Kayaking Lake Boon

With the sun shining and having a rare day off I decided it would be a perfect day to go kayaking. Dan and I arranged a time with my brother and his family to check out Lake Boon. Lake Boon is a 163 acre lake located on the Hudson/Stow line.

Located a short distance from his house we loaded up the kayaks and their canoe. The lake is long and relatively narrow made up of four basins. 2 larger areas called Boon Pond and the Ramshorn Meadows as well as two swamp areas.  The meadows and swamp areas formed when a dam was built on Barton Road in Stow. The dam is a by-product of our industrial age.

We began our exploration from Dawes Lot located along Sudbury Road in the smaller of the two swampy areas.  From there we paddled along the shores of Ramshorn Meadows before passing through the Narrows into Boon Pond.

Many of the homes surrounding the lake are merely summer cottages while others have morphed into much more luxurious year round homes.  Historically Lake Boon was a hit amongst city dwellers who had once taken the train out to the area during the summer months and staying in lake side hotels. With the introduction of the car the Lake lost favor and today is surrounded only by homes.

With the sun beating down on us we all decided we would take a dip in the cool refreshing waters. I taught Dan and Grace how to exit their kayaks with out flooding it with water or capsizing. They each did a nice job. Chris pushed Aidan and Elyse off the canoe and into the lake with a splash. Those two are like fish they love the water so much.

We enjoyed the cool water and a chance to swim but after a short while we decided to get back underway. I quickly showed Dan and Grace how to reenter a kayak from the water without capsizing the boat while my brother taught Aidan how to reenter the canoe.

Once we were all back aboard we continued along heading for the dam. Having reached the other side of the lake we headed back. I could feel the sun since the dip in the lake had washed off my sunscreen but continued on.

The return trip seemed to go quicker and it wasn't long before we were back at the ramp. It was then we discovered Grace had taken her car key swimming and it was no lost to the depths of Boon Lake. We managed to get all three kayaks on the roof of my car and brought them back to my bothers while we decided what the best course of action would be. It all worked out after picking up her spare key and on the whole the day went great. Its a nice little lake to float around on and enjoy on a hot summer day.

Ice Skating

Living in the Boston area there is one iconic place to ice skate in the winter. The Boston Common Frog Pond sits in the oldest public park in the US and was my intended destination for the day but sadly it had already closed for the season. The recent stretch of warm weather has made maintaining the ice impossible and has resulted in most outdoor rinks have closed.

As an alternative we decided to try some indoor ice skating at the Daly Rink in Newton. Like the Frog pond it was an outdoor rink until 2010 when it was enclosed to provide an extended season and a more comfortable skating environment. My friend Grace knew they ran a Public Skating on Sunday’s so we checked the hours and learned that the Public Skate was from 2-4:45. 

We arrived to find the parking lot jammed with cars and people which set the expectation that the ice too would be packed. It cost a modest $5 for admission and another $5 for skate rentals. We took a seat on the benches after getting our rental skates and laced up. It didn’t take long before we were rink side ready to skate. 

It was perfect timing as the Zamboni was out resurfacing the ice. After several passes the ice looked great and the all clear was given for everyone to get on the ice. As expected the rink was packed with people of all ages. 

As we made our way carefully around the ice we each got more confident and were doing fairly well except for a few falls caused by young kids cutting us off. It was fall down or run over a child. As the time went on we played a game of tag with each of us getting more at ease on the ice and increasing our speed to less than a crawl. After about an hour we took a break on one of the team benches and watched as everyone skated by. It was also time again for the Zamboni to come out again.

As we got back on the ice we were all feeling pretty good and our game of tag was in full force. We skated and played another round of tag for another hour before deciding it was time to call it a day and turn in our skates. 

2014 Doug Flutie 5K Race Day

D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  -  R a c e   D a y

 

Two years ago Dan and I registered for the Doug Flutie 5K. He had just run a full marathon the year before and still eager to run. I was less excited but went for it. Last year we couldn't run since we were traveling but decided that we would make it a tradition. This year we got our friend Grace to join us.

After training for the last 11 weeks for the race the time had come. While I hardly stuck to my training schedule I felt ready to run the event. We arrived about 9:30am to make sure we got a decent place to park since years past the lot filled up pretty early.

As we waited for the 11:20 start time we went down to the area where the vendor's were and checked out the Dunkin Dounuts, Ben & Jerry's, Mazda & Wegman's booths. Its nice to see some big groups sponsoring a great cause like the Doug Flutie 5K.  By 10:45 we headed up to the start line and did some final stretching before getting in line.

The  5k (3.1 mile) rolling course on suburban roads is USATF sanctioned; certification course MA08013JK.  

