Sunday - Marathon

Had a great night of sleep leading into the marathon, and felt good waking up at 5:10am. All the work that could have been done, was done, and it was now time to get after it. I was extremely optimistic about the final product I saw in the mirror and had the confidence to trick myself otherwise if it got tough out there. I wasn't worried about doubt.
The atmosphere had a contagious feel, and fuel the excitement. There was a ton of happy energy and Burlington has a great feel. Main goal after feeling the energy: run smart, don't ruin your race early and fight/dig all the way to the finish. I had A, B and C goals:
A: finish in the top three, first VT and solid time 2:24-2:26;
B: finish in the top 5, first VT and a time I can live with 2:27-2:28;
C: Top 10, 2:28...
I knew there was some good competition in the field, but didn't know anyone's training or race plans other than Pelletier. I'll give him this one, but other than him, I really felt it was wide open for 2nd-5th (the $). So, running smart was a must. The weather was supposed to cooperate and the longer the clouds held together the better off I was going to be.
The race started, and I was convinced I was going to be conservative and start at 5:40's and chill or 10-14 miles there and assess how I was feeling, but I did have a bit of idiocy and got out a little hotter. It wasn't that bad, I was 5:35 on the flat miles with a 10 second deviation between up/down hill miles. The miles were clicking. My parents made the trip and that fueled my energy. I really don't like the idea of not doing my best in front of my parents, I didn't want to waste their day. My dad was super excited and that jacked me up with positives that would be needed greatly at the end. The first ten miles were great: 55:48 and feeling good that I could continue (I should, it's only 10 cussing miles). This thought was awesome and faulty, within two miles the dude I was running with threw down a surge that left me by myself. I got passed by another dude lingering about 10 seconds back the whole first 10, and the clouds opened up. Cussing Christ!
I had a thought that I might be in trouble, but hit the half in 1:13:18. I had the realization that 1:14-1:15 was going to be my reality and I was totally fine with this. Meanwhile I'm still in 14 place (or so I thought).
We created the hill and mile 15 into Battery Park and I noticed a waking dark skinned fellow... African #1 is down and out, just moved up a spot the next 5 miles are brutal, not only hotter than Satan's morning breath but a long way from done. We had to weave in and out of neighborhoods. I started to hold my death march here and it was enough to gap and extend myself from any threats...
As I approached the 20 mile mark, I was in rare form. I was starting to physically struggle and mentally I was having some poor thoughts. I continues to tell myself that there was a lot left and anything could happen. At no point did I feel subject to this theory and as it turned out, I wasn't. I caught some fool who went out with the lead here, and could see that I was going to catch another, African #3 (African #2 dropped out early). By the time I past him I was at 22, certain I was going to die and also certain that I was now in the top 7... I took a large breath and settles my mind that this was going to be ok, and that today was all the effort I had.
Mile 23 had amazing news, one of my all time favorite students was with her family here and started cheering me on which was great. I was on the verge of spilling excellence from my eyes, and their encouragement was enough, and the news that I may be top 7 resurged my excitement. The bike path was littered with friendly faces and strangers very kind and cheering me to the finish. Once I knew where I was I started to get excited. My time was down the tubes, but I really didn't give a cuss at this point. Entering the crowd at the finish I saw Jeff Goupil an Eric MacKnight, hit my voys up for a few high fives, let hem know that im dead and used their cheering and rooting to carry me to the finish. Then, the announcer starts going crazy, literally loosing his cussing mind as he announces my name down the home stretch, "and our fourth overall finisher, but more importantly... Our FIRST VERMONTER!!!..." (No cuss?).
This was amazing news, to hear that I was fourth and first VT was godsend.
Saw Fyffe with a big cuss smile, took a few shots at the crowd, jumped and tagged the finishing banner and had myself a finish! Burlington provided me with a great first marathon experience and it was awesome to train with my two lifers (Greg and Fyffe) and have an overall wicked positive experience. I didn't run the 2:11... Um... 2:24-2:26 I thought I had, but I had fun, and I tried like hell!
I love VT, and I get to be king for a year... Come and get me next year, that crown won't be dusty. Matter o' fact it'll be quite shiny and ready to conquer. I want #1, and so does VT!!!

