I ran this on Sunday after a good two weeks of very little running to make space and energy for the last days of my election campaign. As such, I completely forgot to post this on Sunday, and alas, sacrificed a community star.
I ran it up from ICG to the turnaround, which I really appreciated having marked. I wasn’t sure if I’d just have to eyeball 4.1 on my watch.
This was Charlie’s longest run to date (she could do another 10 miles I’m sure) so I shared my (very expensive Huma mango) fuel with her. That’s true love.
The creeks have dried up considerably, but I did find a spot at mile 5.3 where the trail leads to a little waterfall “Morgan Falls” where Charlie could take a brief cooling dip.
When we finished the last 2 sunny miles, we relaxed in the shade and consumed a lot of water.
Yeah! I am back from an injury and was able to run 14 miles today. It was so nice to be back on the BD trail, it is one of my favorite places to do my long runs. This time I combined the Lakefront Loop with an up and back to the halfway point on BD to make a total of 14 miles today. It was hot and muggy and I’m pretty tired, but my hamstring seems fine. Hooray!
Yeah for the Black Diamond! I ran the full trail up and back this morning as part of my long run. I wore my newest shoes with the toes cut out. The good news is no pebbles entered my toe boxes during the run on the cinder trail. The bad news is my toes were STILL tender after the run. Since my toes are clearly not hitting the front of my shoes (I’m wearing 1-1/2 to 2 sizes larger than my actual shoe size), and the top of the shoes are not rubbing on my nails (as I’ve cut out the tops), I must somehow curl my toes under when I run so that the nails hit the bottom of my shoes…weird, and frustrating!
I did another up and back on the BD this morning, in addition to a Lakefront Loop, to make a 20 mile run. I was thrilled to see that the new facility at the top of the BD is now open complete with a bottle filler and a bathroom! How lucky are we?
Summer plans having been derailed by health concerns, I found myself 2 courses short with a week or less to go. So with spousal support, set out a little after 6 from Cass Park trailhead, hoping to make it upin 2 hours using a “walk 9 run 1” pattern.
Was about 15 minutes into journey when I realized I had completely forgotten about scanning in via Webscorer - it never entered into my planning. I’m not even sure what triggered the thought but I manually started recording there
After the trio of runners passed me going out and going back before the power line portion of the trail ended, I had the trail to myself well except for the thousands if not tens of thousands of worms that were out on a trail. I have no idea what that was about, but it was an amusing game not to step on one. I also had to shed a layer as the temperature slowly rose with the sun. I had to drape it around my shoulders so I felt like a real preppy as I continued up the trail.
I actually surprised myself and kept to a fairly brisk pace, making it to the halfway point in under an hour. Because I had forgotten to scan at the start. I felt compelled to take a midpoint picture which I will add as soon as I can figure out how (I’m using my phone to write this)
I was starting to tire a little bit. I was grateful for the quarter mile post along the way there was also a number of runners, walkers and dogs with people on the upper part of the trail that helped keep me moving along. I was very happy to see my spouse, waiting for me at the end of the trail. There were two runners setting their watches to go the other way who asked me if I was going back and I had to laugh - I was barely able to go one way, but I made it.
This was by far the hardest run of my tarmac challenge today. After finishing Town & Gown I stopped at Green Star for a snack - I knew I needed to eat, but I overestimated how much I could eat without paying for it. I had two cups of almond yogurt, a grape juice and some potato chips - flavor fatigue on sweet foods was hitting hard.
Once I had eaten I headed to the children’s garden to start the out and back version of this course. Naturally, as soon as I started I immediately felt like I might throw up. I walked the first few minutes, then ran/walked/ran the rest once my stomach settled some. Have never been so glad to see the turnaround sign!
Last one for Matt
. . . I may have left him at the start of the course
I mean come on, running down the black diamond is a guarantee faster time
Plus I did a bit more mileage at the end waiting for Matt to finish his walk, and snapped a picture from the car while I rested
What an incredibly beautiful morning for my final Challenge run of the season, also my last long long run before my marathon in 3 weeks. I always feel so lucky to have this gem of a trail to run on. Who wouldn’t find this path irresistible?
I know what you mean, but this also reads like you admit to stuffing your face and sprinting off without paying We called it “done and dash” when I used to work in food service.
Congrats on the Tough Tarmac finish! (Sorry I forgot to say that today when we crossed paths on the FLT.)
Well, that’s it for this year‘s challenge. I’m not running a step tomorrow! Thanks to Kris for dropping me at the top end so I could run downhill and to Ruth who came out on her bike to meet me and keep me company all the way back in.
We called it “done and dash” when I used to work in food service.
