WC (Shawangunk) 100

Beautiful ride through the Gunks! Somehow I got 3rd place even after a 5 mile, 50+ minute detour on the wrong trail. Singlespeed gearing was just right (32xHTFU) for a simultaneous 1st place and DFL finish in the SS category. Gunks dream ride! Thanks to all who raced in the mud on Saturday. I followed your tracks, and stayed found most of the way. As for where I got lost, took a left on Stokes trail a couple miles before the ski loop trail. It was a gnarly, fun 600+ foot descent, but painful to get back to the top. 

I think this race would be a unique addition to the NUE series. I did the Shenandoah 100 two years ago, and the Wilderness 101 last year, so those are the races that I can compare it too. This was a tough course, although I added a few challenges of my own by taking a wrong turn, and descending 600+ feet for 3 miles (my bad). The Wildcat 100 is broken into three sections : miles 1-50 Shawangunk Ridge, miles 51-75 Williams Lake/Larson Loop, and miles 76-100 apple orchards. 

The rollout from New Paltz through the gatehouse arch is a perfect way to kick off the race. The climbing begins from there, and I liked how they set up a timed KOM to the top of Castle Point. From the top of the Shawangunk Ridge, the views are excellent, which is one aspect of the race that surpasses the others I've done. Up in the "Gunks", the course rips along the carriageways with a couple nice singletrack sections.

The Williams Lake/Larson section starts with a long rail-trail section to the Williams Lake singletrack. While the rail trail is pan flat, it adds the challenge to maintain a steady burn for long time - especially tough on the singlespeed. Williams Lake has some gnarly, fun singletrack. You also get to ride through a cave, doesn't get cooler than that. From there, you hit the fun and fast Larson Loop, and then back to the start/finish on the rail-trail.

The apple orchards section was a grind in the heat of the day. The 
orchards were tougher than I thought they would be with poppy climbs mixed with wooded singletrack between the fields. The ride finishes with picturesque views of the Shawangunk Ridge, where the day began.

The race organizer did an overall great job of putting this race on. 
There is room for improvement on the marking of the course, but, then again I've never seen so many tape markers on a course before. There are a lot of intersecting trails/roads on the course, so that's probably why there were so many markers. The race venue was excellent, with plenty of room for camping, bikes, 
etc. I carried 3 bottles throughout the race, but only needed two because the well stocked aid stations were well situated. 

There are few things I'd change about the race, although I have a few suggestions: 1.) Add more climbing - the Alp d' Awosting descent/climb to Aumick Road would make an nice 1400+' addition, and more KOM points. 2.) Consider renaming the race "Shawangunk 100". The race deserves to honor the epic cliffs of the beloved Shawangunk ridge.

NFEC Bear Mountain 50 Mile Trail Run

This was my first ultramarathon, and it won't be my last. This race was one where the only results that I wanted were to finish this 50 mile trail run. The furthest I had run prior to this event was 26.3 miles, so this race required a leap of faith that I was not accustomed to in my training. It gave me butterflies thinking about running almost twice the distance I ever had before.
I started way back in the pack with Paul, who I happened to see minutes before the start. We ran/walked together for about the first 2 miles and then he took off, never to be seen until after the finish line. It's every man for himself in this event... well, sort of. There was a camaraderie on the trails unlike any race I've done before. The people were friendly, optimistic, and willing to share their stories of past feats. The conversations and occasional witty remarks made the my 10.75 hours less painful than it otherwise would have been.

SSAP 2012

SSAP is a beautiful race. All the bicycles are mountain bikes, and all the mountain bikes are single speed, which means you just pedal and steer. Some riders dream of victory, and some laugh at the notion that there can be only one who is victorious when all are riding the same sweet singletrack.
Lessons learned:
1. Long distance running does not make you a fast mountain biker. You probably have to ride with fast    mountain bikers.
2. Don't believe the hype (#1).
3. Long Trail Pale Ale is delicious on tap.
4. Don't roll 33 x 18 if you haven't been training to be a fast mountain biker.
5. MRC mantra: HARDEN THE F UP.

Ode to Schunnemunk

Oh sylvan beast of the Hudson Highlands

You rise up from the earth like a bifurcated spine

From below you are familiar and close

But in your aeries I know you are far

Your rock laden climbs keep me scrambling

Your scree filled trails keep me dancing

Scatter my ashes in the Sweet Clover Hollow

To run among the Lenni Lenape

New Windsor - Trail Epicenter

I love where I live. I'm in close proximity to bad ass trails and some fierce races. Schunnemunk, Stewart, Black Rock, and Storm King are all striking distance from my house. The terrain enough to challenge me when I'm in my best shape.

There are tough races held within 30 miles of home. The Bearscat 50 at Waywayanda, the North Face/Gore-Tex 50 Mile trail race at Bear Mountain, the WC 100 at New Paltz (future NUE race), and of course the Singlespeed-A -Palooza and Dark Horse 40 at Stewart in New Windsor. The S.O.S. Triathalon and the adventure races that NYARA puts on will always be good reasons to train hard.

Kindling

The tinder is lit, and it's time to add some kindling to set this fire ablaze. This year is starting off better than last year as far as training goes. Last year I didn't run a half-marathon until the end of January, and I'm already up to that distance as of last weekend. I've been getting shin splints pretty bad, but at least it doesn't hurt when I'm riding. I'm going to take it easy running with out the Camelbak for a while until my shins man up. I think the added weight was too much too soon. I'll fill in the morning work-outs with trainer rides with Coach Troy and Team Clydesdale, and keep my long runs on the trail. Listening to "The Quest" has kept me entertained, but I'll be ready for a funner book after this one...