A little bit of catch up (ok a lot)

To say I've been slacking on blogging is a bit of an understatement.  To be honest I haven't been really training since early 2013.  I still love to run and keep a run log, but blogging has lost a little bit of luster when I'm not training seriously.  I've been feeling a bit like a hypocrite because I still get a lot of enjoyment out of reading other's blogs. (Update yours, Jonny!)

Here's my monthly totals and some highlights:

February 140mi = 35.0mpw
Raced at Prospect Mtn on snowshoes.  Got 2nd place in a fun battle with Ferenc.  Lot's of deep snow in the woods this month.  Cold temps.

March 111mi = 25.1mpw. 
I bought some backcountry xc skis and got Jen some for her birthday.  What a blast!  A fun workout that hits the whole body better than running.  I put in 18hrs of xc skiing along with running and lifting.  I mostly skied in Pisgah but went to real xc ski areas on weekends.  Skied at Grafton Ponds in VT, Prospect Mtn in VT and Windblown Ski Area in NH.  Windblown is absolutely awesome!
I raced at Prospect Mtn again on snowshoes and got dropped on the steep climb near the top by Tim Mahoney.  He then crushed me in the deep snow single track and my obliques cramped (I think from xc skiing the days before).  Deep snow this month.  I also raced the Fast Friends 4.5mi in 25:38.  I got 2nd place there and it was snowing with 1/2" of slippery powder on the roads.  I even went to Baker Street for a speed workout with Andy this month.  Trying to get Wednesday's going again. 

April 216mi = 50.4mpw
I raced at the Big River 1/2 Marathon trail race.  What a fun race.  I blew my 30+sec lead after 2.5mi when the trail markers got stolen.  I then ran behind Jonny for a bit with a big group of chasers.  The markings seemed good and then I made another break for the lead.  I got a 10+sec gap and then the markers were missing again.  Ugghhh!  I waited again and ran right with Jonny.  Finally, I broke away late with Eric Lonergan right on my heels.  We dropped everyone but Jonny was only 15sec back or so and he was yelling encouragement to me at points in the last mile.  We emptied out onto the dirt road and Eric pulled away for the win.  Really fun race.  I ran 1:23:23 for 2nd.  Jonny was next across the line.  I had so much fun racing with my brother for so many miles.
I also raced at the Sports Med 5K in Keene.  I ran a lack luster 17:00 for 3rd place.  Kurt Hackler and Andy were too strong for me on this day.  I got 4 track workouts in at the Monadnock track with Andy. 

May 214mi = 48.3mpw
I started the month with a course record and win at the Chesterfield 10K in 37:43.  This is a tough hilly hybrid race with roads, dirt roads and trails.  I felt really strong and fast running here.  Things were looking up for my fitness.  Track coaching was in full swing and my mileage and track workouts started to slip.  I raced at Sleepy Hollow and my SI joint was killing me on the warm-up.  I kind of knew I was in for a crappy race.  I climbed with no power on the steep climbs and limped down the descents.  It was depressing to be losing ground to my competitors on the downs, where I can usually pass people.  The weather was hot and I just kind of gave up out there.  A terrible race, but it was a fun day with friends in the woods.  I only managed one track workout which did not go well, Thomas and Andy ran good ones.  I ran/hiked with Garry Harrington for a nice double summit day on Mt. Monadnock and I got a good trail run in with Jonny on Memorial Day Weekend.  I ended the month with a great 20mi run in Pisgah with Brett, Thomas, Ferenc, Summit and Lena.

June is here.  School is winding down.  We end on the 19th.  I'm going to start training for the DeMar Marathon at the end of September.  I need some kind of goal to jump start my motivation heading into the summer.  I'll start posting my weekly numbers again.