April 2, Leonard Park, Mt. Kisco

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click for map

This Sunday, April 2, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the gazebo at Leonard Park in Mt. Kisco (see map) when we tackle some different trails. We’ll start in Leonard park, go through Marsh Sanctuary, Merestead, Butler, and Westmoreland Sanctuary. Runners will have a choice of various distances. Anyone interested in starting early can arrive at 7:00 a.m. for a few extra miles. No earlier starts this week.

5 Mile Run: Take the course through Marsh and Merestead to the Butler loop.
7.7 Mile Run: Follow the Butler loop which adds 2.7 to the run for a total of 7.7 miles.
10 Mile Run: Cross the road to Westmoreland Sanctuary for a short loop.
13.1 Mile Run (approx): Anyone interested in going farther can try the Leonard Park to Westmoreland Greenbelt Half Marathon which adds the perimeter course of Westmoreland. And if you know how to get to the Meyer Preserve, you can make this run even more epic.

On Saturday, April 1, at 8:00 a.m., if you missed the Dancing Rock run or you just can’t get enough, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Michigan Road lot for a special run on a classic course designed by Tony—The Dancing Rock Run. This is a looped course of 7.5-miles including some significant bushwhacks. The course isn’t flagged, so you might want a map. Just sayin’. Early birds can start at 7:00 a.m. for a warmup before the run.

Some great running this past weekend. Seems everyone found a path through the park. Kudos to Charlotte Dequeker on Saturday for killing it on the Blueathon—17 repeats for over 22 miles and 7,000 feet of gain. You are now king of the hill.

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The 7:00 group
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The 6:00 group
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The 5:00 group
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March 26, Trailside Museum

click for map page
click for map page

On Sunday, March 26, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Trailside Museum for something different. Seems a number of you have a difficult time following the courses on the maps I make so this week, no course. Instead, take whatever trails you want but get to (in order) Dancing Rock, Raven Rocks, and the Fire Tower. How you get there is up to you—trail, bushwhack, hills, no hills—totally your call. I’ve posted a map of the park to help you out but that’s all. If you want to start early, arrive at 7:00 a.m. If that’s not early enough for you, show up at 6:00 a.m. with headlamp. Jeff said he wants to start at 5:00 a.m. so there’s that. Warm weather and rain on Saturday will mean wet conditions but hopefully the snow will melt by Sunday.

On Saturday, March 25, at 7:00 a.m., how many hill repeats on Blue can you do? Joe Mo holds the current record with 15 and wants to add (significantly) to that to make a 50k. I calculate that’s 25 repeats but your mileage may vary. Meet at Kimberly Bridge and see how many you can do and try to become King of the Mountain! Start time at 7:00 a.m. but join in whenever you get there.

**UPDATE** Charlotte Dequeker successfully completed 17 reps of the blue hill on Saturday. Joe Mo was the only other person still on the trail when I left and I’m waiting on his final result but thanks everyone for coming out. Charlotte’s Strava activity is available here ››. Well done.

Hope to see you out there this weekend.

Lee Willett

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Enjoy the photo from this past run at Reservoir Road. You guys are fast.

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March 19, Reservoir Road, Katonah

click to enlarge
click to enlarge

With our usual trails blanketed in snow, we’re going to switch things up this week with the option of some distance work on a more forgiving surface. On Sunday, March 19, at 8:00 a.m., meet on Reservoir Road in Katonah (behind the Katonah Art Museum, see Google map) and run 4.5, 6.5, or 9.0 mile out-and-back course to Maple Ave, Jay Street and Upper Hook Road. Your choice of distances but the turnaround at 121 yields a total of 9 miles. Early birds can start at 7:00 a.m. Let me know if anyone plans to start earlier than that. Hopefully we’ll be back on the trails again soon.

UPDATE: OK, I have a couple people that want to start at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday. If you’re up for the dawn patrol, I’ll see you then. Bring a headlamp, though. It’s gonna be dark.

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Meanwhile, enjoy the photo of the group from this past Sunday’s run. Great to see so many of you on the trails in the cold and snow.

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March 12, Trailside Museum

click for map page
click for map page

This Sunday, March 12, at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Trailside Museum when we run the Trailside, CB, to Blue route. This 7-mile course starts with a bit of an uphill (that’s being kind) but once you head down the CB trail within the first mile, you can catch your breath and enjoy yourself. There might be another hill or two along the way but nothing to worry about. The course follows a new trail that has been marked with temporary flags starting in the woods behind the Michigan Road residence and ending at the Old Mill. By the time you reach the blue trail, you’ll remember what makes that one of our favorites in the park. If you’re not feeling the love of the full distance, you can cut a couple miles from the run. See the map here ››

If you’re looking for an early start, arrive at 7:00 a.m. for a pre-run loop. Early birds can start at 6:00 a.m. but bring a headlamp and set your clock ahead.

