SRRC long run -- Sun. December 28

Just four of us at D&D this morning, Jay, Dawn, Ken and me: decided to go out together for a 6+ miler, and then Jay and I could do a bit more. Insanely mild weather for the time of year, though still icy snow slush on the shaded parts of the roads. Headed out under 202 and up to Jackson, then down along Hamilton and back up to 9, taking it very gently. Ken headed up 202 into town, and the three others of us decided to go as far as Jabish; good climb there, and enough energy left to include the high school loop on the way back; ended up with a 7.5 mile loop, then after a quick stop Jay and I headed back out for one more round, a bit faster (7:40s instead of 8:50s). Went up to town, down 202 and round to GeoHannum and back up Jackson -- pushed a wee bit on the hills, for a total all told thus:

Time: 1:37:09
Distance: 11:58 miles
Pace/Speed: 8:23 / 7.15 mph

Comment: at last a distance run again -- thank goodness for Swifties! This was just what I needed, no soreness after and we didn't even get rained on (unlike yesterday). Wore a hat but tookit off after a mile -- it was *really* mild. Good times.

Snowstorm 5K -- Sat. December 27

My first chance at a Snowstorm, and after a dodgy start (still a bit under this cold) arrived on a rainy chilly morning at 9:30 and parked as usual. Warmed up in the brick house, and then jogged under my umbrella to the boat house. Good crowd there already. Changed to shorts and headed out for a warm up mile, then joined the mob for the start. Close to 140 people, a possible record for a 5k there. Lots of highschoolers, and various old familiars. Started gently enough, being cautious, what with the hill start and my lack of condition. Then decided to get out there a bit, as it was spitting chill rain, and I was feeling a bit more comfortable. Made a bit of progress on a couple of people, holding place more or less into the second mile, but as we headed out to the main road one guy passed me, and then another as we entered the last mile. A bit blurry after that, I think I took one place and then lost one -- one guy a bit younger got me on the last straight as he picked it up, taking the guy in front too. No final sprint (noone on my shoulder or really in reach), but I did push a bit without sprinting.
Happy with the time, all things considered:

Time: 19:37 (official; 19:36 digivice)
Distance: 5K (official; 3.14 miles GPS)
Pace/Speed: 6:14/ 9.6

Comments: came in 13th out of 138, enough to win my age group. Went for a long warmdown lap, so in addition to the race I ended up with a total of 3.61 more miles at about 7:30 pace. Felt excellent after that, so all in all a very postive day for running!

Xmas Eve roadrun -- Wed. December 24

Between choir mass and midnight mass, well dark, and with light-occasional drizzling, but not too cold: off on a road run to get some miles, as I still intend to do the Snowstorm this Saturday. I'm still stuffed up with a sinus cold, and aching from the toboggan crash (argh@! age sucks sometimes), so just aiming to take it easy. Headed down GeoHannum and Boardman to Rural, then round and back to GeoHannum again, and head back from there; entered the devpt via Greenwich to add/complete the extra mile:

Time: 44:47
Distance: 6.05 miles
Pace/Speed: 7:24/ 8.11 mph

Comments: felt surprisingly nice, though I was battling numb-leg from mile 4 or so onwards. Focussed on keeping my back moving, and maybe that helped. By the end it was gone, though I was feeling *tired.* When will I be able to get my distance legs back? Sigh.

SNOW!!! and solo SRRC run -- Sun. December 21

We're in the middle of a minor snowpocalypse, ongoing since Friday morning (so over 50 hours at this point) in a snow-showery sor of way.  And I've been head-colded since Monday, so haven't run since then.  Didn't get out yesterday as I felt lousy first thing, catching up on a sleep-deficient week, and then I burned energy clearing the driveway and moving the tall one out of college.  So today, come what may, I was going to run.  Got to D&D just at 10, and put out the sign, but noone else showed, so I took off for a short one -- the going was heavy, and I had limited time.  Took the trail down to Old Spfield, then up to NoWash and right all the way down to the re-intersection with the trail; then back up the trail as far as Old Spfield, and left to come back to the start via the high school and state school, thus:

Time: 40:48

Distance: 5.11 miles

Pace/Speed: 7:59/ 7.51 mph

Comments:  Wearing my road shoes, so even where the snowmobiles had gone before me I had little traction.  Also getting snow-dazzled by the end, and eyelashes sticking together with icicles, etc.  Didn't feel chilly, though.  Still, it was a hard slog and I felt pretty tired as I ran - this head-cold has been a bit of burden, so I think I've got to spend a week going for frequency without worrying about distance.  I should be able to get out at least twice more this coming week, and then do the snowstorm on Sat.  After that, then I can think about distance building again. And staying cold-free. . .

Morning shortie -- Mon. december 15

Sore from yesterday, and free (ish) to rack up some miles this week, so out after a bit of fruit and a few chores on a *very* mild and dampish morning. Bored with roads, decide to take to the trail past the water processing plant on GeoHannum.  Up along the trails back to Lake Wallace, then round it on the trail still to come out at the police station; then follow state school roads to come out opposite Checkers; cross over and go back round under the road and up along Howard, then take rail trail connection back into the development, ending on an uphill just past Bill's place:

Time: 35:11

Distance: 4.5? (tba)

Pace/Speed: 7:43/7.77 mph

Comment: surprised to feel still a bit sore after this one.  Trail and hill made some bits slow, but I got a sub-7 mile in as well.  Good little loop for some hard work and moderately light trail.

SRRC extended Enfield -- Sun. December 14

Slight milding in the weather, sun and temp moving just above freezing probably, though still icy patches on roads. Bill, Andy, Jay, Nick (high school) Eddie G, and Ken all there. Set off and quickly separate into two groups, Eddie me and Ken as caboose for a very gentle first mile. Then as we started into Hamilton, Ken suggested I catch the other guys, so I booked it a bit the length of Hamilton and caught them just at the end. Jay and Nick split off (Nick still building to longer runs, with Jay being the generous coach) and we other three started off towards the Brandywine line. Well, Bill was aiming to go steady (at about 7:15-30s) so I chased Andy, sort of. He made 25 seconds on me over the last hill and following flat. Then we took off again, and I recommended going left down to the water to add a mile or so. We did this, a lovely quiet extra loop, and then stretched out a bit on the downhill to Jabish, where I made a go at getting ahead of Andy this time. Made it up as far as St Francis then Andy surged by. . . He wasn't really trying too hard, as he's doing 17-20 today. Then back to D&D via the high school, with a bit of a push at the end:

Time: 1:20:02
Distance: 10.37 miles
Pace/Speed: 7:43/ 7.77 mph

Comment: this was hard work after a week of no running, but worth the effort. Ran in shorts, but with three layers on top and hat and gloves. Also ate a normal breakfast, as part of the training to mix eating and running more.

SRRC Enfield -- Sun. December 7

Out in slight drizzley sleet to D&D to find a core crew of Jay, Andy, Steve L., Amy (I think -- I'm sure there was someone else), and Bill . Not feeling like too long a run, but all seemed fine with an Enfield, so off we went, starting under the road and into Jackson. Bill and Andy started out for the Brandywine "townline" as soon as we hit Jackson, and once we got to Hamilton, Steve and I made a move too. He runs much stronger than I can, but he stayed with me as we went up Allen and acrossx 9 and 202, until we got to the last hill, then he pulled away a bit. That was a good stretch --this and the next one turned the run into an interval session, sort of. We headed along as a group again until we got to Jabish, then pushed on that one too, Andy and Steve leading, then once more caught breath and finished off via the high school, with a bit of a push at the end too.

Time: 1:07:41
Distance: 9.06 miles
Pace/Speed: 7:28/ 8.03 mph

Comments: this is a new sort of run, and it may be helpful. It's what those guys do, so who'm I to question it. I still need to get more overall mileage in, but I can work on that once classes stop.

Noho Hot Chocolate 5K -- Sat. December 6

My first attempt at this one, after a week of no running and not enough sleep. But the start was not too early, so I arrived feeling quite good at about 9:20, just in time to register. Actually, then I had a hard time finding parking, so the walkers had already started when I found the registration tables (in a night club!). But got the packet, with chip, and jogged back to my car to change -- decided to keep on fleece collared top as well as hat and gloves, but went with shorts. Temp. was about 25-30 degrees maybe, and *very* dry, but not windy. Back to the start, with no time for a warm-up run beyond that; stretched a bit, then it was start time. Sri B. said hello, and then Ivan appeared. We all lined up at the 20-21 mins mark, aiming to break 20 (though I said I'd be happy to get sub-21). Start was a bit mushy, then I figured I had to get past the crowd, and surged up a bit. First mile was slightly uphill: aimed at fast but not terminal, and clocked a 6:09 (same as at the Holyoke 6 miler, so that's a good pace for me for now). Middle mile I caught up with Abby W. (one of my 目当て) and then passed her; felt like harder work, but I didn't want to relax. Then mile three she pushed up and started to pull ahead. I kept her in sight and tried not to lose too many more places -- counted six overall before the end, which was okay. It felt like I was slowing, but according to the GPS I was keeping 6:08-9 for all three miles. At the end I pushed to catch the person ahead, and closed about a 5 second gap to 1 second, but didn't quite make it. Still, it was a PB !!

Time: 19:15
Distance: 3.1 miles
Pace/Speed: 6:10/9.66 mph

Comment: placed 48th, out of over 1,300 runners, and *chip time* was even faster: 19:08 (9.7 mph) !! So, I'm definitely going to have to try for a sub-19:00 in the coming season or two.

After the run, and a delish mug of cocoa, I took a leisurely run from my car to the rail trail-- headed to the river, crossed the bridge and then came back, thus:

Time: 25:37
Distance: 3.04 miles
Pace/Speed: 8:26/ 7.12 mph

SRRC group run -- Sun. November 30

Icy day and heavy cloud; a bit cold for running, but not *too* low a temperature. Arrive at D&D just in time, to find Amy, Bill, then Andy and Jay: just the five of us enfin, so we talk a bit then head off for an 8-9 miler, with Bill planning 14. Route is an Enfield extended, starting through the high school, up to town center, then Jabish and Enfield, coming back via Allen, Hamilton, and Jackson to Howard, then under the road and in. As we came down Allen, Andy and Bill planned the extra loop, so at Bay, those three set off right and Amy and I went left to Hamilton. Pace was steadily comfortable, with a bit of pushing on the hills.

Time: 1:09:11
Distance: 8.69 miles
Pace/Speed: 7:58/7.54 mph

Comment: nice loosening run -- made it in shorts, but also hat, gloves, jacket, plus two layers. Sleet came on as we did the last three miles or so, but still quite nice; short sprint at the end for good measure, too.

Talking with Amy afterwards I learned that numbleg/foot (of which no sign today) comes from lower back trouble, probably disk-related. Ouf. Hoping it will fade away again as I get back into good mileage.

