Drexler

This was an epic week for running, not just with events all over the world, but more importantly: my training. I got swelled this week in my training and it was awesome. 

I've also have come to the conclusion (unfortunate?) that I'm a lot like Clyde Drexler (hang with me). I want to be epic and roll on anyone, anywhere and anytime, but I'm not Michael Jordan. Don't get me wrong, I've got more confidence than a crocodile has orneriness due to all then teeth and no tooth brush, but still not Jordan in some of my adventures. But I think I should be! That's how I'm like Hall of Famer Drexler. Drexler has a great quote: "what can MJ do that I can't do?", I feel the same way... What can someone do that I can't do: nothin'! 

But results wise, I'm more Drexler than Jordan, still cussing epic and a fan favorite, but I'm missing something. An to be cussing honest, not sure what it is yet, but know its something. 

True story: I'm a better  shooter than either of those dudes! 

Monday - Greg and I Voltroned and hustled to the White Mtns to trek a bit above tree line. We opted to roll on the Franconia  Ridge via the Flume Trail (which was a cuss load of climbing) to Mt Flume, then to Mt Liberty to Little Haystack to Mt Lincoln to Mt Lafayette (what the cuss did Lafayette do as a presi to get an epic Mt monument? Cuss, Lincoln killed mother cussing bloodsuckers, Lafayette must have been a huge pig pimp!). 

The run was awesome. We really didn't have a plan but I texted Kevin Tilton and he had some very valuable info on where to go. Direct quote, "do not go down Flume trail!" Thank god I believed him, it was like Huntington Ravine (remember how that worked out, cuss I do!). The upper part of the Flume trail was gnarly and wicked slippery. At one point, as Greg and I 5.13 rock climbing, Greg shakes his head and says, "we should really be running this..." Hahaha!!!

Once we got to the fabled Franconia Ridge it was awesome. We took our time and stopped to check out sites but still got work done. Total miles on the GPS was 16.2, and running time was 3:56, great day. 

Yup!

Tuesday - I work up feeling good, a little tired, but good enough to roll out 10 miles on the power lines (very hilly). 

Had Rob/White Zombie's, More Human Than Human, stick in my head and that was accurate. I felt more human than invincible, but that wore off fast and I was back to my normal self. 

Wednesday - in the morning I ventured to GP to roll a lazy 6 miles with the girls. Felt good to shake it out and run slow. 

In the afternoon I hustled to Keene to bandit outlaw a Wednesday workout. Teamed up with Greg, Najem and Andy McCarron (great to see he's back), to run 5 x 1000m with 200m rest. They did 6, as I was thinking about racing and pillaging the rest of the week. 

We ran at 5:20 pace for the 1000's and I felt great for each one. It was fun to run with the guys, but def do not like track work, and just don't like being on the track. I know it's important in my global domination scheme so I'll persevere. 

Thursday - Banged out an easy 9 miles in the morning on the GP trails with the girls. The trails are great bc they are not that hilly and it's great to chase a few way miles. 

In the afternoon I met up with one of the Moore boys for a run up Hartley Hill. This was a run to the top for him in his prep for XC season. He'll be tough this year along with his bro and will be a ton of fun to watch and root for! 

This run tagged me for 9 so an 18 mile day was perfect. 

Saturday - Voltroned with Greg in Pisgah to check out the 50k trail race course. I'm leaning towards this race and wanted to see what the course looked like early in the race (I know how the last 10 miles are). Could be a cool race to do, just want to make sure the temple is ready to roll by then. 

We ran the first 21 miles of the course and it was great. I ran with my Ultimate Direction "Hipster" hydration vest (which is really awesome). We seemed to have taken our time and ran honest when the terrain allowed. Great run and felt awesome during it.

Having seen the first part of the course makes me want to do the race. We will see what shape I carve myself into the next few weeks. 

Sunday - I chatted with Heidi Westerling/Over about a 24 mile road run. This sounded fine to me as she just wanted the miles and didn't care about pace, so I was in. We tackled the Marathon Road, but in the town of Grafton we hit a side loop to add on the 4.5 missing miles. This loop brings you right back onto the Marathon Road, and the run was awesome. 

I got a chance to hear a out her recent few races, one being in Costa Rica, and it was fun to run that distance with someone. 

This was an awesome week! 114 miles... I'm recovered and ready to melt faces and devour souls. Cuss yea!!!

