Feb 14 - 3.1 Miles Ran, 25 Miles Sponsored

The sponsors did not take kindly to my comment that I was catching up to them!  Moe deMayo, a friend from the Masuk High Class of `83, told me that an article about this effort was published in the Monroe Courier.  I was interviewed a few weeks back and didn't know when the article would be published.  I haven't seen the article yet, and as I told Moe, I'm a little nervous because the last time I was in the Courier, it was in a high school basketball photo with the caption reading "Awkward But Effective".  I may have to dig that memorable clipping out of my scrap book and post it here (before some else does--I know Greg Ruel is looking for it as we speak!)  Hopefully the reporter was kind, but even if its an "Awkward" redux, I'm happy that the article reached Moe and that he is willing to help the cause.  Thanks Moe.

I also heard from Cheryl Renaud Dowd, who sponsored 15 miles on behalf of her 3 sons. She quoted Robert Frost, stating that I ("have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep"). I responded that I have been thinking more about Jack than Robert Frost on my last few runs. However, she (and Robert) are right, I do have promises to keep. For the deMayo family, I am promising to run miles 263-272, and for Cheryl's sons, I promise to run miles 273-277 (son 1); 278, 279 and 280-282 (son 2) and 283-287 (son 3). Big thanks to both Moe and Cheryl for their generosity and kind messages.

I also want to share Becky Kowalski's response to my post about the 50 miles sponsored by the students, teachers and families at Rocky Heights Middle School in Colorado:

Rebecca wrote: "Wow! God bless America, this is fantastic Thank you
from the bottom of our hearts, I once again am speechless...AMAZING
XOXO"

This is what it's all about--showing our support directly to this incredible family and lifting their spirits--we can make a difference!

I ran 3.2 miles mid-afternoon in Farmington.  The roads are still a mess but the temps were in the 40's again, very comfortable.  I didn't feel as strong as earlier in the week but that's part of running nearly everyday--some runs are really reboots for the coming days.  I covered miles 158 and 159, sponsored by Joanne Zuzick Garrett and mile 160 sponsored by Ashish Modi.  Thank you Joanne and Ashish, I appreciate your support!

Today's Line:

Date

DoW

ToD

Distance

Time

Min/Mile

Notes

Effort

Total Miles

2/14

Th

2:30p

3.2

25:29:00

7:57:49

42f

5

160.6

Feb. 13 - 5.1 Miles Ran

Sponsors....I'm gaining ground on you!  I had a nice 5.1 mile run in the late afternoon today.  (Fortunately not so late that it was dark towards the end like yesterday).  Low 40's, ran in shorts very comfortably.  Still need to pay extra attention to traffic with the roads so narrow.because of the snow.

Today I covered miles 153-157 today.  Sara Steinert-Borella & Family sponsored 154-156 and another classmate, Joanne Zuzick-Garrett sponsored 157.  Thanks to my Class of `83 friends for sponsoring these miles.

Today's Line:

Date

DoW

ToD

Distance

Time

Min/Mile

Notes

Effort

Total Miles

2/13

W

4:20p

5.1

39:11:00

7:40:59

42f

7

157.4

P.S.  For those of you who miss the photos, I took a couple days off from snapping pics so that I could run a little harder.  I tend to lock in at a fairly leisurely pace when I'm surveying the landscape for photo ops.  I'm  also guessing you are all getting tired of looking at more snow anyway. :)

Feb. 12 - 4.4 Miles Ran

Another crazy day at work--one on one meetings all day with new issues popping up throughout the day.  I periodically looked outside and was excited about running in the warmer weather, but my window started to close as I watched the sun get lower in the sky.  With my last meeting over at 5pm, I raced up the locker room to change and got out around 5:10pm.  The first 3/4 of the run was great, a little heavy on traffic at that hour but manageable, even with the shoulders filled with snow.  The last 1/4 was a little hairy as it got pretty dark. However I managed to dodge traffic and continue on the quest for 1,000.

I completed miles 148-152 on the run.  These miles were sponsored by Len Gutman (148-149), Heather Goode (150-151) and Sara Steinert-Borella and Family (152).  Thank you Len, Heather and Sara & Family for supporting my effort.

We're supposed to get more snow tonight so it looks like I will be running in wet shoes for a while.  This weather will just make the warm spring runs that much more enjoyable.  There, I filled up my half of the glass, how 'bout the rest of our group?  Anyone over the age of 12 have something good to say about the weather??? :)

Today's Line:

Date

DoW

ToD

Distance

Time

Min/Mile

Notes

Effort

Total Miles

2/12

Tu

5:00p

4.4

34:56:00

7:56:22

40f

7

152.3

Feb. 11 - 3.2 Miles Ran, No Sponsors

Despite racing the clock on a work assignment, I was able to get in a 3.2 mile run through the snowy and foggy streets of Colchester.  Mother Nature decided to remove all worries about the icy path to Day Pond by covering it with 3 feet of snow.  And the Colchester DPW is doing its part by presumably leaving that stretch of road for last on the plow list.

It was actually a really nice run today, with temps in the 40's.  I am confined to only a few roads given how precariously the main streets are, but by retracing my steps a little I have fashioned a decent 3.2 mile route.  (Though I did a little Apolo Ohno impersonation coming down the last hill--definitely see how apropos his last name is now).

Today's miles, 145-147, were sponsored by Len Gutman.  Thanks for sponsoring these miles Len--I sure didn't see running between 5 foot snow banks when you sponsored those miles back in January!