Talking Turkey 6 miler -- Sat. November 29

Strangely, this was my first run at this distance -- not quite a 10K. The start was late in the day, 1 p.m., so I had a normal breakfast, then did chores etc. and left about 11:45. Milder day after a frozen night, but a chill wind at times. The usual problems finding my way round Holyoke, but eventually arrived at the reservoir site of the run: lots of cars parking at the bottom of the hill going in, so I did similar. Jogged up to the Elks place--major crowds, but picked up my number and the nice jacket they had for early entrants, then jogged back to the car. Changed and with shorts, hat and gloves, decided to stay with two layers on top. Jogged back to the start area, and all 1,000 or so runners were mobbing up. No sign of anyone from SRRC, though lots of familiar faces. Near the start, spotted Nick from the club, so one other Swiftie at least. Feeling quite good, and so took off orange top leaving one layer only. False start (cannon fired prematurely!) before the anthem, so all had to back up -- still, we were off in pretty good time, just after 1 p.m. First mile, tried not to go too fast; still, it was about 6:10, so not slow. Figured I could handle 6:15-20 or so, and pushed on, keeping Abby W in sight as I know she's just a bit faster than me. All went very well until middle of mile four, when I felt numb-leg coming on -- really early, I thought, only 3.55 miles on the clock. Gah. It got worse, and by 4 miles I knew I had to stop before I fell over. Of course this meant lost places, but I stretched and shook the leg back into some sort of feeling and plugged on. I stopped thre times in all, at approx. 4.5, 5, and about 5.4, then I managed to push on to the end. Of course mile 5 was very slow, 7:47, and I actually fell down once (at the second stop, I think) but I ended up with a surprisingly good pace overall, placing 78th:

Time: 39:06
Distance: 6 miles
Pace/Speed: 6:31/9.2 mph

Comment: as with the Monson, this one left me with very mixed feelings. Very psyched to make the sort of pace I was making, but super-bummed to get numb-leg in a race. Argg. As it was, this would have been on par with my PB for a 10K, so I'm happy there. If I'd done even a reasonable race-mile at mile 5, say a 6:47 instead of a 7:47, this would have been a *super* time. So, that's my target for the snowstorms -- get close to this again.

Re the numb-leg, it looks as though I can avoid it by keeping my mileage high. One low mileage week is not too bad, but two or more really seems to make me susceptible (maybe constant running keeps the swelling down?). Meh. Keep working.

Easy 4 - Fri. November 28

Day before a race, not a brilliant plan, but I'm more interested in getting total miles up than in setting new PBs, and with a cracked rib I'll not be doing any wonders tomorrow anyway. Also the race tomorrow is at 1 p.m., so I had more than 24 hours after this morning's run in which to recover. Headed out about 10:30 a.m. (after a light breakfast) in full gear (jacket plus two layers, hat, longs, gloves) in damp but no rain/snow. Did a standard Hamilton *gently* and added the VFW loop at the end to be sure I'd reach 4 miles:

Time: 31:22
Distance: 4.11 miles
Pace/Speed: 7:38/7.86 mph

Comment: good to warm up and burn off some turkey and desserts(!), though my rib was pretty sore (from the Tuesday run?). Meanwhile, I'm working on a revised set of paces, both training and competition, so I can see what my general targets are as I prepare for the marathon in '09.

Solo (sort of) intervals -- Tue. November 25

After a long day at work, felt I just had to get out on a damp and chill (but still, fortunately) evening -- no moon, but cloudlit. Went out in shorts but hat gloves and jacket, and road shoes: aimed to take first mile gently, then push hard for a few minutes, and then alternate as best I could thereafter. Went on a route I've used in evening runs before: down GeoHannum, all the way to Stebbin, then left to 202, up to Boardman, and along to go back on GeoHannum -- I knew that was about 7-8 miles. As it happened, I did a solid first mile, easy but good pace; then pushed hard for about half a mile (checked GPS), then slowed up for the rest of that mile and one more, then pushed hard again for just over half a mile, and then slacked off again, at which point my leg was going numb. So at five miles I had to stop for a minute or so, then did another couple of miles at a regular training pace, at which point numbness threatened again. Stopped clock and reset, then jogged another 0.78 of a mile home. Here's the first bit:

Time: 49:35
Distance: 7.19
Pace/speed: 6:54/8.7 mph

Then add 0.78 miles @ 8:12 pace

Comment: apart from the numb leg problem, this was an interesting run. Rib was a bit sore, maybe because the pace was harder than Sunday. My "intervals" gave faster miles for 2 and 4, thus: 7:09, 6:39, 6:51, 6:30, 6:57; then 7:04 and 6:56. Useful experience, and I'll have to keep working on it. I noticed that half a mile feels about right for max pace, but in the second "interval" I definitely felt much more tired. I need to try and work a run with three intervals. . .

SRRC group run -- Sun. November 23

A week of not running - -combination of soreness from the fall I took in the last half mile of the Nov. 16th run, a head cold, and sheer insane busy-ness at work. The fall was a failed attempt at running along the bank round a puddle on the railtrail: I was wearing my road shoes, as my trail shoes were still drenched from the Sat. run, and my feet went sideways, with me landing hard on my left side/underarm. Seemed okay right after, but night was rough, and I couldn't cough,/sneeze etc. without sharp pain. Cracked rib, I figure. So, a week of not running, despite my plans to have a go at interval running. Ah well.

But a week later I was set to try again, and so I turned up at D&D in good time. Andy, Jay, Jay's father, Eddie G., Amy, and Nick from the highschool -- a good crowd. Nick had never run more than four miles, so we planned a gentle 5 -6 miler (Jay and his dad doing a shorter run). Very gentle, but that was good for me -- rib didn't hurt, really, and it was nice to get warmed up and loose. It was *very* chilly in the wind, though not too bad in the sun. We did Howard, Jackson, GeoHannum, and then 9 and 202 back up to the common, and then looped back down through the highschool, thus:

Time: 49:52
Distance: 5.51 miles
Pace/Speed: 8:56/6.72 mph

Comment: Training interrupted, but a useful outing anyway. Wore full gear, hat gloves, long training pants, and light jacket! Yes, winter is here.

SRRC group run -- Sun. November 16

Still sore from the 13 miles (especially the total 900' climb and then similar descent), I slept in until after 8:30, but got more or less awake and moving in time to head off to D&D on a chilly gusty day. Big crew there: Andy, Jay, Bill, Dawn, plus Amy and a friend of hers from GSH and Cyclonauts, Steve L (I knew him by sight from the Snowstorms). Then Ken arrived too, so EIGHT of us all together: pretty awesome. We chatted a bit, and set off after 10:15, all together on the rail trail. Took it nice and slow, dodging puddles and fallen branches. At trail's end, paused to regroup, and the we split up: Dawn directly back, A J and B on to Sears for an 11 miler, and the other four of us back up 181 to Jabish Canal, aiming for a 9.5 miler. Steve L set a faster pace, so he and I moved ahead, Ken and Amy following at more of a 7:45. We paused at the canal entrance to regroup again, then more of the faster running. This went on to the end pretty much, and I took advantage of the tow, although I didn't feel very springy. Steve L has a big stride, and his rhythm is different from what I'm used to, plus he was just running a bit faster. Good workout:

Time: 1:12:17
Distance: 9.59 miles
Speed: 7.96 mph / 7:32s

Comment: a bit more than I'd bargained for pace-wise, but at the shorter distance I should be able to handle it and still work this afternoon, inshallah. Hoping the week can stay as productive. Steve L is a good training match for me as he's younger (39), so I have to work hard. . .

Rainy 13 -- Sat. November 15

Wanting to get some solid miles in, I looked at a route using the Jucket Hill trail -- a loop I've used before, goin up Gulf Hill. Decided to do it the other way round this time, starting past VFW to 202, then up Allen to Juckett and up that hill all the way--at which point the drizzly rain become heavier, even to thunder briefly: I got well soaked for a bit, but it was so mild I didn't really mind--down the other side and left on the Gate 8 roadway up to 202 again, cross over on to Packardville, and along to Gulf; all the way down to 9, straight over to Federal and left to the rail trail (to avoid a bit of a hill), then back out onto Federal and up past Tilton's to 9 and home. I aimed at a negative split, and was consequently getting a bit tired and sore by the end, so I stopped just after 13, conveniently right at the Road House, thus:

Time: 1:39:08
Distance: 13.2 miles
Speed: 7.99 mph / 7:30s

Comment: after last week's experience I decided to eat a bit before going: a piece of bread and Nutella. This seems to have been fine; just to be sure, on stopping I also had a PowerBar gel, and then ran (slowly) the mile or so home after that. No problem. So, I should be okay food/fueling wise, though I'll have to keep experimenting to be sure. The negative split was fine, partly because of the heavy downhill miles at Gulf, miles 8-10 or so. Pace overall was a bit faster than I'd expected; aimed at 7:45s, but I think that was the pace for the first 7, and then I sped up.

Campus laps -- Tue. November 11

Still pretty sore after Sunday, but wanting to take advantage of the surprise vacation day, I met Mark at our usual spot and we headed out for a couple of pretty brisk laps. Chilly -- I had hat and gloves on, and longs, with collared fleece on top. Chatted plenty, and stopped at exactly two laps, thus:

Time: 35:11
Distance: 4.54 miles
Speed: 7.74 mph

Comment: still getting over the digestion problem, and Mark was clearly feeling peppy, so this was a bit more exercise than I'd expected. But a good basic run.

Monson Memorial RACE -- Sun. November 9

There are two races to report, the one that could have been, and the actual recorded one. First the recorded one:

Time: 1:32:15
Distance: 13.1 miles
Speed: 8.52 mph / 7:03s

That was enough to get me 38 place, 10/62 in my age, which is fine. But I was close to so much better, this second set of figures, the race as it was until my crash. The time of collapse if clearly visible from these splits:

MIles 1~11 = 6:40, 6:53, 6:37, 6:23, 7:06, 6:39, 7:13, 6:45, 6:24, 6:33, 6:42

and miles 12~13.1 = 8:03, 8:24, (+ final section at 7:48 pace)

Though I think the 11th mile was a bit of a tailing off too -- I was already gettin gvery distracted and desperate for food by then.

So, my pace and speed up until my crash were 6:44s and 8.92 mph. I was on track for a half marathon PR, despite the tough course. Well, now I know I can do that speed, as long as I'm fueled up. Better luck next year, and this convinces me that for marathon prep I need to work on eating while running.

Quiet base running now until the Turkey trot, and then we're back into the winter season proper with snowstorms -- though I may not touch them until after Christmas. I'll be setting up my marathon prep schedule, and that will take priority in 2009.

Monson Memorial STORY-- Sun. November 9

[Long entry -- long story; details of the run in the next entry]

The long awaited year ending big run, and the weather was worth waiting for. Mark called to say he couldn't make it, and Ivan said he'd meet us there, so it was just Ken and me in Ken's car off to Dunkin at 10. I'd had half a banana, and wondered about what else if anything to have; I got a coffee for the road, and we exchanged greetings with the small crew at D&D (Jay, Andy, Amy, and the young lad --Nick--from the BFC run on Sat.). Then we drove the 15 miles or so to Monson, and arrived before 11, found a nice parking spot and looked around. No hall this year (it was being used for a play, evidently), so there were a couple of tents set up across the road. We registered and waited to connect with Ivan. There were only three port-a-potties, not a good sign; the queue built up very quickly. Ivan arrived and we got kitted up and then headed to the D&D -- Ken wanted food and we all availed ourselves of the facilities (I knew I'd spend money there after the run). The place was packed, the town too, and everyone seemed set for a good time. The three of us took a short slow mile warmup, dodging crowds, and then got ready for the off. Lots of familiar faces, including the winner of the BFC (あっまり好ましくないやつ、下品で南ボストン出身みたい) and with him the orange-hatted Bill R from Snowstorms. They were talking doing 6:30s, so I stayed a bit behind them - my target was 6:50s, if I felt good.

