Forward Momentum: Ocean's 1/2 Week (Weekly Log 3-4 to 3-10)

Monday, March 4, 2013

Ocean's 1/2 Week (Weekly Log 3-4 to 3-10)

Monday, 3-4 - 3 Miles (Trail) - The Fowler Grindstone Preserve, which starts literally 50 yards from my house. After karate I went home and, pressed for time, decided to check out the small preserve across the street from me. Great streams, and a nice dam/waterfall at the far end. I did an out and back and it came out to just under 3 miles. The trails definitely need some basic maintenance, and there were several blowdowns, but they were pretty clearly marked and easy to follow. I even went back out with the puppy and did another mile. Once again, I'm blown away that such cool trails and incredible scenery are within a few seconds from my front door...

Stream with footbridge crossing

Glacial erratic, cool view from the top

Great way to kick off the week!

Tuesday, 3-5 - 4 Miles (Trail) - Exploring Ledyard, CT day. I wanted to check out a couple of places in Ledyard today. The first was the Pike-Marshall Preserve, which ended up being a short, but very cool Nature Conservancy trail that Mike K. and I had run past during a long run. Well kept and fairly well marked, although I don't think I got all of it. The second place was the Ledyard Glacial Boulder Train Preserve, which was very short, horribly marked, and possibly one of the coolest places I've ever seen. Totally surreal landscape, and the trail actually went over the boulders in places. 1.6 miles total and I was drenched with sweat from rock hopping. Here's a rock I came across on the trail, and the boulder field you had to traverse in places:

Can't believe it ended up like that...

Yes, the trail goes through there...

I'd also like to mention that six of us WTAC dudes met for dinner/drinks at the Mews Tavern, where we used up the gift card we got for winning the team category at the Super 5K. I'll also happily point out that the beer total was higher than the food total, and special thanks goes to Muddy for putting us over the top!!!

Wednesday, 3-6 - 0 - 1 hour of karate in the morning, weights and stretching in the p.m.

Thursday, 3-7 - 3.5 Miles (Trail) - Very windy Lantern Hill climb, but hey! It ain't snowing...Lots of trees down on the Mashantucket trails there, but only a few branches across the Narragansett Trail part that were easily cleared...

Friday, 3-8 - 0 - Snow day!

Saturday, 3-9 - 3.5 Miles (Trail) - Cossaduck Hill portion of Narragansett Trail. Gorgeous day, low fifties and sunny, and snagged the course record for the Cossaduck Hill climb (probably get beat tomorrow). Stopped to take a picture and forgot to start the Strava app back up, thereby screwing up my map, but no worries! Gorgeous day, got to run in shorts and a light pullover :)