Monday:
0mi. Feeling unmotivated to run. Lethargy breeds lethargy. I went fishing with Glenn and Jonny Dubs. Caught 5 rainbow trout. It was so fun to be out at the river casting lines and catching fish. I hope to do a lot of fishing this summer.
Tuesday:
0mi. Lifted weights. I had graduation and then the post graduation party with the 8th graders. Played some laser tag and got to blast my students. Fun times! I'm going to miss those kids!
Wednesday:
0mi. Last day with the students. Time to figure out my summer goals. Do I want to run big miles, cross train, lift weights? All of the above? I got some soul searching to do I guess.
Thursday:
0mi. Hung out after school at Glenn's and played with Brady and Emma. We tried to go fishing at night, but the river was way too high to fish.
Friday:
AM: 2mi/14min in Friedsam with Griffin. Nice and easy run before my last day of school.
PM: 8mi/52min in Pisgah solo. Perfect weather today, 75F with no humidity. I felt great. I guess I still know how to run after 5 days off. Lifted weights. Summer vacation begins!
Saturday:
12mi*/1:54 ran up and down Mt. Monadnock with George. Nice run, beautiful day on the mountain.
Sunday:
8mi/54min in Pisgah solo. Let out a loon call at Kilburn Pond and it was answered by a stranger in the woods. Turns out it was MC. He joined me for a nice refreshing swim in the pond. I bought a new mtn. bike in the afternoon and went for a 45min ride with Jen around Stone Wall Farm. So much fun! For you bike geeks out there, I got a 2013 Specialized Crave 29 expert hardtail. It feels fast on the flats, I'm getting used to the step in (clipless) pedals. I can't wait til my skills get a bit better and I can ride with the big boys.
Total for the week:
30mi. A pretty crappy week. I'd call this the end of the school year let down. Time to set some summer goals and get after it. I plan on mtn biking a lot and maybe doubling less than in past years which will mean lower miles, but hopefully fresher legs with similar aerobic development, time will tell if it pays off fitness-wise, but it will definitely pay off in the fun department!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Week of June 16th to 22nd, 2014
Monday:
0mi. Lazy
Tuesday:
5mi/33min in Friedsam solo. Hot out there today.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights. Went to a party for a coworker. Beautiful weather, I should have run.
Thursday:
10mi/63min around Spofford Lake from my house. I should call this a lake bang I guess. This is a pretty darn hilly road run. Felt great.
Friday:
5mi/37min in Friedsam with Griffin. Nice easy run. Saw 2 deer. Fantastic weather. Lifted weights.
Saturday:
8mi/58min in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. I ran ahead of Jen and Griffin and waited for them to catch up in a couple spots. Fun run. Awesome weather again. No humidity and cool.
Sunday:
0mi. Felt tired and lazy all day. Went and checked out some mountain bikes. I'm going to buy one soon for some summer fun.
Total for the week:
28miles. This week was pretty pathetic, I'm just not super motivated to train. I still love running when I do get out for a run, but not feeling like running every day. Maybe it's just a case of the End of School Year Blues. I've been stuck in a rut. Next week is my last week of school. There's a lot going on with meetings and graduation. I finally hit 1,000 miles for the year.
0mi. Lazy
Tuesday:
5mi/33min in Friedsam solo. Hot out there today.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights. Went to a party for a coworker. Beautiful weather, I should have run.
Thursday:
10mi/63min around Spofford Lake from my house. I should call this a lake bang I guess. This is a pretty darn hilly road run. Felt great.
Friday:
5mi/37min in Friedsam with Griffin. Nice easy run. Saw 2 deer. Fantastic weather. Lifted weights.
Saturday:
8mi/58min in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. I ran ahead of Jen and Griffin and waited for them to catch up in a couple spots. Fun run. Awesome weather again. No humidity and cool.
Sunday:
0mi. Felt tired and lazy all day. Went and checked out some mountain bikes. I'm going to buy one soon for some summer fun.