5m: 27:36
10m: 55:48
13.1m: 1:13.18 (perfect)
20m: 1:53.38 (reality and heat have set in)
26.2m: 2:30.51

Saturday - Burlington

Hell yea... It's finally the weekend. Greg, Fyffe and I planned on meeting up in Burlington early to be there and chilling. We also planned on shaking out a run together and seeing a couple spots on the course. Greg was ambitions and wanted to see the half way point, but like great friends, Fyffe and I talked him into just seeing the start and finish. The finish looked awesome, I had plenty of time to think about my celebratory finishing gestures bc the finish was 200+ meters off lined wild Ferenc lovers.
Burlington really is a cool little city/town. People go wild about Burlington like its some Emerald City of Oz, it's definitely great (best city in New England by far). Being in Burlington with my people was really relaxing. There's nothing to worry about, the work has been done and what will be, will be. Just need to pray to Mother Nature for her to do her thing...

Wednesday - Phantoms

Wednesday was a day without track practice, so I got my girls and headed out to Molly Beattie State Forest for a flat out and back trail run. It was great being in the woods, which really had me thinking of why I'm not hitting up more trail and mountain races, which I plan to do...
Along the way I started getting some phantoms, random pains in places. The universe putting me to the test? Bring it...

Tuesday - Last Glistens of Excellence.

This was going to be my last day of anything of substance. I planned on 4 x 800, ranging from 2:30-2:40...
I did exactly what I set out to and realized along the way that if I ever want to run sub 2:20, it's you going to be a monumental commitment to polishing my awesomeness. (and wicked cussing hard!)

Monday - Biding

Monday was going to be stressful or at least hectic. I had a track meet in Keene and wasn't going to get home until late, had to run and eat. I had planned out to hit the hay early an wake up at 5:10 to acclimate my body to waking up before the marathon. I like the idea of having my body awake and fueled before a race.
Little did I plan on was the bus driver. He left his keys in his wife's car whine she brought him his dinner while at the meet, then drove the keys to Athens VT (45-55min away), leaving me and my track team stranded in Keene until she got home, heard the message , and wait while she drove all the way back to Keene. Suck my big, fat, well trimmed cuss!
This didn't put me at my house until 8:15... 22 minutes of daylight left. No worries, I shook it out for a great 7 miler, salvaged my day and started to solidify my race plan.

Weekend Lead In - Wrap Up Prep for VCM

I've been lost in business trying to get ready for who the hell knows what of a marathon. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday have been lost. But Sunday was a big day for great things.
Fyffe and I planned to run the a part of the Grafton course. I am renaming this road, Marathon Road, bc it is the best road running loop to train for a marathon around. Every other stud runner has a marathon road, why not me?
We parked in the village and ran out to the 5 mile mark in 6:10-6:20 pace. This stretch of road is awesome and scenic. The work to be done is 3 miles on at or just below marathon pace. Naturally, Fyffe is involved so we are going to run well below the expectation. The first mile was relaxed, but like I said, hot: 5:05. We weren't worried, this pace for 3 miles doesn't scare... We did decide to chill just a bit, but stay honest the second mile: 5:13. Knowing there was a mile to go worth of effort we held our pace. Once the finish was visible we opened the stride and closed in 4:58 with minimal effort. felt awesome an the last workout is in the bag before the VCM.

Tuesday - Brick Tamland Can Suck It

The weather will not abide. The universe is seriously challenging me and testing me in ways I don't like or fully understand. The days I'm unmotivated the weather blows. It's a bunch of cockchaos horse puckey. I wasn't into it today but needed to wrap my head around running 10. I'm starting a quasi-taper going into the marathon. I planned on running with Greg and Fyffe and we were going to meet in West West. I got there a bit early, then Fyffe. I asked if Greg was making the run and he wasn't. He got out of practice late. This did send a spike of emotions, and they were: dread, bc it's just me and Fyffe and Fyffe is scared to death of 7 minute pace; annoyance, bc Fyffe is allergic to 6:50 pace; pissy, bc Fyffe and 6:40 pace don't get along or play well together; FECK!, bc it's just ME with Fyffe who only feels cussing comfortable at cussing 5:11 pace... FECK x 4.7 = FyffeRunsFast...
But... On getting out of his car, Fyffe opened the back up and took out his bike...(?) What the cuss?
Fyffe has turf toe from his Sunday long run (at cussing 4:21 pace, about), and didn't want me to run on my own... Hetero love between two dudes is ok and important... I didn't want to race, I mean run, fast today and this was going to turn out to be perfect. Motivation was there and expectations of running fast were riding a bike next to me.
I ran our normal West West 10 in 62 and change gabbing the whole time about cuss and cuss in the rain and did work. Salvaging a day is alway great.

