Monday - East Providence, RI - 6.1 miles
I decided to return to the East Bay Bike Path, the site of last week's cake incident and try another tempo run, albeit a shorter one. This attempt went much better with the first couple miles around 6:30 before I was able to kick it up to 6:00 for the next two. Hot day but the breeze along the bay helped.The big news today for our clan was that Ezri's leg cast came off! Huzzah! It'll still be a few more weeks before she can walk unassisted but at least now she can get wet and go to the beach.
Tuesday - East Providence/West Greenwich, RI - 10 miles
Ab Ripper X (15 minutes)235 push-ups (standard/decline/wide/diamond) 40/30/40/15/30/25/40/15
At lunch I dropped my car off for an oil change and did 3.5 leisurely miles around town. It was oppressively hot. And my oil change was oppressively expensive. I won't be going there again.
After work, I ventured over to Big River. It was cooler now and I opted to follow the same trail as last week that skirts Capwell Millpond. Within a half mile the first deer fly appeared. Soon one became two and then...well you know. I wished I had thought to grab my hat out of the car. With my newly buzzed haircut they were having a field day and my curses grew and grew. After two miles I threw my shirt over my head and soldiered on. Now their full onslaught began - one fumbled its way into my mouth and another landed on my cheek and bit. Fucking shitmisers! There is no recourse against these bastard creatures. I took Steeplechase back towards the car and still had some time (if not much will) so I ventured over to the Pine trail which was thankfully not fly territory. Would have been an enjoyable trail run otherwise but next time I'm going apeshit crazy and bringing duct tape.
Wednesday - East - Providence, RI - miles
Hey guess what? It's hot as balls again! Hooooray! Went over to the Ten Mile River Bikepath intent on doing four easy miles and that's just what I did. Between the shade of the trees and a near continuous breeze I was never hot and it turned out to be a very pleasant run.In other news, it's sad to watch my hard won Smithfield Strava segments slowly get whittled away. I lost one a couple weeks ago and another one was taken from me today. Soon I will be but a distant memory over there.
Thurday - Seekonk, MA - 7.4 miles
195 push-ups (standard/decline/wide/Pike's press) 40/30/40/15/40/30Today was a speedwork day and I decided to check out the nearby high school. I parked near the Turner Reservoir and ran a 1/2 mile of trail until it reached the Seekonk High track. It was empty except for two women walking. But it was hot. I didn't think to bring water, a hat or sunscreen. Dumbass. Next time. Anyway after a few laps as a warm-up I got into it. My plan was 800s, 400s and then 200s - four of each. As soon as I started the first 800 my brain started trying to negotiate me down to three but I did not relent. The track was in full sun but thankfully I had cloud cover for most of the 800s. However I was baking for the other sets. School got out just as I was getting there and a bunch of kids came to the track to socialize but soon they retreated to the shade of the concession stand. I still don't know how fast I'm supposed to be running these things but I gave a hard effort and was spent by the end so that's good enough for me. For now.
Friday - Caratunk Refuge, Seekonk, MA - 4 miles
Ab Ripper X (15 minutes)At lunch I went for an easy run in the Caratunk Refuge. Trails were a lot dryer than the last time I had been there but as I ventured further into the woods I encountered some heavy vegetation at times. I guess the deeper trails don't get a lot of use or maintenance. Still I enjoyed the run and the lack of serious bugs.
Saturday - Richmond, RI - 16.4 miles
The original plans for a long group run petered out and I decide on this run at the last minute. I wanted to explore some more of the North/South trail that was new to me so I parked in the Carolina Management Area and ventured north. The plan was to follow the trail for 8 miles and then turn around. Beautiful cool morning - around 55 degrees. The first 1.5 miles were trail but then I hit charming neighborhood roads. These were bad but then I came to a busy street. When I saw the sign for BBQ I realized I was on Route 138. The trail follows 138 for about a mile which is one mile too many. Finally I turned onto side streets and ran another two miles of hilly roads. I was starting to wonder if I'd picked the most road heavy portion of the trail when finally I reentered the woods at 5.5 miles. I was on trails for most of the rest of the way, eventually passing underneath Interstate 95 and entering the outskirts of Arcadia.I ran until I hit 8 miles when I encountered a cool river of boulders. I ventured just beyond them and then began the long return trip. My legs began to tire but at least it was more downhill than not. Route 138 was just as annoying the second time. It's too bad that the trail diverts onto roads for four miles but looking at the map I guess it has to navigate around quarries. I don't know if I'll ever do the whole thing but I enjoyed exploring a couple new sections of trail. And it was nice not worrying about directions and just following the blue blazes.
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