast – the first two miles are more down than up. I expected to average about 8:30 miles but planned on the first mile at 8:00 and was actually a little faster.
The real climb begins just after mile two and continues thru five. I was pretty pleased with my progress thru the hills and felt on schedule. I struggled a bit more than I expected on five and six, most of which is a rolling out and back on Route 52. But once back in the park I ran the downhills well. There is a steep climb to finish the race and knowing it was there helped and I ran up as hard as I could. The final stretch is flat and I picked up as much speed as I could.
This was one of those races where despite a lot of runners I was running alone most of the time, i.e. the knot of runners directly in front of me were about 30 yards away. I don’t think anyone passed me in the last two miles and finally I did pass a couple of runners but mostly there was a big gap between me and the runner in front of me. It would have been nice to have someone to pace off of.
As I closed in on the finish I saw that I was going to be under 1:24 if I pushed and I did. I was almost a minute faster than last year.
I was pretty confident that would put me in the money but alas this was a race with some very fast runners. When they called out the age group winners I wasn’t in it but I knew from the time I had been close. I don’t remember third place passing me so I am presuming that he was in that knot of runners just ahead of me and that my push up the hill and the last quarter had closed the gap between us.
I was left wondering that if I knew there was a competitor that close if I could have squeeze out those eight seconds somewhere along the course. Of course if challenged my competition may have amp’d up his game so who knows.
BTW this guy was a very young looking 61 and I wonder if he had passed me if I would have recognized him as a competitor.
A good race, no real regrets I ran hard, stayed on schedule….. but still some disappointment. It seems once again I matched the Eagles with an almost. (See my post on the PDR.) Still I am optimistic – my time was better than last year. Improvement is still possible. Now to find the next race.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
ALARM CLOCKS
A frequent discussion thread for runners is the timing of runs: Morning,mid-day, evening. But I reckon the majority of runners are morning runners. Which leads me to my theme - how do you get up.
I have a friend who has never used an alarm clock. He is so confident in his ability to wake when he wants he doesn't ever use one. Makes sense I guess - afterall for thousands of years humans had to get up without artificial aids, although I am guessing that most humans got up with dawn. Perhaps there a book that discusses how non-technological societies handled waking.
I remember reading that clocks or at least devices that accurately tracked time were developed by monks who needed to know when the hours of prayer occurred (Matins, Lauds, Prime, etc.).
Probably, Islam needed the same.
I still remember my first alarm clock, bought in a local five and ten. I was about 11 and my Father decided I was old enough to be responsible to get myself up. It was the kind with two bells, had a satisfying tick tock, and rang like the all the bells that terrified Scrooge just before Marley's appearance. I did love that clock.
For years now I have used a clock radio to get up but my wife still prefers an alarm ring to wake up. I am a solid sleeper and have slept through storms and calamities that have woken or kept my wife up but ironically I wake up easily and instantaneously.
I have some ability to wake up when I want but I am not as confident as my friend to forgo an clock altogether. Normally, I wake up about two minutes before the alarm goes off whether it is for 5:30 AM or my weekend 7 AM. This enables me to turn off the alarm so as not to disturb my wife. I am not sure how this works, but I just think of when I want to get up before going to sleep and I wake up at that time. I am lucky in that I generally fall right off to sleep and have almost never had insomnia.
I know there are some that recommend naps but I don't usually nap during the day although I have been know to fall asleep in front of the TV or while reading at night.
Do you use an alarm clock?
If so what kind?
Do you get right up or linger? Do you use the snooze alarm - I never
do - don't see the point of ten extra minutes?
Are you a light or heavy sleeper?
But best wishes to all for a very joyous holiday.
Chad Brooks
A frequent discussion thread for runners is the timing of runs: Morning,mid-day, evening. But I reckon the majority of runners are morning runners. Which leads me to my theme - how do you get up.
I have a friend who has never used an alarm clock. He is so confident in his ability to wake when he wants he doesn't ever use one. Makes sense I guess - afterall for thousands of years humans had to get up without artificial aids, although I am guessing that most humans got up with dawn. Perhaps there a book that discusses how non-technological societies handled waking.
I remember reading that clocks or at least devices that accurately tracked time were developed by monks who needed to know when the hours of prayer occurred (Matins, Lauds, Prime, etc.).
Probably, Islam needed the same.
I still remember my first alarm clock, bought in a local five and ten. I was about 11 and my Father decided I was old enough to be responsible to get myself up. It was the kind with two bells, had a satisfying tick tock, and rang like the all the bells that terrified Scrooge just before Marley's appearance. I did love that clock.
