Date: Tuesday, December 18 (6:00PM)
Meet Location: Snowflake Nordic Ski Center lodge
Activity: Skate Skiing
Weather: 30F and slight wind
Gear Req'd: XC Skate Skis, Poles, $3 for night pass
Trail Conditions: SkinnySki report
Special Notes: We are unsure what gear potential participants may have, but, with the conditions so nice and the lit course, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to try out the ski trails. Please post a comment to let us know if you did not or would not participate exclusively because you do not have skis.
We will NOT be meeting on Christmas day, but New Year's day is still undecided, so make sure to check back if you are interested. Also, feel free to send us a comment if you would be interested in a short notice trail run in the next two weeks, which we would still post on the blog.
Post Ski Recap:
You would be hard pressed to find a nicer night to cross country ski. Having never frequented SnowFlake prior to tonight, I was pleased with the facility, trail, and value (stop in after 5PM and the cost is only $3!). I also realized we may need to have some sort of banner or flag for new participants if the location is somewhat ambiguous. If you haven't stopped in thus far, it wouldn't hurt to shoot us a comment or email to insure we don't miss you. That being said, this is and will for the foreseeable future be an open group...just stop in when it works for you, no strings attached.
Snowflake has a 5k loop that is lit, which is clearly an advantage when all 8-5'ers are going to ski in the dark. The loop is great with enough hills to make it interesting, but none so great as to deter skiers out for the first time in the season. The conditions tonight were absolutely fantastic, with enough base to not worry about bare spots, warm enough temps to ward off potentially icy conditions but not warm enough to create slushy trails. All that being said, can you believe that next to no one was out on the trails! Most of the skiers were leaving about the time we got started and we saw one other skier as did our own post-activity recap at the chalet.
We did two loops, but I sensed that Greg would have loved to do at least one more. Since it was my first time out skiing this year. Any good skiers, please feel free to attend because I definitely need to work on technique the next few outings. Perhaps this is weird, but my shins always feel sore the first few kilometers of skiing for the season. It probably just confirms bad form! That being said, everyone felt it was an unbelievable night. Sorry for everyone who couldn't make it.
Again, we will not be meeting next week (have a blessed Christmas) but may fill in with another activity prior to New Years day.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Winter Wonderland - Take 2
Date: Tuesday, December 11 (6:00PM)
Meet Location: Hartley - meet in the Hartley Nature Center parking lot
Activity: Snowshoe
Weather: 19F
Gear Req'd: Headlamps and snowshoes (we will bring extras of both if you don't have them)
Post-run Recap:
Only two of us this time around (Greg and Clint). That's not entirely true, we also had two canine companions (Scout and Cooper; both high-energy labs) who were quite happy to set the pace for us.
We started out from the main parking lot and made our way to the Guardrail Loop. It was relatively easy going as the trail has seen a lot of use since the last snowfall. It probably wasn't totally necessary to use snowshoes, but it sure was fun! Snowshoeing also helps pack down the trail which will enable the mountain bikers out there to get out and ride.
The repeat tradition (any significant hill or set of steps must be completed the number of times equivalent to the number of participants) wasn't as grueling as usual seeing as we only had two particpants. The only time we did a repeat was on "The Big Hill." We briefly thought about including Scout and Cooper in the equation, but after we caught our breath the second time up we decided that twice was enough and pushed onward.
Before we knew it we were back at the parking lot and wrapped up another successful Tuesday night run. It was a great night to be outside. Duluth has so much to offer. It's hard to believe that just two weeks ago we didn't have any snow on the ground!
Meet Location: Hartley - meet in the Hartley Nature Center parking lot
Activity: Snowshoe
Weather: 19F
Gear Req'd: Headlamps and snowshoes (we will bring extras of both if you don't have them)
Post-run Recap:
Only two of us this time around (Greg and Clint). That's not entirely true, we also had two canine companions (Scout and Cooper; both high-energy labs) who were quite happy to set the pace for us.
We started out from the main parking lot and made our way to the Guardrail Loop. It was relatively easy going as the trail has seen a lot of use since the last snowfall. It probably wasn't totally necessary to use snowshoes, but it sure was fun! Snowshoeing also helps pack down the trail which will enable the mountain bikers out there to get out and ride.
