Miles Slogged

The training plan called for 18 today. The heavy, wet snow made the going very slow. My feet were wet almost immediately. Because of my last run, I decided to do a loop that was nearly 6 miles, but where I could be back to the house after 3 if necessary. My breathing and heart rate were very elevated the entire time, but, that could have been the trail conditions. I just pretended I was training at altitude.

The fresh snow let me see evidence of all the animals that had been out. I saw skunk, deer, coyote, and lots of squirrel tracks. In person, I saw my red tail hawk pair and heard their screeches too!

That helped pass the first lap which ended up being 5.75 miles but taking a whopping 1:13:26 to complete. I fueled up on Honey Stinger Chews (yum!), pretzels, and Gatorade. I had planned to change shoes as well, but, since they'd be just as wet not long after heading out, I didn't waste the time.

In the second lap "I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier" kept running through my head. It became a sort of mantra. I've had that happen at a couple of the Pineland races. One year it was Elvis Costello's "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down". It's never the whole song, just the one line.

The going was a little easier since I had some foot prints to trod in, but, it was also getting slippery. Still, the second lap was actually seconds faster than the first. I filled up with the same goodies and used the foam roller on the ITband - more preventive than anything.

The third lap was more difficult. The path was sloppier yet and I was just tired. Still, the time and miles just went. I was 3 hours and 15 minutes into the run before my feet started to get cold. Not bad for feet that had been wet the entire time and with temps in the mid 30's. I was planning on taking their picture to include because I was sure they'd be special looking. Nope, not even too pruney. It took me almost 3 minutes longer on that lap for a total of 3:42:22. Except for sore big toes, very happy with my effort. Yay!!

At Least the Weather Was A Pleasant Surprise

Took advantage of the blue sky this morning to get Spot out for her walk. When we got back and there still was no rain and snow, I thought I'd better hurry up and run. I was driving a friend to Portland in the afternoon for a doctors appointment and figured the "poopie" weather would have returned by the time I got home.

The fields were extremely soggy. I'd get wet feet, but, my feet have been wet before. With the temperature well on its way to forty, I wasn't too worried about them getting too cold. Since I was sticking close to home, I could always cut it short if I had to. There are no more rock solid clumps to bother ankle and toe joints. The rain and warmth has solved that. My left foot was quickly flooded by two poor foot placement choices. Didn't matter, just running a little longer the right one was equally saturated.

WARNING: The following will contain women issues not suitable for all readers. I don't care, but you might.

I was enjoying the mud and course, but couldn't believe how much my cardio was being taxed. Without a heart rate monitor, I can't say for sure, but I think I was nearly maxed out for much of my run. My breathing was, of course, the same; I was sucking wind. It wasn't till I had my second tampon blowout during the barely six mile run that I started putting some things together. I was also on day 11.

Just over a year ago I had my period for much longer and much heavier. I was really anemic and diagnosed with a ovarian cyst. What amazes me is that there seems to be this threshold between feeling fine cardio-vascular wise and not. One day you can run fine, the next 1/2 mile and your heart is about to explode.

I seem to have extremely bad luck with this. I've had my period for three of the four Pineland Challenges. At least I got some good advice from seasoned ultra-runners:. There's nothing you can really do about it. Just carry a ziplock baggy and plenty of tampons. With out that advice, I wouldn't have been able to run today. This woman was so matter of fact about it - She helped. I'm so glad to not be kept from the thing that makes me feel better, but, you need to have some red blood cells to get the oxygen to all the muscles! I'm hoping that isn't that bad this time and that I was just sucking wind because of the wet, wet, field absorbing all my energy. I'll make the doctor's appointment on Monday if things aren't better. My 18 mile long run should be interesting Sunday : (

Driving Mist

I have a day off in my schedule for the week that I thought might be best used today, except this is the day I'm in Gorham and Portland for 7 hours. Since my wipers were only on the intermittent setting heading to Gorham, I decided to run my campus loop. Driving mist may seem an oxymoron, but, the wind was really blowing, so it seemed just that. Fortunately I listened to my head and didn't put the extra clothes on my cold body said it needed. I was unzipping and taking off gloves in less than 5 minutes. I ended up having a pretty good six mile run feeling happy with myself for not wimping out. It helped that the book I'm reading is not...um...a real page turner.

