Off & On

This notice is a very belated.  Tonight's event is cancelled.  For those interested in a Thursday night run this week, feel free to call or post a comment.  If time allows, we may post something on here, but do not count on it.

Next week's regular fun run may change as well due to another scheduling conflict.  We will do a better job about posting an alternate time or giving more notice.  Following Christmas and New Year, the run day & time will stay solid.

Thanks and keep running!

Giddeyup Gobble Gallop

Time: Tuesday, November 24 @ 5:30PM
Where: Duluth Running Co.
Distance: 5k or 10k
Weather: 40's and sprinkles - perfect running weather:)
Recommended Gear:  Headlamp...more for safety than sight.

Description: Due to very wet trails this week, we decided we'd preview the Gobble Gallop course.  Hopefully traffic doesn't impinge on the pace too much at this time since it won't be a closed course until Thursday!  Once we've done the first loop, we may vary up the route a bit, but it will surely be an enjoyable time.  See you at DRC.

A Little Later

Date: Tuesday, November 17 @ 7PM  **NOTE TIME**
Where: Highland/Getchel Superior Hiking Trail Parking Area
{SHT section map} {map to parking area}
Distance: 6 - 8 miles
Weather: Mid to Low 40's
Required Gear: Heandlamp (extras will be on hand)

Description: Please note the later time for this week.  We are still working on the final details of this week's run...it will most likely be an out & back along the Superior Hiking Trail.  This section of the SHT provides some outstanding views of Duluth.  The trails are not overly technical and should be in great shape with the drier weather we've had as of late. 

We hope to see you on the trail.

On the Trail Again

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 @ 5:30PM
Where: Piedmont Trail Parking Lot (map)
Distance: 4 or 8 miles (two loops for distance options)
Weather: Low 40's
Required Gear: Headlamp (extras will be on hand)
Suggested Gear: Trail shoes - be prepared for a little mud

Description: Based on the weekend runs, it seems that the trails are back in good running condition.  Piedmont hosts snowmobile, hiking, ski, and bike trails, which amount to great variety for runners.  We will primarily be sticking with the COGGS (bike) trails, but may hop on to the ski or Superior Hiking Trail for some of this run.

Broken record - friends and newcomers are always welcome.  A Honda Element will be the meeting spot.

Park & Run

Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 @ 5:30 PM

Meet Location: Piedmont Park & Ride Parking Lot (map)
Distance: 6-7 miles (2 loops with 1/2 distance option)
Weather: Low 40's, potential light rain or snow
Suggested Gear: Headlamp

I've lived around this area for the last 6 years, but many people don't know much about Piedmont.  In this run, we'll complete two 3 to 4 mile loops taking us into two different portions of Piedmont, both ending back at our meet location so those interested in an abbreviated run have that option. 
 
Two other notes:  First, we will be getting a bite to eat after the second loop for those that are interested in joining.  It won't be overly formal...probably something like Subway.  Second, the polls are open, so remember to vote!

Clear skies

Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 5:30 PM
Meet Location: 26th Ave E Lakewalk Parking Lot (look for the black Honda Element)
Distance: 6 miles +/- with an optional extra loop
Weather: High 40's and no rain
Suggested Gear: Headlamp

With all of the rain over the last two weeks, the trails are saturated, so we'll be hitting the pavement this week.  We have used variations of this western Lakewalk route multiple times because it caters to multiple paces - if you are faster, you get to participate in ramp and step challenges while the rest of the pack catches up.  This will be an out and back to the lighthouse.  For those looking for a few extra miles, we will tack on a extra loop heading east, perhaps as far as the end of the new extension.

Two other points of interest.  First, we will run rain or shine.  If there is lightning or a blizzard, we will cancel and post a cancellation notice on the blog no later than noon on the day of the run.  Second, I am including a vote on the right section of the blog.  We are considering post-run activities to increase group fellowship opportunities, but only if there is sufficient interest.  Thanks!

