Redemption: 2013 Hamilton Road2Hope Marathon

Nicely done, Nick! The rain's good for you. Builds character.

Mark B wrote:Nicely done, Nick! The rain's good for you. Builds character.

Thanks...I always need more character

So, I wanted to get in back to back 8 milers this weekend, but mother nature was just not having it.  Yesterday, the weather was just horrible.  The wind was blowing and a steady mist to light rain was falling.  The good news is that the temps were in the lower 50s.  All of this being said, I decided to just do an easy 4 miler instead.  Honestly it was not a very fun run, even though it was my first run outside in two weeks.  I completed the 4.25 miles at around a 7:30 pace.

Later in the day, I was pleasantly surprised to receive my refurbished Garmin in the mail.  It was a little earlier than I expected to receive it.  But getting the watch on Saturday meant that I could use it today

That brings me to today.  With rain coming down for most of the morning and a tornado watch in effect for the day, I was lucky enough to get a couple hour window with no rain at a round noon.  With temps in the upper 50s, it was certainly nice to be able to run in shorts and a short sleeve shirt.  I used the no rain window to head out for an 8 miler with my new watch.  It felt really good to get outside and really put some time and miles on my legs.  I can tell that I really haven't lost any fitness even though I have only ran 3 times prior in the last two weeks.  It was also weird to hear my Garmin actually beep at each mile, since my old one had stop beeping loudly around two years ago...haha...I ended up running 8.55 miles at a 7:10 pace.  A really good run to get me back into the swing of running.

I am now at that crossroad again.  The time when the training cycle is over with and I am in transition to winter maintenance.  I had a very successful training cycle and race this past summer and fall.  What's next??  Well, for the time being, I think that I am going to run   My friend Pete, that ran Hamilton with me, is starting a training cycle on December 1st for a 100k race in May.  I think that my plan is going to be run 2-3 days during the week and then run weekend long runs with him.  This should keep my fitness level pretty high and help keep my weight in check as the winter rolls on.  Then, if I get into February in decent shape, I may look at doing a spring marathon.  We'll see...But this is the time when I am "In Between".

For now, I am closing this blog, but will be starting a new one to help document my winter running.  Once again, a big THANK YOU to everyone that has followed me this year and in the years past.  Thank you to those that gave me guidance, encouragement, and truly believed in me.  Without this support, I would not be where I am today.