VII

This was a week of transitions, from Europe to the States and recovering the body. The main recovery was acclimating back to the time difference. That was the toughest part, I was physically fine but very sleepy at weird points in the day. 

So, when I was tired, I rested and when I was restless, I was moving. 

The week started in Czech Rep. and ended in Saxtons River VT. 

Monday - I fell in love with Praha and wanted to Ron Jeremy this opportunity (deeply balls deep) and take advantage of my surroundings. 

I woke up early Monday and fitted my Ultimate Direction pack with some light scratch ($), a drink and my iPhone to clip some pics of this awesome medieval city. The previous day was a travel day with the the team from Wales which followed a mountain marathon. So... I hustled around Praha for a legit 10 miles. I hit up every section of the old city and nabbed the highest point also. 

The legs responded nicely but were fatigued, but like the wildness that I am, I was fine to hustle around the city. 

Tuesday - after a very long day of traveling I ventured to Keene to be a guest speaker at a XC camp and run a few with the campers. 

It was a perfect recovery day and ran 4 miles at a great recovery pace. Had a slight pinch in my knee but was convinced it was from the way I was sitting on the plane. 

It's around this time that reality starts to set back in and I find myself missing the high I was flying on. Coming down off of a high that high is tough but I had my mind set at getting wildly vicious with the training and get back after it fiercer than ever. Fires hot, lets feed it. 

Wednesday - this week was a transition back to high miles with speed and strength infused into a Ferenc cuss fest of awesome. 

Recovery is important, so Fyffe and I only bagged 5 in Putney. This week really feels like I'm just revving the engine. 

Thursday - ventured to Grafton Ponds for a great 10 miles on the GP trails and then linked up to the Lost Trail. 

Later in the day I brought the girls to Vermont Academy to roll some 200's (8) on the cinder track. The goal was to stride out and run 37-39 secs for each 200. Felt very good on the strides, cuss yea! 

Friday - Voltroned with Greg at the covert culvert in Putney for an hour. This loop is rolling with great stretches to roll. It seems every time Greg and I run here it is raining, which today was. Felt good to roll and run road pace, stride felt good and my mind is hungry. 

Saturday - had a VT getaway weekend planned, so I hustled to Ledge Rd for the Lost Trail 10 miler. Legs are bouncing back and I'm loving the idea of longer racing/races. But, there are some shorter races in the horizon along with the longer distances. 

Total miles for the week: 60 miles, after the week of my goal race and my whole being/body of the summer! Time to get WILD!!!

Dobré

This last adventure was just that: an adventure. There were a lot of unknowns going into this years World Mountain Marathon Championships in Szklarska Poręba, Poland and I was excited for any and all challenges. 

My "Ferenc" family heritage comes from this region of the world, more specifically Slovakia in the Tatras Mountains but very close nonetheless. So this trip had a very special aspect, essentially I was going to the land of my grandfather and it held special meaning. 

The whole trip was navigated through Prague (Praha), Czech Rep. This beautiful city is only 90 miles away from the race site in Poland, which looked like a no brainer to hit up the area of my heritage. Little did I know, traveling the 90 miles to Poland would be a cussing cluster cuss. Communication was insanely difficult (zero to infinitesimal amounts of American) once I left Praha city and the true adventure started. 

I hit up the train station and tough laborious communication finalized my ticket to Poland. It was to be a 4 hour, many train trip and I thought, cuss yea, adventure time. 

Wednesday: The first train out of Praha was 15 cars long. By half way, Tunvald CZ, I had to change trains and the train was down to 8 cars. Every stop after that the train got smaller and smaller and by my last stop into Harrochov CZ, my train was a single car with me being the only passenger. 

Northern Czech still seemed not too far removed from WWII, everything was overgrown and the buildings were very old looking, it was cussing awesome!

I found a map (after unsuccessfully trying to communicate) and found my destination. I man tried to draw a map on his hand, which was a cuss show, but he did have the great info of the direction I needed to hoof it to Poland (as the last train to Poland wouldn't be coming for almost 3 hours). The map seemed to show that I was 8k away, I said cuss it, and started walking. 

Figured there would be a border crossing to check into Poland, but I was on a trail in the woods, therefore, no such thing: I walked into Poland, cuss yea!!!

