Oh sure, its 17 degrees as I write this, and there is more snow in the forecast, but today is the first day of Spring! Our traditional first day of Spring run is supposed to bring us through a few wooded areas. I’ll try to keep to most of them, but there will have to be one detour since once of them is Breakheart. I don’t have the alternate plan worked out yet, but I’ll come up with something so stay tuned.
EDIT: Ok, here’s my take on the route. Start out by crossing over and running up East Foster to Melrose Common. Take a right on 6th Street which will become Swains Pond Ave. Follow that through Swains Pond around to Lebanon Street. Turn right on Lebanon and left at the lights on Forest Street. That will take you to the first Water Stops at Citizens Bank in Malden.
Leave the parking lot on Winter Street, past the Oak Grove T Stop, and into a 5 way intersection. Go straight across onto Glenwood St. This will wind itself over to the rotary at Highland Ave, where you turn righ onto the Fellsway East. Follow those familiar hills over to Grimsby’s and onto the Lynn Fells Parkway. You’ll find a water stop across from Melrose Middle School.
After that stop head down the LynnFells Parkway to Main Street in Saugus. Here is where we differ from the prescribed route. Turn left on Main Street and follow it to Farm Street. There will be a water stop around Wakefield High School.
Continue on Farm Street and turn left on Water Street. This will bring you to Wakefield Center where you turn left on Main. Follow Main back to Melrose. Turn right on LynnFells Parkway back to the stop by Melrose Middle School.
From there head out along theLynnFells Parkway, left at Grimsby’s, left on Main, back to Brueggers.
The half route will stay as originally planned. Run with the long route runners through water stop 2 and up to Main Street in Saugus. Turn back along Howard Street to Main and back to Brueggers.
As for the logistics of this run, I won’t be there this week. Our regular volunteers: Jannel, Jackie and Christopher, and Paul will be there. Nancy, Ashley, Thuy, and Lisa have also offered. I’m going to stick to the regulars and maybe Thuy this week. Nancy, can you be a backup for any of these people if they can’t make it? I think that should do it. The rest of you are off the hook for this week… but I’m going to need you for next week… the Big Week!
Paul, can I put you in charge of making the route announcement (including a gentle reminder that next week is the 22 mile run and if you plan on heading to Hopkinton with us you have to post on the blog to go otherwise you won’t have a spot in a car) and distributing supplies? I’ll buy them all and drop them off on Saturday. You can just hit the water stops and pass them out. Jannel and Jackie, meet at the first stop, Paul will drop off supplies. After the runners show up Jackie can leave the first stop and head to the second stop. Paul can collect supplies from Jannel after the runners go through and take them to water stop 3 (wherever that ends up). If I need a water stop 4, Thuy can meet Paul there, get supplies and head out to water stop 4.
That’s it for this week. This is the official ROLL CALL for this week… Who’s in?
As for next week. We’ll be heading out to Hopkinton at 7AM from Brueggers to run 22 miles on the Boston course. This is the official call out for volunteers to drive and water stop along the way. If you can volunteer post here with how many people including yourself can fit in your car. Also if you want to run a portion of the route and help with water stops for a portion of the route, let me know that too. I’ll pair you up with someone else so they can drive while you run and vice versa.
Runners, when you post for the roll call this week please let me know if you plan on running next week. I need a solid count of runners so I can ensure we have seats in the carpool for them. There will be more on that later. Thanks.
Ok, that’s it for now. Look for the route tomorrow, have a great run Sunday, and keep your eyes open for logistics for next week here.
I’m IFTF
Derek and I will have my brothers suburban again we are not running so put us where ever we can fit 7 total so 5 plus us! See you at next week!
Hey Jim my bib is 314 , I figured you would be pleased
Iftf this week and unfortunately will be running in sunny Arizona next weekend 🙂
Jim, I’ll be around on Saturday during the day whenever you can drop the supplies off.
As for next Sunday, I’ll help with the water stops and drive. My minivan seats 7 (6 + driver).
