Ran in Penwood State Forest today, 4.1-miles of easy running. 

On the drive home, I stopped by the Pinchot Sycamore along the banks of the Farmington River.  The Connecticut Botanical Society measured the tree in 2016, and the Pinchot Sycamore's trunk was over 28-feet around and 100-feet tall.

3.2-miles along Main Street just at dark.

And...  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.

November 1 - December 31, 2018 - Kick-off celebration October 31, 2018

The New England 61 Day Challenge is a healthy lifestyle initiative that includes education about healthy eating, physical activity, and positive behavioral changes. It encourages individuals and groups to participate and learn how to make smart choices and develop healthy behaviors.

New England 61 Day Challenge Pledge

Today, I pledge to participate in the New England 61 Day Challenge.

During this time, I will make my health a priority and focus on developing and nurturing my body, mind, and spirit.

I will strive to meet the challenge goals of no soda, no sweets, and no cigarettes.

I will remember that there will be bumps along the road, and I will stay focused on the entire 61-day period.

I pledge to learn and grow in knowledge and to make healthier decisions on a daily basis.

I will support my colleagues, friends, and family throughout the Challenge.

Finally, I will take what I learned during the Challenge and strive to maintain my new healthy habits.

****  Additional steps we will be working on are:

•           No Fast Food.
•           No Fried Food.
•           Exercise regularly.
•           Drink 64 ounces of water daily.

DL and I are signed up, and determined to have a great two-months working on this program.

3.2-mile run along South Main Street in the morning.

Also, on this day, in 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.

3-miles along North Main in the early morning before work.  The sun looks like it's coming out for us today!

Music 2018...

Effort #44, "Mourning...  A blues in E".  

"...Prayers and Strength for the Tree of Life Synagogue."

We're still taking it slightly easy (doctor visits for DL all week), so after a relaxing morning I managed 5.2-miles around town doing the Mather Loop.

Heavy rain all day long, so not a ton of opportunity for outdoors adventure.  But I remembered that while riding the elevator at St. Francis Hospital on Friday, a flyer posted on the wall caught my eye.  It seemed interesting, and a worthwhile challenge.  I think I'm going to be "in".

Completed another Black Lizard / Vintage Crime novel, this time being the first of the Burke Series from Andrew Vachss, "Flood".

The Burke Series includes 18-books, published between 1985 and 2008.  It looks like I have read around half in the past, so it should be quite a ride through again, including finishing up the "story" to book 18, "Another Life".

Sometime in October of 2002 - 2003, Tippi completed her first "Marathon"; it would also be my 24th.  We had the "Bandit" along for the adventure.  Our time was recorded as 5:38:00 over 24.7-miles.  I recall the end of the run taking forever once we descended Frissell and headed back to Mt. Washington State Forest Headquarters.

Maybe on top of Alander?

Intersection prior to Brace.

   
I believe this is the top of Brace Mountain.

The Bandit climbing Round Mountain.

The Bandit at the peak of Round Mountain.

The Bandit climbing Mt Frissell.

The Bandit climbing Frissell.

At the Tri-State Marker (NY, MA, CT).

Music 2018...

Effort #43, "Beatnik"...  Originally by The Clean, and I recently heard a cover version by Comet Gain which was also really good.  My take on it.

"... She's a pebble, he's the water, he's a beatnik."

The latest Black Lizard / Vintage Crime book I completed was Raymond Chandler's 1940 Philip Marlowe novel "Farewell, My Lovely".  This was the second in the Marlowe series, and my favorite.

The Woods Walker's performs another "Rock Show" 2018!  This time, we are at South Windsor, with presentation #5!

Dropped the Subaru off  at Small Town, and jogged home along Suffield Stree for 4.6-miles.

Out to Ashfield to run along Ashfield Trails with K2 & Wuzzam.  We had heard that the temperature was supposed to reach 60-degrees, but that did not happen during our run, and the sun never actually came out either.

We ran from Route 116 at Sanderson Academy to Smith Road before turning around.  We topped out at Peter Hill, and enjoyed the Trustee's of the Revervation's Bear Swamp property.  Ended the day with 11.3-miles, with two fantastic climbs.

The story of Peter Wells, and Peter Hill

Birch within Bear Swamp

 Bear Swamp

Meadow at Bear Swamp

Old Graveyard in the forest 

 Huge Oak along Ashfield Trails

Stonewall along Ashfield Trails

 Tablet at the Picnic Area, Bear Swamp Meadow

Wuzzam approaching the Meadow

 Bear Swamp Kiosk