Veterans Day

On 4/10, the group met at Steinert High School in what most thought was going to be another track workout. Instead, the starting location was just chosen to throw people off and we headed across the street to run through and around Veteran's Park.

For most of us this would mark the last long run before the RU Half Marathon. We stuck mostly to the bike/walking paths and looped throughout the park several times, even venturing out the Kuser Road entrance around to White Horse Hamilton Square Road and back into the park near the hospital.

Each time we passed the point where we had started we shed a runner as they each had to leave early for one reason or another. Those that stayed to the end put in about 9.5 miles and capped it all off with one round of bleachers. It was nice to be running those bleachers while it was still cool out. Usually, it's 90 degrees and humid when we do that...can't wait for summer!

Roll call: Bill S., Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Damian, Linda, Lisa

L to R: Bill Y., Butch, Linda, Damian (not pictured: Bill S., Brian, Lisa)

Happy Birthday!

On 4/3, the group run ended with donuts and alternative beverages which Damian brought along to celebrate his birthday. In addition to Damian, other HATRs celebrating their birthday that week included Lauren (Linda and Butch's daughter), Lisa, Bill Y., and Nate. That's a lot of Rams among us! I missed out on the run because I was just getting over a nasty chest cold but you can check out Charlie's report for the details.

Roll call: Bill S., Brian, Butch, Casi, Charlie, Damian, Diana, Mike, Nate

L to R: Butch, Brian, Nate, Casi, Bill S., Charlie, Mike, Diana, Damian

On the Road Again...

For the second week in a row we took to the roads around Mercer County Park due to the poor conditions on the trails -- this was actually the third week in a row that we ran roads if you count the Sunday run we did at Gold's. We ran pretty much the same route as the week prior, with an extra loop added on to bring our total mileage up to about 10 miles. This was, of course, probably more than some would have chosen to do but I think everyone enjoyed pushing the distance a bit. At least, I hope they did!

With more snow in the forecast in these parts for the end of the week, it's looking like we may have to take Charlie's recommendation to rename the group to Hamilton Area Road Runners until Spring. Either that or have everyone invest in some spikes or snow shoes so we can get back on the trails safely despite all the snow and ice.

Roll call: Bill S., Bill Y., Butch, Charlie, Gary, Karen, Linda, Lisa, Michael, Yasi

1o miles

L to R: Charlie, Michael, Yasi, Karen, Linda, Lisa, Bill Y., Bill S., Butch, Gary

Snow Day!

When we arrived at Mercer County Park on Saturday morning the entrance to the East Picnic Area had yet to be plowed which made the road leading to our usual meeting spot just about impassable. Instead, we all parked along Edinburg Road which fortunately for us had a nice wide, clean shoulder. After a quick jog in with Michael to check on the trailhead we turned around and headed back out to the street to deliver the bad news to the rest of the gang. Without spikes or snow shoes, there was no way we were going to be running trails, or even the bike path, today.

It didn't take long though before we took to the roads around the park and put in a 6-mile loop. We even ducked into the back entrance of the park and peeked in on the lake near the rowing center for a bit before heading back out on the road to complete our loop. In the end, it was a nice change of scenery but with the last two weeks having run on roads, I don't know about everyone else, but I'm itching to get back on the trails. Hopefully, this weekend we'll at least be able to get on the bike path at MCP. We'll have to wait and see...

Roll call: Bill S., Bill Y, Butch, Damian, Karen, Linda, Michael, Nate, Yasi

6 miles

L to R: Linda, Yasi, Butch, Karen, Nate, Damian, Bill Y., Michael, Bill S.

A Month Gone By

It's hard to believe it's been almost one month since the last time I've posted anything here but it's been that long. Fear not, though. Just because the postings have been lacking we've been plenty busy. Here's a recap of the month that's gone by...

On 1/1, a couple of HATR folks -- those who weren't sick, out of town, or too hungover -- met at Veteran's Park for the Hamilton Hangover 5 Miler. For a detailed report, check out Charlie's race report.

On 1/2, we cancelled our normal Saturday group run due to the number of folks who were sick and/or out of town.

