Nipmuck Prep? Week of 9-22 to 9-28

Post-Pisgah:  I'm sore, but not really any worse than any other long run.  Weather permitting, I'll expect to shave another 30+ minutes off my Nipmuck time, which is fast approaching.  I really want to nail down a solid time, so that I have a qualifying time for any of the 2015 races I look at.  I still plan on doing Cayuga, but there are a couple others on the radar now...damn you, Ultrasignup.com!

(As a short aside, my Mother-in-law passed away late Sunday night at Yale New-Haven hospital, after complications from surgery.  Awesome lady, who I was blessed to have known for the last 20+ years and proud to call Mom.  This week, we have family coming in from all over the country and while I won't get to run as much as I'd like, I'm helping coach my daughter's soccer team and that's one heck of a workout each day.  Keeping the kids in school until the funeral on Thursday seemed like the right call - there's not much they can do to help, it's keeping their attention diverted a bit, and they won't have a ton of work to make up.  Miss ya already, Ma!)

Monday, 9-22 - 2+ Miles (Trail) - Sterling XC trails, Sterling CT. - Got to Sterling before the kids' bus, so I did a short trail run while I waited.  The girls tied their "A" game 2-2, and won the "B" game 5-0.  Great start to the season!

Tuesday, 9-23 - 0 Miles - Coached soccer in the afternoon for two hours, including a session after practice officially ended, where I got in goal and defended shots against a few of the kids for 30 minutes straight.  Still got the skills...

Wednesday, 9-24 - 2.4 Miles (Trail) - Short run at Lantern, and late for soccer practice.  Took a shot at two segments before I ran out of time.  The first, a 7+ minute section, the GPS screwed me but I think I was good for the CR.  The second is a short and sweet uphill right at the trailhead, which I had set a 48 second goal on.  Got it in 44...then hauled ass over to the soccer field (where I was received with applause, that was nice!) and ran around some more with the kids.  Game #2 tomorrow.  I'll miss it though, unless it gets rained out...

Thursday, 9-25 - 0 Miles - RIP Vilma Maiorano, you'll really be missed.  Huge turnout, with family and friends flying in from around the country, and driving in from Maine and points beyond.  Tough day but a great celebration of her life.

Friday, 9-26 - 0 Miles.  Lots to do at the house, and afternoon coaching of game #2 at the Wheeler field.  Mixing it up with the kids at practice and during game warmups is making a difference in my overall fitness, and I can feel it.  Good stuff.

Saturday, 9-27 - 0 Miles.  Work day.  That means Sunday, long run day!

Sunday, 9-28 - 10 Miles (Road/Trail intermission) - Mystic River Run. - Hot out.  80+ on 9/28.  I swung by Waterford to stock up on GUs for next weekend's race, and as I was passing Mystic on the highway, a cool breeze hit me and I decided to run there.  It wasn't any cooler.  I opted to start with some small hills in town, then run out to Old Mystic, around the headwaters of the river, and back down River Road, hitting the Peace Sanctuary trails briefly along the way and finishing up with a visit to the new John Kelley statue downtown.  Good, relaxed run, albeit a hot one!

Looking down the river

Looking down from the Peace Sanctuary trails...

Mystic Seaport

Fast Friends!

Kelley's race highlights

WTAC!