Running in Maine in the summer rocks! My body is used to heat and humidity, so getting the chance to run without that resulted in some awesome runs. Besides my PR in the race, I managed to run three awesome runs. The house we stayed at (
Anne’s Seaview Cottage, which was awesome) was on a hilly road, with a few side roads that were awesome for speed work. My slowest run was a 5 mile run in 45:29 (9:05 average)! I also did a run with some speed work in the middle and managed 5.5 miles in 48:19 (8:47 average). My final run of the week, which was at what felt like an easy pace, ended up being 4.5 miles in 38:55 (8:39 average). Wish I could always run that fast without feeling like I was pushing myself!
In our last couple of days, we went out on a boat to see puffins, seals, and other cool wildlife. We also did a lot of walking around on the very rocky beaches, hit another winery (sorry Glaven, no easily accessible brewpubs), and checked out a few more lighthouses. I learned that the next time we do a vacation like this, I need to take my
Merrell Waterpro’s . I kept ending up with wet running shoes or slipping while wearing sandals.
Climbing rocks with the boys (note the inappropriate footwear)
Saturday morning, we hit the road at 6am for our drive home. We made decent time, thankfully, and had enough time to stop at the High Point of New Jersey. (Yes, this is indeed one of the instances where Beer Geek earns the “geek” part of his name.) In addition to the actual geographic high point, NJ has erected a 220 foot tower on the spot. Inside are stairs leading up to what is supposedly an awesome view. Jones discovered he has a fear of heights and he and I climbed the first four sets of steps multiple times as he tried to conquer it and go to the top. Beer Geek and Shoo, on the other hand, made it all the way up.
Shoo at the top of the monument. He climbed all the way up and all the way down!
(Apparently prompting several struggling climbers to comment that “if he can do it, I should be able to do it” LOL)
We are home now and the weather forecast calls for temps in the high 90s/low 100s. I ran on the treadmill today and it was not a fun run. I did, however, manage to hit 20 miles for the week, even with being on vacation. I also didn’t gain any weight while on vacation and may in fact have lost some.
Now to survive a week of ridiculous hot while Beer Geek is on travel for work. Lucky me.
Sounds like you guys are having a good time and the weather for running isn't too shabby.While you are in Maine, swing by and say hi to Marcy! ha!
What fun! I love staying in cottages, they are one of my favorite kinds of holiday accomodation. (I always think of the line from Shakespeare in Love, where someone asks Will Shakespeare if Anne Hathaway is a woman of property, and he says "She has a cottage." Cracks me up!)
Very nice paces on your runs! I might have to head up to Maine if it'll let me run just a wee bit faster 🙂
Nice running and glad you are having fun
Sounds like a great wrap-up of your vacation. Nice speedy runs, too!
Fun vacation! Great job on the runs while you were there.
Well, you've officially hit the ONE thing in Joisey worth seeing, so i guess you'll never be back, you Liberal East Coast Wine-Swilling Elitist!(I mean that in the good sense.)20 miles in a vacation week? Wow. maybe i should try this "wine" stuff.Way to go, sister!
Sounds like a nice vacation! And way to get some awesome running done!Good luck this week 🙂
Maine is one of those places I always want to visit, but I'm not sure when/if I ever will. Sounds like a fantastic trip!
I heart maine. My family has gone to boothbay harbor every year since I was in the 7th grade. In fact, the locals know us and the owner of the lobster dock we frequent stops by my parents house every winter on their drive down to FL. Glad you got in good mileage! I love running in the early morning mist listening to the bleating of the fog horns!
On vacation and you still hit 20 miles! Nicely done! Looks like an awesome trip!
Oh for some nice cool weather…I hope the heat here isn't training me to be slow. Running long 10 minute per mile paces isn't doing a lot for my confidence.I'm expecting major speed up when the weather breaks 😉
That sounds like a great trip!