On 1/9, we got back into the swing of things with a group run at Mercer County Park. After feeling like crap for almost two weeks straight I decided enough was enough and purposely overdressed for the run with the hope of sweating out the last of the bug that had been keeping me indoors for too long. The good news is that it worked. The bad news is that I look like a freak in the group picture that was taken that day. Oh well!

Anyway, as I said before we met at MCP and ran out to the dam and back. I don't recall too much else about the run other than that fact that is was freezing out and that we welcomed yet another new face to the group. Tammy hasn't been back since though. You ladies need to get on that...I think she was scared away by all the guys!

L to R: Bill S., Charlie, Gary, Bill Y., Rob, Tammy

On 1/16, it was amazing what a difference a week made. The week before we had been freezing our you know what off around Lake Mercer but just a week later the temps were 30-40 degrees warmer. The temperature wasn't the only thing that got dialed up that day though. As we gathered for our pre-run push ups at Clayton Park Nate decided to turn up the heat as well, leading the charge up Death Hill not once, not twice, but four times. I think we were all so glad to have such great weather we probably would have done five just to be out there a little longer.

L to R: Brian, Yasi, Bill S., Linda, Butch, Nate, Lisa, Bill Y., Charlie

On 1/23, we again met at Clayton Park in what was planned as a light day. It was light because the group would be heading out to Reading, PA, the next day to participate in the Chilly Cheeks race. All I remember about this group run is feeling like it was more difficult than I had expected it to be. We only ran for about 45 minutes, which is about 20 minutes shorter than normal but for some reason I felt it more than normal. Oh yeah, maybe it was that one sprint of Death Hill that we did! I don't think I ever recovered from that one. So much for a light day.

L to R: Bill Y., Yasi, Nate, Karen, Butch, Linda

On 1/23, the gang made a road trip out to Reading, PA, for Chilly Cheeks. It was with a torn heart, however, that I had to back out of the race this year to stay home and watch my NY Jets play in the AFC Champioship game...yeah...I probably should have just made the trip but hindsight is 20/20. There were seven brave warriors that did make the trip though and as you would expect from any race directed by Ron Horn, they reportedly had a blast. Be sure to check out Yasi's race report.

L to R: Brian, Butch, Linda, Yasi, Nate, Bill S., Frank

Still with me? Good. Because this is where it starts to get serious...

On 1/30, six badasses met at Clayton Park once again. You gotta problem with that? I didn't think so. We ran out the back and hit all the soybean fields and then headed directly into the trails...yeah without stopping because we're bad like that. Then it was uphill both ways into the extra loop which we did backwards. When we exited the extra loop we bushwhacked directly up to the top of the backside of Death Hill until we reached the fence. There we were greeted by a dozen or so horses who were out training because they too are badasses. After taking a second or two to enjoy the view...uh...I mean stare down those damn horses -- who did they think they were anyway -- we bushwhacked back down the hill. At that point, we thought one of the horses yelled something down to us so we again bushwhacked up the same hill just to see what was up. When we got there most of the horses had taken off though so we just headed back down and finished our run. Good thing!

L to R: Charlie, Bill Y., Nate, Brian, Butch, Bill S.

Well, there it is. A month in review. What will February bring, you ask? Well, hopefully, weekly updates because it's a real PITA trying to remember everything that happened over the last month. Many thanks to Charlie and Yasi for letting me cheat and check back on their blogs to fill in the blanks.

Overdue!

Don't tell the librarian, but this post is long overdue! Between getting sick over the holidays and trying to keep pace with 3 kids during Christmas I've been a big time slacker when it comes to keeping the blog updated...not to mention my own general fitness. Have no fear, however, because here, finally, are couple of quick recaps and pics from the last runs of 2009.

On Christmas Eve, a couple of us met at Mercer County Park for an easy run. It was anything but though because the snowstorm we had received earlier that week left the trails covered with ice and snow. For most of the run the group stuck to the bike path which they had at least attempted to plow and didn't even venture into the deep snow which had hidden our trails. Even though I had to leave early I enjoyed the chance to use my Kahtoola MICROspikes. I'm really looking forward to using them out in Reading, PA, when we head out to the Chilly Cheeks race too. They definitely provide the extra traction needed when running in slippery conditions and I'm real happy with them.

