So I did the 50, and immediately started thinking "Well...what do you do next?" The answer is simple: take a really easy week with several days off, and ease back into some disorganized trail runs. I don't officially have any races until the Blue Hills race outside of Boston, but I have decided on my "focus" for the Fall: the CatNip challenge. Last year it got thrown around as a novelty that anyone who could complete the Cat's Tail Marathon and the Nipmuck Trail Marathon in the same weekend would have done the "CatNip," which is pretty awesome. And at least two people did!
This year it's official: the Red Newt Racing guys and the Shenipsit Striders are teaming up to award some kind of special thing (like a pint glass, or a straightjacket) for anyone who's crazy (or fit, or just plain dumb) enough to do it. Hey! Over here! That's me!!! Crazy, dumb, sort of fit dude!
I'd already signed up for the Cat, as I'm going back for some redemption. It's a badass, quite beautiful course in the Catskills and I bombed out on it. I was the 1%, so to speak...of people not finishing the damn race. I have a killer hoodie with the logo and elevation profile on it that I've never worn. My wife doesn't get it. I can't wear it, because I didn't finish it...but I'd rather not relive it, so there. Driving over the day before, driving home after the race that day, getting a good night's sleep in my own bed, and driving to Ashford for Nipmuck the following morning. I've done Nipmuck three times already (it was my first marathon), so I know the course well, the drive time is short and it'll be a victory lap if I emerge from the Cat unscathed...
Muddy would go...?
Monday - 1 Mile. - Bertini Park, Wallingford. - Too soon. My sore legs did construction all day, and I thought I'd give this place a go, as I'd driven past it and it looked hilly and sort of cool. It was neither, and I should have stayed in my truck and spared myself the trouble. Few more days!
Tuesday - Thursday - 0. Work and rest. Legs feel good. Chafing spots almost gone!
Friday - 3.6 Miles. Menunkatuck Trail, Madison. Part of the New England Trail, which spans 215 miles from the MA/NH border to Long Island Sound, this was an easy commuter choice for me to get a few miles on a glorious weather day and test my legs. Started at a 10 minute pace and ended in the low 7's (and felt really comfortable), and the legs are 100%! This may very well be the most unremarkable section of the NET though, it's a rolling, semi-technical jeep trail and part of it is located alongside a Sportsmen's Club, so there were guns blasting through about a mile of the run. No thanks!
Saturday - 0.
Sunday - 14 Miles. Nipmuck South Trail Race, #38 of 147 in 2:23. Ah, the positive effects of peer pressure...after some egging on from friends Faith and Amie, I decided late Saturday night to jump in on the Nipmuck South race. It was already warm when I arrived at Mansfield Hollow, and I figured it would get to at least 80 by the time we got into the race. Once we got underway, I cruised for a bit and then increased my pace, and was feeling great! I opted for a handheld filled with Tailwind, and quickly drained it in the rising heat, and refilled it with water the rest of the way, which just didn't cut it. I basically bonked at about mile 11, and got it done, but I went from feeling great to feeling like shit in a matter of minutes. No S-Caps or Tailwind was a contributing factor? Who knows, but it wasn't good. Finished with an 8 minute course PR and had a great time after the race stuffing my face and watching the other runners come in. Good time. Then went home and mowed the lawn...
Muddy would go.....where? I don't know about doubling down, Crutch. I've gotten very soft over the last several months. I doubt I could even handle a 10K at this point. Gross.
ReplyDeleteOk, maybe Muddy wouldn't go! Just don't get too fat and happy over the Summer, OK?
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