For years now I have used a clock radio to get up but my wife still prefers an alarm ring to wake up. I am a solid sleeper and have slept through storms and calamities that have woken or kept my wife up but ironically I wake up easily and instantaneously.
I have some ability to wake up when I want but I am not as confident as my friend to forgo an clock altogether. Normally, I wake up about two minutes before the alarm goes off whether it is for 5:30 AM or my weekend 7 AM. This enables me to turn off the alarm so as not to disturb my wife. I am not sure how this works, but I just think of when I want to get up before going to sleep and I wake up at that time. I am lucky in that I generally fall right off to sleep and have almost never had insomnia.
I know there are some that recommend naps but I don't usually nap during the day although I have been know to fall asleep in front of the TV or while reading at night.
Do you use an alarm clock?
If so what kind?
Do you get right up or linger? Do you use the snooze alarm - I never
do - don't see the point of ten extra minutes?
Are you a light or heavy sleeper?
But best wishes to all for a very joyous holiday.
Chad Brooks
Monday, December 11, 2006
WEEKEND RUNNING
Two great runs this weekend:
On Saturday I did Bryn Mawr Running Club's Winter Prediction Run. Every Wednesday night during the Spring, Summer and Fall BMRC has club runs on a course known as the Tennis Loop. Runners can choose five, seven or ten miles. Several times a year the club makes these runs a prediction run - each runner picks a finish time and the winner is the runner closest to their predicted time. Because of safety concerns when Daylight Savings ends so does the Tennis Loop, but each December the club has the prediction run on Satruday morning. Entrance fee is an unwrapped toy and the club also encourages a shoe turn in. Toys and shoes are given to a local charity.
This was the first Tennis Loop Run since the Morris Avenue bridge linking Lancaster Avenue and Montgomery Avenue was closed for repairs. This means an alteration of course which of course affected everyone's prediction time. (I actually won, quite by fluke, a prediction run this year - but my prediction times have gotten better simply because I know the route well. New routing, new timing.)
So off I went pacing myself with various club members and chatting. About four miles into the course I am running alone but following a woman I have frequently finished with - I catch up with her and we run the last part together - I opinioned that I was going too fast for my prediction and with that she slows down. I am thinking jeez why is she listening to me!!! I keep going and my finish is about thirty seconds too fast - in this race that's a huge gap. But it was a fun run on a beautiful morning.
Sunday was the Reindeer Romp. This race follows a course I laid out nine years ago. This year I was on the race committee. Last year we had a huge crowd and one of the turnarounds was overly congestion. This year we came up with the idea of running part of the course backwards and it worked out great (thanks to some enegetic course marshals).
The course itself uses a busway - this is a former trolley car route that was paved over in the 1970's and is use only for SEPTA buses . Since the buses don't run on Sundays it makes a perfect race route. The start went smoothly even with a record number of runners (about 650 and another 200 walkers). The course is downhill, uphill, downhill, uphill. I went out very fast, probably too fast. I struggled a bit on the uphill and then was overly hesitant on the downhill. The finish is a half mile uphill that gets steeper as you close in on the finish. I had wanted to finish under 24 but just missed it probably because I started a little too far back. Still pleased with the race (I ended up third in my new age group).
After my race I helped with collecting the results - the timer was using barcodes and it was interesting to see how that worked (did you know you can't barcode single digits) and how the timer is married to finishers list. I also got my photo with Santa Claus. This was a very good Claus although he could use a good pair of black boots.
Now it's time for my Christmas rest. I will do some evening runs just to see the Christmas lights but not hard or long runs until the New Year.
Two great runs this weekend:
On Saturday I did Bryn Mawr Running Club's Winter Prediction Run. Every Wednesday night during the Spring, Summer and Fall BMRC has club runs on a course known as the Tennis Loop. Runners can choose five, seven or ten miles. Several times a year the club makes these runs a prediction run - each runner picks a finish time and the winner is the runner closest to their predicted time. Because of safety concerns when Daylight Savings ends so does the Tennis Loop, but each December the club has the prediction run on Satruday morning. Entrance fee is an unwrapped toy and the club also encourages a shoe turn in. Toys and shoes are given to a local charity.
This was the first Tennis Loop Run since the Morris Avenue bridge linking Lancaster Avenue and Montgomery Avenue was closed for repairs. This means an alteration of course which of course affected everyone's prediction time. (I actually won, quite by fluke, a prediction run this year - but my prediction times have gotten better simply because I know the route well. New routing, new timing.)
