1st Snow

I went out for a 5K snowshoe trail run on Saturday.  It was really difficult and felt like I was running with 10lb weights on my feet.  Bemis was really beautiful though, with the snow being completely untouched in some of the areas I ran in.



It did remind me though that I love the feeling of running in minimalistic shoes (VFF KSO's) but it wouldn't have been a good idea in the snow.  The surface area of snowshoes are so much larger that my feet it allowed me to step blindly on all the snow covered roots and uneven terrain with out having to worry about rolling an ankle.  Although with a thicker sole than the VFF's, I bet It would have been ok(GTX trail runners maybe?).

It was a great way to cap what has been my most athletic week in a while.  I did get 2 other trail runs in, some time in on my rollers and even a row in on the Concept 2.  I have been struggling with some neck and shoulder issues that have really had me sidelined for a bit.  It feels great to be back in the swing of things.

Recap

200+ people participating
38 degree start temp

3 courses to choose from after a 1/2 mile run(4 corners)
We went left and did the Hard but short course, as it seems most chose to do.



In my previous post I said I was hoping that the race would be less than 5 miles long as there was no way I could run any further.  It ended up being 4.7 miles long and all 3 of us ran the whole thing, which in case you were wondering was a total miracle.  The info I found on CAMBr last night regarding the course was spot on.




We finished together, as Doug said "Never leave your wingman"
I could not have run a step further......

All three of us loved the event and agreed that we should really train for it next year.  It would have been even more fun if we were actually in shape.

Red Bull Trail Daze is tomorrow AM

There still is not much info on what we(Doug, JR & I) have gotten ourselves into tomorrow.  I found this on the CAMBR Forum this afternoon, from the race director:

"All participants will start together and there will be section in the course where runners will have to decide which course to take. (There will not be a winner for "each" course, there will only be one winner...so choose wisely!!) In addition, participants will run no more than 7 miles. Red Bull is all about creating an experience that challenges individuals mentally and physically. Hope to see you out there!"

well hopefully the the short course is short, cause there is NO WAY I can run over 5 miles right now!



***Update***
I found this online:

All three courses head out on pipeline. At four corners they split, easy to the right, medium straight ahead, and the hard goes left down Ho Chi Min. It continues on One Day and up Gravity Cavity to Stone House (no bikes allowed) When you get up by the little shelter it turns left and back to GC. Then up and right on the multi-track to Out'n'Back, then left back on the multi to Pulaski Woods.

palos map

Saturday Morning Trail Running - SMTR?

My brother, Doug and I have gone to Palos to trail run the last 2 Saturdays to get prepared for the Red Bull Trail Daze.

Our first SMTR, we ran down "Gravity Cavity" and through "3 Ravines" returning via the "Pipeline".  It was about a 5K.

Our 2nd SMTR, we started at the MTB staging area and ran up the singletrack to the main trail and ran the "out and back", well actually just the "out" part of it. We jogged back on the main trail to our single track decent to the parking lot.

This weekend should be fun.  We are not ready.


Oh Yeah, AN ADVENTURE RACE @ PALOS?!

THIS WAS GOING ON THERE THIS MORNING:

Fat Otter Fall Sprint

I can't believe I missed this! Its on the radar for next year for sure!

Palos

Palos is my favorite place to trail run and mountain bike.  It has a great trail system in a terrain that seems unique for Chicago.   I have been MTBing in Palos for nearly 20 years!  Trail Running is new for me there and its a FUN place to run. 

On Nov 20th,
I will be competing in the Red Bull Trail Daze.

I'm In

Doug's In

Are You In?

Red Bull Trail Daze

 

This looks very promising:

"On November 20th, Red Bull Trail Daze will be coming to Pulaski Woods in the Palos Forest Preserve in Willow Springs, IL. Competitors will choose to race one of three courses with each course getting progressively harder, but progressively shorter (don't worry, the longest trail won't take you much past the 7 mile mark)."

Red Bull Trail Daze 

plus you get a hat when you register!  Count me in, but it looks like I am going to have to get someone to cover Masters for me.......