Less than 3 Weeks

12.1 miles today with less than 3 weeks to go until my 1st 100k. I am very excited right now and I can't wait to run.

Testing Equipment for 100k

I used my UltraSpire pack today with an ice pack inside a plastic bag. I ran 7.2 miles in 1:08:05 and it was 87 F when I came into the house. It was still cold, 1/2 frozen and I will try a 2 hour run to see if it will last that long. I felt good, it definitely helped.

Going Long

Another 20 today. I felt great and did extra hill work during run. 2 hills which use to be hard for me I ran relatively easy. My blood pressure is low when I don't take more than 1 day off. BP reading is very good after long run.

July 4 2016

11.1 miles 9 days after the cat 50k. I feel good after the run. I have to run an avg. of 5.2 miles for 12 hours for the 100k.

Catamount Ultra 50k

I had a lot of fun! 2 laps and some hills and technical terrain but it was a nice course. Waterbury is a place to have several Beer Advocate 100 rated beers and I bought a Lawson Session #2 low alcohol beer for the night before the race. 4:17:20 61/113. I was 1st in my age group, 1/5, and  I passed 8 people on the 2nd lap and I did not get passed at all.
I did start too fast and that and the heat got to me after mile 26.

Young Minds

So I had to take 4 days off since I over did it last week. I ran 6.2 miles today in the Vanquish 2 since they are softer and stress the upper legs more. I felt fine and will get acupuncture tomorrow.

2015 Vs. 2016 Mileage

          2015            2016
Jan    172.2           189.0
Feb   169.0           141.3
Mar  147.4           142.1
Apr  109.5           113.1
May 119.8           150.1

I feel stronger this year and I will be running loner races with several BQs.

Vermont City and Beyond

The 2016 VT City was hot.  My first hour was great but as the temperature rose ir was tough to keep up the pace. After mile 16 I did feel the heat. I was on a 3: pace but as I cramped up by mile 22 I has to settle for a 4:01:42 which was 3/64 in my age group. A surprise to me but I did feel great most of the race. A Shout out to all the support and to the volunteers! Water sprays everywhere!!!
I do have 2 suggestions for the race committee:
No pacers and start the race at 7 AM.
This is still one of my favorite races at any distance, way more positives than negatives.

2 Weeks Til VT Marathon

I run all my miles in the Hoka Odyssey right now. Excellent shoe. 40.7 miles so far this week.
After bodywork massage last night 9.2 miles today after work and I feel great tonight. Cc does great work! 655 miles so far this year. VT will be fun and I hope to run 300 miles in 2 months.

Post Boston, Pre -VT City

14 miles tonight after work. My legs feel great!

Boston 2016

Negative splits! My #24595 and overall I was 18029 with a pace of 9:23.
I went by a lot of people the last 9 miles and I felt great at the finish.

Excited About Running Boston

After 2 sessions of massage bodywork and 3 sessions of acupuncture bodywork I am feeling much better. I have been running well 3 of the past 4 days and I'm excited about Boston. Not sure what shoes to wear yet.

Boston Taper

Well I didn't plan to take 4 days off but left foot not feeling it right now. Today driving the bus I discovered that the Hoka Bondi 4 is not a good shoe for me even to walk in or drive the bus. My left foot was killing me so I took the shoe off and pain eased. I was able to run 9.4 miles after work and felt fine in the Hoka Vanquish 2. Icing foot and I now feel I will be ready for Boston. This will be the eleventh in a row and I have already qualified for 2017.
The trail run did not help Boston and I will think about running a road marathon 4 weeks before next years Boston.
Ball of foot still hurts but I will run in the Conquest 2 to try to fix it in the next 10 days.

Tapering for Race

I'm not feeling it right now. Left big toe not 100 percent. Low salt diet for BP not helping my digestion or running. Odyssey a great shoe but I will probably run in the Challenger. Also right hamstring too tight at first for about a mile into the run the past 4 days. Hopefully, I can run OK and fix any problems when Cecilia returns from her trip.

Hoka Vanquish 2

I ran a double today 7.2 miles this early AM in 1:06 and 7.4 miles in the rain this PM. Actually it started to rain for my last 1.2 miles this morning too. Both runs were in the Hoka Vanquish 2. Plush upper sock-like feel. lighter than the Conquest 2 and my legs feel great tonight.

Hoka Odyssey

Just started running in the Hoka Odyssey tonight after work. So far, I love it! Firm and light, about 8.8 oz., 5 mm offset. Will run in it more this week.

Rare Day Off

I was able to run 14.5 miles today on the Rail Trail since I took the day off to be with my son and grandson Jalen, but they weren't able to come due to car problems so I got to go for a long run instead.
I felt the massage last night would help my run and still be of maximum benefit. I feel great right now.

Mid-Maryland 50k Grand Master Champion

Number pick-up was smooth and Philip was helpful and enthusiastic.

Directions were spot on and the weather was clear and cold.

After the 1st lap it seemed like a mini VT50, technical and varied terrain. 

A lot of people only went 3 or 4 laps,  laps needed for a 50k. I loved the chocolate chip muffins and Powerbar chocolate gel. I had pizza after the 3rd lap. I felt great except lap 4. 

I tripped 2xs, after the 2nd I felt like my back and shoulders were out of place. 

The last lap I passed several runners and I wanted to run sub 6 hours.  Next to last hill I was at 5:55 and I finished 5:59:18 in in AG, RRCA Mid-Maryland 2016 Grand Master Champion.

Food after was great! Hot soup and hot pizza! Timing spot on Bling, half zip, metal and magnet for $55.

Unique Double for 2016

Well I woke up at 3:35 and was trying to decide if I should run due to the snow. I was wide awake so I got up and put spikes in my shoes. My wife woke and said I could plow instead of running. I said I would run a short one and plow after. It was still snowing when I left. 4.1 miles run.
I got back home and all the lights were on and my wife was shoveling the snow. I joined her but said we should plow. Our electric plow did great and we were soon done.
This afternoon it was warmer and sunny and I ran 4.1 again 3 minutes faster.

Two Long Runs

I ran 10.2 miles yesterday and 12.4 today. 51 for the week.
I had to get a massage at the Massage School,The Massage School since Cecilia was out of commission. Erin was great and she actually goes to Cecilia for massages too.
My blood pressure this morning was 126/75 the lowest it has been in years.
Great weekend, I do miss being off to run every weekend.