Monday - Pumped Up Kicks

Woke up feeling great. Usually after an up and down roller race there is some soreness but I didn't have that. I survived a day at school and a track meet for my future trackstars and had a 7 mile run planned with Najem.
We met at my house and didn't have a lot of time before a meeting with Boj and Larry Sayers at the brew pub for wings. Najem and I got out the door quick. I jabbered like a monkey in a tree about the race on the way out then about a fem I met a time in Burlington on the way back. Both stories were enjoyable to discuss with outcomes similar.
The cussbag Celtics are still in the playoffs, so Boj got there ahead of us to see the start of the game. Larry was there also by the time we rolled in, fashionably on time. I was in deep, and needed to eat. If I was a drug addict I would have overdosed a long time ago, but I'm not and I fill the void with eating. The new diet is righteous, and I'm over the limited meat, but wings... Cuss was on. I'm a disgusting human, and consumed 40 wings. What's alarming is that I truly believe I could have crushed 10-15 more without a thought. If they were in front of me I would have crushed them. I truly am a specimen...

Sunday - Over the Hills

Early wake up: 5:40 to head northwest to Huntington VT for the first race of the mountain series. As stated previous, the who's who of the scene were all in attendance. There was a great field of dudes (and I bet some good fems if I paid any attention). The race plan was a very simple one: try and get after it early and get away. Kevin Tilton can climb and Jim's got "it" and that will change from race to race as he's versatile. No offense to anyone else, (and if you're offended than go cuss yourself!) but these two uses were the only ones on my radar.
The race was essentially three loops, with one climb per loop and stretches of rolling meadow field trails. My plan was to break away as early as possible and get out of site, or try to. No one seemed to like this plan, bc I didn't get very far without company. I manages to gap (not gape) the field, but on the second uphill (or ascent for all you cussing elitists) it was all thick mud, real thick and very difficult to get any traction. I felt like I was in a Looney Tunes episode running/spinning in place. I had a good gap, but by meters into the hill I could feel KT just warming up to catch me, and Jim licking his chops. I looked back and saw a lead, 10 slips later I looked back and KT was coming faster than a southern linemen to a buffet with collards, yams and fried catfish. A deep thought went through my head, "cuss..."
Kevin caught me and went right by (not even a cussing hello, haha) but the top of the hill was closer than not. There was a very runnable section at the top and I was able to get back into my stride and regain the lead. With a lot of runnable flats and gradual downhills I was able to really open up. I kept tellin myself to sprint every chance and keep rolling.
I was never sure where the polar bears were but I was fortunate to have a good day and hold on for a W... Then again, this race was at the World Mtn Running Champs house; who runs for the evilest of evil empires the BAA; and is also sponsored by the most mythical legendary beast there is, the unicorn. Did you really think mere mortal beasts such as polar bears could disrupt the flow of magical essence from the queen of the mountains herself in her kingdom? I'm thankful for Kasie's presence... (or I was very fortunate to have a good day against great runners :) The truth tastes funny to me)
The picture is for Jim, so now he can read my bull cuss and idiocy in peace with a pic.

