Up, Down, and Around (recap)

Activity Overview

Distance: 6.43 miles

Ave/Max HR: 142 / 175

Calories Burned: 590

Detailed Stats & Map

The Scoop

We were one leader short this week with Greg out hunting for pheasant somewhere in the Dakotas.  We had one new attender this week, Curt, and a Clint from the DRC was also back.  

Chester is a great area and every trail we ran was in excellent condition.  We started the run at the Chester parking lot just off of Skyline Pkwy.  This area is littered with ski and hiking trails.  

To get blood moving, we reinstated our old tradition - run a major ascent the number of times you have people in the group.  There is a trail immediately adjacent to the first parking area with a substantial hill, so it didn't take long for us to warm up in spite of the rapidly plummeting temps throughout the Northland.  

After completing the repeats, we ran over to Bagley Nature Center at UMD and completed one full loop of that system.  Between the abundance of fallen leaves and some fresh wood chips lining portions of the trail, this was a fun trail to revisit.  I was surprised, however, not to see anyone walking or running in Bagley as plenty of people were out at Chester tonight.

Once we got back on Chester, it was time for headlamps.   Initially, this portion of the trail overlooks the bowl of Chester Bowl.  It is a great view, though somewhat inihibited in the dark!

  We ran into a few walkers (no pun intended) that didn't have headlamps both in upper and lower Chester.  Surprising and, in my estimation, somewhat foolish for a trail system that often has oversized roots, rocks, and substantial dropoffs immediately adjacent to the trail down to the river.  If you are inclined to go for a walk or run after work starting next week following Daylight Savings Time, be sure to pick up a headlamp (Duluth Running Co carries several reasonably priced models).  The lower section of Chester is all downhill to 4th Street and uphill for most of the return trip.  That being said, it is still a very fun trail to run in the heart of Duluth's hillside.

Great time with great people...hope to see you next week!