New Distance Record

This crazy week topped out at 150.9 miles in six days (CT is rowing on a Total Gym today).

The palm massager has been a helpful recovery tool to be ready to go on the next run.

120+ miles

5th consecutive week over 100 miles climbed to 121.3 miles. 

And this was after a marathon the previous Saturday.

Setting sites on 125-150.

Favorite Winter Accessory

These wetsuit gloves kept my hands toasty from 2 to 15+ miles in pre-sunrise 27F.

The grip even worked with the cell phone.

In the Rain

After running through my fifth puddle this morning I realized, "Hey, these are fun!" And went deeper. 15.6 miles before sunrise.

Kiawah Island Marathon

       I consider the Kiawah Marathon my nemesis race. It was my first full marathon and I did achieve the goal that day (14 years ago) to finish, but since then in three subsequent attempts I have fallen short of my time goal. And it always has finished at 70+ degrees Fahrenheit (annoyingly hot for running fast). Today is the same, except that it will also start warm at nearly 60F and 92% humidity. I am purposely not drinking the typical cup of coffee before the marathon start to avoid going out to fast. As with OBX, the goal is to run four miles at a time allowing for water stops and walking a little bit. Even though my left calf has been frustratingly bothersome in the first four miles it is not as limiting as Toronto so I kept moving forward thinking “I can run through this pain.” Sure enough (finally), after walking through a water station at mile four it eased up. I carried and consumed just one gel (at mile 12), a caffeinated Maple Bacon Gu. Since I was only going to have just one gel I wanted something uniquely tasty; bacon and syrup minus the saturated fat and high sugar content sounded ideal to the senses. And it did not disappoint. During the race, I pushed into random kicks whenever the mind and/or body said “Go!” Basically, I ran without the fear of reaching 26.2 but with a conviction that said, “I am definitely going to finish this race, so just run fast whenever you feel like it.” Surprisingly, I discovered a mental toughness pushing a physical potential I didn’t know was there. The legs stayed strong for the duration, through the mile 12-13 drought experienced at OBX, through the mile 18 breakdown at Toronto and then even pushed nonstop from mile 20 to the end. Following a runner wearing a jersey with this quote in the latter miles was very motivating, “One day I won't be able to do this, today is not that day.” The results were bittersweet, once again defining Kiawah as my nemesis; the final chip time was 4:00:37, 37 seconds short of my goal (four hours). However, I did run a 13:03 negative split (front half 2:06:50, back half 1:53:47). But mixed in with all of these developments, looking back, the best part remembered will no doubt be holding hands with Jane while walking to the start.

Resistance

The wet grass gave like mud today.

Finished two miles short of the goal.

100+ miles

3rd Consecutive Week

Fall-Winter Frosting

Go off-road and enjoy the crunchy mornings.

Lucky Day

After 15+ miles of my headlamp 

pressing on the Shamrock Marathon logo

on my running cap.

December 1st