Relaxing day, with two decent walks for a total of 3-miles (1.5-miles each).  Early morning DL and I took a walk in Brazin Bruce Park, and then late afternoon we drove out to Hartland to hike the Falls Brook Trail to the waterfall and back.  We had "Bonita", a friends dog, to entertain.

Falls Brook "Falls"

Falls Brook "Falls"

After the long run yesterday, and hopes to cover some decent distance on Monday, I enjoyed a 2.1-mile hike on the Henry Buck Trail in the American Legion State Forest.

I've been across the Farmington River at Peoples State Forest many times over the years, but I've never before explored the Henry Buck Trail.  The route is a horseshoe, with a connector along the road if you wish.  There are many incredible large stones throughout the route, as well as a pretty impressive boulder field with possible caves.

Each "end" is a climb to get you to the high-point, and there is even the remnants of an old mill of some sort it looks like, half-way up the mountain.

Bridge along the Henry Buck Trail

Perched Rock along the Henry Buck Trail

Perched Rock along the Henry Buck Trail

Perched Rock along the Henry Buck Trail

Perched Rock along the Henry Buck Trail

View east through the Foliage

View

Stone Steps on the Henry Buck Trail

Old Mill Site?

Old Mill Site?

One of many brooks running down the mountain

From the archives department...  I completed my 11th marathon on this day in 1996 at Nipmuck.  I ran a 3:56:50 in the race, which was good for 15th place.

It was back to the Northern Nipmuck today, since the weather report was basically awesome for being outdoors.  I would begin at Eastford Road, and Wuzzam was to begin at Boston Hollow Road, which placed me roughly 1.6-miles behind him for the start.  We synchronized to start at 9:00 a.m.

Considering our slight differences in age and pace, this seemed like a really awesome idea on our part.  It seemed as if there would be a really good chance for us to meet at the Bigelow Hollow turn-a-round, which was 8-miles for Wuzzam, and 9.6-miles for me.

As I was beginning my descent off Coye Hill, there was my running partner coming at me.  Outstanding, things were working as we thought.  The only thing was I was still a chunk behind him, and it took me until about three-miles to go to catch him.

We ran in together, with a solid 16-miles for Wuzzam, 17.5-miles for me.  On the short ride back to my car on Eastford Road, it was admitted by Wuzzam that he didn't start running at 9:00 a.m., but at 8:39 a.m. 

We will have to consider these distance and time distances moving forward so that we remain safe in the woods during long runs, and still end up finishing up together.

The day Begins on Eastford Road Crossing

Nipmuck Dave's famous stairs

Somewhat "Balanced" Rock along the Nipmuck Trail

Another angle of a "Balanced" Rock

View from above Boston Hollow

And in the Old News Department...

On this day in 1997 I completed my 14th marathon - Nipmuck.  It was the 3rd time I completed Nipmuck, and my time was 4:31:44, good enough for 42nd place.

Also, on this day in 2013, I completed my 49th marathon - Hawley Berkshire East.  I had Wuzzam with me for this one, which was a real beast.  We had a total time on feet of 7:45:15, which was the longest either of have ever been on our feet moving through the forest.  It was most likely more than a marathon distance.  By several miles...  (or more).

Relaxing morning with a few appointments, and an afternoon 4.2-mile run in McLean.

On this day in 2009, Wuzzam and I completed a McClean Reservation Marathon in roughly five hours.   This was my 39th marathon completed.  I recall it being a fairly easy day for us.

Music 2019...

Effort #23, The Dark Heart Duo on Crown Street during the "Black Smoke Rising Sessions" of May 24th, 2019.  "Amen I".

On this day in 1995 I completed my 6th marathon, Vermont City.  I had trained for a year specifically to run sub 3:10 at a marathon, so that I would qualify and gain entry into the 100th running of the Boston Marathon.

I recall feeling awful for the first couple miles, and beat from around  10 - 13 miles.  At some point, my training kicked in, despite the heat, and I finished in 3:08.  Qualified for Boston!

Nice run on a beautiful morning at Shenipsit State Forest with Wuzzam and the Old Goat.  