Sunday - Over the Hills

Early wake up: 5:40 to head northwest to Huntington VT for the first race of the mountain series. As stated previous, the who's who of the scene were all in attendance. There was a great field of dudes (and I bet some good fems if I paid any attention). The race plan was a very simple one: try and get after it early and get away. Kevin Tilton can climb and Jim's got "it" and that will change from race to race as he's versatile. No offense to anyone else, (and if you're offended than go cuss yourself!) but these two uses were the only ones on my radar.
The race was essentially three loops, with one climb per loop and stretches of rolling meadow field trails. My plan was to break away as early as possible and get out of site, or try to. No one seemed to like this plan, bc I didn't get very far without company. I manages to gap (not gape) the field, but on the second uphill (or ascent for all you cussing elitists) it was all thick mud, real thick and very difficult to get any traction. I felt like I was in a Looney Tunes episode running/spinning in place. I had a good gap, but by meters into the hill I could feel KT just warming up to catch me, and Jim licking his chops. I looked back and saw a lead, 10 slips later I looked back and KT was coming faster than a southern linemen to a buffet with collards, yams and fried catfish. A deep thought went through my head, "cuss..."
Kevin caught me and went right by (not even a cussing hello, haha) but the top of the hill was closer than not. There was a very runnable section at the top and I was able to get back into my stride and regain the lead. With a lot of runnable flats and gradual downhills I was able to really open up. I kept tellin myself to sprint every chance and keep rolling.
I was never sure where the polar bears were but I was fortunate to have a good day and hold on for a W... Then again, this race was at the World Mtn Running Champs house; who runs for the evilest of evil empires the BAA; and is also sponsored by the most mythical legendary beast there is, the unicorn. Did you really think mere mortal beasts such as polar bears could disrupt the flow of magical essence from the queen of the mountains herself in her kingdom? I'm thankful for Kasie's presence... (or I was very fortunate to have a good day against great runners :) The truth tastes funny to me)
The picture is for Jim, so now he can read my bull cuss and idiocy in peace with a pic.

Saturday - The Calm

Headed to Vermont Academy for some mellow single track trails. They are well kept by a group of mtn bikers. Brought the girls and chilled and easy 5. Opted on not racing the 5k so I have that extra 1% in me to climb with (from the mind of Greg). Tomorrows course looks cool and the race venue has some great funkiness, it's the 802, do of course. This will be my first mtn race in long time, but, I'm your huckleberry.

Friday - Frieday

It was more like I was fried. The week was long and stressful and I was hoping for a relaxing run in Pisgah with Greg and Fyffe. It was a great run, but could not get over the way I was feeling. Every once in a while the gods try and humble me. It gets annoying having some outside force keep tryin to reduce me to a mere mortal human. The plan was the Doolittle lollipop and a mixture of items made it so I wanted to be done more than I wanted to be out there.
It was great though, I was going to run a 5k in the next town on a very flat course (out and back) then head to Huntington VT for a mountain race. Huntington is home to the unicorn queen of the mountains Kasie Enman.
I knew Jim Johnson and Kevin Tilton would be in attendance which will make for a day. Greg used some good angles to get me to not race the 5k and hit the trails and bumps fresh. I wasn't totally on board with this idea, but figured it couldn't hurt to chill on a Saturday and give those two mountain goats my 100%. If you want to know about their training read their cussing blogs...

Wednesday - Helter Skelt

Wednesday was righteously hectic. School blew, I had the girls meet and not sure if I had enough adults to cover it, I had to run and eat.
Survived school. Hustled up to the track to get cuss set up for the meet. It's awesome that over the years a little tradition had started where the Keene State runners come out and help. This is huge and this year was the most important and 7 came out to help, including Najem. Thomas Paquette rounded up a posse and it was great. They also bring shoes and clothes for kids that don't have enough. Sarah Titus helped clerk the meet while the others timed and made the meet a record, for real, in length. The whole meet was over in 2 hours. There were 10 schools present. F N A.
After we go for pizza. Then Greg, Najem and I zipped out 5 miles. I felt great, considering I crushed pizza moments before. Hell yea...

Tuesday - Exodus

Thank god for friends. Today was an unmotivated day. With the idea of having a down week, I also planned on a day of rest. God took a day, so why the cuss can't I? But, today wasn't that day and I was thankful Greg came out for a run. We decided on the Sap Lines run which is around 1:30-1:35. Great run and with all the vibrant green popping, it made for great scenery. The green is loud and awesome. The best part of the whole run comes at the end when you reach the mountain that sits directly behind my house. On the top of the mountain it looks like something out of a fairy tale. I mixture of Legend and Lord of the Rings. Trees are scattered but there is thick meadow grass... Looks awesome. Then you come down a very cool switchback trail, before linking to the main trail and a mile to go. Great way to end a day that almost hit the boos as a 0.

