With Evan and Mister.

Awesome morning for a run.

See most of you in Portland tomorrow. I'm running the relay with Matt H. and Brian and running the first 2 legs of it. Mainly I'll be keeping Matt F. company in the marathon but our relay team should do well since Matt F. should be top 5 marathoners.

Rest up Ginger.

...which is silly since I've done this a few times before, but....:)

Though with some crunches to start the morning.

I think I'm about as prepared for this marathon as possible. We'll see if I can sustain the pace I need to qualify. Either way it'll be one hell of a run.

to everybody heading to Portland. I hope all of your race day dreams come true!

swim: 5,500 scy
run: 3.3 mi (24:09)

7 x 300 w/u middle one stroke
8 x 50 on :50 stroke work
8 x 25 on :30 debf

500 (6:32) + 200 easy
400 (5:06) + 200 easy
300 (3:47) + 200 easy
200 (2:31) + 200 easy
100 (1:14) + 200 easy

200 c/d

I couldn't get my stroke quite right this morning, right hip wasn't cooperating and rotating the way it needs to. But it's the first morning I've put a hat on after practice, cold out, and that felt really good - cozy fleece over my ears - like a reminder of winter, swim season, bundle up so your hair doesn't freeze.

It was almost enough to calm me down.

I am likely not running the half tomorrow. I'm registered for it but all the anxiety is thinking about how much I've run this week, I don't think I dare risk running at all tomorrow much less that much on mostly pavement. Oh I hate how panic feels

I was going to run about 10 today, but had terrible insomnia last night and feel a little blah. Think I will push that run to tomorrow, and just spend the day getting ready for DeLaney's birthday party. :)

after 10 not so yesterday. The frost and fog combo this morning made the towpath all twinkly!

The official Eden roster of who will be running in the maine marathon events tomorrow? Just curious, seems like a lot of folks, 8 or 9 by my count.

Easy trot around Witch Hole just to loosen everything up. Just before finishing at Duck Brook I saw Bob and Venessa so stopped and chatted awhile. It was a good omen.

The last time I ran Maine marathon was 10 years and 24 marathons ago. I'm looking forward to racing the clock again.

This is a great sport....but you know that.

ran in the 12K this morning - very light turnout. Austin finished 2nd (47 and some change), Peckenham was third (50:30), Ed Hughes was fourth, yours truly was fifth (7:15 pace). Sam Matoush was first woman - followed by Nichi Farnham and Barbara Thompson. I'll get the results to Eden hopefully by the end of the afternoon/evening!

Hope you are enjoying all of your favorite things today.

It was great to see lots of Eden out and about today. Kev looked ready for a good marathon in the morning. We also got to see Lou & Jack, Don, & Jean (each on their own runs.) Hope you had a good 24 miler Jean.

RK, nice job in the 12K today and thanks for the update. We will sure be thinking of Team Eden in Portland in the morning. Great races all. Now relax and enjoy yourselves.

Life is good in the woods.

Best in three weeks by far. An A on Bob's scale. I started slow up West Street Ext. and up around Witch Hole and back to downtown, all but one mile faster than the previous. 7 miles total.

I also broke out my light training shoes, as my current regular trainer rotation seems to have broken down. I think the old shoes have made my knee touchy lately, so it's time for new ones.

Good luck in Portland tomorrow Eden!

Easy 4+

After tomorrow's run with Matt F., week 2 will be over and again better than expected.

7 more weeks until Philly. 5 more weeks of VERY hard training.

It was strange running 3 minute pieces this week at a pace I've run a full marathon at and breathing heavily, but I laugh at the thought and know in just a few weeks I'll be in better shape than I was this summer. Getting back into shape after a break is tough like that and racing in this time means nothing. Now I enjoy the process and look forward to the tough training after the mental and physical break from training.

See you in Portland tomorrow morning, Brian and I are headed down in the Early AM.

...on trails around town.

Got to remember to get to bed early tonight.

I know everyone is going to do great tomorrow. I will be cheering at mile 21.

this notice is at the Maine marathon website:
No radio headsets, dogs, baby strollers or bicycles are allowed.
Maybe you were already aware of it but I know some of you are using the race as a BQ and my guess is you will be penalized if seen using an ipod.

That's it. 10 or 11 tomorrow depending on where and when I end up running. I'm keeping my options open.

tomorrow all in full,half and relay marathons.I'm feeling pretty good for the half.Will look around afterwards for the team.