New England Series: Maine
May 15, 2-16
2:29:30
Temp: low 50s, cloudy, and windy
What I wore: hat, short sleeve shirt, arm sleeves, a Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt,
compression socks, and my trusty Altra One 2.5
Sunday was the kickoff of the 2016 Mainly Marathons New England Series in Sanford, Maine. Beer Geek and I had spent the last two days driving up from Virginia – in a Mustang that the rental agency gave us when they didn’t have a compact LOL. It was a bit chilly at the start, but mostly because it was quite windy. I started out on the first lap wearing my Brooks Nightlife jacket, but quickly ditched that at the first opportunity. I spent the rest of the race in short sleeves and arm sleeves. I kept thinking I’d take off the arm sleeves and then I’d come around a corner into the wind and be like “nope, sleeves staying on.”
The race was on a paved trail in a lovely area of Maine, with just enough rolling hills to keep things interesting. Unfortunately, my body was not at all happy to run. There was nothing particularly wrong – it just felt hard to run what should have been an easy pace. I enjoyed chatting with old friends and made a few new ones.
When I got to the last lap, Beer Geek offered to go with me. I took him up on it as I was feeling worn out. He kept me moving at a good pace for most of the lap (he’s faster than I am by quite a bit and had only run a 5k, so had fresher legs) and then he acted as my rabbit as I raced to the finish to try to come in under 2:30:00. Thanks to him pushing me, I made it with 30 seconds to spare!
After the race, we went to Redhook Brewery for lunch. The food and beer were quite tasty.
Then it was off to visit a bunch of covered bridges.
We ended our day with a lovely meal at the Hancock Inn in Hancock, New Hampshire. Sadly, we would have to miss out on their awesome breakfast as I was running the New Hampshire race during it.
The good:
- The course was lovely and had only a couple of significant hills. The other hills were the nice little rollers that help keep your legs fresh.
- The people. Always the people.
- Running a lap with Beer Geek at the end. He really pulled me through when I wanted to walk.
- The food. Always the food. I only eat rice krispy treats during the race, but I ate several panini quarters after the race.
The bad:
- Not feeling awesome for whatever reason – I definitely need my allergy medicine for the next races.
The ugly:
- The wind. Most of the time it was just annoying, but right near the start/finish/turnaround it was so strong I felt like I wasn’t moving forward. I felt like I was at a sprint effort at the finish, but I’m pretty sure I was barely running LOL.
Would I do it again?
I love Mainly Marathons and this was a nice course. I would totally come up here for a vacation and hit the race again for fun. Our plan is to someday do all the Series in one year, but that will have to wait a while.
25 states (plus DC) done on my quest to run a half marathon in all 50 states! 14 of 23 states done in my journey to Mercury!
Today I’m linking up with HoHo and Tricia for Weekly Wrap. Stop by the link up and see what everyone else is up to…
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Sounds like you had a great time! How are you liking the Mustang? I think I’d want more room to stretch my legs after a race. 😉
Coco recently posted…What Is Orange Theory Fitness All About
It’s actually quite roomy – if there are only two people LOL. I have my seat pushed all the way back. The powerful engine is kind of awesome and it hugs these country roads really well. Beer Geek is enjoying driving it.
I love arm sleeves because I feel like I can keep them on longer and not worry so much about over heating. I used them at Tinker Bell and never felt like I had to ditch them.
Lesley recently posted…Tinker Bell Weekend Day 3 part 2
I’ve been known to push them down and pull them back up. My favorite is to wear them with a tank top – I never overheat then. But today would have been chilly in a tank…
oh the WIND WIND WIND would kill me.
youre so tenacious and indomitable.
<3
CARLA recently posted…5 Ways to Raise a Brazen Girl (or become a BRAZEN woman).
Great job – I can’t really imagine running back to back to back . . . 1/2 marathons!
It looks like you are wearing two watches – just wondering why?
As I am looking at this post this morning, I am realizing that you have now completed #2! And I haven’t even got out of the house yet for my 6 mile run!
Great job on your race! Hills and wind sound like a really tough combination! That’s great that you and Beer Geek were able to finish together.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Weekly Wrap: Lots of Workouts and Cooking With Quinoa
We had crazy wind in Iowa this weekend, especially on Saturday. Glad I scheduled my long run for Sunday 😉
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…This past week? Victorious!
Nice job!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…7 Layer Mediterranean Salad-Meatless Monday
I am from Maine but started running after I left the state. I love running when I go home to see my parents, there are so many great trails.
Congrats on your finishing even though it was a bit tough.
Karen @ Fit in France recently posted…Weekly wrap : Life, fitness & fruit
Looks like a beautiful course! I am looking forward to Zooma Cape Cod- I have never been in that area before and can’t wait to explore. Hope you are feeling better this week!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Book Review: Running- a love story
I could not live without my collection of arm sleeves. They have saved the day on many occasions. It looks like a very pretty trail. Don’t these races usually make you loop over and over? Hopefully this was a bigger loop. The wind is such a challenge! Thankfully, it wasn’t horrible (just annoying) for the entire loop. Congrats on half # 53. I’ll never catch you unless I so a few of these series. Thanks for linking with us Erika!
HoHo Runs recently posted…Gateway to the Smokies (WW # 41)
Nice job on your half in those tough conditions! I look forward to following your journey to Mercury.
Debra @HappyRunningSole recently posted…Weekly Wrap
I know I never comment but I love reading your MM series recaps. I have a hard time wrapping my brain around it all, it sounds like so much fun though. Some day when my kids are older I’d love to make my husband do a few with me. #lifegoals
I know I’m only commenting on one but I’ve read the recaps from the other days too. Sounds like fun, but laps sound hard!