Black Lizard / Vintage Crime #18 for 2020...  Jim Thompson's "Croppers Cabin", written in 1952.

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Music 2020...

Effort #16,  "Belonging I (on the porch)"...  recorded on Evil's front porch while waiting for the drums to arrive.  Part of the End of Chemo Sessions, August 30th, 2019.

It seemed like a perfect time to run from Satan's Kingdom heading south, on the Tunxis Trail.  The weather was ideal, sunny and mid-fifties.  The only negative is I had a somewhat late start.

The run began on the road, and I crossed the Farmington River on Route 44 before heading back into the forest.  I visited Tipping Rock, and Valley Overlook, before hitting the road again on Route 202 for the Nepaug River Crossing.

The run toward Garrett Mountain, isn't fantastic.  There looks to be massive logging being performed, and the area is very open, and the roads are covered with stone.  A disappointing start into this section.

Returned back to the beginning, finished with 14-miles for the day.

Tipping Rock

Tipping Rock

Tipping Rock

Tipping Rock

Slab at Trail Intersection

Slab at Trail Intersection

Valley Overlook Hill

After the morning snow melted off (about 1.5"), and the rain stopped, I took a very late afternoon run on the Mather Loop for 5.2-miles.

A visit to McLean after work, finished up with a relaxing 4.5-miles.

Black Lizard / Vintage Crime #17 for 2020...  Philip Marlowe in "The Little Sister", written in 1949 by Raymond Chandler.

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On this day in 1996, I was fortunate to run the 100th Boston Marathon. It was my 10th marathon completed, in a time of 3:24:14.

Late night at work, but I managed 3-miles on the Metacomet Trail anyhow.

Music 2020...

Effort #15,  "The Battle of Resaca"...  brought to us from my Road Warrior's for Christ partner, the Rev King, recorded last year.

Tunxis State Forest with a trip up Valley Brook as the plan.  I had never followed the path north, and today seemed like a great opportunity.

The route would follow Valley Brook, from North Hollow on Route 20 north to Twinning Hollow on Route 57.  In between the out-and-back I would make a climb up Winchell Mountain.

Great day, managed to see a porcupine.  Did some bushwhacking.  Left some exploring for another adventure as well.

Potash and Ellis Brooks turning into Valley Brook

Potash and Ellis Brook

Old stone bridge climbing Winchell Mountain

Stonework on bridge

Winchell Mountain Pond

Late afternoon run on Main, Kent, Wisteria and the Bridge Street Loop, 3.4-miles.

After last weekend's brief exposure to the Bear Hole Reservoir in West Springfield, and the understanding that the small, yellow BH10K "buttons" were for an official 10Km Trail Race during the fall, I figured I'd go run the 6.2-mile loop.

The morning was cool, low forties, and the parking area wasn't very populated when I arrived (only 4 cars).  I headed out and really enjoyed the day.

I lost the "buttons" twice, so by the time I retraced to verify I understood the correct trail segments, I had completed 7.9-miles.  The calf muscle felt pretty darn good, but I did take it somewhat slow and easy.

One of my favorite bands back in the 80's

  

Bear Hole Reservoir

Black Lizard / Vintage Crime #16 for 2020...  Harlem Cycle #4 "The Big Gold Dream", written in 1960 by Chester Himes.

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Music 2020...

Effort #14,  "Zombie"...  Dark Heart Duo's "End of Chemo" e.p. sessions, from August 2nd, 2019.  "S" once again on vocals.

Once out of work, I drove to Cowles Park but never got out of the car.  The parking lot was overflowing with dozens of people, and I don't think there was a spot to place the car anyhow.  So much for social distancing at this location.

I headed over to the Metacomet on Route 20 in Granby, and there were about twenty cars parked but no actual people around.  I felt secure enough at this location.

About 1/2 to 3/4 miles into the run my left calf finally gave way.  It has been bothering me off an on since January 17th.  I was getting treatment on it (physical therapy), but that ended with the Covid-19 presence.

Interestingly, it was the "outside" portion of the calf that went very painful and sore, and the inside "knot" I have had in the meat of the calf muscle seemed to disappear.

I stopped my run, walked a bit and then jogged back to the car with 1-mile credited for the day.