Old Speck, May 31 2020

At this point in the year, Eric and I were interested in getting back to hiking, but not really thrilled about heading too far from home. While many of the NH 48 continued to beckon, we had decided to wait until June to head that way (and even then, making plans to have zero-stop trips.)

So on this particular day, off to Grafton Notch, and Old Speck we did go.
Old Speck is the fourth highest mountain in the State of Maine,  and is the Northernmost and (at 4,170') the highest in the Mahoosuc Range. We chose "Old Speck" trail, which is the most straightforward route, while "The Eyebrow" is both more challenging, and more scenic.

The forecast had looked promising, partly cloudy and temps projected to be in the mid to upper 50's at the summit. A pretty solid looking day!!

In my tweens, I climbed this mountain with my Dad, and Uncles, and had my first encounter with a Gray Jay (the love was born!) I also remember how incredibly sore, and shaky my legs were when we finally got back to the car.
Eric and my Dad made an attempt a few years back, but were thwarted by significant ice. So for the NE67, Eric had to snag this summit, and off we went!

Things seemed a bit bleak from the get go, as it (unexpectedly) began to rain in the final miles of the drive, and the temps plummeted (and lingered) at 42 freezing degrees.
Luckily, by the time we arrived the sun had peeked back out, which made the cold air feel more tolerable.

Not shockingly, there was a warning at the trailhead about the conditions. Also not shockingly, we were prepared!

ICY TRAILS!!!

Old Speck is one of those typical gnarly mountains in the Mahoussucs.  Not that is impossible, or disgustingly technical by any stretch. It's simply a mountain that heads right on up, right up a stone staircase, and rarely quits. (there are some pointless ups and downs. annoying)

OK so that's a slight exaggeration. You actually walk a bit on some nice footing and get the old muscles moving.

The warm up

And THEN it is up the stone stairs.

Stone stair time

I had forgotten about the pretty water features in the first mile or so. While it was much too cold for Ellie to get in the water, she was very curious about the waterfalls and rushing h2o.

Many pretty things!! 

There was a point during this hike (about a mile from the summit) when it just got COLD. This was not a disaster, as we had plenty of clothing, but it was mildly surprising. I can imagine people hiking along, thinking "hey, it's late May! no winter clothing needed" and then having a long, cold walk back to the car.

Definitely some snow left on the trail!

We weren't at all surprised to see snow lingering on the trail.
While there were very few people on the hill, the couple that we saw descending confirmed that the rain storm we had encountered on our drive, had been a pretty decent snow squall at the summit!
In addition to the snow on the trail, we could hear the wind in the trees above us, and it did not sound friendly!!

When we reached the summit the wind was indeed there, as were the remnants of the squall. The fire tower, which always affords a good view, was too icy to climb more than half of (which I did...)

What you can't hear is the WIND!!!

 It was just too damn cold and windy to take a summit pic. There were 2 other woman up there, but in this time one does not ask a stranger to touch their phone to take a victory photo... So we skedaddled pretty quick, feeling like we had summited a winter mountain.

We really powered through the first downhill mile, both of us were interested in getting back into some more comfortable conditions!!

Heading DOWN

Once the temps moderated, it was a straightforward, although mostly steep, walk down.

It was still about 47 degrees at the base, so we skipped all the rituals like LAME people! No photo, no parking lot party, no post hike snacks, no fun beer. We are terrible at hiking!!

So. Overall. We were glad to be back on the trail! While this one is kind of a grind, it's still a must do for a Maine hiker. While steep, there is nothing technical (no real scrambling. nothing above treeline except the actual summit which is still kind of tree-like. nothing that made me think "oh shit, danger!!) so it is a doable hill if you have some tenacity. And warm clothing. Also, the trail is extremely easy to follow, and well marked. A nice change from some of the trails we tend to follow!

Sorry about the shit pics. I wasn't so sure I was going to keep up the hiking blogs, but, evidently, I am.

Stats:
Date:
Mileage: 7.3
Elevation: 2,852
Time: 4:32 (included 10 min stopped time)
Challenge level: Difficult, but not due to terrifying technicality
Dog Friendly?? Yes

Week Two: B2B2B 624K Challenge

I'm pleased to report that I was able to get back on track with my mileage during the past week.