Roll call: Bill Y., Butch, Frank, Linda, Nate, Yasi

L to R: Linda, Yasi, Nate, Butch, Frank (not pictured: Bill Y.)

On Saturday, the day after Christmas, the group met at Clayton Park and attempted to get a run in despite the dreadfully soggy conditions. With the temps having taken a bit of a jump melting away some of the ice and snow, and rain showers on top of that, the trails were reportedly the worst they've ever been. Although I wasn't there to "enjoy" it I'm told it was quite the run. For details, be sure to check out Charlie's report.

Roll call: Bill S., Brian, Butch, Charlie, Linda, Nate, Rob, Yasi

L to R: Charlie, Bill S., Linda, Butch, Yasi, Rob, Nate, Brian

Toys for Tots Trail Run Report

The weather forecast for Saturday called for the season's first major snowstorm. When I woke up at 6am there wasn't a flake to be seen but just 45 minutes later when I arrived at the park it was a completely different story. The snow had begun to fall and was quickly starting to cover the ground. By the time we took off it was a full on snow storm we were running through.

We headed up the bike path and jumped right into the trails which provided a welcome escape from the wind. It was up through the back of the tennis courts, past the boat house, out through twirly bird and then eventually reaching that path that led to the dam, where we were met with a brutal wind coming off the lake, slamming snow right in our faces. There was no way we were taking that path back so we ducked down in the trail at the bottom of the hill and made our best attempt to escape the elements. At this point, the weather was getting worse by the minute and we continued to try to find paths back to the parking lot where we weren't running head on into the wind. By the time we reached the parking lot the snow had blanketed everything including us.

Before we all hurried into our cars to defrost, however, there was some business to take care of first. Once again, so many of the HATRs answered the call and brought with them a toy donation for Marine Toys for Tots and in doing so qualified themselves for a chance to win the $25 gift certificate to RoadRunner Sports. Congratulations to Charlie for winning the prize!

Roll call: Bill S., Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Charlie, Gary, Erin, Frank, Jess, Karen, Linda, Lisa, Yasi

A box full of donated Christmas toys which were delivered to Toys for Tots from HATR

L to R: Bill S, Yasi, Butch, Lisa, Frank, Karen, Linda, Bill Y., Brian, Phil, Erin, Gary, Jess, Charlie

Split Squad

This week we had a split squad. There were a handful of us that had other obligations on Saturday, so we decided to meet on Sunday morning to get in our group run. Still, there was a group that met on Saturday as we normally do. There was even one brave soul who ran with the group both days! All together we had 14 runners come out -- 6 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday.

In general, we ran the same path. Straight in from the parking lot, down the hill past the turn into Death Hill, then out to the soybean fields. After a tour of the fields we headed back into the trails, up Death Hill, around the back and then worked our way uphill back out to the parking lot. There were, of course, some slight variations in the paths taken each day but for the most part, both days provided another LSD run. It's only a few more weeks until Chilly Cheeks, so hopefully all this hill work we're doing at Clayton will help us out in Reading, PA.

Roll Call (Sat): Bill S., Brian, Dawn, Nate, Phil, Yasi
Roll Call (Sun): Bill S., Bill Y., Butch, Charlie, Frank, Jess, Karen, Linda

Saturday group

L to R: Bill S., Brian, Yasi, Nate, Dawn, Phil

Sunday group
L to R: Jess, Bill S., Karen, Butch, Bill Y., Frank, Linda, Charlie

LSD (Long, Slow, Distance)

The last few group runs have been pretty intense with a lot of sprints and exercises mixed in to our trail runs so we were due for a trail run, sans boot camp, and that's what we got. I got a mixed reaction to my request for some LSD which I posted to facebook the day before -- some thought I was on drugs, some echoed my desires, and some had no idea what I was talking about.

In any event, we had 14 people meet up at Clayton Park where we headed out the back around the soybean fields and then eventually into the trails. The problem with being 2 weeks behind on the post is that I can't really recall the exact path we took. I do know that we didn't run any sprints, and we didn't pause for any squats/lunges/push-ups/etc. If you're looking for details of the path we took you can head over to Shoreturtle's blog and check out the map he posted compliments of his Garmin.

