Something I've never really understood about running is the strange partnership it has with beer. I mean, don't get me wrong, beer is really fuckin good, which is to say I enjoy it. But I look around running culture and it would seem to be a place where perhaps you wouldn't see alcohol be so prominent. Being as though running is taking care of the body, and for the most part alcohol damages the body.
Still, you'll even see polls on running websites where there may be a question, "What is your favorite carb?" And surely enough, one of the answers is "beer has carbs." Neat. This is not to even mention the several beer sponsored marathons and races across the country. And try to find a half marathon or marathon of any significance that doesn't have a beer tent at the end. (This leads to a whole different discussion about commercialism and intention that this republicatarian isn't ready to have. Yet.) Hell, for several years the Indianapolis Mini Marathon had a beer stop (as opposed to water or Gatorade) at mile 10! And then there are hundreds of Hash Harriers clubs around the world, a self described running and beer drinking club.
I bring this up mainly because I used to drink a metric ton a night. Not to the point where I did any real damage, except for mind boggling credit card debt, and the destruction of a few romantic relationships and less romantic friendships. Truth told, at this point, looking back, I am thankful that's the only damage.
When I moved to Connecticut, after 8 years in Indy it was a bit different. I knew nobody. I couldn't call several friends and to meet me at the bar and drink, or eat pub chips. And thus, if I was drinking it was alone. Not particularly a good combination. In order to avoid this situation I decided I needed to find more hobbies. So, initially I was the only gringo at the soccer pick up games around here. But, then I realized if I am gonna run with these cats, I needed to run, and then I ran. And then I realized I was enjoying the act of running. But like so many things, less so with a hangover. Who woulda thunk it.
And of course this brings roundaboutly to today. Three weeks from today is the Philadelphia Distance Run. My second half marathon. One in which I know I have less of a base than I had for Indy. But one I desperately want to beat my Indy time for. I told myself I wouldn't sign up if this wasn't a possibility and set myself a goal of a modest goal of a 100 mile August to be the cutoff whether I would sign up or not. I had 105 miles coming into today, including one tenner and one 12er. I'm signed up but not near where I wanna be
Today was supposed to be a longer run. 12 miles give or take. Yet, after a rough week last week, I found myself at 10pm last night at the bottom of a bottle of gin and the bottom of a stack of Nick Cave cd's. Not a good place to be. If gin is poison, Nick Cave surely is not the cure, even if I love him so. Today's 12er turned into a labored sixer with only mind numbing, leg deadining 7:25 splits. Not where I need to be. At all.
I know it's obvious, and anyone with half a brain knows it's obvious that the gin and sam adams (light!!) has had it's influence. So it's an exceptionally long post to get to that. However, and holy shit does it suck to admit, as much as I want to think that so much of running is mental, and so much can be controlled mentally, brothers gotta take care of his body. And still,I laugh from time to time at the diet sections in different running magazines, knowing that in my vegetarian lifestyle I am already careful of what I put into my body. And yes, I know for the elite runners of the world the diet is helpful. But I know for me, as a runner, to get where I need to be alcohol is still the biggest obstacle.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Dream Interpretation
So, if in between snooze bar strikes today I dreamnt that I was training for the Olympics with Galen Rupp and Nick Symmonds, a 10k runner and an 800m runner, what would that mean. Should I draw anything into that? Should I try to decipher a set race distance that would be best for me? Should I stop watching Flotrack and Trackshark before bed?
What the hell?
What the hell?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Religion and Running?
Two things. I am an unabashed Christian. I believe Jesus is who he said he was, and attempt, most the time poorly, to live according to the examples and lessons put forth in the Gospels.
Second. Long before I really gave a damn about running I wrote a blog primarily about films. I was and am a film snob. I don't apologize for that. My facebook profile lists a dozen films that most people in the world don't know if they haven't watched film before the 1980's. And in that time of my life where I watched 6-10 movies a week, I watched Chariots of Fire. And let me tell you, that film merging faith and running sucked. It was awful. It's one of the worst films I've ever seen.
I bring this up because of Ryan Hall. Ryan Hall is a runner I find inspiring. His performance at the Olympic Marathon Trials was incredible. And many believe that was just the beginning of his talent, and that his best was yet to come. In the last issue of Runners World there was a cover story on Ryan Hall and this story focused on Ryan Hall's faith. How Ryan is a devout Christian and how his faith in God is a strength he draws upon in his record setting runs.
Here's the thing, the confession. I don't get it. I respect Ryan Hall. I respect and admire his faith, or at least his presentation of it in a less abrasive manner than some of my fellow Christians. It's his drawing upon his faith for strength in his races in training that I can't wrap my head around. And truthfully, it's something that I waver back and forth on.
Sometimes I want to be that kind of person who has a strong enough faith that it translates to every part of my life. That when I run, I am thankful for it. I don't take it for granted, and I give praise for the opportunity. And when I feel week that I wouldn't only rely upon myself to pull myself through.
And other times, and more often, I think to myself that running is about ME. And that it's about ME pushing myself to my limits and making the decisions to get out there and to overcome any fatigue, pain, and self doubt.
When I am fatigued, more often than not I think any of...
A. This will pay off in the end
B. The quicker you run, the quicker your done
C. This is supposed to hurt, embrace this
D. Run to the hillllllsssss, run for your liiiiyiffffee
But it's rarely ever that I think, "God help me through this." Or, "Thank You, God."
And while I admire Ryan Hall, and others who have gotten to a point to integrate there faith and there running. It's something that I both, am unsure how to do, and unsure how and if I want to do it.
Second. Long before I really gave a damn about running I wrote a blog primarily about films. I was and am a film snob. I don't apologize for that. My facebook profile lists a dozen films that most people in the world don't know if they haven't watched film before the 1980's. And in that time of my life where I watched 6-10 movies a week, I watched Chariots of Fire. And let me tell you, that film merging faith and running sucked. It was awful. It's one of the worst films I've ever seen.
I bring this up because of Ryan Hall. Ryan Hall is a runner I find inspiring. His performance at the Olympic Marathon Trials was incredible. And many believe that was just the beginning of his talent, and that his best was yet to come. In the last issue of Runners World there was a cover story on Ryan Hall and this story focused on Ryan Hall's faith. How Ryan is a devout Christian and how his faith in God is a strength he draws upon in his record setting runs.
Here's the thing, the confession. I don't get it. I respect Ryan Hall. I respect and admire his faith, or at least his presentation of it in a less abrasive manner than some of my fellow Christians. It's his drawing upon his faith for strength in his races in training that I can't wrap my head around. And truthfully, it's something that I waver back and forth on.
Sometimes I want to be that kind of person who has a strong enough faith that it translates to every part of my life. That when I run, I am thankful for it. I don't take it for granted, and I give praise for the opportunity. And when I feel week that I wouldn't only rely upon myself to pull myself through.
And other times, and more often, I think to myself that running is about ME. And that it's about ME pushing myself to my limits and making the decisions to get out there and to overcome any fatigue, pain, and self doubt.
When I am fatigued, more often than not I think any of...
A. This will pay off in the end
B. The quicker you run, the quicker your done
C. This is supposed to hurt, embrace this
D. Run to the hillllllsssss, run for your liiiiyiffffee
But it's rarely ever that I think, "God help me through this." Or, "Thank You, God."
