R4K Week! Week of 7-27 to 8-2

Full circle.  My first race.  My favorite race, which holds a really special place in my heart, as it's a great cause, hosted by a great family and volunteers, and started this running/racing thing for me.  I can't say enough about this race - it's well run, tons of people but not crazy, there's some super fast people, and it's always, and I mean always, warm for this race.  At mile three I beg for the sweet relief of the garden hoses trained on the runners.

My results?  Started at "Level Zero," and worked my way up...

2014 - 112 Michael Crutchley   43 North Stonington  30:11.56  7:33

2013 - 100 Michael Crutchley   42 North Stonington  28:30.1   7:08

2012 - 197 MICHAEL CRUTCHLEY   41 North Stonington  33:48.3   8:28

2011 - 204 MICHAEL CRUTCHLEY   40 N Stonington CT   36:48.0   9:12

2010 - 287 MICHAEL CRUTCHLEY   39 N STONINGTON      34:30.7   8:38

2009 - 412 CRUTCHLEY MICHAEL   38 M                 37:54     9:29

Official results.  Races end, but internet results last forever.  My ultimate goal is a sub-7 pace, and it's within reach...I haven't run on roads recently, but that's OK!  I think my trail runs will translate nicely to the race.  Either way, it's 7 years in a row!!!  Love this race!

I'll get runs in this week when I can.  It's gonna be hot!

Monday, 7-27 - 0

Tuesday, 7-28 - 2.3 - Stony Creek Quarry, Guilford CT.  Hot.  90+, and after work I decided to check this place out.  The parking area is an unmarked side lot next to an adult community, and I wasn't sure whether I was even in the right place.  The trails?  Awesome!  Except that they were totally overgrown in places, and very confusing to follow.  Super technical in places as well.  Managed 2.3 sweaty miles and pulled the plug.  Next time...


Wednesday, 7-29 - 0

Thursday, 7-30 - 6 - Sleeping Giant/Lantern Hill double.  Our job in Wallingford wrapped up, so I decided to hit Sleeping Giant again, since it was close by.  Hot!!!  I was sweating before I even left the parking lot.  I gave the "Chin" of the Giant a good effort, and after hitting the tower, made a good descent down the tower trail.  Way too many people to grab a PR, but fun nonetheless.  Lots of kids from local summer camps there for hiking, and they gave me some positive encouragement as I hauled ass down the hill.  3 miles at the Giant.
     On my way home, I decided I hadn't tortured myself enough in the heat, so I stopped at Lantern Hill for 3 more miles of sweaty lower loop hills, where I fed the local biting fly population and got my total elevation over 1000' for the day.  Sweet!

Friday, 7-31 - 0

Saturday, 8-1 - 10 - Beach run from Weekapaug to Taylor Swift's joint (aka "Wading through the Sea of Flesh and Tramp Stamps at Misquamicut State Beach").  I liked the second title better, but it seemed a bit wordy.  85 degrees and sunny, beach packed and outgoing tide, I decided to do Mike B.'s Taylor Swifty run, because he was at home doing yardwork like a sucker.  Julie was there, but Mike?  Nowhere to be found.  Hot, hot, hot out, but at 3 miles in, the houses disappear and her giant house looks so close you just have to get there.  Made it, and turned to head back.  Sweaty, warm wind at my back return, where I tagged 10 miles on the nose, and then realized I forgot to put sunscreen on.  Now I have a stupid sunburn...like really looks bad sunburn.  No photographs please...

Sunday, 8-2 - 14th Annual Run4Kerri! - 81st of 500+ runners, 29:19 @ 7:21.  My second-fastest time in 7 tries.  Hot day for a race!  I was running late for the race, and made it to Matunuck about 30 minutes before the start.  Chatted for a bit with friends and frenemies, and trotted to the start with Woolley.  Most of the local fast dudes were there, and after talking a bit of smack the night before, friend and TNT runner George Ross caught up to me to let me know he hadn't forgotten...whoops!  We chatted about pacing for a bit until the race starts, and George takes off quick.  My legs felt like shit after the previous day's run, but I sucked it up, especially since everyone else had seemingly done far greater feats!


I ran a steady race, and suffered adequately.  Nothing spectacular.  There's almost no shade to speak of on the course, and I took advantage of the garden hose gauntlet at mile 3-3.5.  Thanks!!!  


Chatted with loads of people after the race, and found out I cracked the top 100!  Cooldown run with Woolley, and then I took off to meet the girls at the beach, where I conked out under an umbrella for a while.  Great day!