This Sunday, November 18, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road lot when we follow a new course from Michigan Road to Kimberly Bridge. Michigan Road is our traditional starting point for runs in the southern portion of the reservation but this time we’ll run North from the lot to the Meadow, follow some of the Leatherman’s Loop course trail to Kimberly Bridge, then “up” the blue trail and return by way of yellow. There might be a little bit of an incline at mile one and another at mile four so don’t hate your run director—hate the hill. PDF of the trail is available here ››
Next week we’ll be back at the reservation for a post-Thanksgiving fat-ass run. It’s always a favorite.
This Sunday, meet at 8 a.m. at the Kimberly Bridge lot (see map) to run the Kimberly Blue 5 mile route. From Kimberly Bridge, follow the blue trail around Fire Tower hill to the RT trail, past the Indian Rock Shelter, up Pell Hill and back to the starting point. I was out there earlier this week and there are some pretty impressive trees down but nothing we can’t run over, around or, in a couple of cases, under.
Next week we’ll meet at the Michigan Road lot when we run a new course to Kimberly Bridge and back.
UPDATE 11.03, 8:00 pm: Sorry everyone. I just got word that the park is still closed. The run is cancelled for this Sunday. We’ll regroup next week.
Electricity? Who needs electricity to run? This Sunday, November 4, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road parking lot and follow the 6 mile Michigan to Rock Trail run. We’ll follow some of the less-traveled paths in the reservation, this time going down the stairs for a change. At intersections 25 and 21 we’ll be taking some smaller trails so we’ll visit portions of the park we don’t usually see.
Next week is the Beachfront Bushwhack which sounds like a great race. Not sure if I’ll be there but I’ll organize a run in the reservation for anyone wanting to stick closer to home.
Thanks everyone for coming out on this pre-hurricane run. The rain held off, the temperature was perfect, and the trails were beautiful for whatever distance you ran. If someone can tell me what those pinkish trees were all around us at mile 4, I’d like to know‚ they were spectacular. The photo above includes the crew at the meadow lot just before the start and includes (not necessarily in order): Rich Camerik, Scot Binder, Phil Sandler, Johathan Greene, Barry Fagan, Eleanor Hershey, Kathy Lynch, Gerry Sullivan, Annie Bai, Mark Vincent, Lee Willett, Tony Godino, Seth Hollander, and Karen Haitoff. Great to see you Rob and thanks for the pic. Hope to you you next week.
This Sunday, October 28 at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation meadow parking lot (see map) for the first Ward Pound Ridge trail half marathon run. We’ll have a 13.1 mile option, plus 6 and 8.5 mile options as well for those who’d like a more leisurely run.
I’ll drop a cooler of water at mile 7.5 so there will be one water stop along the way. If you think you need more water than that, you can drop an extra water bottle at intersection 1 just after the five-mile mark. It’s not likely that I’ll have a chance to mark the trail in advance so bringing a map might prove useful. Rob says he’ll be the official timekeeper just in case anyone wants to know their time. Should be a lot of fun.
*Update: it looks like we have a fair chance of rain on Sunday but we’ll still run rain or shine.
On November 4, we’ll meet at the Michigan Road Parking Lot when we tackle the Michigan to Rock Trail course. More on that next week.
I hope everyone can make it to Muscoot Farm on Sunday for this fun 5-mile yearly tradition. A 1-mile kids race starts the day off and participants get Farm Bucks to spend at the Farmers Market. Great family event. Learn more at RunTheFarm.org.
Next week we’ll be back at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation meadow parking lot when we gather to run a trail half marathon covering 13.1 miles of the park. A 6 mile and 8.5 mile loop will be offered as well for those who want a more, um, leisurely run.
This Sunday, October 14 at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Muscoot Farm parking lot (http://goo.gl/maps/dTDiT) for a final course check of the Run the Farm loop. Last time to check it out before race day and the weather should be beautiful. You can download a map of the five-mile course here.
This Sunday, October 7 at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Muscoot Farm parking lot (http://goo.gl/maps/dTDiT) for a course check of the Run the Farm loop. You can download a map of the five-mile course here. There will be a Kids Run the Farm 1-mile course check at 9:00 so bring the whole family.
We’ll be back at Muscoot again next week for the last course check before race day.