And while I admire Ryan Hall, and others who have gotten to a point to integrate there faith and there running. It's something that I both, am unsure how to do, and unsure how and if I want to do it.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Running and Weights
A few weeks back I spent a day in Ocean City, New Jersey with El Capitan. We went on a boardwalk run (well, he sprinted while i tried to run a respectable pace). Needless to say our hair looked incredible. Best on the boardwalk. Running or walking on the boardwalk lends itself to seeing many people. And being the elitist, judgmental, and at times inseucre jerk that I am, it also leads to judging people. The thing I remember being most upset by were not slow people running. Or fat people running. That's okay. They are out there trying to better themselves. Good for them. What upset me most was the body builders taking up the whole running lane on the boardwalk. What, with their deltoids or trapezius and whatnot. It happens sometimes on the starting lines of races too. Give me some space, Arnold.
I remember El Capitan saying at one point afterwards or maybe beforehand, "Why are weightlifters running? You don't see runners like me in there lifting their weights!" For some reason that stuck with me and still makes me laugh.
So, I am working through Run Faster from the 5K to the Marathon: How to Be Your Own Best Coach by Brad Hudson and I came across a good quote...
Hill running is the only "weightlifting my runners do. They hoist no barbells or dumbells. They do some exercises to develop strength in their abdominal muscles and lower back, but thats it. Some other runners lift weights to build strength and prevent injuries. I believe short hill sprints achieve the same effect.
Fuck yeah. I think I like this guy's coaching style already.
I remember El Capitan saying at one point afterwards or maybe beforehand, "Why are weightlifters running? You don't see runners like me in there lifting their weights!" For some reason that stuck with me and still makes me laugh.
So, I am working through Run Faster from the 5K to the Marathon: How to Be Your Own Best Coach by Brad Hudson and I came across a good quote...
Hill running is the only "weightlifting my runners do. They hoist no barbells or dumbells. They do some exercises to develop strength in their abdominal muscles and lower back, but thats it. Some other runners lift weights to build strength and prevent injuries. I believe short hill sprints achieve the same effect.
Fuck yeah. I think I like this guy's coaching style already.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Ritz.
Let it be stated, that on August 17th at 1:15 pm, I guessed Ritz's Marathon Finishing time to the second.
2:11:59.
Don't believe me? Check the 7th post from the bottom.
More Luego. Gotta get some sleep in before a long run tomorrow, but I am proud of our boys tonight.
2:11:59.
Don't believe me? Check the 7th post from the bottom.
More Luego. Gotta get some sleep in before a long run tomorrow, but I am proud of our boys tonight.
Friday, August 22, 2008
If you were looking for the face of ignorant journalism, look no further than Pat Forde!
I'd really like to thank ESPN for setting the bar for journalism low enough that they can send a college football reporter from Kentucky with no knowledge of track and field to report on the worlds biggest races. In his latest piece of poorly researched alarmist journalism Forde has while throwing around words like dismal and inexcusable has declared, USA track has hit rock bottom
Of course the main problem with this is that Forde has based this faulty hypothesis only on the glamour events, being the sprint events, and the sprint relays. We'll go beyond that in just one second.
But if we are really gonna analyze those events fairly can it be stated that just a few short weeks ago Tyson Gay had run the worlds fastest 100 meters. True it was wind aided, but at that time we were looking at a Gay/Bolt/Powell throwdown showdown. A race for the ages. Then a few hours later Gay pulls his hamstring while attempting to qualify for the 200. Gay never fully recovered, even if he's too modest to say so. Even if he were to recover, there would be no shame in losing to a once in generation athlete like Bolt.
Even a casual observer could notice a hitch in Allyson Felix's stride and also will see that she wasn't 100% healthy. Yet she runs under 22 in the 200 and gets silver. Not a shameful performance, unless you are Pat Forde and need a story. Then you can throw Felix into the list of American's who haven't won Gold this Olympics. Easy enough.
Had Forde spent more than the minute it would take him to run 200 meters on research perhaps he would have noticed some of the other great stories of USA track and Field that happened these Olympic Games.
20 Total Track and Field Medals through Thursday - Most of Any Country
Shalane Flanagan's American Record and Bronze in the Womens 10,000 M
Jenny Barringer seting an American Record in the Womens Steeple
Fam having what was called by another journalist, "one of the greatest ever rus by an American Distance Runner" in his Steeple heat.
A Gold Medal in Womens Discus.
A Silver in the Womens Pole Vault, behind only the world record holder.
A Silver in the Womens Heptathlon.
The Favorite in the Mens Decathlon leading after 5 events.
TWO American Men winning their heats in the 5000, and looking for glory in the final.
THREE American Women through to the Womens 5000 Final, including Shalane Flanagan who already set the American Record in her Bronze medal run in the 10k.
See, Pat. It isn't that hard. And that was just off the top of my head. I didn't even need to have airfare paid to Bejing to see these like you. All I had to do was wait to see this shit on 15 hour delay on the Networks of NBC. While you, use your press pass, and your plush surroundings, to call the team performance "dismal" from on high.
It's like this sweetheart, sometimes sports yes even Track operates in cycles. Sometimes you'll run into (Behind) a Usain Bolt. And at those moments you could focus on the Walter Dix's of the world making a name for themselves, stepping up huge from where he was 12 months ago, or you could call the entire team dismal. You could focus on what has been a mild resurgence for the US in distance running as they make strides towards greater respectability, or you could say the entire program is at "rock bottom." Of course, you being Pat Forde, you chose to go the lazy route of alarmist journalism with a side dish of hyperbole.
Dismal.
Rock Bottom.
Current Listening :: Air - Pocket Symphony
Of course the main problem with this is that Forde has based this faulty hypothesis only on the glamour events, being the sprint events, and the sprint relays. We'll go beyond that in just one second.
But if we are really gonna analyze those events fairly can it be stated that just a few short weeks ago Tyson Gay had run the worlds fastest 100 meters. True it was wind aided, but at that time we were looking at a Gay/Bolt/Powell throwdown showdown. A race for the ages. Then a few hours later Gay pulls his hamstring while attempting to qualify for the 200. Gay never fully recovered, even if he's too modest to say so. Even if he were to recover, there would be no shame in losing to a once in generation athlete like Bolt.
Even a casual observer could notice a hitch in Allyson Felix's stride and also will see that she wasn't 100% healthy. Yet she runs under 22 in the 200 and gets silver. Not a shameful performance, unless you are Pat Forde and need a story. Then you can throw Felix into the list of American's who haven't won Gold this Olympics. Easy enough.
Had Forde spent more than the minute it would take him to run 200 meters on research perhaps he would have noticed some of the other great stories of USA track and Field that happened these Olympic Games.
20 Total Track and Field Medals through Thursday - Most of Any Country
Shalane Flanagan's American Record and Bronze in the Womens 10,000 M
Jenny Barringer seting an American Record in the Womens Steeple
Fam having what was called by another journalist, "one of the greatest ever rus by an American Distance Runner" in his Steeple heat.
A Gold Medal in Womens Discus.
A Silver in the Womens Pole Vault, behind only the world record holder.
A Silver in the Womens Heptathlon.
The Favorite in the Mens Decathlon leading after 5 events.
TWO American Men winning their heats in the 5000, and looking for glory in the final.
THREE American Women through to the Womens 5000 Final, including Shalane Flanagan who already set the American Record in her Bronze medal run in the 10k.
See, Pat. It isn't that hard. And that was just off the top of my head. I didn't even need to have airfare paid to Bejing to see these like you. All I had to do was wait to see this shit on 15 hour delay on the Networks of NBC. While you, use your press pass, and your plush surroundings, to call the team performance "dismal" from on high.
