Adirondack Marathon

Since my left achilles was really tight all week I took it easy for the first 3 miles.  Then it got hilly from 3 to mile 11. Up and up. It was a beautiful course BUT more hills than any marathon I have run. The first 13.1 were short 3 and 4 part hills; the last 13.1 were long sweeping hills.

I came in 49th in 3:45:34; 2nd in my age group M55-59. I received a large maple leaf glass container full of maple syrup. That was cool. The top runners received large bear statues which was also very cool.

On Friday I still didn't know if I could make it all the way through so I was thrilled with my time and felt OK most of the run.

Now I have less than 2 weeks until Hartford. I hope to run between 3:29 and 3:39.

Today I ran 4 miles today after Biking the Berkshires on Saturday, a charity ride for MS. I rode 51 miles in 3:45. It was fun biking until some guy ran by me and I was wishing I was able to run ;-) 

Boston AMA Marketing Conference

I ran on Thursday September 11, 6.1 miles at 7.5 mph. Felt good. Saturday I ran 10.4 miles at 7.8 mph. I got a massage at 11 AM. My legs felt OK but they did not recover by Sunday.

I usually try to follow a plan so I ran 10.0 miles in 1:20:00 at 7.5 mph. My legs were tired!!

I had to get up at 4:20 AM omn Monday to get to Boston. My car died in the toll booth getting onto the Masspike. I got help and finally got home to get one of my daughter's car. I got to Boston in time but was tired.

Tuesday I ran on a treadmill 6.3 miles but my left leg/ankle was hurting. I tried to sprint to the elevator after and my ankle gave out. SO I have taken the last 4 days off.

I saw one of my massage therapists on Wednesday night and had my back ajusted.

Today I took Tylenol and I do feel OK now. A good nights rest and I should be ready to run on Sunday.

I hope the Adirondack Marathon is not as steep as it sounds;-)

I'll write on Monday how I did and what I thought of the race.

Fall is Here

It was cool to run in a tank top today. My arms were cold at the end of the run.

Yesterday I ran 7.1 miles in 55:30 at 7.7 mph for a pace of 7:49.0/mi.

Today I ran about as fast as I ever run; 6.2 miles in 46:45 at 8.0 mph for a pace of 7:32.4/mi.

I ran in Asics 2102's. I find they are great up to 10 miles but a little soft for me on longer runs.

I felt great this morning!

2 Weeks Til the Adirondack Marathon

My last post was on August 29th. Here is what I have been running since:

Date Distance Time MPH Pace/mi.
30-Aug 15 1:55:05 7.8 07:40.3
31-Aug 8.1 1:03:00 7.7 07:46.7
1-Sep OFF
2-Sep 7.3 57:01:00 7.7 07:48.6
3-Sep 5.4 41:17:00 7.8 07:38.7
4-Sep 7.2 57:09:00 7.6 08:03.2
5-Sep 7.1 57:11:00 7.5 08:03.2
6-Sep 10.2 1:20:00 7.5 07:50.6
7-Sep 10.0 1:20:00 7.4 08:00.0
8-Sep OFF

I finally got a massage on Saturday; I hadn't had one for a few weeks. I use foam rollers, pro stretch, "The Stick", tennis balls, etc. for my feet/legs and stretch a lot but nothing really helps as much as getting a massage. It works out all the kinks in an hour.

I am excited about the Fall marathons. I hope to have pictures to post too.

Faster All Week

After cutting my leg on Saturday, I didn't know how I would run this week. The Oxy socks have helped. I did take Tuesday off but my legs were just tired. Here are my times for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday:
August 25 6.0 miles 47:02 at 7.2 mph 7:50.3/mi.
August 27 8.1 miles 1:04:10 at 7.6 mph 7:55.3/mi.
August 28 10.4 miles 1:19:45 at 7.9 mph 7:31.4/mi.

I took off Wednesday morning and all day Thursday. I felt more rested and my times got better all week. I just sent for a new pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8's.

Musing About August

First, I have gotten faster this month and with less than a month til my first of three Fall marathons I'm feeling good. Yesterday while cutting the grass I sliced the top of my left leg on a metal post. It hurt today when I ran and bleed a little but I think it's OK. Below is a summary of what I have done since the 5th:

August 6 4.0 mi. 32:31 7.4 mph 8:07.8/mi.
7 4.1 mi. 32:25 7.6 mph 7:54.4/mi.
8 OFF
9 16.4 mi. 2:14:45 7.3 mph 8:13.0/mi.
10 OFF
11 7.0 mi. 59:14 7.1 mph 8:20.6/mi.
12 7.1 mi. 59:07 7.2 mph 8:19.6/mi.
13 OFF
14 7.1 mi. 57:51 7.4 mph 8:08.9/mi.
15 OFF
16 20.4 mi. 2:48:30 7.2 mph 8:15.6/mi.
17 OFF
18 7.2 mi. 1:08:00 6.3 mph 9:26.7/mi. (I ran with my son Keith)
19 7.0 mi. 57:53 7.2 mph 8:16.1/mi.
20 5.1 mi. 41:47 7.3 mph 8:11.6/mi.
21 7.2 mi. 56:58 7.6 mph 7:54.7/mi.
22 OFF
23 13.3 mi. 1:45:00 7.6 mph 7:53.7/mi.
24 7.0 mi. 56:28 7.4 mph 8:04.0/mi.

