Thursday, December 27th
8:30 AM - 5 Miles, 34 min
Winchester
My legs were feeling pretty ragged today from the workout last night. Since tomorrow is a planned tempo run, I decided to keep things short and make up for it tomorrow with a little more quality.
Friday, December 28th
7:30 AM - 2 min
8:15 AM - 4 Miles, 30 min (treadmill)
So after taking an easy day yesterday, I woke up this morning feeling much better. My legs were a little looser and I was ready to get out for a nice comfortable tempo run. This would just be a moderate workout between Wednesday's track session and Sunday's Millennium Mile. As I walked out the door, I noticed that the stairs were a little slick... then when I got out to the road, I realized that everything was covered in a fresh layer of black ice from the rain we got last night. I thought to myself, "this should be interesting". Sure enough, 2 min into my warm up (about the time I encountered the first turn), my feet slid from beneath me and I hit the ground. I hit hard! I think I hit my knee first but there wasn't much weight behind it so it only got a few cuts. My hip, however, hit next and had the bulk of my weight behind it. As I lay sprawled out in the road for a couple minutes, I tried to assess the damage while people began to gather on the sidewalk, watching the freshly splattered road kill try to make his way back to his feet. I knew right away, I was not going to be finishing my run. I struggled just to hobble back to the house.
I wanted to try to get something in though, mostly to keep the joint from locking up on me. But I was done with running on the roads today, so I went into the store early to use the treadmill and see if I could do anything in the condition I was in. The hip was already getting pretty stiff so I started the first 5 min or so at 8:00+ pace and was only able to get down to 7:30 pace during the run. I managed to get 30 min in but it certainly wasn't pleasant. I then had to work for 12 hours as I hobbled around the store with pain and discomfort. Walking isn't easy, stairs are brutal, and some stretches are near impossible. Even pushing in the clutch while driving is painful. This all makes me very unhappy. I'll have to take things day by day, but right now, i'll have to pass on the race this Sunday.
I haven't really complained much about the weather on here so I'd like to do that now. I'm not even two weeks into my indoor season and I am already sick of winter. I miss having my trails to run on, I miss my long runs that aren't interrupted by traffic or snowbanks. I miss not having to cut my stride short when going through snow and ice, I miss the way things were a few weeks ago. All I want is to run fast, really fast! I want to be able to work hard in my training and enjoy that work. With the way things have been, it's a struggle just to get in an hour out in this crap. The only times that I've been comfortable and have had a glimpse of hope for my goals has been inside on the track. I just want to get back into a steady training routine. I'll do whatever I have to in order to get these things done, but it would be nice if I could get a little cooperation sometimes. Lately, it seems that not many things have gone my way and I just hope that I can fight my way through it and give myself the best opportunities for success.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Crazy 8's
Wednesday, December 26th
7:30 PM - Track Workout @ Reggie
22 min warm up
6 x 800m @ 2:14 w/ 2.5 min rest
2:13.0, 2:14.7, 2:14.1, 2:14.6, 2:13.2, 2:11.8
Avg = 2:13.5
22 min cool down
10 more min inside w/ Said Ahmed
Total = 11 Miles, 80 min
Sluggish. First three were fine and felt pretty smooth, so at that point I figured it would would be a fairly easy workout. But I started feeling my calves tighten up on the 4th one and then the last 2 just didn't feel as relaxed as I would have liked. It may be from the 15 hours in a car this weekend, or running up a mountain yesterday, or the long day at work today, or that extra serving of dessert at the party, or that extra round of beer at the bar. Whatever it was, it put a little junk in my legs today. Nothing to worry about though... this is what happens around the holidays. I don't regret any of those things I mentioned above and I know I'll be fine by the end of the week. I just need to be careful and pay attention to things when I start getting tightness or discomfort. And if I'm still turning in 2:12s while feeling sluggish, things can't be too bad. Then again, 2:12s just barely gets the B standard in the 5K ....but we won't think about that right now.
I was late to practice today because of work, so I did everything solo. However, I saw Said Ahmed there doing 20 x 300m by himself so we tried to exchange words of encouragement throughout the workout. Once I got back from my cool down, Said had finally finished his workout and asked me if I wouldn't mind doing an extra 10 min with him inside. I gladly tacked on a little extra as we had a chance to chat about training and race plans for the season.
7:30 PM - Track Workout @ Reggie
22 min warm up
6 x 800m @ 2:14 w/ 2.5 min rest
2:13.0, 2:14.7, 2:14.1, 2:14.6, 2:13.2, 2:11.8
Avg = 2:13.5
22 min cool down
10 more min inside w/ Said Ahmed
Total = 11 Miles, 80 min
Sluggish. First three were fine and felt pretty smooth, so at that point I figured it would would be a fairly easy workout. But I started feeling my calves tighten up on the 4th one and then the last 2 just didn't feel as relaxed as I would have liked. It may be from the 15 hours in a car this weekend, or running up a mountain yesterday, or the long day at work today, or that extra serving of dessert at the party, or that extra round of beer at the bar. Whatever it was, it put a little junk in my legs today. Nothing to worry about though... this is what happens around the holidays. I don't regret any of those things I mentioned above and I know I'll be fine by the end of the week. I just need to be careful and pay attention to things when I start getting tightness or discomfort. And if I'm still turning in 2:12s while feeling sluggish, things can't be too bad. Then again, 2:12s just barely gets the B standard in the 5K ....but we won't think about that right now.
I was late to practice today because of work, so I did everything solo. However, I saw Said Ahmed there doing 20 x 300m by himself so we tried to exchange words of encouragement throughout the workout. Once I got back from my cool down, Said had finally finished his workout and asked me if I wouldn't mind doing an extra 10 min with him inside. I gladly tacked on a little extra as we had a chance to chat about training and race plans for the season.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
A familiar mountain climb
Monday, December 24th
9:00 AM - 10 Miles, 69 min
Auburn, ME
Nice run before we left for Vermont. All the rain had melted away most of the mess on the roads so it was a little easier getting around than it was yesterday.
