This and that and some product reviews

Time to catch up on a few long overdue items:

Spring continues to progress and it is dry! The trails are in the best shape I have ever seen them this early in the year. Few muddy spots, all in areas that are perennially wet. It has been so fun to get out on the single-track.

Knitting is happening, but very slowly. I am trying to get a new hat design off the needles so I can get started on a commission.
I am bartering a pair of socks for.... well, can't say as it is meant to be a surprise for someone who may (or may not) read this blog. The socks are going to be very long... 16 inches from the ankle to the top. Found the right yarn, now working out (mostly in my head) the design. More to be revealed later.

Running is going very well. Long runs are up around 24 miles as of this past weekend (or 22 if you believe the GPS over the SHT mileage). I even ran in my first road race as a member of Northwoods Minnesota on March 28th (Human Race 8k). It was fun to do this as part of a team and I was pretty happy to surpass my goal time. One thing that really helped was to take my watch off and just run (thanks Wayne for showing up to cheer, and hold my watch!). This kept me from looking down, seeing my pace and freaking out. Another very cool part of that day was meeting Jean.

Post Human Race 8k blogger meet-up

Next race will be Trail Mix 25K on April 17th, then the NMTC series starts up on April 28th. From there it is on to Superior 50K, with a brief interlude to go backpacking on Isle Royale, then up to Thunder Bay with the Northwoods Minnesota team for the Fire Fighter's 10-mile Road Race on May 24th. All of this running of course is just leading up to the big race of my summer: Minnesota Voyageur Trail Ultra. My first 50 mile race!!

I am not only a member of Northwoods Minnesota but also of Team Mega Tough. This is the group of women I ran the Great River Ragnar Relay with last August. We have a few sponsors for the team who have been quite generous with clothing and equipment.

Through Nathan Sports I picked up a Blizzard Hydration Pack. As someone who runs year round and lives in an area with extreme winter weather it seemed only logical to put their Snow Line to the test. My first long run with the Nathan happened while down south in the Twin Cities on a balmy 4 degree F day. It was warm enough that I shed my wind breaker and even peeled the mitten layers back. Unfortunately the drink tube froze up and despite my best efforts I could not figure out where the ice block was and how to clear it. I have taken the pack out on many runs since then and have had no problems with freeze up. I did modify the tube a bit by cutting off several inches so that it doesn't stick out quite so far from my body. The pack rides really, really well and is quite comfortable to wear. It does have a bit of a "Major Tom" look to it (thanks Eric for the cultural reference). Overall I am very pleased with it and would recommend it to others who want a lot of water carrying capacity.

Outside Moose Lake, Mn on the connector trail between the Munger and Soo Line trails.

In this photo you can see that not only will the pack
accommodate a water bladder and has pockets for a gel flask,
but you can also stuff a windbreaker into it as needed.

Front view, showing why I needed to do a bit of personalizing.

Icebreaker is another sponsor that is specifically focusing on the ultra athletes on the team. I received a hat, short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirt as well as a pair of socks from them. All of their items are made of merino wool and one of their hooks is their "baacode" - allowing you to trace your garment to the producers of the wool. Very cool idea. Now, I do not need to be sold on the qualities of wool, nor on the softness of merino. As a knitter I know this.

The clothing line is a bit expensive but is fantastic and has become my new favorite. The Dash Crewe and the Chase Zip are so warm, comfortable, form-fitting, and quite thin, and don't seem to hold odors like my synthetic tops. I have done 3-4 runs in a row involving a lot of sweat and haven't stunk them up yet. The torso length is long, as are the sleeves, (on both tops). The long sleeve has a hole for the thumb, allowing a bit of hand coverage for those times when it is too cool for bare hands but too warm for gloves or mittens.

Dash Crewe layered under Chase Zip. It was about 30 degrees this day and I was hot already, early in the run.

