My journey as a marathoner...

Mon July 27 10 miles, 69min, Belvadaire, hilly, felt abs. tired, hot and humid Tue July 28 Yankee 10-Mile Race, 51.30,3rd, (13miles total) Newburyport, felt ok Wed July 29 AM 5 miles, 37min, drills, d'town Lowell, got lost on way back PM 10 miles, 68 min, Chelmsford, tired, humid and hot Thu July 30 14 miles, 1:41min, Newburyport, good rolling hills, Newburyport woods, felt ok Fri July 31 10 miles, 66min, Hudson, out in 35 back in 31. felt strong, mid 5:20s on way back Sat Aug 1 12 miles, 1:20min, Brookline, felt really good again but took it easy Sun Aug 2 17 miles, 1:53min, Jamaica Plain, tough run, dead tired, last mile uphill 5:53 =91 miles Tough week, no workouts, 1 double, 1 good race. Very happy with the race considering I don't feel fresh at all. I probably should have done more strides/drills this week, but instead I spent the majority of the time stretching my legs. Next week I will try getting 1 or 2 workouts.

I finished 3rd in 51:30 behind Pat Tarpy(51:05) and Derese Deniboba (51:22), who both have PRs of 1:03 and 1:04 for the half marathon. After the 2nd mile, both runners put about a 100m gap on me that I was not able to close. I was stuck in no mans land where I didn't have anyone to help me get back up to the front. Howeveer, I hung in there strong and was able to start closing. I am still happy with the time. Not bad for my first race over 6 miles. I think I can do a lot better if I actually start training for the longer races, which I am really not doing right now. The goal of these races are to help get my strength back up, so far I am pleased. Race Results:( here ) Race Photos Provided by Jim Rhoades, Ted Tyler, Bob Wiles and Tom Derderian

July 20 Monday Off, travel (20 hours) July 21 Tuesday AM 5 miles, 36min, drills PM 10 miles, 69 min July 22 Wednesday 13miles, 1.23, felt strong, 15.20 from Roarke bridge to Apt July 23 Thursday AM 5, 34 min PM 10, 66min July 24 Friday WO roughly 8500m Progression run,7:08, 6:54, 6:49,6:39, total 27.30, First loop in 7.08, Last loop in 6.39 (11miles total), weak on hills July 25 Saturday 16 miles,1.49min, lost in woods, very dehydrated July 25 Sunday AM 6 miles, 42 min PM 6 miles,39min w. 9x1min on/off, felt strong again Total: 82 miles, 1 day off This week was about readjusting back in US. I must say I did a poor adjustment to the hour changes form Lisbon to US and that is hurting me quite a bit. In addition, the humidity has not helped either. I am a little tired, but hopefully next week I get back into a better rythm.