Where Does the time go?

The weekend of the 26th I ran 10.2 miles (7:32/mi.) and 10.0 miles (8:05/mi.)
Lately, with cutting the grass and working in the garden on Sunday, my legs are dead on Monday so I took Monday off.
I was tired this week so after running 6.0 miles (8:04.7/mi.) I took Wednesday off too.
Thursday I ran 7.2 miles (8:06.1/mi.) Off on Friday;-)
Saturday I ran the John & Jessie Kelly 46th New London road race. I came in 88th in 1:27:26.3 a 7:32/mi. pace for 11.6 miles. It was about 13 seconds faster than last year so I was happy:-)
I don't usually run far on Sunday but I felt great so I went 10.5 miles in 1:26:00 (7.2 mph) at a pace of 8:11.4/mi.
Monday I took it easy, 4.1 miles at a pace of 8:10.7.mi.
Today I felt really good and went 7.1 miles (7.5 mph) at a pace of 7:58.3/mi.
After the race on Saturday I felt like I could still run a pace of 7:30 for a marathon. I hope to run Hartford in the 3:30's and Houston in 3:20 something. Hey right after that I turn 57 so if I don't do it now...

I Ran Twice Today

I ran this morning at 6:20 before it rained. I only went 5.3 miles in 41:52, 7.6 mph, at 7:54.0/mi. pace.
I then ran after work at 5:30; 6.2 miles in 51:20, 7.4 mph, at 8:16.8/mi. pace.
I felt I needed to get more miles in if I am going to run 3 marathons in the Fall.

I'm Still Running

I can't believe I haven't written since the 9th:-)
I took the next 2 days off; my legs were tired.
Here is an update of my running til today:

July 12 10.4 miles in 1:21:20 7.6 mph at 7:49.2/mi.
July 13 13.1 miles in 1:46:55 7.3 mph at 8:09.7/mi.
July 14 OFF
July 15 7.0 miles in 57:55 7.2 mph at 8:16.4/mi.
July 16 5.9 miles in 45:09 7.8 mph at 7:39.2/mi.
July 17 5.3 miles in 40:59 7.8 mph at 7:44.0/mi.
July 18 OFF
July 19 18.0 miles in 2:26:30 7.4 mph at 8:08.3/mi.
July 20 7.0 miles in 56:31 7.4 mph at 8:04.4/mi.
July 21 OFF
July 22 7.2 miles in 56:20 7.7 mph at 7:49.4/mi.
July 23 6.3 miles in 48:38 7.7 mph at 7:43.2/mi.

Some random thoughts: I have only gotten 1 massage for the month and I need more to run more distance in a week. I wake up most days between 4:50 and 5:10 and I get up between 5:40 and 5:55. I run all week in the morning. It's a little tough getting going but you can see by my times that I feel good. My legs seem to like early morning this time of year and I have been taking 2 days off a week for the last 4 weeks.
I took 3 powerade "gu's" on the 18 miler this weekend and I had to call my wife to bring me water just after mile 15 because it was hot 88 degrees and humid 85 percent.
I have been switching each other day from Asics 2120's to Brooks adenaline GTS 7's.
My totals for each week since the Lake Placid Marathon are:

June 22-June 28 43.6 miles
June 29-July 05 37.7 miles
July 06-July 12 36.3 miles
July 13-July 19 49.3 miles

This is an average of just over 41 miles/week but I would like to be over 40 miles every week.

