I Run

I suppose that's to be expected in February. But I went with shorts even though it was in the teens. I just feel I run better with my legs uninhibited. But when you're dealing with a wind chill and a frozen butt, I don't think shorts help. The hill for the first half seemed longer than I remember. Maybe time slows down the colder it gets. All I knew was that there were people in front of me and people behind me, breathing hard and wearing bells that jingled in the crisp morning air. Up near the top a spandex bedecked gazelle whipped past me from the other direction - the winner I would guess, who clocked a 21:00 something...yikes. In the end I did come in slower than I felt I was running. I never looked at my watch during the race since there were no mile markers (at least I wasn't looking for them). So my perceived pace was about 6:50 to 6:55. I actually came in at 28:00 and change, so my pace was more like 7:05. Time to make a pace perception adjustment.

# posted by jm @ 5:59 PM 0 Comments

Vermont City Marathon 2010

# posted by jm @ 9:15 PM 0 Comments

Our two thermometers - one too hot, the other too cold - averaged yesterday's mid-day temperature at 10F. Urk. I didn't feel like dressing up, so figured I'd run up and down the hall a few bazillion times to get in my workout. Not too bright, especially since I ran it barefoot. So when I woke up this morning, the balls of my feet and my calves were killing me. And my nose was stuffy. That didn't bode well.

Since I was going to shoot for 15 miles today, I figured I should take along my water in the new CamelBak the girls got me for Christmas. This was the first time I'd run with it and after the first mile told myself that if Elly drove by I'd unload it. I felt that it weighed me down. At around two miles I took my first sip. The bite valve was filled with ice, but I managed to chew it down and draw down some water from the pack. I threaded the hose behind the strap across my chest to keep it from freezing any more.

Eventually, my legs felt better, and having water along the way I think helped to keep me energized. When Elly did drive by, I kept the CamelBak. I finished the 15 miles at just under 9 minute pace, which was better than I thought I'd do.

I'm not sure I'll do all my long runs with the CamelBak since I'm afraid that I'd grow dependent on it. On the other hand, having immediate access to water does help to keep my body strong, which means better quality workouts. So maybe.

# posted by jm @ 7:29 PM 0 Comments

The Jones Group Realtors 10 Mile Race - also known as the Jones 10 Miler - is coming up on February 28, 2010 at 11:00 AM. It starts at the middle school on Chestnut St. in Amherst, MA.

This is a competitive race on a challenging course in a New England winter. Sounds like great fun! See you there!

The Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club has more information on registering, etc.

# posted by jm @ 7:13 PM 0 Comments

Just passing along some information on this winter run. I ran it last year, and it was pretty chilly but great fun. Dress warmly!

Saturday, February 6, 2010 @ 10:00am

The race covers a scenic course starting on Hope Street and running through Highland Park area. Pre-register at Recreation Department or Town Hall or day of race at the Greenfield Public Library, LeVanway Meeting Room from 8:45-9:30am. Enter at the back of the Library.

Age divisions and prizes. First 75 entrants receive t-shirt and sleigh bell bracelets.

$15 pre race entry, $20 race day. Youth under the age of 18 are half price.

Race Registration

Course Map

# posted by jm @ 9:51 PM 0 Comments

The Sawmill River Run in Montague Center, MA is the perfect way to start the new year. This is a no frills, small town race that I'd thought about running in past years but never had the motivation to get up in the morning after a night of staying up way too late. This year, I willed myself to get out of bed with the thought, "If not now, when?" Indeed. It's usually not so easy for me to talk myself into getting up for a winter morning race. But I did also want to check out the Montague Bookmill, which I'd never visited but have heard much about. So I had another reason to go. And after I made coffee, Elly said she'd like to come along as well. So great! We'd have a morning date.

On the way to Montague we missed a turn and wound up on the west side of Greenfield. I knew something wasn't quite right because we had crossed the Connecticut River from the east. So we backtracked and discovered that we needed to turn left in Turners Falls as soon as we crossed the bridge from Route 2. No problem, we still got to Montague with time to spare. After a few miles we passed the Bookmill on the right and then we were at the small village center, where cars were parked along the sides of the road.

Registration was in the Grange building. After I paid and got my bib, I realized that it was probably warm enough for me to run in shorts, which is pretty unusual for January 1. So I went into the back of the van and stripped off my two layers of pants and tights and put on my shorts instead. The roads were still a bit messy from a snow squall we'd had the day before, but that just made it more fun for me.

The first part of the race is pretty flat, and there's a long, straight stretch where you can just settle into a good pace across gorgeous farmland. I wasn't looking for mile markers (if there were any), so I really had no idea how fast or slow I was running unless someone else near me announced their pace. I just knew that I was running hard enough to breath hard, but slow enough to not puke. The last couple of miles feature some hill climbing, but nothing too extreme. There were volunteers out on the course to guide you at the turns, but there were no water stops. Not that you'd need any for a 10K in January (I didn't), but it's something to note if you're used to sucking on water every couple of miles.

The final section of the course is downhill into Montague, so you can really pick up your pace if you have anything left over after the hills. I came in at 44:24, 21st out of 108, which is decent for me. After the race, water, juice, cookies, and baked potatoes with all the fixings are available downstairs in the Grange. After changing into dry clothes, Elly and I then visited the book shop and had a great lunch at the Lady Killigrew cafe.

Results are here.

# posted by jm @ 5:04 PM 0 Comments