I’m re-reading High Tide and Tucson from Barbara Kingsolver. Every time I read this collection of essays I find something new. This quote above is one of my favorites but I also really like this one, from the same essay:
“In my own worst season I’ve come back from the colorless world of despair by forcing myself to look hard, for a long time, at a single glorious thing: a flame of red geranium outside my bedroom window….. And another: the perfect outline of a full, dark sphere behind a crescent moon. Until I learn to be in love with my life again. Like a stroke victim retraining new parts of the brain to grasp lost skills, I have taught myself joy, over and over again.“
In past weeks I hit 68 mile which included hiking but this is a solid 70 mile with just running.
This is Week 7 and total mileage is 75 and plan to follow the plan exactly meaning two days off and hitting the daily mileage. Last week I improvised some days; specifically running on Monday since I was sick the week before and didn’t need ANOTHER day off. I ran extra miles during the week because I just felt good, and on Saturday I ran 25 instead of 30 because I had a bit of total-mile-wiggle-room.
This week the temperatures were consistently in the 80s and humidity was high. I mainly ran in the morning to avoid it and on weekends tried to start early but gradually just got used to being drenched in sweat. The plus side of the heat is trips to the Merrimack River for Winnie to swim. The trail leading to the beach wasn’t buggy and not a lot of people yet. I didn’t swim yet but I’m sure this week I’ll jump in.
Merrimack River in Concord
Saturday’s long run was an ass kicker with 2,500 feet in elevation gain. I ran out to Carter Hill and the apple orchard and along the way hit as my hills as I could.
Coming down the hill from Carter Hill on the West End Trail in Concord. So green, so buggy, so beautiful.
Then came home, got more water and nutrition and headed out on the road to Bow and the big hill on the logging road. I was toast after. On Sunday I woke up sore, took Advil and headed out for a 16 mile run mainly on roads. The first three miles were slow but I was amazed when I got on the trail how good I felt; even felt fast. I knocked out the miles and then recovered the rest of the day which included another trip to the river and dinner on the patio at Cheers.
And now for a day off!
Just 7 weeks to Leadville. July is going to fun-filled. Yeah Summer. This coming week a possible Mount Washington ascent. A trip to Colorado to climb Pikes Peak. A trip to Lake Placid for the Sky Race. And finally, the last weekend the Pemi Loop with Bob and his Leadville buddies.
I’m injury-free and over my cold so I’m revving up the training this week. I took Wednesday off and now the next four days it’s going to be tough, tough training: running, hiking, biking and throwing in a little swimming. It’s hot and humid here in central New Hampshire so there may be a bit of complaining at the next training update.
UGH!
But life is good during Week 8 – let the training countdown to Leadville begin.
I’ve been seeing the updates on social of the Leadville 100 Run Training Camp and I’m so jealous that I’m not there. Bob is there and I’ve been messaging him for updates.
He said the 100 mile course still has snow especially at Hope Pass so it’s possible to have a course change in AUGUST.
From the Leadville Race Series Instagram Story
The camp looks so fun; maybe next year.
The photo at the top is from the running camp; from their Facebook page.
There are 8 weeks of hard training left until race day. I’m so excited for training and racing, yet this week has been less than ideal. I’ve been goofing around during week 9. I wanted it to be a tough training week, capitalizing on the fitness from the marathon and getting in hard runs.
I did run my 15 mile mid-week run but I’m fighting a cold which rendered me speechless (laryngitis) for the last three days. So I didn’t run my plan on Thursday and today, Saturday, I slept until 7:00 (this is unheard of). I am trying to leave the house right now but I’m easily distracted……. by writing this blog, walking my dog and the list goes on and on.
And, I’m going to Ogunquit this afternoon. Every year (since I’ve been home) my mom takes me to a play at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Last year was Oklahoma and this year, 42nd Street. It is really the only cultural activity I do each year. The musicals are always so great. I know all the music from Oklahoma and am trying to get to know the music from 42nd street today.
So the Saturday plan is pretty much a bust. And to make matter worse, the weather is finally perfect today after several days of rain. After today’s diversion of musical theater, the next 8 weeks are all about trail running, night running, weights, stairs, swimming and biking. I have one minor race in Lake Placid in July and hopefully a few plans to run the Pemi Loop with Bob. But everything else is planned training, hard training. No distractions. Wish me luck.
