9:36 to 6:56 Per Mile

One day slow the next faster for the same five mile course. Slower run in the morning with the faster at lunch.

Unknown Runner at Unknown Race

this photo from last year we had snow - this year a mild 40 degrees

This year's Turkey Trot time was two seconds shy of being two minutes faster! 18:43 (6:02/mile) for 5K.

The timing company says "don't say anything" when questioned of why the start line was moved making the course shorter. Also, it's not certified, hence, fun run. Nonetheless a race as my placement was 14th this year with 709 runners compared to last year's 13th with ~520.

Now the lesson learned. We picked up our numbers yesterday afternoon, #19 and #20 wherein the volunteer writes our first name on the tear strip to identify between us. Race morning they announce the computer crashed and all should pay attention at the finish line to get their time while they do their best with extra staffing to ensure placements are correct.

The awards are given out to our surprise we are not mentioned, what nerve. We march over to the fancy timing van to inquire. The lady, at first fresh, was accomodating but the man deserves a good scolding for attitude and gross timing negligence. A top ten woman and a runner pushing a stroller, top 15, goes unaccounted for in results tabulating because they didn't know from the tear strip who the runner's were.

Folks, it's simply a matter of matching the tear strip #19, #20 to the printed registration sheet to find the full runners information. After all we did pay an extra $5.60 for the mandatory online race registration on top of the $25 entry fee. The information is there someone just got lazy or sloppy.

A final consolation was the announced master women had not picked up their prize so at least my wife was awarded. They are nice prizes after all. For me, it was a cup of hot cocoa and a story.

Time To Move

After weeks of 34, 34 and 35.5 it's time to move the mileage up into the 40s. Today's sub-8:00/mile for ten gives confidence healing and recovery is right on track.

Only 164 days until Boston!

Today's travels took me to Newton Center, think mile 20 Boston Marathon racers; the series of hills after 16 miles of downhill.

The legs held up for an out and back on the carriage roads laying down 7+ miles in one hour.

Almost 25 Miles

For one week back on the roads feeling like starting from scratch.

mock physical readiness test performed on Sunday, so, so out of shape. . .

w/u 4.16, 4.16, 4.06 - 12:38
PRT-85 S/U, 30 P/U
3.15, 3.25, 3.19
c\d 4.04, 3.55, 3.56 - 11:56

Unfinished Business

Haynes Loop in 41:27 for the classic 5-miler. So sweet to have finished what started 20 days ago!

Next Race: BOSTON MARATHON--REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!!

The Day After

Diagnosis: basically the same, as the day after Doctor, diagnosis as an irritation of a tarsal navicular stress fractures from a previous break. The bone is also compressed and non- or low in vascular hencing its trouble. No real solution insight if you read here about how this also plagued NBA ball players Bill Walton and Yao Ming.

Prescription: up to two weeks of Aleve, mentioned glucosomine, demonstrated one strengthening exercise and asked for ME to re-consider ever cross country racing again. I'll need to manage this carefully in the days going forward.

Of late, I've ran on two occasions supporting my wife, aka superstar, in her Baystate Marathon and Mayor's Cup XC races. This netted a total mileage of, dare I say it, "six miles."

Today, the day after first taking Aleve and glucosamine I ran the flats (2.5 miles) in under 20 minutes.

Should Be Running

The muscles are saying it's been long enough for recovery, but, the right foot is telling me something is not quite right. Hang in there, maybe the podiatrist will enlighten the root cause and path going forward. Four days until the appointment.

The freebie preview shots above are from my last road race, the Applefest Half Marathon Relay.

Marathon Frustrations

Days, weeks, months of training for the marathon day that doesn't, due to an injury, is enough to leave one distraught and at a loss for "what could've been." A PR?

Possibly, the Nor'Easter storm blowing through New England in any one of three marathons, Baystate, Mt. Desert Island and Newport left many another with similar feelings.

Let's sail on, point our bows into the wind, weather the swells until this storm has passed as there are brighter days in our future. Congratulations to all of you that took on the challenge in such brutal weather conditions. You earned that medal and the stories.

Right Leg Limp

If the ankle extension felt better Sunday would be a go. As of right now it's concerning and being of sound mind the marathon is 50/50.