Adirondack Sports December 2020

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18 Adirondack Sports COMMUNITY DARRYL AND LAURA AT ABOUT MILE 12. MOUNTAIN DOG RUNNING Moreau Half The Inevitable Staircase of Death By Laura Clark At my relaxed age, I no longer worry about every race. I just like to spend a day outdoors with friends and complete the course as best I can. Or so I tell myself. And while I no longer stress over race times, there is still something inside me that longs to set myself apart, to tread a path chosen not by the followers of the herd, but by those more focused on personal achievement. I have gravitated towards ultrarunning then mountain running, which is often pretty much the same thing. For a number of years, I pursued PEAK Snowshoe Marathon in Pittsfield, Vt. with four rounds of 1,200 elevation gain/loss, then the Nor’easter Merck Ultra in Rupert, Vt. with repeated summits of Mt. Antone. The snowshoe hare left me in his powder, but I plodded behind and finished. Immediately after this year’s Nor’Easter edition, life as we knew it ground to a halt, thanks to Covid. I figured Mountain Dog Running’s production of the Moreau Half might be my last 2020 opportunity to defeat the Grim Reaper. As with the above, this would be a reach for me, where simply crossing the finish line would – and did! – justify a chilled bottle of champagne. The trails at Moreau Lake State Park require serious effort. The yellow, orange, pink, purple, green, red, yellow/red, etc. trails intertwine crookedly, making the map resemble a twoyear old’s rambling sketch. The colors doggedly skirt three lakes, cross numerous streams, and feature two two-mile climbs. This is an event not to be undertaken lightly. Although I was familiar with the trails, having run the old Moreau 15K race course, my rule for that park is to never, ever venture out alone, even though I am normally fine with solo enterprises. The terrain is so rugged that it takes monumental effort to watch for markers with roots and rock gardens awaiting every footfall. What made the difference for me was that Moreau is close by so our group made several practice runs. Jen Ferriss of Saratoga Springs, Darryl and Mona Caron of Clifton Park, and I split the route up into two exploratory weekends while Jessica and Brian Northan of Guilderland powered through in one round. Since Darryl had generously offered to be the race sweep, and my support, it was imperative that he know the course. He referenced his Avenza Maps app and Garmin watch to keep us updated. We started off in waves on the sandy beach of Moreau Lake, cheered on by a raucous crowd of barking geese, who also seemed to have their own takeoff flight protocol as they ascended in small groupings to resume their fall migration. It was a heady experience to feel part of something bigger, a finale to the summer season. After a pleasant, blessedly flat tour around the lake, we were treated to a half-mile warmup introduction to the terrain, leading to the Staircase of Death. Anchored firmly between miles one and three, the staircase treated us to 900 feet of elevation gain. It didn’t help that beforehand I Googled the phrase “staircase of death” and learned that staircase falls are responsible for 12,000 deaths per year, being the second leading cause of accidental injury in the U.S., right behind automobile accidents. Who knew? In the interest of retaining Darryl’s company, I kept this bit of information to myself. The second two-mile climb up the ridge begins at mile eight with only 600 feet of elevation gain. But mentally it seemed much worse than the first set being in the middle of the race and attempted on less than enthusiastic legs. The day before, unbeknownst to the race director, some park angels cleared parts of the trail. Naturally, the only serious accident, a broken leg, took place on a cleared patch. The eight- to 10-mile stretch, however, wasn’t cleared, with rocks and root buried under inches of slippery leaves. Navigation was made more challenging because the zigzag route required you to look up for markers and down at your feet simultaneously. Somewhere just before this section, I turned left on a clearly marked right hand trail and while I was only disoriented for a few minutes, I lost Darryl up ahead. He had the only phone since we decided we would be together and I wouldn’t need a second one. Bad decision. Luckily, there were quite a few hikers on the yellow trail because of its great views (at that point I didn’t much care), so they relayed a meeting point and we eventually reconnected. Poor Darryl said, “I had one job and lost Laura.” But really, it was my fault. The final three or four miles were really difficult. I got annoyed at myself because I had been looking forward to them and not just because they were near the end. I was disappointed to discover that they weren’t nearly as simple as they should have been, given the previous tricky terrain. Some of this may have been mental, too. Advertised as a 14-mile self-supported “half” marathon with 2,700 feet of elevation gain over winding, technical singletrack, co-race director Bill Hoffman warned that runners should expect to double their road half marathon time. For me this was a moot point as my last half was on snowshoes. Be that as it may, as Darryl’s Garmin approached