The start was delayed by some problems with bib numbers. I got the feeling that not being in the hall had upset their normally very good operation, though everyone was pretty upbeat throughout. Finally got the off after 12:15, and away we went, a very fast crowd out front and a decent field (nearly three hundred) filling in all around. I took it easy but didn't want to lose too many places, then after the first two miles figured I'd go to work. I'd forgotten how hilly it is, but I was making good time. I wasn't pushing all the time, but on all the uphills, and constantly aiming for the cluster ahead. This kept a to and fro battle going with a couple of guys near me who were better on the downhill and flat.

By 8 miles I was on track: just over 54 minutes, which was my target. I'd even gained tow places as a girl and then a guy dived off into the bushes to take leaks. Just after that a beefy guy came up on me and I wondered if I was gong backwards, but then I figured he was picking it up a notch--a triathlete, probably. I knew I couldn't do that, but I tired to get a bit of a tow. The next two miles I still felt pretty comfortable, still able to push on the (now fewer) uphills, although as we came back out onto the main road I was starting to think hungry.

That rapidly became more than a thought. I was beginning to obsess, and a weird sort of lethargy was creeping up. Lungs and muscles felt good, but I was running out of fuel. I was into the eleventh mile when I had to admit it was really bad--I slowed right down, and muttered "need food" as people passed me with cheering words. No spectators, no sources of energy. This was the first such experience for me, and I was unprepared. I wondered if there were any plants I might eat, but pine trees and scrubby sandy grass was all that I could see next to the road. I felt light-headed, and then got really concerned I might fall down or faint completely, so I started walking. Jogged down hills, but walked the flats and uphills. Somehow made it without losing too much time, figuring that my PR was well gone but at least I'd finish as fast as I safely could.

Then just about three-quarters of a mile from the end, an apple tree--in fact several, outside a row of houses. Crab-apples? I didn't care: found one that looked more or less intact, about large egg size, polished off the dirt on my sleeve and bit into it frantically. Amazingly, it was sweet, a little past that even--energy, sort of, and with a few more bites I was ready to go on. I picked up speed gently and by the finish I was even able to put on a burst and finish as though I was fine.

I was not quite fine, of course, and I grabbed a banana and a cup of apple cider and sat a few minutes to let that enter my system. I was still a bit cold, but not faint, and I jogged back all the way to the apple trees to thank them and to see if there were any more of those special apples. As I started out, in came Ken looking very strong, so I cheered him on and went off thinking about Ivan. Found my apple trees and picked up a couple more apples, but no sign of Ivan. Ran back to the start, got some real food (pasta, hot dog, etc.) and met up with Ken --he'd beaten his previous best by more than a minute. We both ate and chatted, and I started worrying about Ivan. With two hours coming up on the clock, he must have had a problem.

Since runners were still coming in, I didn't want to disturb the time keepers to see if he'd come in and we'd somehow not seen him. Besides, I didn't know his bib number. As we'd been waiting and eating I had noticed the ambulance parked near the finish head back up the course, and now I saw it was back, and a couple of young Monson cops were standing nearby. Ken went up to one of them and explained we were looking for a friend. "Oh, they've got one runner in that ambulance. Ask the EMT what his name is." We did, and it was Ivan. He looked okay, but had indeed had a bad energy crash at mile 8, after eating his carried food at miles 5 and 7. The older EMT looked a bit worried still, but Ivan signed a waiver and we headed back to the car--it was chilly in the wind and I gave Ivan my jacket, as I already had other gear on. After Ivan got his stuff we headed to D&D and ordered up (the staff was very frazzled from the long day, so we nearly didn't get the 99c egg and cheese deal I'd been looking for. Coffee, donut and breakfast sandwich, and a warm place to sit. Ivan and I compared notes, and Ken felt generally good -- my pre-race advice for him to push himself harder rang a bit hollow now, though he said he had stopped twice for water, which was new for him -- he had pushed, but within limits.

I think my chief problems were two:
1) I pushed hard all the way up to my crash, and somehow achieved an output I've not managed before; combined with the very late start for this run, I simply hadn't got enough fuel on board (eat more breakfast next year!!)
2) I'd had indigestion all day Sat., and have a dodgy stomach because of a cold (from R, I think; the whole family has it in some form right now). Energy supply mechanism compromised -- 仕方がない、結局。

So, I've got to work on in-race refueling if I want to do tough courses like this at an improving pace. I'd like to go for 6:45 on this course, or 6:40 on a flatter one like Boston. And I need (of course) to keep up my base running, with higher weekly mileage. 15~20 is not enough.

以上

BFC Fun Run -- Sat. November 8

Tired after a long week, so I was only just in time to get out and drive down by 9:45 for the 10 a.m. start at the B'town Family Center. Nice, mainly familiar small crowd, with lots of Dunkin' T-shirts (Andy, Jay, Dawn, Amy, me, and at least 4-5 others from SRRC but not in T-shirts); I wore mine too for the whole run, as I was determined not to race it. Tony, the 70 (no, now 71) year old guy from various local races including the Peaked a couple of weeks ago, was there, as was Cliff R. Didn't really warm up, and set off trying to stay back with Dawn, but it was a bit too slow; I ended up doing about 7:40s for the first two miles, which felt (in a race) really unnatural! But then the third mile I did a few strides, surging up the hilly bits and then stretching out a bit more near the end. So, time didn't matter, but for the record:

Time: 22:15
Distance: 3.1 miles (5K)
Speed: 8.36 mph /7:10

Comment: hoping that this sets me up for tomorrow, and that we can be rain free and mild like today. Fingers crossed!

Campus laps -- Thu. November 6

Met up w/ Mark at 7:15 after (well, in the middle of , really) a long day. Dark and spotting with rain, but not cold; we set off and just figured we'd get wet. Chatted the whole two laps, with alternating faster and slower miles (7:30s and 8:30s), and stopped at two laps exactly:

Time: 36:03
Distance: 4.45 miles
Speed: 7.41 mph/8:06

Comment: a pleasant loosening up run, and at least some contribution to Monson prep.

SRRC group run -- Sun. November 2

Chilly morning, a well frosted car, even after the extra hour (daylight saving time ended), so after lectoring I was all for hot coffee and getting changed into lots of gear for the Swiftie outing. Hat and gloves included. Arrived a bit early, and found a church group (from St Francis) had our table, but Andy, Jay, Dawn and (new to SRRC) Amy were there; Bill arrived shortly after. Nice chat while we waited, but noone else showed, so off we set, target 8 miles or so on the rail trail. Aim was all to run together -- Amy is a hardy runner (we've evidently coincided plenty at Snowstorms, though I didn't figure that till Jay told me) and Dawn was happy with 8+ pace. At the end of the trail I was wanting a bit more pace, so suggested some of us going back by 181 and Jabish canal; all bar Dawn agreed, so we took off up 181 at a run; still not hard, but stretching out and warming up properly (as it was I kept hat and gloves on all the time). Into Jabish, all full of the joys of autumn running (no wind on that trail, and the sun was lovely). Once we got back to the rail trail we slowed it up again, and then at the very end Andy and Amy did a sprint which I was too late to notice, though I used it as an excuse to sprint a little bit. Here's how it ended up:

Time: 1:15:51
Distance: 9.52 miles
Speed: 7.53 mph

Comment: nicely under double digits, and just enough at a good clip to make it feel satisfying. Now maybe one more run before the BFC 5K and then-- Monson.

Home Ten -- Sat. November 1

Balmy couple of days after some colder ones, and *finally* a chance to get out again, so I decided to get some proper miles on. Aiming for 7-8 or a bit more, I took off around 11 and quickly found I didn't need an extra top on. Wanted to keep the pace slow, so took to the trails right off Austin Gaughan, instead of going along Hamilton; then out onto Hamilton, down to Allen and up over 9 and on to Enfield, then left right down to the Quabbin, round the loop at the water and back -- happy I was carrying a good bottle of water now -- then left on to Earley, figuring to head to the State Police station then back along the road. Went fine for a good while, but then, coming out on to Warner, I hit people and vans and wheelchairs: a hunting session for paraplegics, arranged by thoughtful MassWildlife. I'd run through one hunting zone, evidently. Gah. The officious woman wouldn't let me go on (more hunting there) and had no real advice as to how to go back, but I turned and took off before she could come up with something else. Instead of following Earley, I went up Warner, a long winding road that eventually took me back to 9, which I then followed all the way home. Quite a nice route, even if not what I'd intended: worth trying to do it the other way round as well. Here's the details:

Time: 1:15:04
Distance: 10.02 miles
Speed: 8.01

Comments: a good wakeup run to get me back to distance. Stopped as soon as clock hit 10, so then jogged home from supermarket. Deliberately slow first few miles, aiming at 7:45s: after slower miles (a couple of 8s) I did faster ones to catch up (7:30s and 7:15s). Fairly happy with the control of pace, though overall I sped up a bit too much; still it's easier to try this when you're running well inside your limits. One week till the Monson Half. No time to really prepare, but I'm cautiously optimistic my base condition is good enough. We'll see

Peaked Mountain -- Sun. October 26

Off with Ivan to my third and his first in this mountain trail race. He arrived at 9, and we went straight off in my car; gorgeous sunny day after rainy windy mild evening and night. Got there at about 9:45, registered and did a couple of warm-up runs, totalling 2 miles at 8 minute pace. Good bunch of cheery people, some familiar faces, but only a couple of high schoolers. Race started on time, and I led a pack following the top three guys for the first bit of road. Then up the mountain: caught #3 (Beaver-san, younger) about half-way, then #2 (older) at the top, pushing to get past him before the single file downhill; closed on the leader (high schooler) to tagging distance before he started to accelerate on the downhill. Then I got a bit scared at the helter skelter pace and just managed to slow down a bit; again a miracle that I and everyone else made it through that section intact! At the road section I just worked on staying in position, happy with the 6:40 ish pace; into the woods and a couple of times I thought I might be closing on him, but each time he pulled away again. Back on to the road (hurdled the gate each way, just for larks) and he was solidly ahead; I thought I might get closer at the very end, but he pulled away; still, that helped pull me well clear of the guy behind. Came in second, thus (per race results, digivice had 4.48 and 31.29):

Time: 31:28
Distance: 4.4 miles
Speed: 8.39 mph

Comment: nice to place highly, and to win a prize -- chose a coupon for a weekend of free camping at Tully Lake. Even better, this makes my PB for the course (31:50 and 32:05 previously). Ivan placed 9th, and really enjoyed the course, and I enjoyed the pastries, coffee and cake afterwards-- plus the whole crowd was very sociable. Such a nice run -- must try and bring some more Swifties next time!

