Behind on the blog? I know I'm not the only one! This is quick, somewhat disjointed recap of the last month or so, and my work schedule is really wrecking my game at the moment, lots of demolitions and long days. Too busy right now...not liking it at all, the jobs are stacking up (3 active jobsites right now), and something's gotta give.
RI 6hr: I'm pretty sure this was the most fun I've had at this race, and I always have fun at this race! The forecast was good, but ended up perfect. My fitness level is in a plateau right now, but who really cares? I'm not injured, just busy. I'm doing these races for fun, with friends, and I still managed to bang out almost 30 miles under the cutoff. I also brought my stash of fancy beers to swap and give away to people, which always adds extra fun to the event!
I arrived early and got checked in, and chatted with a bunch of friends (and swapped beers) before realizing I needed to suit up and get my gear stowed along the race path. I had a bag with extra changes of shirts, hats, and gloves (I used them all this time!), as well as a cooler packed with Tailwind-mixed water bottles (used them all as well).
My friends Nicole and Adam were doing the race as their first Ultramarathon attempt, and I was happy that they were giving it a go, and slightly stressed that I may have talked them into it...but I was excited for them! It's kind of a big deal to do something like this. Saw Nicole, checked in with her and she was pumped up for the race. Looked for Adam, and found him right before the horn sounded. He was excited and said he was totally undertrained for the race, as was I, but what the Hell, why not give it a go, right?
Leslie brought a crew from 603 Racing to compete in the relay, and Steve B. rounded up a group from Rhode Runner, which meant there were gonna be lots of fast people flying by the solo runners. Awesome!
After race director Bob Jackman addressed the crowd, the solo runners and first wave of relay runners were off! I started toward the back, and found myself anxious to get moving, so I sped up and around bunches of people, and fell in quickly with TNT friend Jake, who was the only runner in the field who'd done all eight years of the race! We chatted, and although we were moving much faster than my target pace (or his, he had a spreadsheet with target times), I felt good and we stayed together for the first three loops, about 8 miles.
After that? I peeled off, as Jake was on a mission, and cruised loops 4-5. Friend and TNT runner Rachel had texted me about pacing, and was able to join me for loops 6 through 9, which was a huge lifesaver, as my legs were not at all happy with my starting pace. She was very patient, and after running 4 loops with me, I was on my own to close it out. Got through lap 10, and going out for lap 11 I knew I was gonna be done, and probably wouldn't have time anyway for #12. So I got 29.7-ish miles in 5:44, pretty respectable!
Adam did awesome, and finished his first Ultra well, as did Nicole, who I got to see right after she crossed the finish line, realized she was at 29.7 miles, and did another .3 to get an even 30. Nice work, so proud of how far she's come!
Rhode Runner won the relay, with the 603 finishing second. Fast runners on both teams!
And that's it! The last 6hr, but I'm sure there's something in the works to take its place...
The following week, I did some short runs at Yawgoog and Lantern Hill, leading up to the Li'l Rhody race. I'd decided to not "race" the race, but rather run it with friends and enjoy the time at the event...
25th Annual Li'l Rhody Runaround: I showed up to a chilly, windy morning, and quickly chatted with a number of friends, exchanged some beer, and meandered about. Got changed up right before the race, and lined up in a sea of blaze orange! Cruised the course with friends instead of racing, had a great time, and helped out with cleanup afterward. 8 Miles in 1:23, or something like that? Totally enjoyable run, and fun afterparty at Jonny's house! O'Dell even brought growlers of fancy beer from the 603!
Friday, 11-25 - 2.5 Miles. Yawgoog out/back. My #OptOutside run. Having worked retail and customer service industry jobs for years, I have no intention of ever going near a mall on the weekend after Thanksgiving. 'Nuff said.
Saturday, 11-26 - 11+ Miles. Metacomet Madness run with Russ and Niki, Simsbury. Russ and Niki invited me to run with them, and as I'd never run with them before, I made sure I was there! A great 11+ miles in the misty, cool air, very hilly and technical, sometimes rainy and lots of fun. Totally worth the trip, can't wait for the next one!
Sunday, 11-27 - 9 Miles. Yawgoog/Green Falls Birthday run with Joe, Faith and Jim H. Gorgeous, chilly morning for a birthday run, and we had a muddy blast on the trails out there!
Planning on getting out for a run on 12/6, as I'm currently on one of the longest forced breaks I've had since I started running! Even the weekends have been jammed with family obligations, holiday stuff, etc...This is bullshit, I'm not even injured! I'll see you cats out on the trails :)
You are getting in the running where you can!!
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