End of June the Beginning of July

I'm on the computer all day at work. So I don't always feel like writing after I check my email at night, the weather is just too nice or the Sox are on TV. Here is a summary of what I have done since June 23rd:

June 24 6.1 miles in 50:42 7.2 mph at 8:18.7/mi.
June 25 4.0 miles in 32:39 7.3 mph at 9:09.8/mi.
June 26 7.0 miles in 57:34 7.3 mph at 8:13.4/mi.
June 27 OFF
June 28 14.4 miles in 1:53:00 7.5 mph at 7:54.1/mi.
June 29 10.1 miles in 1:23:00 7.2 mph at 8:13.1 mph
June 30 OFF Total for June 153 miles
July 1 5.1 miles in 42:19 7.2 mph at 8:17.8/mi.
July 2 OFF my calfs were really tight for the past 3 days
July 3 6.1 miles in 50:50 7.2 mph at 8:20.0/mi.
July 4 5.3 miles in 48:05 6.6 mph (ran with Simone) 9:04.3/mi.
July 5 11.1 miles in 1:30:30 7.3 mph at 8:09.2/mi.
July 6 10.7 mlies in 1:28:50 7.2 mph at 8:18.1/mi.
July 7 4.1 miles in 35:50 7.3 mph at :44.4/mi.
July 8 7.0 miles in 58:08 7.5 mph (this doesn't seem right) 8:18.3/mi.
July 9 4.1 miles in 31:37 7.8 mph at 7:42.7/mi.

I'm switching between Asics 2120's and Brooks Adrenaline GTS 7's enery other day. This has helped my legs.
I just ordered a new pair of Brooks GTS 8's.
Well I gota go eat. That's all for now.

Sunday/Monday

Yesterday I ran 8.1 miles in 1:06:00 (7.4 mph) at a pace of 8:08.9/mi. I felt good, my first 1.3 miles was at a 8.4 mph pace. My legs have recovered well. I didn't even have a massage since the race; I normally have one within 5 days.
Today I ran early; 4.1 miles in 32:00 (7.7 mph) at a pace of 7:48.3/mi.
I am trying a new sunscreen, aqua block SPF 50 by Nature's Gate.
Also I am trying arnica plus by Peaceful Mountain which says it is for pre and post exercise support.

It's Official

I am an official Marathon Maniac #1015, check it out at http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/ I'm at the bottom of the InSane AsyLum. I started running today. My left quad was a little tight but I was able to go 5.1 miles in 44:36 (6.9 mph) at a pace of 8:44.7/mi.

Lake Placid Marathon

I had a good week leading up to the marathon. I ran Monday through Thursday a total of 28 miles for the week.
It was a different marathon than I am use to. I went by myself; it took about 4 hours to drive there. The trip went well, the Google directions were perfect.
I didn't have to show ID to get my number. The people were friendly and very low key.
I stayed in Elizabethtown about 24 miles away. After I ate a late lunch I drove toward Elizabethtown to find a church. I was lost and just happened upon Holy Family at 3:57 and saw everyone going in for 4 o'clock mass. This was a good sign. After I asked directions to Elizabethtown.
My motel was a throw back to the 60's but it was nice and inexpensive. I was quoted over $200 in Lake Placid. My total bill was $65.
I left at 5:30 for the race. A deer ran in front of me about 5 miles down the road so I slowed down some. Another deer ran in front of me about 15 minutes later. But I arrived in one piece.
There was plenty of parking. Not a lot of people at first.
When we lined up the runners seemed reluctant to move to the line. I was about 10 feet back.
It started by going around a small lake. Very pretty.
Then out and back twice. When we turned at the ski jump the mountains were in the background. BEAUTIFUL! Everyone was encouraging and very friendly. I felt good but I started taking Gu at 5.5 miles and took 5 total at about 5.5, 10, 15, 19, 23. I also remembered to take Tylenol. There was a 12 year old that ran the 1/2 in 1:51.
It was great fun. I felt strong the whole time and ran past about 25 people in the last 10 miles.
I finished in 3:36:35 for 28th place overall and 3rd in my age group, 50 - 59.
I stayed around after to get my plaque and relax before driving back. I got home and my wife had a great supper for me on Father's Day. It was a great weekend.
I can now join the Marathon Maniacs!!! 3 marathons in 3 months was what I needed to accomplish. I did 3 in less than 2 months.

Less Than a Week to Lake Placid

Yesterday I ran 10.3 miles in 1:23:00 (7.4 mph) at a pace of 8:03.5/mi. It was incredably hot!!!
I haven't sweat so much in years. It hit 98 degrees today. I ran at 6:30 this morning so it was OK. 4.1 miles in 32:15 (7.6 mph) for a pace of 7:52.0/mi. It's going to be just as hot tomorrow. I have to stop writing to go cool off. We don't have air conditioning.

