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October 3, 2005
Post 50k Week's Summary
Monday's Day Off
On Monday I walked the neighborhood dogs for about a half hour and did not feel very sore from the 50k at all. I was sleepy tired but not achy tired in my legs or hips. While I was walking the dog I lost my ring and had to spend about 45 minutes looking for it. Mark found it for me and it was literally right in front of me. I guess I was pretty tired.
Tuesday's 4 mile run in the North Kingdom
On Tuesday the students had a meet in the North Kingdom which is about an hour north of where I am living. It was in Lyndonville. I have not been there before but I have heard about it. The area is very scenic - lots of trails and mountain views. The students did a relay race there. When they were finished I ran about 4 miles on the trails and really had a great time. The trails were very nice, soft and well marked. They looked like they could go on for miles. If I had had more time I would have run a lot more because I felt pretty good. On the uphills I was tired but other than that I felt great. It was nice to run on soft trails that were clear.
Wednesday's Mini Run/Workout
On Wednesday I planned to do a longer run but as it turned out I only ran 1.5 miles. I ran 1.5 miles with the team during their tempo run. They had to run 2 miles at seven minute pace so I jumped in to pace them. Initially my left quad was really achy so after a half mile I stretched and relaxed until they came through the mile mark. As it turned out I had run the first half mile at 3:08 pace which explains why my quad was sore. The second mile felt very relaxed. We ran the second mile in 6:45. I thought about running more once the team finished their faster 800 repeats but I really did not feel like it so I just relaxed and called it a day.
Thursday's A.M. 7 mile Lake Loop and Evening Fitzgerald Loop
On Thursday I managed to wake up and run an easy seven miles around the lake. I ran nice and easy and felt great. I did the lake loop extension. When I returned to the camp I realized we did not have power. I took a chance and took a hot shower and was relieved to have enough hot water. In the evening I ran another six miles after school. I ran nice and easy and was happy to have the energy for a second run. When I returned to the camp we still did not have power and we also did not have any hot water. I was freezing. I made a pizza while I waited for the utlity company to come. By 9 p.m. the power had returned which was nice because it is starting to get chilly at night.
Friday's Early Morning 9 mile run and Afternoon 7 mile Trail Run
On Friday morning I met my friend Jen at 6:00 a.m. and we did our usual 6-7 mile loop. It was so early but the sky was so beautiful. It was worth the effort to get up just to see the orange and pink sky. When I dropped Jen off at her house I still had another 2.5 miles to climb uphill back to my car. I have been picking her up and driving to the top of the hill so we don't have to start at the bottom of the hill. In the afternoon I ran with a coworker of mine, Katy, at Caty's Falls trails. Initially I was so tired and I had to stop about three times in the first 10 minutes to stretch my quad. After ten minutes I did not have to stop and I had a lot of fun running on the trails with my friend.
Saturday's 10 mile run in Thetford and Easy 3 miler
On Saturday I was at the Thetford Invitational all day. We left from Morrisville at 6:30 in the morning. I woke up with a sore throat and felt horrible. I slept on the way to the meet. When we arrived I realized we would have an hour and a half before the first race. I decided to go for an easy run. I ran the 5k course and then hit the road for another 7 miles. I ended up running about 3.5 miles downhill to Unionville and came upon a very nice refurnished covered bridge. I then had to run the last 3.5 miles uphill. I ran very easy because I was tired and not feeling 100%. In the afternoon there was a free hour without any races taking place. I decided to explore some trails across the street from Thetford Academy and managed to run another three miles easy. I spent a lot of the afternoon cheering for athletes and I also got to visit my nephew whose team came from CT to race in the meet. He had an average day for him, finishing fourth for his team and running 17:50. He wanted to run in the low 17's. I am sure his team will make it to New Englands an then he will get another chance to run that course and run faster. When we arrived from Thetford we had to get in our car and drive back South to head to Boston. I was exhausted and was in a bad mood while I was driving. We made it to Boston by 11 p.m. and I was so happy to hit the sack and go to sleep.
Sunday's Great Brook Farm State Park: 2 hour and 45 minute run
On Sunday I was hoping to run for three hours but based on how I felt I was happy with 2 hours and 45 minutes. I met Mark's sister and ran the first 45 minutes with her at Great Brook Farm State Park in MA. We ran a pretty good clip and I was already tired and wondered how I would manage another two hours. We met up with Alison for the last two hours. Sarah ran with us for another 15 minutes and then it was just Alison and me. The trails were really nice but I did not know them that well. I had us do a lot of repeats but we talked non stop so I hardly noticed the repetitive nature of the course. It was awesome to catch up with Alison and terrific to have her company again on the run. In the last 30 minutes of the run I was wiped out and really slowed down a lot. If Alison had not been with me I would have cut the run short. I think that will be my last long run before the 50 mile race. I may do a two hour run sometime this week and then start to back off. It was a perfect day for running on Sunday morning. I was beat as we drove back to VT and managed to go to bed at 9:30 and did not wake up until 7. I should feel great today with all of that sleep but I actually feel very tired. I am hoping I can run an easy 8-9 miles after work today since I was unable to get up to do a morning run today.
Posted by mary at October 3, 2005 11:33 AM
Comments
Wow Mary
Great updates. Your double days sound intense. Way to go!
Your runnning in general sounds very peaceful and the company you are keeping on your runs sounds good too.
More later
Liz
Posted by: Liz at October 3, 2005 4:31 PM
It sounds like you had some great runs this week with lots of company. You had four different running partners plus the team you coach. We'll be at the BAA Half on Sunday. Hope to see you there!
Posted by: Caitlin at October 4, 2005 7:38 PM
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Posted by: Aalap at October 6, 2005 9:35 AM