Chicopee roads -- Sat. October 25

Out this morning for R's last football game of the season (they won 3-1, so undefeated) to a different pitch in Chicopee. Warmed up a bit, after not running all week, then off. A mild and almost muggy morning, cloudy with intermittent sun and a mild wind. Leaves falling heavily, but some late foliage still -- sassafras, swamp maple and some oaks even. Took off on roads, basically heading back towards 33 along Granby Rd, but then turn left onto Montgomery, all the way to Pendleton, going right and all the way (up hill) to 33, right again and along to Granby. then back to the start -- there's a 200' incline in there, at about mid point, downhill then up, which was enough to get me pretty warm:

Time: 45:14
Distance: 6.37
Speed: 8.45

Comment: took an easy pace, no pressure, but felt good so it was in the high end of stamina (7:06 pace overall). Didn't want to go too far because of the race tomorrow, and I wanted to see the soccer, but this was just about right. Basically a maintenance run.

SRRC shorty -- Sun. October 19

Only Lisa and I at the donut shop today (Ivan couldn't make it? Mark away still, and several Swifties at the Baystate marathon), so she did a trail run and I went for a mixed loop. Started by running after a woman runner who I'd seen while driving in, who obviously doesn't know about the club; caught up with her at the Rt 21 juncion and invited her to join us any Sunday. Then into the trail by Wallace Lake and round through the woods to GeoHannum, then right up to Hamilton, along as far as the railway crossing, then double back along rail trail, loop along undiscovered country and come out behind Stopnshop, to go by road to 9, round to 202 and up into town, before heading back down to the start point. Digivice was out of charge, so ran without, but timed it:

Time: 48 mins
Distance: 6.45 miles
Speed: 8.06 mph

Comment: Well, this felt hint-of-wintery, and I almost regretted not wearing my hat -- but it was okay in the end, I think, and probably the chill helped keep my pace up a bit. The big dose of trail amde it hard work, but that makes the pace all the more satisfying. Thoughts of the Monson Half in my head. . .

Exploratory Ten -- Sat. October 18

After another week without a run, but from busy-ness this time, rather than the cold (which I'm over now, prety much), I had Sat. a.m. clear to go. Just too late to take R to his (home-field) soccer game, so ran to that pitch (Jabish) to see F and watch the game start. That was two miles, warm-up. Then off on a road-trail loop, NoWashtn to the Jabish canal, and follow that downstream for a change to 21, then back up to Old Sprngfld and along all the way back to the soccer game again. That was 6 miler at tempo. Then two easier miles home again (along the trail). Cold but sunny and dry day (chill breezy), good for running; here's the combined set:

Time: 1:18:01
Distance: 10.89
Speed: 8.38

Comment: Felt pretty sore afterwards, but at least doing the run in three bits it felt quite possible. Pushed a bit on the 6 mile section, and I'm plenty happy with the overall pace. Maybe I didn't lose too much these last few weeks of no training.

Larch Hill X-C -- Sun. October 12

Billed as an "English-style" run, I opted for this over SRRC as I'd missed the Saturday race, and I still didn't feel like doing a distance run. Met up with Ivan there on a sunny, 70 deg. + midday, and we did several mild legs around the area, to add up to two miles of warm-up. Then the race began at 12:30 or so: a circuit in two loops (2 miles and 1 mile) around the Larch Hill/Bramble Farm property. Several faces familiar from NoHo X-C and other local runners, but no Swifties; not a huge crowd, maybe 60+? Started up a hill on a shale trail, then off into field edge trail -- wet for some, but I managed to find a dry route, and stayed that way. 7-8 haybale jumps and one haydrum scramble, with one tall stile for good measure. The ending was a bit hazy, but my estimated time was:

Time: 20:45
Distance: 3.1 miles
Speed: 8.96 mph

Comments: just a gorgeous route!! running on grass nearly all the way, a real parkland course, with the jumps adding a quirky extra. Ivan got wet feet and then blisters, but I was lucky. Was willing to be cautious, but a comfortable pace turned out to be 6:40 and 6:34, then a bit slower in mile 3. The finish was poorly laid out, and I ran past it, then stopped, then ran back, but the guy ahead was 15 seconds ahead of me -- I'd checked twice as we covered mile 3. He came in with 20:20, but he also pulled ahead a bit in the last quarter mile, so my 20:45 is probably close enough.

The food afterwards was *excellent* -- local potatoes, baked in a fire while we warmed up and ran. Plus noodles, cupcakes, etc, all probably organic. Yum. Must add this to next year's list~!

Missed Half, & recovery run -- Sat. October 11

Monday after the last entry I got a sore throat and on Tuesday it was a real cold; managed not to take a day off work, but no running; very tired and croaky. Had to miss the Hartford Half-marathon today, alas, but I was in no shape -- and since Mark couldn't make it for his own work reasons, I had no real justification even for being there in this condition. But even yesterday I felt a bit better, and today I tried a short outing after taking R to his soccer game in Chicopee (different field this week). I'd mapped out a course, very pleasant again on a beautiful 70 degree October noon. Basically I went out from Litwin Field to Burnett, then left along to New Lombard, left along there to West, left along there to Coolidge, and back to the start, thus:

Time: 37 minutes
Distance: 5.19 miles
Speed: 8.42

Comment: of course, I managed to forget my digivice, so the timing was to the minute not second, and the distance is from MapMyRun. Calves a little sore at the end, but overall, it felt good.

SRRC double digits -- Sun. October 5

Ready for a tough but not *too* long run, I was happy to see the three serious young runners there at D&D at 10. It was only us in the end, and Bill W had a plan -- 15 miles, with 5 at his marathon pace so he could get Andy used to it (7:00 ~7:10 pace, he said), and a run over Summit Road. Jay and I were unsure about the distance, but figured we'd go and see how it went.

Started down 202 to Eskett, with an 8:00 and a 7:00, then into the timed section, a loop and a half around Rural and Stebbins, etc. Definitely NOT the pace Bill had advertised, faster, and it felt it, but we worked together to smooth it out and by mile 4 we were doing about 7:00s. After the initial burst had pushed me a bit, I felt fine, but still Jay and I figured we'd go back directly along 202, aiming for a 10 instead of 12 -14. So Andy and Bill split off at Boardman, and Jay and I motored on, but it was already nearly 9 miles. . . We realised we'd have a bit more than 10 miles by the end, and Jay was feeling very low sugar, so he advised me to go on ahead. I thought we were nearly back in town and pushed off hard, keeping around the 7:00 pace, but in fact there was a ways to go, including two (short) hills. Oops. Still, managed to keep up the pace to the end, which was over *twelve* miles in all. Details:

Time: 1:26:37
Distance: 12:17 miles
Speed: 8.43 mph

Comment: I'm surprised I had that pace in me for the distance. Good sign, I hope, and a perfect blast out before the next half marathon next weekend . . . I got donuts and coffees in for me and Jay, wondering how he was, but he came in fine about four minutes behind, while I was still queuing (D&D was very busy!). Man, I enjoyed the croissant with egg and cheese!

Urban Eight -- Sat. October 4

Took R to his soccer game in Chicopee (I think it was, the town borders are bit fuzzy there for me) and got in a good road run while he played (his team won 7-4 or so: nice!). Found a loop that was part on quieter roads, though it turned out to be an industrial estate and to go through entries to two contiguous town dumps. But hey, it was okay. The day was sunny but not hot, so I was running in long-sleeved top and shorts.

Having not run since the Mohonk I was feeling pretty zippy, and after doing some map checking in the first mile (giving a recorded 7:20) I settled into a good series of quick miles: 6:46, 6:42, 6:42, 6:33, 6:41 . . . and then I started to feel it a bit. A 7:03 and 7:02 followed, with a fast finish as I was late -- the final 0.84 was done at 6:37 pace. The route was out to 33, right and up to New Ludlow, another right and then left at Morgan, on to Pleasant, left at 202 and left at 33 again and all the way back. Covered Chicopee, Ludlow, Granby and SoHadley, I think:

Time: 1:00:24
Distance: 8.84
Speed: 8.78 mph

Comment: the pace was fun, being road and flat after the recent muddy hills. Distance was perfect too -- not enough to feel like a strain (though I slept in the afternoon for a bit!). With this I'm back into some training for the next race (which is all too soon).

The Mohonk! -- Sun. September 28

This is such a great race, and made such an excellent outing by our hosts John and Jim -- it lived up to all our expectations, and yet it was still frustrating on this second attempt, as it was last year on my first attempt. I don't know how well I could do this one if I felt really prepped, but I know I can do it better. . . Anyhoo, to the biz: Mark and I drove down the night before, after a rainy and windy day. Long drive, but then a fabulous dinner and long chat (with wine, not so well advised maybe) and bed for about 6 hours before we got up to a misty and mild morning.

At the course by 8:15 or so, and then get our numbers and stretch a bit. Very misty, and ground pretty damp: warnings of slippery course. Lined up and off just after 9, with me aiming to go slow in first two miles, knowing that 3, 4, 5, and 8 are serious hills. I managed to be cool for the first mile, but the weather was killing my GPS reception, so I couldn't really track pace. Felt okay after slogging up to the halfway point, though by then I realised I'd not get to last year's time. Still, I'd figured 1:15 would be good, marking a 7:30 pace, and two minutes slower than last year. I was holding position okay until we came up on mile 7; I'd been running just out of sight of the guy ahead, having steadily lost ground on a couple of other runners ahead of him. Then an older guy I recalled from last year overtook, about a mile before where he caught me last year. Ouf. Then it was the hard downhill and the *killer* uphill of mile 8. The older guy was walking bits, but I still couldn't catch up. So I tried walking a bit, but after 20 yards of that I just wanted to stop altogether, so I forced myself to jog onward and upward, somehow. From the top of that mile it was two miles more of holding on, feeling okay finally, but with not enough spare energy to go faster -- also some pain from right thigh front. . . A couple more people got past me, but I was just concerned about my time and about not being passed by the Connie who passed me in the last mile last year.

I ended up placing 22nd, just inches behind the guy ahead, and feeling ready to do a few more miles (go figure -- Mark felt good at the end too). Time from the official site, given my GPS troubles:

Time: 1:15:18
Distance: 10 miles
Speed: 7.97 mph

Comment: Good place (278 finishers, and the guy ahead of me had the *same* time), and I wasn't the only one slower than last year, either. The rain seems to have slowed most everyone down about 3 mins on last year. The after-race eats were excellent, too (for all the rain that really started to come down seriously at that point) . . . Ah well, better luck next year?

I just need to do a heck of a lot more hill trainiing -- it really kills me, but that's where it's at. I want to get Gabriella into it too, if she's up for it: it's such a cool event, and almost in her neck of the woods.

[Backpost] Thu. September 25

Met Mark at 7 again for a couple of campus laps, our last outing before the Mohonk. Absolutely nothing unusual, just twice round the normal way, with much nattering as we go -- so a gentle pace, but that's probably a good thing.

Time: 35:31
Distance: 4.36 miles
Speed: 7.37 mph

Comment: hoping this would get us set for the Pfalz Point challenge -- and in a way it did, as we both survived that okay. But it's not what you'd call hard training. Just too busy this year.

