Time for Reflection: A Long Run

On my continued quest to traverse Connecticut on the New England Trail (the “NET”), I opted to complete the NET Section 5, from North to South, as a run. A long run provides time for introspection better than any other activity I’ve engaged in. Long runs are slow, methodical, deliberate, providing ample space and time to meditate. Running has become a cathartic activity. Not because I enjoy it, most of the time, I do not, but it is the one activity I can do with little thought to my movements, reserving the rest of my consciousness for healing.

The route is almost entirely on the road, with the exception of a short trail section behind the Henry Whitfield State Historical Museum and across the grass at Chittenden Park to the ocean, and of course, up and over the elevated walkway at the Guilford Train Station.

It was a gorgeous evening for a run. The streets were well blazed, but somewhat dangerous. It’s not usual for a runner to encounter treacherous street conditions, but maybe not so for hikers. The street lanes were narrow, curvy with small hills making visibility difficult in spots. Cars traveled fast, and on some of the roads, the shoulders were thin. Hikers should take care crossing Route 1 onto a grassy median to travel down Boston Street.

Once you reach Lovers Lane, you will detect a noticeable shift in culture. The houses are large, well-manicured, and there upon a rocky cliff, “No Trespassing” signs displayed next to a life-size Bigfoot cutout, yes, complete with a decapitated head in his fist. Bill, who completed this section in August, later confirmed Bigfoot is a fixture, not specific to Halloween. Strange, ran ahead… Farms, fields and parks.

Approaching Henry Whitfield building, I anticipated the trail section would be overgrown, as it was in August. To my delight, it was weed wacked and completely passable. Hikers exit the property on the far side, through an opening in the stone wall. Take directional care here. The blue blazes are to the left, the blue/green blazes are to the right.

Making the left turn, I can see the train station in the distance, I was almost to the end. Up and over the tracks as a train passed, only to find my husband walking toward me to meet me at the end. We walked into Chittenden Park together, where a hearty group of middle-aged men and women were playing bocce ball. Across the grassy field to the boardwalk, across the sand to the water. A beautiful hidden gem, complete with Adirondack chairs. The end of the NET, but not the end of our journey. We have about 50 more miles to go in about 11 weeks, and I look forward to every minute.