Connect The Dots! The Branford Trail run

I started my run at the baseball field in Stoney Creek on Saturday at 630 am and ran nice and slow to the dam, the Quarry, and out to the Evergreen Woods like I wrote last week. I had to find the entrance to the Evergreen woods from the parking lot, and it took a while but the stretch of trail was worth it! Isn’t it amazing what a new trail does to your spirit? I came out at the Woodwinds parking lot worried that I might not find the connector to the next trail section. I followed the dots to a construction company parking lot with suspicion-filled r#dn**ks. Just as one was making his move towards me in his pickup I found the white dot adorned tree behind a rusting 18 wheeler. I dashed through the entrance and was rewarded by a very nice half mile connector to rte 139. I trotted to the flax mill soccer fields and took care of pressing business in the Portalet. (This was a first for me – I’ve never done a big job in the middle of a run. Too much detail for you? You asked for it sister; re-read your email!) Significantly lighter, I took off on another new connector that spills out on Northford Road, close to Forrest’s house. After several tries I spotted the white dot on the other side of the road and took off on a trail that connects to a trail that runs along side a stone wall and comes out close to Linsley ponds. From there to the upper gorge and thru to the upper ridge inLake Saltonstall was a slog. I took a long break (checked emails and for messages) and took off again on the upper green near the power lines (I took you there last Sunday). I got out on Hosley Avenue at the boathouse entrance, and then ran a long road section to Beacon Hill. I was really tired by now, and as I ran by the trolley tracks the tram passed me in the opposite direction. I swear the engineer looked like the Baron. I was also thinking I was fortunate not to be on the small bridge when the trolley showed up. Really exhausted by this point I was walking and running in brief intervals when the Dillons came by and offered me a ride – yes I was shamefacedly walking at this point. I refused and started running again. Through Stannard venue, Harbor Rd, Maple Street past Donni’s place, past Indian Neck at which point I cursed myself for not taking the ride. I passed Lenny’s putting in really long walk intervals. I ducked into the shade of Waverly St and stopped at a tag sale. I wanted a memento of this run – I picked a small plastic horse which the woman gave me for free! I finally entered a trail I’ve been meaning to do for a long time and it did not disappoint! I experienced eighteen minutes of pain free jogging on soft shady trails after more than an hour of clomping on unforgiving black topped roads! I came out close to Anthony’s house, and then the rest you know – Young’s Pond, the white trail near the tracks and then the trolley trail and back to my car. I was too exhausted to include the Jennie Vedder trail, so I waved to her monument as I passed by. I collapsed in a heap at the baseball field and drank my Recoverite in 2 huge gulps. I rested for a while and looked at lonely clouds floating past the brim of my cap. I thanked many gods for taking care of me and for bringing me home safely.

It took a massive 6h 45 minutes to accomplish what I wanted to do for many years. I eschewed some parts of the trail, and replaced some sections with equivalents, but in my heart and soul I feel very accomplished.