Strava Segment Hunting

The trails in Rhode Island are finally clear, other than some mud and standing water here and there.  So what does that mean?  That Strava segment records in trails all over the state are starting to change hands.  Whether it be because the runner happened upon a segment and found out about it when they uploaded a run or they were on a full out attack of a particular segment...either way the runner that had their segment stolen will probably go out there and try to get it back.  And so it starts, a war on segments..it is a domino effect really.

Last year this happened in Big River.  It was pretty much some of the TNT guys versus some of the WTAC guys.  All in good fun of course and we don't just attack other club members, our own club members are fair game as well.

I recall one night attacking a particular segment, knowing I hammered it good, going home, seeing that I got the record, only to get an email less than a half an hour later stating it was taken from me!

This theme seems to have started this year already.

Chris Garvin took down Jonny Hammett's Ryan Park, Ryan Rail Trail Segment by 21 seconds on 4/7/14.  Jonny had held that record since May of 2013.

Over the last two days I have taken down three segments in Big River.  Two of these just happened and the last one was near the end of my run and I felt good, so I attacked it.  I did not remember what the time on it was and had no clue if it was mine until I got home.  The previous owner Chris Garvin commented on my run later that night.   I think I accidentally declared war.

My new Segment Records...

• 4/9/14 - Hopkins Hill Road Climb (actually a trail) held previously by Scott Mason who ran 2:55 in October, I ran 2:46.
• 4/10/14 - Reverse Lollipop Loop held previously by Scott Mason who ran 8:35 in October, I ran 8:20
• 4/10/14 - Old Lot to New Finish (I attacked this one) held previously by Chris Garvin who ran 2:25 in September, I ran 2:09.

I am sure as the Spring and Summer months go on segment records will come and go, they are everywhere, not just on the trails.  There are some specific segments that I have on my "wish list" how about you?

2014 South County 4th Season Trail Series

Well, the 2014 South County 4th Season Trail Series has come to a close.  This is the second year that I completed the series and my 2nd series victory.  Both years I was certainly not the fastest guy out there, but I haven't missed a race and I am pretty consistent.  So I have been pretty lucky to get these wins.

Here are my finishing places for all of my races over the 2 years....in Garvin Format.

And a brief recap of what sticks out for each of these races.

Race #1 - Old Mountain Field 5k Trail Race - 1/4/14 (Scott Mason Photos)

• Ran the Boston Marathon Course three days before this race
• Snow and cold...single digits.
• Felt oddly relaxed and made a big move at 2 miles to beat much faster competition.
• Won a mixed pack of Samuel Adams Winter Beer

Right after taking the lead.

Race #2 - Resolution 5k Beach & Trail Race - 1/12/14 (Scott Mason Photos)

• Water...it was everywhere.
• Fast start, Ryan Wooley took off quick..he has run 30+ seconds than me in a road 5k as of late so it was a good plan.  I was content to take second about a mile in.
• Great day down at the beach
• Won some BBC bombers

Group shot post-race.

Race #3 - Belleville Pond 10k Trail Race - 2/9/14 (Scott Mason Photos)

• SNOW!! Lots and lots...
• Horrible Trail Conditions
• Strip tease and overheating
• I miss that glove
• Long cooldown across the pond
• Another bomber from BBC won

Trail recon the day before the race!

Race #4 - Brrr-lingame 10 Miler - 3/22/14 (Scott Mason Photos)

• DIRT!!
• Beautiful day
• Fast start did me in
• Feeling like hell and looking at my watch to see we had only run 2.5 miles...
• Fun day overall

A small leap for man....you know the rest.

Race #6 - Big River 1/2 Marathon - 4/5/14  (Scott Mason Photos)

• Flag Thief!
• Water crossings!
• I saw Greg Hammett FALL! I didn't know that could happen! Well...I should say heard him fall.
• Ran faster than last year...goal accomplished!
• Great to get back on the Big River Trails.