So off I went pacing myself with various club members and chatting. About four miles into the course I am running alone but following a woman I have frequently finished with - I catch up with her and we run the last part together - I opinioned that I was going too fast for my prediction and with that she slows down. I am thinking jeez why is she listening to me!!! I keep going and my finish is about thirty seconds too fast - in this race that's a huge gap. But it was a fun run on a beautiful morning.
Sunday was the Reindeer Romp. This race follows a course I laid out nine years ago. This year I was on the race committee. Last year we had a huge crowd and one of the turnarounds was overly congestion. This year we came up with the idea of running part of the course backwards and it worked out great (thanks to some enegetic course marshals).
The course itself uses a busway - this is a former trolley car route that was paved over in the 1970's and is use only for SEPTA buses . Since the buses don't run on Sundays it makes a perfect race route. The start went smoothly even with a record number of runners (about 650 and another 200 walkers). The course is downhill, uphill, downhill, uphill. I went out very fast, probably too fast. I struggled a bit on the uphill and then was overly hesitant on the downhill. The finish is a half mile uphill that gets steeper as you close in on the finish. I had wanted to finish under 24 but just missed it probably because I started a little too far back. Still pleased with the race (I ended up third in my new age group).
After my race I helped with collecting the results - the timer was using barcodes and it was interesting to see how that worked (did you know you can't barcode single digits) and how the timer is married to finishers list. I also got my photo with Santa Claus. This was a very good Claus although he could use a good pair of black boots.
Now it's time for my Christmas rest. I will do some evening runs just to see the Christmas lights but not hard or long runs until the New Year.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
WINTER RUNNING
I knew it would be cold and dark this morning when I began my run. The surprise was that even though sunrise was still a half hour away the sky had already brightened considerably. But cold it was - last week I had run in shorts and a t-shirt; this week I needed a jacket, hat and mittens. It wasn't just cold (25F) but windy too. The wind is not too bad once in the woods, but how it roared overhead in the canopy.
The woods are in full winter mode - you can see deep thru the trees and the contours of the surrounding land are much more apparent. I love this change - sometimes in the summer wood I feel almost claustrophobic as the wood pushes in and grabs at you. But now the all the beauty of trunk and branch can be seen and appreciated.
I have decided that once across Painter Road I will run my usual path backwards. I like the newness this simple step creates and how different everything looks and feels.
I often see deer in the winter woods simply because the line of sight is improved, but today I am completely alone except for some small birds that seem to enjoy my company and flit ahead of me every few yards but never fly away.
I cross water very carefully. Last week I slipped and got wet feet - I don't want that today. As usually happens, less that a mile into the run I feel quite comfortable - my thumbs are a little cold but I draw up then into the mittens and feel good.
Because of my route I am in shadow most of the way. I know the sun is up because I can see the gold tones on the higher ridges and tree tops but along the creek I am still in shadow.
Last Sunday I went to the Darwin exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Tree height is an example of natural selection wherein some plants get advantage by getting more light. I realize looking up, this just isn't in relation to competition with other plants, but also because by stretching up, the tree will get more morning light. Even though no photosynthesis is happening now the effect is quite striking as light floods the heights.
At last my circuit is completed I as I climb higher, I too see the morning sun, brilliant but giving no heat.
I enter the field where my Oak lies. When I saw it fallen two weeks ago it was still in leaf but now it lies bare - its striking lattice structure revealed. I get my camera out to take a photo hoping to capture the moon still visible above. My camera, however, won't work - too cold. The lens extends but nothing fires up. Should have carried the camera under my jacket - oh well lesson learned. Even the short time without mittens has frozen my fingers and I can feel the chill seeping in. So one last look and then off. A hot shower and coffee will feel very good.
I knew it would be cold and dark this morning when I began my run. The surprise was that even though sunrise was still a half hour away the sky had already brightened considerably. But cold it was - last week I had run in shorts and a t-shirt; this week I needed a jacket, hat and mittens. It wasn't just cold (25F) but windy too. The wind is not too bad once in the woods, but how it roared overhead in the canopy.
The woods are in full winter mode - you can see deep thru the trees and the contours of the surrounding land are much more apparent. I love this change - sometimes in the summer wood I feel almost claustrophobic as the wood pushes in and grabs at you. But now the all the beauty of trunk and branch can be seen and appreciated.
I have decided that once across Painter Road I will run my usual path backwards. I like the newness this simple step creates and how different everything looks and feels.
I often see deer in the winter woods simply because the line of sight is improved, but today I am completely alone except for some small birds that seem to enjoy my company and flit ahead of me every few yards but never fly away.
I cross water very carefully. Last week I slipped and got wet feet - I don't want that today. As usually happens, less that a mile into the run I feel quite comfortable - my thumbs are a little cold but I draw up then into the mittens and feel good.