Today's Line:

Date

DoW

ToD

Distance

Time

Min/Mile

Notes

Effort

Total Miles

2/11

M

3:00p

3.2

29:24:00

9:11:15

44f

4

147.9

My mailbox is the starting line for runs from home -  could throw
the whole 1,000 mile measurement off if we get another foot of snow!

Loving the lack of cars--esp. on the foggy, narrow road

The formerly treacherous path to Day Pond...now safe (and impassible). 

Feb. 10 - Rest Day

I found out Sunday that I hadn't used the "shovel-muscle" group in some time, so I decided not to risk further damage and passed on running.  This was fairly disappointing as I had been gearing up for a hilly 10.3 mile run in Glastonbury before the storm.  It turned out that work demands required my attention anyway and thus is turned out to be a good day to play catch up on some non-running activities.

Feb. 9 - Nemo Schnemo!

I played beat the clock today as I tried to finish shoveling before nightfall so I could attempt a run and get the best of Nemo.  I "finished" (basically cleared the bare minimum to get one car out) just before 5pm and was able to sneak in a nice, easy 3.2 mile run.  Between icy roads and a long afternoon of shoveling I was happy to run at a snail's pace.  A few folks clearing their driveways gave me that "what's this guy up to?" glance-I'm pretty used to that look after a few years of winter running.

I covered miles 142-144 today.  Celine Caliento-Wicks sponsored miles 142 and 143.  The timing of the miles was great--Celine announced yesterday that students, teachers and families connected with her school (Rocky Heights Middle School in Colorado) are sponsoring 50 miles!  I also want to thank Len Gutman who sponsored mile 144 and next five I'll run.

No sponsors today but after the Rocky Height's announcement I have plenty of running to do to catch up to the sponsors.

Today's Line:

Date

DoW

ToD

Distance

Time

Min/Mile

Notes

Effort

Total Miles

2/9

Sa

5:00p

3.2

34:17:00

10:42:49

28f

3

144.7

Pretty good job of clearing the roads by Colchester  DPW

8' snow bank at the 1.1 mile mark

No chance to do the Day Pond loop today!

I was gonna go for it, but then I saw that darn Stop sign.

Feb. 8 - Rocky Heights Middle School ROCKS!

Celine Caliento-Wicks, the sponsor of miles 142 and 143, posted an incredible comment on the blog today.  Celine, a teacher at Rocky Heights Middle School, recruited sponsors at the school, and after only 5 days, a very kind group of students, teachers and families connected with the school sponsored 50 miles!  The individual sponsors and their assigned miles are:

The Connelly Family (Thomas, 7th grade student) - 6 miles (Miles 213-218)
The Adams Family (Oliver, 7th grade student) -  5 miles (219-223)
The Shuster Family (Mandy & Casey, 7th grade students) - 5 miles (224-228)
Megan B., 7th grade student - 5 miles (229-233)
Lanita Davis, 7th grade math teacher - 3.5 miles (234-236 and 1/2 of 237)
The Moorehead Family (Davis, 7th grade student) - 2.5 miles (1/2 of 237 and 238-239)
The Spindler Family (Lauren, 7th grade student) - 2 miles (240-241)
Molly B., 7th grade student - 2 miles (242-243)
The Buffington Family (Will, 7th grade student) - 2 miles (244-245)
The Janedis Family (Nick, 7th grade student) - 2 miles (246-247)
Olivia M., 7th grade student & Kim Johnston, 7th grade Science teacher - 2 miles (248-249)
Holly Spurlin, 8th grade Social Studies teacher - 1 mile (250)
Deanne Boland, 8th grade PE/Health teacher - 1 mile (251)
Heather O'Brien, 6th grade Science teacher - 1 mile (252)
Kim Chlumpsky, Art teacher & Erin Millage, 7th grade PE/Health teacher - 1 mile (253)
Kelsey Y., 7th grade student - 1 mile (254)
Kylie C., 7th grade student - 1 mile (255)
Jackson R., 7th grade student - 1 mile (256)
Ava. T. and Max F., 7th grade students - 1 mile (257)
Emma G. & Krystal M. - 7th grade students - 1 mile (258)
Anonymous, Lilly R., Chelsea G. - 7th grade students - 1 mile (259)
Skylar W., Ivanna V., Ryan H., Daniela S., Emma C. Grace O. - 7th grade students - 1 mile (260)
Celine Caliento-Wicks, 7th grade Social Studies - 2 miles (261-262)

What an effort!  I love to see all the students who participated--it's great to know that there are special young people like the RHMS students who really care about others in need and are ready to take action to support them.  I know the Kowalski's will be moved to hear about your support--I can't wait to share this with them!

I was able to squeeze in 3.8 miles this morning before the snow really got going.  I decided to do a "fun run" an not worry at all about pace.  I took my time snapping pictures and also had a quick chat with a senior who was walking his dog at the pond.  He saw me taking pictures of the snowy pond and said "I'll bet you'll like those picture better in July!"

I completed miles 138-141 which were sponsored by Lori Kessler.  Thanks for your support Lori!  It was also pretty cool that the last half mile of today's run was part of mile 142 which was sponsored by Celine back on January 29th.  

Today's Line:

Date

DoW

ToD

Distance

Time

Min/Mile

Notes

Effort

Total Miles

2/8

F

9:00a

3.8

34:50:00

9:10:00

33

4

141.5

Thanks Celine and RHMS,  50 miles in 5 days--INCREDIBLE!

The perilous path to the pond is back!

Snow accumulates on Day Pond

Stream feeding Day Pond

Thankfully no cars on the road!