Total for the week:
28miles. This week was pretty pathetic, I'm just not super motivated to train. I still love running when I do get out for a run, but not feeling like running every day. Maybe it's just a case of the End of School Year Blues. I've been stuck in a rut. Next week is my last week of school. There's a lot going on with meetings and graduation. I finally hit 1,000 miles for the year.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Week of June 9th - 15th, 2014
Monday:
0mi. Body sore and tired from 3 good days of running in a row.
Tuesday:
4mi/29min in Pisgah with Griffin. A couple deer flies were out. Lifted weights.
Wednesday:
8mi/56min around Swanzey Lake Rds with Brent. Good run. My calves were a little sore. Nice cool and cloudy weather.
Thursday:
5mi/36min in Friedsam with Griffin. Feel good. Drizzle, cool weather. Lifted weights.
Friday:
8mi/60min in the Grafton Trails with Ferenc and the girls. Nice and easy run. Legs a little flat.
Saturday:
4mi/30min in Pisgah with Griffin. Nice cool morning for a run.
Sunday:
16mi*/1:56 - Mt. Greylock Trail Half Marathon - 1:47:01 - 3rd place.
It was a gorgeous day for a race up the tallest mountain in Massachusetts. I arrived very early and bumped into Crutchley and his friend James. We talked a bit about the course and the weather. It was cool, perfect for racing. Every year I've done this race it's been hot, one year it was 97F and humid. (I stopped racing that year and dunked several times in streams and just jogged it in.) This year there would be none of that nonsense. Jonny and my dad arrived a little bit later. Jonny and I did a short warm up and then got ready to race. At the start, I dropped in behind Jonny. We were in about 9th and 10th position. The start went out pretty relaxed. My plan was to stay with Jonny on the climb or drop him if he was going too slow. I had no delusions of winning with Derek Jakoboski in the field and some other fast dudes. I'm just not fit. Jonny made a move very early as the climbing started and passed some runners. I couldn't go with him. He was too strong! I watched as he got a good 10 second gap on me. My heart rate and breathing were maxed and my legs were already complaining very early into the climb and I was sitting in about 8th place. I kept trying to catch Jonny on the flatter sections and I would make up a little ground, but he was stronger on the steep stuff and would extend his gap on me. Near the top of the climb he really started hammering and he got at least 30 seconds up on me. I hit the aid station at the summit in 37-mid. I pounded a Gatorade and got passed by a guy I summited with. I think I've made it to this aid station in 34 flat before, but I'm not sure.
Time for the technical descent of the top part of the mountain. My favorite part of the race. I started hammering and quickly passed the guy in the blue shirt who passed me at the aid station. It didn't take more than a minute or two to catch up to Jonny and another guy in a white singlet. I went flying by them and gave Jonny some encouragement and told him to be careful on the wet rocks, that it was dangerous. In hindsight, that seems kind of funny as I was flying by them at breakneck speed on the wet rocks. I just really enjoy this part of the race. After that top section, the course levels out and even climbs up in spots on much less technical trail. I could tell I was moving slowly here compared to my fast years on this course. I got to a big T intersection that wasn't marked, but I went right. It helped knowing the course, but I was worried that Jonny and other racers would take a wrong turn here. Sounds like Crutch did do just that. The trail gets steep and technical again in spots and it reminds me of parts of the Escarpment course. It's a fun section that gets even more fun when it dumps out onto an open meadow. That is just an amazing part of the course. You're flying downhill on single track on an open field, it's just awesome. I hit the aid station in the parking lot and let the volunteers know that the big turn was not marked and there were no markers until that aid station.