[Backpost] Sun. September 21

Mark came over at 1 pm and we headed out for a part trail run (choir obligations meant I couldn't make it to SRRC in the morning, though Jay and a couple of others were there). We started out on Hamilton, then up to 9 and down to Federal, to join the rail trail there. The path between the lakes? Still muddy, enfin: not actually under water, but both he and I nearly lost our shoes in the deep goop. . .Then on to more trail to and up to Holland Glen, to run up there and round and down again; pause as Mark loses trail briefly -- it's the time of year when other trails reveal themselves, even though most of them don't lead you anywhere except into difficulties. . .Crossed 9 again and backtracked to the railtrail and followed it west again as far as Federal, then came back up Federal and pretty much directly home, up 9 at the end:

Time: 1:29:58
Distance: 10.01 miles
Speed: 6.7 mph

Comment: a good solid mudplug with some hillclimbing. Slow, but a useful distance (and the time was a bit off as we stopped and milled around occasionally, figuring out where to head).

[Backpost] Sat. September 20

It's been awfully busy these last few weeks, so I've not been running much, but even less have I been posting about it. So now I've got several runs to cover, and some I can't even recall full details of. Ouf.

Saturday two weeks ago I went out for a midday-ish run on the rail trail. R had a soccer game at the Jabish school, so from there I went to the trail and headed down all the way to 181, then back up to the canal and rejoined the rail trail briefly before taking the road way back (up NoWash) to the school. Weather was sunny and pleasant:

Time: 1:05:33
Distance: 9.4 miles
Speed: 8.6 mph

Comment: nice stretch under some time pressure to get back before R's game ended.

about campus -- Thu. September 18

Met Mark at 7 for a repeat of our run of a couple weeks ago. Getting much darker now and so when we found the connection road through from NoPleasant to EPleasant it was getting pretty dark, even a bit hazardous as we had no torch. Still, we plugged on as far as the fire-station, then down the hill past Hamlin and back to the start:

Time: 39:40
Distance: 4.95 miles
Speed: 7.5 mph

Comments: pleasant run on a lovely evening.

Midnight shortie -- Tue. September 16

Home late after work again, but determined to get an outing, so a Hamilton 5K with extension, heading up Allen and through to 202 and then back round the DB mart to home, getting the 4 miles just nicely.

Time: 28:55
Distance: 4.08 miles
Speed: 8.5 mph

Comments: better than nothing, and very pleasant to get out in the dark.

SRRC, sort of -- Sun. September 14

Rainy night and drizzly morning, but wanted to get some sort of run in so drove over just in time for 10 am--to find nobody else there. Ouf. Waited a bit, then figured I'd go anyway. Headed out through the high school and along Wash. to 21, then left, down to the Jabish canal and follow that back to the rail trail and back up there to starting point:

Time: 53:47
Distance: 7.52 miles
Speed: 8.4 mph

Comment: rain was only very light and intermittent, so feet stayed pretty dry though still ended with sore nipple. Too bad there was no company -- it was a lovely day to run, and I saw the heron again by the canal. . .

Long hilly -- Sat. September 13

Pleasant early fall day, and time for a good long run, so headed up 202 (via VFW, rather than Allen) all the way to Munsell; turned in there and then up past Knight's Pond, where a woman cyclist nearly ran into me from behind--no lane discipline or manners, grr, and where another woman walking called out cheerfully she'd seen a bear crossing the road there the day before. Then right onto Packardville and across 202, on down towards the Quabbin, but then into the trail, on up the hill and all the way to Juckett; down to Allen, left and then right on Enfield, still feeling pretty good; take 9 back home and stop the clock just past 12 miles, by the supermarket:

Time: 1:28:53
Distance: 12.05 miles
Speed: 8.1 mph

Comment: almost HM distance, and considering the amount of trail it was between endurance and stamina pace. Took a big water bottle and drank most of it; must remember to do that in the next race.

Evening Enfield -- Thu. September 11

Missed SRRC on Sunday, and then too busy to get out before Thu. Late, probably 9:30, but determined to get a run in so I went out on a cool cloudy night, quite pleasant. 9 to Allen then up and over all the way to Enfield, and then back along 9; continued running the long way into the development to get up to 6 miles:

Time: 42:56
Distance: 6.01 miles
Speed: 8.4 mph

Comment: this ended up being a pretty brisk pace, and I got a bit more distance than I expected (didn't want to get too tired, with teaching in the morning. . .) Useful, enfin.

CHaD Half Marathon -- Sat. September 6

This ended up being a pretty tough one, not just because I'd not had enough recent miles. The afternoon start was nice because no early start, but it meant eating etc. was a bit hard to plan. I drove, picking Mark up at 1:15, and we need every minute of the two hours Google told us it would take. We unwound from the car with just time to register and then do a half mile stretch out. The rain had just started, and it was still pretty muggy. Set off already chilling, but felt comfortable and rolled along, only to discover the first mile was very fast.

Not my intended tactics, so I tried to back off a bit, but then the hills and the heavy rain started. I managed to keep my feet dry until about the half way point, but then the down pour just filled all shoes with water. I took my shirt off (prompting more than one of the many spectators to wonder if I was carrying weights as I ran!) and plugged on. Feeling more or less okay at 8 miles, and I was thinking even at the hour point (almost 9 miles done) that I could get a sub-1:30, but then I guess I faded even more. At about 10 miles someone announced numbers, and I was I think 26; after that I know a couple of people got past me in the last two miles, but I must have managed to take a few back in return. I came in #26, after almost re-catching a woman who came past me in the last half mile:

Time: 1:31:51
Distance: 13. 1 miles
Speed: 8.56 mph
Pace: 7.01

Comment: my digivice read this as 13.5 miles and a speed of 8.8 mph, so my feelings about pace near the end were cruelly betrayed as the finish line didn't show up :p
However, I recall a section where the signal went, so it must have guessed wrong a bit then. The weather and the unexpected hills were a real trial. Here's what I commented elsewhere--

Oy the storms. I did a half-marathon in NH on Saturday: it started to rain just as we (Mark S came along too) got out of the car after a two+ hour drive. The rain only got heavier, going on for the whole hour and a half we were running (on hills! that were not in the brochure!) and then when we got back into the car the day was getting dark (it was an afternoon race). For the 2+ hour drive home we were speeding into dark and rain with the heat blasting away to try and keep the windscreen clear (we were of course very HOT all the while). Most of the time I was sort of wondering where the road went, as the headlights project light only about ten feet in front of the car, and Mark was probably wondering if he'd survive the trip. Oh, and we paid $50 each for the pleasure, not including gas. Gotta love hurricane season, even here in the Northeast!

The crowds were impressive, and they were very cheery and encouraging, miserable weather notwithstanding. Turnout of runners was, I think, well down on what they expected. All in all a tough start to the HM series Mark and I have planned, but maybe a good wake up call?

Campus runabout -- Thu. September 4

After a long office day met Mark at 7 and we set off around campus. Slightly variant route: on coming up towards Hamlin from the bus depot, headed left on NoPleasant and then took the cut through and up to come out on EPleasant, then back as far as the gas tanks, and down Infirmary Way. Gentle pace on a *very* muggy and warm evening.

Time: 40:44
Distance: 4.8 miles
Speed: 7.1 mph

Comment: one last run before Saturday's half, just enough to keep the body flexible, as it were. Unfortunately, uppe back spasm later that evening, but mild, and hopefully not recurring.

SRRC long one -- Sun. August 31

Perfect early autumn day: hot sun, lovely tree shade, cool breeze occasionally, and dry. The three wakamon (Bill, Jay and Andy) were there at D&D at 10, as were Rob and Taylor. Kathy had run early but stopped by to say hello. Rob and Taylor did a cross country loop, and Bill ("Wheels") had a 16 miler planned in two loops. First was through BHS to road out to 21, up to Turkey Hill, over Summit across 202, Eskett to Boardman to Rural to GeoHannum and back to the development to Bill's place for water; second loop was basically an Enfield with a finish back at D&D.

Given how busy I was I figured I didn't want to get too tired, so said I'd do loop one and then head back. Pace was 7:40s, and I was feeling good, despite the run yesterday, so I said at about mile 6 I'd try for the whole thing, which would be a new distance PB for me (previous was 15.29 in late June). Felt okay to the stop point, where I finished my breakfast banana and ditched my shirt (sore nipple from wet run yesterday!). As we headed out again, Andy was not feeling so good, and he and Jay slowed; I figured they'd make up ground on the hills, so I was happy to drift ahead, but by the time we started up Allen it looked as though we were going to run 2 + 2. Bill was being fairly easy on the hills, and I was feeling okay, if a bit worried about the last pull up (and then Jabish even later). Chugged up at a good pace, and kept going quite briskly even as we headed along the flat; pulled a sub-7 going down Enfield, and then across 9 Bill mentioned he wanted to do a negative second split (or similar term, meaning second half of run faster than first). So he took off up Jabish and I followed at my pace, amazed that we were near 15 miles and I was feeling good. Across the top of town and pounded down 202 to Checkers, for the last loop round to the police station. Stopped the clock just after the distance, still a bit short of getting back to D&D:

Time: 2:02:44
Distance: 16.05 miles
Speed: 7.8 mph

Comment: Andy and Jay then appeared and we jogged the last lap around the state school with them. My time had been just 35 seconds over the even split, so pretty satisfying. Home for a cold bath and hoping for a good time at ChaD next Sat.

Boggy trailslog -- Sat. August 30

Wanted to get a run in before SRRC, as I'm thinking about the Half we're doing next w/e. A bit late for a long one, as I didn't get out till nearly noon, so planned a Holland glen via the trail way. Started via road to keep it shorter: 9 to Federal, down to the railway, then hit the trail. Okay until the isthmus between Lake and Channel Drives: halfway along this the trail bottom disappeared and it was maybe 18 in. deep water with smelly mud on the sides and bottom. Not sure if it was beavers of the trail bottom had gotten below water level and had filled up via a rodent hole leak or something, but I didn't want to turn back so I sploshed on. Soggy feet for the rest of the run, of course. Fine from there out to 9, crossed over and went up the Glen okay -- rain last night and muggy cloudy weather made the rocks and trail (recently reblazed) tricky, but okay. Turned round at the top and back down the other side, crossed 9 again and back to the Robt Frost/M&M trail intersection, where I tried the blue blazes instead. Got a bit stuck at several points and ended up running along the railway as there's really no other way around the water. Then I tried to do a bit more on the old embankment next to Federal, but again got slowed down by brush. Ended up doing the remainder by road, up to 9 and home from there. Stopped the clock just after the supermarket:

Time: 1:07:25
Distance: 7.34 miles
Speed: 6.5 mph

Comment: Like a real cross country run -- how'm I going to get my shoes dry for tomorrow?! (not a chance, I suspect). Got pretty mosquito bitten too, it being pretty muggy, though the sun came out as I arrived home. Good plugging training, I guess; there was one sub-7 mile in there (and 2-3 over 9!)

After dark shortie -- Thu. August 28

After spending 220 miles in the car (to RPI and back) I wanted to run, despite needing to get lots of work done and feeling very blah. In the end my head was too tired to do useful work, so on getting home after some office time I got set and headed out just before 9 p.m. It was well dark, and cloudy, so no stars or moon, and at times I got a bit blinded by house lights; it was muggy too, but all in all (as ever) I was happier out than in. Down to Hamilton, along to Bay, down to Allen, up over 9 to 202 and then VFW road to 9, left round to 202 again and back up to VFW road to finish coming down there and cross over into GeoHannum.