It's like this sweetheart, sometimes sports yes even Track operates in cycles. Sometimes you'll run into (Behind) a Usain Bolt. And at those moments you could focus on the Walter Dix's of the world making a name for themselves, stepping up huge from where he was 12 months ago, or you could call the entire team dismal. You could focus on what has been a mild resurgence for the US in distance running as they make strides towards greater respectability, or you could say the entire program is at "rock bottom." Of course, you being Pat Forde, you chose to go the lazy route of alarmist journalism with a side dish of hyperbole.
Dismal.
Rock Bottom.
Current Listening :: Air - Pocket Symphony
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Could it be that I'm actually training smarter?
Leading up to the Indy 1/2 in May I really didn't have any sort of training plan. I just ran base mileage over and over again. Every day 6 miles. A few longer runs of 9-13 miles on the weekends leading up to the race. In my 5 and 10k's leasing up through the fall and winter prior I saw my times drop, set PR after PR but that came more from experience of racing than anything else. In the months leading up to Indy I was so afraid that I wouldn't finish the race, I only was concerned with getting in mileage every day.
Since then, my attitude has changed a bit. And I have wound up listening to my body a little more. This was more or less a neccesity after some mini breakdowns leading up to Indy and a few weeks of doing nothing afterwards. Now, it isn't always about the 6'er every day, cause really whats the point.
Take today for instance. After my 6'er yesterday I just wasn't feeling it today. I had a ten on Sunday, followed that up with a 4, a day off and then the quickest 6'er of the month which included hills. My quads today, not good. I knew it when I woke up. I knew it at work, and eve the customary 3 pm mocha did little to help my quads, (true to the science of nutrition, but not superstition.) At any rate the old me would have grounded oit a 6'er over the hills and just put in useless miles at far less than race pace. Instead, I stayed on the flat grounds, and put in 4 at 7:05 pace today. To put that in perspective my quickest 6'er earlier in the week was 7:03 pace. The thing is, the 6'er if attempted today wouldn't have been at that pace. It wouldn't have been close.
Earlier in the week I picked up a book from the library Run Faster: From the 5k to a Marathon by Brad Hudson and Matt Fitzgerald. I'm not one so much to read training books, I'm too stubborn to follow training plans rigidly. But as I read through the first few chapters of this book the whole philosophy is adaptive training, which requires a paying more attention to your body than your plan. That's extremely simplified, but I'm only two chapters in, as I said.
One mantra that's already been repeated is keep your training schedule in pencil. It's good advice. As I said, had I run 6 miles today at least 2 woulda been garbage miles. I know that from how my quad reacted to the mini inclines I had today (damn you, drawbrige!) But instead I got in 4 good miles. This is shit that I've been doing for the past few weeks and has resulted in what have been breakthroughs in my training times. We're talking 30 second drops in my splits. Not bad.
That all said, it's not an excuse not to push your body to its limits in training, and that is the delicate balance, and the difference between results and stagnation. I'll likely continue to read the book and see what I can gain from it.
Current Listening :: Studio One Soul 2
Since then, my attitude has changed a bit. And I have wound up listening to my body a little more. This was more or less a neccesity after some mini breakdowns leading up to Indy and a few weeks of doing nothing afterwards. Now, it isn't always about the 6'er every day, cause really whats the point.
Take today for instance. After my 6'er yesterday I just wasn't feeling it today. I had a ten on Sunday, followed that up with a 4, a day off and then the quickest 6'er of the month which included hills. My quads today, not good. I knew it when I woke up. I knew it at work, and eve the customary 3 pm mocha did little to help my quads, (true to the science of nutrition, but not superstition.) At any rate the old me would have grounded oit a 6'er over the hills and just put in useless miles at far less than race pace. Instead, I stayed on the flat grounds, and put in 4 at 7:05 pace today. To put that in perspective my quickest 6'er earlier in the week was 7:03 pace. The thing is, the 6'er if attempted today wouldn't have been at that pace. It wouldn't have been close.
Earlier in the week I picked up a book from the library Run Faster: From the 5k to a Marathon by Brad Hudson and Matt Fitzgerald. I'm not one so much to read training books, I'm too stubborn to follow training plans rigidly. But as I read through the first few chapters of this book the whole philosophy is adaptive training, which requires a paying more attention to your body than your plan. That's extremely simplified, but I'm only two chapters in, as I said.
One mantra that's already been repeated is keep your training schedule in pencil. It's good advice. As I said, had I run 6 miles today at least 2 woulda been garbage miles. I know that from how my quad reacted to the mini inclines I had today (damn you, drawbrige!) But instead I got in 4 good miles. This is shit that I've been doing for the past few weeks and has resulted in what have been breakthroughs in my training times. We're talking 30 second drops in my splits. Not bad.
That all said, it's not an excuse not to push your body to its limits in training, and that is the delicate balance, and the difference between results and stagnation. I'll likely continue to read the book and see what I can gain from it.
Current Listening :: Studio One Soul 2
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Today, it was a good day...
Sorry, el capitan but i had to steal a title of one of your posts.
I don't quite know if this qualifies as theory, but it seems that if you combine a nearly perfect 70 degree sunny day with some people inspired by Olympic fever you start seeing more runners on the roads. Honestly, I saw more people on my route today than I have seen ever. And, if you see someone ahead of you, you wanna catch them. And if you see someone running towards ya, you definitely don't wanna look slow, so you speed it up a bit.
This was a run I needed too. Sunday's 10 miler was a very encouraging sign, Monday's 4 miler was brutal. My legs just weren't there. A day off yesterday and today I ran my 6 a minute quicker than any time last week. There was a bit of a headwind on the way out, but it didn't bother me. I kept saying, if Usain Bolt can handle the headwind so can I.
You know, it's things like this that make you think spending $72 to register for Philadelphia Distance Run wasn't a bad idea. Or make you think that Spending $600 to go out to Carlsbad in January for another half is completely reasonable.
It almost makes me think even of buying a pair of racing flats. But, damn, I gotta tell you on my longer runs my Saucony Hurricane's are fuckin rockin the shit. They just feel a bit more stable for my long runs than my Paramounts, which are still rockin my shorter quicker runs.
Tegenkamp and Lagat freakin rocked Bejing. Heat winners. If Tegenkamp wins a medal I'm gonna be euphoric.
The drawbridge didn't even open.
I'd have to say it was a good day...
Current Listening :: The Breeders - Mountain Battles
I don't quite know if this qualifies as theory, but it seems that if you combine a nearly perfect 70 degree sunny day with some people inspired by Olympic fever you start seeing more runners on the roads. Honestly, I saw more people on my route today than I have seen ever. And, if you see someone ahead of you, you wanna catch them. And if you see someone running towards ya, you definitely don't wanna look slow, so you speed it up a bit.
This was a run I needed too. Sunday's 10 miler was a very encouraging sign, Monday's 4 miler was brutal. My legs just weren't there. A day off yesterday and today I ran my 6 a minute quicker than any time last week. There was a bit of a headwind on the way out, but it didn't bother me. I kept saying, if Usain Bolt can handle the headwind so can I.
You know, it's things like this that make you think spending $72 to register for Philadelphia Distance Run wasn't a bad idea. Or make you think that Spending $600 to go out to Carlsbad in January for another half is completely reasonable.
It almost makes me think even of buying a pair of racing flats. But, damn, I gotta tell you on my longer runs my Saucony Hurricane's are fuckin rockin the shit. They just feel a bit more stable for my long runs than my Paramounts, which are still rockin my shorter quicker runs.
Tegenkamp and Lagat freakin rocked Bejing. Heat winners. If Tegenkamp wins a medal I'm gonna be euphoric.
The drawbridge didn't even open.
I'd have to say it was a good day...
Current Listening :: The Breeders - Mountain Battles
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Now that the Athletics events have started....
