Marathon Training Begins: Week of 8-12 to 8-18

So...I haven't put my money down yet, but it looks like I'm in for a marathon this Fall, and the closer it gets, the more I'm leaning toward giving the Nipmuck Trail Marathon another go, and for a couple of reasons:  First, I did it last year so I know exactly what to expect;  second, my miles are way up from last year, and I had no problem banging out 17 miles today on a spur of the moment opportunity, so I'm in a much better place;  and third, last year's time really sucked and I can do loads better than a 6:15!!!  So more than likely it'll be Nipmuck.  And, at 40 bucks, the price is definitely right!

Monday, 8-12 - 17 Miles (Roads) - Hilly long run in NoSto.  My wife decided to work from home today; I wasn't planning on running at all, but when she said "You should go for a run, I'm here to keep an eye on Soph," I geared up and got out the door pretty quick.  I have a bunch of loops of varying distance in my 'hood, but living in the sticks, once you commit to a distance  there's no turning back.  Really good hills, including the Wyassup Death March, and the backside climb to Jonathan Edwards Winery.  I'm a bit sore, but that's a good thing, and I'd argue that it's a testament to the miles we all put on (some more, some less) that a person can go out on a moment's notice and do 17 miles...good day for it, although my CamelBak did go dry 5 miles from the house...might have to do a water drop next time...

Denison Hill Road, Pachaug Forest.  Nice day!

Tuesday, 8-13 - 0 Miles - I actually didn't feel sore today, just didn't (and still don't) have the opportunity to get out for a short run.  Did some pullups, and light weights, stretching, etc...will miss the last Borough Fun Run tonight, but will be on the roster for the Battle of Stonington next week, and the McCoy run tomorrow.  In a fit of restlessness today, I reactivated my resume and applied for a position with New Balance, which I'd of course be perfect for...so there's that as well!

Wednesday, 8-14 - 5 Miles (Trails/Dirt Roads) - Green Falls/Hidden Lake loop.  Gorgeous day.  Mid-70s, partly cloudy, and a nice cool breeze...and deerfly season is almost over!!!  Only got nailed twice today.  When I got to Hidden Lake, I decided to run it counter-clockwise, as Muddy had created a segment for it and I'd never thought to run it that direction (left brain/right brain thing, maybe?).  Seemed harder?  Not sure why, since it starts/finishes at the same point either way.  Great day for a run, though...and negative split the whole thing.  Going to try to make the fun run tonight, if my wife's shindig at Seaside gets set up in enough time.



Thursday, 8-15 - 0 Miles

Friday, 8-16 - 10 Miles (Trail/Dirt Roads) - Exploring at Green Falls.  I'd mapped out a route that included pieces of the Narragansett, Nehantic and Pachaug trails, and started below the dam at my usual spot.  Went up the west side of the pond, and connected with the Nehantic, which was supposed to intersect with a connector trail.  Tough thing about Pachaug State Forest?  Lots of service roads and old unmarked trails cutting across the blazed trail.  Even tougher?  Looks like nobody's been maintaining the Nehantic Trail at all, the trail's a mess, and the blazes haven't been updated in what looks like years.  Still fun, but tricky to get through.  I ended up missing the connector trail and had to double back after going way past it.  Got to the campground (tons of campers!) and did a section of the Pachaug Trail, then headed down through Dinosaur Caves and down the road to the truck.  Interesting note?  Some people camping had, for some inexplicable reason, set up camp directly ON the Narragansett Trail near the pond, in the middle of a very uncomfortable rock garden.  If they'd gone about 50 yards up the trail, there's a clearing/campsite area with benches and a nice fire pit that nobody ever uses, and another one 200 yards past that!  And both sites are just steps away from a gorgeous stream, one with a swimming hole...

The Playground...

All totalled, 32 miles for the week so far...

Saturday, August 17 - 6 Miles (Beach) - Barefoot beach run at low tide, Misquamicut Beach, RI.  Perfect beach day...went out for my usual 5K beach run, and it turned into a 10K...and would have turned into the TS special, but I figured maybe Mike B would lead that expedition tomorrow?  I'll let Tay know to leave a water stop out for us at the turn...Looking for 50 miles now for the week, as I'm at 38 and counting, and it's so close...gradually increasing speed on the back end of this one, despite tight calves, and I finished the run at race pace or better?  Good day, and a cool dip in the Ocean after...love Summer!


12 miles to go for a new benchmark...will I get there?  We shall soon see...

Sunday, 8-18 - 7 Miles (Trails/Dirt Roads) - Green Falls (Part 3 this week) with Gazelle.  The beach got cancelled today due to general cloudiness and potential for rain, so a last-minute decision for a run came up.  Met up at my place at 12:30 and made the short drive to Green Falls, where I was determined to find the connector trail I'd missed the other day.  Found it!  Totally overgrown, and spider webs every 10 feet or so for a good chunk of it.  I think I even ate one.  A good technical set of trails, broken up with a couple of dirt road sections.  Deer fly season is also officially over!!!  This run puts me at 45 miles for the week, and I'll take it...17 road, 6 beach, and 22 at Green Falls gives me my biggest mileage week yet?  And Gazelle got to see some trails in my 'hood!  Below is a link to the playground:

http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/stateparks/maps/pachauggreenfallstrailmap.pdf