Filthy Fifty

I will no longer make excuses for such spotty posting...other than I have allowed my priorities to change from a daily record of my activity to an occasional highlight of my activity.

A week ago, October 11, I again rode the 50 mile gravel ride in Stewartville, Minnesota. Last year, I did get in a few gravel training rides. This year, I did no gravel riding prior to the event, only a handful of cyclecross training evenings with the local cyclecross enthusiasts. The result was merely a 7 minute slower overall time. This year included a 10 minute stop for a free beer at an unpublicized  rest stop.

347, that be me...

Coke, Rum and Coke, Hamms, or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale...Thanks Banjo Bros. for the Sierra at a time when sorely needed!

My legs were cramping during the final 20 miles but I am very happy to have ridden the event and achieve yet another official finish...made me reminisce to the Black Hills 50 ultra a few years ago and wish I had run to a finish there, as well!

And Sometimes They Notice...

Many times I have posted that I'm surprised by the amount of trash discarded along the trails. I have made a habit of not passing up the debris but rather gathering it for recycle or disposal. I have had other trail users thank me and a few ask about what I'm doing and tell me they will also begin to carry bags while they hike to help pick up.

Last Tuesday night, I attended the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the Lime Creek Nature Center. Naturalist, Todd Vonehwegen, had called me this year to be sure I planned to attend. This was because I was to be honored as a "Friend of Lime Creek" award winner. Not only for the trail clean-up but for volunteering at the center, helping with festivals, working on the annual Timber Trot, and also the live Wood Turtle radio-tracking project that I helped with a few years ago!

I'm honored that the board  realized the passion that I have for getting out in the woods to move and explore and help others get out to enjoy the outdoors, as well.

Vicariously

Even as I spend time on the trails frustrated by moving less efficiently than 9 years ago, it still gives me much joy to help with NIACC's XC teams every fall.

Workouts recommenced August 9th and we're set to have another successful season.

The first week was hot and dry but this week has been affected by rain and cooler temps. Here's some pics from the first Pilot Knob trip, a run on Lime Creek Trails, and also the Cedar River Greenbelt runs starting near Nora Springs.

View from the top...Pilot Knob...2nd highest point in Iowa

Some portions of the trail were "not so open"

Repeat hills at the Knob!

This year's crew (minus 2)

Shell Rock Greenbelt 1st Week

Cedar River

Greenbelt in the rain! 2nd week

Rainy day on the Greenbelt.

Surprise Lilys on the Lime Creek Trails

Tiger Swallowtail on a thistle

Cicada on the trail but they sing at a frequency I no longer detect so I don't hear their droning at night?

Bookmarked site along LC Trails August 15, 2015 (see others below)( river quite low)

June 19, 2014

July 28, 2014

Still On Hiatus from the Blog but Not the Jog

Mines of Spain Race in Dubuque, Iowa. Beautiful course but with over 1000 stairs, not well suited to my current state of knee issues!!  

I enjoyed it very much regardless of the struggle. Perhaps though, this has caused me to consider if I will continue competing in trail runs or put more effort into biking.

Nationals (times 2)

After another rather lengthy break from blogging, I need to post an update on the past couple of weekends.

I drove to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for February 28 and March 1 for US Snowshoe Nationals. While I had continued to get out on snowshoes most every day, a lot of my training was reduced to fast hiking. This fact resulted in a definite reduction in my ability to stay competitive in the race. I don't know why I expected to be able  race like the past when I didn't train like the past.

Half way through the race I found that by favoring my left knee on the rolling hills and stream switchbacks, my right calf either severely cramped or pulled. I was reduced to hiking out the rest of the 10K with only brief sections where I could jog. I finished behind a lot of runners that I had out-raced in the past and ended up in 9th of 13 in my age-group.

I was pleased to be in a race of this caliber and on a beautiful course but disappointed in my ability and I began to question my future as a runner. Perhaps it's time to shift more to the bike!

the start

One of many hills

Finally the finish

The following weekend, March 6, 7, I flew with the NIACC track and field team to Albuquerque, New Mexico. (And I didn't even have to find my passport :)

Panoramic of the indoor track.

Both Men's and Women's qualified athletes for Nats. Sightseeing the day before.

Resting with a new friend at the Museum of Natural History

Results...not too bad.

Our women's team came in ranked 8th and did well, although they came up just short in a couple of events and a bit better in others, they claimed a 10th place finish. Highest finish was Rellie Kaputin in the triple jump. Also Hannah Palmeter claimed two 5th places in the mile and the 3000.

Rellie

Hannah

Hannah in the 3K

The men's team was ranked around 25th and finished in 18th! Highest finish was by freshman, Imad Amenzou, with a 2:56.05   800 meter.

Imad in 800 prelim

I enjoyed a couple breaks to get away for a bit of a workout...hike and light run along the Rio Grande river and later a hike in the Petroglyph National Monument.

Rio Grande river in Albuquerque

Reminds me of my snow circles from a few weeks ago!