Here are a podium of my favorite quotes/journalist reports from the first few days...
Third, Amby Burfoot on Tomescu's awesome Women's Marathon Gold...
She stole the marathon, but she didn't break any laws. She simply challenged everyone else to run as hard as she was running, and they all declined the invitation. I don't understand why, but that's their problem, not mine. One of the things I like best about Tomescu is her ragged running form. Some people think form is important in the marathon and they even give form lessons, sometimes with a substantial price tag attached. But form is a surface issue, like the color of your eyes and hair. It has essentially nothing to do with marathon performance. If you want to get faster in the marathon, I'll give you some free advice: Move your legs faster.
Second, from a story on Shalane Flannagan's poisoning and recovery to medal in the 10k...
“I probably should have brought her out early,” he added about his decision to let her stay in Dalian.
Flanagan’s doctor, Alan King of Sarasota, Fla., said Flanagan was abruptly hit with dry heaves, vomiting and diarrhea at 2 a.m. on Monday. King was in Florida at the time and arrived in Beijing on Thursday night.
Bob Adams, a doctor for the United States Olympic team who treated Flanagan throughout the week, gave her an antibiotic to kill intestinal bacteria, King said.
“He was the reason she did so well,” King said, referring to Adams.
Flanagan’s husband, Steve Edwards, said he thought the illness had turned out to be a blessing. “She had forced rest, which was a good thing,” he said. “And she was able to sleep 10 to 12 hours a night.
“It was good for her eating the poisoned soup,” he added. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
And the gold medal quote winner thus far, from our favorite runner Fam, Anthony Famiglietti after his inspiring as hell frontrunning performance in the Mens 3000 steeple semi's.:
"I went out hard like that because this could have been my last steeplechase. I didn't want to run it with tactics. I wanted to run it with heart, and go after it. At the Athens Olympics, I fell. I didn't want that to happen again, so I figured I should just get out there and run on an open track. I kept looking up at the JumboTron to see where everyone was, but all I ever saw was the race walk video. It takes a lot of discipline to run solo. You have to push, push, push. It's not easy to keep grinding it out in the steeple. I'm really happy with my time, personal best, and the way I did it. Shalane inspired us all last night, and I tend to run well in the meets where she runs well. I've got the engine, I've got the hurdling technique, I've got the water jump. It comes down to having the guts to run fast between the hurdles. I can run 8:05. Even if I run under 8:15 in the final, that would be another PR. I've got a lot in me. I'll be disappointed if I don't get it all out in the final."
Let's hope he's right. Come on, Fam!!!
Third, Amby Burfoot on Tomescu's awesome Women's Marathon Gold...
She stole the marathon, but she didn't break any laws. She simply challenged everyone else to run as hard as she was running, and they all declined the invitation. I don't understand why, but that's their problem, not mine. One of the things I like best about Tomescu is her ragged running form. Some people think form is important in the marathon and they even give form lessons, sometimes with a substantial price tag attached. But form is a surface issue, like the color of your eyes and hair. It has essentially nothing to do with marathon performance. If you want to get faster in the marathon, I'll give you some free advice: Move your legs faster.
Second, from a story on Shalane Flannagan's poisoning and recovery to medal in the 10k...
“I probably should have brought her out early,” he added about his decision to let her stay in Dalian.
Flanagan’s doctor, Alan King of Sarasota, Fla., said Flanagan was abruptly hit with dry heaves, vomiting and diarrhea at 2 a.m. on Monday. King was in Florida at the time and arrived in Beijing on Thursday night.
Bob Adams, a doctor for the United States Olympic team who treated Flanagan throughout the week, gave her an antibiotic to kill intestinal bacteria, King said.
“He was the reason she did so well,” King said, referring to Adams.
Flanagan’s husband, Steve Edwards, said he thought the illness had turned out to be a blessing. “She had forced rest, which was a good thing,” he said. “And she was able to sleep 10 to 12 hours a night.
“It was good for her eating the poisoned soup,” he added. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
And the gold medal quote winner thus far, from our favorite runner Fam, Anthony Famiglietti after his inspiring as hell frontrunning performance in the Mens 3000 steeple semi's.:
"I went out hard like that because this could have been my last steeplechase. I didn't want to run it with tactics. I wanted to run it with heart, and go after it. At the Athens Olympics, I fell. I didn't want that to happen again, so I figured I should just get out there and run on an open track. I kept looking up at the JumboTron to see where everyone was, but all I ever saw was the race walk video. It takes a lot of discipline to run solo. You have to push, push, push. It's not easy to keep grinding it out in the steeple. I'm really happy with my time, personal best, and the way I did it. Shalane inspired us all last night, and I tend to run well in the meets where she runs well. I've got the engine, I've got the hurdling technique, I've got the water jump. It comes down to having the guts to run fast between the hurdles. I can run 8:05. Even if I run under 8:15 in the final, that would be another PR. I've got a lot in me. I'll be disappointed if I don't get it all out in the final."
Let's hope he's right. Come on, Fam!!!
The Drawbridge
I have a regular route. It's a six mile loop with a nice few nice hills after the 2 mile mark. 3 out and 3 back. I can shorten that to 4 on some days avoid the hills and do some sort of quicker tempo run. One constant of the route though is the drawbridge. I start at the beach, on lovely long island sound, and once i cross the drawbridge I am at the 2 mile mark. From February - May, I never was stopped by the drawbridge. Since than I've been stopped about once every 5 or 6 runs.
Today was especially frustrating. I didn't even consider that being stopped by the drawbridge was a possibility. I wanted to get out for an easy tenner. Didn't wanna push too hard but wanted to build back up distance on some longer runs as I consider more and more that the Phildelphia Distance Run on 21 September is a possibility. I am going very well, 3-4 miles in and am wondering if my Hurricane's are in fact a better "long run" shoe than my paramount. As I round the corner I hear the bells and I look ahead and I see the baracade coming down. At this point another runner comes up beside me, she shakes her head and swears.
She starts running in place and I think how silly this looks. I mean I've done this at traffic lights, but not for two minutes of drawbridge time. I could stop my watch and stretch out. I could drop to the ground and do some core work, some crunches or pushups. But that would look sillier than this woman running in place. I could turn around and attack the hill again and turn my tenner into a 12er. But instead I just decide to take a quick lap around the block. This put my tenner a little bit above 10 miles, but at least I didn't jog in place for a while.
The tenner went well enough. Just about 730-735 pace pace without pushing too hard. I'll take that, and confidence is building and a PDR registration seems more and more likely.
________________________________________________________________
I railed against NBC mercilessly and with good reason for their awful coverage of Shalane Falnnigan's historic run in the 10k. To be fair they redeemed themselves a bit last night. The coverage of the Woman's Marathon was excellent in comparison. I woulda preferred to not have cut away as often as they did, but I understand why they did it. Still to go from only 7 laps of Shalane's 10k, to as much coverage as they had of the Women's Marathon was a great improvement.
As for the race, it was awful to see Deena go out so early. I am depressed for Magda Lewy-Boulet's luck, or lack their of. I am impressed with Paula Radcliffe's guts, and Blake Russell's finish. Tomescu-Dita deserved to win gold. She was the only one who attacked the course when conditions were better than anyone expected. It was a bit anti-climactic really. But she busted her ass, and got the spoils.
But the most exciting run of the day had to be Fam frontrunning like hell in the Men's 3000 steeple. I can not wait for that final on Monday. If Fam medals, High Life's and falafel for everyone!!!