Roll call: Bill S., Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Charlie, Damian, Dawn, Erin, Karen, Linda, Nate, Phil, Theresa, Yasi

L to R: Damian, Bill S., Dawn, Karen, Bill Y., Charlie, Yasi, Butch, Nate, Brian, Erin, Phil, Theresa, Linda

A Little Extra

After stuffing our faces on Thursday it was time to pay the price on Saturday. And pay the price we did. A small group of five runners met at MCP and headed out the back of the park towards the rowing center. When we reached the rowing center we stopped along the edge of lake and had a mini exercise session. It was short and sweet, including squats, jumping lunges, burpees and then finally a set of line jumps over the telephone poles used to line the gravel parking area. After that it was back around the lake the way we came and then out the other side, over the foot bridge near the parking lot, and then out to the boat house. At the boat house, we stopped again at the hill. Time for some sprints. Ten of them to be exact. One for each person who showed up on Thursday for our Turkey Day Trail Trot but not on Saturday. After the hill sprints it was back to parking lot but not before hitting a few hills in the trails behind the tennis courts.

We've been very fortunate with the weather we've been having. The temps haven't been too bad at all but this Saturday the wind was fierce and because of it we definitley felt a chill in the air. It was especially cold and windy out near the lake. I have a feeling the real cold weather will be settling in soon. Those of you who ran with us last winter know that we will run anyway. If you weren't out there with us last winter, but will be this year (don't worry we'll make sure you are), now might be the time to start thinking about some under armour cold gear.

Roll call: Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Carlah, Nate, Yasi

L to R: Butch, Yasi, Carlah, Nate, Bill Y., Brian

Soybean Sprints

I knew we were in trouble when Nate busted out that damn whistle of his. I had no idea just how much trouble though. I've run at Clayton dozens of times but I saw parts of that park I had never seen before. Evidently, there is a whole lot more soybean field than we've been running past. Nate, who had secretly scoped it out earlier in the week, found some additional fields outback and decided that we were going to do those dreaded indian sprints around the perimeter of the fields -- all of them! By the end of those everyone except Charlie, who is in marathon shape and loves to sprint, was hunched over gasping for air. Only for a minute or two though, which was just long enough to learn about the Walter Payton workout, and then we hit the trails. After all, this is a trail running group...isn't it?

We headed into the back of the trails, made our way out to Doctor's Creek and eventually climbed death hill. Having already died once thanks to the sprints our trip up death hill was extra morbid. At the top, we again took a minute to catch our breath, checked the time, and then headed back down the other side of death hill and wrapped back around to the left once we hit Doctor's Creek again. From there we made our way out to the parking lot after one final climb.


Roll call: Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Charlie, Linda, Lisa, Nate, Theresa, Yasi

L to R: Theresa, Yasi, Nate, Bill Y., Charlie, Brian, Butch, Lisa, Linda

And Now For Something Completely Different...

On Saturday 8 warriors dragged their butts out of bed and met at a soggy Clayton Park. It was so soggy, in fact, that as we did our push-up we felt our hands sinking into the wet ground. After that we popped up, dusted ourselves off and headed straight into the trails. As we headed in I decided we'd try something completely different. Instead of turning off the main path on the way in we dove straight in and followed Bridge's trail all the way around for a short loop, meaning that the big, long hill we usually come up towards the finish was now being tackled in the beginning of our run. I thought it would be nice to hit that hill fresh. It wasn't.

After the first loop we found ourselves back on the main path leading into Bridge's. It was there that I noticed lots of clear trees and even a few fences...perfect back support for some wall sits. So, it was everybody down into a wall sit and let's see who can hang on the longest... Not me! Hey, I just come up with the ideas. I think I dropped after about 30 seconds (weak!). Then the others starting to drop off one by one. In the end there were two remaining and guess what they had in common...yep, they are both boot campers. Linda hung on the longest and after about a minute or so we were back on the trails. Say, have you ever maxed out your quads doing wall sits and then tried to run downhill? Ouch!

Back on the trails and shaking out the legs we headed further down Bridge's until we reached the left turn into Doctor's Creek where we headed in towards and up death hill. At the top of death hill we took another left and then completed the extra loop. Coming out of the extra loop we took a right and then headed back out to Bridge's, made a left, and came out up the big, long hill we had already completed once on our initial loop.