Monday - Wild Salmon

Then plan was a down week coming off a workout week like that. Monday is wings day and I had to seed the times for the middle school meet on Wednesday, so Boj came out for a run, wings and help with the heats.
We drove to Vermont Academy to run their trails. The VA trails are considered flat for the area and was a great place for a 5 mile recover. Boj was cool with running recovery pace with me so it all worked out.
Najem met us for wings at the Pleasant Valley Brew Pub and I dominated those roasted hens. I also taught my students the wild salmon, and immediately wished I didn't, but you don't win teacher of the year by sitting back and playing it safe. I live on the edge...

Sunday - Faust

22 mile run with the last 10 at marathon goal pace.
Greg, Fyffe, George and I set off from the Goose Pond parking lot in Keene with Boj on the bike to run to the start of the DeMar marathon. Goose Pond puts us seconds away from the 12 mile mark, and makes it so we run by Bretwood Golf Course, Rt 12A, and a very scenic beginning to the marathon along a river and some open fields with farms. The weather was perfect and invited the idea of encouragement.
Fyffe calls these runs "skull crushers," which alway makes me smile to hear. The run out was a steady and solid 6:45 pace and was very conversational. I opted to wear the kicks I'd be throwing down with at VCM to give them a little play. I was innerly focused and determined to hit this workout and do it well.
The run brought us to the 1 mile mark and that would be our start on the run back. We decided that we would run the 10 miles back and cool down the last mile. All in all, 22. These are all wheeled and certified miles, which I prefer, since I'm a certified roller.
The change in gears felt great. It was like holding a fart, leaning over and give easing it out... Just relaxing.
Our mile splits were a bit erratic the first... 8 miles. Haha. We did not get a consistent mile mark early on. At 2 we were 11ish (we didn't get a true split, or I didn't), then from 2-6 miles we settled and ran 22:44. This is slower than I was hoping for or felt would be ideal comfort, but when the time comes, I'm committed to running comfortable and I'll know what's ugly then. Fyffe and Greg changed their workout plan a hair and stopped at 6 miles to refuel and recover before charging on. I was committed to this workout all week and was set that I needed it to go well. I was married to the idea that if the workout was a success then my race was foretold to be a success.
Boj stuck with me as I continued on. The mile markers were all visible after 6, so it made me feel more at ease. This was a very runnable section with long flats and slight down hills. A few bumps but nothing that would break the rhythm. It was inevitable, I knew I was going to run well, and was happy with how I felt and my next few splits. 7mile: 5:20
8mile: 5:26
9mile: 5:25
10mile: 5:20
By my watch this puts my last 10 miles at 55:00. This was encouraging and exactly what I was looking for. The was a Mowgli run, just staring it down, no fear of what will be, and not losing focus. Certified roller...

Saturday - Marriage of Heaven and Hell

William Blake has a good piece of literature on this. I also feel I can relate, not to just the title of his works, but the content as well. The title is inviting to think about... As any human, real human, I'm dealing with the good and the bad of myself everyday. What to put in my unbelievably sculpted Mt Olympus temple called my body that will improve my overall well being. There are too many temptations, too many delicious naughties I loath for...
The same question is also lingering: what will be best for my training?
All this lead up and deep transcendental thoughts from the delves of the deepest recesses of my awesomeness to say that I ran a small 5k in the always beautiful Acworth NH. This was a 5k that had to be run, and I felt a bit of effort needed to be put into it. Not a lot of effort bc I had a run the next day that I wanted to Mowgli ((stare down and conquer (true Kipling Mowgli, not the animation)). But I also had to win by enough to not give any false hopes to scalpers.
The course was rolling and the first mile was a good mile to run fast, I opted for about 5:12, took a peeky-poo behind me and saw lonely road and just chilled. I will be honest, it did feel faster than the 17:04 end time would state. It rolled but not that much, so when I chilled I might have chilled a bit too much, but who gives a flying pig cuss, I got work to do tomorrow.