The repeat tradition (any significant hill or set of steps must be completed the number of times equivalent to the number of participants) wasn't as grueling as usual seeing as we only had two particpants. The only time we did a repeat was on "The Big Hill." We briefly thought about including Scout and Cooper in the equation, but after we caught our breath the second time up we decided that twice was enough and pushed onward.
Before we knew it we were back at the parking lot and wrapped up another successful Tuesday night run. It was a great night to be outside. Duluth has so much to offer. It's hard to believe that just two weeks ago we didn't have any snow on the ground!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Winter Wonderland
*** POSTPONED DUE TO SNOW! ***
Date: Tuesday, December 11 (6:00PM)
Meet Location: Hartley - meet in the Hartley Nature Center parking lot
Activity: Snowshoe
Weather: 14F with flurries and slight wind
Gear Req'd: Headlamps and snowshoes (we will bring an extras of both if you don't have them)
Special Notes: We will be bringing a handheld GPS to start logging our outings on mapmyrun.com to enable those interested to better assess the activity. A map of the route with a link to the activity will be posted on the blog following the activity (a direct link to the group is listed on Partners & Sponsors).
Date: Tuesday, December 11 (6:00PM)
Meet Location: Hartley - meet in the Hartley Nature Center parking lot
Activity: Snowshoe
Weather: 14F with flurries and slight wind
Gear Req'd: Headlamps and snowshoes (we will bring an extras of both if you don't have them)
Special Notes: We will be bringing a handheld GPS to start logging our outings on mapmyrun.com to enable those interested to better assess the activity. A map of the route with a link to the activity will be posted on the blog following the activity (a direct link to the group is listed on Partners & Sponsors).
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Enger Tower Power
Date: Tuesday, November 27 (6:00PM)
Meet Location: 24th Ave W Parking lot (below Skyline Pkwy)
Activity: Running
Gear Required: Headlamp and trail shoes
Weather: It looks like it may be a bit cool & breezy
Post-Run Recap
Four of us for this slightly chilly Tuesday (Keven, Greg, Clint, and Dave). As usual, it doesn't take long to warm up when running, even on a cool winter night. We followed the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) after crossing the overpass adjacent to the parking lot. The trail had a light powdering of snow which is kind of nice for trail running because it softens impact slightly and clearly demarcate them.
This part of SHT weaves below Enger golf course's driving range, past an abandoned baseball field and basketball court and, after crossing back over Skyline Pkwy, eventually emerges in Enger Park. The hill running up to the park was the location of our first set of repeats. Four runners = four times up the hill, every runner taking the lead & setting the pace once. On the positive side, this hill wasn't like Rock Hill or the Chester Bowl hill from our previous get run.
Once complete with the first repeat, we moved on to Enger Tower itself, which was the original plan for the repeats. I can't remember if it was Greg or David that made the final call we would do the hill and the tower, but everyone was game in the end. Set one was running straight up and down. Sets two and three were running up a level then around the tower until we reached the top, resulting in some slight head spinning. Set four, the last one, was half a flight of one leg stair hops and the second half running it. This repeat was rewarded with an amazing night view of the City.
We then followed SHT down toward Superior St, but lost it for a portion and had to run on the streets until we were able to pick it up again. When we reached Superior St, it was time to start working back up. We took a wrong trail, which went a bit west of the SHT. The result was taking a more direct route back to the parking lot. The hills were pretty harsh because, unlike SHT, there weren't any switchbacks to catch your breath. By the time we reached the lot, everyone was certainly huffing!
I will try to remember to take a few pics next run if we have sufficient light for my camera phone. Since it is doubtful that anyone is as interested in a lengthy monologue!
Final note: when, in the future, we have more runners or runners of different levels, no one will get left behind, even if we break into more than one group. This could be fun for the repeats as well in that we could assemble teams for repeat relays.
Meet Location: 24th Ave W Parking lot (below Skyline Pkwy)
Activity: Running
Gear Required: Headlamp and trail shoes
Weather: It looks like it may be a bit cool & breezy
Post-Run Recap
Four of us for this slightly chilly Tuesday (Keven, Greg, Clint, and Dave). As usual, it doesn't take long to warm up when running, even on a cool winter night. We followed the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) after crossing the overpass adjacent to the parking lot. The trail had a light powdering of snow which is kind of nice for trail running because it softens impact slightly and clearly demarcate them.