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 @ 5:30 PM
Meet Location: Lester Park - Lower Lot {Map}
Activity: Trail run
Distance: 6 miles +/-
Weather: Mid 40's, slight chance of rain
Suggested Gear: Headlamp and trail shoes

Last week, someone mentioned the newer trails down at Lester.  We are always up for ideas and trails we've never tromped, so this will be a fun explorative run in some ways.

With the late start, we ended up literally in the dark at last week's run.  Please bring a headlamp if you own one.  Nearly any store has them these days (Home Depot, Target, Gander Mountain), but I'd recommend stopping at the Duluth Running Co. to pick one up.  Clint and Andrea have always been super supportive of the running community and their shop is unparalleled for customer service.  We will bring a few extras if you aren't ready to invest in a headlamp of your own.

As always, friends, family, and newbies are always welcome.

Ridge Run

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 @ 5:30 PM

Meet Location: Hawk's Ridge on E Skyline Pkwy {Map} {Street View}
Activity: Trail run
Distance: 6 miles +/-
Weather: Low 40's

This will be an out & back run along the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) spur trail starting at Hawk's Ridge.  We'll continue along the main SHT until we reach Martin Rd, at which point we will turn around.  It made for a beautiful night run by headlamp last year, so I'm looking forward to taking in the daytime version.

If we fall short on mileage, we may tack on a section of the trail that heads toward Hartley.

See you Tuesday.  Remember, guests are always welcome!

Chance of Rain

Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 @ 5:30 PM
Activity: Cancelled
Weather: Mid 30's with 70% chance of rain

Between the upcoming forecast and a potential last minute conflict, we are going to push the Fun Run back to next week (10/13).  We apologize for the cancel after only being back 1 week, but be ready to make up for it!

Back at it

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 @ 5:30 PM
Meet Location: 26th Ave E Lakewalk Parking Lot
Activity: Mixed lakewalk/trail run
Distance: 6 miles +/-
Weather: Low 50's

Welcome back to the Tuesday Night Fun Runs! We officially resume our running gatherings this week with a run that will take us along the easternmost section of the lakewalk, wind up through some residential, and, if the group is up for it, take on a section of beautiful trail.

As usual, this is a no drop run. For faster runners, we will throw in challenges to insure you get your workout in. New runners and friends are always welcome.

Summer Siesta

Due to the low turnout, we are going to set aside this regular posting for the next two months.  We will continue to have Tuesday night activities, so feel free to contact us if you are interested in participating or check out either of the other fun gatherings that will likely be part of our regular routine.

1. COGGS Tuesday night ride - mountain biking at Mont Du Lac
   
2. Duluth Running Co's Tuesday Tri Night - triathlon training group (swim then group ride) at Pike Lake Boat Landing.  Call Duluth Running Co. for additoinal details at: 218.728.1148
   

Do the Duey

Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: Piedmont Ski Trailhead Parking Lot
Activity: Trail Run + Road Bike
Distance: 4 miles +/- and 12 miles +/-
Weather: Nearly 60
Conditions: Unknown

We are going to hit a bit of the Superior Hiking Trail & Piedmont Ski Trail on a shorter trail run. The conditions of the trails is unknown given the rain we had on Sunday, but the SHT has been in excellent shape and it is unlikely it will be overly wet. Nevertheless, bring some shoes that you don't mind getting a bit muddy.

After the run, we'll be splitting up. I'll be doing a short (10 to 12 miles) road ride just to get back in the saddle. I may incorporate a few hill repeats on the ride and the route is TBD.

Everything will start and end at the trailhead parking lot. Hope to see you there. As always, look for the black Honda Element as the meet point.

Festival 5.1k + 2

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: 1500 Swan Lake Rd - parking lot
Activity: Road Run
Distance: 5 miles +/-
Weather: Mid 50's with 50% chance of rain

Since I am organizing the 2009 Festival 5.1k, I'm selfishly picking tonight's route as the updated Festival 5.1k (with an additional 2 - 3 miles) to finalize the finish line and get the feel of the revised course. It should be a low key run tonight and, assuming that we get the less wet 50% of the forcast, a fun run.

