4.5 miles. A quick run.

Today I just did a quick run. It's getting cooler outside but I don't think I'll be happy with the weather until I need more than shorts and a t-shirt. More local loops.

10 miles: The loops (Thursday)

I think my dislike for running in loops has become less than my dislike of cars. So thursday I ended the run with loops at the park. Good few laps there. Felt good.

7.5 mile run (Wednesday)

Wednesday I ran over to the park and did a lap and came back. It's a good run but part in town depends a lot on traffic. I hit the lights well this time.

6 miles: Scary monster run

Today I ran 6 miles around the local area. Good run, average but that's good. Not sore at all any more.

This run made an odd shape on the map.

5 miles: Town and back (Monday)

Yesterday morning I ran to town and back. Decent run but I didn't push it at all.

13 fast miles with the wife.

Today I ran 13 miles with my wife. I was going to run around 10 today but her marathon training called for 13 and we had the time to run together; so we did and it was fun.

She is fast. We ran this one at my road marathon pace and under. It was a good run. I felt good, especially for only being 5 days out from the marathon. I'll be taking this weekend off and then getting on a more normal schedule this coming week.

4.4 miles: Recovery run

Today I ran 4.4 miles. My legs are sore. Yesterday they were more sore than Monday but they are a bit better today. It was a decent run today as the weather is cooler than normal.

26.64 miles: Two Bear race report

Sunday, Sept 16, I ran the Two Bear Marathon in Whitefish, Montana. It was a marathon in distance only. It is not comparable to my past marathons. This was a very hilly course (about 4 times as Philly) and the first 15 miles or so were trail running and the last 11 on roads and paved trails alone were more hilly than any marathon I've done. 

My Garmin GPS recorded a distance of 26.64 miles. The runner right behind me recorded 26.66 miles. I don't trust it was 26.2 miles as they said they had to change the course a bit from last year. I don't mind running extra. I just consider it a free 0.4 miles.

My average pace via my Garmin was 12:38 per mile and my time was about 5:36.  I'm very happy with this pace because my ultra pace from the Strolling Jim was about a minute slow (about as hilly over a longer distance).

It was up and down running on trails. It was great but very hard! I don't train on trails, just flat roads.
(source: http://www.twobearmarathon.org/race_virtual_tour.php)

It was a well run race. Hammer Nutrition was the race sponsor. It was great it have my favorite products every 3 miles or so. There were plenty of aid stations. I carried no water or gels and was fine with the distance and supplies.

The race was so much fun. It was a cold start (lower 40's) but after a few miles it wasn't cold just perfect. It was a cruel start as we walked downhill to the start and ran back up the hill after starting. 

We ran on some fire roads but most of the first 15 miles were on single track trails. It was great! I need to do this type of running more often. I saw a few people fall and saw the results of a few falls (bloody knees and hands).  It was hard to look around and enjoy the scenery but it was way better than dodging cars and dogs in the suburbs. 

I'm had no idea how hard to push it but I think I pushed the right amount. I'm rather sore now but didn't crash the last few miles. It was hard but fun. I even puked for the first time ever after a marathon, so I'm guessing I pushed hard enough.

I really want to do this marathon again! I think that's the best review of it I can give. Here is the medal they give to finishers of the marathon.

Lodging. You must stay at the Bad Rock B&B if you visiting the area. This was probably my 7th time staying there and I can't wait for the next visit.

Up next: Thursday- A short run and then back to a normal training path to the my next Marathon in about a month.

3.2 miles: last run

Quick run today. This was the last run before the marathon. Travel and taper for the next two days. Here we go.

4.7 miles: loop into town

Today I ran a loop into town. I'm still not feeling 100% but I'm feeling much better. I should be fine by the marathon.

The current forecast for the marathon is for a low around 40 and a high around 70. This means most of the run will be done in the mid 40 to mid 60s which is perfect since the humidity can't be worse than it is here.

3.2 Miles: Recovery and taper

Today I ran a good 3.2 miles. I'm coming off two days of feeling awful. I'm not 100% but headed that way. The timing of this sickness was as good as it could be. 

7.7 miles: Good run

Today I ran 7.7 miles. It was a very good run. It was overcast, a bit windy and in the mid 60's.  Those are probably the primary causes here.  I am feeling somewhat sick. I had planned to do this run tomorrow but I'm afraid I'll will be worse off tomorrow so I did the run today. I may take tomorrow off.

5 miles: better now than later

Today I ran 5 miles. I'm coming down with flu like symptoms. This is not a shock as the wife is about 3-4 days ahead of me in this department and has the full blown sickness. It's never a good time to get sick but this is decent timing as I should be over it by next weekend for the marathon and my miles this week will be low regardless.

It was warm, sunny and humid. All great things to add on top of the start of a sickness. Ok run given these factors.

15.5 Miles: Very humid

Today I ran 15.5 miles. It was sunny, humid and warm (lower 80's) at the end of the run. This is the start of a short taper until the first of my fall marathons. Normally I run 12 miles two weeks out from a marathon, this year I'm going with 15 miles about 11 days out.  I'll do a normal taper for the Philly Marathon but can't really do a full taper for the other two.

3.2 Miles (Tuesday)

Yesterday I did a short run in the morning. 

6.5 miles: Park to home

I did the run again where I start at the park and run home. I did a loop near the park and came back to it before heading home. My legs were a bit sluggish but overall it was a good run. Warm.