Pie and Glove 5K, Corning, NY - 16:37 (5:21) 5th place
This was my 6th running of this race. It's a great flat and fast course in Corning, NY. I was hoping to be around 16:30 and I was pretty close. The race went out and the winner shot right to the lead. He would go on to win unchallenged in 15:16. I was in a nice little pack of 4 runners through the first mile which runs mostly on a slight downhill with a little uphill early up and over a bridge. I hit the mile in 5:07 which was a little fast but it was where I wanted to be in the race. I was sitting behind two runners just drafting. They started to slowly pull away from me in the second mile, which is the flattest mile on the course with over half being very slightly downhill. In my fastest year here (2012 - 15:13) I ran a 4:47 for this mile. I felt like I was maintaining my pace but the 2 guys I was with in the first mile got about 5 seconds up on me. I hit the 2mi mark in 10:18. A 5:11 second mile. Not too bad. Time to hang on. Maybe I was going to run faster than I thought!
The 3rd mile became a struggle. It goes slightly uphill and then climbs back up the bridge we cross early in the first mile. This side however, is the steeper side of the hill. I got passed and dropped to 5th place. I worked hard on the climb and caught back up to the 4th place kid. I ran on his shoulder and then passed him as we came down the other side of the bridge. He came back onto my shoulder as we hit the 3mile mark. I glanced at my watch and saw I ran a 5:42 mile. Ouch! The 2 guys ahead were a good 20 seconds up now. I didn't have a kick and the kid beat me to the line and I crossed 2 seconds later in 16:37. I won my age group since the winner (31 years old) was taken out of the age group awards. For my effort I won a pie to go with my gloves that everyone gets for signing up, thus the Pie and Glove 5k name. It was a decent race but I clearly went out too fast for my fitness level. If I had gone more conservatively, I might have run sub 16:30. It did motivate me a little and makes me want to train more this winter to get in shape for the spring. I'll definitely do some snowshoe races this winter to test my fitness and have a little fun in the snow.
miles: 5:07, 5:11, 5:42, 36
Monday, December 7, 2015
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Li'l Rhody Runaround 2015
Li'l Rhody Runaround 8mi trail race - 47:32 (5:56) 3rd place - 2nd place officially
It's been a long time since I've updated the old blog so here goes. I haven't been running much lately and I certainly wouldn't call what I'm doing training. I averaged 20.5 mpw for the month of September and 37.5 mpw for the month of October. Even though I'm not in great shape, I'm always excited to race here on the Burlingame trails.
Jonny took the race out hard and had a gap of 5 seconds or so down the dirt road in the first mile. I lead the chase group and I made contact with him as we entered the trail in the Kimball Bird Sanctuary. I ran just behind him on the sandy trails. We exited the trails and dumped out onto the field by the campground and Eric Blake shot to the lead. I let him go for a second and then decided that I could match his pace and sped up to get behind him. Eric lead but seemed confused by the roads and the median section with the flags on it, so I took the lead. I was in first as we entered back into the woods on the long straight trail section. He passed me again near the long bridge and got a 2 second gap. I glanced back on the "s" turn and could see a bunch of followers closing in on us. I caught back up to Eric on a very slight downhill before the stonewall and crazy bridge section before Vin Gormley Bridge. Eric was running slow on these bridges so I jumped down off the bridge onto some rocks and then jumped in front of him into the lead. I lead once again through Vin Gormley and down the long bridge and by Klondike Rd. I kept the lead running up the hill and could feel 2 runners a second behind me. I figured it was Blake and maybe Bob Jackman, I didn't dare look back. I was working hard to keep my lead but still felt fairly controlled. I grabbed a cup of water at the water stop and managed to drink an ounce or two and then dumped out onto Buckeye Brook Rd. My time was in the mid 25's I think, which is way off my usual 24 flat at this point.
Two runners pulled up on my outside shoulder on the road and I glanced back expecting to see Eric, but it was Bronson and another guy I didn't recognize. I held my lead going back into the woods and up the Rhody ledges. I was feeling pretty gassed on the biggest climb on the course but I was still leading with Bronson and the other guy hot on my tail. I saw the Ornstein crew cheering like crazy on the rocky section. On the straight away with the exposed cement culvert the guy (from URI) blasted to the lead. I hung onto him as we passed Scott Mason snapping pictures near the School House Pond trail. Bronson went by me right after that. I tried to keep those guys in contact but I was starting to suffer and they were moving well. I would reel them in a little bit on technical spots and little downhills, but I knew they were too strong. Finally, I reached Kings Factory Rd and they were really flying putting a lot of distance on me. I glanced back and didn't see anyone close by. My calves and left hip were killing me on the road and I felt like I was just slapping and pounding and it was quite painful. I glanced back again as I started to head downhill past Gagnon's old house and saw Matthew Walker a good distance back. I gritted my teeth and dug down to finish the race in what I thought was 3rd place. I hit the line in 47:30 but SNERRO gave me the 2 sec bonus they are so famous for in the final results. Officially I got 2nd because the URI kid didn't register.