The race site village was a very small and very cool little place carved into the mountains that split Poland and Czech Rep. I found my hotel (I had been up for 26 straight hours at this point) settled in, then headed back to look around before bed. The next day all my American teammates will be arriving (same with other countries) and hanging out will commence. We planned a TeamUSA course preview the next day and I was excited to meet my fellow teammates that we would be racing for come Saturday. 

Thursday: On Thursday, the other counties started to arrive and first was Wales. I befriended these guys the year before and these dudes are righteous and a ton of fun. We caught up and shot the cuss and it was great to see these guys. Following Wales many more teams started rolling and and then the Americans. Dave James was the first one I met (later to be called the Big System, and a hetero-life mate). Dave and I are very similar, especially in the way we both say and do things you wish you could: we are the dudes that say the things you're thinking and worry about the content and do the things you wish you could do but also worry about the content. 

I ran 45 minutes in the morning just to get up on the mtn (I was anxious as cuss) and was excited to run with my teammates later too. After a quick bite, The Big System, Zac Freudenburg and myself hit the mtn. Earlier in the morning I took the chairlift to the top and buzzed around the course, we elected to run the first climb (5-8k) then take the chairlift down. We did half this, but by the time we got to the lift it had stopped running, cuss my ozone, we have to run down! I ended the day with just over 3 hours of running with only 1 (one mother cussing) recovery day before the race: awesome. 

This worried me a little, then I remembered: I'm the Last Hero an Only Hope SO I was fine. 

Friday: on Friday we all met for a nice USA breakfast and plan for a small run. I didn't want to run anything further than 5 miles and def wanted to soak in the cold cuss river flowing through town. Both were accomplished! Cuss yea!!! The river saved my legs and mind and I was ready to devour the souls of the spirits flowing through the course. 

This area has a rich tradition and spiritual belief in a spirit of the woods, cussing gnarly. There are two, one being a gnarly blend of animals (which is the symbol of the town and has antlers of a deer, the head of an eagle, the body of a deer an the legs of a goat: super cussing awesome) and the other is an old man of the woods/mountains and his wife. The old man kind and forgiving while his wife has horns, a devils tale and a pitchfork, the old man will guide you and his wife is vengeful and mean (any truths?) haha. 

The spirits of the universe are kind to me in the woods so I was fueled with awesome energy. 

Friday was chill, the opening ceremonies was awesome and TeamUSA was ready to rock. At the ceremony I hung out with Gabe Rodriguez and it was awesome to chat and relax. Gabe is a super awesome dude and I was very excited to be on a USA team with him. When hanging with him it felt like I was chilling with a relative I haven't seen in a while but you pick up where you left off. 

We had a TeamUSA meeting the night before I go over some logistics and race plan ideas and then call it a night. I was feeling super exited and anxious and not at all worried, which was great feedback that I would be having a great day. 

The course was tough, but made even tougher by the footing. A lot of very large cobblestones (2ft x 3ft) with gaps that would break your ankle in between each. Then on the single track, it was littered with sharp protruding rocks, so paying attention the whole race was a must. There were some sections on a cinder-type gravel which meant "open it up and relax," and was a course very much suited for me and all the work I put in. 

Saturday: the weather was set to be hot, 85-90 degrees. This was a bit daunting but it was to be hot for everyone, so attrition would be important. 

Race Plan: I told myself to go for a run with Greg and Fyffe and just run casual bc eventually, "casual" will become an effort. If there is anything left, cash in and bury the needle. I want to finish running well. 

I had 4 GU's pinned to my shorts and I was set to roll. 

The first climb is up a gradual ski slope then we turn off to an access road, then to a technical trail to the top of the ridge where the first water stop was. The course is an out and back, with three water stops where you hit the first two on the way back. 

At the first water stop I had slowly made my way into the top 20. On the climb I was in a large pack of about 40. I power walked when necessary out of choice (not bc I was forced to, but to conserve energy) and made it to the top feeling great. This next section rolled and by 10k I was comfortable with my effort and feeling good.

The next 10k was very difficult as far as footing but I was still in the mix of the pack I had started with. My buddy from Wales (who would go on to finish 2nd!) was being extra conservative. Here we are at about 12k (you have to squint):

At the turn around I was feeling great, Zac was in third and I was moving towards top 20! This was very exciting but also tough to control as I wanted to get after it. My "casual" pace was now a focused race pace and I was thankful for running smart early. It was now super hot and the water stops were very far apart as I needed more the way back in. Jason Bryant got super amped when he saw me and yelled for me to get tough and get after it. This was inspiring and Jason def had a face of passion I didn't want to disappoint. This was extra fuel to continue racing smart: the finish is a long ways away and a lot can happen. 