On Saturday, March 11, 5:00 a.m., come out to the Michigan Road Lot to run a 5-mile loop course on the Red trail. Run as many as you’d like up to six for a distance of 50K. Keep a drop bag in your car, bring hot coffee, pancakes, whatever you need. If you don’t want to start at 5:00, since each loop will take about an hour (the red course is one of the faster trails), start at 6:00, 7:00 or 8:00 instead. If you’re training for the North Face Endurance Challenge, this is a great opportunity to get some miles in.

Hope to see you out there this weekend.

Lee Willett

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Great to see so many out on this bone-chilling morning for the Dancing Rocks Run. Yeah, I know, if it seems like it was a little hilly, that’s only because you went up the major climbs in the park so there’s that.

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March 5, Michigan Road

On Sunday, March 5, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Michigan Road lot for a special run on a classic course designed by Tony—The Dancing Rock Run. This is a looped course of 7.5-miles with your choice of one or two loops. There are few who remember this race but, fortunately for us, Tony does and he is sharing the course with us on Sunday so you won’t want to miss this run. Early birds can start at 7:00 a.m.; insomniacs at 6:00 a.m.

Looking for mileage? Come to the Ward Pound Ridge Meadow Lot on Saturday, March 4, at 6:00 a.m. We’ll start with a warm-up loop and then, at 7:00 a.m., we’ll begin a 12-mile perimeter loop of the Rez. Join us for the full thing or turn back at any point for a shorter run. But dress warmly, temps will be in the teens.

Hope to see you out there this weekend.

Lee Willett

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Great to see such a big group at Bennett’s Pond on a very blustery day.

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February 26, Bennett’s Pond

click for map page
click for map page

This Sunday, February 26, at 8:00 a.m., meet at Bennett’s Pond on the Ridgefield/Danbury border when we run an epic 10.5 mile loop designed by Keith Realander. Meet at the parking lot on Bennett’s Farm Road (see Google map) prepared to run this clockwise loop which includes some of the same trails in the Pavement Ends race. Those looking for a 6.5-mile run can eliminate the Hemlock Hills loop. An out-and-back to the end of of the White trail will get you a scenic 5 mile run so there are options for making the run shorter. Anyone interested in getting an early start can arrive at 7:00 a.m.
See the map here ››

Hope to see you out there this weekend.

Lee Willett

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Thanks everyone for coming out on the snow/ice/slush. Great run in the Rez.

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February 19, Michigan Road Lot

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click for map page

This Sunday, February 19, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation when we run a classic course—The Red/Rock Loop.  The snow on the southern trails is well compacted and relatively stable so the running there is as good as it gets this time of year. I haven’t been on the Rock Trail but the Red/Green and Red trails are fine. You might want to hold off and save the Rock Trail portion for another, warmer day. Your call. Early birds can start at 7:00 a.m. Insomniacs at 6:00 a.m. but bring headlamps. It’s still dark then.

On Saturday, February 18, the NJ Trail Series is having their annual Febapple race in Maplewood, NJ, with distances from 50M to 10M. But if you’d like to stay closer to home, I suggest meeting at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Lot at 8:00 a.m. and check out any of the open trails. The weather should be beautiful.

Hope to see you out there this weekend.

Lee Willett

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Great job everyone who came out for the Raven Lunatic on Sunday. Awesome run all. And kudos to the 8 runners that showed up for the Blueathlon on Saturday. It’s because of your hard work up and down blue that we were all able to enjoy that section of today’s course.

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February 12, Meadow Lot

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click for map page

This Sunday, February 12, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Lot when we run the RAVEN LUNATIC—all of the fun of the Raven Rocks Run but with snow and no trail markers! If you want to get an early start, arrive at 7:00 a.m. for a few extra miles. Those crazy enough can bring headlamps and start at 6:00 a.m. See the map page ››

Like hills? Need a break from all those flat trails? This is the run for you. On Saturday, February 11, at 7:00 a.m., meet at Ward Pound Ridge Kimberly Bridge lot for a special Blueathlon and run as many hill repeats up blue as time (and legs) permit. The course is .6 miles each way with an elevation gain of just over 400 feet—an average 13{accc40b09832ee94a70b9d38053be2da501a998c4b43b97565b1c370fb270371} grade. We’ll be starting at 7:00 a.m. (even in the snow) but show up when you can and run as many repeats as you want—it will be, you know, “fun!”

We’ll be at Bennett’s Pond next weekend. Hope to see you out there this weekend.

Lee Willett

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Thanks to everyone for coming out this past Sunday to the Looper Bowl, particularly the hardy folks that braved the water crossings. Nicely done.

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February 5, Looper Bowl Sunday

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click for map page

This Sunday, February 5, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Meadow Parking Lot and rise to the challenge of the Sixth Annual Looper Bowl. Follow the loop course and live the excitement of the Leatherman’s Loop, but colder. Temps will be in the 20s but the water crossings are not iced over for those who dare. But detours are available to avoid both water crossings if you’d prefer to keep your feet…um…dry. But  be prepared to get dirty. If you want to get an early start, arrive at 7:00 a.m. for a few extra miles. If you’re not afraid of the dark, bring a headlamp and start at 6:00 a.m.

Next week we’ll be over at Bennett’s Pond in Ridgefield. Hope to see you out there this weekend.

