The Lone Runner Challenge
By: Tim Smith
Last month I wrote to describe what the Lone Runner Challenge would be. This month I’ll tell you what it is.
Actually I’ll let a lot of other people tell you want it is.
Below are pictures, maps and comments which have been posted.
Road Less Run
“OK, maybe I only ran a quarter mile of “new” road for me.” — Geoff Dunbar
“I drove up to Bradford, I was planning on running a lot more of Goshen, Rd than I did but cut it short. I did see a pair of donkeys who were loving the bright sun today!” — Alex Hall
“I’m cheating. On a road trip every run is a road less run.” — Paul Coats
“I did Bliss Rd in Quechee – it was beautiful! About half a mile in the middle of the road is unmaintained so there’s no through traffic.” — Sara Vannah
Great Hill Run
“I ran Beaver Meadow/Bragg Hill with an elevation gain of about 900 ft. over 9 miles.” — Laura Petto
“For my #GreatHillRun I ran right out my front door, up Academy Rd, on to Houghton Hill Rd, and to the summit of Houghton Hill via an infrequently travel path. The climb is over 1,000 ft in about 4.5 miles, with only a couple breaks in the climbing. My timing was perfect, as I reached the summit, there were only a couple minutes left of a stunning sunset; Not a cloud in the sky, and 360 degree views of blues, oranges, and purples painting the hillsides. I didn’t stay long, as I had to chase the sunlight home. Twilight fell as I made my long descent and I was greeted by a brilliant performance by the Moon and Venus.” — Alex Hall
“I ran around Eastman Lake. There is one monster climb up Snow Hill but plenty of other climbs along the way. The last big hill brings you up and at an angle that provides a really nice view of the lake. Nice run but I sure miss Saturday morning runs from Omer and Bob’s.” — Pam Moore
“I went with the classic UVRC Mascoma Lake plus Sunset Rock (hill) combo.” — Rob Daniels
“King Hill Rd in Etna. A very steep first 1.5 mile, and then an easy glide home! Beautiful view from the top. I think it is a #GreatHill!” — Timothy Smith
“I ran up a trail on the skiway with my sled and sledded back down!” — Sara Vannah
“I explored Farnum Hill in search of archeological sites. First I ran partway up Poverty Lane, then onto a trail (Old Kings Highway) which used to be the first colonial road in Lebanon. I looked for signs of an old copper mine or town meeting house, but did not yet find them so will have to go back another time!” — Hannah Taska
“I ran my first marathon today (quechee to Hanover and back) and miles 23 & 24 had some good hills!” — Ryan Scelza
Negative Splits
“A great run on the rail trail, Leb to Mascoma. Dropped about 10sec per mile most of the run!” — Timothy Smith
“This was by far my longest run in quite some time. I did not approach is with a tempo pace in mind (I was really focused on getting in a quality long run). I ran my first ten miles in 1:23 and was happy to run the next ten miles in 1:12.” — Alex Hall
“3×1 mile, each faster than the last. Plus I tacked on 2×400 which were even faster!” — Geoff Dunbar
“I did a progression run on Sound of Silence – cheating a little bit because the last 3 miles are downhill.” — Sara Vannah
Dirt Road Run
“Nice run beyond Goodrich Four Corners in Norwich. Pattrell & Kerwin Hill Rd.” — Timothy Smith
“For anyone who had run the Foliage Five, my route should look familiar. So nice to have a maintained road with zero vehicular traffic!” — Alex Hall
“Thanks for the motivation. I tried out a loop I’ve been meaning to do #LRC #DirtRoadRun. The class 4 road was very wet and the rest of it would satisfy the #LRC2 #Greathillrun. There was about 10m of pavement but I skirted the outside to avoid stepping on it!” — Madeleine Bothe
“Modified the classic Three Mile Rd bowtie 10 miler to only run the gravel, making it a Lobster Claw half marathon! Roads dry and in great shape. My season was a month ago this year!” — Joffrey Peters
“I went out & back on Old River Rd in Quechee/Woodstock – the dirt part of the CBHM course. “ — Sara Vannah
“I am cheating a bit. I ran this loop, which was about 50% dirt roads/trails.” — Laura Petto
Follow The Flow
“A very pleasant run along the Ottauquechee. It was upstream half the way, but then we “Followed The Flow” back home.” — Timothy Smith
“Followed the flow on Mink Brook; they’ve really done a nice job with the trails along there! Only one muddy spot and easily detoured. “ — Geoff Dunbar
“Went down to Newport to check out the Sugar River Trail. There weren’t too many people out there and it was fun to run down hill on the way out, following the river. There were a couple river crossings with some handsome covered bridges. Trip back was a little rough; uphill, against the wind, and 16 miles is still a little out of my fitness comfort zone. But all in all, a very nice adventure.” — Alex Hall
“Lovely run along Mink Brook and Wheelock Trail” — Nancy Dunbar
“I ran up New Boston rd and met up with the very start of Copperas Brook where the Elizabeth Mine was. I then joined Rte 132 where Copperas Brook turns into the Ompompanoosuc River and followed it all the way to Union Village Dam which was far enough f
or me! Rte 132 was mostly down hill but the litter on the side of the road is really epic and terribly sad. Mainly beer cans and bottles but soda and water bottles are a close second- I lost count at 500…” — Madeleine Bothe
“I ran the Newport rail trail too. It was a beautiful morning. The only disruption to this peaceful run was a family out on their four wheelers. Honestly it was great to see people out enjoying the outdoors even if their choice of activity is not my thing :)” — Pam Moore
“I ran recovery run on a fairly usual route for me, criss-crossing the Mascoma on the Rail Trail and adjacent roads.” — Joffrey Peters
Looking Glass Loop
“A section done in reverse direction for the first time. Going this way the roller coaster bumps on Poverty Lane make for a good hill workout.” — Rob Daniels
“A loop I have done dozens of time – clockwise. This time reversed. Two abrupt hills, but with a partner it went fast and well.” — Timothy Smith
” —- interesting that this is the abnormal direction for you! I usually do it this way, if only because that’s the direction of the Norwich turkey trot” — Laura Petto
“I ran around Mascoma CW, which is opposite my normal half-marathonish loop. It’s also opposite the way the Shaker 7 goes, so it’s really the other direction than most have run around it.” — Joffrey Peters
“Occom Pond both ways” — Geoff Dunbar
“I did Sound of Silence backwards (barely – it’s a lollipop). The steep hill wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, and going downhill by the horses & the field was nice!” — Sara Vannah
