Bald Hill/Kancamagus Loop

Tuesday, I got up, had coffee then bolted out the door for a road run from the house. I had a noon appointment in Portland, so I had to get the run done by 9:30 so that I could hit the road by 10:20. I chose a nice hilly route down Rt 16 to Bald Hill Rd. I ran the length of Bald Hill Rd, which ends farther south on Rt 16, then turned around and ran up to Chase Hill Rd past the Darby Field Inn (where I briefly worked in 2013) and down to the Kancamagus Hwy. This stretch is mostly flat back to my house, so I was able to pick up the pace a little. I felt good, but I didn't feel like I was running that fast. I finished with 10.6 miles at a 7:14/mi pace. I was shocked to see I ran that fast. The downhills have been little help pace-wise with my extremely aching back radiating into my legs, but I guess the flat did the trick. So I was extra happy with this run. Runs like this boost my confidence, for sure.

John's dad dropped him off, and we headed to Portland. My appointment was quick, then we hit the Bier Cellar on Forest Ave to pick up a few nice beers. The place was packed, but I was lucky enough to grab some Bissell Brothers brews before they were gone. Trader Joe's was around the corner, and I realized as soon as I pulled in the lot that I had made the same mistake I did in November by going there the Tuesday before a holiday. Wtf, people?! I spent about 10 minutes driving around looking a space,  then squeezed my little car into barely-a-space and went in. Packed! Just like the last time. Haha. I was able to quickly grab what I needed then stood in line for 10 minutes. Couldn't wait to get out of there. I drove away deciding that I officially hated Christmas.

From there, we went to John's favorite place in Portland, The Maine Mall. I had to honk and give my "What the fuck?" arms in the air motion as soon as we pulled off the 295 exit. 4-way stops are not that difficult! This looked fun. :) The mall was way crowded for my taste, but John wanted to use his own money to buy a game at GameStop then ride the carousel. I hit Starbucks. Then it was Johnny Rockets for John, and we were out of there. I have to admit I was offended not to be approached by the Kiosk People, but maybe they can tell I'm almost 40 and a lost cause in the hair and face dept. Jerks, I want a free sample of your sea salt facial lotion! :)

On the carousel at the Maine Mall

We had to head back so that John would make his ninja class. His dad and I swapped Monday and Tuesday night, so as soon as John left with his dad to go to ninja, I went out to get John's stocking stuffers for Christmas. I guess I could have lived it up and gone out, but I wasn't really motivated. I just came home for the rest of the night.