Training Week 3/11

Training for the week 3/11 to 3/17 was solid. Goals were to get in a semblance of speed work and log marathon distance, which is exactly what I did with speed on Tuesday and the Green Papaya Marathon Run on Thursday. The hope was to have a high mileage week since next week will be down as rest (and vacation).

Although the Green Papaya Marathon was run at easy pace, it was still a struggle for the first 8 miles, as I was not recovered fully from Black Panther Marathon and racing The Ras in the prior week. Still, I finally warmed up as the temperatures followed suit — or maybe it was the other way around. Finished feeling fairly strong but definitely in control with the ability to keep going, which bodes well for my shot at the Boston Double and, a few months later, TARC 100.

Week 3/11

Mon: 5 miles, easy – road
Tues: 11.5 miles, social/speed – road
Wed: 5 miles, easy – road
Wed II: 4.5 miles, social – road
Thurs: 26.2 miles, Green Papaya Marathon, 3:26:35 (7:53 pace) – road
Fri: 3+ miles, easy – road
Sat: 15 miles, social, hilly – road
Sun: 5.5 miles, social – frozen trails

Total miles: 76 miles

Quality Workouts

Tuesday: 11.5 miles including 4 x 1+ miles plus equal parts social:
o WU – 45:09 social run on regular Tuesday route
o 4 x 1+ miles @ 10K pace or slightly slower
Intervals:
6:45, 6:37
6:43, 6:44
*1 & 3 were the same, 2 & 4 same.
**Started losing power on last (4) interval. As you can see, I was also 7 seconds slower than first time around (2).

Thursday: Green Papaya Marathon, 3:26:35 (7:53 pace), 26.2 miles
*Took awhile to warm up in body, so each 5K was progressively faster with fastest at the end. Best part was that although I felt not so good in the first 8 miles on this fairly rolling hills course, I got it back under control and finished strong in mind and body.

Saturday: 15 miles over hilly route with friends. Charged a few of the longer hills.

Next Week

Goal for the coming week will be to rest. Nothing more.

Beer of the Week

Ommegang Hennepin – Those who know me well know that I love just about everything out of Ommegang, the brewery near Cooperstown in upstate New York that focuses on Belgia-styled ales. Hennepin is full-bodied and slightly hoppy and crisp, a very good take on a Saison Farmhouse Ale, weighing in at 7.7% ABV. Hennepin is among my all-time favorites. I enjoy it better than even Boulevard and many of the others. This is another that will not disappoint. But be careful; the alcohol can sneak up on you.

Rás na hÉireann 5K

Rás na hÉireann 5K
Somerville, MA
Sunday, March 10, 2013

Results
5K (3.1 miles)
Finish: 18:03 (5:49 pace)
31st place overall of 5000
3rd place Master 40+
Mile 1 – 5:46
Mile 2 – 5:47
Finish – 6:28 (5:52)

Race Report

Just as Irish eyes start smiling each March with the advent of St. Patrick’s Day, so too does the Rás na hÉireann USA 5K, a race otherwise known as “The Ras”. Only, in this case, the Irish eyes smiling were those of Bernie, my Irish friend, as he comes knocking on my door for the Clock Tavern pub team in honor of “The Baker,” someone who loved this race more than most.

As I have in previous years, I told Bernie to sign me up. The Ras has become among my all-time favorite races in the Boston area. It is way up there with Eddie-O’s Cambridge 5K events and Doyle’s. Although I was excited for the fun to be had, I was a little apprehensive — or perhaps curious is a better word — of my race fitness, especially after just coming back from a lower calf injury that had sidelined me of fast running for nearly 3 months.

How would my legs spin up on a 5K? Could I get under the Mendoza line of 18 minutes flat? I was excited to find out but not all that hopeful.

Knowing my race pace fitness was not where it had been at the end of last year when I was running mid 17-‘s for the 5K (17:30 @ NR Turkey Trot, 17:38 @ Yulefest), I decided to get to race site early and warm up by doing a full loop of the course. I felt decent enough but just didn’t seem to be smooth when striding out to race pace or faster. My breathing was okay, but I was a bit ragged. My knee often felt as if it would give out, as happens when I’m not fit.

Ras na hErieann USA 5K – Nervousness on the starting line in Davis Square.