Because of the hot and muggy weather, and a really busy week at work, I did the unthinkable and arose at dawn to run.

It was muggy.

Soup

Muggy every day.

At least the sun peaked through the soup the next day

It was worth it though, as the after work afternoon hours were stifling. By Friday, I had run 35.9 miles, and was back in the game.
All of my runs were definitely "easy" efforts, as that is ALL I can manage at 5AM. I see no problem with this though, as easy miles equal no injuries.

We also managed a pretty spectacular hike on Sunday, crushing the Carter range and covering 14 plus miles.
The best thing about this hike (other than it is close by??) We saw ZERO people for the first 5 hours, and only 6 total for the final 2. Social distancing at its finest.

Finally, NOT SOUP

This week certainly established some clear frontrunners for the challenge, with a group of 10 or so throwing down a ton of mileage. Unless they basically give up and quit running, they seem to be dominating the top places.
The thing about this challenge, at least for someone like me, is that it actually is one! I can't recall the last time I ran weekly summer mileage of 30 miles. Sure, here and there most definitely. But 30 mile weeks for 3 months? Nope. And the thing is, you fall behind for a few weeks and catching up would be next thing to impossible. (this challenge needed to happen during Boston Training to make it easy for me, haha!)

The plan for the upcoming week?
A 30 mile week of easy runs. This will soon be "the norm!" As indicated last week, I still hope to "bank" some mileage for late July when I really will be critically busy. BUT, no need to wreck myself this early on and then have to drop out. So slow and steady wins the race (or, finishes. ideally not in the bottom 1/3 of the leaderboard!

Miles run: 35.9
Miles Hiked: 14.8B2B2B standing on Sunday night: 15/43
Hottest day: 89
Longest run: 7

Week 1: B2B2B 624K Challenge

Damnit, week one over and I'm already behind on mileage!!!

In order to complete this challenge by September 15th, one must run 29.5 weekly miles minimum. I managed 24 miles last week, and since we all know what numbers are, we know that was not enough!

WHY???
Well, reasons.

The biggest reason was that it was over 90 for 3 days, and I put 900 bales of hay in the loft (sneak attack hay- like a month early!!) We also had plans for a 11-13 mile Sunday hike and had to ditch our Funday plans because I had some work issues to deal with.

Anyway.... It's a new week, it's a fucking NEW DAY and I'll catch up a bit. I actually hope to get some bonus miles in the bank pretty soon, because the last week in July, and the first week in august are presenting some scheduling nightmares.

Hey, I got my new watch! A Garmin Forerunner 245 and not only is it so cute, but it seems to record mileage! I am excited to take it on my forest route, hopefully on a cloudy day to really test its legs.
Also, since Garmin pics are basically what everyone does I need to remember to take some.
In the meantime, here is a pic of this tomato that I'm growing. A blog without photos is depressing.

I possess gardening skills

So one word about the B2B2B challenge.
There are some really motivated runners doing this.
And how do I know?
They have a LEADERBOARD!!! This is wonderful, because shame is my best motivator. When I noticed that I was sitting solidly in 30/38 place at the end of the week yesterday, I knew I would have to make a move. (and here's the thing. the leaders are already well established. no catching them! but I hope not to finish in the bottom 1/3...)

This makes Pandemic running pretty fun. Really, the leaderboard is clutch. Without that I would just squeak by and end up in 30/38th place NBD.

Anyway:

Miles run: 24
B2B2B standing on Sunday night: 30/38
Hottest day: 94
Longest run: 7

Pandemic Running week 13

Last week was the final week before Eric and I begin the Baxter to Baxter to Baxter Challenge.

The good news is that it was a pretty decent week of running. I ran the same 6.5 mile route for every run, and (amusingly!) my aged watch measured it drastically differently every time. On the final day, it gifted me an entire extra MILE and showed me running through an extra mile of dense forest, a swamp, over the stream, and then (aggressively!) through the properties of several people, before returning to my actual route. YIKES!!! I must admit that the entertainment that this provided gave me all the entertainment that I needed to enjoy my week of running. Despite what my watch led us to believe, I finished up with a 26 mile week.
(and in other fun news, Eric has a SWEET Garmin connection, and has acquired a much newer watch for me which will arrive soon. So fun!!)

