GOT HILLS ?

One Year Ago Today

2012-01-27T11:29:00.001-05:00

Mt. Orient trails - 27Jan2011

A Couple Days from 1/16-1/22

2012-01-26T12:30:00.005-05:00

A Different Set of Descending Skills

Last Thursday I scraped the storage wax off the alpine boards and headed to Pittsfiled to try out my ski legs. Searching through a collection of old lift tickets I discovered the last time I went downhill skiing was March 24, 2007 at Smugglers Notch in Vt.

Bousquet, a small ski area in the Berkshires, has a sweet deal on Thursdays; $10 for a 3-9PM lift ticket.
I made the trip out late afternoon and got a couple runs in before the lights went on and I was joined by my daughter. We had fun getting in a half dozen more and she was kind enough to save me a spot in the lift line as I tooled in about 15 seconds behind.

Snow conditions weren't the best for rusty legs but I had taken the file to the edges so the skis held on the boilerplate neve.
All in all a fun time but a wake up call to the fact that I need a lot more lift service area work before heading off piste. Given the way winter is going I should luck out and be able to postpone that for yet another year.

Greylock

The snow gods had dusted the 'Shires with about 3" on Thursday night so I headed back over to Bousquet on Friday morning. Wind packed powder over boilerplate didn't look too appealing so I decided to drive up to Greylock for a more aerobic outing.

I parked at the Gould Trail lot, put on my microspikes, grabbed the pocket camera, and "ran" up to the Thunderbolt Shelter. I had the trail to myself save for three hikers I met just before the summit road crossing. Once I hit the road I opted to run it to the summit. The first thing I noticed were the V tracks from a nordic skier who had skated up. Our paths crossed while he was descending a short time later.

At the shelter I met up with a member of the T-Bolt ski patrol who had just skinned up. We chatted for a bit about trail conditions and the like before heading out for our respective descents. His skin up was about double the time of my run but he'd have me by a long shot on the return.

Winter - Enjoy it while you can.

That Time of Year Again

2012-01-12T07:56:00.000-05:00

INFORMATION

Where's Winter ??

2012-01-10T18:50:00.004-05:00

Except for a few isolated pockets, snow sports are taking quite the hit so far this winter.

I'm still holding out hope for the snowshoe race I wait for every winter and that's Curly's Record Run in Pittsfield State Forest. If only one race happens this season that should be the one.

Given the lack of good conditions for reviving dormant winter sports I enjoy, I was back out running on the trails this Sunday.
TW suggested the RFT North from Cranberry pond and a small group of us took the bait. Turned out to be a nice rolling two hours of out and back without the need for any traction devices.

view looking West from high point


snow sport enthusiasts Sara, TW, Sanjay making the best of it

Next weekend we're thinking about an out and back on Section 16 of the M&M. Might as well enjoy some bug free, non claustrophobic running while we can.

Think Snow

Past, Present, Future

2012-01-05T10:45:00.002-05:00

PAST

2011 was a mixed year as far as running went. I started out pretty enthusiastic about snowshoe racing, and who wouldn't have been with the snow we received.

A moose and I share the trail

When the snow melted my only running was geared toward the upcoming NE Mt. Circuit. My training didn't quite go as expected but I was able to maintain a good attitude about it and was reasonably happy with the seasons results despite running some near PW's at a couple races.

By mid July I was totally wiped physically. I had entered, booked, and paid for a trip to Paluzza for the WMMRC in September but then cancelled the trip.

The remainder of the year was consumed by family matters that made running a luxury. I was able to maintain a bit of fitness but the main reason I run is to race and that just wasn't going to happen. A couple of October XC events were the only races I did in the second half of the year.

Race Totals for the year.
Snowshoe 6
Cross Country (5k) 13
Mountain/Trail 7
Road 1

Moonset behind Whitehorse and Cathedral

PRESENT

Five days into 2012 and I have managed to get out to the Holyoke Range and run on the 7 Sisters course twice.
As a New Years Day run, Sanjay, TW, Drew and myself ran the Notch to Summit House and back section of the trail.

Undercast in the Ct. River Valley from Bare Mt.

Happy New Year from the lads

Yesterday another bunch of us did the same route. It was a sendoff to Christer Malm, a visitor from Sweden that we had the good fortune to run with this fall. The group included part of the usual cast from UMass that get together for a noon run.

