I am training for New York now and would like to do a 20 miler on carriage paths this weekend.

Anyone like to join me? Secondly, anyone have a recommended loop? I am thinking about running out to Lake Awosting then over to the Trapps and doing the overcliff undercliff, but I don't think that's enough and I'd like an exact mileage. Anyone have a good map of the trails.

Thanks for any help.

i like using the gmaps pedometer to figure out running distances -- unfortunately the google map doesn't show the carriage roads -- but you might be able to fudge it by using the satellite photo

Thanks - yeah I started with the USA Track and Field map which I think must be the same one. I don't think the resolution is good enough on the satellite maps to see the carriage roads. Thanks anyway.

plasticky paper stuff

is that some kinda enginery term?

There used to be a race that started at the Trapps bridge called Overcliff/Undercliff. Participants had a choice which way they were going to run, either left or right first. I think the distance was around 5 miles. It was great, not sure what happened to it.

The maps that Dillbag is talking about are the NY/NJ Trail Conference Maps. You can get them a bunch of places here in town, and probably even a couple of places by you. You will definitely need these maps to calculate a distance. If you try to do it off of some half-assed satellite map, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere on your 21st mile with no water, etc.

Another good thing to do would be to call the running store in New Paltz, Peak Performance. The people who run the store also coach the SUNY New Paltz Cross Country team, so they know all the trails and are pretty accomplished runners themselves. Of course, you could stop in there to buy the maps, and talk to them about a good route.

I'll also make one other suggestion if you're game: Someone I know from my high school days moved up here recently and has opened up a B&B which is dedicated to training long distance runners and tri-atheletes (I'm actually editing a piece about his place right now). If you're interested in some very top end coaching for the race, PM me, and I'll put you in touch. A friend of mine who's been running the NYC Marathon for the last 20+ years stayed with him this weekend, and he was pretty impressed. Afterwards, he told me, "For 20 years, I've been doing just about everything wrong".

Thanks for the input, if anyone wants to join me for any part that would be great.

This will be my 7th marathon, although my peak was 15 years ago when I ran 2:50 in New York and I ran 2:48 a few years before that in Houston. Now I am just an old has been. The debate in my running group now is, is it better to be a has been or never was. I will follow up in AAG.

Thanks for the input, I think you're right Talus, in the end I will do it on time, planning on 8 minute miles and planning to stop after 3 hours at the most.

Evan, thanks for the input, I will definitely look up the running shoe store folks, they will probably know best.

The problem with all this training is that it tightens you up and doesn't leave any time for climbing, oh well.

Later,

D

Saturday turned out to be a perfect day for running, although the trails were a bit muddy.

I started out from the West Trapps lot, and after stretching and taking care of business I started the clock from the Trapps Bridge. The trail up to Minnewaska is really nice running. I felt great, on the way back struggling up the long steady incline I figured out why.

After the easy start, it was up hill for several miles, some steeper than others. Awosting Falls was raging (as was Ken's Crack). There is a sign that says 3 miles to Minnewaska (2.8) at the parking lot for West Trapps. However, I think with the switchbacks and meandering path its probably a bit longer to the first gate house. I then ran to the Lower Awosting lot and then up to Lake Awosting. Again, it seemed like it was uphill the whole way, some sections worse than others.

The last time I drove up to the Gunks and ran around the Undercliff/Overcliff I pulled my calf muscle. I think the combination of driving and running is hard on my old legs. My calf was tight through the up hill sections, but it didn't pop. After about 10 miles it eased up a bit.

I took the Hamilton carriageway back. Awesome views and not too many people. On the way back I saw a sign for Beacon Hill carriageway and figured it must be another way down. Doh!

It was a dead end at the end of 1/2 mile down hill road. I turned around and ran up the 1/2 mile again to the road. Back down to the Awosting Falls road and then back to the bridge.

I thought I would have plenty of time to do overcliff/undercliff, but with my diversions, I got back to my car after 3 hours.

After talking to several people, a runner I met in the lot, and some of the rangers, I think it is about 12 miles around Lake Awosting the way I ran it (including the 1 mile wrong turn), plus the 6 or so to the car I would give myself about 18+ miles, which was plenty. I didn't want to do 23.

The running was great although my knee is pretty sore today, I am hoping that will go away...