The snug fit and thin fabric did lead to a horrifying occurrence one morning at work. As I reached back to peel the crewe off I heard a ripping noise. At the point where I grabbed the shirt the fabric had torn! That will teach me to pull my shirts off by grabbing the back of the neck area. From now on I peel from the bottom up.

Prior to repair

I was able to repair the shirt with a bit of sewing, though I did consider trying to kitchner stitch it together (it is knit after all). I abandoned the idea mainly because I would have had to use sewing needles as knitting needles and I couldn't lay my hands on a magnifying glass.

Post-repair - not pretty, but it does the job.

The shirt is almost as good as new and I am looking forward to many more runs in these tops. A neat coincidence is the color of the short sleeve is exactly the same shade as the paint blazes on the Superior Hiking Trail. Leslie, one of my Mega Tough Team mates, has dubbed it "SHT blue". Can't think of a better omen for a season of trail running.

April 4, 2010

Seen along the SHT near Enger Tower and in the yard:

Hazelnut flowers

Scilla siberica

Daffodil

Mertensia virginica - flower buds

Happy Spring!!!

To come: reports on a few long runs and races, some equipment and clothing reviews and maybe a little knitting.

Sunday, March 21

columbine and scilla

daffodils

mertensia (virginia bluebells)

hollyhock

Above are scenes from my backyard and below is a quick look at the Superior Hiking Trail as it passes above/behind my house:

There is a little bit of mud on the trail but I see no signs of snow or ice. Below is the view from just below the trail, at the site we call "the sitting tree". Looking south down the St. Louis River estuary.

Went for a run today with Rick Bothwell out at Jay Cooke State Park. Decided we would tackle some hills on what we call the "south loop" (across the swinging bridge, including Ridge, Summer, Bear Chase, Lost Lake, and Silver Creek trails).

It was a beautiful day for a run, mid 40's when I headed out and mid 50's when I got back.

Some of the hills

Wolf kill?

While running here last fall/early winter we saw plenty of wolf tracks. Guess they are thinning the herd.

The St. Louis River spied through the trees along the Silver Creek Trail.
The roar was amazing! Along with birdsong one of the sounds of spring.

St. Louis River above the Swinging Bridge

The river below the bridge.

I am looking forward to more runs on dirt as spring progresses.

Spent a few days in the Twin Cities (adult vaccine conference at the Arboretum) which offered me the opportunity to run at Hyland a couple of days. Thursday I arrived in time to miss rush hour (shudder) and joined Mike W., Wayne and Karen for a nice tour of the park. Saturday morning I joined Helen, Val and Eric and was introduced to hill repeats. I now have a better mental image of parts of the Trail Mix course which may be helpful in a few weeks.

Just under the wire

"Black Hole" socks

These were completed (ends worked in and everything) during the closing ceremonies. I had finished the first sock at about the halfway point of the games, yet most of the knitting on the second sock was accomplished in the last few days around work (and even at work - thank you hour long meetings!!), some socializing, and a lot of running and other recreating.

It has been incredibly warm (for February) and sunny here which almost resulted in a career ending setback when I finished up a nice easy 4 mile run today by laying down in the back of the car in a nice sunny spot out of the wind... I had my knitting along and had intended on working on the sock while I waited for Wayne to finish up his longer run but rather than knitting I dozed off for about an hour.

Sundays are for soccer and due to lack of players I managed to be on the pitch from 4:45 pm - 7:00 pm, another potential setback to winning the gold. Fortunately I had reached the toe decreases by the time I headed out for the games. Arrived home to discover that the closing ceremonies were still on and the torch was still lit!

Quick meal and then it was time to finish those socks! Now I have the leisure to go back and eat a bit more heartily ;->

And get back to the hat I am knitting for a very patient runner out there.

Spruce Trail Ski- Jay Cooke State Park

How I spent my Sunday afternoon - in pictures:

At the trail junction with the High Trail

Looking back along the access trail

Looking in the direction we will be traveling

Who's been at work here???