Alison, Sanjay, Alejandro, Sergio, Christer, myself, Rob

FUTURE

I've never been a goal or plan type person and that's pretty much my take going into this new year. I prefer the figure it out as you go along approach. Keeps the brain fresh.

This winter I'll do some running but hope to spend most of my time pursuing other outdoor interests that have been dormant for too long. Of course to this point winter is not cooperating so I may be running more than I want to.

The Mt. Circuit is always a favorite and it will be again this year.

With Terry's pending retirement and our move to Conway, NH later in the year it will be busy. One house to get ready to sell and one, 200 miles away, to make livable on a full time basis. Like always everything is subject to change without notice.

Counting the days

Stay healthy and have fun out there.

The past 3 weeks ending 13 Nov. 2011

2011-11-15T19:40:00.002-05:00

So lets start with the last week in October.

We'll call it "storm week".

A 5 out of 7 day running week. Not bad for me these days.

Made it to the Larch Hill XC race here in town. It's 3 miles of fell running complete with hay bails and stiles. This year had the added bonus of ankle deep mud and water for most of the course. The times reflect the conditions and except for being outgunned by my friend and training partner Sanjay, I was ok with my result.

With snow forecast for the afternoon, Terry and I headed out to Lenox to visit the kids shortly after the race. The 50 mile trip was epic and the old 'yota T100 earned it's keep once again.

Sunday morning we woke to 18" of Berkshire powder and a photo text from a neighbor that things weren't so good back in the valley.

Trees on the house be damned. I had my snowshoes, it was October, and I was a short drive from the Gould Trail up Greylock. Lee and I got first tracks to the Pecks Brook Shelter in snow conditions I'd never seen in October (other than in NH of course)

The ride home was pretty uneventful, just taking in the winteresque scenery until we descended to Williamsburg on Rt.9. Man what a mess. Glad I threw the chain saw in the truck; just in case.

Now onto the first week of November.

We'll call it "storm aftermath week".

The week was a big zero in the running department but was a huge Rocky IV training week. I use the term when a large output of manual labor consumes the day, or in this case, week. There's work to get done and running consumes too many of the finite number of watts available to this old body during daylight hours. Plus I turned 57 during the week and those available watts decreased a bit more.

Tree climbing and removal, brush hauling, log stacking, roof and chimney repairs at my house as well as cleanup and tree trimming at my mother's and sister's homes in Westfield. That was pretty much my week. Can't complain as I really do enjoy that kind of work.

Mike Wade posted about his version of this type of training a few weeks ago. Maybe it'll catch on.

this one took some creative rigging

the snow made clearing this mess a bit easier

Finally, last week.

We'll just call it "last week".

With a bit of cleanup left to do from the storm it was a 4 out of 7 day running week.
A couple of easy trail runs, one trail tempo run, and an 8 mile trail fartlek.

Following the fartlek session on Sunday TW and I headed out to open one last bit of the RFT in the area we usually run in.

Three hours of Rocky IV training to finish off the week.

Week ending 23 Oct. 2011

2011-10-24T12:30:00.001-04:00

At long last this past week saw me getting back into the swing of running. It ended up a 6 out of 7 day week with a 50.5 mile total. I'm a 50 mi/week max guy so that was a good week.

Monday - 8m, 70:00, mix dirt road and trail

Tuesday - 0

Wednesday - 9m, 1:3?:00, headlamp run on snowmachine trails

Thursday - 9.4m, run to UMass track and back + 12x200 @ 40 sec. (quite a joke for me as I NEVER do go straight turn left, go straight turn left running. Joined a group just to see if I could keep up. They ran 15x. At least the run over and back was enjoyable)

Friday - 6.5m, 63:00, trail M&M up Mt. Lincoln

Saturday - 7.1m, 5k race w/ 2m wrm up and 2m cool dwn. ABC Fall Foliage Race (hilly, mixed terrain)

Sunday - 10.5 m 1:58:00, trail, Brey Lake and Mt. Tom Ridge

Sunday morning undercast from Mt. Tom
Sugarloafs to the left. Mt. Toby massif to the right

Re-Tooling

2011-10-13T09:00:00.003-04:00

The past two months have been consumed with just about everything else but running.

