So I managed to get in another 3.5 miles last night after work. My right heel is still a little squirrely and perhaps I do have some tendinitis in there as the doctor had suggested but I am sure that it is getting better by the day so chin up and move along. Most of my running is in Olmsted Park and around Jamaica Pond here in Jamaica Plain. This is part of the Emerald Necklace here in Boston that Frederick Olmsted designed and built in the 1800's. It is quite nice and even though we are only 3-4 miles from downtown Boston it really feels nothing like being in a city. The BAA 1/2 Marathon that I ran for the first time last year follows the Jamaica Way down to the Fens and back through Olmsted park and then around the pond. It is a beautiful place and is well used year round. This is a picture of Leverette Pond which in the park and is fed by Jamaica Pond. I live just around the corner so this is about 1/2 mile into my run and the start of the park.

Had a nice holiday weekend that was spent mainly with family and friends. Golfed with a couple of guys from work on Friday at Juniper Hills in Northboro on Friday. I grew up down the street from the course and spent many an afternoon on this course. My grandfather used to teach there, he was a Scottish immigrant who was a fantastic golfer. He used to bring my brother and I out weekly and force us to practice hitting balls. Of course as a child you have no comprehension of what he was trying to teach us. Golf is a funny game, it can be easy and fun sometimes but then frustrating as hell at the drop of a dime. I try and approach it as a day outside in the sun and not at work. Time to spend with my son or just a bunch of guys trying to unwind. I don't have new and expensive clubs, not sure that would improve my game at all. I think that sometimes people need the newest and shiniest equipment to make up for thier lack of game. It's too bad, golf can be one of the most enjoyable times to just get outdoors after sitting at a desk all week; not something to get stressed about or upset about a particular score on a hole. That much I took from my father. We used to play whenever we could but as the things go, I was busy raising a family and never had the time, and he was most likely glad that I was and not hanging around in the bars anymore. I would give anything to be able to play another round with him now as he passed away 6-7 years ago. Anyway, I played again on Sunday with my youngest son at D.W. Field in Brockton. A nice little municipal course that is in decent shape. The greens fees are only $27 if you walk, $35 if you ride which for a holiday is quite reasonable. We played with two of his friends that have both been to Afghanistan at least twice which I give them all the credit for. I can't imagine what that was like and glad they came back in one piece, at least physically. None of us played particularly well but there were lots of laughs as we chased balls all over the course. These are the days I think that I will reflect on and enjoy when I am older and my son doesn't have the time to play once he is raising his family. I hope.

Played 18 holes with some guys from work yesterday. Fantastic weather. Was supposed to go to the Red Sox game last night but the holder of the tickets started drinking at 2pm and slept through the game. Apparently there was a bench clearing brawl that we missed as well. Probably a good thing, nothing pisses me off more than spoiled overpaid athletes fighting.

So any one who knows me is aware of my obsession with the Stones. This is a great video compilation for Voodoo Lounge/You got me rockin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84PETdu743A&feature=plcp

Just finished  a fantastic bicycle ride with my wife. We went from our place in Jamaica Plain over to South Boston, up to Dorchester Heights/Telegraph Hill. This is a great place to ride up to. It is run by the National Parks and is well kept and has a bit of history attached to it. Something to do with guns from Ft. Knox being brought here for General Washington during the revolutionary war. Anyway, we then headed over to Castle Island, another hold over from the 1800's. This is the best place to see the USS Constitution when the Navy sails her out and turns her around every fourth of July. The place is beautiful and also has the famous Sullivans, which is an old eatery that is famous for its fried clams. We stuck with the hotdogs as I am not sure how a belly full of fried clams would go over with a long bike ride.

We then continued down the coast a bit further, following the HarborWalk which extends all the way past Southie, past the JFK Libray and then to Pope John Paul Park. It connects to the Neponset riverway which then ends in Lower Mills. We continued up River St. through Mattapan Square back up through Hope Hill Cemetary/Forest Hills Cemetary and then back to Jamaica Plain. Total about 20 miles or so. Tired but the weather was amazing today and tomorrow is more of the same. The picture is an arial view of Castle Island I found on the interweb. Sorry if I poached it from someone else's website.

So the last two mornings I stepped into the way back machine and listened to the UK version of Aftermath which really is an excellent album. The version of Going Home is over 10 minutes and an interesting listen as you don't see many songs at this length from this time period. There are quite a few great songs on this LP, Mothers Little Helper, Lady Jane, Out of Time and one of my favorites, Under My Thumb. This was the song the Stones opened with on the Tattoo You tour in 80-81 I beleive. I saw them at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse that winter. I was at UMass in Amherst at the time and I don't remember how we got tickets but a bunch of us piled in my car and headed out in the snow for the show. I can distinctly remember the opening beats to the song as the show kicked off. Still gives me goosebumps.

Well I had my cortizone shot last Friday and I got back at the running tonight. Did 3 miles on the treadmill and things seem to be ok. My foot is a bit tender I think but I could just be over analyzing things. Anyway, it's a good thing to be back running, I just hope I don't reinjure anything. Need to start getting ready for the BAA 10K next month and then I am registered for the BAA 1/2 marathon in October.

This is the Fullerton Inn where we stayed this past weekend. Very nice place and I would highly recommend it if your passing through the area. Chester is located about 10 miles south of Okemo mountain ski area. Very quiet and peaceful, located in the center of town. We sat on the front porch and enjoyed a bottle of wine just taking the town in. Great laid back experience. The ride out and back was phenomenal. The weather was perfect, 80ish both Saturday and Sunday, fantastic for a May weekend. The bike ran well, no issues whatsoever. There is nothing worse than having issues with the the ride when your hours from home. We took Rt. 2 (Mohawk Trail) out to Greenfield and then picked up Rt. 5 and followed the Conneticut River up to Rt. 103 which branches off to Chester. Great motorcycle ride if your in that part of the northeast but local VT. cops seem to be itching to write tickets so beware.  The other picture is of the CT. river. This is where it passes through western Mass. but its beautiful all along.

Heading to Chester VT. for the weekend on the bike. Should be a magnificent ride today but I think we will be running from the rain on the way home tomorrow. My wifes grandmother lives there, she is 95 years old. Quite an accomplishment.

This was not written by me but published by Jorma Kaukonen on his blog, Cracks in the Finish. This was in response to Levon Helms recent death. Quite nice.

Miss Me – But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road, 
and the sun has set for me 
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, 
why cry for a soul set free? 


Miss me a little – but not for too long


And not with your head bowed low,


Remember the love that we once shared,
 miss me – but let me go 
for this is a journey that we all must take,


And each must go alone, 
It’s all part of God’s master plan,


A step on the road to home.
 When you are lonely and sick at heart,


Go to the friends you know,
 bury your sorrow in doing good deeds,
 miss me – but let me go

Me we all be here for some time to come to smell the roses and dance the dance   

So I have done about 25 miles on the bike the past week but have managed to put 10 pounds on since I have stopped running. Sucks but I hope to be out again next weekend as I am seeing the doctor next Friday and hopefully I can get a cortizone shot. On a second note, we have booked a nice little vacation for this summer. We are taking my mother and grand daughter to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. We have stayed at the resort before, the Carambola, which is secluded and quite nice. Can't wait but it most likely will be hotter than hell there in the middle of July. Love the heat I do. This is an arial view of the resort. I did a bit of running the last time I was there and it was quite nice to get out in the country