After a few more strides by the starting line in Davis Square, I was as ready as ever, so I wiggled into the starting corral three rows from front and waited for race start. That’s when Todd Callaghan, a friend from mountain running, said, “Hey Thor!” I had been wondering where Todd was, as I know he does this race every year, and I know he is the guy to chase for me for the Master’s crown. Todd clocks in the 16’s for 5K’s, slightly out of my league. But I like racing with him because I can usually gauge my fitness by how close I stay to him. Either way, seeing Todd on the starting line meant that I was now shooting for 2nd place Master. 1st was his.

Before long, the race was started. Off the starting line I went along with 5000 others. Unlike in prior years, there was very little jostling, no elbows, and mostly clear path. As I got up to speed relatively easily due to such a long warmup, I couldn’t help but note that this was surprising because it was obvious that there were more people around me this year over most, which meant I was a little slower. My fitness really was a bit off. Damn.

Over the course of a gradual up hill first mile, I settled into pace. I was breathing hard yet just on the edge of control. The hill has a great way of selecting placement in race by ability, and this hill was honest enough to do just that. By the time I got to the top, most runners were in place; there would be little passing the rest of the way. I went through Mile 1 in 5:46. A little slower than I’d like. No matter, I was still running hard and now focused on being efficient with all movement forward and all energies pushing me on.

A minor victory, I got by two guys who looked to be in my age group. The gray hair gave it away.

As the course makes it’s way through a traffic circle en route to the second mile, I passed two more runners. I tend to be a slower starter, even when warmed up, so I knew that I’d nip a few with nobody or very few passing me back. And that’s what happened.

Me being a slow starter isn’t exactly true. The truth is that others are fast, and they fall off pace, even if just a little. I tend to run races with fairly even splits. It’s because my strength isn’t about getting out the gate fast; my strength is being able to hold onto the pace I get out with for longer than most. I honestly don’t run much faster. This is what I thought about as I passed one more.

Just beyond Mile 2 (5:47), the course takes a right and sweeps down a fast way. Instead of thinking about the finish and how much distance was left, I stayed in the zone, stayed focused on being efficient, and spent my awareness on trying to close the gap to a few runners ahead of me.

This strategy worked well, as I closed the gap to 10 seconds before the final turn and hill on the course. From there until the end, a section that is arguably the fastest on the course, I was all-out, but so were they. I gained very little time on them, though none moved ahead, and nobody passed me from behind.

The final stretch was long, perhaps .75 miles, on a gradual down hill. It’s too early to kick. But I kicked anyway. I wanted to break 18 minutes, and this was my time to grab back seconds, as I knew I ran well with my current abilities, but I also knew that I was a bit slower than normal.

Kicking early meant that I had to be in control both physically and mentally. I stayed focused on form as I ran as hard as I could without tipping the over the edge of control. I pretended I was doing Top End Speed pacing on the Treadmill, running as fast as I could, focusing on keeping my center of gravity under me, not over-striding, and being strong yet fast and efficient and running on top of my feet.

Lucky me, I was able to hold on. Finish came in 18:03. I thought I might get sub-18, but it wasn’t happening. Not today. Victory of sorts came as I took 3rd place Master 40+. So I didn’t run as fast as I had hoped, but I did get a Top 3 spot among the old guys, a goal of mine coming in.

As I had streamed into the finish line, I was surprised to see my friend Samantha (Sammie Girl!) on the side of the road cheering me on. After I finished, we regrouped, and that’s when I talked her into a cool down run. It was an unexpected very nice treat.

Not long after that, we got our Irish (and Guinness) on. The Ras proved fun once again!

Training Week 3/4

Training for the week 3/4 to 3/10 was solid. Goals were to recover from Black Panther 26.2, which I did [somewhat], and get back on spinning the wheels, which I did on three separate occasions.

A solid mileage week in spite not logging a long run. No worries, though. Most importantly is that the Soleus injury that prevented me from running at or even near pace for the last 2.5 months is now totally under control.

On top of that, I was also able to hit it hard at the Ras na hEireann 5K, a race I do every year with friend Bernie and Clock Tavern in memory of The Baker. Although I ran a decent enough time (I should be in the 17’s), clocking 18:03 for 3rd Master 40+ and 28th overall of 5000, I was able to feel my lack of speed fitness, as I did not feel smooth but was still able to muscle through. It actually felt awesome to race again. Love riding that wire. It’s my drug.