Note: Many people have had difficulty finding this location, though it is centrally located. If you don't know where the former Birchwood Elementary School (currently Mount of Olives Baptist Church) is located, click this link for directions and an interactive map. There is loads of construction by the mall area, so those directions are a bit off. The easiest way from the mall/Central Entrance side, presently, is to go up Basswood Ave toward the Duluth Heights Community Club. Go approximately three blocks, then take a left on Swan Lake Rd. Continue for roughly one mile and the parking lot is on your right, but set back a bit. We'll gather next to the black Honda Element.

See you tonight!

Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: 24th Ave W SHT Trailhead Parking Lot
Activity: Road Run
Distance: 5 miles +/-
Weather: Mid 40's with 40% chance of rain

This will be a comfortable 5 mile run out & back on Skyline Pkwy with a few diversions along the way. We hope to see you there.

Again, we will mostly stay as a group and provide some extra credit activity options for those that have energy to spare.

Rain, rain, go away

Our regular Tuesday evening activity scheduled for May 12 is canceled, but will resume May 19. Be sure to get outside and get your run in before the rain, if it comes, so you are ready for a good, clean, fun run next week!
Also, the 2009 Festival 5.1k, the running event we coordinate, is on the running calendar for Tuesday, August 18. The website gives much of the details and will be updated regularly in the months ahead. Be sure this one makes it on your calendar!

Thrill without the Hill (Recap)

Activity Summary
Distance: 9.1 miles
Calories: 1,118
HR (Max/Ave): 174 / 151bpm

Interactive Activity Details

With hail, lightning, and thunder I was prepared to call off the activity. Nevertheless, I geared up and connected with Greg at the meet spot. As soon as 5:30 rolled around, it became sunny and clear. We didn't get a drop of rain for the entire run!

Since it was just two of us, we decided to change the route a bit. We still covered the same territory (Coffee Creek, Orange St, Arlington), but didn't circle back to the start point. Coffee Creek, a residential development that went bankrupt, provided some interesting new scenery. It was also fun to see how much the ice mountain on Orange St had melted with all of the warm weather.

Hope we can see more participants next week.

Thrill without the Hill

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: Lake Superior College Parking Lot (link)
Activity: Road Run
Distance Options: 4 or 9+/- miles
Weather: Mid 50's with 50% chance of rain - updated forecast

In honor of Brian B's recent Thrill on the Hill Fund Run that took place this weekend, we are going to set our start point at Lake Superior College's lower parking lot. This lot is immediately on your left coming in LSC's main entrance.

We will be completing two loops, for those interested. Loop 1 (~ 4 miles) will take us through a development that had some financial problems and is essentially vacant and along Arlington for the return leg. Loop 2 (~5 miles) will bring us through the Observation area and again back down Arlington. For those that are faster, you will be in the 2XU competition - you are required to go up and down every hill twice, so your mileage may be a bit higher.

Please note, if we have severe thunderstorms, this activity WILL be cancelled. For our fair-weathered runners, this does not mean a sprinkle, but an all out downpour with wind and lightning. Running in light rain can be good fun, but be sure to bring dry clothes and a towel to take an edge off the post-run chills.

Park Point (recap)

Summary
Pariticpants: Keven, Greg, Bill, Jim
Total mileage: Varied (5 to 9.75 miles)
Duration: 1 hour, 26 minutes
Highlights: Running off-road and new face this week (Jim)!

Click here for interactive map & comprehensive activity details

Notes
For the second week in a row we managed to hit the dirt instead of the pavement. The Park Point trail was in excellent shape and provided decent protection from a fairly significant (and chilly) wind. The trail is an out and back, but we somehow managed to get separated near the turnaround point (in our defense, the trail does split in a few directions near the end). Our goal is to always keep the group in tact, so it was unusual that we got split up this week. We don't want anyone to feel as though they need to run a certain pace to keep up with the group and at times will come up with "equalizers" that enable us to keep the group together when we have participants with varying running abilities.

As is the case every week, it was a nice night to get out for a run, and we were glad to have new participant Jim B. join us.

