We had an awesome time at the third Connecticut Forest & Park Association Run for the Woods. Debbie, the kids, and I have been involved with this race since its inception. I am on the Board of Directors of CFPA, and it is one of my favorite .org’s. It’s been great to see this event grow and 2015 should be even bigger and better.
This was the seventh race in the inaugural Connecticut Blue-Blazed Trail Running Series. We have three races to go. I’m bummed to not be running, but I’ll be cheering from the sidelines. I’ll definitely be at the NipMuck Trail Marathon to help out.
The Shenipsit Striders had a great showing today, taking the first overall place for both men and women in the marquis 10K trail race. Debbie got top honors in her category and Sean Greaney scored for the men. It was also great to hang out with Coach Al Lyman. He took 2nd in his age group. Debbie is part of Al’s coaching team. Our son did the 5 kilometer race and had a ton of fun despite the oppressive humidity on this early September morning.
CFPA is fortunate to have a wonderful staff and great volunteers. The timing was handled by Jerry Turk from RAT Race Timing. Jerry (Mr. Bimble) also handles timing for the Soapstone Mountain Trail Race and many other Connecticut events. He does a bang up job.
The race had fantastic sponsors, food, and prizes. Debbie and Sean both went home with custom walking sticks compliments of the Connecticut Woodcarvers Association. The carvers are a fixture at CFPA events and they had a sweet demonstration area. Both of our kids went home with birch sticks that they carved.
Session Woods Wildlife Management Area is a great venue with lots of hills and challenging single track. We saw so many friends from the CFPA community and the Connecticut trail running community. I love these local races. Run for the Woods is an important CFPA fundraiser, but an even more important awareness raiser. Many people don’t realize that CFPA is a non-profit conservation group that is responsible for maintaining more than 825 miles of hiking/walking/running trails in Connecticut.
Many of the trails are on private land and it is the most extensive trail network per capita in the country. CFPA does important advocacy at the state capitol, fighting for clean air and open space, and invests heavily in environmental and outdoor education. I’m serious when I say that every Connecticut resident should be a paying member of CFPA and that includes outdoor enthusiasts and trail runners. With the constant downsizing of state and federal resources, non-profits like CFPA are critical for nature.
We hope to see even more runners and walkers in 2015.
Life Adventures 
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