Because of my route I am in shadow most of the way. I know the sun is up because I can see the gold tones on the higher ridges and tree tops but along the creek I am still in shadow.
Last Sunday I went to the Darwin exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Tree height is an example of natural selection wherein some plants get advantage by getting more light. I realize looking up, this just isn't in relation to competition with other plants, but also because by stretching up, the tree will get more morning light. Even though no photosynthesis is happening now the effect is quite striking as light floods the heights.
At last my circuit is completed I as I climb higher, I too see the morning sun, brilliant but giving no heat.
I enter the field where my Oak lies. When I saw it fallen two weeks ago it was still in leaf but now it lies bare - its striking lattice structure revealed. I get my camera out to take a photo hoping to capture the moon still visible above. My camera, however, won't work - too cold. The lens extends but nothing fires up. Should have carried the camera under my jacket - oh well lesson learned. Even the short time without mittens has frozen my fingers and I can feel the chill seeping in. So one last look and then off. A hot shower and coffee will feel very good.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Philadelphia Marathon - The Half
I have run the Philadelphia Marathon every year but one since 1998 but
this year decided to take advantage of the new Half Marathon. I am
glad I did.
The marathon is newly sponsored by American Express. It was
interesting to note the changes; most of them not for the better but
more on that later.
If you are running a marathon for location Philly is one of the great
courses (with the proviso that not everyone enjoys doing the out and
back on Kelly Drive).
When I heard that the field was 12,000 I had assumed that there were a
majority of half marathoners, but I later learned that they had capped
the field to 2,000 since it was new and they wanted to see how it
worked.
Got to Mantua where I usually park about 6:45. In past years it was
easy to park there but a combination of marathoners knowing to go
there and neighborhood redevelopment make parking tough. I did manage
to squeeze into a spot about where I wanted to be.
At Eakins Oval I found some friends, talked race strategy, did my
pre-race rituals, and then went to drop off my baggage. This has
always been easy and well managed but this year it was a mess. Huge
long line with two kids trying to take bags. Later I learned that we
were suppose to drop out bags at designated points along the curb but
no one told us and there were no signs. Since I was a half runner and
finished with a decent time I had no trouble picking up my bag but it
must have been a mess when the crowds got there. Interesting thing –
when I was walking around after the race with my bag at least a half
dozen people came up to me looking for the baggage tent. Strange, but
maybe they had someone drop their stuff and didn't know where to go.
For some reason they had moved the tent from where it had been the
last three years.
But on to the race. Got into the crowd at the just below the eight
minute pace sign. And stood near the 3:50 pace group. I was planning
on running 1:50 and figure I could pace on that group for awhile. Met
an old running friend who was planning on a 3:50 finish (and he ran
3:48) and we chatted as the clock ticked pass 8AM and no start. No
sound system so we had no idea what was going on. But suddenly
without fanfare we were moving forward and to my surprise, considering
how packed in we were, we were running fairly well. I say fairly
because the first mile was a little slow – about nine minutes.
But from then on the pace was good. I kept the 3:50 pacer in sight
but ran as I wanted. As usually happens in big races without corrals
a lot of people ahead had not seeded themselves correctly and I had to
waste some energy in passing – I tried to minimize it but sometimes I
was boxed in and was so off pace I had to try to move to an open spot.
(It was kind of like being on the expressway. I would draft off the
3:50 pacer and someone would move in front of me and then inexplicably
slow down.)
The course starts on the Parkway, moves onto Arch and then Race. Both
of those streets are relatively narrow but finally you move onto
Delaware Avenue and you get some running room. However, we get to
mile 3 and whoa – my split shows 9:15. Something is clearly wrong.
It was interesting how a ripple of murmuring spread across the field
as those keeping track of splits realized something is off. Meanwhile
the 3:50 pace takes off and a couple of people say what the heck is
going on. I counsel a couple of people I've been running with to hold
steady. I am not a great pacer but I knew I didn't fall off 45
seconds. I hold steady with maybe a little pickup. Get to mile four
and my watch reads 6:40 – this would be a near pr for a mile let alone
four miles. The markers were obviously off.
We're down South Street then up Sixth to Chestnut – there seems to be
more spectators than in past years and they are pretty vocal.
When we get to 34th and move toward the Zoo and Fairmount Park there
is a pretty good hill. The hype for the race is how flat the course
is – I guess the race director forgot about 34th. Flat and furious
and other lies Race Directors tell.
We are into Fairmont Park and then climbing the hill to Memorial Hall.
