Week in Review

I worked last Sunday so I started my running on Monday. I ran in the NB 870 V3 on Monday and they are fun shoes but they really stress my Achilles. Tuesday and Wednesday lower legs were sore BUT my massage on Wednesday night, THANK YOU Selena!, was great and my legs felt so good that I ran a fast 12.1 late yesterday afternoon on the Rail Trail. I hope to run a 2 miler in about 6-10 days for my long run before Hartford.
I can say enough about how much getting a weekly massage helps me keep running injury free. That and acupuncture are definitely under utilized by the running community.

The Week that Wasn't

I ran 17.1 miles on Sunday in 2:33 and felt good after; so good I wish I had run 20.
Took Monday off and ran 4.2 Tuesday and 3.1 Wednesday. My legs were a wreck after that even with needles Tuesday and a great massage on Wednesday. I think my inserts are worn out, the ones I use every day. My shoes may be beyond use as well. I worn compression socks all day today and my legs feel better. I hope to run 10 tomorrow. Work tomorrow and Sunday.

Training for Hartford Now

I ran 12.2 miles last Sunday in 1:46:10 and felt good, mostly ran on the road with a few miles on a cinder track. I ran Monday and yesterday and had my weekly massage last night. The massage was great! I can't say enough for the students at the Massage School in Easthampton, MA.
I hope to run more than 12 miles Sunday, my second Sunday in a row that I have off from Fleet Feet.

Finally!

Finally I feel like my old self. I ran 6.2 miles yesterday and today and I feel great. The massage last night really helped. Thanks Sarah!
Today is National IPA Day, drink at least one or try a double IPA ;)
I hope to run 8-10 miles on Sunday, I have the day off from Fleet Feet.
New pictures posted from Washington, Light at the end of the Tunnel.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

My wife and I stayed in Sea Tac so we would be close to the airport when we had to leave early this morning. It turned out to be a good move.
We went out Saturday to see North Bend WA which was also a good move since my phone did not work right away on Sunday so we could not use the GPS to find our way.
Annemarie dropped me off to catch the bus for the marathon at the finish line. 1 out of every 4 runners was a Marathon Maniac which was very cool!
The race started at about 3600' and dropped to 1200' at the finish. I wasn't able to run much the week before because of my bunion and the altitude probably did me in at the end but the views were incredible.
I came in at 4:04:17 186 overall 7/14 in my age group  186/395. The pebbles did get to me by mile 21 but a great race, one I would recommend to everyone! Hopefully not too many people read this so I can sign up again next year. The limit is 500 runners.

Julie's First Marathon Training Officially Underway

My daughter Julie signed up for the Hartford Marathon in October. My son Keith and I are going to run with her. Yesterday we kicked off her training. I gave her a 15 week plan to follow and we ran an hour on the Rail Trail in Vernon. 6.0 miles in 1:02:07. I need to get her down to about a 4:20 marathon pace or my left ankle will hurt during the run. But for a first day it was a good start. Because of work Julie had not run for a week.
3 weeks to the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon. I'm excited! 12.1 miles last Saturday on Rail Trail, last miles 7:55/mi. Last 5 miles gentle down hill.

Rainy Thursday

Well in all fairness it could have been rainy Monday, Tuesday, etc. (except Wednesday). I had to take yesterday off because I did not have enough time to run unless I got up at 4:30 AM. I was laying in bed thinking about it but I had a long day ahead and it just wasn't hot enough. My Grandson Sam got 3 awards at the after school program and then I raced off to get a massage. Today's 5.3 miles felt great but I need to run long on Saturday so I did not push the mileage today. Feeling good but my right knee is not tracking over my foot, so i am working on stretching right hip/quad.
Excited about Washington and the Tunnel Marathon.

Back at it!

I had a good week last week. Ran 23.3 miles with a 7.1 mile run on Saturday in 1:00:07. I am back to working in the garden, running, with acupuncture and massage weekly. I hope to increase my miles this week and do a long trail run.

The 25th Keybank Vermont City Marathon

It was another great year for the Vermont Marathon. My kids ran the 1/2 relay once again; another boy friend and a sub but they all finished strong!
The weather was GREAT! Rainy and cold. I am getting older and I do not like to be too hot. Winter marathons seem best for me now. So that said, I felt great at the beginning. I had a pace band for 8:40 and 8:50 per mile and I knew one of the pacers for the 8:45/mile. I wanted to run below my pace for 3-5 miles and the hit it. At mile 7 I was on the 8:50 pace and held it to the end. I kept telling myself BOSTON!!! I felt like I should have qualified in Boston and I was determined to do it here, MY MOST FAVORITE MARATHON! The rain, puddles, pacers and other runners just spurred me on. A 3:51:09 should get me in to Boston, my qualifying time is 3:55. It will be my ninth in a row. I can not think of not running Boston. My house looks like a little kids room with all the posters!
6 gels and 3 salt tablets; Gator Aide 3 times too. I feel like I can run even faster since my bunion on my left foot did not hurt for the first time in 11 marathons.

