Back on the road

11+ miles on the roads of Wenham and Beverly with Nate H. at 6:54 pace. So beautifully spring-like today. Ran back from downtown Beverly along 127 by the water. It felt like a beach day. My forehead got a little fried; looks like I need to grow out my hair or start covering my cranium with sunblock...yeah, I guess it's going to be sunblock.

Gordon Woods with Heather

late this afternoon (around 4:00), Heather and I got some time to head into the woods together and so we explored over across Chebacco and into Manchester-Essex area. Ran Ancient Line Trail to Pulpit Rock Trail to Ancient Line back out. Just about 6 miles of pretty rugged terrain in just over an hour.

I think I'm starting to like this

Another day, another run in Gordon Woods. Today I explored the near side of Chebacco Road a little more thoroughly and discovered some pretty overgrown singletrack and also found both of the isthmuses (or is it isthmi?) that Nate and I ran over yesterday. The one I wasn't sure about before is at the south end of Gravelly Pond. Then I headed across Chebacco Rd./Pine St. into some Manchester/Essex woods. Ran the Ancient Line Trail (very dark with close evergreens) to Pulpit Rock Trail. Turned around after about a mile on the Pulpit Rock Trail because I had to be back to meet someone at 1:00. Ended up going 13.5 in 1:45. I averaged just under 7:00's for the first 7 or 8 miles, but then the terrain got a lot more gnarly with sharp turns and up and down over big chunks of exposed granite, so I was problem running 9:30's or 10:00's for the miles in the Manchester woods.

I couldn't decide if this run was helping me to get ready for Mount Washington or the hike over the Bigelow Range that Heather and I are talking about in May. Either way it was a great time in the woods, and with a meet at UMass-Dartmouth all day tomorrow, I know I probably won't run again until Sunday afternoon. My hope is to bring Heather over to run some of the same trails then.

Back in the woods

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Headed into Gordon Woods with Nate H. Did a lot of talking, running single track and exploring the way less travelled. Found two causeways between bodies of water, one was between round and gravelly ponds, the other, I forget. Also hopped into the network of trails on the far side of pine street/chebacco road and only had a chance to skirt the edge of what is in there; left quite a few stones unturned until the next opportunity (maybe this afternoon). A little over an hour in the woods came out to about 7.5 on the Garmin. Felt like spring, which is awesome.

Exploring Gordon Woods

Took some time to explore the beautiful woods behind campus today. Partly motivated to map out a new cross-country course for next fall and partly just wanted to get off the roads because my legs are a little sore from yesterday's effort on the windy track. Ended up doing just over 9 miles in a little over an hour. Found some nice, well-maintained trails that I would love to work into our 5k and 8k courses. I hope to continue my research in the weeks and months ahead. Unofficial last day of winter today?

5 x 1200m in wind

Warmed up with Nate H. up to the track then 2 miles on the track. Did 5 x 1200m with a steady wind. Nate helped out on the last 3, finishing up his 400's while I was on my last lap of each 1200. 3:48, 3:49, 3:46, 3:43, 3:40. 2-mile cooldown on the track then back down to Bennett. Nate did 10 x 400 faster than expected. Kind of a challenge today, great to have some company.

6 miles, 2 times

6-mile loop from Gordon with Nate Hausman around the seminary at 10:20 am, then went out for a second loop after we got back. 6:40 avg. for the two loops. I'm hoping to get on the track tomorrow, and maybe drag Nate up there, too. He and I have been consistently getting out 1-2 days a week and usually keep the pace just under 7:00/mi. He ran 6:04's for the 4-miler on Saturday with no speed training, so we will see how he responds to a little track work...