Perfect Weather

Finally, cool enough weather where you can run, really run. The trails are just at the crispy state - just frozen enough to be solid yet spongy enough to have a little bounce. This first pic, I call "Fast Dog, Slow Fruit". I'm moving right along but the leaves and the fruit on the ground is stopped. That's why I'm blurry and the fruit is sharp(er). Those are called Osage Oranges or Hedge Tree fruit. Some folks call them hedge balls, others might call them hedge apples. They can even be used as insect repellent - but not squirrel repellent, the little besties like to eat them.

This second pic makes it look like we don't know where the trail is going. If you end up here, you may not know either as this is not part of the "Red Trail" or any part of the race loop. Just the mad painter painting every trail they can find with red. So, you can no longer trust following those red markings.

Remember, group run, three loops, Dec 13. See previous post for details

FAT ASS RUN

What the heck is a Fat Ass run anyway? Well, if you know what it is and somebody wants to hold one, I guess it sounds okay to me! Mike Siltman, of previous McNaughton ultras as well as many others, will be hosting one of those runs using pretty much the race loop. This run will start at 7 A.M. on Saturday, December 13 and go for three loops. Mike will mark the trail so you can have some help with direction and still run your own pace. No registration fee, no awards, no "on course" aid stations, no official tour guides. Mike does promise to have some ultra food and a bit of an aid station at the start finish. He will have a donation jar set out if you'd like to help finance the refreshments. That is a Saturday and you should plan for about any kind of weather on the planet. Mike says he will have a fire going at the start finish area. I think you will need that fire after running through the ice water in the creeks!

Contact Mike at mikesiltman@hughes.net to RSPV or to ask questions.

Tour of McNaughton Report

What a great day for a run in the park! Bright sun shinny day with mild temps made for about the best conditions you can ask for. Great company and super tour guides allowed folks to get a wonderful McNaughton experience. We had Carey, Sheila, Christy, Mike, Donna, Dan, Brian, Jason, Chris, Howard, Jeff, Bob, Ann, Jerry and Mike. Counting me and my people, that's 18 (or so I'm told). I am a herding dog so understand how difficult it was to keep track of everybody once you got all spread out over several miles and how thankful I am that I had the help of the tour guides.

While there was interest in doing a night run, everybody had other schedules to keep and leaves to rake. I, however, had to take up my post on the back deck, guarding the yard from squirrels between power naps.

McNaughton Tour

Hey all, the Tour of McNaughton is a go for this next Saturday! Let's meet at the race's start/finish area at 9 A.M. Should have a few locals to help find the way. Bring your own supplies - unless you want to drink the creek water like I do. It's a little smelly but lots of "body". After the tour/run is over, we will take tabs on the possibility of running a second loop Saturday evening. Unless you've ran McNaughton at night, well, you just haven't had enough fun! The trails are in pretty good condition even with the recent rains and should be great by Saturday. Nice cool temps and plenty of sunshine is in the forecast. See you there!

Farmdale

Dave Tapp had a great day at Farmdale for his annual trail run. Great temps, blue skies and no wind. What a super event! I'm putting in a pic here to help explain why Dave choose to alter the course for this year. Most of the old route is nothing but a mud pit but this section was mostly under water. Thanks Dave, that was a good move!

Still planning on a tour at McNaughton for Nov 1. I have at least three folks planning to take advantage of the tour and several local runners volunteering to help out. The more the merrier! We start at 9 a.m. Be sure to bring your own supplies. We will take a tally of those folks that might want to run another loop that evening. That would be fun as well.

Fall Color

The leaves are beginning to turn in Central Illinois as shown by this picture - but what do I know, I'm color blind! The weather has been really warm for October and my new winter coat is waaaay to hot to be fooling around in 80 degree temps. Luck for me, we tend to get an early start on our park patrol.

I've also visited Farmdale this past weekend and that park is primed and ready for all you trail runners for this Saturday. Dave Tapp and his crew are ready to host a great run out there and my people tell me it won't be so barked hot!

Race Director, Andy Weinberg

For those who have not heard, race director Andy Weinberg has moved to Vermont. The McNaughton Ultra Trail Run is still Andy's event. He will still direct the 2009 race and will be here for that weekend, managing the race as usual. Sure, there will be a lot more involvement for his group of helpers but Andy is still in charge.

For the 2010 race, well, we're not totally sure. One thing to keep in mind, this is, in fact, Andy's race. It does not belong to the Pekin Park District or the local running club or the high school. It is not even managed as a partnership. It is Andy's race. Andy dreamed up this even, set the course, managed it from the beginning, dealt with all the issues, obtained all the permits and permissions, recruited helpers, even financed the whole thing. You don't think his "thank you" to his wife isn't sincer at the start of each race? Try spending that much family budget on your hobby and see what your spouse says! So, just to make sure you understand, this is Andy's race.

Now, for 2010. Andy needs to see how things go this year before he can decide what to do for next year. There are many options. Which one Andy chooses will depend greatly on how different things go this year. Please be patience. Many people are involved and it will take some time to determine a direction. Most everyone believes there will be a 2010 race. So, now you have an update on Andy. His e-mail address is andy@peak.com. I'm sure he would be happy to hear from you, especially if you have any concerns for the future of the race.