I had decided to read The Rainbow by DH Lawrence remembering how much I enjoyed it in my high school English Lit class. I was kind of curious that I didn't remember it being racy yet it supposedly had incest and some lesbian sex. As it is, I'm finding the writing way over the top - kind of like the acting in really old films. I'm beginning to think I liked it only because I had a huge crush on the teacher. Still plan on slogging through.

It's interesting that many of the books I thought were good from long ago, I don't now. Then there are books, like Steinbeck's, that I thought were pure torture that I now appreciate. Some of the classics are read at an age where you don't have the life experience to understand them. I thought Steinbeck a sadist after being forced to read the Red Pony and Of Mice and Men in eighth grade.

Oh, yeah, this is about running. Well, it was running that I thought about all that. Sorry.

Easy Does It

Sunday I skipped the 10 miles my training schedule called for. I justified it by saying I was letting my IT band recover. It was that, but it was also cause I was in a little funk. Not only was there a bit of a let down cause the party's over, but my brother went back to CO. Also, I was a bit afraid to see if any damage was done.

Monday I ran my Gorham route. After 5 miles I knew the band was still a little bit of an issue, but, if I baby it by stretching and using the roller, I think I stopped in time before any real harm was done. I cut it short at 8.

Today Linda and I were back in the fields. Staying on this side of the road, I mixed up the FA course to get in six miles.

Late Fat Ass Report

I can't believe it's over. In fact, I think that's why it's taken me so long to post...Then it really would be done. Before I get to the actual running, which is what this blog is supposed to be about, I have to gush a bit. I love the Trail Monsters. I love them individually and collectively. I love that they love to run, that they are so much fun, that they made my 50th the best birthday I've had. I love my neighbors who shared in hosting the fat ass and came up with whatever I forgot. I love that my brother came all the way from Colorado for barely three days to participate. And I love Rick who always supports my running even when he's been struggling so long with injuries. What a lucky girl I am!

The day was perfect, bright sunshine, light wind, and mild temps. I was still in my pj's when a caravan of cars began to pull up the driveway. As usual, my cooking took longer than I thought. No matter, everyone milled around socializing while I popped in the bacon breakfast pizza (I didn't get to the spinach, mushroom, and onion one till supper).

Without a lot of fanfare, 22 runners set out on our 5.16 mile loop. I think I made such a fuss about the rugged conditions of the course that most of the runners were pleasantly surprised. Still, there were lots of lumps and bumps in the bare fields, some icy spots, and crusty snow that would loosen up as the day went on.

I was the Monster that knew the course; I lead the way. Since most of the run was in open field, it was fun to look back and see the runners all finding their own paces. The front runners are all faster than me, but the adrenaline of it all let me lead at a decent pace. It wasn't till after the hill across the street, around the fourth mile, that I began to fall back. I was yelling out the directions to the front runners, Blaine, Chuck, Ian, Bob, Jamie, Lily, Ryan (not Snowman, not my Ryan, but the dinsosaur's Ryan) to keep them on course around the cones - what I thought would be the only part of the course that would be hard to follow. Turns out George would try to stretch the distance out some along the power lines and a few people would take a line through the prickers here and there.

Still I managed to stay just behind the lead group to finish the first loop in 49:41. That was two minutes faster than when I ran with Lily the week before, which was two minutes better than I ever ran solo. Ian refueled quickly and looked eager to get to the second loop. He looked at me like "coming?". Nope, I would take a bit longer to refuel, recover, and change into short sleeves and a fresh sports bra. From the stat board I see I took a full 7 minutes longer to get going. Well, at least that way I got to see Snowman hand off their precious Samantha to Danielle, who'd run the first lap (They had friends up from MA and still made time to both share in the day. Thanks, guys!).

I started the 2nd lap with Steve Day, a friend of Rick's from work, and we picked up my brother, John, for a bit. An unexpected need to visit the woods, left me solo for most of the rest of the loop. That was fine, just surprising given how many runners were spread out over the 5 miles. I did meet up with John for the last mile.

