The Gunks Trails Challenge (Blueberry Loop)

The Gunks Trails Challenge is now my new favorite race.  From June-November there is a challenge of the month.  The challenge is free, you run it on your own time and you can run it as many time in the month as you want and only your best time will count. Once you have completed the loop of the month you just submit your results that you recorded by some type of GPS tracking device and the fastest time that month wins a prize.  There is also the mega challenge which requires that you run 12 loops by the end of November. 

This month is the Blueberry Loop and I went up to New Paltz with two of my friends Joe and Susie to run the loop.  Part if the challenge is not only being able to run trail which can be quite technical at times but also being able to navigate.  Before heading up to New Paltz I always spend some time and mark out the course on my maps, read the description of the course, and create a short list of the turns that I can carry without having to print the entire description.  Navigation has not always been my strong suit in the past but I am getting better at being able to keep my eye on the trail and keep an eye out for the trail blazes. 

We headed up to New Paltz around 1:30 which is late in the day since it is about a 2 hour drive to get to the New Patlz area.  When we arrived we were debating on whether to just carry hand held water bottles or to use a hydration pack.  Both Joe and Susie went with hand held bottles and I went with my Nathan Endurance Hydration Pack.  Growing up in the mountains of Colorado I have learned that you can never be too prepared so I always carry more things than I need when running trails because you never know what can happen and in my opinion it is better to be safe than sorry.  (I don't carry supplies when I race a supported race but his is unsupported).  We walked a short distance up the road from Jenny Lane where we parked to the trail head and after some last minute checks and adjustment hit the start buttons on our watches and were off.

Joe getting ready

 This loop so far was the most technical trail I have run in the New Paltz area. (I am referring to the rocky and root covered terrain when I say technical) and by far my favorite of the challenges (I have only run one other challenge so far).  Jenny lane was a gradual uphill and covered in rocks and roots.  I love this type of terrain because for some reason I am able to move fast over it with little problems.  I did not take splits so I am not sure of the mileage on Jenny Lane Trail but it was a ways.  From there we turned right on Lower Awasting Carriageway for a short time before turning left on Rainbow Falls Trail.  This was an amazing section of the course.  Sections were unrunnable but there were some amazing view.  I wanted to stop and take pictures but this technically is a race so I just quickly took it in and kept on moving.  I really need to go back when I am not in a hurry and check what I missed out.  From the you eventually pop out on the Castle Point Carriageway and head left.  Once again there are some amazing views and if you are not paying close attention it is very easy to miss the left turn to Blueberry Run Footpath (more on that later).  I headed up Blueberry Run which is not blazed very well.  I lost a lot of time on several occasions looking for the path.  Eventually you pop back out mid way on Jenny Lane Trail.  When I hit Jenny Lane Trail it took me a moment to realize it since there was not sign and the blazes just changed color from blue to aqua (green).  I almost went left instead of right which would have been a huge mistake.  Back on Jenny Lane Trail I was really able to pick up the pace and drop my overall average since it is generally all downhill from there.  I popped out onto the road and hit my watch.  Mileage 9.37 in 1:33:33. 

Susie on the trail

Joe is usually not far behind me so I went back to the car got my G Series Pro recovery drink (sorry for the cheesy product placement link but I am now the lead for the New York market for G Series Pro EndurAlliance).  I headed back to the trail and walked up the trail to a clearing and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited....  OK I began to panic a little when some hikers came by and said that they had seen runner back at Rainbow Falls but that was it.  After about 45 minutes I decided it was time to head back out on the trail and try and find them.  After about a mile I ran in to Susie.  I scared her a bit but was so happy to see her but was worried that I had not seen Joe.  Susie was fine and like me had just have a few problems finding the blazes on the trail.  I told her Joe had not made it back yet so she finished up her race and we headed back to the car.  Still no Joe so I worried.

Part of the trail on Jenny Lane Trail

It was getting late in the evening and there was only a little over and hour of daylight left so in true Dennis style I planned for the worst.  (I'm such a drama queen)  I told Susie to load up with her hydration pack and any warm clothes and nutrition she had and we headed back up the trail to search for Joe.  I wasn't long maybe a mile or two before we ran into Joe.  Joe was fine.  A little tired and out of water but fine.  I gave him some water, he took a gel and we were back off to the car.  Joe had been taking in the amazing views (you can't help but look) and missed the turn for the Blueberry Run.  By the time he realized it he had made it about 3.5 miles past the turn so he got in about an extra 7 unplanned miles.  I was just happy no one was hurt.  Needless to say Joe and I plan on heading back up this month and getting some redemption on the course.

Self portrait before the start