Weekly Log 12-3 to 12-9

Monday, 12-3 - 0 - An hour of karate this morning, and then closed on the refinance of our mortgage (3.25%, yo...), threw down some Christmas decorations in 60 degree weather, and made a kickass pasta dish for dinner.  And...I used my birthday gift certificate today at Kelley's Pace to pick up a fancy blaze orange moisture-wicking pullover (so as not to get shot in the woods), some socks, and an ample supply of Body Glide...won't make that mistake again!!!

Tuesday, 12-4 - 0 - Weight training at the house.

Wednesday, 12-5 - 3 (Trail) - Hewitt Farm trails, winding, totally clear dirt single track, with the occasional technical rock garden thrown in.  Of course, flying down a fairly benign hill is where I have my first (and I'm sure not my last) "yard sale."  Caught a root just right, and had way too much momentum to check up, and found myself flat on my stomach, muddy, a bit scraped up and thankfully not bleeding or broken...good times.  Had an hour of karate this morning as well, so a good workout day.  Looking forward to this weekend's race, looks like a great course!

Thursday, 12-6 - 6.75 (Trail Hike) - Went with Bob from the CFPA and hiked the first three sections of the Narragansett Trail, starting from Lantern Hill and covering the 6.75 miles to the Wyassup Lake boat launch.  Perfect day, cloudless sky and 38 degrees.  Learned a lot about the section I'll be managing today, and got a game plan together to clear some downed trees and address some other trail-related issues.  I have to say, it was interesting to hike the trail after only running it so many times.  There were 4 beaver dams and one complete lodge that I hadn't seen, and a number of other really cool sights that I'd missed during the runs.  Here's a couple of shots from today:

Got beaver???

36 in. diameter trunk, snapped like a twig 25 feet up during Sandy...

Mossy trails

Nice rocky climb...

So stoked that out of all the trails I've been running since I started running trails, my favorite section is the one I'm going to be taking care of...and it's right up the road from my house...

Friday, 12/7 - 6.75 (Trail Run) - Exact same route as the day before, but I Shanghai'd not one but TWO of my friends into doing this.  Cool day and overcast, but totally calm winds and perfect for a run.  The amount of time I've spent on this trail recently, and I still see something new every time.  Started at Wintechog Hill, at the bottom of Lantern Hill, and did the full run to the Wyassup Lake boat launch.  I was able to get one of my friends onto the trails here for the first time, and get my other friend his longest run ever, a 10K+.  Views from the top to Block Island, and found some cool quartz on the trail.  Here's my new converts:

One peppy, one hurting!  Antone and Jim.

Taking a Zero tomorrow, and chilling before the Newport race on Sunday - I've done everything from 3 miles to 32.5 this year, but have never done a 10K before on roads...so I'm getting a new benchmark here, running as a team, and hoping that I represent well...shooting for a mid 7-minute pace...or lower?...Hmmm... 

Saturday and Sunday - 0-0 - Wisely decided to blow off the race for some much-needed family time :)