Mr. Wildknits entering a spruce/cedar tunnel

Contemplating a big climb... for those of you who have ever run the NMTC Bull Run this ought to look familiar

Above and Below: View from atop the ridge we had just climbed

Birch on it's tip toes ;->

I am not normally a fan of big/steep hills while cross-country skiing and had forgotten about some of the hills out here! Only had to sit once on my way down a hill. One fall, after successfully navigating a steep descent and then ascent with a 90 degree turn at the top. No good explanation for it - was at a bit of an angle and simply went over - kind of like a tree - too bad no one was there to yell "timber". Took me a bit to sort out skis and poles and the angle of the trail in order to get back up. Luckily we were the only people out there so I didn't have to worry about blocking someone else's access to the trail while I floundered around.

Yesterday I joined Rick in Moose Lake for a hilly 15 mile run. Later today it is off to the YMCA for 1-3 games of indoor soccer (depending on if other teams need an additional player, how many players show up on my team, and how much energy I have).

Knitting Olympic update:
Bit behind where I should be at. Almost finished with sock one, but already past the halfway point of the Olympics so need to get a move on! I am finding that a headlamp worn around the neck and angled 'just so' makes it possible to see the stitches well enough for decreases. This is the most light absorbing yarn I have used it years - or my eyes are getting old.

A Knitting Challenge and another use for a headlamp

Scoot on over to the Yarn Harlot for a moment. Interesting idea, isn't it. Stephanie is going to knit a sweater in 17 days. Me? I am knitting socks. Some would wonder why I consider this an olympic effort, after all I have the basic pattern memorized and consider socks pretty mindless (perfect for knitting while reading, socializing, riding the bus, etc).

Here is the challenge:

Notice the color? Yup. Black. Not shiny black either. More like 'black-hole' black. Pretty flat and very hard to see (especially later in the day when my older eyes are tired). Embiggen the photo and look at the recommended needle size. I always have to drop down two sizes to get a fabric I like, and a gauge that will hold up in socks. Yes, that does mean I will be knitting these on size 0 (2 mm) needles. Oh, did I mention the size of foot I am knitting these for? 10.5 inches (approx. US mens 9.5). Not much to complain about there really.

By the way guys, just a little comment here: there is a whole rainbow of colors out there. Consider branching out why don't you (for a funny take on that subject I refer you back to the Yarn Harlot's Feb. 5, 2004 post entitled Manly Men, scroll down a bit).

As with the real Olympics "training" is allowed. Since I purchased this yarn in skeins tonight I took the time to wind them into balls:
I invested in an umbrella swift and ball winder years ago and it has paid for itself many times over. Plus I no longer have to force family members to sit still and hold yarn for me, improving those relationships immensely.

Due to the yarn color and lateness in the day I pulled out my Petzl Tikka XP headlamp to aid in seeing and untying the knots and removing the small pieces of yarn that were holding the skein together ( I am yarn frugal and avoid cutting yarn - never know if you might need that last little bit to finish a project).

Now I just need to finish up the hat I have been working on before tomorrow at 6:30 pm CT (need the needles from that to work on the socks).

Added challenges that make completing a pair of socks in this time span a bit of a stretch: my work schedule and my running schedule. Full-time employment really cuts into knitting time (and I do not have the kind of job where I can knit at work - though socks are portable and will travel with me for those 'in-between' times), not that I am complaining about having a job (or two). And until I can figure out how to knit and run those two hobbies are mutually exclusive (though knitting has been pulled out while waiting for running buddies). So, seeing as I am training to run my first 50 mile this summer and building mileage for a 25k in April and a 50k in May along the way, there goes another (big) chunk of knitting time. Add in soccer on Sundays and skiing two days a week (gotta take advantage of the snow while we have it) and all of a sudden a pair of socks in 17 days does become worthy of an olympic medal.

