Fall Races (aka "Catching Up")

Yes, I was successful at Schloss... and several races after that.  In fact, it seems every weekend for the last three months I was racing, running, or resting.  And by resting, I mean only running 15-20 miles instead of 26 or more.  Because the only way I will remember is to write about them (and thank goodness for pictures) here is a brief summary:

The Big Schloss...I have to devote some time to this because it was epic, I tell you.  The rain, the thunder, the lightning.  Pounding down the side of a mountain with little rivers at my feet, the huge drops pelting my face as the thunder boomed loud and near.  It was amazing.  There are some runs that I feel like I am flying and this was one of them.  The views, even through the clouds and persistent rain, were amazing.  It was just cool enough to be pleasant, and this run felt as close to effortless as can be. 

A week later (or maybe two?) and it was the Women's Half Marathon.  I can't remember how many times I have completed this race, but it is an annual Evil Sister reunion, and missing it is not an option.  While a bit warm for me, I did  just fine and had a pretty good run.  Nothing compares to the camaraderie of this race and the singing send off of "Happy Trails"  by VHTRC men is priceless.

Another week, and another 50K. This was Blue's Cruise, and a new one for me.  When I registered for this, I was looking for a race that would be a supported long distance, but not too technical or rocky, since I was running a marathon just a week later.  I didn't pay much attention to the distance (very close to Philly) and I definitely wasn't banking on the swarms of bees that attacked my knees and thighs early in the race.

I had these welts all over my legs and knees

The  race circumvents a lake, and sounds pleasant enough, but there were stretches that were long and less than scenic.  I didn't have my camera so I couldn't capture the prison that highlighted the long 5 miles to the finish.  Not sure I would do this again, but the folks were great and it served the purpose.

I'll stop here, because my next few races were marathons, and the Patapsco 50K.  They deserve their own post since each one was a great race as well as some freaky anomaly of speed that caught me by surprise!  (I realize that waiting until 3 months after a race is probably not considered an official "report", but hey, life.