Fire Island 20

Fueled up on corned beef and cabbage and half a loaf of Irish soda bread from the night before, I set out for Robert Moses last Friday morning for what has become one of my "standard" marathon-training 20 milers, a scenic out and back through Fire Island.

It's been years since I've been to Fire Island in the summer...probably some time when I was very young.  I really have no memory of it.  But during the off season, I've found it a great way to knock off what is usually a rather long and dull training run.  From the parking lot at Robert Moses, I set off along the sand and gravel road past the light house to the westernmost end of FI.  From there the path meanders, varying from concrete roads to wooden sidewalks to soft sand trails.  I love running from village to village, checking out the homes along the way and wondering what it would be like living there full time.  I always get a kick running past the school, with its two mini buses parked outside.  Can't be more than a dozen students in all the grades from the year-rounders.  For the most part I saw nothing but deer and contractors.

I turned around in Cherry Grove, at about the 1:25.00 minute mark or about 10 miles. It's my usual turnaround location.  Despite the wind in my face for the return trip, I ran a negative split going back, probably more a result of running into fewer deadends.  By the time I got back to Robert Moses I was happy to be done, but could have gone another six if needed...a good sign one month out.

My legs felt fine on Saturday, but I gave them a day to recover anyway.  Most of this weekend was spent at Eisenhower for James' state champs, so I took the opportunity after dropping him off Sunday morning to do a couple of easy loops around the 5k course.

Monday was a time crunch, so no way to get out.  This morning I went across to Makamah Woods and did a hilly 7 through the woods and out to Makamah Rd.  Everything felt good, even my right hamstring seemed to be bothering me a bit less. 

My plan right now is a 9 miler tomorrow, rest up Thursday, and then do another one of my long runs, a back to back to back 13 miler on the weekend.  It's going to be tight with the taper, but I might just get my 500 in after all.

341 miles down, 159 to go...