The third 10k was very tough. The footing, the mountain climbs and the heat were taking a toll. 

Any water on the side of the trail I was in. I was becoming desperate, and each ice cold spring or trickle was a savior. Just before 30k (and a very long, paved, steep climb (15-20min climb)) there was a pipe with ice cold water pumping out. I stopped for a few extra seconds to soak my head. My feeling was: better take a few extra seconds here then let it cost you multiple minutes later. This third 10k was the most difficult and challenging but I was super positive and focused on the last 10k, which had some long stretches to really run. 

The last 10k was what I had been training for, leaving everything I had out there and killing myself to grind it in. There is the last real tough climb from 8k to 5.5k before it turns to open trail with very runnable terrain. I had moved into about 18th place here and had the energy to look ahead and know I was going to finish and finish running well. 

With 4k to go is the last water stop. I could see two dudes struggling and took a little extra time to douse my head with water and completely try to cool down my head before ramping up for my final assault. Just after 4k is a 2k stretch of downhill, before a flat 1k and then 1k rolling back up to a Mt Wahington-esque finish. 

I was all in on the down hill and flew by two, and kept rolling. I was going my move would break there will to try anything an it did. The flat kilometer brought the same fate to another victim of cramping and I tried to fake that I was relaxed as I pushed by. The last kilometer was tough but my heart knew it did all o could today (almost) and I was excited to be able you've this opportunity. I'm very fortunate, and understand a lot of work went into this and I didn't want to leave anything out there. 

With about 500m to go the hill turns more mtn and the grinding started, the race was essentially done, the three I past were not coming back and all I had to do was finish.

The final push was awesome as all the people were cheering and going crazy and was a great feeling to finish. I was greeted at the finish line by a familiar smile, Gabe's wife Perla: 3:34:35 for 15th place! 

One big deep breath of thankfulness and the. I turned to watch my teammates finish. 

TeamUSA finished 4th, which we were a little bummed about, but knowing everyone did all they could was satisfaction and that our best was out there on the very tough course.

Post race keilbasa's with Zac and The Big System (Dave James). 

Total adventure and very fun. 

Sunday- after a long and awesome night hanging out with the other teams I had to try and figure out a way back to Prague. I made a sweet trade with a South African for his swearshirt, and was invited to ride to Prague with them. Very cool! My flight was on Monday and there would be no way I would be able to get there from Poland on Monday and make my flight. The night before brought a fun evening hangin with Wales and I ended up hitching a ride with them. How cussing awesome!?! 

Now, these dudes are super intelligent and knew more about American politics than I could have cussing cared about. They had a great time telling me how Americans are really viewed and asking questions, laughing hysterically and shooting the breeze about anything and everything. It was a great time. 

We hung out in the airport in Prague for a bit, they loved that I didn't have a plan and was going into Prague for the night, we said our farewells (I've been invited over for a few races) and I hit the road into the Old City of Prague.  

That's a whole 'nother disease free story, for another day... 

Next focus: KSC Alumni race... Since I'm going to win, who's your bet for coming in second? (I heard of a little pow wow where guesses were given of our top five, remember friends: what you THINK and what I KNOW, are vastly different). 

Smiley face, wink wink. 

Last Hero and Only Hope!

Flawless Ideologies

The past two weeks have been an absolute blur with two of my hetero-life mates getting married, cutting some miles, keeping the intensity and prepping for a Euro adventure. 

Def feel undertrained but there is no real way to train for the unexpected, so my undertrained feeling is fine with me bc I know I did all I could in the time frame I had. This trip is justification of a lot of hard work, discipline, awesomeness and wildness. Cuss yea!

He last two weeks were "phase 3" of my training where I switched a few items and added some slight uptempo work. 

Had some 100+ mile weeks with a lot of climbing and the last two weeks went as follows: 80 and then 70. 

My main goal the last two weeks was to not get sick, so the last month combined I have been crushing garlic and lemons. Seems to have worked and I feel as ready as I can. 

Notable work done the two weeks ago was two sessions on the road:

A. 5 mile tempo in the middle of my 10 miler and;

B. 19 miles with 3 x 2 mile in the later part of the run. 

The 5 mile tempo was a solid run and went better than I could have thought in the 95 degree heat with cuss loads of humidity. I was hot the first mile with 5:18, and settled in here to finish 26:20 for the light work. This was originally supposed to be 8 miles, but with the heat (and wanting to run 5:40 pace) I cut it back. Felt great other than the heat and humidity. 