Time: 32:40
Distance: 4.59 miles
Speed: 8.4 mph

Comment: Short but those hills are always good, and I got a bit of a stretch on 202 and VFW.

Strides in the dark -- Tue. August 26

A useful day at the office needed a good ending, and I knew I'd not be able to run Wed. evening, so I went out once I got home. It was cool and nice to run, under a big and brightly starry sky -- going along the open bit just before the farmhouse at the end of Rural Rd I ran looking upwards, and it felt as if I could have run on up into the sky, leaving the horizon way below, running on into outer space. Marvelous, and I wish I could have captured it somehow to share.

Headed down GeoHannum and straight along it, on to Batchelor/School (Stebbins) where I went left to 202, then left again up to Boardman. Pushing fairly hard rather than jogging, aiming to be at sub-7s for at least the first 5 miles. Boardman to GeoHannum and straight up the hill to get back to the start, stopping the clock when 8 miles rolled round:

Time: 55:37
Distance: 8.01 miles
Speed: 8.6 mph

Comment: a good hard solo run on an easy course, almost at my 'speed' pace. Lovely night, all told.

SRRC run -- Sun. August 24

After missing out on the RedFire farm 5K because of trouble Friday night (up till 3 trying to figure out the fridge's problem) and getting further tired in tag sale clean up on Sat. p.m., I was not in brill shape on Sunday. Still, a 6-8 miler would be useful, I thought, so off by bike (car also needs fixing) to D&D for 10 a.m., to find Dawn and Lisa and Andy already there. We turned out to be the only ones, so it was 2 + 2. Andy was up for a hill run, so we took off to do Barton, via the start we used when we did Summit (see May 18 and 25 this year). Took a nice sub 8 pace, second mile a bit quicker as usual once we got talking, and then we were heading up the hill. Kept a steady pace, though and Andy dropped back a bit, as he's not done much hill work recently. At the top finally, and then down Oak Ridge the long way to Summit, where we headed right down to Turkey Hill, and then right on to find our way out to 21, then left back towards 202, but we cut through a trail by the gym to come out at the CHCS track, and then on to target. A bit longer than planned:

Time: 1:14:52
Distance: 9.82 miles
Speed: 7.9 mph

Comment: sunny hot day, not much shade going up the hill, but pleasant all the same. Pushed a bit on the uphill, so I'll be sore, but a worthwhile run. Counts as stamina despite the overall pace, as some of it was on trail, and I alternated pushing up the hills and backing off on the flats and downslopes.

Evening Enfield Eight -- Wed. August 20

After work when I had thought I'd be giving a lecture, so a bonus day, and nicely timed. Headed out into cool early autumn dusk: it being too late for a run up the bigger hill (Summit), I figured a full Enfield would do for both hills and distance. So, GeoHannum to Hamilton and down to Allen, do the full Allen to Enfield, then left as far as the gate (proper dark by then, so no Quabbin view to run to), turn around and push a bit on the way down to 9, cross right over and add Jabish hill to the quota. Then across the common and back down 202, eventually stopping the clock just after the supermart, thus:

Time: 57:13
Distance: 8.02 miles
Speed: 8.4 mph

Comment: pushed myself a bit up the hills a bit, keeping pace below 8s, and managed 3 sub-7s on the downhill and flat. Sore right calf, but no significant numbness. Good workout all round; too cool for the cold bath option, but I think that led to a bit more soreness after. Hmm.

SRRC looong run -- Sun. August 17

First group meet in a while, and definitely ready for a double digit run today, at least emotionally, even if maybe not quite yet physically. Fortunately Jay and Bill both there (also Savannah, Lisa, and Dawn, who ran together a shorter run), and they were planning a long hill run. I suggested going the back way to Quabbin Tower, and they were game, though we didn't know how far it would be -- guessed between 12 and 15 roundtrip.

Set off in bright sun, low 80s perhaps, but after going over the common and down Jabish we hit shade along Enfield; followed to the gates and headed right down Earl(e)y, all the way to Blue Meadow--this was a *beautiful* bit to run, for sure-- then along past the Visitor Center (stopped for water top-up) and then across the dam and up the hill. At that point the other two went for it a bit, and it was Jay's day; I was tailing both by 30+ seconds at the top. Jogged up the tower, then enjoyed the breeze for a few minutes and headed back, with 8.2 miles done on the outbound.

This time I felt fine and they tailed a bit, so that I lost track of them and thought they must have exited the Quabbin the other way. We'd agreed to go back on 9 but not specified which way, so figuring if I hurried I'd catch them on the main road I made a v. quick stop for more water and headed out, but no sign of them. Headed back towards town wondering how far ahead they were, but there are no long vistas so they might have been only a minute or two ahead. Getting somewhat sore and very glad of the water as I reached 11 and then 12 miles, I was glad to see the Jeep dealers and head into Jabish. The hill was a slog, but I noticed the half marathon distance pass at about 1hr 40 mins -- fair enough, and up over the top of town and down finally to the goal at DnD, thus:

Time: 1:53:41
Distance: 14.82 miles
Speed: 7.8 mph

Comment: welcome back to the long ones, yahoo! On the way back, I put in a couple of sub-7s, which is nice too. This was a good run, and I felt fine-- very stiff, but not tired, really pumped at the end; Jay mentioned similar. It turned out, AIH, that I was the one ahead -- they had come back the same way and were tailing me!! They came in several minutes later, after I was afraid they had gone back to look for me. LOLz. Also, a pointer from Coach J on cooldown etc. was to take an ice bath before showering. I figured I'd try it instead of ibuprofen, and sat in cold water for 5 minutes cooling off my legs. Seems to have helped.

Quick bike -- Sat. August 16

This morning Ivan and Christi's wedding, wonderful event, and I met another runner or two there, unsurprisingly. This evening I made a quick bike foray out with R, some trail and some road. Just short, but good for him and it got me at least moving a bit:

6.03 miles @ 6.3 mph in just under an hour.

Cross training, in several senses.

Rainy evening Five -- Fri. August 15

After a mid-week camping trip with no running (but a couple of dips in the ocean) and a workaday Friday I got home in time for an evening run, just as the rain really started. Changed and waited, but by 7:40 I chose last daylight over possible dry, and headed out with a waterproof on under my reflector vest (it was too cool to go out with jut a shirt). Headed down GeoHannum and back up towards town, then through the state school and up 202 to the lights at the common, crossed over and down Jabish to the Jeep dealers and back along 9; distance was still a bit short so veered off to add VFW road, and stopped the clock at the big store just after the target of 5 miles:

Time: 34:48
Distance: 5.01 miles
Speed: 8.6 mph

Comment: incredibly sore calves as I started, just painful, but they felt better on the uphill. Breathing felt plenty strong and I seem to have gotten a bit of natural pace back after the incredible slowness I noticed on the BOF day (my warm-up then was 1.7 miles in 14 minutes, and it didn't feel like i was going too easily). Just have to hope the pain moves away as I get back into more weekly miles. Since I won't be able to make the Peach Run on Sunday, this Fiver will have to do me, and at sub-35:00 on a solo run I'm happy enough.

Short Pelham -- Mon. Aug 11

Incredibly sore after the BOF, so no SRRC on Sunday. Then arranged to meet Mark after work on Mon., for one run before going off on the family camping trip. We met at the church in Pelham and started down our 7.5 mile loop run, pleasant pace and chatting plenty. After just over two miles he suggested a turnabout, so we went back, and ended with just over half an hour on a beautiful evening. Well worth it:

Time: 36:43
Distance: 4.2 miles
Speed: 6.8 mph

Comment: Just enough to take the edge of the pain in my legs, as I begin my build up back to form, I hope. At least I'm over the post Erie ride exhaustion. More recovery to follow.

Bridge of Flowers 10K -- Sat. August 9

So different to last year, but I'm glad I did it. Basically I was totally unprepared. No time even to recover from the Erie Canal bike ride properly, let alone get back into some sort of running form. Did it cold, and it hurt. Arrived in good time and managed a mile or two warm up -- it was a lovely day, sunny but cool, if muggy. Met up with Ivan shortly before the start, and figured I'd just aim to finish at a run, and let the pace be what it was.

Very big turnout for this the 30th running, some 1200 people for all the races combined, with 735 in the 10K. We lined up in the 7:00 area, and I thought I'd maybe manage that. Start was a bit delayed, and I got to see a few people from local runs as we waited. The beginning was fine, brisk on the first mile, and then a bit easier on the second as we came back down toward the bridge. Breathing fine and the legs felt okay, just not very fast; the hill was a painful slog; Ivan pulled away and looked very good at that point. I lost him just after the top as he piled it on and I had nothing. At the turnaraound point someone called out position and I was 200 or 201. Fair enough, I thought, but it went pretty bad after that. I found my leg going numb as we came off the grass on to the road, and as we completed mile 5 it was clearly going to get worse not better. People were overtaking in twos and threes, and I started to focus on keeping going--figure I'd still make 250th or so. Down the hill it was great to hear "Chariots of Fire" as usual, and I called out thanks to those guys. Then as we hit the last straight before the bridge I was aiming not to topple off the numb leg, and I had to let people pass -- I called out good luck to Sri Bodkhe who was one of them. As we came off the bridge a couple more overtook me and then I figured that was enough and I just shoulder muscled myself into a sprint on the dead leg to keep the guy behind me from catching. I pushed hard and made the line ahead, then keeled over like a bicycle that has come to a stop.

Nice crew there, they rushed over and were all concerned -- someone took up the place for me in the chute as another official called out my number. I explained it was just numbness and got up, and then walked along to the end. Here's my GPS data, lap by lap: 6:08, 6:20, 8:56, 6:50, 7.07, 7:17; last bit 9.2 mph, or 6:31 pace.

And here's the official result:

Time: 45:09
Distance: 6.2 miles, 10 K
Speed: 8.24 mph

Comment: I came in 230, which was 25/56 for my age group. Fair enough. Ivan really was in good form, and broke his personal best by 30 seconds, so it was a good day to be there. We chatted a bit then I grabbed a big brunch at the post race and headed home. Try again next year.

The B-B-Bike Ride -- 26 July to 5 August

So no running for a while, as I was too busy biking. I'll be putting a post about that whole story in my other blog, but here a few stats:

Start: Hometown MA
Turnaround: Buffalo NY
Endpoint: Delmar NY

Days biking: 11
Miles biked: 1,024
Total hours/mins in motion: 94:05
Average daily miles: 93.01
Average speed while moving: 10.9 mph
Average hours biked daily: 8.5

The trip was done towing a well loaded InStep Quick N EZ Bike Trailer (thanks internets for the pic; I have a few snaps, but not uploaded yet). The two trips I made from the Niagara County Camping Resort, just outside of Lockport, to the Niagara Falls and into Buffalo center I was trailerless, and it was a very pleasant change. On both of those trips, done on consecutive days, I also discovered the amazing tailwind that you pick up heading east. The return trip was definitely easier.

Only one wipeout, and no real harm done beyond bloody scrapes, so a good trip -- but absolutely no time to run, so when I got home I was very out of running shape. See next entry!