He was refueled and ready for his 3rd lap much quicker than I. Turns out my refueling took just over 12 minutes (same as after the 1st). I was feeling good for about a mile. Then my ITband, which hadn't misbehaved in a long time, started twinging. By the time I'd gotten to the motor-cross portion of the course, about 3 miles in, it was really yelling. I tried some stretches and kept going. At mile 4, I was on my back trying a more intense stretch. It helped some and I made it back, but decided to call it quits. I had intended to do 4 laps. If my ITB felt like that during Pinelands, I'd push through, but, not for a fat ass. This way I got to enjoy the other Monsters as they came in and told their stories of their runs AND there were so many goodies to sample.

Lets see, there are a few things...Karen and Alosaurus' kids are great. They both ran one full loop and part of a second. They still seemed to have boundless energy the rest of the day, playing on the pond, running around the yard, burning cattails... They were outgoing and polite, pleasures to have around.

Bob Poirier made being 50-plus look pretty good. Not only was he one of the three to go the distance, he was the first to finish. And finish looking damn fresh!

Lily and Jamie were the other two finishing all six laps. It was Lily's first 50k!

My brother did four laps, had to get up before 3am to make his flight out of Boston, and said he would have finished the other two laps Sunday if he had a later flight. Then, after reading much of Born to Run on the plane, said he would have run all 6 Saturday if he'd read that first!

I'm going to call it a post even though there are lots more stories of the day. It's 2am...Kevin's blog has his take on the day.

What a way to turn 50!

Short

Eight is what my training schedule says. 6.15 is what my log is gonna read. Initially I planned to do another easy eight on the roads like last Monday, but....The trail, no matter how punishing, is just more tempting than the road to me. Since I wasn't stuck in Portland all day (USM is on winter break), I had the option. So it was a loop and a mile of the fat ass for me. The pace wasn't great, but, for conditions, acceptable.

Aerial View

Yesterday Jerry took me up in the helicopter and I got an aerial view of the FA loop. Linda and Jerry's son, Dennis, had gone around and marked it with orange marking paint and cones. It was amazing how well it showed up. I think there will be no getting lost. My picture-taking skills leave a lot to be desired. This was the best one.

Today I ran just over 2.5 loops for a total of 13.5 miles. My first lap was at 10:14's, my second was 11:10's and the last 3+ was at 12:22's. It wasn't so much being tired as my ankles started rebelling every landing. The wildlife may have learned some colorful language. I'm not sure what the snow will mean to the conditions, other than the need to re-mark.

Ssa Taf

That's fat ass backwards - which is what I just ran. I liked it. Was it just because the day was nicer and the trail seemed less grumpy? Or is it the direction the Ass really wants to go? Maybe Sunday I'll do it back to back both ways and see. My time was slightly faster than before (still a couple minutes off my time with Lily), but at 10:28 pace.

Interestinger and Interestinger

Another loop on the ol' fat ass today. It's amazing it can change so much after just a day off especially since the weather really hasn't changed that much. I guess the temperature has crept up 10 degrees more and there has been bright sunshine and wind... So the remaining good snow is starting to soften, there's more of the lumpy open ground, and now...MUD. I am going to quote a favorite race director of mine: "If you want easy, run a marathon!"

On Sunday, I'm going to try three laps. I wonder what the course will be then.

Guest Runner

Lily and Echo joined me for a fat ass loop today. I was eager to get some input on the course from someone who isn't familiar with the terrain. She wanted to go easy saying she felt a bit beat up from the MWC on Sunday (she had an awesome performance by the way). That was good for me to hear; her easy is a decent workout for me.

The weather was the best in days in that if there was a wind, it would be better described as a light breeze. So the sunny 20's felt downright warm. We met Linda along the route. She was squeezing in a run between shifts at the post office.

Lily pointed out a few areas where she'd get lost if someone wasn't there who knew the course. We'll make sure to mark those places well. Like us, she wasn't thrilled with the bumpy, bare field, but made the best of it. I'm hoping at least a Monster or two will be able to go the distance. With the shorter loop there will be more opportunity for re-fueling. Echo showed no signs of it being a difficult course!