This part of SHT weaves below Enger golf course's driving range, past an abandoned baseball field and basketball court and, after crossing back over Skyline Pkwy, eventually emerges in Enger Park. The hill running up to the park was the location of our first set of repeats. Four runners = four times up the hill, every runner taking the lead & setting the pace once. On the positive side, this hill wasn't like Rock Hill or the Chester Bowl hill from our previous get run.
Once complete with the first repeat, we moved on to Enger Tower itself, which was the original plan for the repeats. I can't remember if it was Greg or David that made the final call we would do the hill and the tower, but everyone was game in the end. Set one was running straight up and down. Sets two and three were running up a level then around the tower until we reached the top, resulting in some slight head spinning. Set four, the last one, was half a flight of one leg stair hops and the second half running it. This repeat was rewarded with an amazing night view of the City.
We then followed SHT down toward Superior St, but lost it for a portion and had to run on the streets until we were able to pick it up again. When we reached Superior St, it was time to start working back up. We took a wrong trail, which went a bit west of the SHT. The result was taking a more direct route back to the parking lot. The hills were pretty harsh because, unlike SHT, there weren't any switchbacks to catch your breath. By the time we reached the lot, everyone was certainly huffing!
I will try to remember to take a few pics next run if we have sufficient light for my camera phone. Since it is doubtful that anyone is as interested in a lengthy monologue!
Final note: when, in the future, we have more runners or runners of different levels, no one will get left behind, even if we break into more than one group. This could be fun for the repeats as well in that we could assemble teams for repeat relays.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Bagley to Burritos
Date: Tuesday, November 13
Meet Location: Bagley Nature Center parking lot
Activity: Running
Gear Required: Headlamp and trail shoes
Other Notes: We may encounter some rain
Post-Run Recap
Three of us showed up for this somewhat drizzly evening that started at Bagley Nature Center. The objective of this run was to continue along the Superior Hiking Trail from where we'd left off last time in the Hartley Nature Center where it intersects Arrowhead Rd.
Headlamps and trail shoes were, as usual this time of year, a must. Bagley is a fantastic place to run with its wide, woodchip lined trails and meandering course. The Superior Hiking Trail primarily cuts across sections of this trail and is single track. Once it emerges from Bagley, one must follow the streets for several blocks before entering lower Chester. This section was incredibly slippery for many sections where wet broad rocks compose the majority of the trail. We turned around when we hit the bridge at 4th Street at Burrito Union.
The biggest challenge and reward were the two repeats that have become a killer tradition for some of us. The repeat tradition is as follows: any significant hill or set of steps must be completed the number of times equivalent to the number of participants. Rock Hill and a Chester climb were therefore done 3 times. We may have to rethink this tradition if we really start gathering numbers!
Meet Location: Bagley Nature Center parking lot
Activity: Running
Gear Required: Headlamp and trail shoes
Other Notes: We may encounter some rain
Post-Run Recap
Three of us showed up for this somewhat drizzly evening that started at Bagley Nature Center. The objective of this run was to continue along the Superior Hiking Trail from where we'd left off last time in the Hartley Nature Center where it intersects Arrowhead Rd.
Headlamps and trail shoes were, as usual this time of year, a must. Bagley is a fantastic place to run with its wide, woodchip lined trails and meandering course. The Superior Hiking Trail primarily cuts across sections of this trail and is single track. Once it emerges from Bagley, one must follow the streets for several blocks before entering lower Chester. This section was incredibly slippery for many sections where wet broad rocks compose the majority of the trail. We turned around when we hit the bridge at 4th Street at Burrito Union.
The biggest challenge and reward were the two repeats that have become a killer tradition for some of us. The repeat tradition is as follows: any significant hill or set of steps must be completed the number of times equivalent to the number of participants. Rock Hill and a Chester climb were therefore done 3 times. We may have to rethink this tradition if we really start gathering numbers!
Welcome!
This blog is intended to notify participants of our regular Tuesday night outdoor (usually) activity. It will be updated no later than noon the Tuesday of the activity. The weekly posting will list the activity (running, snowshoeing, skiing, etc.), meeting location, and any specific gear or apparel recommendations. Tentative start time is 6:00p.m., unless noted otherwise.
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