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