Beat Santa 4 Miler in Old Orchard Beach

This morning on the way to Sebastian's birthday party I stopped to run the Beat Santa 4 mile race in old Orchard Beach.

Is a small race that I read about online and decided to stop by and run before heading up to Windham. 

I hadn't been in old Orchard Beach for a long time. It was freezing cold!!! I was not feeling my best. It started later in the morning than I'm used to. Finding my pace is a little difficult. It was a fun race though. A lot of people dressed up as elves with wings, and bells and fun tights with elf like shoe coverings. The kids that saw the elves running down the road were very excited and happy. Yelling and clapping and pointing them out to mom and dad. Most of the beach was closed down and deserted. Was a nice easy course. No major hills except for one at the start. Around the 3 mile mark I was starting to feel like I had no energy left. So it wasn't working out to be a stellar race for me. I was surprised when I saw the clock reading just under 37 minutes. A nine minute plus pace isn't bad for feeling as bad as I was. 

After the race I stuck around for a little while to warm up  and to see the results. The first page I had a look at was actually the awards page. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had placed third in my age group. This wasn't actually the first time that's happened, but the first time I stuck around to actually experience the thrill of it. For slow runner like me it's quite an accomplishment. Not everyone was as excited over my accomplishment as I was though…LOL

As you can see I am still quite chilly at the finish….

Falmouth Road Race in the Fall

I have always wanted to run this race in the summer. Getting a slot in the race is nearly impossible, so when I saw this one listed I jumped right on it! Again it is limited, but I lucked out and got my application and money in on time. The process is old school running. You actually have to mail your application in with a check!! I love that part of it.

I wasn't sure where I was going to I got up early. It was freezing and flurries were flying around, but I headed to Falmouth anyway. Got there a lot quicker than I was told I would so I sat admiring the empty beach. Cold wind blowing with only two people enjoying the shoreline.

I lined up and got on the bus early. That was a mistake! I ended up standing around in the freezing cold for 2 hours at Woods Hole. I did a few warm up jogs trying to stay warm.

We started at Woods Hole and ran back to Falmouth Heights where this rocks sits. It's a very hilly run, but beautiful. Finished the 7 miles in 1:06. Just about what I was expecting! 

After the race they had chowder but I didn't par take in that and instead met up with my friend Carol who was honeymooning on the Cape. Great vista, fun race and good times. 

The Devil's Chase

Ran the Devil's Chase in Salem on Saturday. I attempted to run this a couple of years ago, but got lost in Salem then was late for the race so I bagged it. This year I got there early and enjoyed the pre and post race festivities. Really fun race and good time...both fun wise and time wise. Salem is always good for a good running time. As is Plymouth.

This is a blog article on the race...
The Devil's Chase in Salem 6.66

Unlike the author, I love Halloween and running, so it was a great time. I just can't imagine running in a costume. It was interesting dodging the swinging pitchforks. Great course and beautiful weather.

Finishing at the Devil's Chase in Salem 10.26.13

I spent the summer training for a marathon, but life got in the way of achieving that goal. After my Dad died I just couldn't get back into the training mode. For a while I was depressed. A friend of mine suggested I look for another marathon to run. But being late in the year already I didn't see that happening. One I thought of running I only heard bad things about so I decided against that. I don't want my first marathon to be a bad experience.

So I opted for running some shorter distance races. I ran the Run to the Rock with my niece in September, that got me into the race mode. I say race and not racing because I don't race. I run to run nothing else but to enjoy the experience and run with other runners. Last weekend I ran a 5K in Salem the Witch City 5k that I ran a couple of years ago and loved. Salem is a great place to run. I always have a great time and I love the feel of the city, especially this time of year.

The Devil's Chase was the third race that allowed me to see my training wasn't a waste. I can see how it's made me stronger even if I'm not using it in the way I wanted. But that's what life is about right. Switching gears when you need to....

Old Port Half Marathon

Ran the Shipyard Old Port HM today. What a challenging run. The race consisted of some serious hills through the west end of Portland. My son tried to warn me about The terrain in the West End. But did I listen oh nooooo!

Got up early on Sunday morning which is my birthday. I showered and woke Chris. We stopped at Dunkin' Donuts to grab a coffee and headed to Portland. We got there rather early which was the plan and found parking rather quickly. We parked and walked around the new Ocean Gateway facilities there. 

At the start it felt rather cool and I thought the race is going to be okay, However, when I reached mile one I began to realize how warm it was out. I stopped at the porta potty the line was too long so I decided to head on. I lost five minutes there. I looked around thehilly  West End and ended up at the porta potty again. And again lost five minutes. At this point I was at mile five Running along Commercial Ave. and Munjoy Hill. Not only is Munjoy Hill a big hill to climb but I could feel the temperature rising. It was at this point that I decided I needed to walk more. I passed mile six and was looking for a water stop which was at mile seven. 

I stopped at the mile seven stop and got a water and Gatorade and began to walk. And walk. And walk. I ended up walking till mile 10, which was basically the entire back cove area. It was at this point that I realized I had totally blown my predicted time of two hours and 20 minutes. And when I reached mile 11 I realized I had blown my predicted time "long time" of two hours and 30 minutes. 

But it this point it was so hot that I had determined that I was going to be lucky to just finish. Everyone that I was around was walking. At mile 12 I began to run. I walked a short while at 12 and half miles.Stopped  to be sprayed by the hose the  fireman were holding. That was my saving grace. 

From that point on I finished the race and felt pretty good. I was able to finish the race on both feet with a smile on my face and not need medical attention. So I felt pretty damn lucky!! Even though it was my longest half marathon ever 2:52. 

I think Chris was relieved to see me finish without collapsing. 

Was definitely the most challenging race I have ever run. Not necessarily the course but the course combined the weather. Not sure I'll ever do that again. 

Had a great time anyway. Finished up with a lunch at Flatbread Pizza And a nice shower.  Then headed home.  And a quick dip in Chris's pool when I got home. Was a fantastic birthday!!

2.10.13

Morning run. The weather app said 14* so I dressed for that half way through I was peeling layers off. I think it was more like 30-35* Bill Rodgers race was cancelled so I ran in the hood instead. Was fun, but challenging running in the snow still on the roads somewhat like running in sand. Beautiful morning for a run.

Happy 40th Birthday to my nephew Russell!!!

Winter Storm

So far it's not looking like much. A lot of flurries, little accumulation, but it is cold. A few flurries were flying during this mornings run, but were done by the end of my run. I am always amazed at the still quietness of running in the winter.

On meeting an (running) Icon...

When I first moved here I used to always see this man running on Hill Rd, that I swore was Bill Rodgers. Really friendly guy always waved said "good morning", "have a great run," etc.. Everyone said I was crazy... I thought, probably so. Why would a world class runner acknowledge me? Well tonight Bill laid this idea to rest. He says "yeah, yeah, yeah, I run Hill Road and Middle Rd all the time!" Mystery solved. And he invited me to run in his race on Sunday.

And if you ever met him you would say of course he said hello. He is the friendliest, most talkative man ever!! So nice!! He gave everyone individual attention. Such amazing treat meeting him. Life is complete!!!

At Marx Running in Acton, MA.

First Run in a week

The cold weather has kept me off the road this week, but I got out this morning. Accuweather said 20 degrees. Was still cold despite double layer of socks and gloves. My eyes were watering from the brisk cold air. Felt good being out again. The pond was frozen with several frozen rings visible as if water ripples froze in place. I am always impressed by the quietness in the air during these morning runs. Still and quiet.  One can never have too much nature.