Extreme post Mt. Series fatigue plus an assortment of unresolved family matters had me pull the plug on the WMMCR in Paluzza.

One family matter is still in limbo but with the onset of cooler weather my spirits, energy, and stamina are on the rise. I'm looking to get a couple local races in before the snow flies and we strap on the snowshoes. In the meantime I'll just keep logging miles/time in the woods

I was up in NH the first weekend of the month to do some work and managed to add a couple 4000'ers while there.
Adam (nephew), Lee (daughters boyfriend), and I got a break in the weather and had a good day ticking off Mt. Tom (4051')and Mt. Field(4340'). Nothing like getting up where the trees grow short (or not at all).

While it seems like ages ago, TW and I got out later in the day after Irene passed and got to see an awesome display of open channel hydraulics.

We've also been adding some game trail running to the mix to break up the monotony of the same old trails; plus it's a good way to scout for the upcoming whitetail season.

So now it's time to ramp things up and look to the future.
Hopefully the next two months will be better than the last.

Stay healthy, heal quick, and have fun out there.

Ciao

WMMRC 2011

2011-08-06T20:22:00.002-04:00

TALE of TWO RACES - Part I

2011-07-24T20:04:00.017-04:00

Well it's been twenty one days since the Loon Mt. Race and frankly it's ancient history at this point. However volumes have been written about history so I figure a very late race weekend story isn't that out of character.

The weekend began on Friday July 1 with a trip to Wildcat Mt. Ski Area to acquire a decommissioned triple chair from the Snowcat lift. In the '90's this lift served what was a "free" slope. Show up, get on the chair and make some short runs. It was a great place for kids to learn to ski which is exactly what my daughter did. I always wanted a chair to make a swing for the yard so that just added to the charm of getting this one.

not swinging yet

I spent the night in Cntr Conway then got up early Saturday to head over to Loon. I was meeting the course setting crew at 10 and was early enough to get in a run from Lincoln Woods. Next stop was the Loon parking lot where the lads and I started by moving the finish area/water stop gear to the four mile point via the gondola.

Once that was set out we returned to the banks of the Pemi at the bottom of the mountain to set out the flags.

the lads - Scott, Paul K, TiVO, Tim M, me

Tim Van Orden photo

Much like the two previous years I've joined in this exercise it was sunny and hot. Normally it takes a bit over two hours to mark the course. Paul K and Tim M took there dogs down on the gondola after four miles leaving Scott, TiVO, and myself to mark the remainder which included the infamous Upper Walking Boss. We came under a serious mosquito attack half way to the UWB and it didn't relent until the top of the Boss. Three and a half hours plus 100 oz of water from the Camelbak later I got to the gondola for the ride down. Feeling cooked and thinking this sortie was going to haunt me tomorrow, I headed to the campground. A shower, a nap, and supper in town then I was in for the night.

Race day morning it was up early, brew a pot of coffee, break camp and then get over to the mountain. With Dbl D absent and on the DL the morning seemed to lack it's normal enthusiasm. Warm ups were small groups instead of the bunch Dave would usually rally.
I headed out with Tony Park and Tim M for about 3 miles before changing shoes and heading down to the start line. The shoe of the day would again be the X-Talon 190. This has rapidly become my footwear of choice for runs up to 2 hours and most trail/mountain races.

Because it's been so long I don't remember many race details other than I wanted to "run" as far as I could and that ended up being from the start through about 20 steps up the UWB. From there it was about a 1k hike, power walk some like to call it, before running downhill again. Like last year I was caught by Dawn Roberts near the top right around where Scott Mason was set up to shoot the race. Unlike last year she hit the finish line before me. I crossed 2cd M50 with a 62:55, my slowest time in the past four years.

Glad to be done I ran back down to the lodge with a small group. Next came a soak in the icy waters of the Pemi before jumping in the truck for the three hour ride home.