Week 3/4

Mon: 4 miles, easy – road
Tues I: 5.65 miles, social – road
Tues II: 7.3 miles, TM speed including 5 x 1 mi @ 6:15 w/incline chg – treadmill
Wed: 8 miles, near tempo – road
Thurs I: 4 miles, easy – road
Thurs II: 6 miles, TM top end speed 2 min intervals starting @ 5:30 and dropping to 5:15 – treadmill
Fri: 3 miles, easy – road
Sat: 6.5 miles, easy – road
Sun: 11 miles, including Ras 5K in 18:03 (5:47 pace) – road

Total miles: 55 miles

Quality Workouts

Tuesday: 7.3 mile speed session on the TM in 50 min (incline @ 1%):
o WU – 4 mins @ 7:47 w/ a pick up or two to warm legs up
o 5 x 1 mile @ 6:15 w/middle two minutes at 5% – w/4 min jog

Thursday: 6 mile speed session on the TM in 40 min:
o WU – 5 min @ 7:47
o 7 min @ 6:00 pace
o 2 min @ 5:30 pace w/3′ jog
o 2 min @ 5:24
o 2 min @ 5:18
o 2 min @ 5:15
o 2 min @ 5:15
*Wanted to go to 5:12 on last interval, but belt started buckling at 5:15 making it too dangerous. No worries, though, as I might not have been able to hold it anyway.

Sunday: Ras na hEireann 5K, 18:03 (5:47 pace)
o WU – 4 miles
o Mile 1 – 5:46
o Mile 2 – 5:47
o 5K – 6:28
o CD – 4 miles

Next Week

Goal for the coming week will be to get back the zing in the legs and log some miles, preferably marathon distance somewhere.

Beer of the Week

Pretty Things Jack D’Or – Jack D’Or, pronounced Jack Door, is a Saison Americain style of beer weighing in at 6.5 ABV and only 57 IBUs. It is a very good take on saison and will do any Belgium fine. Backing its cause is that Pretty Things is a great supporter of Cambridge 5K events, and although I love Eddie O’s races and will support him in any race he puts on, this beer would still be high on my list. But I must say, it was through Cambridge 5K, specifically Yulefest in Harvard Square, where I was introduced to not only Jack D’Or but also Pretty Things. I pick one of these up on a regular basis. It’s that good. Next I need to get my hands on White Fluffy Rabbits by Pretty Things.

Black Panther (Cat) 26.2

Black Panther (Cat) 26.2
Salem, MA
Saturday, March 2, 2013

Results
26.2 miles
Finish: 3:06:53
Marathon #84
Marathon-A-Month #17

Race Report

Two and a half months after pulling up lame with injury in the lower calf, deep within the Soleus muscle, on the side of the Chelmsford Bike Path in early December while on a run with my bud’s Dave and Jay, I was finally able to get back to health and running hard.

During this time I was (somehow) able to keep my marathon-a-month streak alive by limping through the New Year’s Boston Marathon when my injury was at its peak, and then by doing the Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass 50K, where I miraculously came in 2nd place overall even though I could not run any faster than an 8 minute mile. Neither of these were smart, but I did them nonetheless to the tune of the streak at 16!

This meant I needed #17! Insert Black Cat 20.

A quick study of the course map showed that I could double up on a portion of the course (mile 3 to 6, including the turnaround at 4.5) plus an additional .1 miles per doubling) so that I would get marathon distance in a timed event where the clock at the finish would read my marathon finish time.

My goals coming in were to notch another marathon and after a warm up test my legs with marathon pace effort.

And that’s what I did.

When the race started, I was well in the pack chatting socially with friends and fellow Goons: Jen, Ann, Karen, and a few others.

By mile 1, I eased into a slightly faster pace, perhaps running a comfortable 7:45 to 7:30.

That’s when my buddy Tim came from behind to my side. Tim and I chatted together and with those around us through to the turnaround at 4.5 miles on this double-looped course.

Mile 5 came in a total time of 38:30 (7:42 pace). By this point, it was time to get into marathon race pace effort. I qualify race pace *effort* since I didn’t plan to look at my watch to see the actual pace I was running. I just wanted to get to the same effort of when racing a marathon. I figured with me having had no quality runs through most of December, all of January, and nearly all of February, race effort would be slightly slower than my true marathon pace (6:50).

In hindsight, I was probably running 6:55 to 7:05 in those middle miles through to 24.

The first loop was smooth yet uneventful. I came through in a time of 1:13:56 (7:23 pace). Pace for those five miles was 7:05.