Tuesday, December 25th
Christmas Day
8:00 AM - 7 Miles, 49 min
Bennington, VT
9:00 AM - 10 Miles, 69 min
Auburn, ME
Nice run before we left for Vermont. All the rain had melted away most of the mess on the roads so it was a little easier getting around than it was yesterday.
Tuesday, December 25th
Christmas Day
8:00 AM - 7 Miles, 49 min
Bennington, VT
In the last few years, my mom, dad, sisters, and I have traveled to the small town of Bennington, VT for Christmas. This is the town in which my father grew up and where my grandfather (now 90 years old) still resides. Each year, I usually do the same run on Christmas morning (give or take a few miles). The run starts at the top of Jefferson Heights at my grandfather's house and goes through the town while passing several important landmarks. I'll first run past the cemetery where my grandmother is buried, and then down to the park where we used to feed the deer as kids, past the ice cream stand where we would get our famous frappes (which has since burned down twice), and past the high school where I would sometimes do workouts when we visited in the spring months. After hitting these spots in town, I always finish the run by heading up a small mountain to the famous Bennington Monument (pictured above), the site of the Battle at Bennington. This is a bit of a climb and is never easy to do at the end of the run. But I do it anyway. It's become part of my routine when I'm there and is always a nice site to see. The view of the towering needle, the statues of both Colonel Seth Warner and John Stark (victor of the battle), while also taking in a small piece of history and just having a sense of accomplishment when I reach monuments base. It's a quality run and is usually followed by a quality day with family. We proceeded to have a pleasant drive back to Maine and opened presents in the evening. Now I'm heading to bed as I'll be rising early to travel again in the morning and work a full day before getting on the track in the late evening.
I may see some of you at Reggie tomorrow but I have no guarantees. So until next time, enjoy the remainder of this Christmas day and stay tuned for good things to come.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
A time for catching up
Sunday, December 23rd
8:00 AM - 9 Miles, 61 min
Auburn
A slushy mess. Tried my best to stay on the back roads away from traffic.
8:00 AM - 9 Miles, 61 min
Auburn
A slushy mess. Tried my best to stay on the back roads away from traffic.
Today was the only full day that I would be home over the holiday. We'll be leaving for the green mountain state in the morning to spend Christmas with my grandfather and then I head back to Medford to work on Wednesday. Fortunately, I was able to do a lot of catching up in this time. The majority of the afternoon was spent with the extended Morency side of the family (my mom's side). In this time, I had some really great conversations with aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, all which can also be called friends. I have never had one group be as collectively interested or supportive in my life as these have. You can always tell when someone is just pretending to be interested and I never felt that once in their presence.
After the Christmas party, I had an even greater bond with one of the many "rocks" in my life, non other than Dan Campbell. Campbell was my high school track coach, but really has been so much more than that. He was the one that first began the development of my passion for running. He fed my dreams and kept me motivated in the early years. Since then, I have had so many people add to that inspiration, and a lot of people guide me along the way, but I always go back to Campbell for advice on the big picture. We talked last night for over two hours and covered just about every aspect of my life... as it is now, and as it could be in several months or several years. Per usual, I left his house feeling better than when I arrived, a little less worried about what has (or hasn't) happened in my past and a little more excited about what could happen in my future.
Lastly, I concluded the evening by going over to Liz's house. I first spent time talking with her parents, who have always been so interested in my life's pursuits. Then after Mr. and Mrs. Eddy went to bed, I was able to spend some more quality time with Liz, DJ, and Joel, three amazing people that I know will always be in my life no matter where the journey takes me or what obstacles I encounter along the way.
I have mentioned all these people in the past but on this day, I just wanted to emphasize how much their presence is known.
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Late night run at home
Saturday, December 22nd
10:00 PM - 5 Miles, 35 min
Auburn
Had to open the store early today and wasn't able to get out early enough in the morning, so after a long day at work and a drive up to Maine, I laced up the ol' 1223s and went out for an easy run through the streets of Auburn ...my old stomping grounds. Just enough to loosen up the legs and just enough to not feel guilty when writing this entry.
10:00 PM - 5 Miles, 35 min
Auburn
Had to open the store early today and wasn't able to get out early enough in the morning, so after a long day at work and a drive up to Maine, I laced up the ol' 1223s and went out for an easy run through the streets of Auburn ...my old stomping grounds. Just enough to loosen up the legs and just enough to not feel guilty when writing this entry.
Friday, December 21, 2007
A great day
Friday, December 21st
7:30 AM - Track workout @ Reggie
20 min warm up
7 x 1200m @ slightly faster than tempo pace w/ 1 min rest
3:39.8, 3:37.7, 3:39.6, 3:37.8, 3:37.0, 3:38.3, 3:34.7
Avg. = 3:37.8
25 min cool down
Total = 12 Miles, 77 min
So today began with a bit of a bumpy start. I had plans to meet with Jess at 6:30 so we could head over to Reggie for an early workout. However, I screwed up and overslept ...something I never do. Anyway, after battling some terrible traffic, I finally made it over there about 40 min behind schedule. Once that initial stress had worn off, things were better and I proceeded to have a great workout.
Jess and I warmed up inside since the sidewalks were not very welcoming to runners. Usually I don't do the inside thing but it wasn't bad at all today. As for the workout, I figured it shouldn't be too difficult but would still get me breathing pretty hard. When I talked with Kevin about it on Tuesday, we agreed to go about 5 min pace (3:45) on all of these. I started the first one and hit 75 for the first quarter ...perfect. So I just relaxed and finished it up at the same effort. As I finished, I saw 3:39 on the watch. It was a pleasant surprise because it felt real easy. I seemed to keep this trend going throughout the workout, usually hitting 74-75 on the first quarter and then running 71-72 for the next 2. This wasn't really a planned way of doing it, it was just how it happened. So I was very happy with the workout as it was a solid pace with short rest and I felt very much in control. Not to mention, I had been sound asleep 60 min prior. Jess and I finished at about the same time so we proceeded to cool down inside and then got out out of there quickly so she wouldn't be too late for work.