At the end, Lily and I turned in the best lap so far averaging 10:09's. I didn't even feel as beaten up as I had after some of the days. If we don't get some snow cover, then a day like this would go a long way to make it more enjoyable.

Well-deserved Easy Run

I had eight miles scheduled for today. After yesterday's hard miles (felt like I'd run a marathon), I didn't feel any guilt in running a very easy, very flat eight. And I even rewarded myself with a chocolate-chunk scone. I saw my hawk - yup, the hawk that hangs around the Back Cove is mine - but I had no photo-ops since he was in flight this time.

Got Snow?

Holy Sh*t! We need some snow. Rick and I did one loop of the fat ass slightly faster than my time yesterday (10:35's). I kept on going for another loop. In retrospect, I should have stopped for fluids and food. 10+miles just didn't seem to warrant it...Wrong. The bare fields are brutal on the body. I was only thinking of people with tender ankles, but Rick was worried about his knee. We'll see how he fared when he runs again Tuesday.

My second loop was much slower with my pace almost at 12 minute miles. I did enjoy lots about the lap. There were a pair of red-tailed hawks that seemed to follow me from field to field. I saw my first moose tracks in years. Coyote tracks crossed Rick and my footprints from the first lap. So, I had lots of good stuff. Around an hour and 1/2 in, I found myself amazingly hungry. When I made it back, I really just wanted a shower and a nap. I hope the conditions improve. My brother is coming from Colorado for the event and I don't want it to be torture.

Another Loop

An afternoon loop on the fat ass course yesterday. Didn't really push, but didn't back off either and was able to average 10:40's. I think that's a realistic pace for the fat ass if these conditions hold. Sure wish we'd get just the right amount of snow help with the bare fields. They are hard on ankles that are healthy and I know there are some Monsters with tender ankles to start.

Fat Ass Grooming

I ran the 5.2 miles today in not very record time, only because I was clipping briars. Not only did I want to get rid of the thorns, but I wanted to make the path more obvious. In case we get snow, having a clear path might help our snowmobilers stick to the course. My fingers were pretty numb by the time I was done - 1:20:43 from the start. I couldn't use the clippers with my mittens on cause they kept getting in the hinge.

Far Sighted

I hadn't gone very far along the Back Cove when I came across a rough-legged hawk sitting on a post not more than 10 feet from the path. I was just going to keep running, figuring it would fly off; It didn't. I pulled out my cell to take a picture. I could tell it didn't fly because it was taking refuge from the crows. It still didn't fly when I crept closer. I loved the way (s)he tilted her/his head at me. Maybe I could have gotten even closer. There were no signs of flight, but I didn't want to press the issue. Maybe it would be easier to go at me than to be pestered by the crows. So I took my picture and one more for good measure. Given that there isn't a photo to go with this post, it might be safe to assume they didn't turn out. Well, they weren't even saved. Without my glasses, I couldn't tell which button to press for that. I thought I knew. Oh well. It was cool.

I continued out the Eastern Prom trail, down Commercial, up High, across the bridge and turned around at 5 miles. I was just under 9 minute miles. It wasn't till the eight mile mark that I realized I hadn't coughed or felt a hint of my cold. In fact, when I was a mile out I decided to push it a little. I ran the last mile in 7:53! Not a bad way to end my first 10 miler since before Christmas. I did have a mini-coughing fit at the end, but, it was worth it! Great run.

Four, Six

Met up with Four yesterday for six miles starting at the Back Cove, out Eastern Prom and back. I reined us in a couple times when I noticed the pace down at 8:30. We ended up averaging 9 minutes miles which was more what I was aiming at. Temperatures were milder than anticipated, but the wind on the return made me thankful for my attire.

Oh! When we were almost finished, I spotted a bulldog that I recognized as the one that used to be at all the Bradbury races. Yup, the owner confirmed I was right. Only it was in '08 that she made all the races, just made it to the Scuffle in '09. She and her canine friend hope will aim for all three again this year.