Training miles on some beautiful courses

I have really enjoyed just training this summer. Sure it is on an ElliptiGO and not running, but for the first time in a few years, I can get out the door just about every day and work out to my hearts content without feeling pain at night. I have enjoyed every ride I have done on the ElliptiGO. What a great tool to just get out there and have fun while working out!

I hear from many friends, some long time runners like me, who keep getting injured and have to take time off from running, I would like to recommend the ElliptiGO as a workout tool to them. They are doing all they can by doing pool (or lake) running, using the ellipticals at a gym, and doing anything else they can to stay fit. I would say try the ElliptiGO. Now here is an idea I have. Running clubs should buy one or two of these and loan or rent them out to their injured runners. I bet they would be constantly in use and the injured runners would be much happier.

All good things must come to an end. Next week I will be tapering a bit for my first ElliptiGO race (and the first ElliptiGO race in New England). I have no idea how this will work out. All that I know is that it is going to be fun and I will see how hard I can push things.  I will also enjoy meeting other ElliptiGO enthusiasts. Then is is back to school next week and I will have much less free time. Hopefully I can still get my daily fix in!

I tried running twice this week. It went a little better than last month (I did one 2 miler in July). My pacing is slow, my hips are stronger, but still lacking symmetry in how they work. I was not sore after the runs, but did have some tightness that went away by the next day. I am being patient. I will not run with pain or imbalance. Give me a year, I will be back!

Last week I traveled down to Falmouth on Cape Cod to visit my parents and to watch the Falmouth Road Race. It was fun riding my ElliptiGO on the Cape Cod Marathon/Falmouth Road Race course. I took these pictures on a drizzly day two days before the race. It turned into a downpour one mile before I reached home.

The Road Race starts on the other side of this draw bridge.

Woods Hole Harbor

Nobska Lighthouse

Surf Drive Beach looking towards Falmouth Harbor and the Heights Hill.

Falmouth Harbor. I used to have a paper route that ended across
the street from here and then I would park my bicycle here and check out
the yachts.

Going up Heights Hill. I used to run a 3 mile route from my house
going up this hill and then going back down in front of the
wooden sidewalk in front of the Casino. I would do 2 or 3 loops.
It was one of my favorite running routes and you can see why.

The finish line for the Falmouth Road Race. As I kid I played baseball
games on the ball field.

Here are some photos I took while I toured the Falmouth Road Race course shortly before the race. I rode out to Woods Hole and then rode the course in order to watch the race near the finish.

Woods Hole Harbor before the race.

About 30 minutes before the start 

This road will soon be filled with 12,000 runners.

Nobska Lighthouse

My viewing spot at the base of Heights Hill. 

Runners going by during the race.

August 5-11
Monday: 0 miles
Tuesday: 31 miles
Wednesday: 19 miles
Thursday: 0 miles
Friday: 27 miles Cape Cod Marathon/Falmouth Road Race courses (rain)
Saturday: 26 miles Cape Cod Marathon/Falmouth Road Race courses
Sunday: 13 mile Falmouth Road Race
total weekly ElliptiGO miles 116 miles
total ElliptiGO miles 1168 miles 7 weeks

August 12-18
Monday 2 miles running 17 minutes
Tuesday: 31 miles ElliptiGO (4 pigs wandering the rail trail)
Wednesday: 30 miles
Thursday: 31 miles
Friday: 2 miles running 17 miutes 20 miles ElliptiGO
Saturday: 30 miles
Sunday: 24 miles
total running miles 4 miles (double July- who hoo!)
total ElliptiGO  miles 166 miles
total ElliptiGO miles 1334 miles 8 weeks

Here are a couple of pictures I took when riding my ElliptiGO through Hollis, NH and Pepperell, Ma this week. It may not be the ocean, but it is a beautiful place to ride just the same.

I always get inspired by this sign for some reason.

Nearing the end of this summer, I can say that it has been one of the best ones in years. I am so glad I took a chance on the ElliptiGO as it has been a long time since I have been able to workout so much without pain and to enjoy my surroundings so much as I train. It is good to be finally getting myself back, even if I took a different route than most injured athletes!