I actually had the day off from work today so I was able to go back to my place, get in some core work and have a nice breakfast after the workout. I had a bunch of stuff to do during the day so it was good to have the time to do it all and not feel rushed. Things were going well throughout the day but it was all made perfect by having a great evening in the city. Dinner, theater, lights, snow, nice conversations... everything was great. I even made it home with some new toys to play with. It was a wonderful evening and was nice to get away from all the stress in our lives. Really, I probably couldn't have asked for any better. Having said all that, with about 10 min left in the day now, I'm going to get ready for bed and prepare for another full day tomorrow. Christmas has arrived, winter is here, a new track season is on the rise, and I'm ready to take it all in. Today was a great way to start it all on a positive note.
7:30 AM - Track workout @ Reggie
20 min warm up
7 x 1200m @ slightly faster than tempo pace w/ 1 min rest
3:39.8, 3:37.7, 3:39.6, 3:37.8, 3:37.0, 3:38.3, 3:34.7
Avg. = 3:37.8
25 min cool down
Total = 12 Miles, 77 min
So today began with a bit of a bumpy start. I had plans to meet with Jess at 6:30 so we could head over to Reggie for an early workout. However, I screwed up and overslept ...something I never do. Anyway, after battling some terrible traffic, I finally made it over there about 40 min behind schedule. Once that initial stress had worn off, things were better and I proceeded to have a great workout.
Jess and I warmed up inside since the sidewalks were not very welcoming to runners. Usually I don't do the inside thing but it wasn't bad at all today. As for the workout, I figured it shouldn't be too difficult but would still get me breathing pretty hard. When I talked with Kevin about it on Tuesday, we agreed to go about 5 min pace (3:45) on all of these. I started the first one and hit 75 for the first quarter ...perfect. So I just relaxed and finished it up at the same effort. As I finished, I saw 3:39 on the watch. It was a pleasant surprise because it felt real easy. I seemed to keep this trend going throughout the workout, usually hitting 74-75 on the first quarter and then running 71-72 for the next 2. This wasn't really a planned way of doing it, it was just how it happened. So I was very happy with the workout as it was a solid pace with short rest and I felt very much in control. Not to mention, I had been sound asleep 60 min prior. Jess and I finished at about the same time so we proceeded to cool down inside and then got out out of there quickly so she wouldn't be too late for work.
I actually had the day off from work today so I was able to go back to my place, get in some core work and have a nice breakfast after the workout. I had a bunch of stuff to do during the day so it was good to have the time to do it all and not feel rushed. Things were going well throughout the day but it was all made perfect by having a great evening in the city. Dinner, theater, lights, snow, nice conversations... everything was great. I even made it home with some new toys to play with. It was a wonderful evening and was nice to get away from all the stress in our lives. Really, I probably couldn't have asked for any better. Having said all that, with about 10 min left in the day now, I'm going to get ready for bed and prepare for another full day tomorrow. Christmas has arrived, winter is here, a new track season is on the rise, and I'm ready to take it all in. Today was a great way to start it all on a positive note.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Track talk
Thursday, December 20th
8:30 AM - 6 Miles, 41 min
Winchester/Arlington
So I apologize for not having much on here the last few days. My mind has been a bit jumbled and I didn't want to bore you guys with any of that.
We're finally in track mode now so let's talk track. I had my first track session on Tuesday and all things considered, I felt much better than expected. The pace felt easy in the beginning and still felt controlled as I dropped it down in each set. It's always exciting to get back on the track this time of year because it's so much different than cross and it just adds a new thrill to all the work we've put in over past few months.
As for racing, I hope to do as much as possible in the little time I have. Indoor is such a short season so there is so much packed into that 4-6 weeks in January and February. And since I'll be traveling to Ireland at the end of my season, it will be cut even shorter.
Having said all that, here is my tentative schedule right now. I'll need to go over this more with Kevin before I make things final but this will give you an idea at least.
Dec 30 - Millennium Mile (Londenderry, NH) ???
Jan 13 - Dartmouth Relays - Mile
Jan 20 - GBTC Invitational (Harvard) - Mile or 3K
Jan 26 - Terrier Invitational (BU) - 3K
Feb 9 - Valentine's Invitational (BU) - 3K or 5K
Feb 21 - Armagh Road Race (Ireland) - 5K
Feb 24 - Ras na hEireann (Ireland) - 6K
The Millennium Mile is starting to look more and more appealing to me as time goes on because I know how much fun it is. But I still plan to wait and see how I'm feeling that week and what the weather looks like before deciding for sure. For a couple of the track races, I'll also need to wait and see where I'm at before deciding on which event to do. As for times, my goals lie on a couple different levels. I have some realistic goals that I would be very happy with, and then I have some bigger goals that some may think are a little beyond my grasp. These are the goals that always keep one hungry for more. Not that I think they are unrealistic, I just know they will be hard as hell to hit and I'll need to work my ass off to get there. But I tell you what, if I do hit them, you'll be looking at one happy camper.
It's always hard to tell how things will go this early in the season so I wont actually throw out any numbers right now. But I will say that the main focus will be on the 3K, and that I will be aiming for some fast times there with a national qualifier in the back of my mind. If I want to have any shot at a trials qualifier this spring, I need to at least come close to the Indoor standards this winter. I have a lot of confidence coming off a successful cross season and I think my strengths will show even more on the track. For those JC Experience enthusiasts out there, I'll have you know that I plan on tapping into some never before seen JC speed this year, so be on the look out and maybe I'll surprise even myself. I've got about 3 weeks 'til the first track race and then things will start to move along pretty quickly, so I have to start my focus now and make sure not to slip anywhere along the way. From now on, every little bit counts.
See ya on the track!
8:30 AM - 6 Miles, 41 min
Winchester/Arlington
So I apologize for not having much on here the last few days. My mind has been a bit jumbled and I didn't want to bore you guys with any of that.