Top 5 M50

33 Richard Morris 1:02:25

36 Paul Bazanchuk 1:02:55

41 John Martin 1:03:52

48 Don Slovenkai 1:06:05

53 Erik Wight 1:06:57

Full Results

PJB Photos

Scott Mason Photos

USATF-NE MT. SERIES TOP 5 M50-59

2011-07-12T08:23:00.002-04:00

Name		50-59	Club	Northfield	Wachusett	Pack	Cranmore	Loon	Ascutney	# run	Total Pts	Best 5
Paul	Bazanchuk	56	WMM	81.62	81.07	81.07	70.21	76.37	76.13	6	466.47	396.26
John	Martin	59	CCAC	74.52	74.07	76.63	65.44	75.23	76.35	6	442.24	376.80
Erik	Wight	51	WMAC	79.35	71.09	74.79	65.04	71.77	74.56	6	436.60	371.56
Don	Slovenkai	55	NMC	73.11	72.25	71.52	64.25	72.71	68.54	6	422.38	358.13
Rick	Scott	57		72.15	70.78	69.62	61.05	68.45	65.08	6	407.13	346.08

TALE of TWO RACES - Part II

2011-07-11T18:00:00.005-04:00

Ascutney Mt. Challenge

OK so I'm going to start off with a recap of yesterdays final NE Mt. Series race, Ascutney, while it's still fresh in my mind and I have a bit of time to tell the tale. I'll get back to Part I, Loon, later.

By this point in the yearly Series, the end of it, I am freakin' exhausted. With some exceptions, and there are always exceptions, age means more recovery time between efforts. One's occupation also affects how sharp you are coming into the weekend. Going into Sundays race I felt confident but not recovered or sharp.

I left "Armrest" at 7:20 and at Vermont mile post 39.4 on I-91 north I caught my first glimpse of the mountain. The day was sunny and dry with temperatures looking to top out in the mid 70's during the race. Except for the intense sun it would be much nicer than the HHH (hazy, hot, and humid) conditions that normally accompany this race.

The usual cast of characters were there and after registering I teamed up with Tony Park for a warmup. We had a good time talking about the TdF, concussions, and how Tim Mahoney wasn't beating us up before the race like last last week at Loon.

After the warm up but before the start of race this years "Mt. Goats" lined up for a group photo.

PHOTO SOON

The 3.8m run to the upper parking lot went off with a starters pistol and it was good to hear one for a change instead of the voice commands and sirens that seem to be the PC way to start races these days.

Settling into a pace I felt comfortable with, and behind a number of people I hoped to get by later on, I set off. I went through mile 1 in 9:28. Things felt good as I made my way through the field but I had Paul Kirsch in my sights. The only problem was he was heading away and continued to build a bigger gap. No way I could follow the pace he was setting so time to look for someone else to chase.
Nothing materialized as the guys in what looked like striking distance were just getting started.

The next two miles proved my undoing as I was 30 seconds to 1 minute down on what I had run them at in the past. Both miles ticked by in 11:22. UGH.

For the second week in a row I was caught and passed near the end of the race. This week fellow M50 competitor, John Martin came up along side in the last quarter mile. He put a few paces on me and then stayed there. I tried to keep in contact and managed to cover one surge but as we got within shouting distance of the line he went and I couldn't go with him. John crossed the line in 39:28 to win our age division.

Ashley Krause who caught me last week at Loon also went by finishing 2cd woman.
In some state of oxygen deprivation I honestly could not remember which of us got to the line first. She said she couldn't remember either although I suspect she was just being nice. The results had her up by 2 seconds.

Feeling totally spent I thought I'd miss going under 40:00 for the first time in my five attempts at this race. Thankfully Tim M was just down from the line and yelled that I had 45 seconds to get there and go under. That was just what I needed to find a small bit of kick and cross in 39:35, stagger through the chute, and then drop my sorry ars down on a rock in the shade.

2006	39:42
2007	39:35
2008	36:56
2010	38:37
2011	39:35

Post race there was the traditional run up to the lookout tower at the summit.

We returned to the upper parking area for the awards ceremony where medals and local goods were presented. It was nice to see Tim Mahoney take the win for his age division. He'd put in a lot of work this year prepping for the Rockpile and it didn't let him down today either.

I joined in a road/trail run down with Tim, Rich Teal, and the Krouse's. Once on the trail the lads took off but Ashley was kind enough to keep my snails pace for the descent. After what seemed like an eternity we made it to the bottom.

The next stop was a wade in the river. Cool the legs off, reminisce about the past 8 weeks and say so long to folks most of whom I wouldn't see again until snowshoe season or next years Mt. Circuit.

Always glad to be done but always looking forward to next year.