Roll call: Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Damian, Karen, Linda, Rob, Theresa

L to R: Linda, Theresa, Butch, Rob, Karen, Bill Y., Damian, Brian

Indian Sprints

On Saturday, we had our coldest run since last winter. I'm not talking frost on the eye lashes cold but it was cold. I think my thermometer read 28 degrees when I got out of the car. Despite the conditions, however, we had a total of 8 runners come out for our group run at Clayton where it is now officially looking like fall with leaves everywhere.

As we did our warm ups Nate broke it out -- it being his infamous whistle. For those of you who have ever taken one of Nate's classes no explanation is needed and for those that haven't...well, be afraid of the whistle. After some moaning and groaning was heard Nate then instructed us that his idea for today was to do indian sprints the entire run. Oh joy!

As we set off along the back and headed down towards the soybean fields it started right away. It didn't let up either. By the time we worked our way around to death hill we had done probably 4 or 5 sets. Then, it was time. To run up death hill is difficult enough but to try to pull off an indian sprint up the thing is just plain crazy. About half way up the hill it pretty much fell apart and turned into let's all just try our best to chase Nate and Bill S. up this hill. Once we all reached the trail crossing at the top, half of us took off further up the hill and then turned back around at the top to come back and catch up with the others who had turned left at the trail crossing.

When we all got caught up it was just in time to head straight into the extra loop where, of course, it was time for another couple of sets of indian sprints. When we came out of the extra loop we again split up with half the group heading out (or should I say up) and back and then on to catch up with the others who had headed off in the opposite direction into the down-up-down. This worked out nicely the first time when we did it at the top of death hill. The second, however, not so much. By the time we got back to the spot where we had split they were no where in sight. We pushed on figuring they were just around a corner or something. That wasn't the case though so I started to think that maybe they were trying to lose us. When I mentioned this to Bill S., he replied "let's pick it up and go get 'em!" What else would he say, duh? After a few seconds we caught a glimpse and knew we had them. I could have sworn I heard someone saying: "here they come let's move it!"

When we caught them it was just past "root city" and just before yet another big hill. At this point, I was wiped after pushing hard to run down our prey. I was really looking for a breather when Nate suggests we take off up the hill in yet another sprint and that the last one up has push ups to do. I couldn't get my hands off my knees before everyone was off. It was then that I decided I would welcome the push ups if it meant I could just cruise up the hill and sneak in a recovery. So, I get to the top and drop to do my push ups and what happens? Yeah, they take off again. Now I have to crank out my push ups and push to catch them.

As I started to sprint towards the back of the pack I realized where we were though and that we would be approaching a trail split where as long as the rabbits split to the right I could stay left and time it so they dumped back out right in front of me. It worked perfectly...and for about another 200 feet I was right there with the rest of them. Then it was time for one last uphill sprint which I wasn't feeling at all. Reaching the top dumped us back at the top of death hill. From there it was an easy run downhill and then out to the left with just one long, steep hill to go to get out to the parking lot.

Maybe it's just me being out of shape but this had to be one of the toughest runs we've had with the possible exception of when Nate decided to do 'Death Hill x 5'...wait...uggghhh...did I just mention that??? Well, maybe Nate won't read this.

Roll call: Bill S., Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Ed, Linda, Nate, Rob

L to R: Ed, Bill S., Butch, Bill Y., Linda, Nate (w/his damn whistle), Rob, Brian

People!

I couldn't make the group run this week because I ran with my wife as she completed her first 5k ever! Way to go wifey! As a result of my absence, this week's run report is brought to you by Butch:

We were told it would be scary, we were told there would be monsters, and honestly, it felt like a horror movie...you know the scary dream, where you're trying to run away and the zombies are chasing you and your legs don't move?

Welcome to Nate's Scary Trail Run!!! Whistle and all!!!

Aaahhh!!! Mmmmyyyyy leggggssss hurt!!! And boy did they.

After our usual 50 pushups under the gazebo where many happy gatherings occur (not ours of course) we headed off over the footbridge and as soon as we crossed it the whistle was blown and our group was sprinting a painful 40 yard sprint to kick off the latest challenge and torment.

