Run the Witch Half Marathon Race Report

Kassandra arrived on Saturday from Tucson not only to visit me but to Run the Witch half marathon in Norwich, Vermont. We chose this race because it was a great way for her to see Vermont; a place I believe is so magical and beautiful, especially in the fall. I have always said that as soon as you drive over the Connecticut River from New Hampshire into Vermont it’s a different world. 

On Sunday as we drove in the misting rain, knowing that it was going to downpour at any moment, we were excited for the race and seeing a new place. 

The temperature hovered around 40 and once the race started we warmed up a bit; but not entirely. The course is hilly. The first mile was a warm up and then the hills came. Up and down, up and down, more rain, then the wind. 

Strava data

The first part of the half marathon course is paved and then we turned and ran on packed dirt; it was a nice change. The trees displayed their colors boldly and the scenery took our minds of the pain. 

We finished, got our medal, and changed out of our wet clothes as fast as we could. It was a good day to run and later appreciate the warmth of dry clothes.

Ultra Running Play List Part 2

Heartbeat Song by Kelly Clarkson
Where the hell did you come from? You’re a different, different kind of fun.

So What by P!nk
So, so what? I’m still a rock star. I got my rock moves and I don’t need you. 

Pacific Coast Highway by Hole
I’m on the Pacific Coast Highway, My God how did you fall so far?

Bella Donna by Stevie Nicks
No speed limit this is the fast lane. It’s just the way that it is here and you say I never thought it could. 

Fix You by Coldplay
Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones. 

Bring the Rain by MercyMe
I am Yours regardless of the dark clouds that may loom above because You are much greater than my pain. You who made a way for me.

The Scientist by Coldplay
Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be this hard. Oh take me back to the start

4 Minutes by Madonna with Justin Timberlake
If you want it – You already got it. If you thought it – It better be what you want.

Fight Song by Rachel Platten
My power’s turned on. Starting right now I’ll be strong. I’ll play my fight song and I don’t really care if nobody else believes because I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.

Bobby Jean by Bruce Springsteen, E Street Band
We liked the same music, we liked the same bands. We liked the same clothes. We told each other that we were the wildest – the wildest things we’d ever seen.

Girl on Fire by Jessica Mears
Looks like a girl, but she’s a flame. So bright, she can burn your eyes, better look the other way.

8 Mile by Eminem
I’m a man, I’m gonna make a new plan. Time for me to just stand up, and travel new land. Time for me to just take matters into my own hands. 

Last Day of April, Maine Marathon 13 Days Away

The last day of April and I’m sad to see it go; really I am.

April was a relatively good month despite the cold weather and Winnie getting sick with some sort of cough and the medicine that made her pee so much but ultimately made her better. It’s just hard seeing the drinking and peeing after Daisy being sick with the same effects.

April was good, calm, normal. I love my job and I love where I live. Everything is status quo. Training and writing. Working and hiking. The snow has melted, and while it is not quite warm, it is finally starting to feel like spring.

Winnie Dog

Yesterday, Sunday my training plan called for a three hour run. I was hoping for as-close-to 18 miles as possible. The route was to run to Penacook, turn onto Washington St. then turn onto River Rd. then up Carter Hill and home. I forgot what a huge hill Carter Hill is [gasp!]. Final mileage: 16. I’ll take it!

The forecast was rain all day so I didn’t wear headphones. So no music the entire time. It was fine. New running routes help take the pain away. It’s amazing the sense of wonder you can get running in new places.

The sun came out for about five minutes during the entire three hours; it was mostly grey with a bit of green. 

River Road Rain Penacook NH

The two best things about the run: running next to the The Contoocook River and completing the 16 miles under 3 hours, which was about the same time I did the 16 mile Boston Prep Race in January. [proud moment]

Now I have one more high volume week, taper and race.

Maine Marathon

Things To Do Before You Die, updated

To Do List

Today, Saturday.

A day when I wake up and have time to think and dream and write.

Today I ask: What am I doing with my life? What do I want to be?

These questions I’ve asked myself for most 30 plus years.

I think that right now is good. I think that what I’m doing is what I am suppose to be doing, for the most part.

Is my life what I envisioned for myself? No. But I don’t think many people in their fourth decade are living the life they imagined. If you are, email me. I’d love to talk to you.

As I look back on my goals and the list of things-I-want-to-do list I created in 1992, I see that I’ve reached almost all the goals I created for myself. There are a few things I haven’t done so today I created a new list of “things I want to do before I die”.

Here is my updated list, not in order of importance, with some left over from the original 1992 list and some new ones:

I have some things to start working on today.