Monadnock Half Marathon

The past few running days have been tough. After my 9 and 18 mile runs last weekend, I developed huge blisters on both feet and left hip pain. Every run since then has been a struggle. I don't want to focus on those runs at all; the important thing is that I finished them- now it's time to move on and hope this week is better.

But I did want to blog about the race I did a few weeks back- the Monadnock Half Marathon in New Hampshire. Mt. Monadnock is a very popular hiking mountain- in fact, it is the most-hiked summit in the US. I've hiked to the top a few times, and it's a fun but challenging day hike (3-6 hours). The Monadnock race was in the nearby town of Rindge, NH.

The race was a smaller more low-key affair. Packet pick up was the morning of the race. We got there an hour early, had no problem parking and picking up the race packets, then had to wait around for awhile. There were about 200 runners in the half marathon, definitely the smallest race I've ever done. I was worried that I would be last!

There were no timing chips, just clock time, so I tried to line up somewhat close to the start (without getting ahead of the runners who looked really fast). The race director delayed the start by 10 minutes so that some of the half marathoners could use the porta-potties. I thought that was pretty funny. When everyone was ready, the gun sounded, and we were off!

I was expecting it to be hilly, because it's Monadnock. But the description on the race site said this: "rolling hills (a few challenging), some dirt roads, and inspirational views of the Mt. Monadnock (world-renowned)". Let me tell you, that description totally downplayed the hilliness of this course. I felt like I was going uphill both ways (which is impossible because it was an out-and-back course, but that's what it felt like!) It seemed like there was a lot more "up" than "down"). I would consider those hills more on the steep side then rolling.

The course also contained several dirt roads, which were challenging because a storm had washed out some of the rocks- you had to be careful and watch your step. When the course finally got back on pavement, it was a welcome break from navigating stones/gravel/dirt. Around mile 5, I saw the first runner heading back on the course (he was on mile 9). From then on, it was fun to see the runners returning on the course.

It was even better when I passed the halfway point, and began running back! I could see the runners on the other side of the course, and knew that I was definitely not last, but somewhere in the middle. The hard part about going back was I knew where all the brutal hills were. Every time I ran down a steep section on the way there, I knew I was going to have to go up it on the way back! But, I also knew when I was getting close to the finish line, and the last bit was downhill.

My mom almost didn't get this shot of me near the finish.

I got my medal and discovered my mom had also gotten a medal for running the 5k. And she got a technical shirt! We found out from the race director that if they have enough medals and shirts for the 5k'ers, everyone gets one. The 5k race is small enough that they've been able to do that for the past several years. I told my mom she definitely got more bang for her buck. She got all the same stuff that I did and only had to run 1/4 the distance!

We waited around for them to post the times. My mom said this is exactly how races were done when she was in her 20's. You showed up, got a bib, ran the race, and then they posted your time on a piece of paper. I liked how simple and easy everything was. Obviously this system wouldn't work in a large race, but it was nice to experience a smaller community race. My mom and I both had a lot of fun.

My time: 2:04:20

Summer Sabbatical

I'm so grateful that I was able to take a few months off this summer between jobs! I filled my time with lots of new adventures. Here are some of my favorites.

1. Ran half marathons in Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Knocked two more states off the list and got to experience some smaller community races.

2. Biked the East Bay bike path in Rhode Island. It was my first weekend back in New England, and I had such a fun time exploring Rhode Island, running a race in Jamestown, and going to Newport.

3. Tried paddlebording for the first time. Then tried running onto the paddleboard from the dock.

4. Got burgers at Wild Willy's. My favorite burger ever is the Tatonka- a bison burger with smoked mayonnaise and American cheese.

5. Tried all of the ice cream iced coffee flavors at Dunkin Donuts. Cookie Dough was the winner in my book.

6. Hiked Mt. Katahdin with Dad and Bud. It is Maine's tallest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Took us 8 hours round trip to hike ~12 miles.

7. Went kayaking and sailing. I love being out on the lake!

8. Saw my extended family. My cousins and aunt and uncle came to Maine for the weekend. I hadn't seen them in more than 5 years. We went cliff jumping with them!

9. Got free tennis lessons from a family friend. I still suck, but not quite as much. And my serve is significantly improved.

