Sunday, May 12, 2013

Trail running on the Bethpage feather bed

Wood-chipped trails as soft as a featherbed
Today's run (Bethpage State Park trails): 3.6 miles

Happy Mother's Day!

After yesterday's workout washout, I decided to go to Bethpage for a run on the wooded trails. It was rainy and overcast early in the morning, but the weather reports were predicting the sun would return by 9:00 AM. Once I saw that was true, I headed over to the park and made my way up the hill where I could pick up a trail on the southern side.

Once I got past the basketball courts and picnic area, I cut into the woods and encountered a wide, wood-chip covered path. I haven't spent much time on these trails since hurricane Sandy and I was surprised how much work was done to return them to pristine condition. Running along the path gave the sensation of being on a very thick carpet or a feather bed. Even though we'd gotten a soaking yesterday, the wood chips were doing a great job keeping things dry. 

I wanted to increase the challenge, so I took some side paths that were more technical, narrow and steep. I wondered if I'd run into the paved path that runs parallel to the top of the woods, but I stayed tucked inside. The low tree cover and the dry air acted like nature's air conditioner  I made my way back to the east end and followed a few trails that I'd never run before. One of these trails ran parallel to the start of the new paved bike path. I'd run next to it a number of times before, but never on it.  

Trail running miles can feel harder than pavement miles and that was the case today. I felt like I had a very good workout and it was great to be back to the woods. The trail was as comfy as a B&B mattress, except when I was running on twisty, narrow single-track. In each case, my surroundings made the experience an energizing way to spend a cool Sunday morning. 

7 comments:

  1. Where do you get to these trails? Sounds fun!

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  2. If you don't mind paying the $8 entrance fee or already have an Empire Passport, go into Bethpage State Park and park in the lot. You can get to the wooded trails a number of ways. If you go up the steep drive on the north side (past restroom house on your right) and keep running you'll see the woods straight away. There are a a number of trail heads to enter from there.

    You can also get in from a trail on the corner of the northeast end of the parking lot or off the new paved trail north of the old bike path.

    If you don't want to pay, park on Haypath Rd. close to the entrance to the paved path. Run south and look for trail heads into the woods on the right side.

    I hope you get there. It's a great place to run.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks!! I have the passport already!

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  3. Greetings.

    Have you ever entered a post about knee braces?

    I know a doctor visit should be the first step, however....

    I've "rested" this past year (R.I.C.E.) to no avail.

    Bailey & I started our come back Sat. & Sun.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't used a knee brace since I tore my meniscus about seven years ago. But it was effective.

    Glad you and Bailey are back running. Let me know if you want to meet at Bethpage some weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you.

      What is your next planned road race?

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  5. Right now it's the rescheduled Marcie Mazolla 5k on June 30. I may run the New Hyde Park 8K in early June if my schedule works out.

    You?

    ReplyDelete

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