Rainy night run -- Tue. July 22

Planned to run home from work, but a thunderstorm came in so after a bit of a wait I gave up and headed home to run there. Changed and out by about 8:45, mid-twilight and light rain. Headed off to along GeoHannum, Boardman and Eskett, then across 202 and up Barton, taking the linkroad (OakRidge) to Summit and back down that way and home via Eskett etc. Thought it would be about 6, but turned out to be 10! It was a lovely cooler if still muggy night, darkest on the way down, where I knew the road but couldn't see it -- on the way up and across to Summit I could see the road okay, I just wasn't sure I was going the right way, so I was not running too hard. Rain was light enough so I didn't end up weighted down; quite pleasant really. Aiming for stamina, and made it at the low end of that pace:

Time: 1:14:39
Distance: 10.18 miles
Speed: 8.2 mph

Comments: Happy with the pace, given the distance. Felt very comfortable going up the hill, and even as far as crossing 202 on the way back, but then started to get a bit automatic and lacking in spring. Still, a good run, arriving home at 10 p.m. with stars coming out as the clouds cleared a bit.

N. B. that hill via Barton is much higher than going up Summit. The latter goes through a pass, peaking at about 575 feet, but going up Barton takes you almost to 800 feet! Must remember for future runs. . .

SRRC medium -- Sun. July 20

Early start for lectoring, so well awake and arrive at DnD in good time on a hot, v. muggy but rather overcast morning. Four Swifties there -- Dawn and (the one who does the Wilbraham Peach race), plus Rob and Taylor. As we head out Ken arrives, so split into two groups, with Ken and Taylor joining me for a slightly longer run. Under 202 to Jackson, then along down to Hamilton, to Allen and up to 9 then back towards town, going up 202 as far as Jackson, then completing the loop back to our start. Aiming at 8s, er Taylor's request, and with a couple under and a couple over, we averaged about right, thus:

Time: 48:34
Distance: 6 miles
Speed: 7.4 mph

Comment: very pleasant group run, long enough to get properly warmed through, and gentle enough to leave me feeling good.

Rensselaer shortie -- Sat. July 19

On campus for ninja girl's orientation, so a morning run after an early night. Out on a cool and muggy day a 5:30, ran around campus edge and down to the river throught the town, along the river a bit and then double back through town (just waking, but low on people -- strange place, for sure) and to the next bridge upstream -- cross that one to get a river view and see the tower bridge mechanism, then back and up the hill into campus and back to the dorm.

Time: 34:49
Distance: 4.33 miles
Speed: 7.5 mph

Comment: first run in days, though I biked a bit on Wed/Thu. Felt very loose and comfortable at first, but taking it very slowly too. Not sure if I'm even at tickover level, but hope so.

Evening Enfield -- Tue. July 15

After a day off, felt quite good about the thought of an evening run, so headed out on a standard Enfield. GeoHannum, Hamilton, Allen to and across 9 and 202, then at Enfield headed left to the water. Lovely evening there, and I did the little loop on the shore and headed back up to the road; followed all the way down to 9, looped round the old Jeep dealership and then straight along 9 home. Felt really good in last mile or two, after a very gentle start (running through ankle and achilles pains, both of which were gone at 5 miles). Not fast, but I wasn't pushing, more going with the flow. Stopped clock at Quabbin Shop.

Time: 1:03:37
Distance: 8.52 miles
Speed: 8 mph

Comment: a run like old times. Felt quite peppy afterwards, which is cheering for an 8 miler.

Cannonball Run -- Sun. July 13

After a quiet Saturday, Sunday morning was the B'town History Days event, a 5K that I've not entered before. Quite a share of hills (mild and long) in the loop course, and I was not feeling brill, so I'd have been happy with a low 20s time. Muggy and getting hot, but a pleasant breeze. Family event, so F and R watched as people arrived, the girls waited to help out, and A was going to join us at about start time. We arrived 8:15 ish, I registered, and then after a bit of chatting I headed off for a mile and a half of warm up. Started on time, and we set off (maybe 70 people, including Mr and Mrs Nedeau, and a good range of Swifties -- Andy and Jason had been marking the course with Swifty greetings earlier and were cheerleading!!) with a loop around the common and then off down Jabish hill. Started in the top 10 or so, and Jason called out I was 6th. Fast first mile (5:47) and the guy I was tracking was pulling away -- but he remained a good if distant target. Then the second mile on 9 I pushed a bit, and started to close on the guy ahead. Up the hill into town I got closer, passing him just before MacArthy's , though still far behind the target guy. Round the common one more time and finished under 20, in 5th.

Time: 19:50
Distance: 3.1 miles
Speed: 9.37

Comment: quite a satisfying run, though not top form. Good to get the quicker time in, it's been a while, and this was not the fastest course. I then added to the 1.5 miles warmup run with a run home, interrupted by stopping at TWO mulberry trees to snack on the juicy sweet fruit. Nice.

and home again -- Fri. July 11

Of course, I had to get home again, so took the trailer again, and found the uphills pretty tough. Doable -- I was down to third gear in the middle range as I cam up the last bit of the hill behind Tilton's, and man was it muggy sweaty! But again I wasn't going flat out, thinking of doing it not for an hour but for 9 hours on the trip. . . Anyhoo, here's how it turned out:

11.46 miles in 53:50 at average of 12.8 mph

Short Four (and a bike ride) -- Fri. July 11

Still not feeling brilliant, but a beautifully cool morning so I headed out for a short one. Ended up doing a sort of preview of the Cannonball run: out to 9, right to 202 and up in to town, all the way to the lights, then down the hill as far as church; do a loop around to the end of the meditation path and back up, then continue on the 5K route, down Jabish and back along 9. Stop clock at GeoHannum entrance:

Time: 30:03
Distance: 4.29 miles
Speed: 8.6 mph

Comment: very muggy, and took a long time to cool down. Still pretty tired feeling.
Then when I went out I found my car had a tyre problem so I ended up biking in to work. Hitched up the trailer so I could take my lappy etc. as well. The towed weight was a bit of a shock at first, but I got used to it, and made a good pace -- not working hard, just going steady.

11.1 miles @13.1 mph in 51:01

Bike to work -- Thu. July 10

Took my mountain bike in to work this a.m. as car etc. was still there from last night. A nice stretch on a beautifully dry and breezy day (not cool -- 80s, but nice). Slightly longer route:

Covered 11.47 miles @ 15.5 mph in 44:25

Definitely useful.

Home run -- Wed. July 9

One of the muggiest, most airless days of the summer so far, though in my cooled office it was all quite bearable. I needed to run, and at day's end felt more or less ready to do a long one, so left everything in the office and ran home. Rail trail and then along to Orchard, federal and 9. I'd forgotten to put bug-spray on, so it was a bit dire near the end of the trail, but then it wasn't so bad, and I could even take off my short once I reached Federal. F called me as I was climbing up behind Tilton's; I missed the call but called back to say I was nearly home, even while running. Must have sounded weird; it was getting twilightish, so the light from the phone was unnaturally bright. Handy as I didn't have a flashlight. . . During the run I noticed that my calves were pretty tight (especially the right), probably because I've been doing more biking than running of late. But a good workout:

Time: 1:23:29
Distance: 11.17 miles
Speed: 8.0

Comment: I kept the pace very mild at first, though at one hour I'd covered 8.3 miles--technically stamina not endurance pace for me. But I slowed down with the hills after that. Still, I was very sore afterwards, as if I'd not run in a week or more. I guess I should keep it to max. two days off running, even if the distance is short. I can still get two more runs in this week, I think.

Bike ride -- Mon. July 7

Decided to give the patched up Motobecane a try, so lowered the saddle and headed out on a muggy evening. Took 9 along to the middle Quabbin entrance and then up to the observation tower, pushing pretty hard most of the way. Stopped clock and climbed tower, then reset and headed back, going over the dam and back to 9 that way. Also pushing, and a shorter, more downhill route. Top single mile was 2:22, 27+ mph, pretty good feeling. Here are the two ride totals:

8.05 miles in 32:44 @ 14.7 mph
6.67 miles in 20:14 @ 19.8 mph

Average the two-way/round trip and it comes to:

14.72 miles in 52:58 @ 16.67 mph

Pretty satisfying, with several sub-3:00 miles, i.e. over 20 mph. Gearing limited top speed a bit, probably hit 35 downhill, but with another gear it could easily have been 40. It's a light and trim machine, steady and easy to ride, even without being set up for me. Of course, the parts are all worn, the chain is crap, and the rear wheel bearings are loose and crunky -- but it still goes nicely. . .

SRRC Eight -- Sun. July 6

Another early start, and not feeling brill so a quick nap and off to DnD by car just for 10 a.m. Good crew there this week: Dawn and Lisa, Savanna and Taylor, and her dad. All set off together on trail, then at Spfld Rd I take a right and they all go on. Sunny hot and plenty muggy; mid 80s, probably. Run out to 21, then down to the canal and back along there to NWashington; after battling bugs on the trail decide to take road instead of railtrail back, and go as far as JBSchool, then do a lap of its athletics field to add mileage, and head back down to rejoin trail for last bit. Catch up and loop around the young 'uns, and we all end up back at the start together. Perfect!

Time: 59:35
Distance: 8.09 miles
Speed: 8.1 mph

Comment: very slow first mile (9 min. plus), but nice to be in company. Then do several sub 7s, a bit slower on the canal trail, as usual, and a faster last mile. Quite satisfying how comfortable it felt at the end, though hot is hot, for sure. Still the sore foot thing going on.

Rainy ten -- Sat. July 5

Last chance to add some miles in a sort of recovery week. Woke feeling okay, and took my time to get started, partly as it was raining. No sign of a let-up, so at about 9:15 headed off thinking of 8 plus. Sprinkling, not too bad for the first few miles, then as I hit Stebbins it started to pour. Oh well. Got wet. After that it let up a bit as I turned onto Bay, and then mainly died down as I came off Metacomet. Up Federal, and decided to add the Allen hills, so ended up on 202 and still needing distance looped through MacD carpark, then back into GeoHannum and finally added the Greenwich hill loop, etc. to make sure I hit 10 miles. Almost dried off (except feet) by then, and feeling quite good (except for the bruised foot syndrome from the sciatica thing). Details:

Time: 1:12:47
Distance: 10.07 miles
Speed: 8.3 mph

Comments: refreshing, and nice to get double digits (just); exactly on my stamina pace too. やっぱり this has been a weird week, but I hope I can get back to higher miles next week. I probably need to space out my long runs to 10 days or even 14 day intervals at my current rest and recovery rate. . .

Solo Fiver -- Fri. July 4

Gloomy morning, muggy and not too cool (gets up to 80+ deg. later), and a sort of half-hearted early start: still not feeling very well, though being less tired yesterday p.m. I thought I might get a longer run in today. Ah well. Minor cold symptoms, and perhaps general tiredness from the big run eight days ago. Ouf. But at about 8:15 made it off into the intermittent drizzle and looked for a 4-5 mile run: to 9, then VFW, then double back 202 and on to 9 again, and along all the way to Bay, then down to Allen and back up to 9, then back to Bay and down to Hamilton: all in all, a sort of backwards extended Hamilton 5K. The two mini-loops almost got me to 5 miles, and then at the end I did the Greenwich hill loop to get just over 5.

