Good luck to Dr Seuss and the brave souls running the Umstead Trail Marathon. Looks like the weather is going to be great! At least not as rainy as it was last year. Click here for the 2008 Umstead recap.

Just remember at mile 20, you get a great shirt *AND* a beer mug to die for.

And if the race on Saturday isn’t enough for you, you can join FGump at Shamrock Marathon the following weekend (*edit – after one more. Sorry to scare FGump!).

** Update **

Squeeky snapped a pic of Dr Seuss on his iPhone – smiling at mile 19!

More photos here.

The best running group in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham and Morrisville turns 2 today. Happy Birthday!

Thanks to all the runners, triathletes, swimmers, cyclists, stand-up comedians, and psychiatrists for keeping us all healthy, fast, and laughing our lungs out!

Whats in store for 2009? A lot of us are doing our umpteenth marathon, an Ironman (our first or our dozenth, definitely not our last), open water swims, half marathons, sprint triathlons, international triathlons, group spin class, triathlon clinic, brick, or otherwise.

We are traveling and competing around the country, around North Carolina, mostly getting together for the classic Saturday morning run at either Umstead Park or Shelley Lake, with some American Tobacco Trail runs, Whole Foods / Meredith College runs, and our Spring/Summer/Fall bricks out at Jordan Lake.

I hope everyone has a great 2009 year running, swimming, cycling, and triathloning. Check out the 2009 racing season post to see what everyone is up to!

When: 6:30AM

Sorry for the late post! Asleep at the wheel!

Will get pics and stories up soon.

www.flickr.com TriRunWith.Us’ Umstead Trail Marathon 2008 photoset

Location: Umstead – Location: Bridge To Nowhere
Time: 6:30 a.m.
Distance: Approx. 10 miles
Weather: Low 30s
Pace will be determined after total calorie intake is assessed
__
Recap -

An awesome full moon over Crabtree Lake guided us to BTN. Opening the door and stepping out to sub-freezing weather woke you the rest of the way up if you hadn’t had your java eye-opener.

The Mikes were back, Belkymd, Litl’bit, Tommy, Just John, Squeeky, Social Secretary, and Sandbagger. The Mikes and Just John turned parted company and the rest of us marched along aiming for about 10.

Squeeky took us to the Pit of Despair (Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket???!?). We marched up and down Turkey Creek which a few of us will have to hit in both directions for the Umstead Trail Marathon – a sobering thought every time we pondered it.

Squeeky is the best trail guide for Umstead and gave us two choices for the return. Cemetery Hill or Company Trail singletrack. Secretly he was hoping Company Trail, so he bolted down it first without waiting when we hit the fork. Belkymd was on his tail while Tommy and the Social Secretary discussed latkes and other NY cuisine.

After huffing and puffing Grayln (sp?) Trail, we motored back for 2 smooth miles to round out a 12 mile run.

I was smart and got everyone to pose pre-run.

Started the bone thaw at Starbucks to put a bit of color back into the skin.

Great run!

Great run and great turnout today for our Bridge to Nowhere run! The trails were packed, the weather was reasonable, and the banter was top notch.

Litl’bit was running strong and had enough electrolytes in her Fuel Belt to bang out 20, but she wisely took the foot off the gas and turned around early.

Bill Betts ran today, along with Dr Feelgood and Mike showing fresh legs after the Hood to Coast.

Post run pic of the remaining few who headed to Starbucks. KarenG8r has finished the workout schedule – including the run locations for the next few months – at least through the Richmond Marathon and Soma Triathlon. Look for the schedule in the near future after we get it posted.

When – 6:30AM

Distance – 6 to 8 miles

Weather – Bring your goggles and 3 towels

Map – If you click the blue icon, you will see additional notes about the run.

View Larger Map

Trying to get a jump on the post this week.

Run up for discussion!

When – 6:00AM < -------------- EARLY!!!

Mileage - Long enough to make your hurl!

In case you are wondering:
- yes she totally hurls in the next few seconds
- the photo comes from a thread on BeginnerTriathlete.com – Finish Line Photos – Oh the humanity (LOL)

Let me know if you are interested in joining me.

Terp

Location – Bridge to Nowhere – Umstead Park

Weather – 55 degrees

Distance – 7+

Bridge to Nowhere it is.

Map – Click here for Google Map

Directions From I-40:  Take I-40 to the Harrison Avenue Exit.  Turn toward Cary/SAS (away from Umstead entrance) and go several blocks to Weston Parkway.  Make a right on Weston Parkway.  Follow Weston Parkway about 1/2 mile and make right on Old Reedy Creek Road…there is a business called DYOSYNTH on the right so you will know where to turn….go about .4  and you will see the I -40 Overpass to Nowhere and Lake Crabtree on your left.  Park just before the overpass. 

Time – 6:30AM

Weather – 40ish

Distance – 7 – 9 miles or more

Location – Umstead Park – Harrison Entrance
Time – 6:30 AM
Distance – Up to 13 miles
Terrain – Hard pack
Weather – Mid 20s
Directions – Umstead Harrison Entrance

Rap Master Sass is pushing for 13, so hang with him if you can. Bring your moon boots, snow pants, and electric socks cause its gonna be cold! (I have to rub in the cold part since I’m not going to be there…)