I was in Hudson NY a month or so ago, and had saw the Catskills in the distance and thought, wow, I need to run them haha. Just had a nice run on the Appalachian Trail today - happy to not be doing so many road miles these days.
Looking across the river at the Catskills is one of the best views of the mountains. Oddly, we have a spectacular view from the local Target in the heart of strip mall city. I rarely see a view like that while traveling when I don't have the same thought as you! And FYI, you would have been looking at the Escarpment Trail itself - that eastern edge of what are erroneously called Mountains (they are a plateau from a glacier in the last ice age, which explains why they are all rounded off at a similar height up top) - and so you'd have been looking at our race course. Come join us some day! I have run but one section of the AT, when I was Air BnBing Virginia (Roanoke I believe) and made a point of getting out there the following morning,. Thanks for posting by the way, it's great to have new people around, and if you have not subscribed yet, I hope you will. Cheers.
I hope that all went well for you today, Tony. So many people have told me, "Yeah, I used to run, but then my knees went bad," or words to that effect, and I always think to myself, "Yeah, that's because you did nothing but run on concrete sidewalks each time that you went out!"
Thanks Tim, all went excellent for me. Having not had the opportunity to race the course properly since 2018, I was thrilled to do my fastest since then, but also probably my most consistent. I felt great at the finish line, and despite fighting the usual battle between mind and legs for the last 4.5 miles at lest, I never stopped running.
Part of me genuinely thinks that the "bad knees" comment comes from people who don't run with good form and/or wear the wrong footwear, and I do believe the wrong footwear leads to bad form. But you are also 100% correct that many of those people are punishing themselves with incessant roads. And I inadvertently proved to myself this spring, that you can do much of your marathon training out on trails (and track).
Another great read, Tony. Both roads and trails can be enjoyable, like you say, but trails are just more forgiving on this middle-aged man's bones and joints. The natural surroundings and beautiful views are a definitive plus as well. Best of luck in the race!
Thanks Kevin, I actually saw this before the race and it made me smile... Unfortunately, at my age, I won't be PR-ing again on this course, though the fact my PR was at age 53 on my 9th Escarpment should/could encourage plenty people out there. But I had a great day out there, and posted an excellent time. Thank you!
I was in Hudson NY a month or so ago, and had saw the Catskills in the distance and thought, wow, I need to run them haha. Just had a nice run on the Appalachian Trail today - happy to not be doing so many road miles these days.
Looking across the river at the Catskills is one of the best views of the mountains. Oddly, we have a spectacular view from the local Target in the heart of strip mall city. I rarely see a view like that while traveling when I don't have the same thought as you! And FYI, you would have been looking at the Escarpment Trail itself - that eastern edge of what are erroneously called Mountains (they are a plateau from a glacier in the last ice age, which explains why they are all rounded off at a similar height up top) - and so you'd have been looking at our race course. Come join us some day! I have run but one section of the AT, when I was Air BnBing Virginia (Roanoke I believe) and made a point of getting out there the following morning,. Thanks for posting by the way, it's great to have new people around, and if you have not subscribed yet, I hope you will. Cheers.
I hope that all went well for you today, Tony. So many people have told me, "Yeah, I used to run, but then my knees went bad," or words to that effect, and I always think to myself, "Yeah, that's because you did nothing but run on concrete sidewalks each time that you went out!"
Thanks Tim, all went excellent for me. Having not had the opportunity to race the course properly since 2018, I was thrilled to do my fastest since then, but also probably my most consistent. I felt great at the finish line, and despite fighting the usual battle between mind and legs for the last 4.5 miles at lest, I never stopped running.
Part of me genuinely thinks that the "bad knees" comment comes from people who don't run with good form and/or wear the wrong footwear, and I do believe the wrong footwear leads to bad form. But you are also 100% correct that many of those people are punishing themselves with incessant roads. And I inadvertently proved to myself this spring, that you can do much of your marathon training out on trails (and track).
Cheers!
Another great read, Tony. Both roads and trails can be enjoyable, like you say, but trails are just more forgiving on this middle-aged man's bones and joints. The natural surroundings and beautiful views are a definitive plus as well. Best of luck in the race!
Thanks Stephan, and your middle sentence is spot on.
Best of luck in today's race! I hope by the time you see this, you've hit a new PR.
Thanks Kevin, I actually saw this before the race and it made me smile... Unfortunately, at my age, I won't be PR-ing again on this course, though the fact my PR was at age 53 on my 9th Escarpment should/could encourage plenty people out there. But I had a great day out there, and posted an excellent time. Thank you!