Hill training - Percy Warner Park

Diane and I decided to do some hill training on Sunday while returning from “Trail of Tears”. We started a bit late, but we were glad we could make it. Reached Percy Warner Park at around 3:35. Kim joined us too. We started from the stone gate entrance at around 4:00PM.

I was excited about putting my VFF to the test in the mud and streams. Took our water bottles and we headed towards the hills. I have very good memories here. My first US marathon, Flying Monkey Marathon, was in this park. You’ll call yourself a monkey and people will call you ‘Monkey’ if you complete this marathon, and yet you will not get offended but will feel proud. “He is a monkey too”, Diane told Kim, and she was telling her about the mail I sent to the message board saying “Can anyone give a ride to an Indian monkey?”. Good times. Here we are once again running in Percy Warner Park, but this time we’ll be running on dirt and hills.

About a mile into the run, we encountered some serious dirt and mud. My VFF offered some good grip though. KSO – Keep Stuff Out – stood up to the test too. It wasn’t waterproof, but it did keep stuff out. Size 48 in the mud was making footprints like those of a ‘Bigfoot’. Several steep climbs, tiny waterfalls, serious dirt, roots, it was one good hill training.

(This is how it looked)

We rested at a couple of places and I loved the “Quiet Point” ridge. It offered a nice view of the park. It’s one of those moments that you would want to freeze and live in for a long time. Trail running is just amazing and very different. It makes you feel primal and one with nature. At one point there was a pack of deer heading towards my trail; they got scared and scattered. They just climbed the opposite steep hill like it’s a flat course. I have never seen so many deer out in the wild. Lucky me! (Wish I had a camera with me)

We were running at conversation pace, discussing our upcoming races, and then Diane and Kim had their gossip time. Then the conversation switched back to running and food. It was fun! We completed the White trail and then the Red trail loop. My legs were looking so dirty, but again my VFF offered very good grip, especially while running downhill. My legs and thighs were completely covered with mud. One helluva trail run. We completed the whole course in about an hour and fifty minutes, covering a distance of about 7 miles.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/24297749

We then went for a short walk to warm up a bit before heading home. My Vibrams were so dirty that I wore a plastic bag on top of them. I didn’t want Diane’s car to get dirty. It looked pretty funny though.

I was walking in my Vibrams wearing those plastic bags and my neighbors gave me weird looks. Glad I wore them; my carpet is safe too. Cleaning them was no big deal. Just stood under the shower with those shoes and the dirt just got washed away. Sweet. Thanks, Diane, John, Kim and Keith. You made my weekend.

Now heading to watch the Super Bowl with friends. Pizza time! Go Saints gooooo…