Hope to see you next week!

Park Point

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: Park Point (the first parking lot on the left as you enter the park)
Activity: Hybrid run
Distance Options: 4 to 10 miles
Weather: Mid 40's - updated forecast

This week we'll check out the trail that goes beyond the Airport at the end of Park Point. The trail doesn't offer much in the way of elevation gain, but we can expect to encounter several very sandy sections.

Duluth Parks and Rec trail description can be found here .

Depending on trail conditions and the composition of the group, we'll either run an out and back on the trail a couple of times or opt to do the trail once and then add some road running in order to get our mileage in for the evening. Either way, there will be opportunities for participants to make the run as long or as short as desired.

Hope to see you there!

Western Waterfront Challenge (recap)

Summary
Pariticpants: Keven, Greg, Bill, Clint
Total mileage: 9.6 miles
Duration: 1 hour, 21 minutes
HR (max/ave): 175 / 147bpm
Calories: 1183

Click here for interactive map & comprehensive activity details

Notes
The weather continues to improve...a few participants even sported shorts, which ended up being the correct choice since the wind died down. Watch out for another day in the 70's later this week and make sure to get out for another run!

The Western Waterfront trail, suggested by Bill last week, turned out to be absolutely ideal for this week. The trail was almost perfectly dry for the entire length, afforded great scenery, and provided some cushion as we punched out nearly 10 miles. The group was more homogeneous in ability levels, so we didn't need to utilize our equalizers to insure we stayed together. That being said, we threw in a few extras for everyone to enjoy - hill & stair repeats (one for each participant, so watch out if we get a bigger group) and a fartlek.

We will continue to vary the location each week, but have settled on the new 5:30PM time slot. If you haven't attended yet, make next week your first outing with the group and bring a friend. We look forward to seeing newbies and regular attenders alike next week!

Western Waterfront Challenge

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: Munger Trail Parking Lot
Activity: Road Running (kind of...)
Distance Options: 5 miles or 10 miles
Weather: High 40's - updated forecast

Duluth has dozens of trails - paved, gravel, hiking, biking, etc. Join us on this little gem that looks over the water.

The route will be perfect for runners of all levels. We will have a few "equalizers" to insure faster individuals get plenty of challenge and the group doesn't get too spread out. There will be more exit points than at 5 and 10 miles, so don't let those two options steer you away from joining us. We look forward to seeing you out there!

Highway 61 Revisited (recap)

Summary
Pariticpants: Keven, Greg, Bill, Luke
Total mileage: 8.0 miles
Duration: 1 hour, 4 minutes
Highlights: Nice tail wind on the return portion of the run

Click here for interactive map & comprehensive activity details

Notes
The sun was out, but it felt pretty brisk the first couple of miles as our group of four headed north into a fairly significant headwind. It didn't take long to settle into a comfortable pace and take in some good views of Lake Superior. At the half-way point, we did a 180 and immediately enjoyed a nice tail wind that made it feel 10 degrees warmer and helped push us all the way back to the parking lot. Another great night to get out and exercise!

Please join us next week!
Please note - unless posted otherwise, future outings will start at 5:30 p.m.

Highway 61 Revisited

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 ***5:45 PM***
Meet Location: Brighton Beach - meet at old Tourist Information building located between Brighton Beach entrance and Lester River
Activity: Road Running
Anticipated distance: 8 miles with opportunities to cut the run short, if desired
Weather: Mid 40's - updated forecast
Required Gear: Running shoes and a good attitude

While we wait for the trails to dry out, we're going to try to make road running as enjoyable as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to take in some good scenery, and that's exactly what we'll find by running an out and back on the old scenic highway. Depending on the composition of the group, we'll come up with fun ways to periodically "equalize" the faster runners and keep the group from getting too strung out.
We're still settling on an official start time for these outings (5:30 vs. 6:00). If you haven't done so already, please cast your vote on the blog. With that said, please note that we will be meeting at 5:45 for this week's run.

Hope to see you there!

