If I only had a heart

I have a heart. Of course we all assume we have one because the pulse tells us that one beats inside, but I now know I have one because I’ve seen it. Not literally in the flesh so to speak, but via an ultrasound monitor that produced images as it contracted and expanded while pushing blood around my body. “Here is a view from below, and here we’re looking diagonally down to see that the valves inside the chambers are opening and closing without regurgitation.” Read more

My Little Death Race

So this past weekend, I journeyed North again to take part in the Pittsfield Death Race. Not your typical race, this involved little to no running while pushing you to your physical and mental limits as you struggle to complete the various physical challenges. The race directors, Joe and Andy, spend the entire year devising the hellish tasks and delight in the pain and anguish emanating from the racers. Read more

Cramming for Cranmore

Much work needed to be done to get my butt up to this race.  Saturdays workload at the store presented me with a 10 hour work schedule. Not to mention a 2 hour lawn mowing job for my neighbor afterwards. But somehow with the thought of someone I know running a 100 miler I managed to suck up to the physical labor.  By midnight I was eventually off and driving for the next four hours until I had to rest. I pulled over at the lake at the base of Mt. Chocoura and napped in the parking lot for a little while. Read more

Confirmed Bluff 50k Entries

Confirmed entries for the 2009 Bimbler’s Bluff 50k individual and relay events as of June 23, 2009. Please note that registration closes on October 2nd, 2009 and is limited to 120 runners because the route passes through an environmentally sensitive area. Read more

Bimblers Bluff 50k Info

The 2009 Bimblers Bluff 50k will be held on October 25th, 2009.

The Bimblers Bluff 50k is an off road foot race through several woodland preserves in southern Connecticut. Consisting entirely of single track or forest roads, the course will provide a true test of the runner’s fitness and mental stamina. You should only consider entering this race if you are confident you have sufficient running experience such as having completed a recent road or trail marathon. If you have any questions or concerns about your ability to complete this race but would still like to enter, please contact the race director.

The course inter-connects seven woodland properties and offers access to the Genesse Preserve where entry is normally restricted to Regional Water Authority permit holders. Aid station locations are limited to places with easy road access and the distance between stops varies. Runners are strongly advised to carry a drink bottle and their preferred choice of snack. The aid stations will be stocked with a variety of snacks typical of an event of this kind. Water and the electrolyte drink Heed by Hammer will be available at all stations

All entrants will receive a goodie bag containing their race number, cotton shirt and information about the course. Finishers within the 10 hours time limit will receive a unique finisher award to acknowledge their achievement. There will be additional awards for the overall male and female finishers. The race is sanctioned by the USA Track and Field Association.

The Bimbler’s Bluff has been established to promote access to the woodland trails in southern Connecticut and in doing so the organizers wish to acknowledge the support of:

Guilford Land Conservation Trust

Guilford Conservation Commission

Guilford Sportsmens Association

Town of Guilford

Town of Madison

Regional Water Authority

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

Click here for course map

Click here for course and race day information

Click here for registration details

Featured gallery picture by Chris Renda Photography

Bimblers Bluff 50k Course Maps

The Bimblers Bluff 50k is an off road foot race through several woodland preserves in southern Connecticut. Consisting entirely of single track or forest roads, the course will provide a true test of the runner’s fitness and mental stamina. You should only consider entering this race if you are confident you have sufficient running experience such as having completed a recent road or trail marathon. Read more