Slowing down for summer

There's a reason why I felt at home in Maine. I can't do in July what I did in December. I've now learned that lesson for the third week in a row.

Today was the first 10-mile run of the season with MIT. The first 3 miles with the 10:30s were absolutely horrid. I was achy, exhausted and the pace seemed much harder than usual. After the first water stop I decided to move back two pace groups and continued with the 11:30s. I felt like I was putting forth the same amount of effort that I usually do at 10:30.

That made all the difference. The aches and pains ceased almost instantly. The exhaustion was still there but not as bad.

This winter I survived subzero temperatures, ice storms and pouring rain, so I can say definitively that I'd take any of those above 90 degree weather!

Running at 11:30 was unbearable at first, after pushing a pace close to 9 for the past few weeks. I almost took off to rejoin my old group, but was stuck in the middle of the pack without a quiet way out. I grew acclimated to the pace and finished the 10 miles comfortably. (Continued after the jump.)

Nostalgia

I'm visiting Maine this week. Man I miss this place, right down to the obnoxious accents. Towns like this in Ohio are few and far between, with the exception of Granville.

I'm watching a news report right now about the state budget and seeing a lot of my old sources. I even miss the politics here! Nothing in Ohio is the same.

Today I ran on the Kennebec River Rail Trail. It was beautiful out, about 45 degrees, a bit chillier by the river. I started where I'm staying in Farmingdale and ran down to downtown Hallowell. I was never a runner in Maine but I walked the dogs on the path all the time. It's gorgeous.

I'll take a few pictures tomorrow of my old stomping grounds later this week.

After a long time in the car, my legs are feeling horrid. Yesterday I just did two miles on the treadmill at the Y here just to shake my legs out, yay for the away program. Today running was really hard, I was incredibly achy and sore. Four miles was incredibly difficult. I may try to get a sports massage while I'm out here tomorrow, if I can find a place.

I'm also going to head down to the LL Bean outlet to get some cool new running gear.