This Sunday, September 30 at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Trailside Museum (http://goo.gl/maps/tm959) when we follow a 6-mile course that starts up the Magic Stairs, winds around the blue trail to Kimberly Bridge and returns via the brown trail. A PDF map can be downloaded at (http://goo.gl/ZXaK0). I ran the course yesterday and it was beautiful. For those training for Paine to Pain, this will be our last long run.
And don’t forget the Leatherman’s Loop 25 Years free film screening on Sunday afternoon.
For the next two weeks, we’ll be back at Muscoot preparing to Run the Farm.
This Sunday, September 23 at 8:00 a.m, you have a choice of three great runs.
There is the 4-mile Where the Pavement Ends run in Ridgefield, details can be found at
http://goo.gl/epGUV
For those doing the Paine to Pain trail half marathon, there is a preview run in New Rochelle. Distances include 5.6 miles, 9 to 10 miles, and 13+ miles and you don’t need to be signed up for the race to do the runs. I’m planning on doing the 9 to 10 mile course and for anyone who wants to car pool, we are planning on meeting at the route 172 park-and-ride on route 684 at 7:00. If you’re interested, just let me know you’re coming.
http://goo.gl/MjmPp
Finally, for those who want to do neither of the above but still want to go for a run, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road parking lot (http://goo.gl/maps/8lxbN) and follow the 6 mile “Red Plus” loop. The run follows the Red trail in a clockwise direction but diverts on the LL trail past the Overlook. You can download a map of the run from http://goo.gl/xvKk5.
Next week we’ll be back at the Reservation, meeting at the Trailside Museum.
So, whatever you decide to do, have fun out there this Sunday.
It was a fine day for a run at the reservation! At 8am Sunday morning five intrepid souls met at the upper parking lot at the Lewisboro Town Park to run the trails of the Pound Ridge Reservation. Note: next week – same time (8am Sunday 3/14!), same place, different run!
Virginia, Lee, Aarti, Rob, and Ciorsdan headed up the old ski hill towards the Rez. With week old snow crunching underfoot on this north facing slope the day was crisp and cool with the promise of warmer weather on the way. At the Deer Hollow trail intersection we headed east towards “The Wall.” Heading down the hill we encounter running partners Gerry and Christy. Gerry is a past Loop winner and Christy is training for a 50 mile ultra run! It felt like we were in very good company and checked in to the Loop circuit.
Further down we pass the Waccabuc River and then on to the old quarry sand hill known as “The Wall.” We take a run down it, intending to head straight back up. One of our group asks where the course comes out so we head to the bridge over the river towards the mud flats. The bridge was repaired (built?) many years back by Loop founders Tony Godino and Dave Cope. The river marks the boundary between South Salem (east) and Cross River (west). We turn around and head back up the sand hill, forgoing the mud flats for this day despite the obvious temptation.
At the top of the wall, we head left instead of right on the Deer Hollow trail, making our way further up the hill. The trail alternates between completely snow covered and completely clear, switching between winter and early spring depending on the exposure. Down on the other side, Boutonville Road comes up more quickly than expected and we rejoin the Loop course on the other side. The course follows along the Cross River which is crystal clear and flowing fast. We break out of the trees near Kimberly Bridge and cross the road again. We take a right on the Brown trail heading north, getting off the course once again but heading towards home with a few miles and some big climbs ahead. The slope of the brown trail here is almost like “the wall” except longer and without the shifting sand underfoot. At the bottom it is like a slow moving stream with lots of mud covering the trail. The downhill side is welcome and covered with more crunchy snow since we are on the north face again.
We join up with the Deer Hollow trail again as we cross briefly back onto the Loop course for a few hundred feet. Back past JT Farm on our right and up to the top of the Town Park hill under the power lines that separate the two parks. Back down the ski hill with no skis and to the cars and water.
All those present agreed to meet again and bring friends next week at the same time. Our pace was easy—if we have a few more runners we may split up to go at different paces. This run was just under 5 miles but we can work out a course anywhere from 2 to 6+ miles before heading out. Hope more folks reading this can join us! Respond at the website or via facebook. We will meet at 8am at the upper parking lot of the Lewisboro Town Park.
It was a fine day for a run at the reservation! At 8am Sunday morning five intrepid souls met at the upper parking lot at the Lewisboro Town Park to run the trails of the Pound Ridge Reservation. Note: next week – same time (8am Sunday 3/14!), same place, different run!