Now making my way out on the second loop to the turnaround, I started counting runners in front of me as they were coming back. I was surprised that although I was running easy, or at least had been running easy for the first five miles, I was pretty far up in the race, and there looked to be few, maybe two, Master runners ahead of me. Even though I was sure I could catch several of these runners by the end of the loop, I decided that there was no glory in this race in finishing high up and that I should stick with my original plan of logging marathon distance. Spying results after the race was over, I learned that I would have been 2nd place Master runner. But no matter.

To the turnaround I went, back .1 miles beyond mile 16, and then as I should have continued straight, I turned around to do this 3.1 loop again. And then I did it again.

To this point I was running a touch easier than marathon pace effort. I figured I was on target for a 3:10 marathon, maybe 3:08 or perhaps 3:07, fastest. I was within myself but now working quite hard, as expected. What wasn’t expected, mainly due to ignorance, was how hard running a marathon really is. I say ignorance because I do this often. I set myself for wanting a goal, such as logging a marathon, without thinking about the pain that comes with it and the amount of work required to see it through.

The work came for me as I passed mile marker 15, which for me was mile 21.2. I was buoyed when I realized that I was on my way to a decent marathon time and that I was actually feeling in control. Part of this was to be expected, as my effort was purposely just shy of marathon pace effort, but part was a little surprising (in a good way) due to the length of my absence with injury.

By mile 24.2, the day was finally catching up with me. I was still in control, still powering forward, but now feeling as if my pace was falling slightly. I didn’t fight it too much, as I wasn’t there to bury myself but rather to get in an honest marathon-distanced run.

Mile 24 (7:01), 25 (7:13), and 26 (7:17) went quickly enough.

As I rounded the final corner with the school and the finish line in sight, I wondered what the clock would read. To this point I had not looked at the race time, nor did I know my pace, so the gift was the prize of seeing the clock for the first time.

I hoped it was a 3:0x. In my heart I knew it would be.

Finally, the clock was visible. It read 3:06:53 (7:07 pace).

Marathons List Update

I finally got around to updating my Marathons List through early March 2013. At current standing, I have logged 84 marathons.

The list includes Ultras, marathons, and Ironman marathons. Also included are unofficial marathons where my goal was to run marathon distance.

At first I had not included unofficial marathons in the total count, but just recently — mainly because I had a change of heart after dreaming about the day I get to run my 100th — I fell back on my cardinal rule, which was:

“If the purpose of the run was to log marathon distance, and if it was timed [by me or other], I would count it.”

And so my count jumped by a few. So in some circles (Marathon Maniacs), some of these would not count, the truth is that, well, it’s my list — so I get to make the rules!

 

As always, an updated version of this always lives here!

The plan is to continue my marathon-a-month streak, hopefully through two years — currently at 17 months; will make the second streak of two years — which will take me to roughly 90 marathons by the end of the year.

Once I get within spitting distance and can smell number 100, I will formalize where I will run the prized Century number. Current thought is to either wing my own so that I can run it with friends and have family there, or I will return to the Cape Cod Marathon, site of my very first marathon back in October 1990.

Hopefully I will get there within two years, three tops.

Training Week 2/25

Training for the week 2/25 to 3/03 could be summed up by three words:

I. AM. BACK!

The week showed me that I am finally over my recent 2.5 month long chronic reoccurring Soleus (lower calf) injury.

Not only did I get back to speed workouts this week, but I also logged a 3:06 marathon at Black Cat 20. The 3:06 felt good even though it should have due to taking the first five miles socially; what was awesome was that I had logged precisely zero miles at faster than 7:30 to 8:00 min pace from early December until mid-February.

Week 2/25

Mon: 4 miles, easy – road
Tues I: 5.65 miles, social – road
Tues II: 7 miles, TM speed including 2 x 2 mi, 1 x 1 mi @ 6:00 – treadmill
Wed: 8 miles, easy-to-near tempo – road
Thurs I: 5 miles, easy – road
Thurs II: 6.65 miles, TM tempo including 6 mi @ MP (6:48) – treadmill
Fri: 3.5 miles, easy – road
Sat: 27 miles, WU + Black Panther 26.2, 3:06 – road
Sun: 2.5 miles, recovery run– road

Total miles: 59 miles

Quality Workouts

Tuesday: 7 mile speed session on the TM in just under 46 minutes (incline @ 1%):
o WU – 5 mins @ 7:40 w/ a pick up or two to warm legs up
o 2 x 2 miles @ 6:00 w/3 min jog
o 1 x 1 mile @ 6:00 w/3 min jog
o 3 min @ 6:49
*Was hoping to go 3 x 2 miles but just didn’t have it on that third set, so I cut it to a mile. It’s okay, as I’m just getting back on my speed groove. Plus, the way my spring goals are shaping up, I don’t really need speed — but I’ll still try to keep it.