There is always a sign posted Last Hill. I hope the first timers
don't really believe it. I am feeling excited. I know mile ten is
just ahead and I feel great. The course has been adjusted and mile
ten has moved from in front of Memorial Hall to Belmont Ave. I
realize that I have caught up with the 3:50 group.
This is where they split the Marathoners from the Halves. We take a
short cut right to the Japanese Tea House cutting a mile off the
course. When we merge back with the marathoners I figure we are now
with marathoners who want to run about 3:45 or better. I figure they
will be going faster than me but surprisingly I am passing large
numbers of runners. There is a steep drop to Martin Luther King
Drive. In the past I have tried to be cautious here so as not to over
run my pace but I have less then three miles so I push hard down the
hill.
BTW at the split is where I have another problem with the race
organization. The race you were running was indicated by you bib
color. Marathoners were blue; halves were pink. So you would think
the mile markers would use the same nomenclature. They didn't – it
was backward the half marathon marks were blue; the marathon mile
marks pink. It caused no end of confusion among the runners. Some
hit the splits and then realize it was wrong. Definitely should have
been made clearer.
I am running very well – no cramps, no fatigue. I am at the Art
Museum in what seems no time. The finish is slightly up hill but I
know I am done. The finish is a little surprise (but on reflection
how else could they have done it). You must make a tight corkscrew to
get into the finish chute. So much for a dramatic racing finish.
Writing this now I wonder what happened as the race progressed and
slow half marathoners mingled fast marathoners. How did they manage
the finish especially for the top male and female? Hmm?
After the race I quickly picked up my bag and went to get some
goodies. The food area was completely without volunteers. It wasn't
clear where you should enter. And they had bananas, apples, pretzels.
Now maybe it was because I was early. Maybe they got organized by
the time marathoners got there but still… when I pay such high entry
fees is it unreasonable to expect a little variety – and what happen
to the chicken soup. Every Philly marathon I have done had chicken
soup at the end.
Anyway . . . I walked down about a quarter mile, saw some Bryn Mawr
people and watched the elites come in. Michael McKeeman who trains
with Deena Kastor and who gave a talk at the Bryn Running Club annual
meeting came in second with a personal pr. The night he spoke someone
asked about his goals and he said to win the Philadelphia Marathon.
He ran a very smart race moving up in the last miles from seventh to
second. Another goal was to qualify for the Olympic trials and that
he has done. Bob Schwelm owner of the Bryn Mawr Running Company and
life force of the Bryn Mawr Running Club came in at 47 yrs, 21st
overall and 1st in his age group in a very respectable 2:33. Mike
Patterson that I trained with for so many years and Diane still trains
with came in third in his age group (53) at 2:55.
I had only planned on staying for awhile but actually ending up
cheering until the four hour runners came by. Fascinating watching
the runners come by in every shape, size and running style imaginable.
Some smiling, some in real distress. A runner went down directly in
front of us and had to be ambulanced out. A woman went down and
looked finished then got up and began walking to the finish – she got
quite of road of approval.
I now appreciate more than ever the effort and stamina my wife and
daughter have shown when they have waited for me at marathons' end.
And I also realize how very difficult it is to pick out runners as
they go by. I missed several runners I was looking for especially as
the four hour runners went by.
Lots of cramped runners even on this cool day showing hydration and
electrolyte replacement is key to success.
As for me I missed my goal 1:50 and finished 1:51:09. 16th in my age
group (but I would have been second if I was 60). I will have to go
back and look at my splits to see what happened but I think the slow
start and hitting each split a few seconds slower then optimal was
enough. Overall though a very good race for me. Oh and I noted that
the two runners in my age group ahead of me actually ran slower chip
times but were ranked based on gun time. I may have started too far
back (on the other hand a slower start may have been why I felt so
good at the end.)
Last race in this age group - next race I will 60. Yeah.
I have run the Philadelphia Marathon every year but one since 1998 but
this year decided to take advantage of the new Half Marathon. I am
glad I did.
The marathon is newly sponsored by American Express. It was
interesting to note the changes; most of them not for the better but
more on that later.
If you are running a marathon for location Philly is one of the great
courses (with the proviso that not everyone enjoys doing the out and
back on Kelly Drive).
When I heard that the field was 12,000 I had assumed that there were a
majority of half marathoners, but I later learned that they had capped
the field to 2,000 since it was new and they wanted to see how it
worked.
Got to Mantua where I usually park about 6:45. In past years it was
easy to park there but a combination of marathoners knowing to go
there and neighborhood redevelopment make parking tough. I did manage
to squeeze into a spot about where I wanted to be.
