Hmm, its gonna snow? And be very windy? Welcome to Taper Time in April in New England.
After a fun trip to Hopkinton, and a run to Boston, now its taper time for many of the runners. If you’re not running Boston and you want to get a bit more miles in tomorrow, let me know and we’ll see what we can do for water stops to support.
The run this week, will start from Brueggers at 8AM and run a similar route to what was run a few weeks ago. We’ll cross Main Street and run out East Foster up to Melrose Common. Turn right onto Sixth Street and continue straight on to Swain’s Pond Ave. Run through the wooded Swain’s Pond neighborhood, turning right at the stop sign at the ponds to stay on Swain’s Pond Ave. At the end of Swain’s Pond Ave (have I said Swain’s Pond enough?) turn right onto Lebanon Street. Run to a set of lights where you’ll turn left onto Forest Street. Run along this street as it winds past Oak Grove Cemetery and comes out at Main Street in Malden. Cross Main and find the first water stop in the parking lot of Citizen’s Bank.
After the stop run out the opposite side of the parking lot onto Winter Street. This road will pass Oak Grove Cemetery where you’ll come to a big intersection. You want to cross straight across Washington Street up onto Glenwood Street. This street will wind you over to Highland Ave where you’ll take a slight right to the traffic circle at the Fellsway East. Turn right and run through the hills of the Fells over to Grimsby’s. If you’re running short, turn right here onto Wyoming and then turn left on Main to finish up 7 miles. If you’re running longer you’ll continue on the LynnFells Parkway. Keep going to Melrose High School where you’ll find another water stop at the knoll on your right.
As you leave water stop 2 you’ll continue on the LynnFells Parkway past the lights at Main Street, past the lights at Green Street, and after another mile or so to a set of lights at Main Street in Saugus. Turn left here and continue along as it turns to Farm Street in Wakefield. Turn left onto Nahant Street across from Wakefield High School. Nahant will pop you out to Main Street in Wakefield where water stop 3 will be waiting at the Nick’s Pizza parking lot.
From Nick’s you’ll run straight along Main Street back to Melrose, back to Brueggers with another 14.8 training miles behind you. I’ll plan on supporting a water stop near Brueggers for those looking for more miles. A loop up and around Pine Banks will add three more miles, or a run around the MRC summer route to add 6 or 7 more. Again, let me know what you’re thinking and we’ll see what we can do.
For those that haven’t trained with the Sunday Long Run before, you’re likely to hear the term “Don’t do anything stupid”. Taper time is time to avoid doing anything uncalled for that might risk your race day. There will be a time you pause and think “should I be doing this?”. When this happens the answer is “No”. Your body is tuned for running right now. Wait two more weeks to become that awesome softball player, or trying to bowl that perfect game, or moving all that landscaping material around your yard, or climbing that mountain. If you wonder if its stupid, it is. don’t do it.
Ok, it’s time to taper. Who’s in? Roll Call!
Im doing something stupid saturday! I want to help with water stop sunday.
Hi Jim
Julie and I are in for 11 or so snowy, windy miles please! Thank you
I can help with a water stop this Sunday.
In for the long. Will add miles next week Thanks
IFTF snow, wind and ALL!! Thanks Jim!
Full
In for the full.
Thanks!
In for the full. Thank you
In for the full (& I’ll need a map????). Thanks so much
Be there for the full thank you!
In for a full route of snow filled wind…yeah :/ As always, thank Jim and water stop peeps!
Jim, I ran today so if you need help with a water stop, I’m available. Just let me know.
IFTF. Thanks!
In for the full!!
IFTF. Thanks Jim,
I am in for the full, but I probably won’t like it.
Thuy and I are in for full. Thank you!!!
Thank you all for everything…I’ll be there for the full!
In for the full and maybe 2 more. Thank you Jim and water peeps!
In for the short and maybe a little more.
In for 10-11 miles. Thanks!
In for the full, thank you!!
In for the full!!! Thanks so much!!!
In for the full
Jim I have some supplies from last week that I’ll bring tomorrow.
Full. Thank you. Two weeks can not come quick enough!
I’m in for the full +2. Thank you so very very much.
Brian (hopefully) and I are in the full. Thanks so much.
Anyone that wants to help with water stops, meet me at Brueggers or the first water stop and we’ll go from there. Thanks and see you in the morning.
I’m in for the half.
Sorry for the late reply. I’m in for the full one way or another. Thanks Jim and water peeps! Did someone say peeps?!