Thursday: 6.65 mile speed session on the TM in 46 min:
o WU – 5 min @ 7:47
o 6 miles @ 6:48 pace
o Done
*Just tried nail marathon pace for 5 miles. Went 6 instead. Got a ways to go to get back to pace. But felt good. Getting more smooth.

Saturday: Black Panther 26.2, 3:06:53
o WU – 5 miles in 38:30
o 21.2 miles @ near MP
o Marathon # 84

Next Week

Goal for the coming week will be to recover from Black Panther 26.2 and get back to building speed utilizing the treadmill. Although I do not need speed for my spring and summer goals, since I am coming off of injury, speed on treadmill allows me to get my legs back under me with turnover in a controlled manner to prevent re-injury.

Beer of the Week

Troegs Nugget Nectar – A model Imperial Pale Ale, this springtime arrival is one I go out of my way to get. It is that good. Pours orange and with a nose filled with hop character, you will not be disappointed. But go lightly, because this gem packs a punch.

Winter Break: officially over!

Winter Break and my hiatus from this space is officially over!

New year with new goals. I am committed and motivated.

Since my last post, an October entry last year in Training Week, I have been busy racing and running with a rambling of focus, which is how I always treat the off season.

Notable runs/races (not all races included):

• Oct. 13: BRC Ultra Border Crawl – 36 miles, 6:25:00
• Nov. 11: RI 6-Hour – 41 miles, 5:48:37, 2nd place overall, 1st place Master – USATF-NE Ultrarunning 2nd Place Champion, USATF-NE Ultrarunning 1st Place Master
• Nov. 22: North Reading Turkey Trot – 5K, 17:30, fastest 5K in years
• Jan. 1: New Year’s Boston Marathon – 26.2 miles, 4:25
• Feb. 2: Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass 50K – 31 miles, 5:05:00, 2nd place overall, race entirely on beach (no joke!)
• Mar. 2: Black Panther 26.2 – 26.2 miles, 3:06:53, Marathon distance @ Black Cat 20

During this time I have been able to keep my marathon-a-month streak alive (as of this writing, streak at 17 months) despite a recurrence of a chronic Soleus (lower calf) injury. I am now on top of the injury, with my streak in tact, and looking ahead to 2013.

Speaking of 2013, although it’s hard to lay out a race schedule now with a newborn at home, this is what I’m thinking:

• Mar. 30: Bad Ass Fat Ass 50K
• Apr. 15: Boston Double (Boston Marathon x 2 w/5 am start downtown)
• Apr. 27: TARC Spring Classic 50K
• May: Epic Training Runs!
• June 14: TARC 100

List does not include small races, such as VERT, random 5K’s, etc.

 

Training Week 10/8

Training for the week 10/8 to 10/14 was about continuing recovery from Smuttynose Marathon. I have felt pounded in the body and joints since the race, so with no major race on the horizon, I’m dialing it back. Though there are a few long runs coming up, such as the weekend’s Ultra Border Crawl, a 36 mile slog of touching neighboring border signs, which I completed with two others in 6:28.

Week 10/8

Mon: 4 miles, easy – road
Tues: 5.65 miles, social – road
Wed: 8 miles, semi-tempo – road
Thurs: 5 miles, semi-tempo – road
Fri: 5 miles, easy, super slow – road
Sat: 36 miles, BRC Ultra Border Crawl, 6:28 total time – road
Sun: 6 miles, including Oktoberfest 5K, 18:18, 14th place of 1800, 3rd Master 40+, won Golden Drinking Chalice (what I came for!) – road

Total miles: 69 miles

Quality Workouts

Saturday: 36 miles, Ultra Border Crawl, average running pace 9:24. Total time including stops: 6:28. Had to grab an ice bath and hit up some Vitamin-I (not like me) to assist recovery for tomorrow…

Sunday: Oktoberfest 5K, 18:18, 14th place of 1800, 3rd Master 40+. Two mile split: 11:50. Ran well in spite not having that extra gear due to Ultra run the day before.

Next Week

Goal for the coming week will be to continue recovering from… running mega miles, both Smuttynose and the Ultra Border Crawl.