Top 5 M50

1 33 39:28 John Martin 59
2 35 39:35 Paul Bazanchuk 56
3 41 40:25 Erik Wight 51
4 55 43:05 Bob Mulvaney 58
5 60 43:58 Don Slovenkai 55


Full Results

not enough punishment for one day? you could have joined in a post race ride

2011 CRANMORE HILL CLIMB

2011-06-27T08:06:00.023-04:00

This past weekend was race number four in the NE Mt. Circuit. It was also the USATF National Mt. Running Championship. Serving as the selection race for the National team meant there would be lots of talent showing up at little 'ol Cranmore Mt. in North Conway, NH.

Joining me on the four hour trip from "Armrest" to the White Mts. would be my daughter Mary. She was going to be working one of the water stops and in the process getting to see some great racing.

Mary, Lee, and Nick

We arrived at the mountain where I was suppose to join in a course preview run. Tim, Abby, Pete , and Nora where there and waiting but my legs were way too stiff to get out of the truck and run uphill. I needed a bit of time to loosen up. Mary and I followed in a while to do one lap and see what Paul Kirsch had set up for this year. His excellent map comparing 2010 to this year was valuable but there's nothing like checking it out on foot. My GPS had the loop at about 2.3 miles.

After getting back to the parking lot I ran into TiVO, fellow WMM Rich Miller, and Scott Mason. I ended up joining Tim for a second lap before calling it a day and relaxing ahead of the race.

On Sunday 165 men and 54 women would be at the start line. The men would be doing three laps of the course and the women, who would start 5 minutes later, would be doing two.

As the go command was given by Dave Dunham, I found myself working to keep the adrenalin in check because I knew the third lap would be a killer. Although the course didn't summit the mountain it did mean that the laps would be run faster regardless of where you were in the pack.

I looked to see who the men's 50+ competition would be and sure enough Rich Fargo and Bob Sharkey were there. I hadn't seen Rich in any race results to this point in the year so I wasn't quite sure what that meant. I had run against Bob at Wachesett and Greylock so I had a good idea what kind of shape he was in.
On the first lap, after a short uphill in the first 1/4 mile I found myself out in front of both of them. On a very slight downhill slope that followed Bob went pounding by. OK so this is how it's going to be I thought to myself. I also thought that these guys would be holding back until the last lap.
Now I could have let them dictate my race and stick with them but that didn't seem like a good idea. I led the first lap crossing in 18:44. Probably not the best idea but I felt good and decided to just run with what the legs had. As we passed through the upper water stop on lap 2 Rich went by. OK so that was predictable. I kept him in sight and stayed close as we descended. Just before the final straight at the very bottom of that lap Bob went by as well. I was watching the finish line clock as we went by and it ticked off about 10 seconds between the three of us and showed 38:54 as I passed.
Now came the third lap. I was feeling it on the very first uphill turn but it appeared they were as well because the gap wasn't really changing. On the first ski slope traverse I was the last one out of the woods and saw both guys walking but Rich had opened up a gap. I slowed to a crawl but kept Bob in sight. On the stretch before the left turn onto the steepest section of climbing I was caught by Chris Dunn. Chris's prodding was just the motivation I needed to try and close the gap to Bob. He got in front a bit in that section and pulled me through. After we got through it I found a bit more and tried to get to Bob before the water stop and the final downhill run. It wasn't to be as I saw Bob make the right turn at the stop as I was only 1/3 of the way up that final climb.
I crested the high point, the water stop, and set my sights on the finish line about 2k away. At this point my legs didn't seem to be responding to the commands from my brain as I urged them faster down the hill. As I was reaching the bottom I heard Rich's time called out and waited to hear Bob's. As it turns out Bob had caught and passed him which still left me 3rd if they were scoring 10 yr groups.

The final push was not without excitement though as I caught and passed 34 yr old Jeff Dengate on the last of the gravel curves. We dropped down to the grass almost shoulder to shoulder and then had a legit sprint across the grass to the finish. He took it by 2 seconds but it still made for a fun ending to a good race.
I crossed in 60:19 leaving nothing out there.

