I ended up going up the night before the race because there was not a same day bib pickup option.  The race location was at Sea Crest Beach Inn, which is also were I decided to stay.  Having the start finish line just steps away from the hotel’s front door was probably the best thing about the morning.

Overall I would have to give the Sea Crest a mediocre rating.  The hotel’s website depicts a much nicer presentation than I received.  But I guess that is what they call good marketing.  The grounds, pool options and beach use were spectacular but the room was average at best.

Red’s Restaurant was a convenient option, however the dinner choices were extremely limited.  I thought the décor was casual and fun and having the option to sit on the “porch” with views overlooking the water with windows that open to the wonderful bay breeze.  The blackened Salmon with New England Succotash was a perfect melody of fresh veggies and fish.  As we finished dinner the sun was setting and provided a beautiful view.

Showers arrived overnight, but the weather was another positive of the race weekend with the cloudy skies keeping the warm sun at bay.  I got to the start line with just 15 minute wait time and then we were off.  The race description did claim a rolling course and boy were they not kidding!  This was a tough challenging course to say the least.  There is nothing wrong with hills or rolling courses because I love a challenge, however I hated this course.  I don’t think I’ve ever despised a course more.  It was boring, boring and oh, boring.  Couldn’t they find a better route?  I was shocked at how much I disliked this course which really played with my mental game.  I had to push through all the negative thoughts and forced myself to just get it done.  I had ZERO fun out on this course.  It was a less than desired outcome.  In the last mile a photographer jumped in front of me and screamed, “let’s have a smile”.  I wonder what kind of face I was able to provide.  I bet it’s going to be priceless—ha ha.

Despite the degree of difficulty being much higher at this race compared to Sunday’s Surftown Half I squeaked out a better time by a mere 13 seconds.  Hey, but I will take it.  I am looking for any positive that I can to take away from this race.  One thing I was excited about was that instead of a medal the finishers received a necklace, but the quality of the piece was a bit less than desired.  It is still a cute change of pace than the medals hanging on my wall.

Before heading home we decided to find a place for breakfast and we stopped at Crabapples.  Fabulous find!  Loved this place and the food was superb.  The Irish Benedict hit the spot and I can honestly say I will hit Crabapples my next visit to Falmouth!  Hopefully it will be for their lunch menu because their pies looked amazing.

So, my race experience was not all rainbows and butterflies, but a challenge is a challenge.  One of the many reasons I run is to challenge myself so I will let go of the negatives of the weekend and choose to take away the beauty of Falmouth, the yummy eats and time spent with my mom as wonderful memories.

It was an hour and half drive so I was up at 4 am and out the door by 5 to pick up my race packet at 6:30 am.  I was greeted by a very chilly 44 degrees but by gun time I was very comfortable with my shorts and short sleeve outfit.  The race description of the course was fast and flat.  Flat?  Really?  Not that any of the hills were terribly intense except maybe the one at mile 10 in Watch Hill but even then it was at least short despite being the most steep.

My “training” was based only on what I felt like running on any given day.  I did not follow any structured schedule and with the added days of all the summer humidity I know my training suffered.  I can not be upset with my finish time of 2:02.  I can not be surprised at the struggle.  I got what I put in.  What I can be thrilled about is that I ran the entire race and I can also be thrilled that my new properly sized footwear made a unmistakable difference.

The most beautiful and surprising sight was the multitude of butterflies surrounding us around mile 2 and then again on our way back in the same area from the monarch butterfly refuge that occurs in the autumn.  I like to think of butterflies as symbols for second chances.  Looking at them from their humble starting point to blossoming into a new life.  I wish I could have captured a photo of them it was so amazing.

At the 10 mile hill was another amazing sight, The Ocean House.  The vast beautiful venue had me intrigued enough to Google the location and I so want to stay here some day.  It looks like a luxurious place to vacation that’s not only a romantic setting, but includes fitness and spa treatments.  Now that is what I call a perfect vacation.

(Source photos)

I will take away the wonderful experience and sights of today’s race and use them as the foundation to build on for my upcoming half marathon on Saturday in Falmouth.

The first on Sunday the next just 6 days later. 

Both will be courses that I will be running for the first time and both routes are along the water. 

One in Rhode Island and the other in Massachusetts.

#1

#2

Even though I am not currently following a structured training program and the summer humidity has really taken a toll on my aging body I am excited for the upcoming challenge.  The races promise to be beautiful routes one claiming to be flat and fast with the other with some rolling roads.  Either way I think that I am them both for the experience more than for a PR.

Once the dual race week is over, I will make the decision on running a 3-peat in Newport, RI.  I’m already leaning on this race just because I love it so much, but I will need to see how I recover from the other two before I register.

What are your running plans for the Fall season?

