Building Grandma’s house

WEEK 15 – May 23-29

Summary: Still recovering from a little collateral damage from Maine Coast Marathon. Specifically, lower back spasms stemming from a pull (I think). Or, maybe it’s because my weight has dropped quite a bit? I’m not sure. Otherwise, bouncing back pretty well and tackled the last “Big Mile” week of the training program successfully. … For the second consecutive month, a new monthly record has been attained. This time, checking in just shy of 200 miles. Sunday’s final LSD (long slow distance) run was scheduled for 20 miles. After negotiating Memorial Day weekend traffic and pedestrians in Wells and Ogunquit for the better part of 3.5 hours, I called called it off after 18-plus. Felt fine physically, but it was mentally draining. I picked up the car from Doria at Mountain Tops in Ogunquit and went straight home. … It’s taper time.

Weekly miles (plan/actual): 43/44.59

Total miles (plan/actual): 497/555.52

Building Grandma’s house

WEEK 14 – May 16-22

Summary: In a word, brutal. Normally, a post-marathon week is fairly light. Recovery, stretching, light workouts with much reflection. But when the marathon is part of plot to run two in 33 days, the week is just another training week. Albeit, featuring dead legs and an assortment of aches and pains.

Why?

Unlike any other distance, I arrive at the starting line not really knowing if I’m going to make it home. Yes, I prepare the best I can, but the marathon is a fickle beast. Unforgiving. Really unforgiving. Rain falls. Wind blows. Sun bakes. Clouds gather.

Ever get yourself into a jam? With no exit strategy? That’s what’s roaming my head.
Soon enough, the Zen of it all begins to frame the trip; the allure and challenge of the unknown, unfamiliar and uncomfortable; the strangers along the road; and the support of friends and family. Mix in a little pain (OK, sometimes a lot). Soon enough, clouds part, and I’m home again, accepting what’s next.

Because, I know what’s next is going to be the best yet.

Weekly miles (plan/actual): 35/39.31

Total miles (plan/actual): 454/510.93

Building Grandma’s house

WEEK 13 – May 9-15

Summary: This week’s training plan long run courtesy of Maine Coast Marathon. Finished 13 minutes ahead of previous best, despite laboring from mile 19 to 22. Windswept morning along the coast. The sun poked through a few times and it felt great. All too much, clouds dominated and, at times, it was downright chilly. Still, good weather for running (except when the pushing tailwind became a biting headwind). A bit banged up Monday morning. Left foot seems to be the biggest issue. Icing it at my desk. Very sore. Don’t know why. … Maine Coast was first up in the quest for two marathons in 33 days. Confident that I found a good fueling plan. Skratch gels combined with some pretzels, along with alternating Gatorade and water. Stomached it well. No issues.

Maintained a solid 10 to 10:15 minute-per-mile pace through about 15 miles and then gradually saw the numbers rise, ultimately finishing at an 11:07. Last couple miles were strong. Had a little something in reserve for the finish.

Doria and Ethan waiting at the finish chute. Really feels good after 26 miles to see their faces.

Lots of enthusiastic support yesterday from folks along the marathon course in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise, Goose Rocks and Fortunes Rocks. All the usual lines … “Looking strong,” “Doing great,” “Only (fill in the blank) miles to go.” But a grade school age girl in Kennebunkport topped them all when she looked at me, gave a high five and screamed, “Nice hairdo.”

Need to bounce back quickly and stay on track for Grandma’s in June.

Weekly miles (plan/actual): 43/47.72

Total miles (plan/actual): 419/472.62

Building Grandma’s house

WEEK 12 – May 2-8

Summary: Bounce-back week included negative split, interval and hill workouts. Ended with an eight-mile MP run on Saturday and 13-mile LSD on Sunday. Mother’s Day was foggy and drizzly for most of the run, then turned a bit warm for the final four miles. … The choices for Sunday were either a point-to-point on the Eastern Trail or a Sea Road to Beach Avenue loop past the beaches. I chose the loop and, when I approached Mother’s Beach, the scene seemed to confirm my decision for Mother’s Day morning. … Health report: Small callous on left foot still there, a mild irritant; Blister on right big toe is crusting up; right hip, a little achy afterward, but clears up overnight.

Mother’s Day morning at Mother’s Beach.

Weekly miles (plan/actual): 36/39.36

Total miles (plan/actual): 376/423.9

Building Grandma’s house

Marginal Way, Ogunquit

WEEK 11 – April 25-May 1

Summary: A grueling week in the books. Also in the books, new high-water marks:

• Distance in a week (47.65);

• Duration in a week (8:11:05);

• Calories burned in a week (6,621);

• Distance in a month (173.4).

Sunday’s LSD run on tired legs was exactly that, long slow distance on tired legs. That’s the idea. Beat some approaching rain to Ogunquit and tossed in a loop around Marginal Way, figuring it would put me at the desired 18 miles. Just short at 17.68. Countdown to Maine Coast Marathon is two weeks. … A chilly, raw run with a strong headwind once I made the turn down the coastline in Wells. And the 2 miles of beach running … wind tunnel. Didn’t drink much (too cold), but stomached my Honey Stinger fine. Still haven’t decided between gels or Honey Stinger for marathons.

Weekly miles (plan/actual): 44/47.65

Total miles (plan/actual): 340/384.54