I Run

I'm not quite so alone anymore when I run up Sweet Pond Rd. I can still run up the hill and down again without seeing a car. But I have in the past couple of weeks encountered other runners. That's good, because now I can safely pull a hamstring, get frostbite, or collapse from dehydration with the hope that someone will eventually find me. In other news, I came in second at the Multiple Myeloma 5K (of course, 85% of the field was walkers). My marathon pace 14 miles inside a 17 mile long run last Sunday seemed comfortable enough (relatively speaking). And I just may get up really early this coming Sunday to trek over to Swanzey to run a half marathon. I didn't sign up in time online, so I'll need to get there when registration opens to get a spot.

On Sunday, 8/19/2007 there will be a 5K race/walk in Brattleboro to benefit the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. I've never fundraised for a race before, but this one hits close to home. My dad has an early form of myeloma. So if you can donate to the cause, here's my fundraising page: https://www.active.com/donate/vt07/majonen

That's what my girls tell me. After racing the Bridge of Flowers 10K yesterday (as always, an excellently organized event), I ran 20 miles today. I did wait until around 2:00 PM to give my legs a couple of extra hours of rest (so maybe not so crazy...right?). It was a bit warm out there, and I'm pretty beat. But I figured I could do it, so I did. As for the race yesterday, I went out with what I thought was a conservative pace, though I think it was close to 7:00 minute miles for the first two (it felt slow, though). Then came the hill and a 10:00 minute mile. Then make up the time going downhill for the last three. Fun. I came in at 45:07, 32 seconds faster than last year. Every little victory helps, I guess.

I miscalculated which week of the Pfitzinger schedule I'm doing. So I did a 22 mile run on Sunday when I should have been doing it this coming Sunday. Argh. I made the same mistake last year. I really should have a calendar in front of me before I do any runs. Oh well, at least the run was good. It was actually almost 23 miles. I started very slowly, then picked up the pace to nearly MP for the last few miles. So that put me at about 62 miles for the week. On Wednesday evening I did the RCR fun run in Brattleboro at 20:36, which was OK considering the heat and humidity. Bridge of Flowers 10K tomorrow. Can't wait for that hill...

So I was out for a 13 mile run on one of the hotter, humid days of this summer and as I was finishing up the last mile on a dirt road I was stung on the butt. Good thing there was nobody else around because I must have looked pretty silly frantically slapping at my bottom to get whatever it was off of there. Ouch. And I wasn't imagining it either. When I got home I looked in the mirror and there was a nice big red sting mark right there. Must have been the wasp of wisdom telling me to stop running on such a hot day.