Next up is the longest, baseball-sized rock infested jeep road in the world. It goes mostly downhill at different grades ranging from really steep to not very steep at all. There is one section that goes uphill for a long while which is by far the toughest part of the course. (Not counting the climb up to the summit). After that climb it's down, down, down the jeep road. Usually, I'm just absolutely pounding myself, running as fast as possible. This year my legs were too tired to really kill this section. I ran fast, but not crazy fast. The rocks start to get annoying on your tired feet. Finally, the trail gets dark and shaded which means you're almost finished. I passed a young guy here who was moving very slowly. This put me into 3rd place. He looked like he was wearing very lightweight xc racers. I bet his legs and feet were just destroyed. I tried to encourage him, but I could tell he was not a happy camper. Shortly after that, I crossed the bridge and climbed up the last hill and pushed hard to the finish in the field by the pond. My time was 1:47:01, which wasn't great but I had a lot of fun out there and it was a great day on the mountain. I enjoyed a Coke and some grub and chatted with Jonny and Pard about their races. I'll be back, it's a great mountain race.
Total for the week:
45miles. Fun race. I need to run and lift more and stop being lazy.
0mi. Body sore and tired from 3 good days of running in a row.
Tuesday:
4mi/29min in Pisgah with Griffin. A couple deer flies were out. Lifted weights.
Wednesday:
8mi/56min around Swanzey Lake Rds with Brent. Good run. My calves were a little sore. Nice cool and cloudy weather.
Thursday:
5mi/36min in Friedsam with Griffin. Feel good. Drizzle, cool weather. Lifted weights.
Friday:
8mi/60min in the Grafton Trails with Ferenc and the girls. Nice and easy run. Legs a little flat.
Saturday:
4mi/30min in Pisgah with Griffin. Nice cool morning for a run.
Sunday:
16mi*/1:56 - Mt. Greylock Trail Half Marathon - 1:47:01 - 3rd place.
It was a gorgeous day for a race up the tallest mountain in Massachusetts. I arrived very early and bumped into Crutchley and his friend James. We talked a bit about the course and the weather. It was cool, perfect for racing. Every year I've done this race it's been hot, one year it was 97F and humid. (I stopped racing that year and dunked several times in streams and just jogged it in.) This year there would be none of that nonsense. Jonny and my dad arrived a little bit later. Jonny and I did a short warm up and then got ready to race. At the start, I dropped in behind Jonny. We were in about 9th and 10th position. The start went out pretty relaxed. My plan was to stay with Jonny on the climb or drop him if he was going too slow. I had no delusions of winning with Derek Jakoboski in the field and some other fast dudes. I'm just not fit. Jonny made a move very early as the climbing started and passed some runners. I couldn't go with him. He was too strong! I watched as he got a good 10 second gap on me. My heart rate and breathing were maxed and my legs were already complaining very early into the climb and I was sitting in about 8th place. I kept trying to catch Jonny on the flatter sections and I would make up a little ground, but he was stronger on the steep stuff and would extend his gap on me. Near the top of the climb he really started hammering and he got at least 30 seconds up on me. I hit the aid station at the summit in 37-mid. I pounded a Gatorade and got passed by a guy I summited with. I think I've made it to this aid station in 34 flat before, but I'm not sure.
Time for the technical descent of the top part of the mountain. My favorite part of the race. I started hammering and quickly passed the guy in the blue shirt who passed me at the aid station. It didn't take more than a minute or two to catch up to Jonny and another guy in a white singlet. I went flying by them and gave Jonny some encouragement and told him to be careful on the wet rocks, that it was dangerous. In hindsight, that seems kind of funny as I was flying by them at breakneck speed on the wet rocks. I just really enjoy this part of the race. After that top section, the course levels out and even climbs up in spots on much less technical trail. I could tell I was moving slowly here compared to my fast years on this course. I got to a big T intersection that wasn't marked, but I went right. It helped knowing the course, but I was worried that Jonny and other racers would take a wrong turn here. Sounds like Crutch did do just that. The trail gets steep and technical again in spots and it reminds me of parts of the Escarpment course. It's a fun section that gets even more fun when it dumps out onto an open meadow. That is just an amazing part of the course. You're flying downhill on single track on an open field, it's just awesome. I hit the aid station in the parking lot and let the volunteers know that the big turn was not marked and there were no markers until that aid station.