The other workout was on the Marathon Road and was slain a 3 x 2 mile amongst the 19 miles. The goal was to negative split each mile of each set. This was a hot day but there was little humidity, so it felt glorious. 

The first set I felt good, rolling 5:25 then 5:20 for 10:45, almost perfect. Set two , 5:25 then 5:10 for 10:35; and finished with a 5:13, 5:12 for a 10:25.

Felt really good about this workout and also felt really good in the workout. 

This ended a solid week and a total of 80 miles. 

The following week (or last week) I posted a 70 with a lot of doubles. Two workouts of choice were: hill sprints and 200's. 

just a lot of maintenance this week to try and stay sharp as possible. Both work outs were light and easy an I got to run in Camden ME (it took for cussing ever to get there buy was nice there). Tried to bang out this post before boarding so have to cut it short. Place your bets, anyone foolish to bet against me = go cuss yourself! 

Cuss It Until It Loves You

Coming out of a high mileage week and gnarly Loon race meant one thing: keep wildly rolling... I had a gnarly workout planned but postponed to give my body a few extra long days of rest and will rip some speed sessions (phase 2) next week. 

Be sure to follow this smut with following my twitter handle for on the beat updates (@wildFerenc)... It's going viral and wild!!!

Monday - Voltroned with Greg on the recovery trails of Grafton Ponds. The decision was to have some recovery and moderate terrain (virtually impossible in the here parts) and rolled 10 miles. We weaves through the GP trails before linking up to the upper Ledge Rd trains an the Lost Trail. Great run with a lifer  the weather was perfect and cooperated nicely with the recovery theme. 

Shoe of choice was the La Sportiva Helios, by far the best show I've rolled trails in. Def leaning towards this being my race shoe in Poland. 

Tuesday - today was hotter than a cussing devil fart and just overall nasty warm. I put a run in my head and I refused to let the weather dictate my plans or alter my plans. 

So, I headed out to the Athens Lookout. It's a very honest 7 miles out with loads of climbing and I wanted 14, so I hustled the same way back. The girls came with me and I adjusted the pace and stopped at all water spots so they could hydrate. 

It was so humid that I couldn't see 15 miles away Stratton! Dear cuss it was warm and my body was leaking excellence excessively. Ain't no rest for the wicked!

Wednesday - today was supposed to be a workout, but with goal race not far away, total body recovery is the most essential goal so I opted to double and chase a few miles. 

United with Greg at the Westmoreland rail bed for an early morning stroll. I felt amazingly awesome and added on a couple at the very end totaling out 10. Friends fuel the motivational fire. If you ain't got no friends, then cussing find some!

Later in the day I brought up and coming Jamie Moire out to the Latham Trail head for a West West/Athens hour. This trail is no joke and very tough. It's deco only tough bc the first 20 minutes is all flat to rolling then its straight down some amazing switchbacks followed by straight up to Athens Lookout. Very cool to fuel the fire of another...

Thursday - only have a dime on the schedule and made it a morning 10. Talked with JMoore and hustled to Saxtons River (2.5) then an out and back on Rt 121 (2.5) then home for a 10 mile morning. 

Def have a trail mind, the 12 cars that passed us were too much for me. Can't stand the roads, I'm wild and need wildness of the wilderness!

Friday - zipped down to Putney and ran (raced) with Fyffe for 9 miles. It is a super awesome run through the back roads of Putney and into Dummerston. Lots of rollers and we were rolling! Fyffe getting back into it is awesome. 

Later in the day I took the girls to GP for some light work on the single track and 9 more. 

It was going to be 12 but I hammered my ankle (so hard I almost threw up) and cut it short as too get in the river and soak. 

Dear cussing cuss it hurt like a cuss! What a cluster cuss of hog cuss...

 

Saturday - my hetero-lifemate, Matt Haley, is making his way north from the dirty ATL. This is great, he's a former KSC Owl and therefore lifer! 

I wanted to make a bigger day out if it, so I teamed up with Fyffe in the AM for 10 Grafton dirt road miles. This run is great bc there is one hill (7+/- min) and the last 3 miles is down hill and flat. Great run, and Grafton is a picturesque town. I feel like a running Chevy Chase from Funny Farm, town looks the same. 