We also fit in an aggressive 8.5 mile hike up Mount Adams. This was Ellie's first time in the Northern Presidentials, and she did a great job in the boulder field. We are fortunate to have these mountains so close by, and we can easily spend time in the outdoors without having to stop for any reason (although from what I'm hearing, the business in the area would actually appreciate some safe/respectful customers....)

A SOLID day on Adams

On to this week and the B2B2B challenge. This is going to be great fun, and slightly crazy. We are "counting" both running and hiking miles. The only way I will count walking mileage is if I end up injured (and I had better not!)

In a perfect world, I will finish the weekly "required" mileage all as runs, and use hiking as "extra." But let's be real. I can't remember the last time that I managed to run 3 summer months of (almost) 30 mile weeks without some sort of chaos interrupting me.

I'm pretty excited about this!
Anddddd if we are going to be honest, the weather we are about to have makes me *kinda* happy that I don't have a long run this weekend. Or speedwork. UGH f**k summer marathon training!!

So! Next week will be my first recap of B2B2B and I am looking forward to it!

Mileage: 26
Hiking: 8.5
Hottest day: Not very....

Pandemic week 12

Another week of pandemic running is behind us, and even though the pandemic continues to rage right along, some things are beginning to return to "normal" (will that ever be a thing again?)

My business has opened back up and we are seeing good things in that department. I did lose a major summer account- one I have had for 22 years. This is honestly one of those curse/blessing situations. The curse, of course, is income loss. The blessing.... It would have been hard to manage the riders for this program (all very young, no way to keep safe space, coming from areas where there is a much higher infection rate.) I was pretty concerned about keeping my staff safe, and I no longer have that concern. Aside from that client, all systems are go. 

On the running front, as I mentioned last week, the remote possibility of a September Boston Marathon is no longer. Again, blessing/curse. Any  disappointment I may have experienced was short lived. I simply can not imagine the impossibilities of orchestrating such a huge event during this time. Plus, we are getting a refund, we can use our existing qualifying times to try again for next year, and they have a completely optional virtual race. I felt really good about all these options. 

So for now, running along. I managed around 21 miles last week, and a 10 mile hike. 

Wow

Starting next week Eric and I signed up for a challenge "virtual" race. Basically this event will ask us to run the mileage from Baxter Brewery (in lewiston) to Baxter State Park (in Millenockett) and BACK AGAIN. This will actually require some effort, hence the word "challenge". This should be fun! We have from June 15-September 15 to complete, and it's a good thing we have that much time. Recreationally, I'm really not a high mileage runner. Apparently, I'm lazy. But I really do want to finish this thing- so the summer blogs are going to be a weekly countdown to the end, and the subsequent medal and free beer :-) 

Pandemic week 11

So, since this is a running blog I shall first address the running issue....

As everyone knows, the Boston Marathon was cancelled last week.

So listen. I think BAA did this the best/only way that could be done. Everyone is getting a refund, we can use our 2020 Q times to try again for next year, and they are offering a virtual marathon this fall. Basically, best case scenario.

Not everyone is happy.

Lots of complaining. 

I just can't help but feel that there are bigger issues to deal with at the moment. Many, many issues. 

The terrible acts of racism in the past week (or years? like forever???) have me feeling the need to do more, learn more, speak up more. It is the epitome of white privilege to avoid conversations that deal with racial inequality. I recognize the privilege that I have, terribly unjust though it is. And I will use that privilege to speak out more clearly from here on out. Why does it take so many, and such obvious displays of racism to push people like me to take a stand, and become more educated? White privilege, that's what. Things are easy. And we like easy. BUT, I plan to do better, and to learn more, and not to ignore the words of hate that I sometimes hear, but to loudly speak against them. LOUDLY.

This is a running blog. People don't come here for social commentary, but I'm commenting anyway. Within my own group of friends and colleagues I have witnessed horrible, self righteous behavior pertaining to what is happening in the world right now. I have certainly discovered the people who have been hiding some horrendous hatred, and now feel that it is time to let their feelings be heard.  I'm sorry. You might be having a hard day as an upper/middle class white man, but FUCKER YOU DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING (and I'm a random white woman with privilege. I don't either. But I have god damn LOVE in my heart and I have to hope that counts for something. PLUS, I know I can be better.)

Black. Lives. Matter. 

Anyway. That's all.