Nashua Rail Trail

I went to Nashua to run the rail trail for my long run. The trail is 12.5m long and goes from Nashua-Ayer, I usually start in Dunstable but this time I wanted to start in Nashua to make it 12.5 not the normal 11 each way. I found the parking lot got ready and was out by 4am. I saw a dirt path right next to where I parked. It was very dark, but I had on my trusty 13 dollar head lamp from Walmart. I started down the road and ended up in a construction site, no posted signs so I kept on going. Lots of dirt, rocks and holes, I saw a road with houses so I followed that and somehow ended up on the correct trail. Future reference the whole thing is paved. About 1.6m into the run I saw the parking lot for Dunstable and I knew I was on the right track. About 2m into the run I got stomach issues and I had to pull off the road and take poop #1, I took off my pack grabbed my disposable wipes turned off my light and did my business. I was startled by a deer, he literally scared the S*@T out of me. When I was done I turned my light on a saw a bunch of frogs.

The sun rose about 515 and it made it easier to see kept light on for about 30 more min. I didnt see another sole out there till around 615am. It got warm quick and I was covered in sweat, I dont handle the heat well. the temp at start was 67* and it rose into the 80s during my run. Heres a few more pics I took

I was happy with the run, struggled with the heat had to walk more than I wanted, I made sure to hydrate well took a gel every 7miles. I saw things on the way back I didnt get to see on the way out due to the dark start.

On the retuen loop I found the correct road and stayed away from the construction site, Trail was at other end of parking lot. I worked on my pacing for the Wakefield 24hr. I did a walk run of 10/3 at the end of the run and finished with sub 13min average. Best part of the day was taking the wife and kids to the beach the cold ocean water felt great on my legs.

2 months till I get to run the race of my life, the plan still looks good for 80-100 miles

Wason Pond Pounder.

Yesterday Crystal went to Chester Nh to race the Wason Pond Pounder Obsticle race. The race had over 16 obsticles, High Hurdles, Log Climb, Army crawl on sand, spider web, zig zag hill with tires, Over/Unders, Cinderblock Carry, balance beam, NFL tires up Hill, Spools, river cross, walk on water, A Frames, Get wet (lake cross), monkey bars, walls and hurdles. Crystal was registered for the 9am wave, I planned to go and just support her but that changed when I saw how much fun she was having.

Heres a few of my favorite photos of her.

I made a last minute decision to try and run the race myself. I had on shoes with close to 1000 miles on them and had to race it in her shorts. I registered for the 1020 wave start, I started slow and took it out towards the end of the pack.

I felt good so I started to push the pace a little I ended up finishing 14/71 in my wave, I'll take that after the late decision and lack of warmup. I also decided seeing I was RACING acidotic to carry 2 tires not just one. I did the same with the cinderblocks

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/103893755352227444058/WasonPondPounder2012?authkey=Gv1sRgCJHQzMe2wq35lAE&feat=email# Photos:

TARC Spring Classis 50k

On April 18th I ran my 1st 50k of the 2012 season and I chose to do it on a fast course.  I did the TARC Spring Classic in Weston MA.  The course was mostly flat almost all single track lots of rocks and roots and my favorite mud.  With only a few long runs an 18+21miler under my belt I knew I was in for a challenge,  After running the 6hr in March and struggling I didn't know what I was in for.  I was surprised with my fitness gain since then as I had put in runs of 13-15m followed by 10s the next day which I feel added to the fitness.  I went out in normal fashion and started slow during lap 1 to learn the course, warm up as it takes me about 3-4m on trails to get into a groove.  Felt good during lap 2 so I pushed it and over did it.  I was running low 10s at this point and ran up to Jay Kruger from Biggest Loser and we chatted for a few miles and I threw down a 930m with out even realizing it.   I also forgot to drink for most of this lap due to the talking and having fun with it.   Lap 3,   Cramps started in the calf's (Pisgah Style) which stopped me dead in my tracks. I couldn't walk, couldn't stand and fell flat on my face thank good I was in a grassy field at the time.  After about 5min and at least 10 runners passing me I was able to start walking again and I did a walk/run to finish the loop.  At end of each loop is the aid station, and right before it I cramped on the way out of the woods and had to limp in.  Josh Katzman (Ivov-8) who won the the 12hr race last July by running over 80m helped me in and asked what I needed he grabbed me some water and a S-Cap and I filled my bottles and off I went.  Next 2 laps I drank my water Gatorade 50/50 mix had a few sips every mile and was able to walk/run the whole time with minimal cramping.  When I hit mile 29 I realized I was in for a huge PR of around an HR,   I dug deep and had my eye set on a first time ever sub 7hr for 50k.   Not only did I hit the sub 7 but I finished in a 6:58.  A new PR for me by over 55min. 
Race Reults:  http://www.trailanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/50K-2012-TARC-Spring-Classic-Preliminary-Race-Results1.pdf
I'm very happy with the race and how it all worked out, Recovery went well,  Still having the swelling issues during Ultras. 
Goals:
Work on fueling better,  
Read up about S-Caps for Wakefield 24hr in July
Train harder get in all the longer runs. Have 30s planned every other weekend till July and a 50m scheduled mid June.
Finish Photos By Crystal St. Hilaire