Category: Long Run Saturday

Posted on

Born Free – Long Run Playlist

For my Saturday long run I always create a new playlist. This Saturday I added some new songs I haven’t heard in a long time from the Dixie Chicks to Trisha Yearwood.

The one song I added but didn’t really know was Born Free from Kid Rock. I have some of his songs on other playlists like Cowboy and Wasting Time but I added Born Free not really remembering what the song was about but curiously remembered when the new CD came out – oh so many years ago.

As I’m running up the big Carter Hill Born Free plays and now, a few days later, I remember every word as my heart is pounding and the wind is whipping in my face.

Calm facing danger
Lost, like an unknown stranger
Grateful for my time with no regrets.

Close to my destination
Tired, frail and aching
Waitin’ patiently for the sun to set

And when its done believe that
I will yell it from that mountain high

Kid Rock, Born Free

I think a lot about my life while I’m running for hours in my home state of New Hampshire. So many songs remind me of my time out west, chasing dreams and living the life west of the Continental Divide in the high peaks of Colorado and the deserts of Arizona. I lived out west for almost 15 years and it was my dream. Now, as I get older and I’m back east, I’m trying to find out new dreams and figuring out how to make my life extraordinary. Songs like this remind me to not give up, and make me feel so lucky that I can still go find my dreams because we are born free. We are free – don’t take it for granted. Seriously, there is still so much to do, achieve, dream and be. Songs like this remind me of that.

Posted on

Week 25 Recap

Week 25 went much like Week 26. All three weekday runs were on the treadmill with all the snow and ice. The treadmill sessions were tough but I got it done. Two weight room workouts where I added a few more things: hip abductor exercises specifically.

I reversed last week’s 16 mile course. It was just as hard with the hills. As I got to the top of the hill I took a photo of the alpacas. So cute. How appropriate that I will see them during the Leadville race.

When I was at mile 12 a small dog got loose and wanted to run out to greet me on a busy Route 12. I had to stop and try to get him to his owner. So scary! One interesting nutrition note: I had a big breakfast with eggs, potato, peppers and onions (no toast) and it was the perfect amount of food. I only ate one gel for the 16 miles – the Muir Energy Cashew Vanilla gel. It was pretty good; a different consistency that I’m not used to.

My knee isn’t causing problems and no more neuroma pain in my left foot. YEAH!

Sunday Plan – 10 miles. I wasn’t as worried about the 10 miles leading up to the weekend since last week went so well. While I was tired, I still ran well. This Sunday started with a gorgeous hike with Winnie at Marjorie Swope trails. We encountered a few people and their dogs who were so happy to be out on such a glorious day.

Hiking in Marjory Swope Trail Park on March 3, 2019

Then, got home and headed to Winant Park to run 10.1 miles on the trails with 1,393 elevation gain. The first five miles went well, I felt great. After 5 miles I still felt strong but my legs were fatigued. I got home stretched and foam rolled. I so glad to see my heart rate normalize as I get stronger.


Average Weight: 157

Average Resting Heart Rate: 50

Training Time: 11:37 (includes hiking and weight training)

Total Vert: 4,169

Miles: 50.0 (includes hiking)

Getting ready for Week 24:

A glorious, glorious day! Penacook Lake.
Posted on

Week 26 – Training for Leadville

Training for Leadville

This is the last week of training before the real training starts for the 25 week training plan for Leadville. Not to say that I haven’t been pushing it; I have. Saturday’s 16 mile course was hilly with 1,123 elevation gain and a post-run recovery hike with the dog. I was sore before bed and woke up Sunday morning groggy; but not sore.

Sunday morning I couldn’t imagine running 10 miles. But after a lot of coffee and a breakfast of eggs and toast, I headed out. I completed the 10 miles and actually felt pretty good during most of it. I hiked and ran in a wintery mix, snow and rain. My heart rate has normalized on tough hills and I don’t feel like the hills are killing me anymore.

I’ve been reading so many website and blogs about gear, training and nutrition. Saturday night I ordered an Osprey hydration pack for long, mountain runs.

I’ve been watching Ryan Clayton videos: I like that he doesn’t post videos that have him explaining something while he runs. Okay, maybe he does once in a while. Ha. I like his athletic background and video style; I can learn a lot from his YouTube channel.

I also read Heather’s blog/website, Relentless Forward Commotion. I find her tips and exercise ideas really helpful as I build miles and try to get stronger.

I’m trying a new gel. I notice that some backpacker/hikers use Muir products so I thought I would give it a try. I’m typically a Hammer devotee because it works for me, but I will give it a try.

PS: I also love my Injinji socks. I wore these on my Saturday run and seriously, I didn’t even think about my feet the entire time. That has got to be a good thing.

Average Weight: 158

Average Resting Heart Rate: 50

Training Time: 9:28 (includes weight training)

Total Vert: 3,286

Posted on

The Road to Leadville: Week 27 Recap

Week 27 went well. I did all the miles on the plan: 36 miles.

Two days were spent running on the treadmill due to weather; mainly icy roads and sidewalks. But both weekend runs were outside: Saturday morning temperatures in the 30s, Sunday sunny and cold.

I smiled and was happy for 90 percent of Saturday’s 14 mile averaging 10:30 min miles which is really good for me. The course was hilly with a 933 ft. elevation gain so I’m making progress and getting stronger. I had the same pace for the Sunday 8 miler but this course was relatively flat. I’m just getting used to back-to-back runs; the 8 miler felt slow and was a bit painful. I’m ready to ramp up the miles and get back on trails.

I had a deep tissue massage on Saturday which was painful but needed.

I did weights/core three times this week and loved doing it. I’m adding more weight slowly and trying different exercises. I added Box Jumping this week.

Average Weight: 158

Average Resting Heart Rate: 48

Training Time: 7:05

Next Week’s Plan:

Posted on

1,000 Miles – 2018 – Done

I did it.

Now, I just need to finish a 50K by 12/31.

I’m not going to finish the 4,000 footers this year. Reaching 2 out of 5 goals, while not ideal, isn’t too bad.

Bring on 2019.

Sad, but kind of true. I’ve wanted to finish a 50 mile race since 2014. I’ve signed up for a few and just never got my mileage to a point that I could toe the starting line. 2019 is the year. I’m sure of it.