Friday - Illusionist

This was the first day all week I was able to meet up with Fyffe for a run. The plan, from Fyffe's own mouth, easy 10, in West West. Met Fyffe as planned, raced Fyffe for 10 miles, not as planned. I was planning on chilling a 5k in Acworth NH the next day and wanted to have a chill day before my weekend. This was a solid run, which I could have run much slower, but, Fyffe is an illusionist: makes you think one thing, while other things are in the works... Fyffe is just like Jesus... Jesus Quintana, he can roll!

Thursday - Clock Tower

Today was an unbelievably stressful day at the institution. I'm for real, if I didn't have running I would have enjoyed the idea of climbing a clock tower and wasting some mother cussers. but, I do have running, yet this run started all too stressful. For starters, Ellie fell behind within the first 2 minutes. I parked at the rail bed looking to run a loop that has the first 5 on the rail bed then loops up in the woods for a 6 mile jug handle.
Ellie finally became disinterested in running 400 meters behind and started to keep up. Just as this happened and I'm dog voicing, "oh my pretty babies is so good, good girl. Elliebabes wants to run with her daddy now..." (said in typical dog lover voices), Lena is scene rolling like an alligator in some black mud puddle. One, gross; two, cute; three... There is a black plastic bag in this puddle? Yea, some shlong choking bag of cuss put a dead skunk in a black trash bag and threw it on the side of the trail. And yes, the bag obviously has to have a hole in it big enough to fit Ron Jeremy and his favorite football team's cusses, and yes, Lena is rolling in the heinous concoction of mud, mud water, Noah's Arc's fecal matter and a mother cussing dead skunk... That sucked.
After that, the run went awesome... Ran an old trail loop from when I lived in the W and was able to relax (only bc I did finally get to Lena, many miles later, and she didn't smell as bad as I thought).
Was able to call it a solid 11, just shy of 12...

Wednesday - Wicked Wander

Wednesday's has turned into a workout day for me during this prep for VCM but my body was feeling something else. I didn't feel the need for a workout today and figured that a rugged 18 miler on the trails of Avalonia would suffice. This plan was true also and was just that. It was a bear of a run, well over 2 hours, and was a great day with later plans in the week an all systems go.
It was great to lazily, yet still turned out to be both solid effort and pace, the miles. Whether it were up, down, left or right, I just kept in mind to just roll some miles. I missed a long run during the weekend, due to the 10k race, and wanted time on my feet with a challenge run.

Tuesday - All For The Ladies

Today was a day for the ladies, or really the girls. I had zero energy or motivation to move from the couch, let alone run. I figured the day was going to be a wash. The weather was annoying, I was exhausted and mentally was over it and out of it.
I did the best thing I could think of for my girls and sat on the porch while they ran around the yard. This was cute and good for a hot second before I felt like a failed parent. I wasn't doing all I could for them, and I was going against my gameplay of doing everything possible to roll out in Burlington. The remedy: new running scenery. We got in the truck and grade for Grafton. Grafton has some great energy and great places to run. I drove out to the power lines and mapped a run in my head. I was going to run the dirt road into Windham, turn right onto another dirt road which intersects the power lines and run the power lines bak to my truck. I have never been on this section of power lines but knew it was probably going to be awesome.
The whole run was awesome, it was just what I, my body and mind needed. It was about an 8 mile loop, and then I added on an addition mile to get 9. The whole run I just kept getting feelings of being refreshed. My body felt great and overall was the best decision of day.
This was a simple run, nothing epic or too wildly awesome, but may be one of the best runs of the year bc of how it went down. It erased a whole day of stress and tiredness and overall being of unmotivated. I must have looked nuts, but had a smile on my face the whole run and had inner feeling of pure happiness.
Now, it would be me if I didn't conquer some adverse thoughts on the run. Here was the thought: I'm an underdog in this marathon. There are plenty of proven runners and I haven't put too much together this season in the results. This fired me up a tad.
I began thinking, "I'm an underdog?"
Yea right, no way! I'm an underdog to everyone except me. (That just happened!)
My plans are big, my mouth is big, my balls are big and I know what's storm is brewing... Get an umbrella bc I'm about to reign!