We're finally in track mode now so let's talk track. I had my first track session on Tuesday and all things considered, I felt much better than expected. The pace felt easy in the beginning and still felt controlled as I dropped it down in each set. It's always exciting to get back on the track this time of year because it's so much different than cross and it just adds a new thrill to all the work we've put in over past few months.
As for racing, I hope to do as much as possible in the little time I have. Indoor is such a short season so there is so much packed into that 4-6 weeks in January and February. And since I'll be traveling to Ireland at the end of my season, it will be cut even shorter.
Having said all that, here is my tentative schedule right now. I'll need to go over this more with Kevin before I make things final but this will give you an idea at least.
Dec 30 - Millennium Mile (Londenderry, NH) ???
Jan 13 - Dartmouth Relays - Mile
Jan 20 - GBTC Invitational (Harvard) - Mile or 3K
Jan 26 - Terrier Invitational (BU) - 3K
Feb 9 - Valentine's Invitational (BU) - 3K or 5K
Feb 21 - Armagh Road Race (Ireland) - 5K
Feb 24 - Ras na hEireann (Ireland) - 6K
The Millennium Mile is starting to look more and more appealing to me as time goes on because I know how much fun it is. But I still plan to wait and see how I'm feeling that week and what the weather looks like before deciding for sure. For a couple of the track races, I'll also need to wait and see where I'm at before deciding on which event to do. As for times, my goals lie on a couple different levels. I have some realistic goals that I would be very happy with, and then I have some bigger goals that some may think are a little beyond my grasp. These are the goals that always keep one hungry for more. Not that I think they are unrealistic, I just know they will be hard as hell to hit and I'll need to work my ass off to get there. But I tell you what, if I do hit them, you'll be looking at one happy camper.
It's always hard to tell how things will go this early in the season so I wont actually throw out any numbers right now. But I will say that the main focus will be on the 3K, and that I will be aiming for some fast times there with a national qualifier in the back of my mind. If I want to have any shot at a trials qualifier this spring, I need to at least come close to the Indoor standards this winter. I have a lot of confidence coming off a successful cross season and I think my strengths will show even more on the track. For those JC Experience enthusiasts out there, I'll have you know that I plan on tapping into some never before seen JC speed this year, so be on the look out and maybe I'll surprise even myself. I've got about 3 weeks 'til the first track race and then things will start to move along pretty quickly, so I have to start my focus now and make sure not to slip anywhere along the way. From now on, every little bit counts.
See ya on the track!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Running while I work
Wednesday, December 19th
4:00 PM - 6 Miles, 42 min
Melrose
I had a long day today and wasn't able to get out in the morning so fortunately, Sarad was working with me tonight and I was able to cut out for a bit to get my run in. It was cold, dark, rainy, and depressing but I got it done.
4:00 PM - 6 Miles, 42 min
Melrose
I had a long day today and wasn't able to get out in the morning so fortunately, Sarad was working with me tonight and I was able to cut out for a bit to get my run in. It was cold, dark, rainy, and depressing but I got it done.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Just numbers today
Tuesday, December 18th
I don't really have much to say so here ya go...
7:00 PM - Track Workout @ Reggie
23 min warm up
3 x (400, 400, 800), 1.5 min rest, 2.5 min between sets
69.8, 68.5, 2:17.2
67.9, 67.3, 2:13.1
64.2, 65.0, 2:09.8
22 min cool down
Total = 10 Miles, 72 min
I don't really have much to say so here ya go...
7:00 PM - Track Workout @ Reggie
23 min warm up
3 x (400, 400, 800), 1.5 min rest, 2.5 min between sets
69.8, 68.5, 2:17.2
67.9, 67.3, 2:13.1
64.2, 65.0, 2:09.8
22 min cool down
Total = 10 Miles, 72 min
Monday, December 17, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Getting back on track
Sunday, December 16th
2:00 PM - 9 Miles, 60 min
Winchester - back roads
Please excuse the pun above, but it seemed fitting for this entry. Not only am I starting my indoor track season, but I'm also be getting back into a regular training routine of daily mileage, getting proper sleep, eating right, etc. All things that have not occurred in the past week.
After Club Nationals, the plan was to take about 4 days off. Well, that was extended a bit. With the combination of getting ready for our "New Balance Boston Festive Occasion", the ridiculous amounts of snow we've gotten, extended hours at work, and just the holiday season in general, that 4 days turned into 7. It's not a huge deal but I was certainly anxious to get back out there.
So the party last night went really well. We had a great turnout and people seemed to have a good time. I got up this morning after a not very solid 5 hours of sleep to shovel our cars out of the driveway and send Karina on her way home before the weather got worse. Then after doing a little clean up work around the house and relaxing on the couch for a couple hours, I finally got out for a run. The weather conditions certainly weren't ideal but it didn't matter; I was glad to be running. Even though it had only been a week, it felt like it had been forever since I last laced up those shoes. I decided to run up through Winchester and stick to the back roads where there was little traffic and I had a little more space to get out of the messy stuff. The legs felt loose and fresh and I just took it easy as I thought about the upcoming season.
This is the official start to my track season and I have to say I'm getting pretty excited. I have switched all my focus from hills and grass and mud and other XC fun, to pace and speed and fluidity on a small rubber oval. Learning the difference between a 32 and a 33 second lap and feeling that change of pace in every stride I take and every muscle I move will be mastered through many practices and races on a uniform and always consistent medium - the track. In cross country you can't always measure success based on a time; you always need some sort of comparison or benchmark to go by. In track, however, the times are about as black and white as they come. My performances will have an instant meaning to anyone that looks at the results. I will constantly be measured against performances of other runners across the country; some which I've never raced against. Yet based on these numbers, we will be placed in an order that will dictate fairly accurately which athlete is better, a comparison that can only be changed by racing that person. This comparison of numbers is accepted universally because there are very few outside factors that would affect them. No terrible weather conditions or course abnormalities, just a 200 meter oval that will be pretty much identical at each venue we encounter. This certainly doesn't mean that "racing" is negated, there will be plenty of that this season! Many fierce battles and exciting finishes lie ahead, but in the end, we will all be measured by the numbers. So what will my number be? Only time will tell.