Heading to Vermont For my Eighth Vermont City Marathon

I am very happy with the cool weather. I need to run faster than I have run in about 17 months. My goal is 3:50. If I didn't have to use the porta potty 3 times in Boston I would have come close to 3:53 so it isn't a huge stretch and I do have my PR here in Vermont.
I want to have fun and do the best I can. Heady Topper after the race.

Two Weeks to the KeyBank VT City Marathon

I only took 4 days off after Boston. I felt like I did not run fast enough. I know if my left ankle does not limit me I can run a sub 3:50 marathon. I have been running trail and cinder track workouts and I am running faster again. 5 or 6 days a week since I am still working 6-7 days a week, running and trying to get the garden going. I hope the weather and my digestion are in my favor in VT.

Boston

What can I say that hasn't been said the past few days?
I was in the finishing area when the bombs went off. I ran great from Heartbreak hill I didn't realize I was over it until I saw the road and knew. The Hill was nothing this year. Not always the case.
I was running strong and passing a lot of people until 25. I toughed it out until the turn in front of the Citgo sign. The last 4/10s were tough.
I was stiff after the finish. Water. Wrap. METAL! At the food I got a Cookies Powerbar and then POW! We all turned and saw the smoke. All were quiet. Then the second bomb. Smoke and flames. Lots of Volunteers and First Responders running to the smoke. We all knew they were bombs. The Volunteers and First Responders were great. Calm and many running to the smoke. They kept us moving.
Two of my daughters, Julie and Kelly, and two of my grandkids, Sam and Katie, were there to see me run. Kelly and Sam were across from the explosions.
I went to my phone but I couldn't get a call out. No dial tone. I was really worried. God worries about your soul... I texted them and finally got a text back from Kelly.
It was an hour until I hugged them all. It was like I held my breathe. I had to use the porta potties 3 times in the race and finished in 3:56:34. 3 times, set a PR for porta pottie use and gels (9).
I have to run another race to qualify.
I hope I can run 9 in a row. Stay tuned ;)

Training Went Well; Boston in 3 Days

My training was spot on and my tapper has been good too. I have run 3 times this week and I may/may not run today. Boston Expo tomorrow. I had an excellent massage from Sarah and a great massage from Abby on Wednesday. Some of my problems have melted away since. I feel truly blessed to be running Boston for the eighth time in a row and I hope this is only the next step in continuing to run it in the future.

Less than a Month to Boston

I ran 20 miles Friday at 8:42/mi., still below the 3:45 I need to run a 8:45 in Boston. I have run a 14, 16 and 20 miler in preparation and I feel good except for a stiff neck. I will need to stay mentally tough in Boston.

40.2 Miles This Week

Finally ran over 40 for the week with a 16.1 mile run yesterday and 3.4 miles today. My hip popped out of place on Thursday morning but it hasn't stopped me from running. I'm having it worked on and if I get a more experienced massage therapist this week they may be able to pop it back.

No Long Run This Past Week

I had to work over time at work this week so my short day turned long. I did run 6 days in a row again and I do feel good so , hopefully, I will get to run long the end of this week. I need at least a 15 miler. I am foam rolling 2-3 X's per day and using the trigger point tools more and I'm within 100 miles of wearing out my present shoes. It has turned cold and windy today. I hope it warms up again soon.

Sunday Off

Right now I take Sunday as my only day off. I almost ran this Sunday since I didn't have to work at Fleet Feet, but I decided I needed a day off. I have felt better running this week and need a long run on Friday.

4 Miles after Nor'easter

Yes I do have the gear to run in snow and wind thanks to Fleet Feet Hartford and Nike. I ran only 4 miles and had one older guy say "bless you" and one younger guy say " what the hell". No cars came close and I ran 32.3 miles for the week. I had hoped for 38 but the snow killed the last 2 days. Next week I'll run more!

Snow Friday

I had to run inside on the tread mill today after work since the roads seem dangerous. I could only manage to run 7.0 miles in 1:00:31. 28+ miles so far this week but I'm not sure what the storm will bring as far as my ability to run outside tomorrow. Run more!

Doubles

In order to run 40 or more miles a week I felt I needed to run twice a day. I run at lunch, 10-11 and then after work. However, between my 2 hour massage last night and all the miles I have run the past 3 weeks I am only running 6+ miles per day. Now we are suppose to get 20-30 inches of snow in the next 2 days. I'm not sure how much I am going to be able to run this week.