We parked over at Brenton Point State Park which provided the perfect spot for post run bathroom facilities to change and freshen up for breakfast.

Views of the run included multiple coves

Fountains and mansions

Much needed shaded areas down Bellevue Avenue to cool off from the summer heat

Ornate planters …love this royal lion

Anchors at Fort Adams State Park had us thinking about Hebrews 6: 18 So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary

and yes although it seems random to talk about farms along Ocean Drive they exists creating even more variety and fun along the route

Isaiah 53:6  All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God’s paths to follow our own.  Yet the LORD laid on Him the sins of us all.

The sheep provided a few laughs that I tried to capture on video however the audio just did not work.  Pip is a whistler and while we stood there for a few minutes she whistled at the flock who responded immediately each time with the bah of what sounded like very annoyed sheep.  It was hysterical.

As we left the rural area behind we caught site of the beautiful water again

After our 7 mile run and near mile cool down walk back to our parking spot we headed over to The Hungry Monkey.

An adorable eatery with what proved to be scrumptious meals.  I would highly recommend this breakfast spot.

The run was a challenge at time, with the rolling hills and heat but the conversation was a true encouragement.  Some times you just need some sister time.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned hitting the driving range in my Supplement The Run post.  Well the main reason I was hitting the range was to prepare (if that was even possible) for our department Scramble Golf Tournament at beautiful golf course a few minutes from the office.  Reservation Golf Club in Mattapoisett, MA

The 9-hole “Reservation” private course at the Reservation Golf Club features 2,788 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 35.  Reservation golf course opened in 1895.

The fun started before we left the office…..

and continued at the club

The teams were predetermined by management and set each team with an A, B, and 2 C players.  A C player being one like myself who is just starting out or for those who rarely play.

My team was amazing.  We had a lot of laughs and fun but we were focused on the win.       

Our leader Devin was a pro!

Once Paul was warmed up he could not be stopped.

Lori improved with each hole and provided us some very colorful language.

Even though I hit every drive most were low flying bombs. I lost 3 balls, but made 1 amazing long putt.   At first I said I did not want to drive the cart.  The paths seemed more like off roading and then we raced across greens trying to keep up with the boys.  The whole time I was for certain I would dump us or I would loose my partner Lori right out the side.  I jest of course, in end it was a fun way to get around the course.

After the game play it was pizza time and the winners were announced……

And our team was left holding the trophy!

Yes, it was a fun evening of golf and yes I do enjoy the game and challenge, however my love still remains running.

So why then when I visited my new “coach” and I use the term loosely, was my confidence left shaken? This is only the second time I’ve met with David and honestly may be the last. I left the office feeling horrible about myself. Then I got fired up. What kind of coach has nothing but negative things to say? No positive encouragement, no advice or no direction. Really?

Looking through the RTM archives I found the following advice from the best coach ever:

And The Health Coach Says

February 7th, 2011 | 6 Comments

Another month means another check in with my Health Coach, Greg. After our last meeting I recorded 8 days in an online food journal for him to review. I’ve mentioned before that I do this every once and a while to reevaluate my nutritional highs and lows. Even before I handed it over to him, I noticed a few things that I did not like.

One, too much cheese. Do I really need to eat this much cheese? Let’s face facts, cheese is not the most nutritional thing we can eat.

Two, too much sodium. In my opinion the high sodium intake comes from the high cheese consumption.

Greg agreed that I was probably eating too much cheese, but was not so concerned with the sodium. More importantly, he pointed out that my daily calorie intake is low again and really need to increase by at least another 200 calories. And so the discussion began about the best ways to get those extra calories.

Health Coach Suggestion #1 – Another piece of fruit per day. I decided to add a piece to lunch. Dessert? Well, almost.

Health Coach Suggestion #2 – Add beans to one meal a day. Beans are relatively inexpensive and extremely versatile so this option is very doable. He even mentioned adding black beans and salsa to an egg white breakfast. I am a big fan of beans, but I’m still not sure it is the right breakfast food for me.

Health Coach Suggestion #3 – Replace my evening snack of cereal with a Green Monster Smoothie with Vega plant based protein added. I had explained to him that most mornings I wake up extremely hungry which is not ideal on the mornings I wake up and go right out for a run. Adding the extra protein later in the day should help fill that void.

The final advice he gave me was to not eat for the scale, but eat for the training. He said he knew it would be difficult for me but with the amount of races I have coming up it would be more important to my health. Lesson to be Learned!

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Now as weeks have passed I discovered that it is best to use my heated feelings as fuel to really kick my workouts up and prove David’s poor attitude was totally unmerited. I also need to remember that comments and opinions of others should not hold such power. My eating plan, workouts and training is all what I make it, therefore the results are mine. If I am pleased with my body or accomplishments then that is all that should matter.