10. Went to the shooting range. Fired my mom's handgun, and actually hit the target a few times.

11. Traveled to the Domican Republic. The summer was kicked off by a trip with one of my best friends.

12. Hiked Dragon's Tooth and Mt. Monadnock. Neither was as tough as Katahdin, but both were fun day hikes with some awesome views at the top.

13. Discovered trail running. I went running on the Blackwater Creek trails in Lynchburg, and realized I love running trails!

14. Watched all 8 seasons of Dexter. I was obsessed for a month. It's one of those morally questionable shows (warning: language and nudity) but very thought-provoking, with amazing actors.

15. Went to the US National Whitewater Center in North Carolina. They have a whitewater rafting course, high ropes courses, paddleboarding, kayaking, rock climbing, and bike trails. We didn't have time to do everything in one day, but I had a blast running around doing as much as possible!

I felt like I was able to do so much this summer, and I loved my time off!

8 mile challenge

Sometimes runs can get a bit boring, especially if I'm running in the same area, or running the same distance. Lately it seems my training plan includes a ton of 8 mile runs! I blogged earlier about "fast finishes"- attempting to run the last mile or two progressively faster. I actually got the idea from a running blog I happened to read one day. I've really enjoyed this running strategy as a way to spice up my mid-distance runs.

Yesterday I decided to challenge myself a little more. I was running an 8 mile out-and-back. I set a goal of running each mile progressively faster for the first 4 miles, then starting over on the way back, and running each mile progressively faster on the way back. Seemed like a good plan.

I ran the first mile in 9:34. That is a fairly challenging pace for me. I wondered what I was getting myself into! but I stuck to the plan and tried to pick up the pace with each mile.

1	9:34.6	1.00	9:35
2	9:27.5	1.00	9:28
3	9:28.0	1.00	9:28
4	9:17.4	1.00	9:17

After mile 4 (which had a few small hills), I thought no way am I going to be able to do this on the way back. But I was going to try at least. I took mile 5 a little easier, since every mile after that would have to be faster if I was going to stick to the plan.

I ran mile 5 in 9:29. Try as I could, mile 6 was a tad slower. I was tired and couldn't seem to pick up the pace. But then this happened:

5	9:29.0	1.00	9:29
6	9:30.6	1.00	9:30
7	9:07.2	1.00	9:07
8	8:46.2	1.00	8:46

On mile 7 I was trying to find my rhythm again so I could have a strong finish. Then- and this is what saved my run- I spotted a girl ahead of me. She was running at a good pace, but I was running just a teeny bit faster than her. As mile 7 rolled by, I was gaining on her, bit by bit. Then it got to the point where I was right on her heels, and I HAD to pass her or run awkwardly close behind her.

I picked up a little extra speed to pass her. Then I only had a mile left. I couldn't slow down because I just put in all this effort to pass that chick. And the STRANGEST thing happened. I felt like a runner. A tired, red-faced, very sweaty runner, but a runner. I felt like I was running so fast, and I felt so strong. I got a serious dump of adrenaline. Even though I had felt slow and tired 2 miles before, now I felt like I was running on air. It felt AWESOME. I finished strong.

It's been awhile since I got a really good runner's high. This running challenge was so worth it.

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:14:44.0	8.01	9:20

Good run yesterday, bad run tomorrow

Sometimes I like to geek out over numbers during marathon training. I'm not overly concerned with my pace or time, I just find it interesting as a way to analyze my running. I couldn't help but compare two 8 milers, run on the same course two days apart. It seems like for every good run I have, there's a bad one to follow.

