Running With Jack

This morning I worked for a few hours in my woodworking shop refinishing a three drawer dresser for my wife. Typically I do my long run on Saturday mornings, but since I’m tapering for my marathon next weekend I have time to do something different. I finishing putting the first coat of finish on the dresser with time to spare before lunch, so I decided to get my run in.

It was a mild 24C/75F and cloudy as I headed out over my 14K/8.7M loop. I really didn’t have any time special pace in mind, I just ran how I felt, which turned out to be an average 5:21/K (8:36/M) pace for the run. A good intensive pace, but without overdoing it.

Steph over at http://stephruns.blogspot.com asked me if my marathon is a trail marathon. I may have said this before sometime, but the marathon is what is referred to as a forest marathon. In a sense it is a trail marathon as it follows the trails that weave in and out of the national forest around Pirmasens, Germany in the Rhineland-Pfalz.

The reason that I hesitate calling it a real “trail” marathon is that the trails are much more civilized then most runners would encounter, e.g. in North America. The most are improved gravel or packed earth trails used for logging and recreational purposes. There are rarely any single-path trails, mud, roots, brush or other obstacles that need to be overcome. On the other side, only the first and last kilometer are asphalt, the rest is through the forest, hence the name “forest” marathon. Hopefully I can take some pictures of the area while I’m there.

Have a nice weekend!