Tomorrow I will toe the line at the TARC Spring Classic marathon.  This will be my 4th attempt at the marathon distance, my first on trails, and only my second attempt after a completing a full training schedule.  I am excited.

My goals for this race?

Go a little quicker than last month's 6hr race! :)  At last month's To Hale and Back 6hr race, I completed 21 miles in about 6 hours 13 minutes which comes up to about an average of 17:51 mins per mile.  Anything quicker than that would be a win.

It's really hard to tell though.  This will be my first trail marathon and I have never seen the course.  Word on the street is that the course is FAST and FLAT -- somehow I doubt that I will agree.  So, I guess the ultimate goal is just to finish.  Because, anything I do will be a PR anyway.  Right? :)  I will say that I am feeling much more rested than I did for last month's race and I'm feeling in way better shape than I was for my last two marathons.  It's going to be a good day.

Stay tuned for the recap after the race!

This view never gets old.

I went up to the Fells today for a quick 3 miles on the trails.  The trails were bustling with people; even at 4pm.  I had forgotten that the Reservation get like that.  I have largely had the place all to myself this winter.  But, I guess springtime does that.  It infuses life and vitality where before there was only cold and lethargy.  It was a gorgeous day today and actually good to see so many people out.  I'll just have to get out earlier or remember to brace for more obstacles on my runs from now on :)

This weekend... I ran 21 miles yesterday around town with a few friends and 3 miles today on the trails.  If you can remember, I ran 21 at the 6 hr trail race a couple weeks ago (which took almost 1 hour and 45 mins longer than yesterday's run) AND I was seriously sore for a few days after.

Happy company on Sat's 21 miler

Today, I wasn't so sore (well not sore enough not to do another run) and the 3 miles served to stretch out my legs a little.  I guess these two runs coming so close together helped to clearly illustrate what I already knew in my head.  Trail running is soooo much harder than road running.  I have to really remember that as I prepare for this upcoming marathon (2 weeks away!).  After last week's race, I was really tempted to think, "what kind of shape am I in if I can't run 21 miles in under 6hrs?"  But that's not a great way to look at things.  Trail running is different.  I still need some practice, sure, but I'm having fun figuring it out and even though it might be harder than running on the road, it has its own rewards.

In other news, the Boston Marathon is only 8 days away! I will be volunteering and spectating again this year.  Can't wait!

What about you?

Do you have any upcoming springtime races?

Have you ever struggled with racing on different terrains?

I'd love to hear from you!  Leave a comment in the section below.  Happy spring and happy running!

Group pic with the folks in our carpool

On Saturday, I completed the TARC To Hale and Back 6hr trail race.  While I have volunteered with TARC in the past, this is my first time actually running in a race.  It was a blast!

A snow storm a couple weeks ago made it so that no one really know what the course conditions would be like.As I wrote in my race goals post, my main goal for the day was to have fun and maintain a positive attitude.

Tomorrow is the start of 2017 TARC To Hale and Back 6 hour race and my first trail race ever!

It's strange to think it's my first trail race...I talk about it enough.  But, truly I've never done one before.  I'm excited.  I signed up for this event as a tune up race for the TARC Spring Classic marathon next month and as a base-building exercise for this year's ultimate 50 miler goal.  It is an ambitious goal for the year and breaking it down to bite size pieces is the core of my attack plan. 

My year is laid out like this:  6 hour tomorrow...  Marathon in a month...  A mountain half marathon in June... and then a long summer of solid Ultra-specific training (more to come on what that might look like later).

Gear all laid out and ready to go. All the layers!

So tomorrow's race is the first in the regiment and looking mighty precarious.  The idea behind a 6 hour race is that participants are trying to see who can cover the most miles in 6 hours.  The course is a 3.2 mile loop and you have to complete a whole loop in order for it to count.  I have been working out race day goals in my head for the past month or so and I had to rework my thinking a lot last week after a Nor'easter dropped 8 more inches on the trails.

My race goals can now be characterized two ways:

the "before Tuesday's storm" goals and 

the "after Tuesday's storm" goals.

The before Tuesday's storm goals:

• A goal - run at least 6 laps for 19+ miles
• B goal- run at least 5 hours on the course.  

Since this is still technically part of marathon training, I don't feel the need to go over 20 miles and risk putting to much stress on my body as I'm still building up.  Also, if I'm having a rough time out there and not able to get close to 20, 5 hours seems like a decent long run and good cutoff point.

The after Tuesday's storm goal:

• Have a good time

The revised goal has me going out and maintaining a good attitude for as long as I can endure the sloppy trails.  After all, mental toughness is a skill that needs to be practice.  It's going to be a mess on the trails and possibly raining tomorrow.  I'm not looking forward to that part of it so staying positive is something I'm going to work at.

Stay tuned for the race report!

Here are some pictures from yesterday's snow trail run.  Tuesday's snow storm left about 6 inches or so on the trails which made for some interesting running.  I was able to try out my new Yaktrax (review to come soon).  I didn't fall so I call it a win.

6 days to go til the TARC to Hale and Back 6 hour race!

Hope everyone is enjoying the last few weeks of spring marathon training!  I personally can't wait for spring :)