Lee WIllett

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Big group of 30 runners at Mountain Lakes Park on a beautiful Sunday. Hope to see you next week at the Looper Bowl.

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January 29, Mountain Lakes Park

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click for map page

This Sunday, January 29, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the trail head to Lookout Point in Mountain Lakes Park (201 Hawley Road, North, Salem, NY) when we run the Yellow-OS-IS loop. This course winds through the park and includes the new IS trail which connects the OS trail to Spruce Lake. If you want to get an early start, arrive at 7:00 a.m. and for those insomniacs out there, bring a headlamp and start at 6:00 a.m. If you are looking to get some distance in, take Hunt Lane to the Realander loop and back for an added 7 miles of (mostly) dirt roads. See the map here ››

Next week we’ll be back in the Rez for the sixth annual Looper Bowl.

Hope to see you out there this weekend.

Lee Willett

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Last Sunday’s big group at the Trailside Museum.

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January 22, Trailside Museum

Click for map page
Click for map page

This Sunday, January 22, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Trailside Museum when we run the Trailside, Raven, to Tower loop. You have choices of a 6 mile loop, a 9 mile loop, and anything in between depending on what you want to run. You might notice a slight uphill at the start of this run, but that’s normal. Anyone interested in getting an early start can arrive at 7:00 a.m. See the map here ››

Hope to see you out there this weekend.

Lee Willett

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Enjoy this past Sunday’s photo from Butler Sanctuary.

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And the group at Lewisboro Town Park for Monday’s Run.

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January 15, Butler Sanctuary

click for map page
click for map page

This Sunday, January 15, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Nature Conservancy Butler Sanctuary on Chestnut Ridge Road in Mt. Kisco (see in Google maps) when we run a combination of trails covering most of the park. Since Butler is a relatively small preserve, we’ll be following a double loop course to get close to 5 miles. Don’t worry, you’ll still get a workout since the terrain has a lot of ups and downs. Plus anyone interested in a longer run can head over to Westmoreland afterwards for a few more miles. Meet in the Butler parking lot. See the map here ›› Looking to start early? Arrive at 7:00 a.m. for a pre-run loop.

This Monday, January 16, at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Lewisboro Town Park upper parking lot (see map) when we run a relatively new course—Town Park to Green. This course involves the new Mill Site trail, returns via a new Town Park trail, and offers a variety of distances. Looks like fun, right? Those looking to start early can arrive at 7:00 a.m. for a few extra miles or even 6:00 a.m. and bring a headlamp.

Hope to see you out there this Sunday.

Lee Willett

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Lots of snow made last week’s run from Michigan Road a particularly beautiful one for this group.

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January 8, Michigan Road Lot

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click for map

This Sunday, January 8, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road lot when we follow the Michigan to Kimberly Bridge course. 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 are some hills on this course particularly around mile 4. You have been warned. Anyone interested in getting a few more miles in can arrive at 7:00 a.m. for an early start. Trail Map here ››

On Saturday, January 7, at 7:00 a.m., meet at Ward Pound Ridge Michigan Road Lot for a special 15-mile(ish) perimeter loop. The course will be determined on the fly but will look something like this course (only starting at Michigan Road instead). If you’re not up for the full 15 miles, start with the group at 7:00 and return to Michigan Road from Kimberly Bridge for a run of about 7 miles.

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Monday, January 2, Graham Hills

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Sunday, January 1, Meadow Lot

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Saturday, December 31, Blue Mountain

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December 31, January 1 & 2

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On Saturday, December 31, at 8:00 a.m., meet at Depew Court in Peekskill when we run the Blue Mountain Reservation Depew Court Perimeter Loop. This run is a little farther away but it will be worth the trip. Meet at the Depew Court Pool parking lot (1 Depew Ct. at Bay St, Peekskill, NY 10566) at 8:00 a.m. but leave a little extra travel time. There are options for making this shorter and once we’re back together, we’ll head over to Peekskill Coffee House at 101 South Division Street for a cup of joe. The perfect way to end this year.

click for map
click for map

On Sunday, January 1, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Meadow Lot when we run a new course—the Meadow to Green Loop. This course heads to the Trailside Museum before circling around to Michigan Road. From there, take the Green trail, which is a sizeable hill, to some of the smaller, lesser-used trails in the Southern portion of the park. On your way back, when the fields are mowed, you can take the Schoolhouse Road spur trail and cross Michigan Road, run through the field where you’ll catch the CB trail. Options include an additional half mile down LL and up to the Overlook or you can make the run shorter by eliminating the Green trail. Anyone looking to start early can arrive at 7:00 a.m. for a few extra miles.

click for map
click for map

On Monday, January 2, at 8:00 a.m., meet at Graham Hills Park in Pleasantville (see Google Map), when we run a 7-mile perimeter loop. I’ve been told there is only one hill in the park so I’m looking forward to finding it. We’ll follow mostly a perimeter course but then take a number of switchbacks through the updraft, whatever that is. Looks like fun.

Hope to see you out there this weekend.
Lee Willett

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From Bear Mountain on Monday.

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From Lewisboro Town Park on Saturday.

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