Manchester City Marathon Sunday

I haven't written since last Thursday. Saturday 10.4 miles in 1:24:00 7.4 mph but I didn't feel great after; my left side was way too tight. I had a massage and went to a Cub Scout outing from 3-8 so I decided that it was best to take Sunday off.

On Monday I had a pinched nerve in my left leg. Monday and Tuesday I didn't sleep well.

For the next 3 days I ran:

10/28 4.1 miles  7.4 mph 33:30 8:10.2/mi.

10/29 7.1 miles  7.3 mph 58:28 8:14.1/mi.

10/30 5.3 miles 7.4 mph 42:44 8:03.8/mi.

Last week I was much faster. My leg finally felt OK last night after I used a tennis ball to loosen the nerve in my upper left leg. Today I got out of work at 12 because I originally planned to drive up to Manchester and pick up my number/chip today but my plans have changed. I going up tomorrow and staying over night. BUT today I was riding around town and realized that the old car (20 years old next month) which I am driving since my car died did not have enough cushion in the seat and my back/spine hurt.

I have never run 6 marathons in 7 months. I feel like I am OK because in the past I have run long miles a lot between races and frankly, after being laid off in January, I felt I was very fortunate to find a job at a company which seemed to like it that I liked to exercise. I just have this feeling that with the economy the way it is, I should run as many marathons I can because if I have to find another job, I may not be so blessed AND it is really cool to be part of the Marathon Maniacs.

Tomorrow off to Manchester. I love running marathons!!!

My son Keith is running the full marathon in Raleigh, Sony Ericsson City of Oaks Marathon.

I hope he runs a conservative race; I think he can run a sub 4:00 if he does.

Of course NYC has a marathon this weekend too! That was great fun last year. I'll run it again before I'm done.

Surprise!

I take the week off after marathons now. It really helps me to recover.

So I was off from October 12 through the 17th. I know it wasn't a full week but I listen to my body and my  legs started to hurt from not running. Also I was getting a massage and I felt running was the right thing to do.

So here is what I have done since the 17th:

Oct 18  5.2   miles  at   43:43    7.1 mph    at a pace of 8:24.4/mi.

Oct 19  7.1   miles  at   58:08    7.3 mph    at a pace of 8:11.3/mi.

Oct 20 4.25 miles  at   32:21    7.9 mph  at a pace of 7:36.7/mi. 

Oct 21 8.1    miles  at 1:04:45   7.5 mph    at a pace of 7:59.6/mi.

Oct 22 4.4   miles  at   33:50    7.8 mph  at a pace of 7:41.4/mi.

Oct 23 6.1   miles  at   48:07    7.6 mph     at a pace of 7:53.3/mi.

Oct 24 OFF

Last weekend one of my cousins husband ran the RI Breakers marathon in 3:28. We may be in the same corral in Boston this year. THAT would be so cool!!!

My car died again yesterday; it may be over for my SL2. The best car I have ever had.

My son Keith is running in Raleigh NC on Nov 2. I think he can run the full but he may opt for the half. He should have FUN; that's what it is all about.

The long term forecast for Manchester city is for snow. I have never run a marathon in snow.

I'm not sure how to wear the "Maniac" shirt.

6 marathons in one year and I had some good times and GOOD TIMES!

I'll see Shannon for a tune up Saturday. Then I am camping with the Cub Scouts that night.

It is suppose to RAIN :-(

Hopefully, it won't effect my legs. It's going to be cold too. 

ING Greater Hartford Marathon

What a day. The weather was perfect and I got to say hi to about 20 fellow Maniacs. The marathon is an out and back on a beautiful road in East Hartford and South Windsor.

I got in the porta potty line at 7:40 with layers of clothes on. I thought I would get through in 20 minutes. I finished at about 7:52, 8 minutes before the race. I ran back to my car took off the outer clothes and put my sunglasses on and ran to the start. I had to squeeze down the outside behind the barrier. A young lady just behind the Elites said she was looking for the 4 hour pacer. As she moved over to the side I was able to get in just behind the first mat.

I gun went off and I was up very close to the front. The half starts with the full so I was running too fast at first. My first 2 miles were at an 8.2 mph pace. I slowed over the next 2 miles to 7.8 mph and bounced between 7.8 and 7.7 for most of the race. The very end has 3 hills and before the hills I was on a 3:29+ pace. 

I finished in 3:31:26 for 344 overall and 5th (5/75) in my age group M55-59. I missed 3rd by 2:41.It was a great day and I will use this time to run Boston next year.  

Update: Harford Marathon This Weekend

Since I last wrote I have run the following:

Sept 30  7.0 miles in    56:04  at 7.5 mph for a pace of 8:00.6/mi.

Oct     1  6.1 miles  in    48:30  at 7.5 mph for a pace of 7:57.0/mi.

Oct     2  6.1 miles  in    49:24  at 7.4 mph for a pace of 8:05.9/mi.

Oct     3  OFF

Oct     4  11.1 miles in 1:27:00 at 7.6 mph for a pace of 7:50.3/mi.

Oct     5   7.2 miles  in    58:28 at 7.4 mph for a pace of 8:07.2/mi.

Oct     6   5.1 miles  in   41:24  at 7.4 mph for a pace of 8:07.1/mi.

For the Adirondack Marathon I couldn't run much the week before; it was due to worn out shoes. I just ordered 2 more pairs but I have been running in the same Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8's since Sept 30. I feel good and received a massage on Saturday. I am scheduled for one on Thursday but I'm not sure if I should get one so close to the marathon on Saturday.