Welcome to track season!
2:00 PM - 9 Miles, 60 min
Winchester - back roads
Please excuse the pun above, but it seemed fitting for this entry. Not only am I starting my indoor track season, but I'm also be getting back into a regular training routine of daily mileage, getting proper sleep, eating right, etc. All things that have not occurred in the past week.
After Club Nationals, the plan was to take about 4 days off. Well, that was extended a bit. With the combination of getting ready for our "New Balance Boston Festive Occasion", the ridiculous amounts of snow we've gotten, extended hours at work, and just the holiday season in general, that 4 days turned into 7. It's not a huge deal but I was certainly anxious to get back out there.
So the party last night went really well. We had a great turnout and people seemed to have a good time. I got up this morning after a not very solid 5 hours of sleep to shovel our cars out of the driveway and send Karina on her way home before the weather got worse. Then after doing a little clean up work around the house and relaxing on the couch for a couple hours, I finally got out for a run. The weather conditions certainly weren't ideal but it didn't matter; I was glad to be running. Even though it had only been a week, it felt like it had been forever since I last laced up those shoes. I decided to run up through Winchester and stick to the back roads where there was little traffic and I had a little more space to get out of the messy stuff. The legs felt loose and fresh and I just took it easy as I thought about the upcoming season.
This is the official start to my track season and I have to say I'm getting pretty excited. I have switched all my focus from hills and grass and mud and other XC fun, to pace and speed and fluidity on a small rubber oval. Learning the difference between a 32 and a 33 second lap and feeling that change of pace in every stride I take and every muscle I move will be mastered through many practices and races on a uniform and always consistent medium - the track. In cross country you can't always measure success based on a time; you always need some sort of comparison or benchmark to go by. In track, however, the times are about as black and white as they come. My performances will have an instant meaning to anyone that looks at the results. I will constantly be measured against performances of other runners across the country; some which I've never raced against. Yet based on these numbers, we will be placed in an order that will dictate fairly accurately which athlete is better, a comparison that can only be changed by racing that person. This comparison of numbers is accepted universally because there are very few outside factors that would affect them. No terrible weather conditions or course abnormalities, just a 200 meter oval that will be pretty much identical at each venue we encounter. This certainly doesn't mean that "racing" is negated, there will be plenty of that this season! Many fierce battles and exciting finishes lie ahead, but in the end, we will all be measured by the numbers. So what will my number be? Only time will tell.
Welcome to track season!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A great season completed
Another season has come and gone and another chapter in my life has been written. However, this chapter was different from all the others; this period of my life presented great possibilities and could quite possibly be the start to something great, something I never thought I would attain in this journey. I can confidently say that this was the most successful season of my career thus far. Not only because of the performances that I had in that time, but because of the realizations I've come to, the decisions I've made, and the mentality that I've kept day after day. After making the decision to quit my job at CDM just a few months ago, I knew that things were going to change. I knew then how much I wanted to do this, how much I wanted to be a great distance runner in the United States. I was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.
This cross country season was very important in that I would see my progress toward those goals, however it was not the focus of this dream. It was simply a stepping stone on the path to greatness. I still do not know where that path will lead or when I will reach it's destination, but I do know it is the correct path to take. I am certainly a different runner than I was a year ago, and really, I am a different person in general because of what has happened in that year; the people I've met, the experiences I've had, and the struggles I've faced. I have so much to be thankful for and I just want to say that this has not been a solo effort. I could not have accomplished any of my success without the help of certain people along the way. I'd like to mention a few of those people now to give them the recognition they deserve. As I continue this quest for greatness, I hope that I can give back to them the same support and inspiration that they continue to give me every day.
So these are the people that have had the most impact on my life and it's successes, and I can't thank them enough for what they've done.
These are my secrets to success!
Diane Caron
Paul Caron
Mark Driscoll
Dan Campbell
Kirby Davis
Adam Goode
Josh Trevino
Liz Eddy
Joel Hill
DJ Sipe
Beth Snow
Rusty Snow
June Snow
Ethan Hemphill
And so many more...
Thank you!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Club Nats
Saturday, December 8th
USATF Club National XC Championships
10K - 31st Place - 32:47
So here's my rundown of the weekend...
I have to say it was a weekend of mixed emotions. Prior to the race, I was constantly going back and forth between being extremely excited that I would be racing some of the best athletes this country has to offer and seeing how I measure up, to feeling terrified of getting out there for the same exact reasons. This is a usual mixture that I would get at a big race, obviously heightened at this level.
The race itself was like nothing I've ever experienced... 450 runners slinging themselves through 6-8 inches of mud while trying to stay upright and not get trampled by everyone around you. At certain points in the race, I was going as hard as my body could fathom and probably would not be under 5:10 pace. I consider myself a strength runner and pretty powerful, meaning I have a long stride and I use a lot of force with each strike of my foot. In this stuff, that all seems to just go away. My legs were working harder than usual and seeing less result. After 3 miles, my legs were extremely heavy as the lactic acid filled them quickly and all I could do was just hang on, trying not to lose any spots. In the 5th and 6th miles, I made several attempts to move up and catch what seemed to be a sea of runners in front of me. I knew that 20th place could only be a maximum of 80 meters ahead of me, yet it seemed an impossible distance to make up. As it was, it would take me a good half mile to close a 10 meter gap with some of these guys.
As I'm writing this, I realize this sounds like I'm complaining about the race and will finish by saying I wasn't happy with how it went. That's not what I'm trying to say at all. I am actually very happy with my race and I think it is about where I should have been in that field. What I am trying to say is it's not the race feeling that I had envisioned in my mind those thousands of times in workouts and long runs over the last several months. I would always picture myself in a great deal of pain, but running down athletes and pushing past people at a fast paced rhythmic aggression, not inching by someone at 5:20 pace and feeling like my feet were giant suction cups. So to sum things up, I am happy with my race and know that I ran hard the whole way, not giving up anywhere along the way. However, I never felt that rush of excitement that I so longed for, that thrill that I thought I'd have while hanging onto a pack of runners in the last mile, flying around the turns and sailing into the finish chute feeling that I had just pushed my body to the absolute limit.
