Today was the start of refocusing the training, the body, the mind and all energy. Greg had an awesome idea of trying to clip 1000 miles this summer. As teachers we have the summers to reenergize and ten weeks (at 100+ miles) of runs sounds like a plan. I got a head start on Greg bc he still has school, but I took advantage of my situation and logged some solid miles today.
I met up with Larry Legend Sayers for a long 5 miles on the Vermont Academy trails. I had some great news to share and was ready and focused on "re"getting after it. In the evening, Greg and Najem came out to run a standard 13. This is one of Boj's favorite runs, and I his nude day (birthday) we celebrated by running it for him. The morning run was a nice shake out, while the afternoon run was HOT. The girls, Ellie and Lena, also joined us and had a fun time. It has been some time since they have joined the group for runs, so it was great o see them all over the trails. The neighbors pooch, Whistle, also joined. Dude is a trooper and always is ready for a good time.
We ran a decent to fast time for the loop (no FKT, but faster than normal) and it was a more "quiet" run than normal.
At 55 minutes I was tired, and didn't have a lot left to climb with. Greg and Najem seemed just fine with clicking it back and we chilled in. (when I say chill, I mean "focused" on getting the cuss done!).
Monday's is always fun bc we hit the smallest wings in the world up at the local pub. Summer of miles is starting the right way...
News Flash: I have been selected for the USA Long Distance Mountain Team, and I'm slated to race with USA on my chest in Interlaken, Switzerland at the Jungfrau Marathon this September!!! Very fortunate and very excited to be able to travel and run in the Alps again.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Sunday - Post Hill Climb
It was in the cards to run with Fyffe and Greg Sunday and I was stoked to get back to the tradition of Sunday runs together. I had boat loads of news and planned on taking them step by step (oooooh baby, Gonna get to you girl....)(and literally, I was going to dissect every step of the hill climb!). So we headed to Westminster West to stroll the Pinnacle trails. These trials link from my house all the way to within a couple miles of Fyffe's house. 20+ miles of trails.
We cruised an easy 12, an hit the Pinnacle on the way back to check out the view. It was a great day, especially bc I didn't use the AK, and the legs felt great. Well, great for having run the hill the day before. They were sluggish and a bit flat, but otherwise felt better than I could/would guess.
We cruised an easy 12, an hit the Pinnacle on the way back to check out the view. It was a great day, especially bc I didn't use the AK, and the legs felt great. Well, great for having run the hill the day before. They were sluggish and a bit flat, but otherwise felt better than I could/would guess.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Saturday - Mt Washington
The running and fitness is rolling right now and I wanted to take a shot and see how I would stack up against the other elites. I had some lofty, yet realistic, goals leading into W (let it be reminded, I did a marathon recently; no marathon = totally different goals): I believe(d) I have a 1% chance to be in the top 5; 25% chance to be top 10; 50% chance to run smart and; god only knows...
My other thoughts were that I wanted to run respectable, based on my fitness level, and run well on flat legs.
I wanted to get out slow and literally go for a training run and assess how I felt each mile. I also, didn't want to get past by anyone the entire race and be the dude that would be picking people off.
The conditions were perfect and the stage was set. At the gun I immediately had two thoughts pop in my head:
1. If it goes bad, drop out; followed by
2. Never think that again and roll.
The first pack was gone at the gun. I was chillin with the ladies for the first half mile before I started to settle into my effort and stride.
I felt great, the breathing was relaxed and even though my legs were flat as flat could be, I was doing it! I was passing people the whole first half and hit half way around 32:45, which was right around PR pace! Place was out the window, and the 1% chance was out too. This was relaxing, and I was able to keep picking people off. Each mile after half way, I continued to clip dudes and roll right past them. At 5 miles I caught my bro Jim Johnson and could see exciting news ahead: Justin Freeman and Nate Jenkins... I got Freeman right at 5 and was really rolling. Each mile was easy, still flat, but relaxed and moving.
I didn't have anything in the tank when it was time to get poppy and get after it, there was no pop, so... Jenkins was able to finish just ahead of me. The race is only 7.6, not 7.7...
Oh well, runners rarely say it, (I never do), but this was the best race (execution) I could have run. I had no rights running 1:06 on such flat legs, but was able to stay relaxed and roll.
It is always cool to exceed your egos expectations. Hell of a day, insane depth, great dudes (some turds) and a wicked positive experience. Glad I could come back and run well. My mindset leading in was, "the worst thing that can happen is I end up on top of Mt Washington..." Ain't too bad how it ended up.
My other thoughts were that I wanted to run respectable, based on my fitness level, and run well on flat legs.
I wanted to get out slow and literally go for a training run and assess how I felt each mile. I also, didn't want to get past by anyone the entire race and be the dude that would be picking people off.
The conditions were perfect and the stage was set. At the gun I immediately had two thoughts pop in my head:
1. If it goes bad, drop out; followed by
2. Never think that again and roll.
The first pack was gone at the gun. I was chillin with the ladies for the first half mile before I started to settle into my effort and stride.
I felt great, the breathing was relaxed and even though my legs were flat as flat could be, I was doing it! I was passing people the whole first half and hit half way around 32:45, which was right around PR pace! Place was out the window, and the 1% chance was out too. This was relaxing, and I was able to keep picking people off. Each mile after half way, I continued to clip dudes and roll right past them. At 5 miles I caught my bro Jim Johnson and could see exciting news ahead: Justin Freeman and Nate Jenkins... I got Freeman right at 5 and was really rolling. Each mile was easy, still flat, but relaxed and moving.
I didn't have anything in the tank when it was time to get poppy and get after it, there was no pop, so... Jenkins was able to finish just ahead of me. The race is only 7.6, not 7.7...
Oh well, runners rarely say it, (I never do), but this was the best race (execution) I could have run. I had no rights running 1:06 on such flat legs, but was able to stay relaxed and roll.
It is always cool to exceed your egos expectations. Hell of a day, insane depth, great dudes (some turds) and a wicked positive experience. Glad I could come back and run well. My mindset leading in was, "the worst thing that can happen is I end up on top of Mt Washington..." Ain't too bad how it ended up.
Trojan Wrap Up
Let's wrap it up, shall we...? It's been a few weeks since the marathon and I have even doing what I do best: be awesome. School was wrapping up, thank god and all other dietys, and I was also wrapping my head around chillin and doing nothing but train (so my ego and swag will be justified).
Over the last couple weeks I haven't done a lot in the running aspect. I literally ran 5 times and biked 3 rides. That is great prep for Mt. Washington, right? Hell yea. Ain't no thang anyways. I had some great ideas for Washington and capitalizing on them were essential in order to attain success. Coincidentally, success is all I wear.
Over the last couple weeks I haven't done a lot in the running aspect. I literally ran 5 times and biked 3 rides. That is great prep for Mt. Washington, right? Hell yea. Ain't no thang anyways. I had some great ideas for Washington and capitalizing on them were essential in order to attain success. Coincidentally, success is all I wear.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
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
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
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
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...
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...
Along the way I started getting some phantoms, random pains in places. The universe putting me to the test? Bring it...
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