Beautiful, just Beautiful!

Last night was a fantastic hill workout! While in Boston on business I decided to add a new place to my list of mountains climbed. I drove out to Wachusett Mtn in Princeton, MA that evening for a few repeats up the access road.

For my first run up, I decided I would run up the "Up Summit Road" the one-way road leading up to the summit and the longest way to get there so that I could add some miles on as well get some hill work. I got there much later than expected so I was going to be pushing it to get in multiple runs to the summit before sunset. I headed up for my first one at about 7:45 and was surprised to learn that the paved summer park access road actually bisects many of the ski trails at Wachusett Mtn Ski Area. My run to the top wasn't as tough as I expected but I did get another surprise... as I was nearing the summit I noticed that in one area there was a scenic lookout and lots of people were sitting on the edge of the road looking straight back behind me over the lookout. While continuing up I glanced back to see the most incredible red sunset materializing in the west! I ran backwards for a few seconds to take in the beautiful gift of nature and sped up to get to the summit in hopes of a better view while taking a quick rest. Not to be disappointed, the view at the summit was just as spectacular! There where couples perched everywhere to take in the romantic sunset. Wow! What a great treat!

I was burning daylight though and I had another repeat to get in so I headed back down after about 2 minutes rest. As I wrapped around the other side of the mountain I was treated to a different perspective of the sunset and it too was spectacular.

I rested at the base for a few minutes, drank the last of my Propel and headed back up the mountain but this time I decided to save time by going back up the "Down Summit Road" which was about half the distance but the same elevation (obviously) so it was a steeper run up. It was getting dark now and in the tree covered areas, quite dark. I started seeing the people walking down whom I had seen on the way up or at the summit and they were looking at me in disbelieve that I was on my way back up a second time (I love that look they give me!). When I arrive at the summit it was well past sunset and darkness was setting in... I looked over at the fading red, orange and purple hues of the sunset lost and turned to head back down when I was treated to another spectacular treat. There was a full moon rising in the east as big as a frying pan held out in front of you! It was magnificent and bright and it's reflection shone on the surface of a lake or river way down on the plains below. Boy what I would have given to have had my trusty camera that night!

The run back down was a little trickier in the dark. The moon provided the light, but not enough to illuminate the frost heaves and dips in the pavement so I had to be careful. The challenge descending fast in the dark was well worth the views I was treated to that night! Boy, the simple pleasures I have been treated to through my journey have been things I'll remember for a lifetime!

All in all, a good 8-mile hill workout and some beautiful scenery to boot... just beautiful!

Saturday, if all goes well I'll be heading off again at 4am, this time to the Catskill Mountains of NY to do a 15 mile run up Slide Mountain. It is the tallest mountain in the Catskills at 4,180 feet and will be a very tough workout! One spot includes a sheer rock ledge that I will need to scale before proceeding! Wish me luck!