At Eakins Oval I found some friends, talked race strategy, did my
pre-race rituals, and then went to drop off my baggage. This has
always been easy and well managed but this year it was a mess. Huge
long line with two kids trying to take bags. Later I learned that we
were suppose to drop out bags at designated points along the curb but
no one told us and there were no signs. Since I was a half runner and
finished with a decent time I had no trouble picking up my bag but it
must have been a mess when the crowds got there. Interesting thing –
when I was walking around after the race with my bag at least a half
dozen people came up to me looking for the baggage tent. Strange, but
maybe they had someone drop their stuff and didn't know where to go.
For some reason they had moved the tent from where it had been the
last three years.
But on to the race. Got into the crowd at the just below the eight
minute pace sign. And stood near the 3:50 pace group. I was planning
on running 1:50 and figure I could pace on that group for awhile. Met
an old running friend who was planning on a 3:50 finish (and he ran
3:48) and we chatted as the clock ticked pass 8AM and no start. No
sound system so we had no idea what was going on. But suddenly
without fanfare we were moving forward and to my surprise, considering
how packed in we were, we were running fairly well. I say fairly
because the first mile was a little slow – about nine minutes.
But from then on the pace was good. I kept the 3:50 pacer in sight
but ran as I wanted. As usually happens in big races without corrals
a lot of people ahead had not seeded themselves correctly and I had to
waste some energy in passing – I tried to minimize it but sometimes I
was boxed in and was so off pace I had to try to move to an open spot.
(It was kind of like being on the expressway. I would draft off the
3:50 pacer and someone would move in front of me and then inexplicably
slow down.)
The course starts on the Parkway, moves onto Arch and then Race. Both
of those streets are relatively narrow but finally you move onto
Delaware Avenue and you get some running room. However, we get to
mile 3 and whoa – my split shows 9:15. Something is clearly wrong.
It was interesting how a ripple of murmuring spread across the field
as those keeping track of splits realized something is off. Meanwhile
the 3:50 pace takes off and a couple of people say what the heck is
going on. I counsel a couple of people I've been running with to hold
steady. I am not a great pacer but I knew I didn't fall off 45
seconds. I hold steady with maybe a little pickup. Get to mile four
and my watch reads 6:40 – this would be a near pr for a mile let alone
four miles. The markers were obviously off.
We're down South Street then up Sixth to Chestnut – there seems to be
more spectators than in past years and they are pretty vocal.
When we get to 34th and move toward the Zoo and Fairmount Park there
is a pretty good hill. The hype for the race is how flat the course
is – I guess the race director forgot about 34th. Flat and furious
and other lies Race Directors tell.
We are into Fairmont Park and then climbing the hill to Memorial Hall.
There is always a sign posted Last Hill. I hope the first timers
don't really believe it. I am feeling excited. I know mile ten is
just ahead and I feel great. The course has been adjusted and mile
ten has moved from in front of Memorial Hall to Belmont Ave. I
realize that I have caught up with the 3:50 group.
This is where they split the Marathoners from the Halves. We take a
short cut right to the Japanese Tea House cutting a mile off the
course. When we merge back with the marathoners I figure we are now
with marathoners who want to run about 3:45 or better. I figure they
will be going faster than me but surprisingly I am passing large
numbers of runners. There is a steep drop to Martin Luther King
Drive. In the past I have tried to be cautious here so as not to over
run my pace but I have less then three miles so I push hard down the
hill.
BTW at the split is where I have another problem with the race
organization. The race you were running was indicated by you bib
color. Marathoners were blue; halves were pink. So you would think
the mile markers would use the same nomenclature. They didn't – it
was backward the half marathon marks were blue; the marathon mile
marks pink. It caused no end of confusion among the runners. Some
hit the splits and then realize it was wrong. Definitely should have
been made clearer.
I am running very well – no cramps, no fatigue. I am at the Art
Museum in what seems no time. The finish is slightly up hill but I
know I am done. The finish is a little surprise (but on reflection
how else could they have done it). You must make a tight corkscrew to
get into the finish chute. So much for a dramatic racing finish.
Writing this now I wonder what happened as the race progressed and
slow half marathoners mingled fast marathoners. How did they manage
the finish especially for the top male and female? Hmm?
After the race I quickly picked up my bag and went to get some
goodies. The food area was completely without volunteers. It wasn't
clear where you should enter. And they had bananas, apples, pretzels.
Now maybe it was because I was early. Maybe they got organized by
the time marathoners got there but still… when I pay such high entry
fees is it unreasonable to expect a little variety – and what happen
to the chicken soup. Every Philly marathon I have done had chicken
soup at the end.
