Sunday, April 09, 2006

Moosehorn trails and tales

Finally, the last long run before Boston and now it's all downhill from here with a bunch of easy runs and only 2 miles at marathon pace just to test the waters on Weds. Today, our early morning long run was shifted in time and space, warping over from Perry to the Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge just outside of Calais, Maine. Thankfully I also got to sleep in this morning because Andrew had family over and he called to remind me that we needed to run later in the day. Otherwise, I would have been running by myself in the wilderness, on the hunt for the elusive Timberdoodle.

So we met at the park HQ at the very civilized hour of 3pm and spent the next 1:48 wandering the lovely gravel road trails around this very large wildlife preserve. On the way in I saw 3 (or 4) eagles in the nesting perches by the main road and during the run we saw Canada geese and heard ducks and birds throughout. However, the 'herd of turtles' that Andrew told me had impeded one of his runs last summer were nowhere to be seen! He claims not to be pulling my leg, but I'm very easy to trick... It was a very comfortable easy run of about 13 miles and we did two loops of about 5 miles (4.7 says A) in 4o:48 the 1st time and 40:03 the second time. There were a few hills that seemed steeper the 2nd loop but mostly the terrain was not too challenging (ie like last weekend) and the footing was soft but not muddy or wet at all. The conversation was again super and we had a load of laughs, especially the ins and outs of the crazy 1/2.

However, it was over all too quickly and we took a picture and made plans for our next session together which will not be for awhile with my marathon and recovery and then Andrews marathon at Holyoak 2 weeks later and his recovery. Sometime in mid-May at least and looking forward to it again. Meanwhile, it's getting late and I've got to get some sleep so I can function properly in the morning and the next few days. Wish me luck on surviving the week and not driving everyone around me crazy with all the twitching and fidgeting now that I can't run as much!

Total for the week 49, YTD 984, 7d 13hr 56min 15sec ;-)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Once you get used to the decreased running it can be quite nice. I am starting to feel ansy to ramp up my mileage, but I plan on continuing the slow progression. Have a good restful week.

Dawn - Pink Chick Tris said...

That's an amazing amount of miles so far this year.

The "herd of turtles" - was Andrew referring to me and my running friends...lol.

UMaine Cooperative Extension said...

Oh yes, the turtles on the Moosehorn. Not many a man has lived to tell the tale of the turtles....

Be assured, Andrew is not pulling your leg. The turles maybe, but not Andrew.

Actually, it's still a little early for them to be out and about.

Olga said...

and 15 sec:)
Enjoy taper!

Legs and Wings said...

I'm sure you'll run a great race in Boston. Hope it's not too hot. Good luck Mike!