running the stix loop on Monday at 4pm with some new folks, could use some old folks to help guide if there are a couple different level groups. The route changed a bit, and I can fill you in.

PJ

Doesn't look like I will be able to make that PJ. Will let you know if things change.

I would like to know the actual course as I'm leading the Thursday group for a trail run at 6pm. We won't have time to make it all the way around the course though.

Ryan

Ryan - I look forward to your run on Thursday - 40-50 minutes in the woods would be a good plan I think.

45 minutes I can work with, 30 was too short for a nice loop.

Ryan

Hiked the stix loop with the wife today and put up arrows for pre-running. Not fully marked for raceday by any means, but should be enough to get you around the course.

Brian
 
[img:7c60f52a7e]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/albums/bc_personal/120x90.png[/img:7c60f52a7e]

Thanks Brian.

You must have done that before 1pm as I was out there for a while this afternoon working on the Big Berm.

Ryan

Quick Rant...
Why must the race courses change every year? I know that they are constantly being tweaked for improvement (or massively rerouted to include awesome new trails)... but you've already got the best courses in New Hampshire. I feel like it's time to make the courses permanent fixtures so that athletes can compare their times from year to year, so that course records can be set and broken, and so that the races can start to build some history.

That's all... thanks for listening.

That being said... what are these aforementioned changes to the stix course so I can get a leg up on the competition?
:)

It is all about continuous improvement Streak. I do not think we have ever repeated a course for the Pinnacle or Stix. We are very consistent in our inconsistancy. Big changes for this year is going all the way up to the Pinnacle and skipping Fern Alley.
 
[img:7c60f52a7e]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/albums/bc_personal/120x90.png[/img:7c60f52a7e]

Yes, that makes comparing times difficult...I agree. We do it because A. its a better flow B. make it easier to switch to bike race after and C. because we like to mess with people.

This course is tougher in the beginning but the second half (after mile 2.5 (top of pinnacle), she cranks, I can even run 7:30 mile pace for the rest.

hey guys. so is the course fully marked? or partially marked? I was considering running it sometime this week and would love to have an idea of where it takes me. I have vague memories from last year...

ps- i kinda like a changing course. it may be nice to compare times, but trail running always has some unpredictability and i like that variety to it. its a wild and crazy game!

-mike
 
www.meetup.com/upper-valley-trail-runners/

Sorry... maybe that came across as a bit whiny... I'm never going to complain about a chance to run (or bike) through the woods. I love your races. I talk them up to everyone I know.
I guess I just wanted to drop in my two cents. Speaking of which...
I am pretty psyched about the stix reroute up to the top of the Pinnacle! :)

Streak, I did not take your question as being whiney at all. It is a very valid point, but we keep getting better and better trails to play on.

Mikey, trails are fully marked. More arrows will go up before the race, but you should find plenty to get around.
 
[img:7c60f52a7e]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/albums/bc_personal/120x90.png[/img:7c60f52a7e]

Mikey,

When in doubt go straight until you see another arrow (and hope it didn't go missing). I didn't run it completely but the one part I nearly messed up was near the end. If you are familiar with the trail names where the run splits from the bike at "South" trail and heads down "Trapper" where it spits you out onto "Forest" (the double track), make sure you hang a right and quick left onto "Lower Loop". There is an arrow you can see on Lower Loop but it you are not looking for it, it's easy to miss.

I was in a hurry and might have spaced it so there might have been another arrow.

Ryan

Thanks!
 
www.meetup.com/upper-valley-trail-runners/

I had to place the Lower Loop arrow so is was not visable as you start the loop and head up Forest, so it is not in the optimal place right now. Once all the runners clear that intersection on raceday I will be moving that arrow and putting up some ribbon to make it impossible to miss.
 
[img:7c60f52a7e]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/albums/bc_personal/120x90.png[/img:7c60f52a7e]

Yes, I figured as much Brian. Mikey, this is a course cross over spot I mentioned. As Brian mentioned these things will be clear on race day.

Ryan