Anyway . . . I walked down about a quarter mile, saw some Bryn Mawr
people and watched the elites come in. Michael McKeeman who trains
with Deena Kastor and who gave a talk at the Bryn Running Club annual
meeting came in second with a personal pr. The night he spoke someone
asked about his goals and he said to win the Philadelphia Marathon.
He ran a very smart race moving up in the last miles from seventh to
second. Another goal was to qualify for the Olympic trials and that
he has done. Bob Schwelm owner of the Bryn Mawr Running Company and
life force of the Bryn Mawr Running Club came in at 47 yrs, 21st
overall and 1st in his age group in a very respectable 2:33. Mike
Patterson that I trained with for so many years and Diane still trains
with came in third in his age group (53) at 2:55.
I had only planned on staying for awhile but actually ending up
cheering until the four hour runners came by. Fascinating watching
the runners come by in every shape, size and running style imaginable.
Some smiling, some in real distress. A runner went down directly in
front of us and had to be ambulanced out. A woman went down and
looked finished then got up and began walking to the finish – she got
quite of road of approval.
I now appreciate more than ever the effort and stamina my wife and
daughter have shown when they have waited for me at marathons' end.
And I also realize how very difficult it is to pick out runners as
they go by. I missed several runners I was looking for especially as
the four hour runners went by.
Lots of cramped runners even on this cool day showing hydration and
electrolyte replacement is key to success.
As for me I missed my goal 1:50 and finished 1:51:09. 16th in my age
group (but I would have been second if I was 60). I will have to go
back and look at my splits to see what happened but I think the slow
start and hitting each split a few seconds slower then optimal was
enough. Overall though a very good race for me. Oh and I noted that
the two runners in my age group ahead of me actually ran slower chip
times but were ranked based on gun time. I may have started too far
back (on the other hand a slower start may have been why I felt so
good at the end.)
Last race in this age group - next race I will 60. Yeah.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Trees
"Nearly every morning I go to the attic to blow the stuffy air out of my lungs, from my favorite spot on the floor I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the seagulls and other birds as they glide on the wind...."
"Our chestnut tree is in full blossom. It is covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year...."
Anne Frank
As you may have read, Anne Frank’s chestnut tree will be cut down because of disease. It was about a hundred and fifty years old.
Last year a dead runner shared with a time lapse movie he had complied from a series of photos taken over a years time.
Inspired by that, for the last year, every week I have taken a photograph of a tree on the grounds of Tyler Arboretum. I carried my camera on every Friday trail run and no matter what path I took I made sure I passed the tree. When I knew I was going to be away or for some other reason couldn’t run on Friday I would hike in as close to the day as I could. I even walked thru a couple of feet of snow to get to the tree.
Two weeks ago I had a very nice run in near peak fall foliage. My tree, an oak, never displayed much color my I was anxious to see how it looked. My normal approach is down a wooded path then out onto a field (the same field where I saw the fox kits last spring). The path runs between the woods and the field gradually climbing and curving.
As soon as I came out into the open I sensed something was awry. Normally, I could momentarily see the top of my tree before it was hidden by turn of the trail. But not that day. A little further on I could see the tree still in full leaf but it was obvious that something was very wrong. It was lying low to the ground – Iwas seeing the top of the tree. I hurried forward and my worst fears were confirmed. The tree was down – cracked and splintered at the base. I couldn’t believeit; it had never looked unhealthy. But I could see the rot deep inside. I walked all around it wanting not to be so.
Later in the week I spoke to a volunteer at the Arboretum. She said a neighbor had been working in her yard and heard the tree groaning and creaking. There was not a great wind but suddenly the tree toppled. They believe the tree was more than a hundred years old. They have posted a sign asking that no one cut anything from the tree – they hope to save the wood for a project in Arboretum.
The lost of the great trees always saddens me even though I know it is part a nature’s course. Anne’s tree has been saved in a small way. Cuttings were made and a stripling will be planted, but, of course, many years will past before it is a great tree.
That is the way with trees: they are likely to long outlive us seemingly unchanging, but when gone they leave a gap not easily filled.
My tree is gone and there is probably no cutting to replace it, but the Arboretum mindful of its legacy has been planting trees this year. Encased in plastic to protect them from deer they aren’t much to look at now but hopefully in a hundred years they will awe some hiker even as I was awed by my oak.
"Nearly every morning I go to the attic to blow the stuffy air out of my lungs, from my favorite spot on the floor I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the seagulls and other birds as they glide on the wind...."
"Our chestnut tree is in full blossom. It is covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year...."
