Goffstown Rail Trail

Getting a little more biking in.  I had ridden the Manchester and Goffstown rail trail before (and run it as well) but never gone beyond the prison.  The extra miles to downtown Goffstown are very nice and certainly worth the effort.  Almost exactly 8 miles (one way) from the Delta Dental Stadium to the end of the trail in Goffstown.

Over the River and through the Woods

I've been itching to get back to racing and finally got the opportunity.  My CARS series teammates (Scott Clark, Jim Angell, Darin Brown, Ernie Brake) were interested in racing so we discussed some of the different CARS courses and settled on the Over the River and through the Woods course.  This is a pretty flat course but slightly slow due to 1 mile of it being cross-country.

I arrive a little early to mark the XC part to ensure no one got lost.  At 7:15am we gathered up and went out on a preview of the course (Ernie was a no-show).  It was a bit muggy and warm, but not hot like it had been during the week.  We had an enjoyable warm-up catching up.  Last year we'd raced many times in the CARS series and the competition was always close.

We all changed into racing flats and did our final prep.  At 8am (with no fanfare) we took to the line and with a "runners set, go!" we were off.  My plan was to stick close to Scott at the start and try to drop him after the mile.  I found myself leading right from the start with Scott and Jim right behind me.  I hit the mile in 5:51 with the guys right on my heels.  I tried to relax and just before entering the woods I upped the tempo.  My hope was that they would fall back and I could break away on the trails.  I couldn't hear anyone as I hit the second mile with a 6:06 (11:57).  I definitely was feeling it as the little climb up over the Merrimack River took it's toll.  My fear was that Jim or Scott was close behind and if I faltered they'd come flying by.  I took a good long look at the 180 degree turn with about 600 yards to go and felt I'd be able to hold on.  It still hurt as I kicked with all I had.

I held on for a 16 second win over Jim with Scott another 14 seconds back and Darin taking it home exactly 1 minute back.  A solid effort by all.  Darin gave me a copy of his book as first place prize and then we headed back out to sweep the course and take down the markings I'd put out.  Again, it was nice to have some socializing time with the gang.  Next up:  The Luti 5 mile in a couple of weeks.

Over the River and Through the Woods Invitational senior 5k – June 27, 2020 8:00am

Pl            Time      Name                   Age        City,St                  Age Grade%        Age Grd Time     

1             18:42     Dave Dunham     M56       Bradford, MA     82.66%                 15:42

2             18:58     Jim Angell            M56       Hopkinton, NH   81.50%                 15:55

3             19:12     Scott Clark          M54       Gilmanton, NH   79.24%                 16:23

4             19:42     Darin Brown       M53       Madison, NH      76.63%                 16:56

Week Ending 06/28/20

Headache and stomach ache continue for nearly 2 weeks not sure what is up.  Running okay, basically the only time I’m feeling okay.

Week – 81

Month – 288

Year – 1,774

Life - 146,681

M – 445 am Methuen rail trail out/back plus out/back for 6m in 757s

        1130am Industrial Park 5 in 737s

T – 445am Methuen rail trail 6 in 746s

      1130am Merrimack River trail 6 in 820s

W – 445am Methuen rail trail 6 in 739s

         1130am Kingsbury 5m in 716s

Th – 445am Methuen rail trail 6 in 726s

         1130am Kingsbury 5m (reverse direction) in 654s

F – 445am Methuen depot to state line twice plus out/back to Lawrence7m in 744s

       11am Merrimack river trail 4m in 812s

S - Over the river and through the woods - RACE!

      715am warm-up preview of the course

       745am 1m in race shoes

        8am 5km race - 2m road, 1m XC, 1st pl 18:41

         830am sweep the course 3m

           930am 5 more relaxing miles  in 913s

S - 645am bike the Goffstown rail trail end to end 16m in 

     9am GSRT group run 10m in 911s

Winnipesaukee River Trail

Biked the Winni river trail part of which I'd never been on before.  Really nice little trail connecting Northfield, Tilton, and Franklin.  Put in a bonus mile on the Northern Rail Trail.

Week Ending 06/21/20

Good week with a longish run, a workout, and a sunrise mountain run.

Week - 80
Month - 207
Year - 1,693
Life - 146,600

M - 445am Methuen rail trail 5 in 744s
      1130am Kingsbury 5m in 705s

T - 445am Methuen rail trail 5 in 733s
     10am April fools 4m run, wup 3m in 802s, 4m in 601s, 2m w-down in 818s

W - 445am Methuen rail trail 5 in 832s
       11am River trail 6 in 841s

Th - Morning migraine
        2pm Windham rail trail 802s

F - 430am Depot to Stateline twice plus 2m for 7 in 749s
      1130am Industrial park 5 in 717s

S - 420am Sunrise run to the summit of Belknap mountain 2m in 1530s
      515am 6.5 more running to Swett mtn and back in 1506s
      7am Bike 63 minutes on the Winnipesauke rail trail 13.5 miles
       930am Nice relaxing run 5m in 906s

S - 540am 11.5 miles out/back on Salem rail trail in 724s

Sunrise Belknap Mountain (caution - a couple of somewhat naked pics)

Plotted out a nice sunrise run up Belknap mountain to celebrate the summer solstice.  Petey, D-la, Scotty G & his pal Justin joined us for a 4:25am trot to the top.  After a sunrise celebration we zipped over to Piper mountain then split up as Petey and D-la continued with me for an enjoyable out/back to Swett Mountain.  A fun 8 miles in the mountains with some incredible views and we were done by 7am!

Cheshire Rail Trail

Last weekend I visited the Cheshire rail trail which runs from the Mass border (Winchendon) to Keene and beyond.  I was only looking to get in an hour of riding in-between my sunrise run and my next nice run.  The trail was a bit soft (sandy) but very scenic.  I wore 2 light long-sleeves to combat the 45 degree temps at 630am.  Fun ride from the state line to the Fitzwilliam depot and back.