"That shut everyone up pretty quick" I heard Bill S. say.

The monster said nothing, only smiled to himself.

Heading into the trails quickly it was rough going as it was hard to see due to lack of daylight. Staying on the upper ridge after the tennis courts we made our way through and out to the clearing by the lake always hearing:

"Close the gap!"

And then the whistle and another 40 yard sprint to the tree line, then through the trees past the boathouse and stop!!

"Push ups People!"

After catching our breath we headed along the lake on the path to the high wires where we took a left and negotiated the construction area. Just before entering the trails again, we indulged in a squat and hold session. Our legs were like cement.

"Watch the roots people!"

It was the usual trek out to the dam with indian sprints mixed in for good measure. Then back to the parking lot....

And so it went like this: Run, run some more, do some lethargically counted squat and holds, run, do some push ups and squat and hold a little bit more and drag those heavy legs back to the parking lot where, wait, wake up, there on the tailgate...

I see yes, yes indeed the scary nightmare is ending, and we're all waking now as the Munchkins come into view and Jess is treating us this week to Yesss!! more instalax and donuts. Yes indeed, for the third week in a row we ate donuts and gulped our Big Joe while dripping sweat after a total of 125 pushups and what seemed like an hour and a half of squat and holds.

The scary dream was over, but I heard someone say"thank you" for another great trail run...

And then the monster gobbled his instalax and donuts and went home...with his whistle.



Roll call: Bill S, Brian, Butch, Jess, Karen, Linda, Nate, Rob, Rob (the neighbor), Theresa, Yasi

L to R: Rob, Yasi, Bill S., Karen, Nate, Butch, Linda, Rob, Theresa, Jess, Brian

Running for Donuts...part two

As I mentioned in my last post, our group run ended with donuts and coffee which Linda had brought along to celebrate Butch's birthday. As luck would have it, Linda's birthday was the following week which meant that Butch, not to be outdone, had to bring donuts and coffee along to celebrate Linda's birthday. For the second week in a row our group run ended with Dunkin Donuts.

Before the treats though, we were sure to put in our work. After starting off with our normal 50 push-ups we ran the bike trail all the way up to the tennis courts where we cut it into the trails. We took the trails all the way out the path that leads to the dam but instead of taking it out to the dam we crossed over it and headed straight back into the trails. We then took the 3rd right, at the large boulder, and looped all around the trails behind the dam. After a couple of ins and outs we eventually came back out to the path and then headed back via trails to the bike path.

For as cold as it was the week prior, you wouldn't have known it this week as the temps were almost 20 degrees warmer. While it wasn't raining, the ground was wet from the rain the day before and the skies were overcast for most of the run. The sun did start to peek out as we finished up though as can be seen in the pic below.

Roll call: Bill Y., Butch, Brian, Carlah, Karen, Linda, Lisa, Nate, Theresa, Yasi

L to R: Lisa, Karen, Yasi, Bill Y., Theresa, Nate, Brian, Linda, Carlah, Butch

Running for Donuts

The credit for this week's blog post title has to go to Topher over at I'll Run For Donuts. The credit for the donuts (and coffee), however, has to go to Linda who brought them along on Saturday to celebrate Butch's birthday. Ya know, rumor has it Linda had a birthday this week too...I wonder what Butch will bring this week???

While Linda was nice enough to bring donuts and coffee along, she was smart enough not to tell us about them until we reached the dam by way of the twirly bird. That's what I call motivation. It seemed we all found an extra gear once we learned there were snacks awaiting us at the finish. As we headed back we decided to double up on the twirly bird and then took the lower trails back along the lake before turning it uphill and heading back to the bike path for the final sprint.

The weather this week felt more like November/December than it did mid-October with the temp in the lower 40's and a light drizzle. Of course, it was only 3 days later that we hit the lower 70's but that's Autumn in NJ...you never know what you're gonna get. Hopefully, this coming week will be a little warmer but there is some rain in the forecast yet again. That never stops us though so don't you worry.