Out & back again (recap)

Summary
Total mileage: 6.02 miles
Duration: 45 minutes
HR (ave/max): 156 / 172
Total Burn: 742C

Click here for interactive map & comprehensive activity details

Notes
A true spring day for this activity...sunshine, melting snow/ice, very sandy roads & sidewalks, and plenty of fresh air. Although turnout was lower than anticipated, it was a great six mile run. Rather than doing an out and back, we meandered through the Duluth Heights neighborhood. The Garmin map shows what appears to be some substantial elevation changes, but the numbers reveal that it was a reasonably flat course. Having recently returned from Florida, there is a dramatic difference between Duluth Flat and Florida Flat!

Great conversation, sufficient mileage, and a great night to enjoy some road running. Hope to catch you next week as we try to keep things fresh from one week to the next.

Please be sure to vote this week on whether activity start time impacts your ability to attend.

Out & Back again

Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: 1500 Swan Lake Rd (Mt of Olives Baptist Church)
Activity: Road Running
Anticipated distance: 3 to 7 miles
Weather: Mid 30's - updated forecast
Required Gear: Running shoes and a good attitude

With the recent warmup, trails are out for at least a month. We are going to stick to the roads the next few weeks (or paved trails). This week we will decide the final route once we see the group composition. We will either do two shorter (3 miles +/-) loops or one longer (6 miles +/-) out & back.

We are looking forward to seeing both newbies and regulars there!

What's with Tuesdays? (updated)

** CANCELED DUE TO WINTER STORM **
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 5:30 PM (potential cancellation)
Meet Location: 24th Ave W Parking lot below Skyline Pkwy
Activity: Road Running
Anticipated distance: 5 to 10 miles
Weather: Winter Storm Warning - updated forecast
Road Conditions: TBD

Is it just me or have we really had a disproportionate amount of bad weather on Tuesday nights? This night's activity falls squarely in the middle of the National Weather Service's winter storm warning. We will update the post no later than 2PM Tuesday, but, if the storm hits, it WILL be cancelled. In the event that it misses us, we will be a little creative with our Skyline route so runners of all abilities will be challenged without breaking up the group too much.

Last, be sure to fill out the poll on the right to help us land on a time that works best. Thanks!

Lakewalk - Tried and True (recap)

Record turnout for 2009! The Lakewalk proved to be a good choice for this outing as our group of six enjoyed mild temps, fresh air, and scenic views of Lake Superior. It was great to see some new faces this week. Laura, Greg, and Luke were welcome additions to the group and will hopefully be back for future outings.

Pariticpants: Keven, Greg, Bill, Laura, Greg, Luke
Total mileage: 6.76 miles
Duration: 1 hour
Highlights: new faces, great weather

Click here for run details

Please note - There will be no Tuesday night run next week (3/24/09). We will resume the following week (3/31/09).

Lakewalk - Tried and True

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 6:00 PM
Meet Location: Lakewalk - 26th Ave East parking lot (by Holiday gas station)
Activity: Road Running
Anticipated distance: 5 to 10 miles
Weather: Tropical heatwave,45 degrees - updated forecast
Trail Conditions: Good
Required Gear: Running shoes and a good attitude
Optional Gear:

It's hard to believe that we had to cancel due to blizzard-like conditions just a couple of weeks ago! Spring is in the air and it's time to hang up the skis and lace up the running shoes.

We expect some new faces this week, so we're headed to the Lakewalk which will cater to a variety of running abilities. Each time we encounter a staircase, we'll do "hill repeats" until all members of the group are together.
We'll do two out and backs. We'll start by running to Canal Park and back which should be 5.5 miles or so. For anyone interested in going farther, we'll do a second out and back, but in the opposite direction. The distance of the second out and back will be determined based upon the composition of the group (but will most likely be between 3 and 5 miles).

Hope to see you there!

Tonight's Outing is Cancelled

It appears that we are indeed going to get some severe weather tonight. Unfortunately, tonight's run is cancelled.

With this being the second consecutive week that we've had to cancel, we'll definitely be ready to get back on track next week.