Anne Frank
As you may have read, Anne Frank’s chestnut tree will be cut down because of disease. It was about a hundred and fifty years old.
Last year a dead runner shared with a time lapse movie he had complied from a series of photos taken over a years time.
Inspired by that, for the last year, every week I have taken a photograph of a tree on the grounds of Tyler Arboretum. I carried my camera on every Friday trail run and no matter what path I took I made sure I passed the tree. When I knew I was going to be away or for some other reason couldn’t run on Friday I would hike in as close to the day as I could. I even walked thru a couple of feet of snow to get to the tree.
Two weeks ago I had a very nice run in near peak fall foliage. My tree, an oak, never displayed much color my I was anxious to see how it looked. My normal approach is down a wooded path then out onto a field (the same field where I saw the fox kits last spring). The path runs between the woods and the field gradually climbing and curving.
As soon as I came out into the open I sensed something was awry. Normally, I could momentarily see the top of my tree before it was hidden by turn of the trail. But not that day. A little further on I could see the tree still in full leaf but it was obvious that something was very wrong. It was lying low to the ground – Iwas seeing the top of the tree. I hurried forward and my worst fears were confirmed. The tree was down – cracked and splintered at the base. I couldn’t believeit; it had never looked unhealthy. But I could see the rot deep inside. I walked all around it wanting not to be so.
Later in the week I spoke to a volunteer at the Arboretum. She said a neighbor had been working in her yard and heard the tree groaning and creaking. There was not a great wind but suddenly the tree toppled. They believe the tree was more than a hundred years old. They have posted a sign asking that no one cut anything from the tree – they hope to save the wood for a project in Arboretum.
The lost of the great trees always saddens me even though I know it is part a nature’s course. Anne’s tree has been saved in a small way. Cuttings were made and a stripling will be planted, but, of course, many years will past before it is a great tree.
That is the way with trees: they are likely to long outlive us seemingly unchanging, but when gone they leave a gap not easily filled.
My tree is gone and there is probably no cutting to replace it, but the Arboretum mindful of its legacy has been planting trees this year. Encased in plastic to protect them from deer they aren’t much to look at now but hopefully in a hundred years they will awe some hiker even as I was awed by my oak.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Fall Colors
This morning as I started running it was still quite dark – the first mile or so I ran into branches and tripped over stones and branches hidden by leaf litter. But I have the trail etched in memory and so navigated the twists and turns pretty easily. Then the dawn light began – at first it was a steel gray light but briefly the clouds parted and as I ran on the edge of the woods, a treeless marsh to my right, the sky became this wonderful red purple. All around me there is the yellow and orange of fall. It is far too beautiful for a short run so I stretch out the route to take me on a wider arc.
Why I wonder does fall foliage so resonate with us? After all it is the harbinger of winter. And fall is a melancholic time compared with spring. Yet the most recent Runners World has a poll indicating that for a majority of runners (52%) fall is their favorite running season. I was a city kid so it’s not like I have childhood associations with fall and I doubt if my Irish ancestors in the west of Ireland had this kind of fall so it is not a genetic memory.
I just know that I found this morning achingly beautiful. Even though it is hunting season, twice I got quite close to small groups of deer. I stopped more than once to take in the views. Tomorrow they are predicting heavy rain and wind so it is quite possibly that next week trees will be quite bare.
For the Japanese the cherry blossom symbolizes the brevity of life but for me it is this profusion of autumnal color that says cherish the moment.
This morning as I started running it was still quite dark – the first mile or so I ran into branches and tripped over stones and branches hidden by leaf litter. But I have the trail etched in memory and so navigated the twists and turns pretty easily. Then the dawn light began – at first it was a steel gray light but briefly the clouds parted and as I ran on the edge of the woods, a treeless marsh to my right, the sky became this wonderful red purple. All around me there is the yellow and orange of fall. It is far too beautiful for a short run so I stretch out the route to take me on a wider arc.
Why I wonder does fall foliage so resonate with us? After all it is the harbinger of winter. And fall is a melancholic time compared with spring. Yet the most recent Runners World has a poll indicating that for a majority of runners (52%) fall is their favorite running season. I was a city kid so it’s not like I have childhood associations with fall and I doubt if my Irish ancestors in the west of Ireland had this kind of fall so it is not a genetic memory.
I just know that I found this morning achingly beautiful. Even though it is hunting season, twice I got quite close to small groups of deer. I stopped more than once to take in the views. Tomorrow they are predicting heavy rain and wind so it is quite possibly that next week trees will be quite bare.
For the Japanese the cherry blossom symbolizes the brevity of life but for me it is this profusion of autumnal color that says cherish the moment.
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