Later in the day (after Haley arrived) we went back to Grafton to roll 12 on the power lines. The whole first half is almost all uphill which makes the turn around awesome running back. 

Big plans for Sundays run! Avalonian Ridge Run!!! Cuss Yea!!!

Sunday - Greg, Haley and myself teamed up at my place and the goal run is this: 2+ hour run from my house to the top of Putney Mtn via all trails on the Avalonian Ridge. At half way (The Pinnacle), Fyffe would meet us and finish the run with us. 

Total trail miles is around 18+ and is gnarly running the first 8. 

I felt awesome from the start. Greg raced the day before and Haley traveled so they weren't feeling as great as me. 

The weather was awesome, as it was cooler in the shade of the woods the whole run. There was also a great breeze that would grace is with its presence. 

This is one gnarly run as not for the weak hearted, def a bear heart run. Getting to the Pinnacle is a tough section of trail with loads of elevation gains. 

Fyffe was, as always, waiting for us and we continued as a full powered machine. 

Great run, great dudes, lifers! Cuss yea!!!

Always fun to get wild...

Total miles for the week: 113! 

Tip your waitress and follow more wild moves @wildFerenc!!! 

Relentless Wild Wickedness

This week was supposed to be phase one of a three part phase I'm going to do. 

Phase One: build through the high miles with tough, hilly/mtn runs and continue the 100+ mile weeks. 

Phase Two: alternate hills/mtns with some speed or faster paced intervals, probably on the roads. 

Phase Three: fast, relaxed with recovery and melt faces and devour souls. Cuss yea!

Monday - Hustled to Stratton for a morning Mtn Therapy session. My goal was to spend 2 hours on the mountain and climb as much as possible. 

Holy cuss cuss, it was tough, but more so bc of the humidity. Visibility on the summit was 30 meters. Very successful morning session, and I totally mushroom slammed the work! 

In the afternoon, Greg, Najem and BDavies came out and we rolled a 12 miler. We did the Sap Lines in reverse and ran a quicker pace. I felt awesome for this run as it was the lightest of light work. 

Tuesday - headed to Keene with Greg, Fyffe and George for a flat 10 miler on the rail bed. I work up feeling fine but felt like donkey cuss the way out (it is an out and back). On turning around I felt awesome which was a confidence booster. 

In the evening I slipped in an easy 5 miles at Grafton Ponds with my girls. It was lazy and felt great to cover some ground ad steal a few more miles.

With Poland the ultimate goal, it's important I roll every run with a purpose. These shake out miles are great to feel good! 

Wednesday - Voltroned with the morning crew of Tuesday in Pisgah for an 8 miler around Kilburn Pond. Those guys are getting after it ad racing the next day so they are looking for a low key run. It was great. I felt a little humanesque and was fine with 8. 

In the afternoon I banged on a 6 miler out in GP. Ran honest on the single track then soaked the legs in the river. Great day!

Thursday - today is very important to me, as it is my girl Ellie's birthday! She's the best friend you covet. 

There is a local 5k in town and I had a bunch of my students and future XC runners running so I ran with them. It was cool to run with them and see 11-12 year olds run so cussing well. BFXC will be legit. All in all on the very hot day I bagged 14 with a huge warmup and bigger cool down. 

Later in the day, the Fyffes, Najem, StephCott and Emily came out to chill and BBQ by the river at my private beach. Great day. 

Friday - I needed to get any miles I could as I was going to a two day cluster cuss bachelor party for my lifer Phelps. 

I was only able to steal 7 before I hustled down the Charlemont MA for some camping and wild shenanigans. There were so many shenanigans to be had I felt like pistol whipping someone. 

Only 7 effects my big week but its for a lifer and my loyalties are too deep. 

With Loon looming on Sunday, some light miles won't be the worst thing in the world. 

Saturday - dear cuss... My body hates me. I don't drink or fornicate with drugs, but the bachelor party was fueled with liquids that inhibit the growth of humanity and add fun to by brethren. Long story short, played of ton of games and I got parts of my body sore that I don't know could be sore: or example, the game is cornhole, where you throw bean bags into a slanted wooden box with a hole in it. My mothercussing forearms are ruined (but I did find out that its just more activities I'm awesome at); followed by Poleish Horshoes, which is frisbee throwing at a target balanced on ski poles, back of my wrists is sorer than a fluffer from he industry; followed by Kan Cuss Something, where you chuck a frisbee at a cylinder and have to hit it or slam I in the top; followed by beach volleyball on the sand (this killed my legs); and all are played with a beverage in your hand. I went to bed on very hard ground, very very cussingwoke late. My poison of choice was Dr Pepper. 