There was a little mud...unless you tip-toed around it.

Now that the series is over, I turn my focus to getting ready for the Vermont 100 with a stop at the Pineland Farm 50 Miler before that.

In the meantime I will be preparing for the 1st Annual? Quahog Mile.  Please share this event with all your friends!  Post about it, link to it etc!  It would be much appreciated.  Pre-entry is ONLY $10 and there will be $1250 in prize money!  I hope to see some of you there!

Print and share!

2014 Big River Trail Races

The 5th and final race in the South County 4th Season Trail Races is this weekend and is at my favorite location to run trails in Rhode Island, Big River Management Area.

This is a great trail race and there is a 1/2 Marathon and 10k option.  The trails are awesome.  The terrain varies throughout the race from some rocky technical trails with some decent short climbs and then there are twisty smooth single-track sections that you can run forever and ever!

Also, the 1/2 marathon will count in the RI Triple Crown of Trail Racing scoring!

Some people may have gone off course last year, but I assure you that the RD will be making every possible effort so that does not happen again.  But it is a trail race, you need to look out for those flags and make sure you are going the correct way!

Check out last year's 1/2 Marathon Results and 10k Results

Check out some of the stories from last year's race and SIGN UP today!

• http://southcountytrails.blogspot.com/2013/04/big-river-trail-half-marathon.html
• http://rootandrocks.blogspot.com/2013/04/big-river-12-marathon.html
• http://bethrunsinri.blogspot.com/2013/03/that-was-fun.html

Some sights...

Big River Run

Big River Trail Run from Hopkins Hill Road lot.  Some nice twisty single track on this side of Big River and some fun things to see on the trails.

Big River...my trails of choice.

Near the "Dead Shed" (On Right)

This is what I say when I see some purple.

Hoover Trail

Crossing the beaver dam...it was getting dark quick!

Another Big River Trail Video

Here is another Big River Trail Video.  This was the first video with the chest mount, it makes for an odd vantage point, you get to see my hand every step of the way.  Oh and that white stuff is SNOW.  Enjoy!

Big River Video 2/4/12

Another go at it with the GoPro...this video is from last week.  We had a group of 8 out there...good times. Open it up in You Tube and set to 720 HD.  Enjoy!

Big River Trail Run Video

Here is a video from a trail run we did in Big River on 1/28/12.  This was the second attempt with the GoPro.  I think this one came out better than the first one.  For some reason the quality isn't that great on YouTube, but enjoy!!

Training 1/15/12 to 1/21/12

1/15/12 - Dave Dunham and Dan Verrington's Epic Trail Run.  This was a point to point 20.5 mile run from Bradford, MA to Sailsbury, MA.  Starting temp around 6 or 7 degrees.  A nice easy paced group run on some rail trails and roads.  A stop at the Watch City Brewing Company afterwards made for a good day.

A mid-run ride...photo by Dave Dunham

Here are some links to blog posts about the run:
Dave Dunham
Jim Pawlicki
Joe Shairs

1/17/12 - 9.3 miles @ Turtles
1/18/12 - 7 miles w/4x90 sec surges
1/19/12 - 10.7 miles w/3,5,15,5,3min intervals
1/21/12 - Trail/Snow run @ Big River with DP, DJ, Alan, Ben, and the Two Joe's

Snowy Big River...

Training 1/8/12 - 1/14/12

Week 2 of 2012

1/8/12 - 21 miles - 2:23:50 last 13 (6:36 pace) Nice run at Turtles
1/11/12 - Wild Colonial run in Prov.  9 miles with 6 x 90 secs on 90secs off w/ Alan B
1/12/12 - Crazy trail run from Dave's house...lots of water
1/13/12 - Crazy windy run 25+ mph ...a workout of sorts 10 miles with 7 @ 6:12 pace
1/14/12 - Big River run...first real video with GoPro...need a little work with it.