In four days I’ll be running 32.6 miles of the Northville-Placid Trail in one of the remotest areas in the Adirondack Wilderness. Having never been on the NPT previously I have no idea what to expect, other than getting bombarded by squadrons of persistent deer flies.
Wakely is a tough race. The finishing times over the years are evidence to the race’s difficulty. In Wakley’s 10 year history, only two runners have broken five hours in what is essentially a long 50K. The course record is “only” 4:54. I’m not certain what makes this race so hard. It has a fair amount of elevation gain but not a ridiculous amount. It has some very technical trails to slow you down but also some easier sections on old logging roads. I’m sure you lose some time filtering water and refilling water bottles in creeks and steams along the way but could that be much more than you would lose stopping at aid stations in a “civilized” race? I don’t have answers now, but I know they will come to me soon enough.
On another note, I’ve completely lost my motivation to run at the worse possible time. I knew it was bad, but I didn’t realize how bad it was until I looked back at my last five weeks of training. I’ve only run 12 times for a total of 64 miles and my longest run was only 10 miles! Not the best ultra training. My lack of desire came shortly after my 30 mile run on the Bay Circuit Trail in mid-June. I don’t think I was properly trained for that distance at that time and it took the wind out of my sails. Since then, I’m been waiting for a strong ocean wind to fill my mainsail. Perhaps a storm is brewing for Saturday?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Wakely Dam Ultra Course Preview
With three weeks to go until the Damn Wakely Dam Ultra in New York's Adirondack Wilderness it was good to see Co-RD Doug conduct a recon mission to get an update on trail conditions. Most of the North East experienced heavy rains this past spring and upper state New York had serious flooding in many areas. It was no surprise to me to see much of the trail wet and muddy. The rivers and creeks were so swollen that some bridges were destroyed. They wont be repaired for quite some time so the rivers will be crossed Rucky Chucky style on race day. I cant wait!Check out the course flyover below. It makes 33 miles look like a very long way to run.
All photos below courtesy of RD Doug G.
One of the few drier sections.
This was more typical.
Looks more like a brook than a trail.
Wet and overgrown.
As if the mud wasn't bad enough there were several blowdowns to contend with.
This will certainly slow your pace.
Better bring a change of socks!
Fast moving water.
Foundation of bridge.
The rest of the bridge was swept down stream intact.
More photos from Doug's run can be found HERE.
It looks like Wakely 2011 will be a wet and wild run. All I can say is I hope the trail doesn't dry up too much in the next three weeks. What fun would that be?
Think rain!
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