Also in a race where there are so many people and the places are so close together, a good runner can never be fully satisfied unless he wins the race. Knowing that top 20 was 16 seconds away and top 10 was 30 seconds away, being able to see these people just a few yards in front of you after 10 kilometers of shifting back and forth... you just can't help but think, "I could have picked that up somewhere on the course", "I could have worked just a little bit harder to go around that guy in the 5th mile", and so on.
Other emotions throughout the day included extreme spikes of excitement and admiration for our NB Boston ladies. These women are truly incredible. I had to restrain myself from blowing all my energy during their race as I watched Erin and Jess charge up into the front pack. I've seen up close what these ladies have done this year and I know how hard they had to work to get here. I am proud to say that the women were 2nd as a team and Erin and Jess placed 5th and 7th respectively. I simply cannot praise these women enough.
The rest of the evening kept with the theme of emotional swings with such moments as meeting new people and having great conversations with other northeast connections... witnessing a guy get thrown against a wall and tasered... singing along with Journey and Jon Bon Jovi... having to leave the party early because of drunk idiots and over aggressive cops, forcing us to drive around for an hour trying to find a place to continue the party... spending time with Mark and Katie at the hotel and bar...... followed by other happenings that would leave me in various states of turmoil as the evening came to an end and the rapidly approaching morning flight was just a few short hours away.
Since returning from Ohio this afternoon, I've had a couple good phone calls that have helped iron out some of these emotional spikes, but still leave me feeling that there was something to be desired in West Chester, Ohio. Something that we'll have to remedy in the near future.
Looking ahead, I'm taking a little break here before indoor and then starting up again with a new season and possibly a new format to the blog.
Stay tuned.
USATF Club National XC Championships
10K - 31st Place - 32:47
So here's my rundown of the weekend...
I have to say it was a weekend of mixed emotions. Prior to the race, I was constantly going back and forth between being extremely excited that I would be racing some of the best athletes this country has to offer and seeing how I measure up, to feeling terrified of getting out there for the same exact reasons. This is a usual mixture that I would get at a big race, obviously heightened at this level.
The race itself was like nothing I've ever experienced... 450 runners slinging themselves through 6-8 inches of mud while trying to stay upright and not get trampled by everyone around you. At certain points in the race, I was going as hard as my body could fathom and probably would not be under 5:10 pace. I consider myself a strength runner and pretty powerful, meaning I have a long stride and I use a lot of force with each strike of my foot. In this stuff, that all seems to just go away. My legs were working harder than usual and seeing less result. After 3 miles, my legs were extremely heavy as the lactic acid filled them quickly and all I could do was just hang on, trying not to lose any spots. In the 5th and 6th miles, I made several attempts to move up and catch what seemed to be a sea of runners in front of me. I knew that 20th place could only be a maximum of 80 meters ahead of me, yet it seemed an impossible distance to make up. As it was, it would take me a good half mile to close a 10 meter gap with some of these guys.
As I'm writing this, I realize this sounds like I'm complaining about the race and will finish by saying I wasn't happy with how it went. That's not what I'm trying to say at all. I am actually very happy with my race and I think it is about where I should have been in that field. What I am trying to say is it's not the race feeling that I had envisioned in my mind those thousands of times in workouts and long runs over the last several months. I would always picture myself in a great deal of pain, but running down athletes and pushing past people at a fast paced rhythmic aggression, not inching by someone at 5:20 pace and feeling like my feet were giant suction cups. So to sum things up, I am happy with my race and know that I ran hard the whole way, not giving up anywhere along the way. However, I never felt that rush of excitement that I so longed for, that thrill that I thought I'd have while hanging onto a pack of runners in the last mile, flying around the turns and sailing into the finish chute feeling that I had just pushed my body to the absolute limit.
Also in a race where there are so many people and the places are so close together, a good runner can never be fully satisfied unless he wins the race. Knowing that top 20 was 16 seconds away and top 10 was 30 seconds away, being able to see these people just a few yards in front of you after 10 kilometers of shifting back and forth... you just can't help but think, "I could have picked that up somewhere on the course", "I could have worked just a little bit harder to go around that guy in the 5th mile", and so on.
Other emotions throughout the day included extreme spikes of excitement and admiration for our NB Boston ladies. These women are truly incredible. I had to restrain myself from blowing all my energy during their race as I watched Erin and Jess charge up into the front pack. I've seen up close what these ladies have done this year and I know how hard they had to work to get here. I am proud to say that the women were 2nd as a team and Erin and Jess placed 5th and 7th respectively. I simply cannot praise these women enough.
The rest of the evening kept with the theme of emotional swings with such moments as meeting new people and having great conversations with other northeast connections... witnessing a guy get thrown against a wall and tasered... singing along with Journey and Jon Bon Jovi... having to leave the party early because of drunk idiots and over aggressive cops, forcing us to drive around for an hour trying to find a place to continue the party... spending time with Mark and Katie at the hotel and bar...... followed by other happenings that would leave me in various states of turmoil as the evening came to an end and the rapidly approaching morning flight was just a few short hours away.
Since returning from Ohio this afternoon, I've had a couple good phone calls that have helped iron out some of these emotional spikes, but still leave me feeling that there was something to be desired in West Chester, Ohio. Something that we'll have to remedy in the near future.
Looking ahead, I'm taking a little break here before indoor and then starting up again with a new season and possibly a new format to the blog.
Stay tuned.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
A chance for something great
Thursday, December 6th
8:00 AM - 6 Miles, 41 min
Winchester
This morning was cold yet again, with the wind chill down to about 2 degrees, but it didn't matter... I had other things on my mind!
