good for 8 mi; averaged a 1.5% incline.

I think I slipped back into OCD

Funny to find this on one of the hotter days of the year. Written in 1987, commorating 50 years that "have passed since the 200 mile ski race. [the author brings] to the public the story of these courageous men."

It appears in 1936 there was a 200 mile Ski Marathon from Bangor to Caribou connected with the 1936 Caribou Winter Carnival and Sportsmen's Show (February 20-22, 1936). 13 started, 5 finished including Sam Ouellette (the elder). Bob Johnson won in 34 hours and 3 minutes.

Same route was raced in 1937 - 7 started, 6 finished. Sam Ouellette (the elder) won in 33 hours 40 minutes.

There are bios of Olaf "Spike" Oleson, Walter Stadig, Bob Johnson, Cloren Nute, Buck Ostlund, Sam Ouellette among other prominent Maine Skiers.

Facinating to note there were other long distance races as well (Sam won these as well):

1935 Marathon at Fort Fairfield (102 Miles)
Rivere du Loup Marathon in 1939 (138 Miles)

What is great to to see a connection between these ski marathons of the 30s and the Potato Festival running marathons in the 50s. Describing Sam Ouellette at the end "The record went on throughout his life. If it was not skiing it was running." Gives me hope there is more out there to discover about our running past.

I'll give it a good read tonight.

rk.
marathon hunter.

with lots of runner sightings out there. Great day to be out, but I was definitely happy to stop. It got hot!

Sam Oullette sounds like a machine, RK. I hope you find out more about him.

With Brian, and steve.

Since I was scheduled for 8 miles, I wanted some variety. I tried pushing DeLaney on this route last fall, and had to stop and turn around because it was too hard. I am happy to report that today, I did the whole thing without walking, even with a late 10:30ish start in the heat. I'm pretty tickled. I even tacked on the extra .2 for an even 8. A great day!

with Spotter. Found a wrench.

with RK. Spotted a vehicle with a flat tire.

with Tom, Julie, and Karen. Nice tatoo, Suzanne! Apparently, Julie's trying to up me in miles, it won't be happening to a young chic like me, although she does have pretty good abs for someone over the hill;)

Which anniversary of your 29th birthday is this?

Congrats Suzanne. I had some dead legs out there myself today and enjoyed a bit of walking. I prefer to think of it as extending my time out there with good company on a beautiful day.

Life is good in the woods.

at about 9:30 with about a 9:30 pace. EL/Bubble/JP loop clockwise.
A couple of firsts for me today; first time I have run that loop, and first time I have run that far in 2008. It felt goooooood:)

After this weekend...if all goes well...I will have completed my first tri (1500M, 25mi, 10K). The one area that I am seriously deficient in terms of equipment is the bike; I will be racing on a 1998 Cannondale touring bike! Any advice on where to start?

I am considering making an offer on a 56cm Felt tri bike... but I don't want to make a hasty purchase. Thoughts?

AM: 6 at 6 before the heat w/ Judson and Steve, and a few minutes of conversation with Bob and Becky after. Nice soak off the pier then with Steve, along with a manly business trip to the transfer station.

PM: 32 minutes easy around Great Meadow, Jesup, Sieur de Monts. Huge heat gradient this evening between the town (where an off-shore breeze dramatically cooled things around 4:30) and the slightly elevated interior at the golf course and Great Meadow where it's still near 80.

Ran late, around 7:00, from EL around WHP for 5.5 miles. Was going to run easy but the horseflies had me jumpy and I finished in under 42 minutes, oops. It was nice to get the cool breeze up by Paradise Hill but I was pretty drenched by the time I finished regardless. Also rowed and ran yesterday, finishing the 4.5-mile run at sub-7:00 pace for the last half mile or so.

Sorry I haven't been posting lately. Life--it gets in the way of important things sometimes, ya know.