Marine corps marathon is getting close, y’all!  I managed to get in some good runs in this final week of September.  I have to do one more 20 miler next week to meet my goal of at least 2 runs above 20, but this week i scheduled the Maine Half marathon in Portland, Maine.   When i signed up, i had planned to run 20 miles the week before, but family commitments and events got in the way– but I already put the money down for the half so gotta go run it!   I’ll simply adjust my training plan, AGAIN, which now is a series of scratched out ‘aspirational’ distances for the weekly long run.   Coming off a lame week 11, I ran a total of 28.8 miles this week and continue to run consistently 2 out of 3 of my quality runs (tempo, track and long run).    Here’s a snap shot of this weeks stats.

Monday: OTF at 0530.  My usual Monday morning rude awakening at Orange Theory Fitness (OTF) with Kellie since our usual trainer Nate was off.

Tuesday OTF @ 0530 with the spouse!

Wednesday.  The weather was pretty nice so I decided to do my track workout down at the beach.  I ran 3 x 1 mile intervals with some walking break in between.  It was also Wear the Eagle Wednesday for my new Team RWB (Red, White, and Blue) so there you go.  I was excited i ran the mile intervals in 8:12 min miles or a little less when my target was 8:25.  I also saw this bunny.

Thursday.   I need to get another team RWB shirt!  Thursday I went to the first (?) Team RWB meet up at our local running store, Runner’s Alley in Portsmouth.  I met up with Sarah and we were the only 2 representing RWB.  A little colder night for a run but still nice.   Got dark by 7pm and almost had to break out the headlamp.

Friday. Off, rested or was just too lazy to do anything.

Saturday I decided to go to OTF on the spur of the moment and actually got in a really tough workout.   I rarely get over 400 calories per the heart rate monitor but i really killed it this time.   Probably not the best approach for the day before the half marathon.

Sunday Maine Half Marathon!   I drove with a friend up to Portland, ME, about an hour drive to run the Maine Half.  They run a Full, half and a relay on the same out and back course.   This was my first Maine half and it was pretty good. I picked it because it was reasonably close and cheaper than the Smuttynose or BAA Boston Half marathons.   The amenities are pretty basic, and one negative was the porta potties (some) did not have toilet paper!   But you got a tshirt and a free can of B&M baked beans – their plant is in South portland i guess.    I started the race not planning to really race, and to just take it easy but i was going along at a pretty good pace.   We were keeping up with the 2 hour pacer much of the way.  At about mile 11 I started to fade.  My friend finished in 1:59 and I got 2:01:09 which is still a PR for me for the last 5 years!   My half PR is 1:52 from 2013 but I don’t know if i’ll ever get back to that pace.    I wore my RWB shirt and got some shout outs from other Eagles.  Met a guy from NY who is running a half in every state.  That seems like a cool goal, but there are some states that I just don’t want to visit (sorry North Dakota).   I really need to invest in a 2nd RWB shirt with all the wear so far.

After the race we went to the Holy Donut, a popular donut shop with 3 locations around Portland.  We had to wait in line outside before we could even get into the place.  I got a half dozen gluten free donuts, which the family liked.  I would definitely go back.

On to October and the final weeks of training for Marine corps!

see you out there<
– Jenn