First Week on a New Job

The people at A.W. Hastings were very nice to me all week. What a wonderful company!!!
I ran in the morning before work and felt energizer each day.
Wednesday I ran 6.1 miles in 50:24 (7.3 mph) a pace of 8:15.7/mi. and on Thursday I ran 4.1 miles in 32:58 (7.4 mph) at a pace of 8:02.4/mi. I took Friday off to be consistent with my previous regiment.
Today I ran in 3 segment: 5.5 miles in 44:05 (7.5 mph) a pace of 8:00.9/mi. I finished at home so I could run with my friend Simone. We took off in a couple of minutes and ran 5.2 miles in 47:09 (6.6 mph) a pace of 9:04.0/mi. I left her after about 5 minutes and ran 4.3 miles in 32:07 (7.7 mph) a pace of 7:41.4/mi. 15 total mile. I felt good.
I then left to have a massage. Shannon did a great job!!! I feel great tonight even though I put in fence posts for my garden (90+ temperature) and cut part of the lawn (2 hours, I have a big lawn).
Hopefully tomorrow I can run 10 to start the week leading up to the marathon next Sunday.

June is Getting Hot

I know I reused a title from last June.
I will post some pictures from the Vermont marathon soon.
I had 2 massages last week and didn't start running again until Saturday. I ran 4.1 miles in 35:10 (7.0 mph) for a pace of 8:34.6/mi.
Sunday I ran with Simone. She is not back to where she was last October. She has 2 little ones to watch over. We ran 5.75 miles in 52:29 (6.6 mph) for a pace of 9:07.7/mi. It was OK because my hips have taken a beating lately.
I signed up to run the Lake Placid Marathon on Father's Day. It sounds REALLY hilly.
On Monday I started my new job. I ran at 6:35 AM 4.1 miles in 31:26 (7.8 mph) for a pace of 7:40.0/mi. It was the excitement of the first day. I felt like I was flying although it's not that fast.
Today I ran 4.7 miles in 39:12 (7.2 mph) for a pace of 8:20.4/mi. more in tune with how I have been feeling.
I hope to run at least 40 this week but it's only the second week after the marathon so I don't want to over do it.
Total miles for the month: 155. Total mile this year through today: 916.55

Key Bank Vermont City Marathon

My family loves the Burlington VT area. We stayed at 2 different Marriott motels. The first the TowneSuites. We had ajoining rooms. The staff was very helpful. It was nice. 4 stars.
On Sunday night we stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn which was even nicer and the staff were equally as nice.
The first night, Friday, 3 of us ate at the 3 Tomatoes next to the theater. The Switchback beer was excellent, bartender not so much and the calamere was salty.
Shaws has a great selection of natural foods which is in walking distance of the restaurant in Williston. But onto the race.
I had a banana and a power bar, Clif Builder, the morning of the race and I remembered the Tylenol. The night before Keith and I had whole wheat pasta, I had a couple of beers.
The weather was perfect. We started with the 9:00/mile group. This is a great race because the family gets to see you at the start, 3.3 miles, 8.7 miles, 15.1 miles, and the finish. Keith was high fiving everyone as we went by.
Keith was on pace for a sub 4 hour until his IT band acted up at mile 14. He had to stretch it at every drink stop from 15 miles on. But he hung in there and he finished in 7:25:12 taking 30 minutes off his Chicago time. A new PR!!! I finished 1 second back. I may write more later. It was a wonderful experience to run the whole race with my son. Not many people get the chance. I'll always remember it.

Saturday May17th

I ran with Steve Warner for the first time in months. We ran 4 miles at a 6.5 mph pace. Steve hasn't been running much we started out taking it easy and 4 miles was enough.
I ran a total of 10.5 miles in 1:34:40 (6.7 mph) at a 9:01.0/mi. pace. This is exactly what I hope I can get my son to run in the Vermont City Marathon on Sunday. We would come in at 3:56 for 26.2 I try JOTT today for my up date. I'll see if I did it right and if it does up date correctly.

Running This Week

I took Sunday off and ran Monday through Thursday. Here is a summary for the week:
Monday 10.0 miles (6.9 mph) at a 8:37.0/mi. pace
Tuesday 7.1 miles (7.2 mph) at a 8:16.8/mi. pace
Wednesday 10.4 miles (7.2 mph) at a 8:14.7/mi. pace
Thursday 4.2 miles (7.5 mph) at a 7:59.8/mi. pace
I have been busy going to interviews but no job yet.
I have also added a few links.
Tomorrow I'll take the day off and get a massage.

2 Weeks Til Vermont

On Thursday I ran 10.1 miles in 1:25:10 (7.1 mph) at a pace of 8:25.9/mi.
I took Friday off and got a massage. My legs felt a little tired.
I read that article on Slogging and Jogging in Running Times and I thought I might try it this Summer.
Today I ran 4.1 miles with a friend, Simone, and then ran another 10.3 miles. In total I ran 14.4 miles in 2:02:00 (7.1 mph) at a pace of 8:28.3/mi. With Simone we ran a 6.7 mph pace. That was good because I will try to pace my son in Vermont and he runs closer to 6.7 mph.
I just signed up for JOTT to try and post using my cell phone.
I'll see if it works later today.