Alstead to Marlow

Is this May?  Really?   Windy cool - but sunny.

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This one ranks right up there with hill toughness.  Not that there were a lot of steep hills, but more that the hills just never stopped.   The first 6 miles are rated a cat 5 on mapmyrun.

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Not a scenic run - at least to start.  Entire course follows route 123.  The second half, once reaching Warren Lake, has more character and nice vistas - though I was not in the best of condition to soak it in.  One neat section is where Kroka Expeditions is set up - if you're into outdoor wilderness learning and adventures, this looks to be the place.

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Weather started cool and windy.  I layered up and needed to strip down midway through the run as I warmed up.  Hardly felt like May out there.

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I have to say I wasn't mentally in the game for this run.  I knew the first half was tough, and I did take it slow.  At one point I think I logged a 17 min/mile pace -- I never walked, so it must have looked like I was doing a Marcel Marceau impersonation.

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Still all in all - so glad I got out and did this.  My legs did feel a bit dead from last week's Mount Modadnock 8 mile hike.  How my buddy Matias managed to run the Manchester 2 Monadnock 55 miler that ended with the ascent/descent of Monadnock -- I just can't fathom .... at least at my age (wear and tare) ... what an achievement.

 

Next leg is another uphill - over Pitcher Mountain, with nice descent into Stoddard.  Once I reach Stoddard I will have connected all 23 Cheshire County townships with one running path.  My first incremental goal will be achieved.   

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A special thank-you to Nancy, for spending her Mother's Day supporting me on my quest.  I couldn't have made it without you on this run, but more importantly in life.  You're an awesome mother - and an incredible person.   So glad we are sharing our lives together - wherever the road leads us!

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