2009 Lynn Woods Relay

4 x 2.5 mile trail relay

16:49 leg

August 6, 2009

Lynn, MA

This was a fun race. It's a bit crowded, unorganized at the start, nowhere to park but plenty of police ticketing cars, unscientific transition, but otherwise a great time.

The course winds along a few small hills into the Lynn Woods Reservation, then up a trail hill, back down and out of the woods. I ran the anchor leg, and it was starting to get a little dark. Not worried about the pack of wolves and wild dogs in the distance, I took off as my #3 runner crossed the line.

I've run this route a few times before, and knew what to expect. The first mile overlaps the return leg, and there is no clear distinction between which side of the path runners should follow. Thus, people are sprinting in to the finish crossing runners sprinting out of the gate. In the woods, most people stay to the right, except for the guy sprinting down a hill into my line. Chaos makes for a good time.

The uphill isn't too steep, but there are some log and stone steps built into the path that break your stride. And the run back is always longer than you think. I was passed by another guy going down the hill, but hung on. I caught him with half a mile left, and outraced him to the finish. There was no way I was going to lose a spot for my team.

After the race was the fun part, and part of the reason I run. Pizza and pitchers at Prince's restaurant. All in all, a fun race, team event and evening.

Colors

Who selects the colors for the interior of commuter trains? Are they trying to make us go to sleep? I sometimes think running shoes are getting too bright, but I wouldn't strap this combination of dull pink and beige to my feet.

Time off

I missed the "long run" this weekend.

One thing I've learned about training, is the inertia of the process. Over the past few weeks, I've been trying to run more, shorter runs, and not concentrating so much on the weekend long run. I've been hurt and sore for so long, I think it's time to build up a better base. As I get closer to a November marathon, I can worry about getting in the long mileage stuff.

Running four times in a week was a big deal for me. I had a lot of free time last week, and I managed to fit in some quick 5 to 7 milers. Once I get into that rhythm, I just go with it. I can get ready, run, get home and clean up in less than an hour, so there's really no excuse not to do it. But once this body starts to rest, it gets tough to get it going again.

I've heard the hardest part of a run are the first three steps out of bed. I'd have to say I agree with that.

No races planned for the near future. I'm running a 100 mile relay in VT in a few weeks. That usually beats me up, as I'm not used to the hills, and I tend to run it as three 5 to 10 k races in one day. The way I've been feeling lately, I'm definitely going to take a few seconds off my pace and work on having good form and finishing healthy. Oh, and not getting Lyme desease this year.

Today's Monday again, and I should be heading to the track, but I might just get in a good run and try to keep my legs on the road to recovery.