Ran on the Farmington Valley Greenway Bike Path, from East Granby to Suffield.  It was a raw cold afternoon, and not a whole lot of fun.  I am not a huge fan of running on bike paths at this point in my life, but the route is beautiful and scenic.

Yearly Total for Running:  731.8 Miles. 

From Sunrise Park in Suffield.... 2009.

Fifteen years ago today, December 28th, 2001, I visited the Hawley Kiln.

December 18th, 24th, 25th, and 26th were spent on the road in Suffield.  Woods have been too icy or muddy around these parts - and I have not felt like traveling elsewhere.  The one time I did attempt the trails was on the 24th... made it about a half-mile out on Metacomet before turning back due to ice and slush.

On this day fifteen years ago (December 23rd, 2001), I explored Brown Road from the Tomb Cemetery and then down through High Bridge and the Fritz Farm, to Burlingame.

Fifteen Years ago today, December 22, 2001.  Shenipsit State Forest....  Wuzzam with Tippi and Murphy.

 

 

On this day in 1996 (that's twenty years ago for those of us counting) a snowshoe adventure was completed to Tannery Falls and the Balanced Rock in Savoy Mountain State Forest.  

 A frozen Tannery Falls in 1996

The Old Goat hanging from the Balanced Rock

On this day, fifteen years ago... December 19th, 2001.... Sunrise Park to the Metacomet Trail.

Looking back at some old photos, from this day fifteen years ago, December 18th, 2001...  Metacomet Trail.

Another of the 5.6-mile loops in McLean, again under an hour.

A 3-mile jog on Main Street in Suffield to keep the rust off.

A new longer route in McLean, 5.6-miles total, with a couple of street crossings (map will be provided at some point).  Goal is to break an hour at this point, which I was successful at.  Crossing the stream is a bit easier with the large tree down across it.

On this day twenty years ago (1996), a Spruce Hill Adventure was held in Savoy Mountain State Forest.  

Georgie and Bear

On Spruce Hill with Bear

A visit to Bald Mountain Area with Wuzzam and Sam.  Took it easy for Sam's sake, 5.7-miles total.  We took some paths we hadn't understood before.

 

Kept up the "fast" run at McLean Reservation.  3.6-miles.

Managed a relaxing 2-hour run with Wuzzam and K2 at Nipmuck State Forest.  We just dipped under 8-miles for the day (7.9).

Suffield Main Street, a short 3-miles.

Started the day off testing at Springfield Technical Community College for the CWTS Certification (Certified Wireless Technology Specialist).  Success with that, I scored a 97% (thank God).  I had put a great deal of time into studying.

Celebrated passing the certification with another "fast" run at McLean, hoping to better my time from a few days prior.  Success with that as well;  I ran 33:40 (prior was 36:20 on Nov 20th). 

Another favorite and quick option, Phelps Road north on the Metacomet.

A quick run along the old favorite, Phelps Road South on the Metacomet.

Attempt at a "fast" run in McLean...  3.6-miles in roughly 36:20.

Also on this day, in 2005, I completed a Northern Nipmuck Marathon with Tippi and Wuzzam.  Total time was 6:28:18, and it was my 30th marathon and Tippi's 6th.  Wuzzam had Summer out for the event with us as well.  Hard to beat a day when a few guys can run with their dogs.

Running has been sporadic, and distance work has been neglected.  The Wuzzam and I took a drive to Hawley, and our favorite Dubuque State Forest.  8.6-miles of sight-seeing.

We explored:

• Hawley Bog
• The Old Town Common
• The Serpent Stone Wall Formation
• Potash Brook Trail (aka 7-minute itch trail)
• The natural "well" off Potash Brook Trail (dry, highly unusual)
• A new trail from Middle Road up to Moody Spring Road (awesome!)
• Bushwhack Up to Hitchcock Meadow Peak
• Explored stonewalls and foundations off trail
• and unfortunately a dry Moody Spring.

 Hawley Bog

Hawley Bog Boardwalk

Serpent Wall

Natural Well

Top of Hitchcock Meadow

Stonewall coming down from Hitchcock Meadow

Old Foundation in woods near Moody Spring Road

Stonewall near Moody Spring Road

Stonewall near Moody Spring Road

Stonewall near Moody Spring Road

On this day in 1999, I completed my 21st marathon at Watery Hill.  It was a 6-hour run, and I completed a total of 30 miles.

Trip to Ashfield Trails with K2.  Just prior to Peter Hill I stayed on the snowmobile route, which I hadn't explored in a long while.  Roughly 6-miles, and I was left with a need to explore the snowmobile section in March once snowmobile activity lessons.

On November 4th, 2000, I completed 33-miles in 6-hours at Watery Hill.  This was my 22nd completed marathon.

On this day in 1997, the Old Goat, the Gullivers, and a few others rambled out to Bash Bish Falls to participate in a marathon along the South Taconic Trail.  I managed 26-miles in 6:28:00, and I can recall the last few miles being in a driving rain.  This was my 16th marathon.

On October 31st, 1993 I completed the Bridgeport Marathon in ~3:32:00.  This was my second completed marathon, and I remember it being more difficult than the first.

I tried to run "hard" in McClean Reservation today.  The 3.4-miles was completed in 31:30, which I was pretty happy with.

I didn't have a ton of time before dark, so I took a short trip to Hill Street and the Bird Sanctuary.  It had been a very long time since I visited, and I was pleased to find out that everything is still beautiful, well kept, and mostly unchanged.

I didn't have a ton of time before dark, so I took a short trip to Hill Street and the Bird Sanctuary.  It had been a very long time since I visited, and I was pleased to find out that everything is still beautiful, well kept, and mostly unchanged.

Wuzzam joined me for a 9.5-mile run from Graves Road to Whitiker Woods, along the Shenipsit Trail.  Piecing the route together went well, it had been a while since we were working on this network.

3-miles in Cowles Park, just spinning my wheels and staying busy.

3-miles on the Metacomet, from Phelps Road north to the stonewall.

Took an opportunity to run out along the Metacomet, from Phelps Road to the sign-in log.  3.7-miles, sunny, and encouraging.  The huge birch about 7/10-mile out, prior to the short climb snapped off.  This is a tree I will miss, often on my way back in I would hug the thing.  It grew at an odd slope, and I could barely get my arms around it.

Also on this day in 1992, I completed my first marathon, Bay State, in Lowell, Massachusetts.  I ran 3:35:00 and my parents drove out to watch me finish.

We said goodbye to Tippi today.  She was a rescue we were blessed with since February of 2001, a truly outstanding addition to our family.  The past several months were very difficult, with many good days but some stinkers in there as well.  Lately, with age and its challenge continuing to creep up on her, it became obvious that she was hanging in for us rather than herself.

She was my trail partner for somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 miles (we didn't keep track), traveling together in the car all over Connecticut, New York, Vermont and Western Massachusetts to run in the woods we both loved so much.  Together we finished 17 marathons.  She could run all day, season didn't really matter.  

I will continue to write about Tippi.  She is a part of me that I hold very close.  For those who have enjoyed the love of a pet, you know the feeling.  For those of you who have not formed a bond with a dog or cat, I encourage you to.  The sorrow and loss I feel today is heavy, but it is only because of all the joy and enjoyment shared.

We love you Tippi, rest easy girl.

Tippi, August 2000 - October 17th, 2016.

Made a final pass through Basin Bruce Park in Suffield with Tips.  When I was recovering from my surgery last year, we spent a couple months hiking through here often.  

Visited Jesse Smith Town Forest again, for a walk with Tippi.  The solitude within this forest has always been comforting to me.