Life's little adventures, accompanied by a running watch

Saturday, February 8, 2014

What I’ve been up to and where I’m headed

Lots of work.  Way too much work.  But there’s also been running.  Maybe not enough, but I’m working on it.  And a few races too.

Two weeks ago, Carrie and I ran the Derry 16 miler.  I had run it a couple of times prior, so was very familiar with the hills/mountains, the weather, and the badass feeling you get when you complete it.  It did not disappoint.  It was one of those single digit days, with a good dose of wind – you know, the kind of wind that completely freezes your face mask so it feels like sandpaper if it moves.  Yes, that kind of wind.  But it’s the race to run if you want to get stronger.

Last weekend, Scott asked to run with me – which I love, but I always worry that my slower pace kills him.  I had had a few “meh” weeks of running, so I was hoping our run would reignite a little fire in me.  It did!  We ran 15 miles, including many hills and at an 8:44 pace!  I got to run one of my favorite hilly courses that I haven’t run in a really long time, because it’s too isolated to run comfortably solo.  We talked and ran our way through 15 miles and I felt great.  Re-ignition complete!

During the week, I worked harder at getting a couple mid-week runs in on the treadmill.  I think that helped my psyche as I prepared to head into my 18 mile solo run this morning.  It was cold and a touch windy – just enough to make it feel colder than it already was.  But I layered up and refused to over think it.  Picked a figure eight course that would bring me back to my house at about mile 10, grabbed a fresh Gatorade, and headed in a different direction to finish up the remaining 8.  Awesome run J




I was extremely pleased with today’s run because of the pace consistency.  And I can easily identify/understand some of the slower miles on the elevation chart...


These longer runs are for what, you ask?  For this little gem next weekend!  I’ve always wanted to take this race for a spin!


Well, maybe that’s not entirely true either.  Because after that is this 20 miler...


And if I’m being completely transparent, there’s also this brand spanking new marathon on the agenda...


And just so things don’t get boring, I’m throwing in this half marathon in for the following week...

The pot of gold at the end of this “race lineup” rainbow?  Ta-daaaaa.....


Taking on this 50K trail race in Maine during Memorial Day weekend!   

So it behooves me to balance this work thing out sooner than later and get my butt on the treadmill, on the roads, on the trails…..wherever it needs to be so I can feel good about my training and about my ultimate experience as I work my way through this winter/spring "line up”!

How are you keeping your winter running exciting??




8 comments:

  1. Wow - you have a lot of great races coming up!
    I'm a boring treadmill runner in the winter (I don't really mind the treadmill) because I hate the snow and cold.

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    1. I'm right there with you Kim! Most of my runs lately have been on the TM. Today's long run was cold, but at least it was sunny w/ no precipitation. I just couldn't do 18 on the TM :)

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  2. Oh my word! That's quite the race line up! Nice.

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    1. It's more than I usual sign up for so far in advance, but in a way, it's helping me to stay on track through this very cold winter!

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  3. ooohh! I was considering the Pineland race as well… not the 50K but one of the shorter ones. I may have to bump this up now knowing you are going to be there!! Very busy schedule indeed! I have nothing planned at the moment.

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    1. That would be cool to finally meet! Scott and his friend ran variations of it a few years back; there seems to be something for everyone, including dogs!

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  4. How exciting! I wish there was a 20 mile race out my way so that I wouldn't have to run it alone! Good luck with all of your races. Your long runs have been great so I think good things are coming your way!

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    1. Thanks Sandy! Yes, we're pretty lucky with a number of 20 mile races (there's even another in March that starts in Maine and travels through Mass and New Hampshire). Nice to have supported long runs :

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