by
Jim Pugh

2005 Wakely Dam Run 

I suppose there are two audiences for these trip logs.  The next paragraph and the next-to-last paragraph are for those readers who are thinking about doing this run for the first time.  The rest will be for my fellow runners in 2005. 

This was undoubtedly the most beautiful course I have run.  The first 1/4 and the last 1/4 of the trail surface are very nice, and the middle 1/2 is only moderately rocky and rooty.  (I trained with the Nipmuck and Maine Woods trail marathons, both of which are more difficult running surfaces.)  Deadfall trees cause one to break stride from time to time, particularly after the hurdle muscles are shot.  The course is full of modest ups and downs, with definite “walking uphills” at around miles 3, 8, 19 and 21.  The glory of this section of the N-P trail is the many lakes it passes.  I heard loons on three of the lakes.  To look through the pine and spruce trees and see the blue waters beside you is an uplifting sight – which is repeated many times.  Plus there is that feeling of being out in the middle of nowhere.  The middle of the West Canada Lakes area must be as close to nowhere as one gets in the eastern U.S. 

This was one of the nicest group of runners with whom I have ever run.  Their ethic is clearly running for the sake of running, rather than running for the sake of competition.  All are friendly to and provide support to the first timer. 

As much as one tries to “peak” for a run such as this, there are inevitable surprises.  Within the first mile I found myself with a strained right [wheel].  I hoped the tightness would go away, but after several miles it became apparent it would be my companion for the rest of the day.  It caused a slightly hobbled running stride, particularly on the uphills. 

I carried two 20-ounce water bottles and one 8-ounce bottle.  This worked perfectly.  I refilled as needed with purification tablets and ERG (an electrolyte replacement powder).  These bottles provided me with a good glug every 30 minutes over the dry stretch between miles 16.5 and 24.  I drank about 150 ounces during the run. 

Trail markers around the leantos are somewhere between scarce and nonexistent. At one of the leantos at Mud Lake, McKew Devitt helped me with to stay on the right trail. I ran at least 90% of the trail by myself.  Dave Keinberger and I traded places on several occasions in the middle of the course.  He was faster on the good trail, and I was a little faster on the rough sections. 

Deerflies were not nearly as prevalent as they were the prior week.  I wore a piece of double-sided tape on the back of my hat.  By the end of the run, a half dozen of the little demons were attached. 

Through the course of the spring I experimented with various packs and running gizmos.  It has been almost two decades since I dabbled in the new running technology.  Here is the best of what I found worked for me: a GoLite 24 daypack, electrolyte tablets, Amphipod water bottles, Race Ready coolmax shirt (narrow neck to prevent strap rubbing), BodyGlide (started with coverage of toes and shoulders, and later used with chafing shorts), Innov8 310 shoes, and Hydraid ERG powder (available at REI).  I am not being paid for any of these endorsements. 

I think I can do better, but I am satisfied with my effort.  A big thank-you to RD Jim and the DWDU crew for making the run on this beautiful course possible.