29 Michael Crutchley 36:39.0 7:20/M
I feel great right now. The PT has helped immensely, my knee feels almost back to normal, and I might PR, might not, but if I feel good I'm gonna give it a shot!
Monday, 4-6 - 0 Miles.
Tuesday, 4-7 - 5 Miles (Trail/Path) - Hurd State Park, East Hampton, CT. My first stab at the CT DEEP "Sky's the Limit" Challenge. It's a challenge involving 14 high points throughout the state: if a person completes 10 of them, they receive a state park medallion (like a finisher's medal). If they complete all 14, they're entered into a drawing for a hand-carved hiking staff...
Hey! That could be me, thwarting the elusive Big River Bandit!
Cool! The rule specifies that you have to take a "selfie" with the sign at the park entrance, and one at the highpoint. I set out for Hurd State Park, and the "Split-rock Vista," the first on my list. Of course it started pouring right as I got to the park. Dammit. I really hadn't researched the park, other than that the road leading into the place split the trails down the middle, it was hilly, and that the vista point had views of the Connecticut River.
Got to the park, took my selfie at the entrance, then hit the trail. I eventually found the spot, and snapped off a couple of shots up there:
Yup, still cold and raining (but no snow!!!)...
On a totally random spot along the trail :)
Spruced-up USGS plaque!
Ooooohhh, so serious...
Split Rock Vista. Great view from here
Got lost and soaked in the process, but hey, no snow. Warmed up on the ride home. So that's One! On to the next. Details of the challenge can be found here:
I might spin this off to a separate page, as it's a pretty interesting challenge. I went to Sleeping Giant last week and ran to the top, and forgot that it's on the list. Whoops. Have to hit it again, then!
Wednesday, 4-8 - 0 Miles - Work day in Wallingford. That night, for whatever reason (I think I was dehydrated, but it could have been something I ate or a stomach bug), I felt "off" and went to bed early. Tossed and turned until 12:30, at which point I barely made it into the bathroom to throw up like I've never thrown up in my life.
It was worse than this, just ask my wife...
Couldn't believe it. I even woke Lori up with my retching, and I'm sure that image will be burned into her memory forever. Suffice it to say, it happened just as bad again at 3:30 and I never slept...
Thursday, 4-9 - 0 Miles (Obviously) - Stayed in bed, slept, and slowly rehydrated. Lori brought me Pedialyte, which is like the nectar of the Gods...was feeling noticeably better by the evening.
Friday, 4-10 - 3.5 Miles (Trail) - Champlin Glacier Park, Westerly. Felt good enough to hit the trails for a bit today, but didn't overdo it. Good call. Trails clear, slightly muddy and awesome...
Saturday, 4-11 - 0 Miles. Passed the bug along to the wife and daughter, which they really appreciated...spent most of the day caring for them, and while they were sleeping I was able to go and help my friends move into their new house! Right near the hated "Pumpkins Hill" segment, haha...decided to call it a day after that and finish looking after the girls :)
Sunday, 4-12 - (Road) - 34th Annual Clamdigger 5-Mile Road Race. 36:24, 26th OA, and a PR! Separate writeup WAS to follow, but I'm working all week, so here goes...
"I survived the Vomitron." Yes, I should get a t-shirt for how much I hurled on Wednesday night, seriously. I felt good Sunday morning but not 100%, but what the Hell, let's give it a go. Got down to the beach and helped get set up, then helped Mike B. put out signage and mile markers (we were way off on a couple, sorry!). Got back and helped Jeff at post-registration (we were freezing!) until 4 minutes before the race. Seriously, who shows up 4 minutes before a race, unregistered? With barely time to put my shoes on, I jogged a .1 mile warmup to the start, and the race started shortly thereafter. I had exactly what I didn't want to wear on, as I dressed in a panic. Yikes!
I fell in quickly with WTAC teammate Shira, who was pushing her boy in a stroller, and stayed with her for the first two miles, then pulled away on the bumpy uphill roads in Weekapaug I'd warned her about. I'm impressed that she can keep such a speedy pace with that stroller!
After the Weekapaug section, I knew I'd be turning into a brisk headwind. Past the breachway, I passed a runner who looked to be cramping badly, who turned out to be Dirk, a local dude who trades Mystic segments with me sometimes in Mystic. He made it in, but was hurting by the finish line.
I caught up to a woman around 4.5 miles, we gave each other encouragement and I pulled away briefly, only to be passed shortly after, and never realizing that it was none other than Chris G.'s better half, Katie. Nice kick! I didn't have a response, but I did squeak out a PR! Sweet!!!
Great chowder and awards after, and good conversation with runners, including a few new WTAC members. I did a quick sweep to pick up the signs, and we were done! Another successful Clamdigger, and I'm already getting good comments from the participants. The great thing about this is that we're able to give back even more to our local causes, and remain a positive presence in this community. Gotta love being a part of something good :)
That sounds like a pretty cool Connecticut challenge. Go get 'em.
ReplyDeleteAnd sorry about the upchuckin'!
Yikes, on the vomit... hope you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteCome out to Groton 11:45 on Tuesday and nab "Fort Griswold" and then you can join up with Steve, Dave, Ro and I as we run by on our way to School St for some fun hill repeats!