We got 'round for 7.9-miles, with climbs up:

• Balanced Rock Hill
• Bent Birch Hill
• Three Rock Alignment Climb
• The Pinnacle
• Bald Mountain

Wuzzam and the Old Goat, pre-start  & looking too happy

Wuzzam completing our last climb of the morning, Bald Mt

Travel day to see the folks, nice early Memorial Day lunch with them.

Also, RunSteveo and DL provided me with some photos from last nights X show at Gateway Arts Center...

John and Exene

John, Exene, DJ & Billy

X

John, with Exene

Billy Zoom, Guitar Master

Billy Zoom on Sax during "Come Back to Me"

Still piecing the Granville & Tunxis Marathon distances together, so today I wanted to verify the section from Old Route 20 (Maybe called Walnut Hill?) to Route 219.  This has always been thought of as 8-miles, and I am sure that I've verified this many times in the past, but once more wouldn't hurt.

Everything worked exactly as it seemed, distances were true to the Connecticut Walk Book and my prior notes.  The turn-a-round at Route 219 had 7.95-miles on the gps.

A few alternate paths were chosen for the return trip, and I ended with 15.2-miles for the day.

During the evening, DL and I visited Gateway City Arts in Holyoke to hear the band X, which has been a favorite of ours for over 30-years.  Taking the event up a notch, our old friend RunSteveo was attending also - someone we hadn't seen in many years.

The band played fantastically, and the venue was great (capacity of around 500, which was full).

It was great to see Steveo, and as far as the venue at Gateway City Arts, we'd visit again.

Large Boulder along the Tunxis Trail

Roberts Brook

Summit of Pine Mountain

Roaring Brook Upstream

Roaring Brook Downstream

Summit Indian Council Caves

Liddy, Tippi and Sam's Pool

Music 2019...

Effort #22, The Dark Heart Duo once again live on Crown Street with the "Black Smoke Rising Sessions" of May 24th, 2019.  Opening piece... "Like Smoke They Vanish Away".

Five minutes into my run along the Metacomet Trail, from Phelps Road north, I was hit with a downpour.  Within 15-minutes of the rain starting it was over, and I was pretty soaked.  Ended up with the planned 3-miles.

Lady Slippers along the Metacomet Trail

Also, on this day in 2006, I completed a Tunxis Marathon in 5:41:50.  I had Johnny Bandit along for company, as well as Tippi.  It would be my 32nd marathon completed, and Tippi's 8th.

John Bandit rambling through the meadow

We rambled from Route 20 to Route 219 in East Hartland, Connecticut, and back for the first 19.5 miles.  We finished up with the Route 20 to Pell Road near the Massachusetts border for the final 6.5-miles. 

Small Waterfall on the northern section of Tunxis Trail

Old Notes:  Another great day;  started out 45 degrees at the 9:15 A.M. start time.  It reached a high of maybe 60 degrees during the day, with majority in the mid 50’s.  Sunny and blue sky entire time, occasional strong breeze every once and a while.  Started the run at 9:15 A.M.

Tippi taking a look down from the climb a mile from Pell Road

John and I both felt that it was the easiest marathon either of us had ever done.  We finished strong, running all but the very start of Trillium Hill from mile 24.5 onward.  I believe we could have easily gotten thru another hour on this day.  Plenty of water for Tippi, no problems with her other than the porcupine around mile 18.  We escaped from that ok. 

 The Pell Road TurnAround

  

An enjoyable 3.7-miles out along the Metacomet from Phelps Road south.

View north from Sign-In Log lookout

View south from Sign-In Log Lookout

(Heublein Tower in distance)

Cowles Park in East Granby for 3.3-mile loop up to the Metacomet Ridge.

Stone Bridge Work

Additionally, on this day in 2005, I completed my 26th marathon (and Tippi's 2nd) at the Mount Greyklock Marathon '05 version {AKA Molitori 50th Birthday Bash & Annual Celibacy Run}.  

Total time of 6:47:02.  Five out of twelve starters completed the full 26.2-miles.  

Music 2019...

Effort #21, "High Noon Sessions" finale. 

Completion of the Dark Heart Duo's "High Noon" Sessions, April 26th, 2019.