Roll call: Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Damian, Linda, Lisa, Nate, Rob, Theresa

L to R: Lisa, Theresa, Butch, Linda, Nate, Bill Y., Damian

(not pictured: Brian and Rob...don't worry guys we ate your donuts!)

Trip, Drop and Roll

This week's run report is brought to you by guest blogger Butch:


Four relatively healthy souls braved Clayton today on a beautiful fall morning, while a good number of our crew were home sick or had prior obligations. After telling my story about dry-heaving at the end of last week's run we entered the trails via the soybean field taking a right around the pond and on to the massive uphill that pretty much determines how you will fair for the rest of the trek - see Butch's klutzy tripping episode a treat for all!

Lungs heaving, we connected back to the trail that leads up to the parking lot (no...we didn't run back to our cars) and took the left that leads down the long hill to the split rail fence and across the bridge where we had a nice little run in with DEATH HILL. Pausing at the top (only to enjoy the scenery of course) we continued down and around to the right and back up a small hill where almost in succession Lisa took her first graceful tumble, immediately followed by (newcomer/bootcamper) Theresa - just as graceful! Trip-Drop-Roll!!! Following this loop which continued around and back DOWN DEATH HILL we came back up to the split rail and took the right that took us out around the soybean field to the right of us through the straight away and through to the parking lot.

Roll call: Bill S., Butch, Lisa, Theresa

L to R: Theresa, Linda, Butch, Bill S.

Push Ups (And a Little Trail Run)

On Saturday we met at Clayton with the intention of running a little trail. Anyone who has been there before knows that we start off all our runs with some push ups. This week, however, Nate decided we were going to do more than our fair share.

After our initial 50 we took off around the back of the soybean field and headed into the trails only to reach a clearing where we dropped and put in 20 more.

Then we got up and ran some more trail until we hit another clearing where we dropped and did 20 more.

With 90 in the book we headed up death hill. Once we were at the top we took a left and headed around to come up the backside. As we reached the next hill Nate decided to thrown in a little competition. It was an all out sprint to the top of the hill. We took off in two groups: first the men, then the women. The last person to reach the top from each group was rewarded with more push ups.

At the next hill we did the same thing.

As we jogged along recovering from the back to back hill sprint races I led the group in a short cadence:

I don't know what you've been told,
Nate's not young but he sure he ain't old...
He's the big dog and the rest of us our pups,
Came for a run and did a thousand push ups!


Then we headed down death hill and back out to the soybean field for one last climb out to the parking area.

In the end, it was only about a 4.5 mile trail run but depending on how fast we made it up the hills we also did anywhere from 100-130 push ups too! Ok, so maybe that's not quite a thousand but I took some poetic license to close the cadence. :-)

Roll call: Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Fred, Jess, Linda, Nate, Rob

L to R: Rob, Jess, Nate, Butch, Brian, Bill Y., Linda, Fred

Fill In The Blank

I didn't make this week's run because I was home nursing an eye injury. There was a nice turnout though as the group returned to Clayton. Since I wasn't there I don't have much to say but I'm leaving a chance for those who were to tell you something about it.

If you were there leave a comment and fill in the blanks:

1. The trails were _______.
2. The weather was _______.
3. I really began to wish I had just stayed in bed when _______.
4. The best part of the run was when _______.

Roll call: Bill #3, Brian, Fred, Heather C., Karen, Linda, Lisa, Nate

L to R: Brian, Lisa, Karen, Nate, Heater C., Linda, Bill #3, Fred

Twirly Bird x 2

It was another soggy Saturday morning but that didn't stop 9 of us from heading out for a run at Mercer County Park. This week we saw a new face, some old friends, and many of the usual suspects. We headed out on the bike path to the tennis center and then tucked in behind it onto the trails. Then it was up past the boat house and over to the twirly bird before heading out the dam. At the dam we put in our hill sprint and then turned it around to headed back. On the way back the group split with half the folks heading back over the foot bridge to get back in time to make some early morning appointments, and the rest of us diving back in for one more pass through the twirly bird before heading back .


Roll call: Bill S., Bill Y., Brian, Butch, Carlah, Linda, Lisa, Tom P., Yasi

L to R: Brian, Yasi, Lisa, Linda, Butch, Bill S. Carlah, Tom P., Bill Y.