Memorial Day Weekend

This just in

http://www.theday.com/article/20130528/ENT18/305289991

Article from New London Day – about Mike C and his trail - nice job Mike

Friday - little over 4 miles with the 4:45 club (first of the year for me, renewing my membership). Woke up to pouring rain and thought what the hell I’m I doing. By the time I pick up Jeff and we arrived at Tom5k house the rain stop. Good run and the rain held off. Later that day I went on a school field trip with my daughter – fell asleep on the bus, wonder why.

Saturday - North Stonington Education Foundation 5K

Rain, wind and cold but I like this race. Started out in the back as I was not sure how I was going to feel. The gun went off with a little hitch and racing instincts takes over passing the kids that all go out fast – EXCEPT little gazelle junior (Matthew). Settled in few second behind him in 6^th place with a kid on my back. At the turn around gazelle senior (can’t wait until next year when he will be a senior, turning 50) was in the lead with the hunt on. Shaping up to be a good finish, unfortunately I faded on the hills on the way back as I still have not gain stamina from being out for 8 weeks. So my battle/race was the kid behind me who was on my back the entire time until the last ½ mile when I decide it was time to go. Finish strong in 6^th place. The senior won so I was able to take first in age group along with other WTAC members. Did a cool down with both senior and junior gazelles – Mathew never stop talking, it may have been raining, cold and miserable but you would have never notice that coming from him on the cool down – until a late finisher happen to see us talking and having a good time and she yelled out – show offs – what the #$%& - really, that made senior angry.

Sunday – 33 mile bike ride with gazelle and Tom5k Met up with them behind CC’s in Pawcatuck. They ask me to put together a 30 miler. So we went to Mystic were we stop for a coffee and into the borough for a quick loop and back to River Road. Very windy ride but good company and a good pace. Both Tom and Jeff are reading for TRI season as they smoked the hills – waited for me – than I smoked the down hills with gazelle in the hunt right behind me – funny how you can actually hear someone on a bike right behind you – very cool sound.

Monday – Bearathon 5k in Mystic / This race supports the sophomore and senior class at Stonington and with one in high school and another going soon – I have to support – so twist my arm to do a road race. Ran a warm up with Mike C. This race is anther out and back on Mason Island, twisting and turning into cul-de-sacs. The thing I like with this race is you get to see the field multiple times, good cheering and giving high 5’s on the way. Took 10^th overall and ran a good time as this was the fastest I have run since surgery. No pain later in the day and all felt good – until WE showed up at my house and had to cut the lawn and wash the cars…………I hate WE like I hate winter. I have to meet this WE person someday.

Summary – great 4 days of running, racing and riding. Looking forward to the hot and humid weather later

In the week – bring it.

Photo by Jana Walker Sport Photography / NSEF5k

Weekly Log 19-May to 25-May

Monday – 5 mile run from work, feeling it this morning with that ride from yesterday.

Sunday – Bike down to gazelle’s (6m) to meet up with Tom5K and gazelle for a ride through Charlestown beach area then up to Burlingame and back to Dunns corners (28m). This was the route Tom5K help train gazelle for Boston. The bike down to gazelle was all downhill – easy / bike home was uphill and not fun plus the traffic through downtown Westerly. This was the second ride of the year and with the new clip-on bike shoes. I struggled on the hills, not sure if I should have eaten something before this ride of just out of shape. The last climb of the day – up Burdickville Road (biggest hill of the day). They had to wait for me at the intersection of Route 91. When I stopped at the intersection I forgot – to clip out – when I realized what I just did I knew I was going to fall – funny how you know you’re going to crash but you don’t know the outcome. Fell to my right on to grass – all was fine – hurt ego but everyone falls at least once or twice with clip-on’s. Told the wife this story – hasn’t stop laughing yet. I hate being the subject of her enjoyment. With the bike down and back from gazelle’s plus the ride - ended up doing 40m total – the was by far the most ever I have been on the bike. Good company plus the scenic ride in early morning made for a challenging workout.

Weekly Log 12-May to 18-May

Sunday - Mothers Day - pulled a double

6.3 Run - Went out for a run early morning in the light rain down to Wilcox Park back up route 2 – not bad, very little traffic and no one in the park. Nice run as everything is in bloom and green.

Bike 13 - In the afternoon when the sun came out it was time to try the bike. This was first ride of the year, plus first time I had a chance to try my new bike shoes. I was old school and had cages so this was quite the experience trying to get on the bike. Sucks walking in these shoes – sounds like a horse walking on asphalt. Rode down to my favorite place, Greenhaven - roads were very busy with traffic. Usually when I ride this route no one’s on the road because I go out very early, so I had to pay attention to my surroundings on this ride. Struggled little bit on hills but still fun to get out and ride. No time for a swim, but I did get wet from washing the cars.

Monday: Just over 6 miles, usual route from work, little chilly this morning. Legs were hurting from the double yesterday.

University of Connecticut, Avery Point – Gorton CT

Seeing that the days are getting longer and it’s not winter I thought I would share some pictures where I run so early in the morning on week days.

I run from Pfizer south gate down along the water of the Thames River to the University of Connecticut, Avery Point. Once I enter into the property I like to take the trail along the water, cliffs and rocks. At this time of year with the sun coming up you can see Montauk/Fisher Island, NY. No one but the UCONN security guards are around – I have the place to myself. I than run to a section called Juniper Point, this is just a street with a small turnaround but when you add Avery and Juniper Points you can see 5 light houses.

The first picture below is an aerial view. Notice the trail along the water, cliffs and rocks. In addition, on the left side of the picture you will notice a road that turns around that almost goes out to the water. This is where I do my speed work – this turnaround is 200m according to MapMyRun.com and has a small hill so it makes for a little challenge. I run at 5:00am, so I can run down the middle of these roads with no traffic. Depending on wind, weather and how I’m feeling I run in either direction along with going down other streets – summary, I have options.

 

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