Top 5 10 yr group M50-59 (USATF and non-USATF)

44 0:59:17 Bob Sharkey 59

45 0:59:29 Rich Fargo 52

50 1:00:19 Paul Bazanchuk WMM 56

54 1:01:17 Michel Lemieux Le Coureur 54

58 1:01:58 Len Hall GCS 58

Top 5 USATF M55-59 (copied from posted results)

M5559	1	50	1:00:19	Paul	Bazanchuk	WMM	56	Amherst	MA
M5559	2	58	1:01:58	Len	Hall	GCS	58	Enfield	NH
M5559	3	70	1:04:43	John	Martin	CCAC	59
M5559	4	74	1:05:55	Don	Slovenkai	NMC	55	New Ipswich	NH
M5559	5	84	1:09:22	Rick	Scott	SMAC	57

Full Results

Joe Vigor Photo's

Dave McDermott Water Stop Photo's

Scott Mason Photo's

Embarrassing Post Race Moment

After the race I switched out my soggy WMM singlet for my Team Inov 8 shirt. As a member of what I call the "B" Team (Pro Deal Team sponsorship), I figure it's OK for an old guy to promote a company that makes a great shoe. I ran this race in the x-talon 190.
Standing and chatting with Mary and Lee, I was approached by Inov8 marketing director for the US, Gina Lucrezzi, to be in a Team photo. In a bit of an embarrassing moment I reminded her that I was on the "B" Team but she said so what get in the picture anyway. The more folks with team shirts and medals the better I guess.
So there I was with my with my age division medal with the rest of a group that finished in the top 10 overall men and women.
It would be funny to be around when they go to post the picture and try to figure out who the hell the short old fossil in the back row is.

Mt. Greylock

2011-06-20T09:00:00.003-04:00

Having decided not to run the MWRR for this year I opted to go out to race in the Berkshires this weekend instead. Yes I know there are those who double up with both races; I'm not one of them.

Todd, Nat (one of the ARHS runners that TW coached), my daughter Mary, and myself headed out to Greylock Glen early Sunday morning for the race. Three of us were doing the 13 miler and Mary was going to take some pictures and cheer pop's along for Fathers Day.

The start time was suppose to be 10 AM but was delayed by late arrivals. Personally I think that when the RD says the race starts at 10 it's just plain selfish to show up to registration 15 minutes before the gun figuring nobody is going to say anything.

About 45 minutes before the scheduled start, TW, Nat, Jeff Hansen and I headed out to warm up. About 9 minutes in we were joined by Greg Hammett. I knew Greg by sight but never met him before. Was a pleasure to chat with him for the rest of our run.

Finally it was time to line up in the Glen and head out for the Thunderbolt. The first 3 miles of the race would take that trail to the summit with 2273' of continuous climbing that would account for 2925' of total elevation gain on the course.

My goal for the race was to get to the summit in under 40:00 without walking and then see how the legs would do for the remaining 10 miles.
I made good on the climb passing over the summit in the top 15 but the first section of downhill was pretty technical and with Cranmore a week away I throttled back. Within a few minutes a hard charging Bob Sharkey went past. Actually he sounded more like a bull moose during the rut as he pounded down the rocky slabs. I know Bob to be a strong descender so that would be it for an age division win.
A couple miles down another great M50 runner, Rob Higley, would go by in his typical "Bode" fashion. He'd finish two minutes behind Bob.

Somewhere between miles 6 and 7 I took an easy fall but managed to land my hip on a rock. At that point I pulled the plug and just jogged it in crossing the line in 38th with a 2:12:33.

Todd and Nat both had good races with Todd crossing in 1:52 for 5th place and Nat running 2:01 in his first trail race.

Shoe choice was something I wanted to experiment with so I decided to use the Inov8 XT 190. I hadn't used them on anything this length before but was pleasantly surprised at how well they did.

Overall a nice day to get out and race. I have had many a good time at the Glen in winter and today's conditions did not disappoint. I look forward to going back to this race when it's run again in a clockwise direction.

A few notes:

A number of us who were using GPS watches had the route at 12.7 miles +/-

What goes up must come down or Elevation Gain and Loss by mile:

Split	Elevation Gain	Elevation Loss
1	637	0
2	751	0
3	885	0
4	51	575
5	76	228
6	151	242
7	70	0
8	0	550
9	227	89
10	48	157
11	0	362
12	0	572
13	29	149
Summary	2,925	2,924

Top 5 M50

Bob

Sharkey

Newport