Next up is the longest, baseball-sized rock infested jeep road in the world. It goes mostly downhill at different grades ranging from really steep to not very steep at all. There is one section that goes uphill for a long while which is by far the toughest part of the course. (Not counting the climb up to the summit). After that climb it's down, down, down the jeep road. Usually, I'm just absolutely pounding myself, running as fast as possible. This year my legs were too tired to really kill this section. I ran fast, but not crazy fast. The rocks start to get annoying on your tired feet. Finally, the trail gets dark and shaded which means you're almost finished. I passed a young guy here who was moving very slowly. This put me into 3rd place. He looked like he was wearing very lightweight xc racers. I bet his legs and feet were just destroyed. I tried to encourage him, but I could tell he was not a happy camper. Shortly after that, I crossed the bridge and climbed up the last hill and pushed hard to the finish in the field by the pond. My time was 1:47:01, which wasn't great but I had a lot of fun out there and it was a great day on the mountain. I enjoyed a Coke and some grub and chatted with Jonny and Pard about their races. I'll be back, it's a great mountain race.
Total for the week:
45miles. Fun race. I need to run and lift more and stop being lazy.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Week of June 2nd - 8th, 2014
Monday:
8mi*/48:30 in Pisgah solo M.P.* run. Felt smooth and easy. Beautiful sunny weather, 80F.
Tuesday:
0mi - lifted weights. Bought a kettle bell and I'm doing sets of kettle bells swings.
Wednesday:
10mi/70min in Pisgah with Ferenc and the girls. Kind of hot out there. I have a cold. Annoying.
Thursday:
3mi/22min in Friedsam with track team. Fun run. Lifted weights.
Friday:
Am: 1mi at school. Lifted weights.
Pm: 13mi/1:27 on the Pinnacle Mtn trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Saw a male scarlet tanager at the top of the Pinnacle. Perfect weather. No humidity, 77F.
Saturday:
9mi*/60min - Westmoreland 4mi - 22:44 (5:41) 3rd place. My legs felt a little flat, perhaps from yesterday's hilly run or all the kettle bell swings I've been doing. Sam Lagasse, Chris Riley, Chris Hayhurst, Brett M. and I were all in a tight pack through the mile. Then the big hill created a bit of separation. Sam started to go and I tried to go with him. Chris Riley passed me on the flat section after the downhill and caught up to Sam. I had no fight and couldn't make up any distance in the next 2mi. I settled for 3rd. Not a great race but I got a decent workout in and it was a good fitness test. What should I expect with my horrible mileage? Good cool down after with the guys.
Here are my miles:
5:25
6:00 - big hill
5:37
5:39
Sunday:
16mi*/1:46 on the Putney Mtn trails with Ferenc. Good run. My legs were fairly sore and tired but the weather was nice and it was a fun day out there. Lot's of climbing. I was hot and thirsty by the end. Glad we didn't go longer like we were planning. Dipped in the icy cold waters at the Putney culvert, first time this summer. Brrr!
Total:
60mi - I'll take it. Only one day off, lot's of lifting and a fun long run. The race kind of sucked but it's a good wake up call. Time to get serious. Next week, do some hill sprints and race at Mt. Greylock. I hope it's not crazy hot for that race.
8mi*/48:30 in Pisgah solo M.P.* run. Felt smooth and easy. Beautiful sunny weather, 80F.
Tuesday:
0mi - lifted weights. Bought a kettle bell and I'm doing sets of kettle bells swings.
Wednesday:
10mi/70min in Pisgah with Ferenc and the girls. Kind of hot out there. I have a cold. Annoying.
Thursday:
3mi/22min in Friedsam with track team. Fun run. Lifted weights.
Friday:
Am: 1mi at school. Lifted weights.
Pm: 13mi/1:27 on the Pinnacle Mtn trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Saw a male scarlet tanager at the top of the Pinnacle. Perfect weather. No humidity, 77F.