Tomorrow morning, I leave for West Chester, Ohio, host to the USATF Club National Championships. I've been talking about this race for quite a while now, probably since the first day I started this blog and the first day of my fall training. Four months have passed since that point and what then seemed to be an eternity away is now just around the corner. I have worked hard, very hard in that time. I've had some good days and some not so good days, I've made many choices along the way (some tougher than others) but all for the better good of accomplishing my goals. I've seen some results of that work already and I have to say I've been happy with what I've produced... but I want more. This race on Saturday will be the accumulation of everything else I've done this season, what I've done this year, and what I've done in this lifetime. This will be the biggest race of my career thus far and even though I know there will be bigger races to follow, I have to put everything on the line now in order to show myself the possibilities that may follow. Through the cold, mud, snow, rain, and wind, I'll be fighting my way to my own future, and only I can decide what that will be. I know I am ready for greatness and West Chester, Ohio may be where I see some of it.
8:00 AM - 6 Miles, 41 min
Winchester
This morning was cold yet again, with the wind chill down to about 2 degrees, but it didn't matter... I had other things on my mind!
Tomorrow morning, I leave for West Chester, Ohio, host to the USATF Club National Championships. I've been talking about this race for quite a while now, probably since the first day I started this blog and the first day of my fall training. Four months have passed since that point and what then seemed to be an eternity away is now just around the corner. I have worked hard, very hard in that time. I've had some good days and some not so good days, I've made many choices along the way (some tougher than others) but all for the better good of accomplishing my goals. I've seen some results of that work already and I have to say I've been happy with what I've produced... but I want more. This race on Saturday will be the accumulation of everything else I've done this season, what I've done this year, and what I've done in this lifetime. This will be the biggest race of my career thus far and even though I know there will be bigger races to follow, I have to put everything on the line now in order to show myself the possibilities that may follow. Through the cold, mud, snow, rain, and wind, I'll be fighting my way to my own future, and only I can decide what that will be. I know I am ready for greatness and West Chester, Ohio may be where I see some of it.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Thinking about the race
Wednesday, December 5th
8:00 AM - 8 Miles, 55 min
Winchester
It was pretty raw out there this morning but once I got past the icy turns and became acclimated to the temperature, I was feeling pretty good. The legs were light and weren't feeling any effects from the track session last night.
Now that we're in the last few days before go time, I'm starting to think more about the race and how things are going to play out. I looked over all the entries today and I have to say it is really stacked! There are upwards of 450 people entered in the mens race alone. Teams like Zap Fitness, Indiana Invaders, McMillan Elite, Team Indiana Elite, Team XO, Bowerman Athletic Club, and about 50 other teams will all be there in full force. Looking at this on paper, it seems almost impossible for someone like me to make the top 20. However, that is still my goal and just because it doesn't sound realistic, doesn't mean I can't fight like hell to make it happen. This will be by far the most competitive field I've ever raced in and I can't wait to see how I measure up.
"The start of the World Cross Country event is like riding a horse in the middle of a buffalo stampede. It's a thrill if you keep up but one slip and you're nothing but hoof prints."
-Ed Eyestone
8:00 AM - 8 Miles, 55 min
Winchester
It was pretty raw out there this morning but once I got past the icy turns and became acclimated to the temperature, I was feeling pretty good. The legs were light and weren't feeling any effects from the track session last night.
Now that we're in the last few days before go time, I'm starting to think more about the race and how things are going to play out. I looked over all the entries today and I have to say it is really stacked! There are upwards of 450 people entered in the mens race alone. Teams like Zap Fitness, Indiana Invaders, McMillan Elite, Team Indiana Elite, Team XO, Bowerman Athletic Club, and about 50 other teams will all be there in full force. Looking at this on paper, it seems almost impossible for someone like me to make the top 20. However, that is still my goal and just because it doesn't sound realistic, doesn't mean I can't fight like hell to make it happen. This will be by far the most competitive field I've ever raced in and I can't wait to see how I measure up.
"The start of the World Cross Country event is like riding a horse in the middle of a buffalo stampede. It's a thrill if you keep up but one slip and you're nothing but hoof prints."
-Ed Eyestone
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Hittin' the oval early
Tuesday, December 4th
6:00 PM - Workout @ Reggie Lewis
25 min warm up
7 x 400m @ 69.2, 68.9, 68.8, 68.0, 68.5, 69.9, 67.5
(90 sec jog rest)
25 min cool down
Total = ~9 Miles, 67 min
Since the roads were iced over and the weather was cold and windy, Kevin gave us the option of working out at Reggie tonight. Normally, I'm not one to hit the track while still in XC season, and typically I would be one to tough it out in rough weather. However, I opted to play it safe and workout indoors. I figured I would have more comfortable leg turnover at Reggie than on the icy roads and that was my main priority for what would be my last workout before nationals. Most people ended up staying outdoors so Jess and I were the only ones that ended up going to the track. The workout went pretty well, I felt comfortable throughout and the place was pretty empty so there was no traffic. I was planning on doing 8 repeats but after hitting the seventh a little faster, I decided to cut it short there and end the workout feeling good. Jess and I warmed up and cooled down on the normal loop which was slick in some spots but overall not too bad. When I got home, I made a huge dinner and ate way too much but only felt a little guilty about it. Now, I'm gonna get to bed early and keep my promise of getting plenty of sleep this week.
