Running: time to taper

Running: time to taper

Hello friends, NYC marathon is less than two weeks away.  I can't believe it. Now I get to rest, run lightly, and eat well.

Last November, on a whim, I entered the lottery for a chance to run the marathon.  It was cyber Monday and the lottery fee was half price, I believe $10. I wouldn't find out if I was selected until late spring.

This means I have been thinking about this run for almost a year, with training kicking off early August. My travels this fall have let me run long runs of thirteen or longer in NJ, Cape Cod, Germany, and Switzerland.

Saturday I capped off training with a 21 mile trail run.  Three seven mile loops of hills.  While leaping left and right to avoid roots, rocks, and leaves, I kept thinking 'this is it'. It's not only my last training run for NYC but it should be my last long run.  I don't have plans to run this distance again unless I have an opportunity to run London.

Sunday I woke up feeling lighter, thinking I'm ready.

Yellow Trail, you will forever own a piece of my heart.  

The start of the NYC marathon: is this photo exciting or overwhelming to you? It's overwhelming to me but now that I'm ready I'm shifting from fright to excitement.  It will be incredible to see the 2014 photo and know I'm there, somewhere!

I'm ready to have a great experience, spend the weekend in the city, roam the Expo (secretly a family favorite).

This will be my 11th official marathon. I have ran more though, alone, on the trails without one person watching... as I trained for the Ultra.

I've got this. 

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Running: Cape Cod + Marathon update

Running: Cape Cod + Marathon update

Hello friends,  A few weeks ago my friends and I traveled to Cape Cod for the Zooma half marathon... but mostly for a girls weekend away.

A five hour drive took over seven, but we didn't let this bother us.  We talked and laughed, shared stories and never did see what caused the hour delay at exit 14. 

We arrived just in time to watch the sunset, then headed to the expo, took this fun photo with feather boas, settled in, ate pizza, and enjoyed a glass of wine.

The Run: The weather was warmer than expected, and humid.  My running friend is the most consistent runner, every mile split was spot on.  The last few miles were a bit harder than expected but we crossed around 2:08.  The finish time flashed 2:10, our chip oddly said 2:12 (which is impossible)... GPS time was 2:08:25.

After the Run: We stood in the ocean for a modified ice bath, showered and set out to explore Woods Hole.

First stop, lunch at the Landfall Restaurant.  Located next to the ferry to Martha's Vineyard, this is a must see.  The building is made from shipwrecks, and other old items. I had an amazing salad, one I have made a few times since and is quickly becoming a fall favorite.

Then we walked a few miles to explore the coastline, visiting the Nobska light house, enjoying a double scoop of ice cream, and window shopping at local shoppes.  Late afternoon we settled into recliners on the beach to catch the sunset below.

Sunday morning we packed up, had breakfast at The Middle of Nowhere Diner.  A first class dive where you can get three eggs and toast for $1.95!

Sunday night we hosted a BBQ...  it was a lovely weekend! 

NYC Marathon: Can you believe the marathon is in 26 days?!

Rain on Saturday made it unsafe to run the trails Sunday morning, they were covered with slippery leaves, so I ran one mile loops in my neighborhood. 18 times....

Miles last week: 59

In two weeks I will run a 20-22 mile run, then I will begin to taper.  I'm starting to think about my running outfit, and the logistics for the weekend.

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