So lace up your running shoes, grab a friend, check the blog for details, and join us next week.

Blizzard or no?

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: TBD (check back noon Tuesday)
Activity: Trail Running
Weather: Blizzard...or not? - updated forecast
Trail Conditions: Unknown
Required Gear: Headlamp
Optional Gear: Yak Trax or Ice Bugs

There is a blizzard warning in effect. In the event that predictions prove to be overblown, we will post the meet location by noon.

Tonight's Outing is Cancelled

*** Tuesday, March 3rd - CANCELLED ***

We'll resume next week.

Cool Runnings (Recap)

Distance: 7 miles
Calories: 850
HR (Ave/Max): 141bpm / 173 bpm

Interactive Activity Details

Detailed Recap:
It is great to have more light with each passing week. We didn't need the headlamps until the turnaround. With DST only one week away, we should only need lamps this next activity.

We took the Snowmobile trail system out from the Piedmont trailhead, which made for outstanding conditions. The ground was well packed and none of the treacherous ruts from the previous run in Hartley. What a blessing to have so many non-road route options starting in the heart of the City!

It was a great run and we look forward to many more as spring draws near and the snow begins to melt again. For now, with the recent snow fall, it is likely we will be skiing in the near future.

Cool Runnings

Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: Piedmont Ski Trail Parking Lot
Activity: Trail Running
Weather: High 20's - updated forecast
Trail Conditions: Icy / Slick
Required Gear: Headlamp
Optional Gear: Yak Trax or Ice Bugs

While trails were not overly slick last week at Hartley, the terrain was prime for twisting ankles. Starting at Piedmont will give us multiple options (ski trail, COGGS bike trail, Superior Hiking Trail, or the roads), so the route plan is a bit loose until we meet. Distance will depend on the composition of the group, as usual.

We hope to see you tonight!

Back to running

Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: Hartley Nature Center Parking Lot
Activity: Trail Running
Weather: High 20's - updated forecast
Trail Conditions: Icy / Slick
Required Gear: Headlamp
Optional Gear: Yak Trax or Ice Bugs

Thankfully we are done with the rain this week! It is unlikely we'll have enough accumulation by the time of the activity to do anything but run, so running it is this week. We look forward to getting back into a regular routine and seeing some friendly faces.

Running the COGGS

**** CANCELLED ****
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 5:30 PM
**** CANCELLED ****

Due to the soggy weather, we are cancelling this week's activity. We look forward to a trail run or snowshoe next week!


Meet Location: Piedmont Ski Trailhead Parking Lot (off Hillcrest)
Activity: Trail Running
Weather: High 20's - updated forecast
Trail Conditions: Icy / Slick
Required Gear: Headlamp
Optional Gear: Yak Trax or Ice Bugs

With the strange weather as of late, it is difficult to know how realistic any outside recreational activity will be. Please check back at 4PM in the event that this week's activity is canceled due to inclement weather.

Lester Park Revisited - (recap)

Total distance: +/- 4 loops on the lit trail (16K-18K)
Participants: Greg and Bill S.

Highlights: Trail conditions better than anticipated. Good to have Bill S. back again this week.

Detailed stats and interactive map: Forgot the GPS - no data available.

Recap: As mentioned above, the trail conditions were much better than anticipated. We arrived to a freshly groomed skating lane that was free of ice and debris. This evening was pretty much a repeat of last week (a good thing). It was nice to see so many Nordic enthusiasts out enjoying their skinny skis at Lester Park.

Another great night of skiing!

Lester Park Revisited

Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2009 5:30 PM
Meet Location: Lester Park UPPER Lot
Activity: Skate Skiing
Weather: Single Digits - updated forecast
Trail Conditions: Mixed reports - expect some debris on trail
Required Gear: Skis & Trail Pass (Gander Mtn and select gas stations)
Optional Gear: Headlamps

With Snowflake hosting a ski race this evening, we're going back to Lester for this week's outing. Please note the time change of 5:30. Meet at the upper parking lot.

Hope to see you there!

