Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Tough day on the Bunny Hill


First up is a shot from the home stretch on Boylston Street. I've got a big smile because the finish is in sight and they had just called my name and town as I coasted in.

And a goofy shot from mid-race at the photographers hiding inside the back of a mini-van. I don't know what got into me there ;-)

We're into a stretch of lousy weather here now with rain and cold again. They were forecasting snow but it's now shifted a bit north and the warning has been cancelled. At least I won't have to shovel snow in the morning and school won't be cancelled one last time. My son, A will be disappointed.

I actually got in a run that would qualify as training today. Started out in a light rain and mist for the 1st 5 miles in just about 40 minutes. This placed me at the top of the Bunny Hill, just down the road from where I live. The plan was to do a number of repeats with a hard 1/2 mile down to the ocean and then hard back up the hill. And the idea behind this is to toughen up the legs for the Cabot Trail relay leg that I'm scheduled for in just 9 days.

First mile went by easily in 7:23, though it felt a bit awkward on the steeper parts of the downhill. It was good practice for my form and breathing, especially the long climb back up where I tried to hold the burn to a manageable level and to keep my head up.

The 2nd mile seemed to go a bit smoother, but again the steep downhill form needs work (7:24). 3rd mile was tough with the wind and rain picking up to a near downpour and I could feel the legs going anaerobic on the uphill. This was good practice to recover while still climbing (7:19). Final repeat in 7:21 was all I could manage with plenty of huffing and puffing in the last stretch. Finished the 10 miles with an easy jog home in the pouring cold rain and then peeled off my clothes into a bucket before entering the house. Good thing we have a garage so the neighbors can't see me stripping down!

I'm now entered in the Mount Desert Island marathon and my room is booked with only 22 weeks to go! Have a good week!

13 comments:

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

MIKE SAID:We're into a stretch of lousy weather here now with rain and cold again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
see now that is why you took that Goofy pic...the cold ass weather is driving U nuts!!!

but great times maybe that cold stuff gives you a giddy up-lol

Thomas said...

Great photos, I love them. Almost makes me want to run Boston ...

Bruce said...

Great workout and cool photos, looks like you were having some fun. Still some snow hanging around eh, man thats a long winter.

Michael Jay Dotson said...

MDI looks incredible. Very serene.
Good luck with your training!

Olga said...

Love the goofy one!

Mark said...

I love those photos Mike. Great race!

MB said...

nice home stretch shot, it's got Canada alll over it!

must've been feeling the half way oats on the second shot

someone mentioned MDI to me this week, good to see you signed up

UMaine Cooperative Extension said...

Mike - Glad to hear you signed up for MDI. I hear Andrew has as well.

Where did you get a room? I am at the Villager Inn, right at the starting line.

We should plan some runs on the course this summer.

Jamie Anderson said...

Great race. See you at MDI!

Kate said...

Cool pics- the goofy one is one of a kind!

Unknown said...

I like the 2nd photo. I think it shows your true colors.

Phil said...

Great Boston pics ... nice to see some without that over serious look on their face.

I took a look at your next marathon course. Very nice. Nothing like it out here on the South West deserts. 22 weeks gives you plenty of time to get ready to blow the socks off the folks in Maine.

DawnB said...

nice report congratulatios!! thanks for sharing, photo's are great!!I always like when I'm able to turn a race into a training run!!!life is good!!