Current Listening :: My Bloody Valentine - Isn't everything
Today was especially frustrating. I didn't even consider that being stopped by the drawbridge was a possibility. I wanted to get out for an easy tenner. Didn't wanna push too hard but wanted to build back up distance on some longer runs as I consider more and more that the Phildelphia Distance Run on 21 September is a possibility. I am going very well, 3-4 miles in and am wondering if my Hurricane's are in fact a better "long run" shoe than my paramount. As I round the corner I hear the bells and I look ahead and I see the baracade coming down. At this point another runner comes up beside me, she shakes her head and swears.
She starts running in place and I think how silly this looks. I mean I've done this at traffic lights, but not for two minutes of drawbridge time. I could stop my watch and stretch out. I could drop to the ground and do some core work, some crunches or pushups. But that would look sillier than this woman running in place. I could turn around and attack the hill again and turn my tenner into a 12er. But instead I just decide to take a quick lap around the block. This put my tenner a little bit above 10 miles, but at least I didn't jog in place for a while.
The tenner went well enough. Just about 730-735 pace pace without pushing too hard. I'll take that, and confidence is building and a PDR registration seems more and more likely.
________________________________________________________________
I railed against NBC mercilessly and with good reason for their awful coverage of Shalane Falnnigan's historic run in the 10k. To be fair they redeemed themselves a bit last night. The coverage of the Woman's Marathon was excellent in comparison. I woulda preferred to not have cut away as often as they did, but I understand why they did it. Still to go from only 7 laps of Shalane's 10k, to as much coverage as they had of the Women's Marathon was a great improvement.
As for the race, it was awful to see Deena go out so early. I am depressed for Magda Lewy-Boulet's luck, or lack their of. I am impressed with Paula Radcliffe's guts, and Blake Russell's finish. Tomescu-Dita deserved to win gold. She was the only one who attacked the course when conditions were better than anyone expected. It was a bit anti-climactic really. But she busted her ass, and got the spoils.
But the most exciting run of the day had to be Fam frontrunning like hell in the Men's 3000 steeple. I can not wait for that final on Monday. If Fam medals, High Life's and falafel for everyone!!!
Current Listening :: My Bloody Valentine - Isn't everything
Friday, August 15, 2008
This is gonna be difficult
Seriously, thanks to NBC putting so much of the track on a 15 hour delay, watching this crap without finding out the results beforehand is gonna be more difficult than hill repeats. Today for instance, a friend at work blurted out the Womens 10k result to me. This was around noon. Now, even if she didn't I would need to avoid half the websites in my favorites, and radio, and tv news. Thanks Dick Ebersol. Asshole. That said, I'll still be up after midnight tonight to watch that race, even knowing the result. Such is life when you are a fan of track in this country. I blame Obama.
__________________________________________________________
Two straight days after work storms have come and gone and come and gone while leaving just enough of a window for me to get in a run. Today didn't wind up as dry as yesterday, by any means, as in my final mile the rain started falling bigtime. But, there is a bit of a level of camaraderie that is to be had when you see another runner in this sorta shit. It's the same thing when the weather is 90ish. Yeah, the treadmill coulda been a better option. The chardonnay certainly would taste better than the sweat dripping off my mustache, but no I chose this. And so did those other cats I saw out there today. It's pretty damn cool to see the look in there eyes as you pass paths. It's not the relief of, "Okay, I'm not crazy for being out here in this mess." It's more, "Okay, I'm not the only crazy one out here in this mess." It's pretty nice.
Current Listening :: Solomon Burke - Make Do With What You Got
__________________________________________________________
Two straight days after work storms have come and gone and come and gone while leaving just enough of a window for me to get in a run. Today didn't wind up as dry as yesterday, by any means, as in my final mile the rain started falling bigtime. But, there is a bit of a level of camaraderie that is to be had when you see another runner in this sorta shit. It's the same thing when the weather is 90ish. Yeah, the treadmill coulda been a better option. The chardonnay certainly would taste better than the sweat dripping off my mustache, but no I chose this. And so did those other cats I saw out there today. It's pretty damn cool to see the look in there eyes as you pass paths. It's not the relief of, "Okay, I'm not crazy for being out here in this mess." It's more, "Okay, I'm not the only crazy one out here in this mess." It's pretty nice.
Current Listening :: Solomon Burke - Make Do With What You Got
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Todays lesson
If a torrential thunderstorm downpour starts once you finish stretching, do not take that opportunity to ingest half a canister of dry roasted peanuts. The storm may pass in 15 minutes laving you a good 30-45 minute window to get in your run and stay relatively dry. But you'll feel like hell with a stomach full of nuts.
To summarize :
Pre run mocha's or iced mochas = good. borderline reccomended.
Pre run half canister of dry roasted peanuts = bad. not reccomended.
_____________________________________________________________________
As I write this we are only 27 hours and 23 minutes away from the Women's 10k Final. Shalene Flannegan has come down with food poisoning, which is really discouraging to me. She has the best womens 10k time in the world this season. Though a medal for her may be a reach, she probably is the USA's best bet. I love Kara Goucher, and Kara has shown well in the trials, and in last years championships in Osaka. She's a helluva runner. I am just more partial to Shalene and truthfully to Kim Smith also. That said, if Kara is to medal, I may run into the streets with my flag screaming. And let's not forget Amy Yoder Begley, who is one of the people you'd least expect in the world to be a kick ass runner. But, she repeated the phrase in her mind, "I am a Kung Fu Panda." as she hit the Olympic A standard and qualified for the team in Eugene this summer. It's impossible not to like her.
A few minutes passed as I wrote that paragraph, and now we are also only 2 days, 2 hours, and 2 minutes from the Women's Marathon. Holy crap does that excite me. And who should you cheer for? Deena kastor may be our best chance at a medal. But let's be honest, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, aka Chewy is the shit. Not only is she a Saucony runner. She also put in a frontrunning performance at the Marathon Trials that was inspiring as hell. She's the one.
Check out a good Magda interview, here
I'm excited outta my mind about these here 'lympics, in case you can't tell
Current Listening :: Weakerthans - Left and Leaving
To summarize :
Pre run mocha's or iced mochas = good. borderline reccomended.
Pre run half canister of dry roasted peanuts = bad. not reccomended.
_____________________________________________________________________
As I write this we are only 27 hours and 23 minutes away from the Women's 10k Final. Shalene Flannegan has come down with food poisoning, which is really discouraging to me. She has the best womens 10k time in the world this season. Though a medal for her may be a reach, she probably is the USA's best bet. I love Kara Goucher, and Kara has shown well in the trials, and in last years championships in Osaka. She's a helluva runner. I am just more partial to Shalene and truthfully to Kim Smith also. That said, if Kara is to medal, I may run into the streets with my flag screaming. And let's not forget Amy Yoder Begley, who is one of the people you'd least expect in the world to be a kick ass runner. But, she repeated the phrase in her mind, "I am a Kung Fu Panda." as she hit the Olympic A standard and qualified for the team in Eugene this summer. It's impossible not to like her.
A few minutes passed as I wrote that paragraph, and now we are also only 2 days, 2 hours, and 2 minutes from the Women's Marathon. Holy crap does that excite me. And who should you cheer for? Deena kastor may be our best chance at a medal. But let's be honest, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, aka Chewy is the shit. Not only is she a Saucony runner. She also put in a frontrunning performance at the Marathon Trials that was inspiring as hell. She's the one.
Check out a good Magda interview, here
I'm excited outta my mind about these here 'lympics, in case you can't tell
Current Listening :: Weakerthans - Left and Leaving
With all due respect to Michael Phelps
The real Olympics don't start till Friday. We appreciate the hard work you've done for your country, and the way that you absolutely dominate the pool. And we hope you continue to do so.