Time: 38:47
Distance: 5.22 miles
Speed: 8.1 mph

Comment: after the first stiff mile, I started to feel really good, but didn't watch pace -- aimed at slow and comfortable. Surprised it was over 8 mph in the end. Still, definitely a maintenance run (if not part of a sort of extended recovery). I'll get my four runs in, but half the distance of last week; maybe an 8 miler tomorrow?

Solo Hamilton extended -- Wed. July 2

Didn't make the NoHo run yesterday, as I've been feeling pretty washed out the first couple of days this week --probably from biking, and the hotter, muggier weather, and the high mileage last week and the week before. . . Still, after this morning's ride I felt like a bit of a run, so went out at 10 (already good and hot) for a short one. Did a Hamilton 5K, but instead of going back along 9, crossed from Allen to Allen and on over to 202, then down to VFW and home that way. Stopped clock once I'd hit 4 miles:

Time: 28:41
Distance: 4.11 miles
Speed: 8.6 mph

Comment: Still planning to do a longer run tomorrow, at a slower pace, and much earlier, for coolth.

SRR no C -- Sun. June 29

Made it to D&D by car just at 10 a.m. after lectoring and then being a bit slow getting ready. *Very* muggy and hot sun. But: nobody else there! I waited tilll ten past, then went out alone, with the "reserved" sign looking a bit funny on a tiny two seat table. Feeling a bit trained out, and low on go, but managed a sort of Enfield: up into town, down Jabish, up Enfield all the way to the gate, then back around and to Allen, only as far as 202, down to VFW and through to geoH and stop by at home to refill water (did I say it was HOT!) and then trail to state school and back to start.

Time: 1:10:43
Distance: 9.52 miles
Speed: 8.1 mph

Comment: happy with the miles, but tired too, and probably overdid it a bit -- feeling tired and dehydrated in the evening. Maybe the hot weather will stay now: the hardest thing is constantly adjusting.

Early Stebbins -- Sat. June 28

Busy during the day, so out early on a road run -- good, because it was already getting hot and v. muggy. GeoHannum to Stebbins, then along to Bay, up to Metacomet and then Federal to 9 and home, with a VFW loop to get the 8 miles:

Time: 58:16
Distance: 8.1 miles
Speed: 8.2 mph

Comment: feeling pretty good, so I worked the mild hills that there were. Just managed a stamina pace, so happy enough.

First Fifteen -- Thu. June 26

Psyched up to go for a seriously long run, and probably more or less ready. Too tired for an early morning outing, so go after work instead. Not too hot, a bit muggy, and some initial rain, but not enough to really soak me -- it let up after the first couple of miles anyway, so I didn't alter plans any (if it had been too wet I was afraid of getting chilled, but this was just enough to make sore nipples a cert). I had plotted a 15 miler, and a hilly one -- total of 985 ft. ascent and same descent (loop course). I was in two minds about direction: climb in the first five miles, or spread it out a bit. Decided for the latter, which meant going to the lowest point via geoHannum, Allen, 9, and then Federal, and then climbing hard. From 5 to 7.5 miles, solid climb, up Gulf all the way; then a break on Packard and a descent into the Quabbin and one more big pull up the back end of Juckett. Unfortunately just as I hit the Quabbin and took my shirt off cos of chafing, the blackflies got my range and I had to reshirt and run like hell -- pulled a sub-7 there. Very slow up Juckett, but then down the other side, onto Allen, and left to Enfield, right to 9 and home. Definitely getting sore at that point, but able to keep it going. Here's the details:

Time: 1:56:22
Distance: 15.29 miles
Speed: 7.9 mph

Comment: not quite up to the 2-hour barrier, but I think I can break that next time. As it is, this is the furthest I've run in one go, I'm pretty sure. And the pace is just above my predicted endurance pace. Woot! Must take bug spray if I'm going into the Quabbin; also, I need to try a distance like that without the excess hills -- maybe half that much climbing and a 16-18 miler. Next week some time. Route TBA.

NoHo 5K plus four-- Tue. June 24

In between-ish weather, not too hot and some showers during the day; feeling generally pretty tired and a bit wooden legged on account of the bike rides previous night and this morning. Still, wanted to add the miles and maybe try running a controlled race instead of an all-out. Parked as usual by boathouse (got mosquito bite instantly on ankle when changing shoes, arg!) and ran somewhat briskly up to the course, slowly warming up a bit. *Very* muggy. Good turnout, and spot Ivan early. Return knife to April (long story), then it's time to go -- tell Ivan I'll stick on his shoulder as he's feeling good and should make perfect pace. Very little air, so it feels like a push all the way: at the end, make a bit of an effort but pretty tired, so don't catch the chap ahead.

Time: 20:49
Distance: 3.14 miles(GPS)
Speed: 9.0 mph

Comment: Ivan makes it a course PB by a few seconds, and I get a solid race. Brief eats, then we both headed back to the car, so I have these extra miles again:

Time: 30:52
Distance: 4.09
Speed: 7.95

Evening bike -- Mon. June 23

Not enough energy or digestive time for a run, but a bike ride on damp roads and slippery muddy-ish trails? Yes, why not. Headed out on a sort of figure of eight loop that started over the trail from GeoHannum to come out past Wallace Pond, then roads, down 21 and up Turkey Hill and down Summit, loop back into town and home with a quick VFW loop to finish.

Distance: 9.1 miles (est.)
Time: 45 mins (est.)
Hills: 300 feet climb, 300 feet descent.

Nice workout, and quick.

SRRC Ten -- Sun. June 22

Very muggy and somewhat hot day, with thunderstorms in the offing -- small turnout, again (the fast three, plus Ken, Savanna, and me), so S goes to the school track, and the fast three do an extra preliminary loop while Ken and I start on the main course: railtrail, Michael Sears and Cold Spring, then down the dirt trail and 181 to the canal. Steady pace after a couple of faster miles at the start, ending thus:

Time: 1:25:57
Distance: 10.6
Speed: 7.4

Comment: good for both distance (double digits, great start to the week) and duration. I think I can try working up to two hours and even more, see how I wear. Fingers crossed

Greenfield Eight -- Sat. June 21

Celebrated the mid-point of the year with a trip out to run with Ivan in Greenfield -- sunny and decently summery, probably low 80s, and a good bit muggy, but after a cool night the shade was still nice. We headed out just after ten a.m. and took Leyden Road, Barton and then Country Club back. Slightly hilled, and all road, but lovely Vermonty surroundings and three of the four rectangle's sides were very quiet, traffic-wise. Took an easy pace in the second half, after a brisker start -- very pleasant case of "recovery" or "tickover" pace, overall, since both of us were at personal record miles for the week:

Time: 1:04:37
Distance: 8.04 miles
Speed: 7.5 mph

Comment: looking at the map after the run I noticed that we stopped short of the real hills. To reach them would need a double digit run, but they are *substantial* and interesting. Maybe worth a drive or bike to a starting point like Leyden. . .

Dawn Twelve - Thu. June 19

Got the arrangement set this time with Bill, and when I came out a couple of minutes past five a.m. he was already walking towards the place. He agreed to a Mountain View 12 miler, so off we went. A misty mild and slightly muggy morning, cool enough for pleasant running: we started at a good pace, as the first two miles are basically downhill, and thus warmed up I figured we'd keep pushing. Bill led on the uphills, as we crossed 202 and started up Burton to Mt View; I tried to stay with him or close, and he only had to stop once, briefly, after the last and toughest bit, to wait for me. I used the flats for strong recovery and kept the pace up on the downhills, so we made good time. Found our way along to Granby Rd and then 21 up to OldSpfld and along to BHS; then we crossed straight into the state school and round to Jackson. I was ready to stop as we hit GeoHannum but Bill said if we kept it going all the way home we'd reach 12 miles, so, we did. *Tough* last mile. Here it is:

Time: 1:30:26
Distance: 12.35 miles
Speed: 8.2 mph

Comment: good long run with a challenging hill runner; he commented it was a fast pace for training, but I was definitely not pushing all the way. More of an enduro-stamina run. Now I'm sore but glad to have the miles. And it was a beautiful morning, just right for running. Here's to more of same and to dawn running in general!

NoHo 5K plus four -- Tue. June 17

Finally made it to my second one of these, and truly it couldn't have been a nicer day for it. Low 70s, perhaps, during the day, but by 6:30 it was cooling, with dryish air, and sunny. There was a very good turnout, not surprisingly. Ivan (and his boss!) there, and also among others the fast red-shod chap from the Granby 10K, Bill R from the snowstorms, and lots of other familiar faces. I parked by the boathouse and ran up there, nice two miles, then jogged about a bit. Fast start, pushed a bit and had fleeting memories of Downside starts; then steadied and headed down the first shaded hill; Redshoes passed at a steady clip, and I thought I'd try and keep tabs, but his pace was inexorably quicker than I could keep; Bill R went by at a heck of a lick after a slower start, totally smoked me and I didn't see him again. The first mile was okay (6:02) but I was already feeling it in the second (6:21)--folks who'd passed me were now out of sight and I was running solo. A bit confused about route at one point, but I was on track. By the third with the uphill to face, I just didn't want to lose another spot; I was struggling to recover after the hill, but quite strongly enfin; only near the end (after a 7:05 mile) did I hear someone closing, who like me pushed as we entered the last straight. Somehow I had a sprint on top of the push and I blasted the last 100 (finishing with 12 mph for the last 0.2 miles). Here's the digivice time:

Time: 19:57 -- ETA: Time confirmed on CoolRunning; placed 16th
Distance: 3.09 miles (Digivice)
Speed: 9.3 mph

Took a while to catch my breath, but felt good. After brief eats Ivan joined me for the run back to the car for another two miles. Those two runs combine thus:

Time: 32:30
DIstance: 4.1 miles
Speed: 7.57 mph

Comment: If it's confirmed, a sub-20 time would be very nice. Again it was harder than I remembered, but I *know* I can do more. Just got to keep working up to it. And I >think< I can match Bill R, though he was on track for sub-19. We'll see.

SRRC Enfield Plus -- Sun. June 15

Again a smallish crew at Dunkin's: Mark at work, Andy and Bill on the Mt Graylock Half, so it was me, Jim F. and Ivan, plus Lisa and Savanna (from Little Springtime's grade) to make us five. We set off together and started under 202 to get to Howard and then separated into two parties, heading to Jackson, across GeoHannum and along Hamilton (ladies elsewhere, not sure where). A crew was digging up the rail crossing, but we jogged around them and the bemused policeman with a wave, then down Bay to Allen and the long uphill, across 9 and 202, and on. Just before Enfield decided to do the Quabbin loop, which was very pleasant till Jim turned his ankle; however he recovered and we pressed on, up the extra hill out and then long down to 9, round the dealer and up Jabish hill, crossing straight over and all the way to our start, thus:

Time: 1:18:39
Distance: 9.44 miles
Speed: 7.2 mph

Comments: still a bit sore in the thighs from the combination of running and biking yesterday, so this was a pleasant outing -- an 8 followed by a 7:30 and then much slower, so we all got a chance to both work the hills and yet stay comfortable. Egg and cheese bagel afterwards was just perfect!