64 Miles on the AT

Carol emailed me and said, "Yo, we're meeting at Front Royal at the McDonald's to do about 60 miles.  Be there."  Ok, I paraphrase, but her directions were about that good.

First of all, this place is so far away (how far was it, thank you) that you're almost in Nova Scotia.

When I got there, we take off into the Shenandoah National Park...and the first hill is epic.  I put my head down and get to the top.  I look up, and there's more hill.  "Ok, I enjoy a challenge.  Bring it."  Put the head down and keep pushing.  Get to the top, look up, more hill.  "Sheesh, this baby is bringing the thunder."  Put the head down, keep pushing.  Get to the top, look up, more hill.  "Sweet Moses, what's the deal, yo?"

I look back at Carol and ask her how high we're getting.  She informs me that we should max out just under four thousand feet in elevation.  Thanks for the heads-up, Carol.  We were on the Appalachian Trail.

It turned out to be an heroic 64-mile ride.  Killer, never ending climbs.  Saw a black bear and her cub (scared me stupid).  Incredible views into the lowlands.  Coming off the mountain we had to be pushing 45 mph.  Also scary, but über speedy getting off that baby.  Good day.

Ride hard.

Marine Corps Historic Half

I met Ryan and another friend down in Fredericksburg, VA yesterday to get ready for the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon.

The day started rough.  I sprinted from our hotel to the Caribou Coffee across the street at six this morning.  It was closed, and it was cold and rainy.  Double whammy.  So I settled for the watered down coffee in the hotel.  It was so weak I could see the bottom of the mug.

I was shooting for 1:20, didn't get it.  I knew I was coming out too hard and burned out around mile 8.  Again, not like I've been able to train at all.  It rained the whole time, I was drenched.  Fun course, though.  Only one bad hill and most of the course is through downtown Fredericksburg...gorgeous.  

Ryan missed breaking 1:40 by six seconds.  I'm sticking it too him pretty hard...because I'm a good friend.  Next race is probably the Montclair Tri at the end of June.

Run hard