Figuring out the Work/Play balance: Week of 5-18 to 5-24

OK, I think I've got it.  Working 2 hours away (for now) each day and leaving super early means if I want to run, it has to be right after work before I drive home.  If I don't, I don't want to do anything when I get home but relax.  If I finish up at the jobsite and hit new and interesting locales right away, it makes the ride home easier and I feel better!  Besides, there are some awesome places to run in North (West) Central CT.  Really cool stuff...

Monday - Wednesday, 5-18-5-20 - 0 - I haven't run.  But...I have registered for the Vulcan's Fury trail race in New Hampshire, which runs the rim of an ancient volcano, and I'm totally stoked to run!  Bring it!

Thursday, 5-21 - 5 Miles.  Satan's Kingdom and Tunxis trails, New Hartford CT.  I couldn't help but get the Van Halen song stuck in my head:

Yep, stuck in my head all day...

Interesting, the Satan's Kingdom is more of a fishing/tubing area along the Farmington River, but I saw the blue blazed Tunxis trail as I was approaching the parking area, and quickly found a yellow trail that ran along the river, and it was super technical but fun.  It dead ended, so I backtracked, crossed the bridge and ran the other side of the river along a dirt road, ascending for a while until I didn't see any blazes.  Backtracked, crossed back over and made a steep climb up the trail to an overlook and sketchy cliffside trail, which I checked out briefly before running out of time and returning to my truck.  Great trails and scenery!  I'll be back, devil trail!

Friday, 5-22 - 5 Miles.  Watch Hill/Napatree beach run.  An impromptu day off called for getting shit done around town.  While the dog was getting his hair did, I cruised down to Watch Hill and got some beach miles in, with a road chaser.  Windy, chilly but much-needed run :)

Saturday, 5-23 - 9 Miles.  NSEF 5k in town.  I did a 1.5 mile warmup with Jeff, where I showed him some trails near the race site.  The race?  I'm getting faster and I know it.  My last two 5k races have been on fairly hilly courses, and I'm coming close to my PR on them, so a flat course is gonna be the deciding factor.  I went out strong, managed the hills out and back, and finished well.  11th out of 127 runners.  2nd AG, and I won stuff for the fourth time in five races???  Not too shabby...and I got to run an easy 5k with Jeff on the Hewitt trails after the race, including the Bicentennial Trail for my town.  Awesome!

Sunday, 5-24 - 4 Miles.  Lantern Hill exploration with Jim H.  Met up with Jim and we cruised around the lower loop and made our way up the hill, but I wanted to check out some unmarked trails on the backside of the old quarry.  Found an old forest road/trail there that led to a really nice pond, and I think there's a lot more there to explore.  Made our way back to the top of the hill, and down to the bottom.  Lots of people already out!