Longer story short, I ran 5 miles with Mark Miller and JPhelps, before starting the whole day over again but this time it started at 9am. By the end of this day I felt like I ran 30 miles on pavement in the sun. Cuss. Tomorrow is a step to the ultimate goal and the objective is to do everything I can to get to the top, race as much as I can and be competitive. 

Sunday - Loon Mountain Race, 5.3+/-  

I woke up feeling tired but surprisingly ok (especially considering the last 30 hours) and headed to Loon. 

I have heard of this races difficulty and I'm not about to down play the toughness of it, but I wanted to live it and experience it myself. A common theme people have is "death," when discussing it. I will say, I will show no signs of death, I will conquer and I will be successful. Loon is a bigger piece of a huge puzzle and since I am a bit fatigued, from the miles and alternative lifestyle, it will be great for my prep for Poland. 

Once I was all registered I went and warmed up with Eric MacKnight. I felt horrendously flat and I could only hope that the uncuttable mane of manliness surrounding my iron rod of godliness would be enough to conquer foes. 

Seeing Eric Blake was cool and damning at the same time. I would have loved to had prep'd for this race and gone in feeling awesome to see where I would have stacked up, but the ultimate goal is not today. Got to fight with the tools you have. 

The race started and the pace was out hot. The first mile has a bit of downhill and flat in it and it was like watching wasps get all riled up. The usual players I was concerned with were there (don't be offended if you read this and you are not on my radar, and if you are offended, train harder!) with Brandon Newbould, Kevin Tilton, EMac, and many others (happy, I included you). 

Newbould went after the lead early and looked like a wild beast just unleashed from Hades. This pumped me up and got me going and made me forget about any excuses of fatigue, being tired or anything else. 

I jostled positions with EMac and another dude, but by 2 miles I could see the future (or people's fate) and settled in. By 2.5 I moved into 3rd (behind Blake, who looked like he had the rage virus as he crushed the climb, and Brandon). I started catching Brandon very very slowly, and every downhill he would open a small gap but I closed on the climb each time. Brandon is a great dude and I want to see him be successful, so when i passed him I tried to fire him up, I hope it helped. But let's not forget, it's a race, and just like Larry, MJ and Magic, there're friends, but want to beat each other with the same ferocity that binds them. So I but small efforts in here and there as I pulled away and hoped it would be enough to sustain my place and keep 2nd. 

Loon has the I famous "Upper Walking Boss," which is supposedly 1000m of unreal climb. I will attest and say that it is an unreal climb, holy cuss cuss, what a cluster cuss of a cussing climb. This was the soul purpose of going to the race. My buddy Greg suggested I get some hills with tough climbs ad possible speed/power hiking, to simulate what could be out there at Worlds and UWB was it. I was going to run until my stride length was inches then power hike the rest. 

This holy war of vert comes after 4 miles of climbing and right before a steep downhill, (which I ran like a raped ape). Which got me thinking... I envisioned the climb was whispering a song to me as I climb, Nirvana's, "Rape Me." The climb wanted to be abused and conquered by me and just kept telling me over and over again: 

"Rape me my friend

Rape me

Rape me again"

 I was set into power hiking mode mentally, and could see Blake ahead. The climb is tough and he was power hiking and running. I was most efficient while power hiking and felt that I was closing the gap (I kept telling myself this, and it was highly motivating). To catch Blake looked improbable, so to limit the percent back was my mindset). 

"I'm not the only one"

I wasn't the only one suffering, everyone else was, but I was going to be the only one! Last Hero Only Hope!!!

Hate me

Do it and do it again

Waste me

Rape me my friend

The climb hated me as I geared up it and powered through, and also encouraged me to repeat my efforts again and again, in due time I would have wasted the climb as a memory of success. 

My favorite inside source

I'll kiss your open sores

Appreciate your concern

You'll always stink and burn

My favorite inside source was my mental ability to encourage myself to triumph any challenge out in front of me. I really think I can do anything (except give birth or any other lady only thing). 

The climb would not be kissing my open sores as I kneel for no one or no thing! 

