Training Log Archive: kissy

Another wacky adventure day. I wanted to go back to the Black River WMA and park at the other trail head that is right on the trail. I consulted a book of hikes in NJ for more information, and the book referenced a trail on a different section of the Black River, downriver from the WMA, and still not too far from my house. I looked at the map and saw that there was a state park, Hacklebarney SP, on the trail, so I decided to start from there.

I had no trouble finding the trail head today, but when I looked at the park trail map, it looked like all of the trails were contained within the park boundaries. I couldn't see where they would link up with the Black River trail, but I decided to try any way. So, I headed on a trail that was heading downhill (I learned from yesterday), and got down to the river just fine, only to find that, indeed, there was no way across the river to the other trail. Ugh. So, I headed back up hill to my car so I could drive to another trail head.

This was not an impressive state park, and I probably won't be back.

So, I drove to the other trail head and for some reason decided to head in the opposite direction than I had intended. I think because the beginning of the trail in that direction went through a tunnel, and it looked intriguing. However, the rest of the trail was not intriguing. It had a few medium hills in it, but mostly it was very rocky and skirted around a few mucky looking lakes. Again, nothing spectacular, and I probably won't be back in this direction.

I wanted to run in a new area that I had seen on a county map...Black River Wildlife Mgmt. Area. There was a trail that ran alongside the river and promised flat terrain for 7 miles. My kind of running.

Well, the problems began in just getting to the parking area. I forgot to take the map with me, but I was certain I would remember the way. I was mistaken. I meandered through the back country roads, taking which ever ones seemed to be heading the way I wanted to go. And the stupid thing was I kept crossing over the Patriot's Path trail, which the Black River trail is part of. So, I could have just stopped at any of those trailheads and gone running, but I was determined to find the parking lot I was looking for. At least now I know a bunch of new running spots.

I eventually did make it to the parking lot, but there was no obvious sign of a trail heading out. I started on one, and then that ended, so I turned down a side trail, and kept looking for trails that were heading the way I wanted to go. Sound familiar? I would have just gone through the woods, down hill towards the river, but the woods were nothing but sticker bushes.

I eventually followed the faintest of trails, heading downhill, until I came out on a huge power line. I looked back up the trail I came from, realized it was not visible from the power line, so I made an arrow of sticks to point the way. Then I headed along the power line, thinking I could fine the actual trail crossing, and I did! So I followed it down to the trail by the river and found the flattest trail in northern NJ! It was beautiful. But, it was also time to head back to the car. So I looked for a few more seconds, and then turned and headed up hill.

I followed the correct trail this time and realized that had I just gone straight at one point in the beginning of my journey, I would have been on the correct trail. But going straight looked so much more sketchy than turning on the clear, wide trail that I took. Oh well, live and learn.

And, finally, it was freezing cold this morning! WTF?? It was 24 degrees when I started and 28 degrees when I finished. Wasn't it just in the 70s last week??

Made it back to Jockey Hollow after work. I got a little later of a start than anticipated, so I got back to the car a little past 7:00, which is the official closing time of the park. Now, I didn't think that the park actually "closed." PWF had signs that said it closed at dusk, but it didn't really close. Well, Jockey Hollow really closes. When I got out of the woods, there was a Park Police officer at my car. I apologized, said I was sorry that I was late and it would never happen again, and he let me go. But, I had to drive through the park to the front entrance since he had already locked the gate at the back entrance. So, now I know.

Event: QOC: Little Bennett Day
 

QOC local event at Little Bennett. My first orienteering event where I ran (instead of walked) since last April when I tore my ACL in half. Graham and I had come down to visit Mom for the weekend to celebrate her birthday, and of course we had to go to the local QOC event. Luckily, it was pretty close to Mom's house, and kind of on the way home to NJ.

It was a very warm day, which I wasn't used to, but that didn't really matter too much since I wasn't moving very quickly. I was more tentative, bordering on scared, than I thought I would be. I was very, very careful with my knee, and I didn't go through anything that was thick or messy underfoot. I was also very careful going downhill and contouring. I kept having visions of falling and bending my knee in a very painful way.

The run ended up going pretty well. I went right to every control with no problems, which was good. I didn't fall, not even once, which was good. I got pretty scratched up, which was also good in its own "I'm an orienteer again" kind of way. My knee did get pretty sore and tired towards the end, and I wasn't lifting my leg very high, so I had to be extra careful. But, all in all, a successful first outing.

C • WooHoo! 3

GREEN - Splits

Event: Tenafly Nature Center
 

A wonderful, after-work run on the trails at Jockey Hollow. I still marvel at the fact that I can get leave work, drive home, change, and get on a trail in about 30 minutes. So fine!

This run didn't feel as sprightly as my last one, but that's probably because I put in a full day at work, which is always a little tiring. Also, my right big toe hurt for the entire run, and I couldn't figure out what was wrong...until I got home and took off my shoe and sock and saw a big ass thorn sticking in my toe. I wonder where that came from??

And, I finally remembered to wear my heart rate monitor! Gold star for me.

Strictly Strength class

What a contrast my day and evening were. My day at work was intense, stressful, and brought me close to tears several times. My evening was light-filled, warm, and long enough to let me go for a short run. I felt much better afterward.

Driving rain. Gale-force winds. Muddy mosh pits on the trail. And I loved it all!

This was my first test of running on uneven surfaces, and the longest run I've done so far, post-surgery. And it went great. I felt good, and my knee held up just fine. I even saw two other intrepid souls running the trails. That was encouraging.

The most discouraging part is still the hills. I can't run up all of them because I'm so far out of shape, and I can't recoup all of gains of running down hill because I take it very cautiously. I don't want to trip and go sprawling, possibly hurting my knee. Plus, running downhill just hurts my knee more than anything else. Maybe that will get better, too, just like everything else has.

I didn't leave work until 7:00, and I had every intention of just going home because I was drained. But, I decided that I needed to get out of that routine, so I went to the gym instead and ran. I felt like crap, but at least I was there.

C • Knee recoup 1

Ran on the Jockey Hollow road, adding an extra piece on it to make it 4 miles. I took the road towards Lewis Morris Park and then turned around to get back to Jockey Hollow. It was a gorgeous day and the park was full of hikers, dog walkers, horse riders, bikers, and runners. Such a contrast to PWF.

I felt good on this run. My knee is hurting less and less at the beginning of my runs. A weird thing happened today, though. About 3/4 of the way through, I noticed my hands were getting itchy. Then, when I was finished, I noticed mosquito bite-sized hives on my arms. And when I got home, I found them all over my stomach and legs. And my hands and feet itched! I've never had that happen before. I've gotten big welts on my legs before when I run in freezing cold weather, but never hives like this.

The other bad thing was that this was the first time running with my retainers I got after my braces came off. I have the normal upper retainer, but I also have a lower retainer that I have to wear until I get my tooth implant. Well, running with two retainers restricted my airflow, and positioned my tongue so I kept gagging. It was so gross. So, they both came out after about a mile. Yea, I was quite a sight today. :-)

I had wanted to run outside today since it's so beautiful, but my schedule today made running at the gym before the strength class the most logical option. I'll get outside tomorrow.

Strictly Strength class.