Training Log: Fanatic

Hike south of Reservoir Road

Lots of fog and wet, muddy trails, but no other hikers on my route. Did see a couple of dog walkers near the parking lot, though.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10318535506

Hike in Pittsfield State Forest:

Beautiful weather when I started, lots of sunshine and fluffy white clouds. Alas, they would be gone, replaced by overcast skies and light rain.

Kept to the lower elevation to start but did find some climbs to do later in the hike. Didn't see anyone on the trails.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10312955390

Hike on the condo grounds:

Alas, I've got some heel cracks that have become problematic, so much so today that I quit after a mile. C'est la vie.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10308628317

Run on the Houstonic Rail Trail:

Not sure why I wanted to try running for five miles today, but why not? Warmed up with a half-mile walk and then ran as comfortably as I could for five miles. Cooled down with a short walk after the run.

Can't say it was easy, could almost say it was boring. ;-)

https://www.strava.com/activities/10303012248

Hike in Kennedy Park:

Felt much better today and was hoping to do 7-8 miles In Kennedy Park. However, as I neared Umbrella Hill I heard a lot of shouting; it sounded like kids playing or perhaps someone calling their dog.

By the time I got to the base of Umbrella Hill, where I often do the loop up to the top, I could still hear shouts--definitely some people calling their dog, I thought. So I skipped the loop and headed up to the north to join the Aspinwall Trail. A woman stopped me and asked me if I had seen her dog, a grey poodle called Franklin. I said, "no", and continued hiking to the Coakley Trail.

As I headed southeast on Coakley, I saw another woman whom I had seen before and this time, there was a large dark poodle walking next to her. But I suspected the dog wasn't hers, and I asked. When she confirmed, I knew it was the "lost" dog and took it by the collar and gently persuaded it to walk back with me toward Umbrella Hill. As I did so, I also let out a number of loud yells: "Yo!" I hoped that the dog owner would realize I was trying reach her attention. And it worked! Before long, the dog owner and her friend were on the Coakley Trail and they were united with Franklin.

And this is how I reconnected with April, who used to run with Colette and on group runs, years ago. It turned out that she was Franklin's owner. She also used to worked at the Arcadian Shop for a while. Alas, we didn't have much time to chat as it was getting dark, so we parted ways quickly.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10297710443

Hike south of Reservoir Road:

Another day without much energy; not sure why, especially since I did have a good night's sleep. Oh well, the sky was beautiful today, but I would have liked a bit less wind.

The trails were still wet from the overnight rain, but no standing water and only a few muddy spots. Didn't meet anyone today.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10291939770