But as I look here at the start list for Friday's Womens 10k final I notice two things.
1. 32 Runners. 32!!! In the final this is gonna be awesome.
2. It says right at the top of the page, Athletics events start August 15th.
So, it's not that I'm disparaging the pool events (well, outside of synchronized diving) but let's be honest. Friday can't get here soon enough.
And you'll excuse me I hope, if while cheering for Flannegan and Goucher if I also cheer for New Zealand's Kim Smith. Outside of being a totally badass runner, with a dry sarcastic personality, she also has the presence of mind to be drinking coffee before races and training. It's not what they teach you in school, but what's not to love?
current listening :: lovesliescrushing - xuvetyn
But as I look here at the start list for Friday's Womens 10k final I notice two things.
1. 32 Runners. 32!!! In the final this is gonna be awesome.
2. It says right at the top of the page, Athletics events start August 15th.
So, it's not that I'm disparaging the pool events (well, outside of synchronized diving) but let's be honest. Friday can't get here soon enough.
And you'll excuse me I hope, if while cheering for Flannegan and Goucher if I also cheer for New Zealand's Kim Smith. Outside of being a totally badass runner, with a dry sarcastic personality, she also has the presence of mind to be drinking coffee before races and training. It's not what they teach you in school, but what's not to love?
current listening :: lovesliescrushing - xuvetyn
hoping something's clicked
I've been in several conversations with El Capitan over the summer about the weather, and specifically about the humidity. The humidity, out here on the east coast and in Indianapolis has been a bitch. And this has been my first real summer of running in this nonsense. I didn't really start running till late August of last year, and when I did that it was mostly in a gym. I reveled in those days when there'd be a break in the humidity allowing me to run further and faster than before.
But here's something else. I lost nearly all of June as far as training. It was probably less than a 50 mile month. Just nagging ailments. So you couple June's loss, with July and thus far August's challenges to training and I should be falling back.
Thing is I feel stronger and quicker than I have yet. El Capitan and I had spoken numerous times about the humidity making us stronger. Half the time we would be attempting to convince ourselves. At least half the time I forced myself to believe it.
But, in the mean time, it has altered my training a bit. In the winter/spring, my base runs were about 6-7 miles. This served as a good base training run as I was working towards the Indianapolis Half Marathon. But, as the summer has gone on, I've seen my base runs basically be 4 miles. One 6 miler or longer in there per week.
Now, I've never run on the track. So I've never done speedwork in the way that we are told to do speedwork by coaches, books, and magazines. My training in the winter and spring would just be get out there and run. Run quicker on the days you can, and run farther on the days you can.
But somehow, results are starting to show from summer training. Now it could be that humidity does in fact make us stronger. But it could be this. It's almost as if my four mile runs have been multi time per week tempo runs. I mean, I'm desperately trying to get those runs in in the 7-7:15 splits range, with anticipation of getting under (and staying under!) 7 minute splits in the future. It's not true speedwork. It's not quite training at race pace. But it's close.
But the next challenge, especially if I'm looking towards the Philly Distance Run on September 21, is to translate that to longer distances.
Current Listening :: lovesliescrushing - xuvetyn
But here's something else. I lost nearly all of June as far as training. It was probably less than a 50 mile month. Just nagging ailments. So you couple June's loss, with July and thus far August's challenges to training and I should be falling back.
Thing is I feel stronger and quicker than I have yet. El Capitan and I had spoken numerous times about the humidity making us stronger. Half the time we would be attempting to convince ourselves. At least half the time I forced myself to believe it.
But, in the mean time, it has altered my training a bit. In the winter/spring, my base runs were about 6-7 miles. This served as a good base training run as I was working towards the Indianapolis Half Marathon. But, as the summer has gone on, I've seen my base runs basically be 4 miles. One 6 miler or longer in there per week.
Now, I've never run on the track. So I've never done speedwork in the way that we are told to do speedwork by coaches, books, and magazines. My training in the winter and spring would just be get out there and run. Run quicker on the days you can, and run farther on the days you can.
But somehow, results are starting to show from summer training. Now it could be that humidity does in fact make us stronger. But it could be this. It's almost as if my four mile runs have been multi time per week tempo runs. I mean, I'm desperately trying to get those runs in in the 7-7:15 splits range, with anticipation of getting under (and staying under!) 7 minute splits in the future. It's not true speedwork. It's not quite training at race pace. But it's close.
But the next challenge, especially if I'm looking towards the Philly Distance Run on September 21, is to translate that to longer distances.
Current Listening :: lovesliescrushing - xuvetyn
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Bite Test
Since there were several who have asked about the picture of my award or needed photographic evidence here it is.
After the bite test, I can confirm the trophy is not a real chile pepper. But it is a real trophy. Still, I would have preferred a gift certificate to Runners Roost. Or maybe an additional envelope that contained a gift certificate to Home Depot to build my trophy case.
Current Listening :: Muse - Black Holes and Revelations
Humility
Anyone who's run for any length of time knows how easily running can team up with your body to teach you humility. I've heard it mentioned by various marathon runners that 26.2 teaches you humility. I have no doubt thats true. But, I don't even need 26.2. I just got to go to a local race or on a daily training run.
Saturday, I achieved a PR and my first ever age group placing. I also finished 8 seconds behind a 50 year old woman. As she passed me in the final kilometer her form, breathing and temperment were all better than mine.
I took a day off on Sunday. 6 hours of driving. Less than 6 hours sleep and tickets to a Phillies game conspired with my pride of coming off that PR. Apparently that also led me to drink too much and not take care of my body at all on Sunday at the Phils game.
Come monday, when I went out for a three mile training run my legs were there but my mind wasn't at all. It was a sluggish run, and not the kind that you would want immediately after a good race result. Of course, I've yet to see a training program that suggests running hungover in a light drizzle either. So, once again, humility wins out over pride.
Luckily, I got a bit of an asshole streak in me. I don't so much enjoy being humbled, even if I see it as part of the process of running. It's not so much, well that run sucked I don't really want to do that again, as it's i definitely don't want to do that again, so it's time to run fuckin harder this time. And sometimes it doesn't matter, and the wind, the elements, the hills the doubts, last nights yuengling, they all conspire against ya and they win. But a few times a week, they don't. And then the asshole gets to puff out his chest and feel on top of the world.
Current Listening:: Innocence Mission - Befriended
Saturday, I achieved a PR and my first ever age group placing. I also finished 8 seconds behind a 50 year old woman. As she passed me in the final kilometer her form, breathing and temperment were all better than mine.
I took a day off on Sunday. 6 hours of driving. Less than 6 hours sleep and tickets to a Phillies game conspired with my pride of coming off that PR. Apparently that also led me to drink too much and not take care of my body at all on Sunday at the Phils game.
Come monday, when I went out for a three mile training run my legs were there but my mind wasn't at all. It was a sluggish run, and not the kind that you would want immediately after a good race result. Of course, I've yet to see a training program that suggests running hungover in a light drizzle either. So, once again, humility wins out over pride.
Luckily, I got a bit of an asshole streak in me. I don't so much enjoy being humbled, even if I see it as part of the process of running. It's not so much, well that run sucked I don't really want to do that again, as it's i definitely don't want to do that again, so it's time to run fuckin harder this time. And sometimes it doesn't matter, and the wind, the elements, the hills the doubts, last nights yuengling, they all conspire against ya and they win. But a few times a week, they don't. And then the asshole gets to puff out his chest and feel on top of the world.