In for the short please. Not running next week, have a 10k. Thank you
Jim, should Christopher and I go to Bruegger’s tomorrow morning? Just let me know what the logistics are. As for Hopkinton, I can fit three additional people in my RAV 4. The middle seat will of course be sitting next to a wonderfully engaging 7 year old named Christopher.
I’m in for the long run.
Thanks!!
IFTF this week . In for next week also. thank you
I’m in for tmr and ALSO the 22…
Thank you for all your hard work and attention to keep us safe…
and to all the volunteers without all of you this wouldn’t happen…????????
Suppose to be a “thumbs up”!!
IFTH tomorrow. Thanks!
IFTF tomorrow- see you then you little spring chickens
In for the half tomorrow.
IFTF and definitely in for the 22!!! Thanks Jim!
I’ll be there for the full (plus some) tomorrow and of course for the Hopkinton 22. Surely by then you’ll all be sick of seeing me on a Sunday! Thanks Jim and all the volunteers!
In for the full and next weeks 22.
Judi and IRIFTF. We’re also IFT22NW.
in for the half tomorrow and out for the Hopkinton 22. Thanks to all the volunteers and Jim.
In for the short tomorrow. Also, in for next week 22 to assist with volunteering. Mike Fiztgerald has offered to drive. Thank you!
In for the half or less
IFTF tomorrow and the 22 next week! Thanks!
IFTF for tomorrow. I can help volunteer next week.
I can help with the water stop tomorrow but not next week. Just let me know where to go.
In for the full everything, this week and next. A huge thanks to the volunteers that make it all possible!
I’m out for this week and will looking to run around 18 or 19 if possible next week.
In for the half tomorrow, but can’t make it next week.
In for the half this week.
Not up for 22 next week, but having never run the course, I would love to run a few miles of it. Happy to volunteer otherwise if feasible to do both.
INFTF. Next weekend would like to run 20 miles on the course.
in for something tomorrow? Thanks! Not sure about next week. I’ll have to figure it out quick
I just put the description of the route in the post. Water Stops: Paul Lock has supplies, he’ll meet Jannel and Jackie at Citizen’s Bank. Jackie will move on to the High School Stop. This will also be water stop 4, if you can stay for the full route that would be great, if not, Thuy can you relieve her from 10-12AM? Paul will handle a stop at Wakefield High School. Hope it all works out. I may show up later in the morning, I’m not sure.
Good luck, have a good run!
Yes, I will be at WS #4 10-noon.
I am in for the full
I will also be there next week for the 22
Got my 18 + today, family stuff tomorrow. In for 22 next week.
In for the half plus a few extra, I’ll be running Eastern States next week but have fun on Boston Course.
Forgot to add that it will be me +1 next week.
Got the assignment. I’ll be at Citizens Bank around 8:10.
I can fit 5 total in my car including driver–would also like to run a few miles if it works out.
Next week I like to do the Hopkinton run
I would like to do half run next week. I can fit 3 people in my car.
I am available to drive and depending upon the needs I can take 4 or take the bigger car and take 6
Jim,
I am in for the full 22 next Sunday. I e-mailed you, too.
I’ll be in touch to see what supplies we can help contribute to assist all those taking flight….
Mike Hartin
shaneduke@hotmail.com
781-315-1469
I would like a ride to Hopkinton , thanks for all support (Melrose running club) , you’ve help me tremendously prepare for Boston!
i will be in attendance to run the Boston route on the 29th
Hey Jim, I won’t be there on the 29th. I am signed up for the Eastern States 20 miler next week.
thanks
Hi Jim, It will just be me for the 22, my +1 can’t make it. See you then.
IFTF22. Thanks Jim.
I will need a ride. I have a minivan that fits 8 people total and my little Hyundai fits 4 total. I’d love to drive down (because I’m a terrible passenger) and then let someone else drive the van along the route for the water stops.
Let me know which car I should bring. Thanks a million to everyone that helps support the runners. I also am grateful and better prepared for my first Boston because of MRC!.
As Mike H. mentioned let us know if we can help with any supplies, I know that we can def supply cups for all of the water stops!
Alice
I’m in for the 22!!!! Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help!!!