Weekly Log 3-18 to 3-24

Monday, 3-18 - 4.5 Miles (Trail) - Old Furnace State Park trails, Killingly, CT.  Another awesome CFPA blue-blazed trail in northeastern CT, with good climbs, and good variety in the single-track trail.  Very well marked, I only missed one turn in 4.5 miles...great views of the pond from the top of the ridge, and although this is an out and back trail, it was a good workout with some technical spots.  Cool rock formations, too:

Old Furnace rocks

Stone single-track...

Supposed to get some snow again tonight, so I'm glad I was able to get this one in...another good start to the week!

Tuesday, 3-19 - 0 - Possibly the most dismal day I've ever seen, snow last night topped off with a steady rain all day...to anyone who ran today, I give you credit...

Wednesday, 3-20 - 2.5 Miles (Road) - Killing time waiting for the schoolbus to get here, but a good, albeit short run...looking for something longer tomorrow, followed by a possible long run Sunday?



Thursday, 3-21 - 7 Miles (Trail) - Grills Preserve with Jim H., Big River trails from Exit 7 commuter lot alone...met Jim at Grills and did 5 miles there, and I'm thinking that it might make a good trainer for the TARC, as the big loop around and back to the parking lot would mimic the TARC setup well?  After Grills, I had some time and wanted to see where the Big River race was going to start?  Quickly realized as I pulled into the commuter lot that there was still quite a bit of snow/slush on the ground, so I threw on the Yaktrax and went for an exploratory run...having no blazes to go by, I followed a set of bike tracks in the snow until I got to Division Street?  Turned back from there.  I've never been to Big River before, had heard it's very cool but also a labyrinth of unmarked trails...will go out with a guide next trip.  Here's a shot of the trail:

Snow!

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention this, to any and all who run Grills Preserve and are interested:  when we got to the place along the river where "Polly's Bridge" (I think that's what it was called) used to be, there were three guys on the other side working on the foundation for a new bridge...I asked how long until it was in place, and they said three weeks, give or take.  I believe there are a whole lot more trails on the other side???

Friday, 3-22 - 2.75 Miles (Trail) - Messy Grindstone-Fowler Preserve trails from the house.  Lots of trees down, many across the trail and lots of branches and stuff everywhere...fun, but a testing run out to the waterfall and back.  Might have to hit something else this afternoon...



Saturday, 3-23 - 0 - Judging a karate tournament took up the better part of the day, and with a relentless wind howling outside, I decided to to take a zero today...

Sunday, 3-24 - 9 Miles (Trail) - Grills Preserve with Mike K., Eric B. and Al F. - Great morning for a run, 40 degrees, sunny and a light breeze.  Ran all over Grills, some double loops, trails were pretty clear and made for a good time:

Eric, Al and Mike on "Big Hill"