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.

September 27, 2008

The bridge is finished and folks are already using it! Those eagle scouts and their advisers really got this bridge done fast. It even has side rails, what ever those are used for! Come on across, girl, it's plenty safe now!

This other pic is of some running dudes that were cruising around the route. Jack, BJ, or was the JB, and Shawn? I really don't remember names but they were making the Hudson's field loop in this photo. Two of them are planning to run the Farmdale race in October and one is heading for the Chicago Marathon. Awesome!

One negative thing I need to bring up on trail conditions - the red markings are no longer dependable. Some loose cannon, self proclaimed trail maintainer has added red paint to just about every trail out there. Those markings are very well done and look like the rest of the red markers. Red was once reserved for a 7.5 mile trail that was put in many years ago by the scouts. They called it the Potawatomie Trail. Now, you just about have to know the race loop to get it right. We've lost that long time reliance on that great old trail. Stupid people annoy me. Guess you need to come take the guided tour on November 1 with us - at least three folks have indicated they will run with the locals that day.

September 21, 2008

Just hanging around with my girl waiting for the bridge to be finished in this first picture. Those guy really have made great progress.

The pic with all the tall weeds is Power Line meadow. The horses just haven't been able to keep up with the well watered pasture this year. I'm glad there is a path around this stuff, I can't see over it!!

Finally, Butterfield Lake is often a dry lake bed but recent rain has filled it to the top of the dam.

Believe it or not, the trails are in fine shape - with the exception of a few more limbs and trees that have fallen.

Guided Tour of McNaughton Invitiation

You are invited! I am hosting a guided tour of the McNaughton race loop. Are you a puppy and want to see what you should be training for during the winter? Have you never run McNaughton before and want to get in a ten mile jog? Are you a big dog McNaughton runner that would like to join us for a group run? This is your chance!

I have barked a request to a group of local trail runners asking them to help as tour guides. Enough of them said they would that I am offering the invitation. Saturday, November 1 is the date, 9 A.M. is the time. The race start/finish line is the location. There is no fee, no clock, no awards, just a fun run on a great route. My tour guides have various speed qualities but still no real commitment from the greyhound group, yet. Please RSVP so my people will know what to expect.

If there is enough interest, we might run a second loop on Saturday night. If you want to know what McNaughton looks like at night, again, this is your chance. I can tell you, it is dark! You will understand why so many racers love to have pacers when they run their night loops.

Stay up on my posts for any updates or changes and RSVP me soon!