It was a "below freezing morning", so I waited a bit for a run in Granville.

Rambled around Drake Mountain and the lower Reservoirs for 10.0-Miles at 4.1-mph pace.

I felt pretty darn good throughout the adventure, not bad considering there was right around 2000' of ascent throughout the route. 

Drove out to Williamstown to pick up my Mom, headed to a "day-late Thanksgiving" at my sisters with Pop as well.

And On this day in Marathon History...

  

McLean Game Refuge & Holcomb Farm Marathon

November 29th, 2019 - Granby & Simsbury, Connecticut

McLean Game Refuge & Holcomb Farm Marathon day in Granby and Simsbury, Connecticut.  

Not a lot of build-up for this, I was thinking an attempt at the Bullitt Reservation / DAR / Williamsburg Route, but two cars are necessary for that attempt and I had but one today.  I would be solo.

I got a good running start at just a little after 9:00 a.m., with two water plants plus the refill opportunity at my vehicle which was returned to around mile 8 or so.  

Rambled through McLean to the beginnings of the hills (Westledge, Pilfershire, West Mountain, Eddy, and Weed Hill) at 12.5-miles at 5.5-mph (which was an incredible pace for me).

Once the hills were finished, and I entered into Holcomb Farm Trails, I was still at 5-mph, which had me feeling really energized.  I was moving really well, running strong on everything other than the long steady climb up Westledge, the steepest portions of Eddy, and then the bushwhack type footing up Weed Hill.

Things slowed a bit through Holcomb, especially once crossing Simsbury Road.  The trail from there to the re-entry into McLean proper hasn't seen much traffic, had many leaves covering the roots, and I was beginning to tire.

I hung on to complete the 25.6-miles (gps measured, so this should be easily over 26.2) in 5:13:00.  Just dipped under 5 mph average to a 4.9.  Awesome performance on my third marathon of 2019, and 57th overall.

Quiet Thanksgiving with DL and TC. 

Granville Trail Run, 6.5-Miles. 

Visit to our Financial Planner for Thanksgiving celebration.

Consulting Shift early morning. 

Granville Trail Run - 4.7-Miles. 

Granville Trail Run - 11.6-Miles with K2 & J Evil.

Visit with Mom and Pop in Williamstown for Lunch, with a short walk at the Spruces Park before driving home to Connecticut. 

3-Miles in Bear Hole.  East of Morgan Road but south of I-90.  Not worth re-visiting anytime soon.

"High Points" along trails during October 2024... 

Lots of exploring but minimal actual "Peaks" this month!

• Phelon Forest Area, Granville, MA
• Holden Hill Area, Granville, MA
• Ireland Trip 
• "An Chonair"
• "Ceann Sleibhe"

The Conor Pass or Connor Pass (Irish: An Chonair, 'the way or path') is one of the highest mountain passes in Ireland served by an asphalted road. It is on the R560 road on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.

Slea Head (Irish: Ceann Sléibhe) is a promontory on the westernmost part of the Dingle Peninsula, in southwest County Kerry, Ireland. It can be reached by the R559 road, with the nearest villages being Ballyickeen and Coumeenoole. The headland itself, together with the larger part of Mount Eagle's southern slopes, is formed from steeply dipping beds of the pebbly sandstones and conglomerates of the Slea Head Formation, dating from the Devonian period and traditionally referred to as old red sandstone.

To Slea Head's northwest is Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland. Slea Head is a well-known landmark and viewpoint, with a full view of the Blasket Islands. On 11 March 1982, the Spanish container ship, Ranga, was wrecked at Dunmore Head, close to Slea Head after losing power in a storm.

The Slea Head Drive is one of the Dingle Peninsula's most scenic routes. En route are several landmarks such as Ventry Beach, a pre-historic fort and beehive huts, the Dingle Famine Cottage, views of the Blasket Islands, Coumenole Beach and Gallarus Oratory. The loop road returns towards Dingle.

3.8-Miles at Northwest Park with K2. 

And from the Marathon Archives...

Northern Nipmuck Trail Marathon

November 20th, 2005 - Union & Ashford, Connecticut

Completed my 32nd marathon distance run on this day in 2005.  Designated the "Northern Nipmuck Trail Marathon", with Wuzzam, Summer, and Tippi (6th completed marathon).  

My finish time was recorded as 6:28:18.  Looking at this, I think it was much further than 26 miles.

3.7-miles at Robinson State Forest.

3.8-Miles at Cowles, Upland Route. 

Granville Trail Running - 8.8-Miles w/ K2 & J Evil.

Visit with my Mom and Pop in Williamstown (Lunch).