After a speech by Doug Flutie we all got in line and shortly there after the gun went off. The course starts behind the Leonard Morse Hospital in Framingham. It immediately went up hill and followed along the hospital drive way to Union street where the group of 724 participants turned right.  We stayed on Union Street for just shy of 1 mil before taking another right onto Woodland Street where we faced the second hill of the race. As we came back down the road a family with their kids had set up a water station. I gladly and appreciatively accepted a cup of water. 3/4 of a mile later we took a right onto Juniper Lane then a left on Clearwater a right on Buckskin Lane and a final right onto Sundance Way. Half way up that road was the 2mile marker. The neighborhood residents were all out cheering for the runners. At the end of the cul-de-sac we ran down an access rode into another lovely neighborhood where we turned left on Moccasin Path and then a right onto Nokomis Way. 

The race continued up and took a left onto Arrow Path before turning left back onto Union Street for the last leg. Just before the entrance to the hospital was the 3 mile marker. It was then I pushed myself and increased the pace to finish strong. I crossed the line at 29:16 / 28:58 (Gun/Net). I finished 203rd I was # 22 out of 43 in the males between 30 to 39. I had an average pace of 9:30. I was pleased because I beat my previous race record of 31:12 by 2:14.

Being the first of the three of us to cross the line I grabbed a water and took a spot to try to capture the other two crossing the line. Dan came in 292nd place but only 2 behind me in the males 30 to 39 division with a time if 31:32 / 31:14 (Gun/Net).

Grace cruised along and finished in 534th place and was 39th out of 53 in the females 20-29 bracket with a time of 40:32 / 40:32 (Gun/Net). I captured a few great shots of her powering up the final hill to the finish line.

Once done we headed down and got a free lunch by race sponsor Wegman's and then a ice cream from Ben & Jerry's. We didn't stick around since we all had to work so we headed home.  It was a great day and a fun race and I am looking forward to next year.

Race Results

 

Race Stats

 

 

 

Final Training Schedule

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
7/20	Off	Off	Bravo	Off	Bravo	1.42mi	Off
7/27	1.42mi	Off	Bravo+.87mi	1.41mi	Bravo+.87mi	1.42mi	Off
8/3	1.49mi	Off	400R+.50mi	1.50mi	400R+.50mi	Off	1.50mi
8/10	1.44mi	Off	Bravo	1.75mi	Bravo	Skip	Off
8/17	Skip	Off	Bravo+1.2mi	1.80mi	Bravo+1.2mi	Skip	Off
8/24	Skip	Off	Bravo+1mi	Skip	Bravo+1.4mi	Skip	Off
8/31	1.44mi	Off	Cancelled	Skip	Cancelled	Skip	Off
9/7	Skip	Bravo	Bravo	Skip	Bravo+2.41	Skip	Off
9/14	Skip	Off	Bravo	1.41mi	Skip	3.2mi	Off
9/21	1.42mi	Off	Bravo	Skip	Skip	Skip	Off
9/28	Skip	Off	Skip	Skip	Skip	Off	Off
D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  R a c e   D a y  O c t o b e r   5 t h ,   2 0 1 4

 

Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Race Day

2014 Doug Flutie 5K Training (Week 11)

D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  T r a i n i n g

S t a t u s   R e p o r t

 

With my knee still really tender and painful in the morning I decided to take the week off from running and Bravo and allow myself to heal for race day. Hopefully by then I'll be feeling good and ready to go. If not ill limp through the race but either way I'm going to do it.

Since starting training I have run 29.66 total miles. That is a fraction of what I should have run but over all minus the hurt knee I was happy with my speeds.

I recommend that every able bodied person sign up and runt he Doug Flutie 5k to support Autism. For more information visit the Doug Flutie Foundation, or Doug Flutie 5k Info and Sign-up page.

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
7/20	Off	Off	Bravo	Off	Bravo	1.42mi	Off
7/27	1.42mi	Off	Bravo+.87mi	1.41mi	Bravo+.87mi	1.42mi	Off
8/3	1.49mi	Off	400R+.50mi	1.50mi	400R+.50mi	Off	1.50mi
8/10	1.44mi	Off	Bravo	1.75mi	Bravo	Skip	Off
8/17	Skip	Off	Bravo+1.2mi	1.80mi	Bravo+1.2mi	Skip	Off
8/24	Skip	Off	Bravo+1mi	Skip	Bravo+1.4mi	Skip	Off
8/31	1.44mi	Off	Cancelled	Skip	Cancelled	Skip	Off
9/7	Skip	Bravo	Bravo	Skip	Bravo+2.41	Skip	Off
9/14	Skip	Off	Bravo	1.41mi	Skip	3.2mi	Off
9/21	1.42mi	Off	Bravo	Skip	Skip	Skip	Off
9/28	Skip	Off	Skip	Skip	Skip	Off	Off
D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  R a c e   D a y  O c t o b e r   5 t h ,   2 0 1 4

Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Race Day

2014 Doug Flutie 5K Training (Week 10)

D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  T r a i n i n g

S t a t u s   R e p o r t

 

Training is on-going. So far to day I have run 29.66 total miles since I started training with only 1.42 miles this week. My average/mi this week was 9:23. For more information visit the Doug Flutie Foundation, or Doug Flutie 5k Info and Sign-up page.