Current Listening:: Innocence Mission - Befriended
Monday, August 11, 2008
Drinking and Running
One thing that you become wary of once you start running hydration. You always need to stay hydrated. This leads to some changes of habits. For me, this means skipping happy hour. Even going for a training run after just 1-2 beers at happy hour is a poor idea. I have no idea why I even needed to test that, when it seems so obvious. This of course means also not drinking so much in the evening. As someone who admittedly has teetered on the edge of alcoholism at various points in his life this represents a huge lifestyle change. More on that at a later date. But, it's safe to say that running has been the healthiest lifestyle decision I have made. Period. For various reasons.
What's odd is that these same people that tell you all the benefits of running don't tell you about the most hazardous part of running. And that is the water stop/station or more accurately the water hazard during the race. Now, I'm not one of those people thats ever carried a water bottle with me on my training runs. I'm not one that has ever worn a camelback. Even when training for the Indy Mini and routinely putting in 9-12 mile training runs, I didn't see the point in carrying one. Instead, I figured hydrate beforehand, and then hydrate again afterwards. Simple said, simple done.
But training, and a race is different. In the race, while pushing yourself, while wanting to do your very best you become more conscious of hydration. And any race organizer worth their salt sets up a water station or several along the course. Now, nearly a year and a dozen or so road races in I still haven't quite figured this shit out.
Take for instance Saturday's race. About 1 and a half miles in there was a water station. Now I didn't really feel thirsty, and I've run 12 times this distance without any thought of water before. But I'm in a race, so it seems like the thing to do. And of course while aiming for the PR, or in any race, it's not even an option to stop. You grab the cup pinch it and try to drink it down, through the small pinched opening. At least this is what I've been told by several people.
So thats what I attempt to do. Bad idea. Spiting up water, coughing choking, loss of breath. I try to put a positive spin on it for a split second. Perhaps the violent coughing will serve as forward propulsion. But any thoughts of that are dismissed rather quickly when I slow down briefly for fear of going into cardiac arrest, one of the main calamities running should help you avoid. Of course nobody mentions this in the hydration and diet articles on the websites and magazines.
As the race goes on a quick loop up and around a block and then we pass by the same water station with more water available. At this point in my mind, these are not well intentioned race volunteers, but instead merchants of destruction offering not water, but energy sapping poison. I pass by ignoring them, and their cheers hoping just to move by as quickly as possible and not see them again soon.
At some point of course, I'll need to learn how to hydrate on the run. I faced similar agony at pretty much every race.
Of course there is one other option. Run quick enough that I get to the finish line before I get thirsty, or dehydrated.
Current Listening - Coldplay - Viva la Vida
What's odd is that these same people that tell you all the benefits of running don't tell you about the most hazardous part of running. And that is the water stop/station or more accurately the water hazard during the race. Now, I'm not one of those people thats ever carried a water bottle with me on my training runs. I'm not one that has ever worn a camelback. Even when training for the Indy Mini and routinely putting in 9-12 mile training runs, I didn't see the point in carrying one. Instead, I figured hydrate beforehand, and then hydrate again afterwards. Simple said, simple done.
But training, and a race is different. In the race, while pushing yourself, while wanting to do your very best you become more conscious of hydration. And any race organizer worth their salt sets up a water station or several along the course. Now, nearly a year and a dozen or so road races in I still haven't quite figured this shit out.
Take for instance Saturday's race. About 1 and a half miles in there was a water station. Now I didn't really feel thirsty, and I've run 12 times this distance without any thought of water before. But I'm in a race, so it seems like the thing to do. And of course while aiming for the PR, or in any race, it's not even an option to stop. You grab the cup pinch it and try to drink it down, through the small pinched opening. At least this is what I've been told by several people.
So thats what I attempt to do. Bad idea. Spiting up water, coughing choking, loss of breath. I try to put a positive spin on it for a split second. Perhaps the violent coughing will serve as forward propulsion. But any thoughts of that are dismissed rather quickly when I slow down briefly for fear of going into cardiac arrest, one of the main calamities running should help you avoid. Of course nobody mentions this in the hydration and diet articles on the websites and magazines.
As the race goes on a quick loop up and around a block and then we pass by the same water station with more water available. At this point in my mind, these are not well intentioned race volunteers, but instead merchants of destruction offering not water, but energy sapping poison. I pass by ignoring them, and their cheers hoping just to move by as quickly as possible and not see them again soon.
At some point of course, I'll need to learn how to hydrate on the run. I faced similar agony at pretty much every race.
Of course there is one other option. Run quick enough that I get to the finish line before I get thirsty, or dehydrated.
Current Listening - Coldplay - Viva la Vida
Race Report 8/9/08:: Southwest Cafe Sunset 5k Ridgefield CT
So, here we go. My first 5k race since last December. That's hard to believe when I think about it. In between then and now It's been all longer distances. The awkward distances 4 mile and 5 mile (go metric!!!) a few 10k's and the Indianapolis Half Marathon. But in the training, specifically in the week before this race I felt like I had a chance to PR. Several good training runs in the heat boosted confidence, and as I spoke to El Capitan in Indianapolis, I shared my confidence and enthusiasm. It was his birthday, and I was told I owed him a PR as a gift. As he was scheduled to run the Chicago Distance Classic on the 10th, it was set to be a big weekend for The Kip Winger Running Team.
I'll say this. 7pm race start times are a bit unnerving. I'd much rather race first thing in the morning. Errands filled the morning, but by 3pm, those were done, and I still had 4 hours before the race. Seriously? I don't want to eat too much, but I want to eat. I scarf down a falafel. I receive a call from El Capitan, in Chicago. And at 4pm I take a walk down to Dunkin Donuts for a prerace mocha. In the past week my training runs have been best, after a mid afternoon consumption of a mocha. Why not.
Ridgefield is about a 15 minute drive from my place. Ample time for 3-4 repeats of Iron Maiden's run to the hills as I drive to the race. I get there about an hour before the race, get my bib and commence stretching. It's a coolish night. Maybe 75 degrees. Still I pin the bib on my shorts in anticipation of shedding my white saucony singlet at some point during the race.
Warmup isn't going well. My legs feel heavy, no matter how often I stretch. No matter how many 1/4 mile jaunts I take or 100 yard sprints. I look around I see what seems to be some fast runners. I spot what looks to be some high school xc studs and a few other quick looking Caribbean cats. I decide I'm gonna line up behind them and have at it. I'll keep them within striking distance as long as I can and take it from there. My previous 5k PR is 21:54. 7:04 splits or so. I set a goal of 7 minute splits and a new PR.
The race starts and soon enough I am out at what feels somewhat close to a sprint. The high school xc kids are out in front and the Caribbeans. I stay with them pretty well out of the gate. At the 1k chalk mark on the road there isn't more than 10 people in front of me. I know that in reality, I have gone out far too fast and I will not be able to keep that pace. What I don't know is my actual pace, thankfully.
Before the race, I made a conscious decision not to wear my watch. As I talked to Information Director Mandi after the race about my time, we both were talking about the mental aspect of racing. For me, in the past, I've seen a time in my first kilometer, my first mile and been discouraged. If it was too slow, fuck. If it was too fast I feared an imminent blow up. So, to avoid this over thinking, no watch and just run. I knew after 1k I had less that 15-16 minutes of running to do to hit my goal, so let's do it. Thankfully there were no clocks or no people calling out times on the roads either.
There were only a few hills, and none were of the daunting variety. None at more of an incline than my normal 4-6 mile training loop. Yet at 3k, I was being passed by quite a few people. Do I hook under one of these cats, or do I run my own race? I went with running mu own race, and soon I was at the 2 mile mark and really felt good, feeling that a PR was within reach.
