I swapped distances on the weekday runs because I got overheated and overtired on what was supposed to be 8 miles through the Meadows – nice to be able to cut it short. I did get to see an airplane landing.
I finally moved into second place in Easthampton with my last very long run, but I neglected to note the exact percentage (I completed a record 48 streets in one go, so it would be over 90%) . It was an extra-exciting one because friends who live on one of the downtown streets I’d saved for last came out to greet me. I gave them the window when I expected to be there, and they had to be up early anyway. What a lift to see friendly faces and hear encouraging cheers! I ran through a lot of older neighborhoods, more interesting than the cookie-cutter developments.
On the hydration/fuel front, I think I’m finally at the point where I notice my body’s responses well enough to play it by ear. That’s one of the reasons to keep chasing big physical goals like this; it fine-tunes my sense of where my limits are and what’s changing with age. I ended up with usually 5-6 gulps of water every 2 miles, a Medjool date every 3 to 5, and a salt cap every 8 to 10. I’ll bring enough for the marathon so I can up the frequency if necessary, but I’m confident I’ll recognize the signs and won’t have to rely so much on a schedule.
Finished 10/4 and backposted – I hope to catch up before the marathon!!!
Weekday runs – Northampton
More wild sunflowers in the Meadows 
Clouds lifting over the Holyoke Range across the Connecticut River 
View over Smith Vocational fields
Long run – Easthampton
One of these plants is not like the others 
Turtle lamps 
Not a fan of the subject matter but admire the creativity 
Barn mailbox but home-made? 
Lots of interesting birdhouses in this yard 
Potato faces? 
Huge ornamental grass (miscanthus?) 
House built in 1870 with a grapevine frieze
| Date (temp/humidity) | Distance | Avg pace/fastest split | Time | HR (avg/highest) | Notes |
| Tue 9/14 (58°F/91%) | 5.24 | 12:21/11:39 | 1:04:42 | 160/177 | |
| Wed 9/15 (75°F/95%) | 5.57 | 13:39/12:32 | 1:15:58 | 152/171 | Bad run – supposed to be 8 but cut it short and swapped days |
| Thu 9/16 (63°F/100%) | 8.00 | 13:09/12:18 | 1:45:14 | 145/171 (intervals only) | |
| Sat 9/18 (64°F/100%) | 18.07 | 14:17/13:10 | 4:18:07 | 144/167 | |
| Totals | 36.9 miles | | 8.4 hours | | Weight avg 112.8, resting heart rate 57 |