the 14 mile mark we were still nowhere near done. My only goal was to finish and I knew I could, but it was that extra unplanned for mile that sucked me in. By some quirk of fate my bib number was 33, my late husband Jeff’s old Army Aviation call sign (Bulldog 33), and I felt as if he were there at the end, pushing me on, telling me how proud he was of me. I couldn’t disappoint him. Finally, we reached the sandy beach once more and my two training buddies, Matt Miczek of Saratoga Springs and Jen Ferriss, were still there, hours later, to form a cheering finish line. Usually we carpool, but since April we’ve been traveling in separate, socially-distanced vehicles, so there was no compelling reason for them to remain – other than they are truly amazing friends! Darryl followed me, good citizen that he was, with a handful of pink course-marker flags. The geese were landing on the lake, again in waves, for their nighttime rendezvous. I would like to think that these were different geese, a day behind on their journey south. But this being Moreau Lake State Park, I wouldn’t discount the possibility that they had gotten lost, and were resting up for another attempt the following day. NEW Read current & back issues of the multimedia magazine, free! Flipbook pages for computer, phone, tablet Ad/article links, video, audio & more! Share stories on social media AdkSports.com STAY UP TO DATE WITH ADK SPORTS Enjoy everything you love about the magazine • anytime • on any device adksports.com Just like having the Owner’s Manual to the Adirondack Park! LOOK FOR IT ONLINE OR AT YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BOOKSELLER! SaratogaPhotobooth.com | | 518.584.6473 Classic Photobooth Rentals for the Capital Region & Adirondacks ~ Since ~ Since 2007 2007 SaratogaPhotobooth.com | 518.584.6473 Classic Photobooth Rentals for the Capital Region & Adirondacks ~ Since 2007 Graphic Design Services Reach 50,000 Sports, Health, Fitness, Recreation & Travel Enthusiasts Monthly! Advertise effectively with US! JAN AD DEADLINE 1/5 ads • banners • postcards flyers • rack cards • brochures Reasonable rates Service with a smile adksports.com/graphic-design-services Contact Darryl: (518) 877-8788 Darryl@AdkSports.com Media Kit: AdkSports.com
DECEMBER 2020 19 NON-MEDICATED LIFE Light at End of Covid-19 Tunnel By Paul E. Lemanski, MD, MS, FACP Editor’s Note: This is the 97th in a series on optimal diet and lifestyle to help prevent and treat disease. Any planned change in diet, exercise or treatment should be discussed with and approved by your personal physician before implementation. The help of a registered dietitian in the implementation of dietary changes is strongly recommended. In my last article on Covid-19, I discussed the transitioning from a lifestyle-based approach to a vaccine. In the interval since my last article, four vaccines have had preliminary data support their efficacy and safety. These include the mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer, and more traditionally developed AstraZeneca vaccine, and the Russian Sputnik 5 vaccine. In that same interval, the United States and the world have seen a surge in new cases of Covid-19, and unfortunately, an increase in hospitalizations and deaths. This surge may have been caused by a preference for staying indoors in colder weather where the virus is more easily transmitted; or it may be due in part, as well, by Covid fatigue, in which the population reduces the use of proven mitigation strategies – including masking, social distancing, handwashing, targeted quarantine and contact tracing – because of the sheer mental fatigue of sustaining such strategies for months. Pending final FDA approval of the Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines and their distribution and implementation, the rise in infections and deaths have had some suggesting a reinstitution of lockdowns, closing of schools, and return to more draconian means of “controlling” the spread of the virus. While acknowledging the real concern behind the suggestion and the evidence that it has worked in the recent past to reduce transmission, I still believe a more balanced approach is best, reserving such draconian strategies as a last resort. As I’ve shown in prior articles, there is not just an economic consequence, but also a real health cost to a resumption of such draconian methods. Moreover, there is the additional concern that even if resumed such extreme methods may not be adhered to by a population suffering from the current high level of Covid fatigue. Instead, a more “balanced” approach that relies on risk-stratifying the population may be more practical; such an approach reserves the more aggressive and socially disruptive interventions, such as lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, only for those older and sicker individuals because of their higher risk. The majority of the population at lower risk would rely on proven lifestyle-based mitigation strategies to keep the rate of infection lower. Of course, those lifestyle-based strategies work only if universally implemented – or nearly so. I would suggest the mandating of universal masking in public – even if enforced with significant economic penalties – is a more socially acceptable solution than lockdowns, school closings, and shutting down