Trail Heads

[pshaw_raven]

As far as racing is concerned, we dumped the 50-mile race in February for the time being. The entry fee was steep, and we already have a fuller than usual slate of races this fall and winter. Typically we'd just be doing two Disney challenges for a total of 67.9 miles, but we've got the Wine & Dine challenge, followed in short order by the Skunk Ape Marathon, and then Blaze Pioneer Ultra in December. That total is something like 76+ miles. I keep forgetting about Wine & Dine.

Fox was asking why anyone should let some outsider bless or deny their ultra-distance running, and honestly ... I don't think I enter races to have my times validated. I race for shiny stuff (medaaaaaaaals) and because it often allows me to go places and see things I might normally not get to experience. That second part is an itch that can easily be scratched with the camper, since I/we can travel to different places and make our own ultras. I'm seriously considering a DIY ultra this spring that would be run in Belmore State Forest. It's not like I'm trying to get into Hard Rock or Leadville or something.

Anyway, I've done a couple of trail runs in Belmore now and I like it. The forest is generally peaceful and empty of humans. On Sunday I did see a couple of guys dirt-biking, but they seemed to be going about it in a non-asshole way, stayed on the roads, and weren't just zooming around at top speed. I also saw a guy in a white box truck sort of vehicle that I suppose could have been someone with the Forestry Service, or our friendly neighborhood serial killer, who knows. I don't quite have a map of Belmore in my head yet, but I'm working on it.

I saw a few birds, and a lot of animal tracks. A lot of coyotes and bobcats. One 'yote seemed to just trot up and down the same sand roads I was running on, their tracks were everywhere. I thought I'd see more bird activity that early in the morning. Speaking of which, I did get to see a Barred Owl this morning. It glided through the side yard and perched nearby, and I can be confident in my ID because it started hooting. I was just looking out the kitchen window when this massive bird goes flying past.

While I'm training for my marathon effort in November, I'll also be doing a run or two each week on trails so that I'm accustomed to doing so. I've suggested to Fox that come cooler weather this fall, we try running some of the trails in Jennings that Blaze Pioneer will use - no surprises. Well, minimal surprises.

I still have some official ultra races I want to do some day, but when thinking about his question, I realized that what I'm after is something I can arrange for myself. And if I want a physical reminder I can buy myself an enamel pin or something. Honestly that's not a bad idea, and I might start buying a themed pin for these "races."

Comments

[we_are_spc]

I would love to be out that way some day (And so would a certain couple of boys, they apparently miss you some when they, er, leave for a bit) because I miss trail-type things.

Granted you'd have to walk with me because I'm no where near running speed, but ya'know.

-T~

[pshaw_raven]

Walking is plenty enjoyable, too. A lot of the parks around this area were old turpentine and pine pitch harvesting operations, so you can visit some old WPA-era and earlier structures. Not to mention a few places where things like egrets and herons build their nests in season.