Weekly Log 9-19-11 to 9-25-11

Monday: Day off still beat up from Pisgah

Tuesday: Day off long day at work

Wednesday: 6 mile trail run Big River just a nice steady run legs were tight but felt much better by end of run.

Thursday: Day off working 10hr days is wearing on me

Friday: 6 mile trail run Big River kept a good pace and felt good the whole run also first run I tried s-cap no cramping at all.

Saturday: 4 mile road run nice steady pace up the 1 mile climb and then just a nice steady pace rest of run

Sunday: 9 mile trail run Big River used s-caps during run, kept me from cramping but bonked a bit out on trail but other wise was happy with run. one week away from the Nipmuck trail marathon.


Weekly Total: 25 miles
Last Week: 24 miles
Year to Date: 937 miles

Pisgah Mt. Trail race 23K

I decided early in the week I was going to head to NH early Sunday morning to run the 23K version of Pisgah.  My only goal in this run was to finish, this would be my longest race, and first trail race since I started running.  I figured this would be good training for my upcoming trail marathon.

My alarm went off at 4:30am, made myself a fruit smoothie and a cup of coffee and out the door.  It was a nice drive to NH pulled into the parking lot around 7:30am. Registered, got my race attire on, I didn't do much of warm up knowing i was going to start out slow.

I started the race off slow figuring if I wanted to finish this race better to go out conservatively.  I really felt good on Reservoir trail, went through the first aid station at 6.7miles feeling really good.  That's where the real climbing began.  I took it slow and steady up Pisgah Mt. trail some great views at the top, but on the way down I started to cramp.  By the time I hit the aid station at mile 9 I started to cramp big time thighs and calf's in both legs.  I tried to take in more fluid and fuel but couldn't get in enough to get the cramps to subside.  Mile 9 to the finish was just a slow painful hike, but very glad to have finished.

But what a great race the trails where outstanding, what a beautiful area...

Pisgah Mt. Trail race 23K by timgillbo at Garmin Connect - Details

My journey from overweight couch potato to a some what trail runner

Early November 2010 I decided I needed a change, time to shed some weight and start running.  I decided my first race would be on Thanksgiving day in Cumberland Center Maine the Turkey trot 5K.  So there I was, I had 5 short runs under my belt as i bellied up to the line literally.  I weighed in at 230lbs at 5'6".  I suffered through the race and ran the whole distance finishing my first 5K in 34:36.


I continued to run and walk, I was dedicated to losing weight and transforming myself into a runner.  I pushed myself to get out and run as much as possible to date I now weigh 175lbs  here is a list of races I have done to date and my finishing times.
Turkey Trot 5k 34:36
Jingle 5k 32:43
St. Pat's 5k 30:09
Chafee 10k 1:04:55
Great Bay half marathon 2:38:47
Rhody 5k 28:07
Blessing of the Fleet 10mi 1:44:59
Pisgah Mountain Trail Race 23K  3:06:17
nipmuck trail marathon 26.4 6:20:45
monster bash 5k 24.49

My next journey will be the Nipmuck Trail Marathon on Oct2nd.

I will blog my training, weight loss and race reports.  My goal is to transform from an overweight couch potato to ultra trail runner weighing in at 155lbs or less, and to complete the Vermont50 in 2012.