Very nice, TT.

I actually got out and hiked 2.5 miles yesterday. I started to go run again last night, but I really don't need to push this shin thing so early. The little bit of running I did during the hike was fine, but I could feel some deep, deep soreness in my quads that surprised me a little. I won't push it until I finish these antibiotics on Thursday, just easy stuff until then.

QOTD: What makes a race appeal to you?

In most cases, it needs to be a 100 miles (I like to be out there all night.). It needs to be within a reasonable driving distance, preferably about 6 hours of easy driving. It needs to be in a cool time of year. And, it needs to be no more than 200 to 250 bucks to get into it. I think I have found a race that I will continue to return to from time to time with Pinhoti. It meets all the criteria and then some.

It was freezing this morning, so I'm waiting until late morning when it's a little warmer to run. It's suppose to get all the way up to 60F by the afternoon.

QOTD: I'm still so new at this that I'm sampling different type of races. I've run 24-hours on a 400m track, races on short loops on paved trails (.9 to 4.1 miles), and a couple trail races (IAT 50K and Labor Pain). I enjoy the short loops because I get to see everyone else running throughout the race. The trail races were fun just to be running in the woods and not on the road. The track race, like the short loops, let me see everyone throughout the race. I'm still working my way up to being able to run one of the western trail races in the Rockies or Sierras. I've yet to run an ultra that I haven't enjoyed, but haven't developed a strong preference yet.

Going to try to get out for a 4-8 mile jaunt in a couple of hours.  Still feeling pretty shitty overall with a very sore throat but the weather is too nice to not get out. If I end up not really being able to run much I'll just cut back on the miles and do a lot of walking.

QOTD: This is actually difficult for me to answer.  On one hand it has to be challenging. The first race I entered was a bike race up Mt Washington NH. It appealed to me because it was billed as the toughest hill climb in the country or maybe the world. On top of that several people mocked me when I said I wanted to do it so it became a goal.  My first trail race was also billed as being exceedingly tough which prompted me to sign up for it.  On the other hand I'm starting to look for races that have nicer courses, as in not real rocky and rooty. Something that I can enjoy the scenery on and not really worry about if I can finish or getting hurt.  I also factor in the atmosphere surrounding the event and to a lesser extent the costs associated with it including travel costs.

If I keep doing a lot of trail events I'll look to branch out into other areas of the country just to run a variety.

OK...I thought I posted earlier...but it disappeared....so...one more time.

I had two back to back longish runs this weekend, and I think it gave my mojo a much needed boost. I am having a foot pain problem, but I am hoping it is just a transient pain. I am hoping for a late evening run...hopefully with some of that moonlight sans clouds. It will be a shorter run...probably 4-5 miles.

Qotd: I am attracted to races with something unusual...like the DWD 50k I did and the snowy, wintery 50k I entered that takes place on Jan 3. I prefer point to points or single loops. If it has to be multiple loops they have to be long loops. And...under $100.

SRD -- biking on the weekend and still giving the ankle/Achilles a break from running.

Still have that kid's bike and stuff from the accident yesterday ... he is doing well but with two broken wrists, concussion, etc. His mom will likely pick it up later in the week.

QOTD: For running I like traveling more for a run/race than I do for cycling -- I do organized cycling trips in Europe, but rarely one-day events. As for running courses, I prefer out and back or point to point. I like events with a decent bit of elevation gain, good scenery and a good vibe. Oh, I like mountain races but running at high elevation tends to kick my A$$

 

XT - Might need to make a trip to Hawk Mt.  It's been 3 years since I ran there and It really is a beautiful section.  I think it's on the Skyline Trail where a long sections has the blazes on the boulders and that always reminds me of the Sunset Rocks Trail near Pine Grove Furnace.

  

Ha, I was the ATRunner yesterday! The loop we do starts at the trailhead by the Hamburg Reservoir. We follow the AT up to Pulpit Rock, the Pinnacle then down the mountain and then up to the next ridge (Kittany Ridge). At the top we take the Skyline trail into Hawk Mountain, down to the visitor's center, then loop back on some forest roads to Hamburg. About 18-20 miles though sometimes we head over to Port Clinton firetower and loop back on the Pinnacle trail. That's more like 23. Either way it's a long day.

THe Skyline trail has about a mile of nonstop boulder hopping on the top of the ridge.

Wonderful pictures, so beautiful!

URD, I had planned on a run after work, but that was nixed by the fact that I had to stay late, and me trying to do my SIL a favor, which actually took hours, to no success in the end.

Then DS's guitar lesson, and picking up our cat from the vet. She had surgery done and was not really happy after that. Which I can understand, as from the cat's point of view, things had changed for the worse - no pain before surgery, but pretty sure afterward. But to give her some credit, she wasn't happy before, too - when I had lox for breakfast, and she wasn't allowed to have any of it, she gave me "the look". 

QOTD: I like a new challenge any time. Nowadays, I focus on 100-milers (love that running through the night!), although I run other distances as well in local races. I look for races that are harder than what I've done before, and for new features, like real mountain terrain, higher elevation, snow.

Air travel is a real limitation, as I'm on a budget, but if the race promises and epic adventure, I might do it. And even though I'd like to run a long race in snow (I have done shorter ones in snow and ice), I prefer summer races, just because then I won't have to deal with changing clothes, or getting really cold.