Other knitting
The Runner's Hat (take 2) is almost completed. Just need to finish up the crown decreases and give it a good washing to clean the yarn and it will be ready for gifting. Pictures will be posted once it is finished. I have been trying to follow the pattern as written and have only had to make one minor change to adjust for a larger row gauge with the yarn I am using. Seems like the pattern is accurate as written. Anyone else out there print it out and give it a try?

ORC(obligatory running content)
Attempted to get in a 15 mile run this past Saturday on snowmobile trails in the Moose Lake area, managed 13.5. The trails were soft, it was tough going and at almost 3 hours I had had enough. Ran with Rick B. who was kind enough to send along some photos from the day.

Running up the only hill on the course

Rick B. and Wildknits - on the bridge over the Kettle River

Looking down on the Kettle River

We ran on the Munger and Soo Line trails. Both are Rail to Trail conversions which means very little elevation change and, in the winter, snowmobile traffic. It was a busy day on the trail but almost all of the snowmobilers were very polite while passing. Had a great time hanging out with Rick during and after the run.

In addition to weekend long runs I have been doing a pretty good job of keeping the mileage up during the week. Even managed to double up last week and ran not only to work on Thursday but then after work ran to the library. I am far ahead of where I was last year at this time.

Thursday's are for running to work

And today I remembered to bring a camera, and to leave early enough to be able to use it!

Temperature when I left my house: -10 F. No real wind to speak of. In the first mile I gained about 200 feet in elevation, then gradually crept up another 100 feet or so before descending over 600 feet on my way back down the hillside and to my place of employment. Total distance: 4.1 miles.

Sunrise over Lake Superior and the St. Louis River estuary

Aspen and birch lit up by the rising sun - hillside above Skyline Boulevard

40th Ave W., just before the first hairpin turn on the descent into West Duluth.
I work in the neighborhood at the base of this hill.

Hillside above 40th Ave W. Ridgeline in the distance is home to a section of the SHT,
plateau in the foreground is Skyline Boulevard.

Looking back up 40th Ave. W.

At work - just a little frosty around the edges!

I was thinking it would be neat to see what other bloggers commutes look like. Care to share?

Packs - old and new

An old favorite:

REI Half Dome

This pack has served me well for many years. Hauling books and miscellaneous stuff while I was in nursing school (and those books weigh a lot!). Knocking around in the woods on many day hikes (both for work and pleasure), and being a great pack for commuting and/or long runs. It fits snugly, holds quite a bit of stuff, has straps that allow for tightening down loads to minimize bounce, has a sleeve for a hydration bladder and has accessible pockets on the sides. Every Thursday morning you can see it strapped to my back as I run to work (especially in the winter when I need to haul a warm coat for the commute home). It has been a great addition to my backpack line-up, so I was a bit saddened to see that REI no longer carries them. Too bad as I have been recommending it to friends.

A new pack entered my life today:

Blizzard Hydration Pak

This arrived today and I am very excited to give it a try! For full disclosure, I am on a team that is sponsored by Nathan - Team Mega Tough - and we were allowed to chose one product for free. Seeing as I am focusing on ultras, and live in an area where it is winter longer than it is not, it only made sense to investigate their extreme weather hydration pack. I am looking forward to putting this through its paces and will let you all know how it holds up to the weather northern Minnesota can dish out.

Team Mega Tough is made up, primarily, of the group of women that I ran the Great River Ragnar Relay with this past August. I am very honored to be included on this team and often wonder why as I am not very fast, relatively speaking. One thing that I bring to the team (or so I am told) is inspiration. I am by far the oldest member and I think many of these women (and maybe others who read the teams blog?) have not envisioned themselves remaining so physically active when they hit their 40's.

Yes, you can achieve some pretty amazing things as a "masters" runner. More importantly, what is amazing for one person may look very different for another, as we each come from very different places.

2009 was a year of exploring my limits and finding out what I am capable of as an athlete. I ran 400+ more miles than I had ever run before, completed two 50K trail races (two weeks apart) and competed in my first 24 hour relay. On top of that I set PR's at several distances (5K, 10K, marathon and 50K).