I was running on my own for a few minutes it seemed like. I had a group of 2 about 20 meters ahead, when I passed 4k. And I could faintly hear the mic at the finish line calling people in.
After 4k I was passed by a woman who looked to be in her 50's. Shit!!! What's more, she's breathing better than me and has a better stride. She says as she passes, "Wow that was a long 4k!" I'm thinking, two things. First, the obligatory, "What the fuck?" Second, "Not as long as this last kilometer!" But still I'm recognizing the roads and know that my turn into teh final stretch is coming.
At as I turn onto the road the 50 year old woman has opened up a 15 - 20 second gap on me. But i can start to see the flags for the finish. I start my kick. about 250 meters out. Eventually I hear them announce, "our 3rd place woman finisher!" And I don't feel as terrible about being passed. I don't have time to, cause as I see the numbers on the clock, I know if I finish strong I will PR. I finish off my kick and come through the line at 21:49. A new PR in the 5k by 5 seconds!! Not bad at all considering how I felt before the race.
I walk back to the car to get my phone El Capitan and tell him I succeeded in his birthday gift. I tell him I finished just behind the third place woman, and he mentions the possibility of an age group placing. I gotta admit, I was thinking the same, but didn't want to get my hopes up. Most those who finished ahead seemed 10 years older or ten younger. It didn't seem like a strong 30's race. At the same time, I was terrified of turning 40 since those guys were dusting me, not to mention the 50's female group!!!
The race was put on by Southwest Cafe, so there is a siesta, post race. And lo and behold I get a free beer. Fantastico! As they post results, I realize, holy shit! I need to stick around as I finished 3rd in the 30-39 male age group! And a coveted trophy/paperweight will be mine! I kid you not, it's a chile paper shaped plaque/paperweight. Pics of that to come!!!
Still, a PR and for the first time an age group placing! And that was just the beginning of the weekend for TKWRT as El Capitan finished with a half marathon PR in Chicago! A great weekend for the team, and now the only question that remains is whats next. Getting under 7 splits for a 5k (I already hate 7:01!) and training for the Philadelphia Distance Run on Sept 21 looks most likely. But we'll try to find a few races before then of course.
Final Results:: 21:49 (New PR); 7:01 splits; 28/128 overall; 3rd age group
Current Listening: Heavy Creatures - Loaded Sky
I'll say this. 7pm race start times are a bit unnerving. I'd much rather race first thing in the morning. Errands filled the morning, but by 3pm, those were done, and I still had 4 hours before the race. Seriously? I don't want to eat too much, but I want to eat. I scarf down a falafel. I receive a call from El Capitan, in Chicago. And at 4pm I take a walk down to Dunkin Donuts for a prerace mocha. In the past week my training runs have been best, after a mid afternoon consumption of a mocha. Why not.
Ridgefield is about a 15 minute drive from my place. Ample time for 3-4 repeats of Iron Maiden's run to the hills as I drive to the race. I get there about an hour before the race, get my bib and commence stretching. It's a coolish night. Maybe 75 degrees. Still I pin the bib on my shorts in anticipation of shedding my white saucony singlet at some point during the race.
Warmup isn't going well. My legs feel heavy, no matter how often I stretch. No matter how many 1/4 mile jaunts I take or 100 yard sprints. I look around I see what seems to be some fast runners. I spot what looks to be some high school xc studs and a few other quick looking Caribbean cats. I decide I'm gonna line up behind them and have at it. I'll keep them within striking distance as long as I can and take it from there. My previous 5k PR is 21:54. 7:04 splits or so. I set a goal of 7 minute splits and a new PR.
The race starts and soon enough I am out at what feels somewhat close to a sprint. The high school xc kids are out in front and the Caribbeans. I stay with them pretty well out of the gate. At the 1k chalk mark on the road there isn't more than 10 people in front of me. I know that in reality, I have gone out far too fast and I will not be able to keep that pace. What I don't know is my actual pace, thankfully.
Before the race, I made a conscious decision not to wear my watch. As I talked to Information Director Mandi after the race about my time, we both were talking about the mental aspect of racing. For me, in the past, I've seen a time in my first kilometer, my first mile and been discouraged. If it was too slow, fuck. If it was too fast I feared an imminent blow up. So, to avoid this over thinking, no watch and just run. I knew after 1k I had less that 15-16 minutes of running to do to hit my goal, so let's do it. Thankfully there were no clocks or no people calling out times on the roads either.
There were only a few hills, and none were of the daunting variety. None at more of an incline than my normal 4-6 mile training loop. Yet at 3k, I was being passed by quite a few people. Do I hook under one of these cats, or do I run my own race? I went with running mu own race, and soon I was at the 2 mile mark and really felt good, feeling that a PR was within reach.
I was running on my own for a few minutes it seemed like. I had a group of 2 about 20 meters ahead, when I passed 4k. And I could faintly hear the mic at the finish line calling people in.
After 4k I was passed by a woman who looked to be in her 50's. Shit!!! What's more, she's breathing better than me and has a better stride. She says as she passes, "Wow that was a long 4k!" I'm thinking, two things. First, the obligatory, "What the fuck?" Second, "Not as long as this last kilometer!" But still I'm recognizing the roads and know that my turn into teh final stretch is coming.
At as I turn onto the road the 50 year old woman has opened up a 15 - 20 second gap on me. But i can start to see the flags for the finish. I start my kick. about 250 meters out. Eventually I hear them announce, "our 3rd place woman finisher!" And I don't feel as terrible about being passed. I don't have time to, cause as I see the numbers on the clock, I know if I finish strong I will PR. I finish off my kick and come through the line at 21:49. A new PR in the 5k by 5 seconds!! Not bad at all considering how I felt before the race.
I walk back to the car to get my phone El Capitan and tell him I succeeded in his birthday gift. I tell him I finished just behind the third place woman, and he mentions the possibility of an age group placing. I gotta admit, I was thinking the same, but didn't want to get my hopes up. Most those who finished ahead seemed 10 years older or ten younger. It didn't seem like a strong 30's race. At the same time, I was terrified of turning 40 since those guys were dusting me, not to mention the 50's female group!!!
The race was put on by Southwest Cafe, so there is a siesta, post race. And lo and behold I get a free beer. Fantastico! As they post results, I realize, holy shit! I need to stick around as I finished 3rd in the 30-39 male age group! And a coveted trophy/paperweight will be mine! I kid you not, it's a chile paper shaped plaque/paperweight. Pics of that to come!!!
Still, a PR and for the first time an age group placing! And that was just the beginning of the weekend for TKWRT as El Capitan finished with a half marathon PR in Chicago! A great weekend for the team, and now the only question that remains is whats next. Getting under 7 splits for a 5k (I already hate 7:01!) and training for the Philadelphia Distance Run on Sept 21 looks most likely. But we'll try to find a few races before then of course.
Final Results:: 21:49 (New PR); 7:01 splits; 28/128 overall; 3rd age group
Current Listening: Heavy Creatures - Loaded Sky
Intro
Yeah, let's try this again.
Let's try this under the auspice of an amateurish training log/race report log/reaction to running times and runners world articles/reaction to flotrack videos/olympic watching/The Kip Winger Running Team communication type of blog.
In keeping with the spirit of amatuerism that I promised, I'll be leaving all those slashes up there. Just because it makes it nearly unreadable.
Is auspice even a word?
Let's try this under the auspice of an amateurish training log/race report log/reaction to running times and runners world articles/reaction to flotrack videos/olympic watching/The Kip Winger Running Team communication type of blog.
In keeping with the spirit of amatuerism that I promised, I'll be leaving all those slashes up there. Just because it makes it nearly unreadable.
Is auspice even a word?
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