[RunLongVT]

Anyone ever run this race? <a href="http://fellstrailrace.com/" target="_blank">http://fellstrailrace.com/</a><br><br>
I guess the race, on March 29, might be the first running because I don't see any results and have never heard of the race before. I got the link from the bottom of a Wapack 50-related email from the RD.<br><br>
Anyone ever run the white-blazed ridgeline perimeter loop of the Middlesex Fells? (link to map and elevation profile on the site above) It looks like it has lots of short up and downs, with a bit less than 800 feet gained and lost on each of the four or five laps.<br><br>
Sounds very informal, with self-check in at a parking lot after each lap. I'll be there.

 

[Sherpa John]

Bikernate and I are running in there tomorrow Afternoon. We'll let ya know how it looks.

 

[rundangerously]

sounds interesting, runlongvt. link also posted on nyultrarunning site. the date conflicts w/h.a.t. run, unfortunately - otherwise definitely worth checking out!

 

[Sherpa John]

I'm not so sure it's "WORTH" checking out rundangerously... I mean... come on. Why Pay $25 for a few slices of pizza? The race website says YOU have to check yourself in after each loop and you have to bring your own aid. Why not just call it a Fat Ass and charge folks NOTHING and then you all can go out for pizza together afterwards?<img alt="roll_eyes.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/roll_eyes.gif">

 

[oldschool]

There used to be races there back in the 1990s but they were only one loop. Can be pretty rocky and steep in spots. I found some photos of the trail on flickr but they don't do it justice.<br><br><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/rsls/sets/72057594121512169/" target="_blank">http://flickr.com/photos/rsls/sets/72057594121512169/</a>

 

[rundangerously]

that's a good point sherpa john! but i can eat a lot of pizza after all those miles :<img alt="brushteeth.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/brushteeth.gif">: <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Sherpa John]

Ok... then look at it this way...<br><br>
Pay $25 and get 3 pieces of Pizza.<br><br>
OR.. drive yourself to the local pizza joint, pay $7.75 and have an entire Pizza all to yourself. I know which one I'd choose.<br><br>
Plus... Reg increases to $30 next week.<br><br>
From the site:<br>
"<b><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Included</span></span></b> <span style="font-family:Arial;">with your registrations</span><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">a.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">insurance</span><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">b</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">pizza with 2-3 toppings at 12pm + Coke + bananas + oranges + <b>maybe</b> ice + <b>maybe</b> some hot soup.</span><br><div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Food and water</span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family:Arial;"><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">a.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">We will not provide anything but hot pizza</span><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">b.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">You will have to have at your car your own water, powder, candies, Gatorade, electrolytes</span><br><br>
Lets just go to the store, buy ourselves some fruit, soda, snacks. (could this be $8 at the most?) Drive to the Fells... Run 50K... Drive to the Pizza Place.. order yourself a large cheese Pizza for $7.75. (we're now at $15.75) and send in a check to Friends of The Fells for $15 instead of giving them $1-3.<img alt="huh.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/huh.gif"></span>

 

[rundangerously]

yikes! but then wouldn't be bandits? <img alt="uhoh2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/uhoh2.gif">

 

[RunLongVT]

Okay, kids. Let's play nice.<br><br>
Frankly, I like that it is low-key. I don't want another T-shirt. I don't want a medal. I don't want to create a whole truck load of trash. I just want to go out and run against some like-minded folks. Let me at 'em.<br><br>
Let me know how that trail looks when you get back, Sherpa.

 

[rundangerously]

you guys do realize i'm joking around?? <img alt="confused.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused.gif"><br><br>
i'm running hat that weekend - so no pizza or racing as a bandit <img alt="laughing6.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/laughing6.gif">

 

[RunLongVT]

I was responding more to Sherpa's vitriol. The RD treated him similarly last year...

 

[rundangerously]

phew <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Sherpa John]

Bikernate and I checked out the basic 6 mile loop today. We ran it twice. Its nothing special but we ran it twice. Not sure why the start/finish needs to be secret but its OBVIOUSLY the Sheepwhatever entrance to the park.<br><br>
The loop has a mix of everything. Some single track, some switchbacks, some mud, NO SNOW OR ICE (currently)... some rocks and roots, some wooden bridges... but none of the above happens at any great length. The run is mostly on gravel pathes. Its nice and all... but nothing "special." Rumor has it that the short section that gets off of the bike path is more technical so it'll be a nice break up.<br><br>
It was nice to get out and run on some trails today.. its a pretty nice place but again.. Nothing special. We even wore shorts! <img alt="cool.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/cool.gif"><br><br>
Good Luck to those of you who will be running the race. Let me know how it goes.<br><br>
By the way... Can someone tell me WHY in the world some of you will be running in the opposite direction for the first loop only to be able to pick which direction you run on any of the following loops?

 

[bikernate]

Sherpa and I ran 13 miles there today. It was great running the trails again! In my area we still have 4-5 feet of snow on the ground, so it was a treat running in the roots, rocks, dirt and mud. Not much for hills, at least on the trail that we ran, but I would classify it as rolling. Fun run!<br>
Nate

 

[RunLongVT]

Thanks for the report, guys. I think that splitting the pack up for the first loop is intended to spread the racers out- a nod to the fact that other people will be on the trail. It's much easier having one or two racers bomb by you while you walk your dog than a pack of five or six.

 

[RunLongVT]

Just found <a href="http://members.aol.com/crowleyctg/results.htm" target="_blank">this results list</a> from a one-lap race there in '97.

 

[Sherpa John]

Went down there again today and ran 3 loops of that Green Bike Loop (18 Miles) then ran up to the tower and back again to make it 20. Entire run took me 3:10 to give you some idea.<br><br>
Now that its dried out a bit in there and I'm not distracted by Nate... I'd say that the course is actually fairly rocky. Lots of little rocks, roots.. all hidden under leaves. But its decent. Any part of the skyline trail that you run looks to be pretty rugged with some gnarly short ups and downs... Enjoy em.<br><br>
Note: I was going up the gravel road leaving Sheepfold today when just before the tower area I saw 4 turkeys milling about. So I stopped dead in my tracks and ate a gel thinking I'd let them pass... the 4 birds started walking towards me. I stayed very still... they walked within 3 feet of me... as they got behind me by about 4 feet I saod "Ok.. I'll start walking slowly"... BAD IDEA. Three of these damn things started after me gobbling the whole time.. I ran as fats as I could up the hill and they followed! I clapped at them, yelled.. even kicked gravel at em... they were determined to kill I swear! Beware on race day!<br><br>
Also... The Sheepfold parking area is definitely a "Pickle Park." Don't hang out long. (no pun intended)

 

[RunLongVT]

Okay, I don't know what's funnier, the turkey story or your use, and possibly invention of, the term "pickle park." <img alt="icon_joker.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_joker.gif"><br><br>
Nice job with your triple back-to-back long runs! McNaughton here you come. How are the legs after all those miles?

 

[Sherpa John]

I feel pretty good actually... could probably run some more today but enjoying some rest and relaxation on Couch Island (see blog).

 

[RunLongVT]

Good for you, but I think that your 100-mile week has jarred something loose upstairs. You're on crack island, not couch island. I've seen the <a href="http://sherpajohn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">pictures</a>.