Use this topic for posts that will collect community stars for the Thom B. Trail Run course. You can also ask questions or make comments about this course.
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Replace the boilerplate text with your report for one or both sections. The Story header is key for distinguishing between posts and replies—don’t change it.
Your post must be on the same calendar day as your run as entered in the leaderboard.
Story
To pick up a community star, replace this text with a write-up of what your run was like, a photo you took on the run, a link to your Strava track, or something similar. Don’t delete the Story heading above.
I’ve raced Thom B. a half dozen or so times, and it’s always a good mix of ups and downs, and gorgeous single track, with a friendly vibe and signs of spring. Some years, those signs have been misty with temps thankfully above freezing, but today we had unfurling greenery, sunshine, and light breezes capped by a blue sky.
I’ve been somewhat resting after racing a half-marathon two weeks ago, and I wasn’t expecting anything from today but “covering the ground,” so an unexpected bonus was how strong and comfortable I felt.
I didn’t take any photos at the race, but here is a photo from later today, showing the annuals that will go in our flower boxes soon.
Such a beautiful day to run at Hammond Hill and I was impressed by all the runners passing through the first aid station, especially those who felt it was too nice a day to limit themselves to just an 8.5 mile loop!
After the aid station was packed up and I had returned to the finish area for some snacks, I then ran the full course after all the runners and the course sweep were finished. Here is what impressed me most: The total amount of trash I found on the course was ZERO pieces!!! Believe me, I am very good at finding trash, especially at my slow pace, and I saw not even the corner of a candy wrapper nor gel tab. Great job, everyone! (@Stephanie_Mulinos)
Patches of trilliums abound along the course and the biggest stretch is doing pretty well but I don’t think it has peaked.
Three more Hammond loops at the Thom B today comprised the final long run for the ultra I’m training for. All the long Saturdays and high mileage on the Challenge courses seems to be paying off. I finished the marathon 16 minutes faster than last year, 20 minutes faster than in 2023, and didn’t feel like I had to work too hard to do it. The first half was all fun and games talking to Ofer Leshed. The second half was slower and solo, but I felt great the whole way. I’ve always loved the flow of this course, with its runnable hills on smooth-ish terrain and the remote nature of the forest.
This was my eighth time at this race across various distances and fourth time running the marathon. Thank you to RD @Stephanie_Mulinos and the whole FLRC volunteer team that put the race together!
Had a low energy start to the day but finally got out the door to go running. Had planned to start with Lick Brook but forgot to detour around the paving project on 13. So, I banged a u-ey and headed to Hammond Hill instead.
Started at noon and was quickly surprised by how wet the course was. Looked like maybe a shower had passed earlier in the morning. Humidity was high also and I was sweating pretty good before topping out on the road climb. Initially pretty quiet in the woods, except for the sound of nuts hitting the ground - either just falling or being knocked off by squirrels. As I reached the base of Red Route 1, I discovered I had run through several spider webs and wiped them from my legs and torso. While running along Red Route 2, I was startled by the loud flutter of wings to my right. Did not see what it was, but a short while later, another loud fluttering was even closer behind me and momentarily gave me goosebumps. I don’t think it was turkeys but maybe I rousted some grouse.
Saw my first a newt in a while, a caterpillar and various fungi of different colors:
Continuing the Indian Summer trail circuit (as I’ve come to think of it) - completed another fave (well, after first climb) in dry, warm conditions with just the start of color.
I was a bit apprehensive at the start as there were no other cars in the lot. So I took it very easy knowing I was more or less alone out there. It helped that it was dry - even the usual lake before the turnoff to B1 was a mere puddle! And it helped that I had just been on some of these trails less than a week ago. As it was, the most exciting thing the first half was a near fall caused by shuffling feet catching a root - somehow I kept my legs moving and stayed upright. I was much more careful about picking my feet up after that!
I did have the trails to myself until shortly after I turned onto Y4, where I had to step aside for 2 mountain bikers. Then at Star Stanton/Canaan Rd parking area another biker was setting up - but must have gone a different way..
