Of Mice and Marathons

AM: 4 miles total.

We stayed in Old Orchard at a historic Inn that was pretty cool. We walked around a little bit last night and met up with my aunt, uncle, and cousin. I slept fairly well and got up early. I was slightly nervous for some reason, but not bad. Megan got me near the start line. I warmed up and my legs just felt awful. They never felt good. I tried to get some race pace stuff in to wake them up, but it wasn't really working, but decided I would just work into the race. 

I got into the corral as it was filling in fast. It was incredibly crowded, far more crowded than I remember, but I haven't run a big race since 2018. A spot on my quad started to cramp and just feel awful. I knew I was in trouble as it had happened to me a handful of weeks ago. I tried to get going when the gun went off and felt pretty decent but could feel my leg. It started to get worse and knew I wasn't going to make it. I stopped and then tried to start again, but it very painful. I didn't really have anywhere to go, so I walked a bit and was pretty emotional. 

I eventually borrowed a cell phone to call Megan, but cell service was awful, so I took a SAG ride back to the start line and somehow found my mom's car, as she was in a long line of cars. That was just incredibly lucky. I was very worried I was going to worry Megan. 

Pretty upset, but not much I could do. Just a lot of effort and buildup for nothing, but at least it wasn't a marathon. I want to continue racing, but, man, it sometimes just doesn't feel worth it. 

Lunch: 4.5 miles, averaged 8:52. HR 142. 

Legs felt like garbage. I did a few pickups. Headed to Old Orchard Beach to meet family and race Beach to Beacon in the morning.

PM: 4 miles w/ Megan, averaged 10:13. HR 119.

PM: 6.6 miles, averaged 8:03. HR 146. 

Sharpening Workout: 1 Mile Steady State + 3 x 2' @ 10k Effort + Strides

Got into Maine around 5. Hung out a bit and got out for a run. Felt very good on the easy miles, like crap on the pickup mile, decent on the 2' intervals, and the strides felt really good. 6:44 on the steady state mile. I couldn't seem to get a good rhythm and it felt pretty hard. Right around 10k goal pace for the 2' pickups. Strides were hard, 5' pace or under. 

It was cool out but very humid, to the point where I didn't notice it until shirt was soaked. 

Off. 

Travel to Utica, New York. I was going to run on the treadmill on the hotel, but it was getting late. 

Lunch: 7.3 miles, averaged 8:22. HR 141. Did some strides.

Felt decent even though it was very humid and hot. Felt mostly fine until about 50-55' while I was doing some strides; then I walked a bit home. Not enough fluids. I have been fortunate that most of my runs have been warm but not horrendous. Today was challenging but not brutal. 

Slight down week for Beach to Beacon. Travel to Maine tomorrow. 

PM: Off.

AM: 6.6 miles on the treadmill, averaged 9:10. HR 121. 

PM: 3 hours 22'. 60 miles @ 17.8 MPH. 208W. HR 131. 

~20' Effort @ 262W

Megan got home, so I chatted with her for a while and then took off on my older gravel bike for a decent endurance ride. One of those days were the bike just glides under you. Hit some old familiar roads I haven't been on in a while and enjoyed the ride. I picked it up coming back down the Polly Ann from Oxford, knowing that there is a longer segement there. Took second among some strong guys, but was still 63" off the record. I think that I will take a lot to accomplish.