 

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
7/20	Off	Off	Bravo	Off	Bravo	1.42mi	Off
7/27	1.42mi	Off	Bravo+.87mi	1.41mi	Bravo+.87mi	1.42mi	Off
8/3	1.49mi	Off	400R+.50mi	1.50mi	400R+.50mi	Off	1.50mi
8/10	1.44mi	Off	Bravo	1.75mi	Bravo	Skip	Off
8/17	Skip	Off	Bravo+1.2mi	1.80mi	Bravo+1.2mi	Skip	Off
8/24	Skip	Off	Bravo+1mi	Skip	Bravo+1.4mi	Skip	Off
8/31	1.44mi	Off	Cancelled	Skip	Cancelled	Skip	Off
9/7	Skip	Bravo	Bravo	Skip	Bravo+2.41	Skip	Off
9/14	Skip	Off	Bravo	1.41mi	Skip	3.2mi	Off
9/21	1.42mi	Off	Bravo	Skip	Skip	Skip	Off
9/28	RUN	Off	Bravo	RUN	Bravo	Off	Off
D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  R a c e   D a y  O c t o b e r   5 t h ,   2 0 1 4

9/21: Ran 1.42 miles in 13:20. Avg/Mi 9:23. It was a good run. After running 3.2miles on Friday I didn't want to push its too hard.

9/23: Bravo Workout: 12 stations, 2 cycles. 30s work and 20s rest x2 per cycle. Arm Extensions, Box Jumps, KB Swings, Chest Press, AirDyne Bike, Lat Pulls, Planks, Push Press, Leg Press, Situps w/MB, Wall Balls & Side Planks. It was a good workout but I shouldn't have gone for the big Box Jump. My knee felt tender but I pushed on and it is really sore now.

9/24: Woke up and my knee was very tight and hurt to put a lot of weight on it. Walked with a limp all day so I opted to not even attempt a run. It sucks getting older.

9/25: With my knee still tender but feeling much better I opted not to participate in the Bravo workout.  I might run tomorrow although plans are to go to the Big E which will mean a lot of walking so I might push my run to Saturday.

9/26: My knee is still really bothering me so I decided not to run today either. If I feel better tomorrow I will run. I did go to the Big E and that meant a lot of walking.

Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Race Day

2014 Doug Flutie 5K Training (Week 9)

D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  T r a i n i n g

S t a t u s   R e p o r t

 

Training is on-going. So far to day I have run 28.24 total miles since I started training with only 4.61 miles this week. My average/mi this week was 8:49. For more information visit the Doug Flutie Foundation, or Doug Flutie 5k Info and Sign-up page.

Only 15 more days left until the race. That jis ust over 2 weeks so I really need to stay focused on my training.

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
7/20	Off	Off	Bravo	Off	Bravo	1.42mi	Off
7/27	1.42mi	Off	Bravo+.87mi	1.41mi	Bravo+.87mi	1.42mi	Off
8/3	1.49mi	Off	400R+.50mi	1.50mi	400R+.50mi	Off	1.50mi
8/10	1.44mi	Off	Bravo	1.75mi	Bravo	Skip	Off
8/17	Skip	Off	Bravo+1.2mi	1.80mi	Bravo+1.2mi	Skip	Off
8/24	Skip	Off	Bravo+1mi	Skip	Bravo+1.4mi	Skip	Off
8/31	1.44mi	Off	Cancelled	Skip	Cancelled	Skip	Off
9/7	Skip	Bravo	Bravo	Skip	Bravo+2.41	Skip	Off
9/14	Skip	Off	Bravo	1.41mi	Skip	3.2mi	Off
9/21	RUN	Off	Bravo	RUN	Bravo	RUN	Off
9/28	RUN	Off	Bravo	RUN	Bravo	Off	Off
D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  R a c e   D a y  O c t o b e r   5 t h ,   2 0 1 4

9/14: Skipped running today. I can't keep doing this or I'll never be ready for October 5th

9/16: Bravo Workout: 12 stations, 2 cycles. 30s work and 20s rest x2 per cycle. Bicep Curls, Tricep Pushdowns, Burpees, KB 1/2 Swing, Side Planks, Air Dyne Bike, Seated press, Leg Extensions, Pushups with Wall Ball, Walking Lunges, Scissor Kicks, Wall Balls.

9/17:  Ran 1.41 miles in 11:51. Avg/Mi 8:23. It was a good run. I felt good never stopped running I just really need to work on my endurance now. Not too many days left until the race. I have to really push hard now.

9/18: Had to Skip my Bravo class for an all day Training Class for Oracle Learn. Oracle Learn Training was more painful. 

9/19: Ran 3.2 miles in 29.35. Avg/Mi 9:15. It was my longest run since I started training. I really needed to step up my distance and after a second loop and at 2.88 miles I pushed on to complete a 5k. If I run that pace on October 5th I will beat my 2012 time by 1minute 37 seconds. I also beat my pace by 48 seconds per mile. While it was a great run I need to keep it up since as you can see from the pace my speed dropped dramatically after mile 2. Mile 3 killed me with an average pace of 10:19.

Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Race Day