Pre Kettle Moraine 100K

Here we it is Thursday, ten days out from the Kettle Moraine 100K. Had my last long run on Sunday, a 21 miler and averaged ten minute miles using my 10/2 strategy. And yesterday did a hard hill workout using the weight vest. Worked on both up and down with the major emphasis on the down to build up the quads. It also was 87 degrees with some decent humidity. I feel I am ready for this. It just has been a while since I have been running a race with some technical terrain. I have been really looking forward to this since I signed up back in December. And I have some unfinished business with this race since the last time up there was a DNF after getting lost for an hour with a wrong turn in the prairie section. I just have to make sure to pay more attention to where I am going this time. Confidence in my fitness is high, though. So we will see what happens.

Arbor Park 5K

A nice Arbor Park 5K.  Beautiful day.  21:46.9. 4th overall out of 126 and 1st out of 2 (60-64).  7:01/mile.  A novelty today in that I had eyes on the leader even at the three mile mark.  Just a fun day seeing some of my old comrades in arms (teachers) from the district.

Starved Rock Marathon

Probably should written this sooner, but just kept running out of time once I actually remembered.

Starved Rock Marathon last Saturday.  It was a pretty chilly day, especially for the middle of May.  Add to that a good Northwest to Northeast wind.  40 to 48 degrees during the race and only a little sporadic sun. But it turned out to be pretty good day.  3:46:28, good for 16th out of 92 finishers overall and 1st out of 6 in my AG (60-64).  It was my best marathon since 2013 and 3 minutes faster than last year's version.  I felt, however, that my legs never really loosened up in the cold.  My stride was stiff all day.  But a good day all told.

Next up:  Kettle Moraine 100K in two weeks with a quick 5K at Arbor Park tomorrow.  I am hoping for a bit of heat for the 100K.  If I get it, I feel confident as long as my quads hold up on the downhills (I have done some downhill workouts and plan on a couple more in the remaining time left).