Saturday and today (monday) I felt very happy to be living in New England. Saturday, some friends from my running club and I did something we called Fall Fest, where we 
went to New Hampshire to go apple picking an
d to breweries before having a big delicious dinner back in Boston. I won’t go far into detail but want to mention it because I had so much fun and it might’ve been the happiest I’ve been since moving up here!
I had spent the end of September and first weekend of October visiting New Jersey– taking me away from New England but even further south to Staunton, VA and the Shenandoah Mountains. I was there to help out Dave in the Grindestone 100. The whole weekend was an adventure but the racers were truly inspirational. It made me really want to finish this road training so I could get back to trails!
Dave at the finish line. 101 miles in 24:39! What a beast!
That being said, I have been to the Middlesex Fells just north of Boston 3 times in my life prior to today. The first time was almost 4 years ago on a hike with an ex, and the second and third times were on trail runs. The second time, I was running with a group from TARC and I slipped early in the loop. My knee barely skimmed the rocky group but I emerged with a bloody mess oozing from my knee. It stung a little but honestly looked 100x worse than it was. I continued running the remaining 5 miles with the group while stopping to spit-wash the gash in my knee. Oh well.
The third time I went back to the Fells was with Dave during his first visit to Boston. Guess what I did?! Yup, went down only slightly harder than the last time and blood was everywhere! I didn’t opt to suck it up and keep running since I think the frustration was swelling in me (and emerging in the form of blood, sweat, and unfortunately tears). Anyway, after this fall– I not only avoided the Fells and local trail running but slowed down in the Whites immensely (including foregoing a straight Presi Traverse to opt for a slower 2 day one, which I wrote about in August).
So yesterday I went out for a long run. Wasn’t feeling great starting at mile 3 but sucked it up to finish all 17. I tried to take extra care of my body by foam rolling, stretching, and hydrating. Today, when I woke up, I was expecting to have foot pain- as I was suffering from painful metatarsalgia a few weeks ago after a 16 miler. But thankfully, no pain and my muscles felt great! So since I have off from classes and not too much work to do today, I decided to opt for local trails instead of travel north to the Whites (since who knows how my legs would feel after a few miles).
I geared up ready to run some trails (but okay with hiking if I need to).
The Skyline Trail at Middlesex Fells
Starting at the Long Pond parking lot, I started down on the reservoir trail but when it hit White blazes I stuck to the Skyline Trail– new territory for me. The trail was up and down much more than the Res Trail which was a nice change, and also required me to hike up some while also working muscle groups that I certainly didn’t use during my roads long run yesterday.
Reservoir Trail, docile looking
Much of the terrain reminded me of South Mountain Reservation in New Jersey. This was partly because of the big rocks, short steep climbs, and location so close to civilization. I also think I was reminded of South Mountain because I didn’t know where I was going and I think all 3 times I’ve run South Mountain I’ve gotten lost.
Skyline Trail
Anyway, all the parking lots and trail heads at the Fells were absolutely packed. I was shocked when I wasn’t overcrowded on the trails but then again, I was on the hardest trail in the park and most people were only out for an easy stroll and would avoid the big climbs.
My only goals for the run were to 1. Enjoy the fall foliage and 2. don’t fall.
Thankfully, I was successful with both of those goals! This now puts me at 70 (and a half) miles since my last trail accident (which happened IN the Fells!)
Alien presence on the Skyline Trail
Boston out there
Lookout tower
The reservoir
While I do miss the White Mountains, it is getting colder and the weather is getting a bit more unpredictable as far as wind and snowfall go. I’m not sure I’ll get another trip up anytime soon, especially with my long training runs becoming more and more important. However, a friend of mine has family that live up there whom she visits and does winter hikes. Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll get to go with her! She also is from Western Mass near Brattleboro and Mt. Greylock so I have those on my radar, too!
Stay tuned to hear more of my adventures!
48 peaks 