I'm glad the UWB appreciated my concerns and efforts this day as the climb made me stink of excellence and did add a burn to my legs. 

Rape me

Rape me my friend

Rape me

Rape me again

Upon my final efforts to the top, I completed your challenge as I conquered every step and was successful. Thank you UWB for the encouragement and consent to abuse you repeatedly. 

It was symbiotic, and a def love hate relationship. 

But the race ain't over here... At the top of the UWB you have about 500m left and 450 seemed like a very steep downhill. No one was going to catch me and I wasn't going to catch anyone, so I just needed to finish and I changed gears and finished strong. 

I was very fortunate to finish 2nd and very grateful for an awesome day on the climbs with awesome people. 

On the cool down (EMac, Brandon, Todd Callahan and another dude) ram down the mountain and saw a larger black bear. This was awesome and made the day that much better. 

Total miles for the week: 101... 

Przynieść Ból

I can feel it happening and I love it: hunger, desire, need... I'm hungrier than a starved great white on cocaine. 

The miles have been getting increased and the rest has been minimal and I'm feeling the effects: confidence. 

Last week was a 95 mile week and this week was an increase of that. My soulfire is burning hot and I'm getting after it. Soulfire burns hot and is ravaging, and you must let it run its course. 

Monday - took my rest day here before I unleash and opted for a 5 miler. I felt unreal from the beginning but promised myself that soul devouring would commence soon enough. 

Tuesday - I hustled to Mount Monadnock for a fitness day of mountain therapy. I was going to put two solid efforts in; one was up and over then up and over to come back. 

I hit the trail where the record was set by Elijah Barrett (24:44), the White Dot. This is about 1.9 miles and I'd never been on it. When Elijah set the record he def didn't have the mountain background that I have, and 24:44 would be a huge effort (so I was thinking...). My goal was to get up aggressive and down with getting hurt or twisting anything. 

The weather was hot and humid and made the conditions tough but ideal for adverse effects. 

The White Dot is very tough (as I found out) and was happy to reach the summit in 25:44 on a very solid effort. The Bossman (Elijah) set a very tough standard and it was great to have his energy around me as I worked. 

I then hit the White Cross trail on the way down to the toll road. This is about 2.3 and very runnable up the road. My goal here was to really stride it out and run fast, then grind like I do the rest of the way and hit a solid time. 

I made it back up the summit in 27:00, work was done, felt great. Descended the White Dot, took my time and logged a very honest and solid 10 miles. All before 9am. 

Wednesday - zipped out to Grafton to do a little light work on the power lines. I opted for an out and back. I want to be as ready as possible for my world domination in Poland. This course suits me more (based on the profile), where there is a lot of climbing early (1600m to start the race) then a lot if rolling mountains after that. The power lines are similar, on a very small scale, as there are some steep sections and some gradual climbs. Solid 15.

I'm the afternoon I teamed up with the Moore boys for 7 on the Vermont Academy trails. I then ran home to slam a 9 for my afternoon run... Cuss yea! 

Thursday - I took a mini adventure with Fyffe to Gilsum to run with George. Ran a very interesting 10 miler. We would push the hills then slow down on the flats, but was a solid run nonetheless. 

In the afternoon I hit Ledge Rd with the Moore boys for 9 on the Lost Trail. They wanted me to show them some awesome runs, that's all I do, so in talk g them to my normal days running areas. 

Friday - woke up a bit tired but shook it off with a 7 miler at Grafton Ponds. It was a lazy run just to snag a few miles. 

In the afternoon I hit up Putney with Fyffe, Greg and Najem. Runs like this with my kinsman reassure me that I can do anything. Great run with great lifers! 

Saturday - woke up at 6am and got my day started and over with ASAP. I logged 17 flat road miles on the Marathon Road, but did it as an out and back. The weather cooperated where it was hot, but never unbearable. 

Sunday - Putney long runs may be back for good. Cuss yea! We Voltroned at Fyffe's for a long run and had a solid group. The regs of Greg, Najem and Fyffe, but also had PacMan, Brett and a newbie, Brandon Davis. We ventured from the covert culvert for a hybrid of trails and roads. Upon returning to the culvert for a swim and cool off, we were greeted by a VT woods nymph with a wonderful strawberry tone. Good gracious! Thank goodness for the freezing healing waters of Putney or magic would have def been on display... 

Solid week: 110 miles and 205 for two weeks. Time to get nasty...