6:00 PM - Workout @ Reggie Lewis
25 min warm up
7 x 400m @ 69.2, 68.9, 68.8, 68.0, 68.5, 69.9, 67.5
(90 sec jog rest)
25 min cool down
Total = ~9 Miles, 67 min
Since the roads were iced over and the weather was cold and windy, Kevin gave us the option of working out at Reggie tonight. Normally, I'm not one to hit the track while still in XC season, and typically I would be one to tough it out in rough weather. However, I opted to play it safe and workout indoors. I figured I would have more comfortable leg turnover at Reggie than on the icy roads and that was my main priority for what would be my last workout before nationals. Most people ended up staying outdoors so Jess and I were the only ones that ended up going to the track. The workout went pretty well, I felt comfortable throughout and the place was pretty empty so there was no traffic. I was planning on doing 8 repeats but after hitting the seventh a little faster, I decided to cut it short there and end the workout feeling good. Jess and I warmed up and cooled down on the normal loop which was slick in some spots but overall not too bad. When I got home, I made a huge dinner and ate way too much but only felt a little guilty about it. Now, I'm gonna get to bed early and keep my promise of getting plenty of sleep this week.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Wintery mix
Monday, December 3rd
7:45 PM - 6 Miles, 41 min
Winchester (roads)
I had some stuff to take care of this morning and the weather was crappy so I waited until after work to get out for a run, hoping that the roads would be clearer. It was a little better but still pretty slick in some areas. I had to baby step around every turn to make sure I didn't end up on my ass. Other than that, it was a pretty good run. Once I got onto the back roads of winchester, I was able to open up my stride a bit more and start thinking about saturday. I kept it short and easy and hope to keep things that way the rest of the week. Right now I'm exhausted after a long day so I'm gonna get to bed and make sure I don't get myself sick.
7:45 PM - 6 Miles, 41 min
Winchester (roads)
I had some stuff to take care of this morning and the weather was crappy so I waited until after work to get out for a run, hoping that the roads would be clearer. It was a little better but still pretty slick in some areas. I had to baby step around every turn to make sure I didn't end up on my ass. Other than that, it was a pretty good run. Once I got onto the back roads of winchester, I was able to open up my stride a bit more and start thinking about saturday. I kept it short and easy and hope to keep things that way the rest of the week. Right now I'm exhausted after a long day so I'm gonna get to bed and make sure I don't get myself sick.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
December
Saturday, December 1st
9:00 AM - Workout @ Weston
29 min warm up
3 x 5 min (3 min rest) @ 5K-8K pace
4 x 1 min (1 min rest) @ fast pace
27 min cool down
Total = 13 Miles, 88 min
Sunday, December 2nd
12:30 PM - 12 Miles, 82 min
Fells
Saturday was a really great day. I had been feeling a little tired and run down the last couple days so this was just what I needed to get back in the groove. I felt so smooth during the workout and it was short enough that I could go a little harder and not pay for it in the end. Roland and I started to pull away in the 2nd interval and just ran side by side for the remainder of the workout. It was definitely pretty cold and windy out there today which is a change from what we've had but it didn't affect the workout too much and should just toughen us up for what we may be facing at club nats.
After practice, I went to work for a few hours, and then headed downtown to meet up with Jess. We had a nice dinner at Trident and then went over to see some of her college friends in Allston. It was definitely a lot of fun and I finally had the pleasure of experiencing the Sirens. So it was a full day and probably just what I needed to finish out my week.
Sunday was a relaxing day. I slept in and didn't go running til noon time. I had a nice relaxing long run and felt great. After the run, I got a few things done around the house before meeting up with Beth, one of my closest friends from high school. It was great to catch up with her and we covered a lot of ground while hanging out at the Joshua Tree. Now it's snowing, which I think is kinda cool since it's the first real snowfall of the year but I also have to keep reminding myself to stay in cross country mode. I keep thinking about track now but I still have one more challenge to tackle before we move on.
Training Log (Nov 26 - Dec 2)
Monday: 8 Miles, 54 min
Tuesday: 2+ Mile tempo (12:18), 6 x 1 min hills, 2+ Mile tempo (11:33); Total- 12 Miles, 79 min
Wednesday: 9 Miles, 59 min
Thursday: 6 Miles, 41 min
Friday: 6 Miles, 40 min
Saturday: 3 x 5 min (3mr), 4 x 1 min (1mr); Total- 13 Miles, 88 min
Sunday: 12 Miles, 82 min
Total = 66 Miles, 7 runs
Overall, a very good week. Right where I wanted to be number wise and I'm feeling very relaxed and ready going into the last week of the season. It's getting real close now!
November: 291 Miles
9:00 AM - Workout @ Weston
29 min warm up
3 x 5 min (3 min rest) @ 5K-8K pace
4 x 1 min (1 min rest) @ fast pace
27 min cool down
Total = 13 Miles, 88 min
Sunday, December 2nd
12:30 PM - 12 Miles, 82 min
Fells
Saturday was a really great day. I had been feeling a little tired and run down the last couple days so this was just what I needed to get back in the groove. I felt so smooth during the workout and it was short enough that I could go a little harder and not pay for it in the end. Roland and I started to pull away in the 2nd interval and just ran side by side for the remainder of the workout. It was definitely pretty cold and windy out there today which is a change from what we've had but it didn't affect the workout too much and should just toughen us up for what we may be facing at club nats.
After practice, I went to work for a few hours, and then headed downtown to meet up with Jess. We had a nice dinner at Trident and then went over to see some of her college friends in Allston. It was definitely a lot of fun and I finally had the pleasure of experiencing the Sirens. So it was a full day and probably just what I needed to finish out my week.
Sunday was a relaxing day. I slept in and didn't go running til noon time. I had a nice relaxing long run and felt great. After the run, I got a few things done around the house before meeting up with Beth, one of my closest friends from high school. It was great to catch up with her and we covered a lot of ground while hanging out at the Joshua Tree. Now it's snowing, which I think is kinda cool since it's the first real snowfall of the year but I also have to keep reminding myself to stay in cross country mode. I keep thinking about track now but I still have one more challenge to tackle before we move on.
Training Log (Nov 26 - Dec 2)
Monday: 8 Miles, 54 min
Tuesday: 2+ Mile tempo (12:18), 6 x 1 min hills, 2+ Mile tempo (11:33); Total- 12 Miles, 79 min
Wednesday: 9 Miles, 59 min
Thursday: 6 Miles, 41 min
Friday: 6 Miles, 40 min
Saturday: 3 x 5 min (3mr), 4 x 1 min (1mr); Total- 13 Miles, 88 min
Sunday: 12 Miles, 82 min
Total = 66 Miles, 7 runs
Overall, a very good week. Right where I wanted to be number wise and I'm feeling very relaxed and ready going into the last week of the season. It's getting real close now!
November: 291 Miles
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)