Beer of the Week

Cambridge Brewing Company (CBC) Great Pumpkin Ale — Sponsor of this year’s Oktoberfest Cambridge 5K, CBC has been making some great beer since around 2005 — it wasn’t always that way, but they turned the corner in a great way. One of the most-sought-after beers in their craft is their Great Pumpkin Ale. This is pumpkin that is worth getting your hands on. On tap it is divine. Made with a crazy amount of pumpkin and spices, the pumpkin is vast but not over powering. Spices round out the harvest flavor. What I like about it most is that it is totally drinkable. This in itself is notable because most pumpkin beers are one or two and done. Not so with this. You have one and you want another, and another. And this weekend it was free flowing from the taps at Oktoberfest. On top of that, the other great thing about this beer is that it is only 4.4% ABV. Most pumpkin beers of note are those that are stacked with alcohol. Not this one. Now served in bottles, Great Pumpkin is a must try for those local to Boston. But do yourself a favor and get down to the brewery so that you can enjoy this on tap. You will not be disappointed!

Training Week 10/1

Training for the week 10/1 to 10/21 was about recovering from Smuttynose Marathon, where I went 3:00:38, for 13th place overall of 1000 and my fastest marathon in 5 years. Even better was that this enabled me to submit a faster qualifying time to BAA for Boston Marathon 2013.

Week 10/1

Mon: 1+ mile keep-the-streak-alive run – road
Tues: 4 miles, easy – road
Wed: 4.5 miles, easy – road
Thurs: 6 miles, easy – trail
Fri: 8 miles, social easy – road
Sat: 5.5 miles, easy – road
Sun: 6.5 miles, sometimes tempo– road

Total miles: 36 miles

Quality Workouts

None.

Next Week

Goal for the coming week will be to continue recovering from Smuttynose. Since the race, I have felt pounded, the joints stiff and sore. A full summer of trails and mountains and a last two months of hard core speed work finally caught up to me.

Beer of the Week

Coming in a following week.

Training Week 9/24

Training for the week 9/24 to 9/30 was about short, easy runs and trying to get my chronic lower back issues, which had recently flared up, in order for a shot at going sub-3 hours at Smuttynose by week’s end.

Please to say that although my back worried me, with it having locked up my calf the week before when I tried to run hard, I spent the week stretching and trying to loosen the hip (made tight by the back). I stayed positive, visualized myself running strong on race day, and did all the right things to get myself to feel as ready as ever.

On race day, I gave everything I had. I was on pace for sub-3 or very damn near until the last mile, when I willed myself to run faster. All I needed was to run mile 25 through to the end at 6:00 pace… and I couldn’t do it. My lungs would not allow. I was already maxed out and could give nothing more.

Finish came in 3:00:36. It was a great, gutsy race by me, and I’m proud of myself for taking chances early, in the middle, and late and holding on to the end.

Week 9/24

Mon: 4 miles, tempo – road
Tues: 5.65 miles, social – road
Wed: 4 miles, easy w/few strides – road
Thurs: 5 miles, easy – road
Fri: 3.5 miles, easy w/few strides – road
Sat: 3.5 miles, social – road
Sun: Smuttynose Marathon: 3:00:38, 13th place of 1000, 5th AG M40-49, #75 (or maybe 76?) – road (28 miles in total w/wu + race)

Total miles: 53 miles

Quality Workouts

Sunday: Smuttynose Marathon, 3:00:38 (6:54 pace), 13th overall of 1000, 5th place AG M40-49. Marathon #75 (or mabye 76).

Next Week

Goal for the coming week will be to recover from Smuttynose. That’s it!

Beer of the Week

Ommegang Scythe & Sickle — When it comes to Belgian-styled beers, I have always been a huge fan of Ommegang, a tiny but now well-known brewery just outside of Cooperstown in New York. Ommegang does Belgian right, so when I heard about Scythe & Sickle, a limited release by the brewery, being a solid fall beer, I had to try it. And thankfully I did, because I was not disappointed.

Scythe & Sickle was brewed to honor the fall harvest. A typical (but good) Belgian that is stocked but by no means over-powering with malt, this beer brings two worlds together (darker harvest ales + Belgian-styled beers) together rather nicely. It tastes like an Ommegang (read: solid Belgian) with the banana-like earthy notes of the Beligan yeast, yet comes in with a stronger (for a Belgian) malt profile without crossing over into being too heavy.

Beer Advocate users didn’t rate it as high as I thought they would, but no matter, I really enjoyed this beer and would easily pick it up again.