14/05/2009

Moleskin anyone?

After effects of Crowbar Trail run. Thanks Tim!

10/05/2009

Results: Crowbar Lake Free and Wild

A perfect spring day for a trail run. Too bad about your leg modelling careers. 13.7 kilometres of sweet singletrack.

Jodi 1:24:52 [trail record?!]
Rob 1:37:25 [a mighty force]
Mike 1:39:24 [apparently doesn't run much]
Shawn 1:44 [bloodiest leg award]
Tim B 1:48 [longest run of his life]
Kevin 1:57 [still smiling at finish]
Erica 2:18 [a force]
Andrew 2:21 [took in the views]

21/04/2009

June 7, Musquodoboit South Granite Ridge Trail

Do not run this trail if you have never run a trail before, or if you don't have at least a couple dozen runs under your belt this season. There is lots of exposed granite here that will scratch your watch crystal, your legs, your arms, and your hands. Meet at gate at end of Bayer's Mill Road. Bayer's Mill Rd. is approximately 1.6 km north from intersection of highway 7 and 357.

17 km. trail, clockwise this time. Time approximately 2:10 to 3:10 hours. Wilderness trail is very twisty narrow singletrack, with punishing climbs, requiring lots of fancy footwork and body English. Just look ahead for the trail markers nailed to the trees. This trail will test your mind and body. Be wowed by the giant boulder balancing on 3 small rocks!!! The trail has been cleaned up and the signage has been refurbished.

Start at gate. Six kilometre flat rail-trail lead in. You will pass the 7km trail marker. Turn right at sign to Kelly Junction trail. After this very steep trail levels slightly, you will turn right past Kelly Junction sign. Eight kilometres later, stay right at Admiral Lake Loop intersection and follow Turtle Brook to rail-trail [main trail]. Turn left to return on rail-trail. Approximately 2km return to finish at steel gate.

Start time is 10 a.m. Event is self supported, so bring all your own water, food, whistle, map, compass, first aid, mobile phone, etc.

See ya' there!


View South ridge Wilderness Trail in a larger map


17/04/2009

12/04/2009

Crowbar Lake Free and Wild


May 10 Crowbar Lake Trails, West Lake Loop (1.5 to 2.5 hours)

Crow Bar Lake Trail Porter's Lake counterclockwise. The course includes the Porter's Lake Loop (stay to the right) directly to Spriggs Brook trail, to West Lake Loop (stay to the right when you pass the signage for West Lake Loop). Return to Porter's Lake Loop (stay to the right to complete the other side of the Porter's Lake Loop) to finish.

Very much more hilly than the Bluff trail, with similarly technical singletrack, some trees down. Approximately 14km total distance.
Top finishing time of 2008 was 1:35.

Event is self-supported, no first aid or aid stations. Bring compass, whistle, water, food, first aid. No cell service in area. Be courteous to all other trail users and leave no trace. Become familiar with the trail beforehand; the trail intersections are well marked on the trail itself, but you will still have to look for them.

Meet at the Trail Head Parking Lot on Myra Road in Porters Lake. The Official Timing Chip System will be in working order for this event. Sign in before you go in. Start time 10 a.m.

If you want you can just do a short distance of the Spriggs Brook trail, total distance return approximately 7km

See ya' there.

Here is the link to the map of the trail system.
http://www.trails.gov.ns.ca/SharedUse/hx122.html

Results: Bluff Trail Free and Wild

Thanks to everyone for an awesome run. There were 13 runners, one of which had the advantage of four legs. Several first-evers for some, and PB's for others. Jodi beat his race estimate of sub 1:15 -- mind boggling!!! Thanks to Mark for the post race cinnamon buns!

Jodi 1:13:34 [while dancing with a dog]
Mark 1:26:01 [got sidetracked 1 min.]
Steve P. 1:31:40 [first time on the trail!]
Jim 1:32:12 [Steve P's rabbit]
Steve E. 1:32:12 [scenic sidetracked]
Tim F 1:39 [started late, time adjusted]
Andrew 1:41:55 [PB!]
Shannon P 1:45 [telehoodie award]
Shawn 1:45 [white shirt award]
Tim Brooks 1:46 [longest run ever!]
Kevin 1:50:22 [recommends trail running for ankle sprain recovery]
Doug 2:00 plus [winner of greatest distance]

11/04/2009

Why trail running?

If you really have to ask, there is no one better to ask than the man hisself, Matt Carpenter:
http://www.skyrunner.com/story/magic.htm

07/04/2009

Free and Wild Schedule 2009

The "spring sprint" series (start times 10 am)
April 12 Indian Hill Lake Loop
May 10 Crowbar Lake Trails, West Lake Loop (1.5 to 2.5 hours)
June 7 Musquodboit Trailways South Ridge Wilderness Trail (2 to 4 hours)

Bluff Trail Free and Wild

When: Sunday April 12 10:00 a.m
Location: The Bluff Trail/BLT trail intersection
Pot Lake Loop and Indian Hill Loop
-counter clockwise loop
-Trail is all singletrack technical, but no big hills.

1.25 to 2.5 hours. For a rough estimate of your potential time, take your street running time and double it. For example you might take 45 minutes to cover 10km -- expect 10km on the trail to take about 90 minutes.

Self-supported (bring first-aid, food, water, cell, compass)
Be prepared for cold and or wet conditions (check the forecast
Get familiar with the course
(http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/environment/wrweo/trailmaps.html)
Leave no garbage.
Be courteous to other trail users.
Stay on marked trail.

Approx. 12km. Pot Lake Loop and Indian Hill Loop counter clockwise.

No prizes, no support, no fees, yes fun.

See ya' there!