the economy. Such a mandate, however, needs to be communicated clearly and consistently. The fact that many of our politicians still do not mask in front of the public sends a mixed message that undermines the importance of universal masking, which is one of the simplest, “relatively” easy, and yet most effective mitigation strategy available. If the population is getting fatigued with “doing it all” let’s choose the easiest to enforce and single most powerful mitigation strategy – masking – and mandate it. Perhaps lawyers in the federal government can find a way to legally force states to achieve 95-97% masking or lose some future federal funding (as part of a Covid relief bill) for every percentage point the state average falls below 95%. It would then be up to the states to impose escalating economic penalties on individuals to achieve masking rates of 95-97%. A masking mandate is strong medicine and not everyone will like it. However, again, it is better than lockdowns, school closings, shutting down businesses and the economy, and precipitating economic recession or depression. It is equally important to emphasize to the population that the most recent vaccine efficacy and safely results provide light at the end of the Covid tunnel. The antidote to Covid fatigue is hope that in six months, we will have achieved a degree of herd immunity from the vaccine and natural infection, that will prevent further transmission of the virus – and allow a return to a more normal life. That hope should help us to “hang in there” and combat the fatigue. The logistical challenge of first effectively distributing and then immunizing many millions of people remains. So is the challenge of convincing people to take the available vaccine. A masking mandate will need to be maintained probably till the third or fourth quarter of 2021, but is more acceptable than thousands of more deaths and overwhelming our hospitals and healthcare system. We may also observe, as the populations of many Asian countries have learned, that masking in public works to decrease multiple upper respiratory infections including influenza. As the benefit of masking in public becomes clearer to Americans, we may also become more accepting of its practical value and see it as a voluntary beneficial tool rather than an imposed restriction of our freedom. In conclusion, despite a recent rise in Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, there is reason to be hopeful. Extremely promising Covid vaccine efficacy data and acceptable safety data suggest an end to the pandemic in 2021 is achievable. There is, thus, light at the end of the Covid- 19 tunnel. In the meantime, our population needs to do a better job at slowing transmission of the virus using proven lifestyle-based mitigation strategies. A universal masking mandate would help in this regard, as it is the single most effective – as well as enforceable – mitigation strategy. Additionally, a consistent, clear message needs to be sent by our political leaders and they need to be seen to lead by example of their own masking in public, and their lining up first to receive the vaccine in a public display meant to reassure their constituents. Paul E. Lemanski, MD, MS, FACP is a board-certified internist practicing internal medicine and lifestyle medicine in Albany (centerforpreventivemedicine. com). Paul has a master’s degree in human nutrition, he’s an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Albany Medical College, and a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Please Support Our Advertisers Plan your next adventure ... A collection of outstanding Adirondack images by eight photographers, this year’s calendar also includes illustrations that combine, often playfully, wildlife and the tools we use in the woods. Your purchase helps support ADK’s programs in conservation, education, recreation, stewardship, and advocacy. Working for Wilderness and Tell Them Where You Saw Their Ad! 11" x 9", $13.95 / $12.16 members (S & H, state and county taxes apply) 800-395-8080 s ADK.org Anthony’s Real Estate SERVING THE CAPITAL REGION FOR 20 YEARS Specializing in Residential and Rental Listings ◾ Reasonable Listing Rates ◾ Short Term Contracts ◾ Flexible Terms Anthony Lee Potolski Broker/Owner 518-434-8682 or potolskial@gmail.com 340 Second Ave, Albany, NY Paul E. Lemanski, MD, PLLC Fellow, American College of Physicians Practicing Internal Medicine & Lifestyle Medicine Accepting new and existing patients as well as referrals for consultation: Weight loss and obesity management • Optimizing lipids • Statin intolerant patients Hypertension • Prehypertension management with lifestyle New Location Dr. Brad Elliott CHIROPRACTOR Cost Effective Care for the Entire Family 677 Plank Rd, Clifton Park (518) 383-4889 Type-2 diabetes prevention and remission • C-PAP intolerant sleep apnea Rx GERD with minimal or no medication 4 Palisades Dr, Ste 130, Albany | 518-722-0099 | CenterForPreventiveMedicine.com
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Page 5 and 6: News News Briefs Briefs Kicksleds:
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Page 13 and 14: 28-31 Empire State Winter Games. Ca
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Adirondack Sports December 2020

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