Lit up at Lester (recap)

Total distance: Varies - 8.24 miles+

Participants: Keven, Greg, and Bill S.

Highlights: Fast conditions generally and the 2nd half (all downhill!)

Detailed stats and interactive map

Recap: We decided to start a bit earlier this week...we'll see if this is a time that sticks, so stay posted. It was fun to reconnect with Bill after several weeks. It had been a year since I'd seen Bill on skis and I continue to be amazed at how effortless skate skiing can look for someone with experience! I know he works hard when skiing, but his form inspires those of us that wonder if we'll ever get there. Greg is definitely on his way to that same rhythm, if not already there.

If you haven't been to Lester, my highlight above may be useful to you. The first 1/2 or more is nearly all up hill. During this time, your heart is pounding, your lungs are gasping, and, for some (me included), you wonder what you are doing wrong. That brings us to that special turn...the one where you start the descent that was especially fast this week due to the trail conditions. In an instant, the skier goes from a panting pansy to a roller coaster flying the rails. Take a look at the stats and map link above, because it is easy to see when flipping between the elevation and HR sections. By the time you reach the "bottom", you have nearly forgotten the arduous journey up and up and up and you decide to take another loop to quickly refresh your memory;)

Hope to see you next soon!

Lit up at Lester

Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 (5:15PM) or 6:00PM
Meet Location: Lester Park Lower Lot
Activity: Skate Skiing
Weather: Single Digits - updated forecast
Trail Conditions: Currently well groomed
Required Gear: Skis & Trail Pass (Gander Mtn and select gas stations)
Optional Gear: Headlamps

The weather outside isn't as nice as last week, but should still be good for skiing. We've listed two times. Greg is going for a little extra credit with the Birke on the horizon, so we are starting early. We realize the earlier start time may be difficult for some, so we'll swing down to the lower lot again at 6PM to collect anyone that can't make the first start time.

Anyone is welcome to attend. Multiple distances are anticipated, so come for one loop or come for four. I may also bring classic skis to do one loop. See you there!

January 20

Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (4:45PM)
Meet Location: Piedmont Ski Trailhead
Activity: Classic Skiing
Weather: 20's - updated forecast

Trail Conditions: Currently well groomed

Required Gear: Classic Skis & Headlamps

The weather outside is outstanding and it is a shame to not be outside. Due to some scheduling issues and limited daylight for classic skiing, we are deviating from our normal start time.

Our intent for next week is to skate ski at either Lester Or Snowflake at our normal start time of 6PM. If conditions are good, we will be skate skiing at Lester Park (starting at the lower parking lot to avoid parking congestion). If Lester's conditions are poor, we will meet at Snowflake's chalet. We will update the blog a bit more promptly next week!

*** Jan 13 Canceled ***

Our gathering tonight (Tuesday, January 13) is canceled due to the extremely cold temperatures. We look forward to better weather and more good clean fun next week!

As an aside, the Pepsi Challenge will be taking place this Saturday. If you have nothing else to do, this would be a fun event to watch and cheer on the participants. There are multiple distances for this cross country ski race and many people take this race on in preparation for the Birke.

Snowflake Again? - (recap)

Total distance: 22.5 K

Participants: Greg and Scout

Highlights: Somewhat mild temps, great snow conditions, and well-groomed trail. It's nice to see so many people enjoying evening skiing at Snowflake.

Recap: Perfect night for the first Tuesday night ski of 2009. Hope to see you next week!

Snowflake Again?

Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 (6:00PM)
Meet Location: Snowflake Ski Center
Activity: Skate Skiing
Weather: mid teens - updated forecast

Trail Conditions: Currently well groomed with excellent cover

Required Gear: Skate Skis, poles, boots and $3 for Snowflake

Anticipated Distance/Time: 60 - 120 minutes

Activity Details: Perfect snow conditions, a lighted trail system, and consistently great grooming bring us back to Snowflake for the third week in a row. Keven is out of town this week, so for anyone who wants to join me, I'll be in front of the chalet at 6:00 p.m.