Jamie’s brother is visiting from Virginia and we decided to do this as a hike, as it was new for all of us. We went at a leisurely pace and included extra vistas and exploration. The waterfalls and woods are gorgeous but the views were hazy from wildfire smoke, the mud was pretty bad, and the meadow was very overgrown and not very fun. I kept saying, “I’m so glad I’m not running”. I suppose I’ll have to come back to run it at some point but Jamie is convinced it is a one and done kind of course. I would definitely bring friends back for the “Danny’s Trail” section, but not the field.
Dior and I mostly walked this today. It was incredibly muggy! It has dried up a lot since the last time I was here, but the field is quite overgrown, so watch out for ticks.
I arrived groggy and unprepared for the group run on this course today: shoes untied, sunscreen uneven, hair in the shape of sleep. I chatted with Sean who was visiting from Hong Kong – his Mom lives in Ithaca – and he happened to come to a group run with us!
We started running down the trail mowed into the field, and I appreciated the waving grasses and flowers in the foreground, the easy rhythm of the runners ahead of me, and the horizon across the lake. I started to become fully awake. I enjoyed listening to the conversations flitting around me as my group slipped into the woods, down to the top of the cliffs, up again, across the graceful brook, around the enormous field — which wasn’t muddy — more woods, and finally, the climb back up to the parking lot. Now I was awake, and the morning was good.
It got better. Next was a plunge into the lake below the Lambert’s house. Most people lasted for about a minute in the cold water, but it felt incredibly good to me, and I lingered in the coolness. I had second breakfast, coffee and bagel, on the deck overlooking the lake, and then later at home, third breakfast (see photo). A day with third breakfast is a great day!
@Tristan_Lambert had this to say about third breakfast (see screenshot), making the day either a mathematical success or a mathematical challenge!
Happy Trail Runners
I kicked off my day of trail running in the Challenge with the Cayuga Cliffs group run in the morning. Quite a few runners there and the morning temps were still fairly moderate. My plan was to run as many trail miles today before the effects of the higher temperatures took their toll and to try to get some time on my feet and a little ultra conditioning after a recent 7 weeks of no strenuous activity, though, somehow, I was still permitted to mow the lawn during that time.
Fortunately, I picked up my snazzy 2025 Challenge sleeveless shirt from Adam before the run. It was most comfortable for the rest of the day!
I took several photos of the panoramic views, cascades, fields, woods, and wildflowers. However, trailing near the back of the pack afforded the opportunity to catch some trail runners ahead of me on the final out and back section. So many smiles and and so much trail euphoria!
Matt and I did a lovely hike this afternoon.
We arrived just as a large group was leaving. I suspect it was a guided trail group.
The trail was in much better condition that than when I first ran it. No fear of slipping off the cliff from the mud also there were trail snacks this time
Almost immediately after starting run, along perimeter of field, there were two Ruffed Grouse running along just in front of us! One of them let us pass, but the other kept running until we finally stopped and waited for him to fly back toward his mate.
It was a clear, blue, low-humidity morning with no work (hello Fourth of July) so I enticed my husband to join me on a “new trail with great views”…omitting the whole 600 ft of elevation change over 4 miles part. I’m trying to make him into a sometimes runner.
Love this course, but must remember it’s quite challenging despite the wonderful vistas. We got ice cream and French fries at Purity after as a reward for my husband’s efforts.
also there were trail snacks this time 