Saturday:
9mi*/60min - Westmoreland 4mi - 22:44 (5:41) 3rd place. My legs felt a little flat, perhaps from yesterday's hilly run or all the kettle bell swings I've been doing. Sam Lagasse, Chris Riley, Chris Hayhurst, Brett M. and I were all in a tight pack through the mile. Then the big hill created a bit of separation. Sam started to go and I tried to go with him. Chris Riley passed me on the flat section after the downhill and caught up to Sam. I had no fight and couldn't make up any distance in the next 2mi. I settled for 3rd. Not a great race but I got a decent workout in and it was a good fitness test. What should I expect with my horrible mileage? Good cool down after with the guys.
Here are my miles:
5:25
6:00 - big hill
5:37
5:39
Sunday:
16mi*/1:46 on the Putney Mtn trails with Ferenc. Good run. My legs were fairly sore and tired but the weather was nice and it was a fun day out there. Lot's of climbing. I was hot and thirsty by the end. Glad we didn't go longer like we were planning. Dipped in the icy cold waters at the Putney culvert, first time this summer. Brrr!
Total:
60mi - I'll take it. Only one day off, lot's of lifting and a fun long run. The race kind of sucked but it's a good wake up call. Time to get serious. Next week, do some hill sprints and race at Mt. Greylock. I hope it's not crazy hot for that race.
Playing Catsup - Weeks of May 12th - June 1st, 2014
Well, this is a slacker blog post as Jonny would put it, with some slacker running. (Unlike Jonny!)
May 12th - 18th
Mon - 0mi
Tues - 3mi
Wed - 0mi
Thurs - am: 2mi pm: 6mi with a 5mi tempo in 29:40
Fri - 0mi
Sat - 12mi w/Ferenc and the girls
Sun - 14mi
Total - 37mi
May 19th - 25th
Mon - 0mi
Tues - 4mi
Wed - 0mi
Thurs - 0mi
Fri - 0mi, lifted weights - at least I did something
Sat - 14mi with Pisgah 10K trail race - 40:31 (6:31) 1st place - Fun race, tough course
Sun - 0mi - lifted weights
Total - 18mi - Pathetic week. Fun race though
May 26th - June 1st
Mon - 10mi w/George and Thomas
Tues - 2mi
Wed - 0mi
Thurs - 0mi
Fri - 10mi w/Boj, Ferenc and the girls, fun run.
Sat - 4mi - CVL Meet - some great performances today. Proud of my team. Scott and Meagan champions in the 400m (56.8/66.7)
Sun - 17mi w/George in Gilsum
Total - 43mi. Crappy week again. My track team did great on Saturday and now the season is over. No more excuses. Time to get after it.
May 12th - 18th
Mon - 0mi
Tues - 3mi
Wed - 0mi
Thurs - am: 2mi pm: 6mi with a 5mi tempo in 29:40
Fri - 0mi
Sat - 12mi w/Ferenc and the girls
Sun - 14mi
Total - 37mi
May 19th - 25th
Mon - 0mi
Tues - 4mi
Wed - 0mi
Thurs - 0mi
Fri - 0mi, lifted weights - at least I did something
Sat - 14mi with Pisgah 10K trail race - 40:31 (6:31) 1st place - Fun race, tough course
Sun - 0mi - lifted weights
Total - 18mi - Pathetic week. Fun race though
May 26th - June 1st
Mon - 10mi w/George and Thomas
Tues - 2mi
Wed - 0mi
Thurs - 0mi
Fri - 10mi w/Boj, Ferenc and the girls, fun run.
Sat - 4mi - CVL Meet - some great performances today. Proud of my team. Scott and Meagan champions in the 400m (56.8/66.7)
Sun - 17mi w/George in Gilsum
Total - 43mi. Crappy week again. My track team did great on Saturday and now the season is over. No more excuses. Time to get after it.
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