chapter 512
11/22/2018
Turkey Trot 2
coldest Thanksgiving in recorded history
Ran solo this year; my partner was scared off by the cold. Weather forecast was for minus 10 windchill in Cohoes so I was over prepared with extra clothing and a backpack to wear on route. The wind did not materialize so the temps hovered around 10 degrees above zero. It was so rewarding simply to survive without trauma. Did not expect to set records but came in third in my age group again this year, the Super Seniors (love that name), and was surprised they gave me a nice medal at the end. Didn't realize but could probably have gotten one last year. Can't really run anymore with my fake hip so I power walked mostly and trotted on the downhills.
Head gear choice was the armed robbery mask with only eye & mouth holes, but didn't pull it down since I had the very functional winter hiking Buff Polar scarf to pull up from neck. I like, you can breathe thru it to warm up your breath and adjust the length of it including a velour layer for different warmth levels. Will also be great on the motorcycle. After going up this hill we enter the bike path, scene of a murder the prior week.
The 3.5 mile route passes through the Olmstead Street Historic District that was once part of the original Erie Canal. It's named after Charles A Olmstead was the Cohoes Company Agent and Supervisor of the Power Canal construction.
The more serious runners were all eager to start the race. #334 Eli Bashant (Ballston Spa), winner of last years event when he photo bombed our selfie got a good start this year as well. He lost this year however to the guy in Green on the far side. That be Conor Cashin running coach from Heartbreak Hill Running Cambridge, Boston who had a splendid 19 minute time.
The EMT's were en route to assist with any frostbite, hypothermia, or heart attacks. Miriam here was the housewife neighbor of mine for many years before moving out an into a new life.
After last years race a big portion of Cohoes was burned down along our race route after an amateur bladesmith tried to emulate Forged in Fire TV show by starting a fire in an outdoor barrel.
The extreme cold weather conditions resulted in some unusual ice formations down by my Mohawk River walk. The combination of wind, waves, and moisture in the air apparently did the job. I've photographed ice formation before but when I get home they just don't look right. This time it worked.
Mother Nature makes interesting compositions. The ice balls formed on these twigs somehow? Would be a good doctoral thesis I guess.
Cohoes Mayor chokes wife? but I met him last year and he seems like a good guy
History of Cohoes, free digital book
Olmstead & Glens Falls feeder Canal
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