The first was run the day after my 16 miler, in the afternoon, after driving from Massachusetts to Maine. The second was run in the morning, after a day of rest. For the first run, I felt like I started out too fast, and the course seemed hot and hilly after running a flat bike path the day before. You'd think the second run would be better, after a rest day in the cooler morning. But here's what happened:

Run #1	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:16:19.0	8.0	9:33
1	9:29.9	1.00	9:30
2	9:39.3	1.00	9:40
3	9:08.2	1.00	9:08
4	9:39.2	1.00	9:39
5	10:26.7	1.00	10:27
6	9:32.1	1.00	9:32
7	9:13.0	1.00	9:13
8	9:10.2	1.00	9:10

Run #2	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:18:39.7	8.0	9:49
1	10:16.4	1.00	10:17
2	9:54.6	1.00	9:55
3	9:34.2	1.00	9:34
4	9:56.9	1.00	9:57
5	10:24.1	1.00	10:24
6	9:35.0	1.00	9:35
7	9:33.9	1.00	9:34
8	9:24.6	1.00	9:25

The first two miles are up a gradual hill. Even though I started out too fast on Run #1, I was able to keep up a pretty good pace. On the second run I purposely started out slowly so I wouldn't burn out on the hills the first two miles, but I never seemed to be able to pick up the pace very much. Mile 3 is down a big hill, then flat/ rolling hills. Even though I had used a lot of energy to power up the hills in Run #1, I still ran mile 3 in 9:08 versus 9:34 in Run #2 (after taking the hills much more slowly).

At mile 5, there's a steep hill which slowed me down a similar amount on both runs. Miles 6-8 are mostly flat, and the last quarter mile of the course is downhill. My goal for both runs was to pick up the pace on those last 3 miles to finish strong. On each run, I was able to run progressively faster, but I was able to hit better paces on the first run.

Marathon training is somewhat unpredictable. I thought going into it that Run #2 would be better, but it just didn't happen. My legs felt heavy and I felt slow. I wanted to push myself, but felt like I was going as fast as I could. 

I've learned that some runs will be good and some will be a struggle. Some will be enjoyable and some will be a mental battle. Sometimes it's fun to compare runs to see how you've improved, but no two runs are ever the same. You can't predict the humidity or know how your legs will be feeling. You can't always run at the optimal time of day.

You have to take each run on its own, and do your best on that run. I believe that the hardest runs prepare you the most for a marathon. Finishing strong means more when you're tired. The will to keep going means more when you feel weak. You learn more about yourself on the hard days than the good ones.

Running good and long

Last weekend, I ran 16 miles- my longest run of marathon training so far this cycle! I delayed my long run by one day because I had a tight hamstring and my legs were a little sore from working out and hiking. I'm SO glad I did, because I had an awesome run for once! I feel like a lot of my runs this summer have been what I like to call a "slog-fest", where I'm just slogging through the miles until I get to the end. I've also had more bathroom issues than ever before, and I hate to have to stop and find a porta-potty during a run.

I was kind of dreading this 16 miler, so it was a pleasant surprise to have a good run!! My mom and I drove to a paved bike path. My mom ran a 5k while I started out on my long run, then she biked to meet me to deliver fresh Gatorade and gummies at mile 9. For the remaining 7 miles, my mom biked behind me while I ran. She said my pace actually wasn't bad for casual biking. :)

My goal was to start out slow and conserve energy to maintain a decent pace the whole way. Halfway through, my goal become to negative split and finish faster than I started. I was really pushing the last 3 miles to have a strong, solid finish. I ended up running the last mile in 9:10, which was my fastest out of all 16 miles, and almost a whole minute faster than my starting pace!

Split Time Distance Avg Pace Summary 2:35:38.4 16.03 9:42 1 10:06.8 1.00 10:07 2 10:02.7 1.00 10:03 3 9:57.6 1.00 9:58 4 9:54.1 1.00 9:54 5 9:48.0 1.00 9:48 6 9:32.4 1.00 9:33 7 9:41.8 1.00 9:42 8 9:21.8 1.00 9:22 9 9:22.5 1.00 9:22 10 9:39.6 1.00 9:39 11 9:56.2 1.00 9:56 12 9:44.2 1.00 9:44 13 9:38.9 1.00 9:39 14 9:45.5 1.00 9:46 15 9:39.3 1.00 9:39 16 9:10.1 1.00 9:10 17 :16.8 0.03 8:06

Negative split!

First half: 1:18:21 (9:47 pace)           Second half: 1:16:53 (9:37 pace)

Finished much faster than I started:

First 5 miles: 49:47 (9:57 pace)         Last 5 miles: 47:56 (9:35 pace)

Of course this was on a flat bike path, but I was still excited to FINALLY have a good long run!