I am fairly pleased with the result. I came into the race with lot's of doubts in my fitness. I was able to race to the best of my ability today and that's pretty satisfying. I won my age group, Jonny was top master and Pard was top 70+ runner. That's a Hammett sweep even if I didn't get the win. I would really like to win this race again some day. It might have to wait until I turn 40. I'm planning to try and pull a Galoob then and train hard when I become a master. We'll see, 2 years is a long way off. By then Matthew Walker will be a senior in high school and will be an absolute beast and there'll be countless other young bucks ready to race fast. It will be a tough challenge.
It's been a long time since I've updated the old blog so here goes. I haven't been running much lately and I certainly wouldn't call what I'm doing training. I averaged 20.5 mpw for the month of September and 37.5 mpw for the month of October. Even though I'm not in great shape, I'm always excited to race here on the Burlingame trails.
Jonny took the race out hard and had a gap of 5 seconds or so down the dirt road in the first mile. I lead the chase group and I made contact with him as we entered the trail in the Kimball Bird Sanctuary. I ran just behind him on the sandy trails. We exited the trails and dumped out onto the field by the campground and Eric Blake shot to the lead. I let him go for a second and then decided that I could match his pace and sped up to get behind him. Eric lead but seemed confused by the roads and the median section with the flags on it, so I took the lead. I was in first as we entered back into the woods on the long straight trail section. He passed me again near the long bridge and got a 2 second gap. I glanced back on the "s" turn and could see a bunch of followers closing in on us. I caught back up to Eric on a very slight downhill before the stonewall and crazy bridge section before Vin Gormley Bridge. Eric was running slow on these bridges so I jumped down off the bridge onto some rocks and then jumped in front of him into the lead. I lead once again through Vin Gormley and down the long bridge and by Klondike Rd. I kept the lead running up the hill and could feel 2 runners a second behind me. I figured it was Blake and maybe Bob Jackman, I didn't dare look back. I was working hard to keep my lead but still felt fairly controlled. I grabbed a cup of water at the water stop and managed to drink an ounce or two and then dumped out onto Buckeye Brook Rd. My time was in the mid 25's I think, which is way off my usual 24 flat at this point.
Two runners pulled up on my outside shoulder on the road and I glanced back expecting to see Eric, but it was Bronson and another guy I didn't recognize. I held my lead going back into the woods and up the Rhody ledges. I was feeling pretty gassed on the biggest climb on the course but I was still leading with Bronson and the other guy hot on my tail. I saw the Ornstein crew cheering like crazy on the rocky section. On the straight away with the exposed cement culvert the guy (from URI) blasted to the lead. I hung onto him as we passed Scott Mason snapping pictures near the School House Pond trail. Bronson went by me right after that. I tried to keep those guys in contact but I was starting to suffer and they were moving well. I would reel them in a little bit on technical spots and little downhills, but I knew they were too strong. Finally, I reached Kings Factory Rd and they were really flying putting a lot of distance on me. I glanced back and didn't see anyone close by. My calves and left hip were killing me on the road and I felt like I was just slapping and pounding and it was quite painful. I glanced back again as I started to head downhill past Gagnon's old house and saw Matthew Walker a good distance back. I gritted my teeth and dug down to finish the race in what I thought was 3rd place. I hit the line in 47:30 but SNERRO gave me the 2 sec bonus they are so famous for in the final results. Officially I got 2nd because the URI kid didn't register.
I am fairly pleased with the result. I came into the race with lot's of doubts in my fitness. I was able to race to the best of my ability today and that's pretty satisfying. I won my age group, Jonny was top master and Pard was top 70+ runner. That's a Hammett sweep even if I didn't get the win. I would really like to win this race again some day. It might have to wait until I turn 40. I'm planning to try and pull a Galoob then and train hard when I become a master. We'll see, 2 years is a long way off. By then Matthew Walker will be a senior in high school and will be an absolute beast and there'll be countless other young bucks ready to race fast. It will be a tough challenge.
Friday, August 21, 2015
Week of August 17th to 23rd, 2015
Monday:
1:45 on Mt Monadnock. Ran up the Pumpelli Trail w/Ferenc. Hot day. I was tired and sluggish from the heat and humidity. Ferenc was feeling it too. Up in 54, down in 50+. Slow run but still fun. I went fishing at night with MC. I broke my line on a hog. Landed a nice 3.5lber. I'm upgrading from 12lb mono to 14lb mono. I can't fish braided, that stuff sucks!
Tuesday:
1mi + drills and sprints at the YMCA. Lifted weights. Feeling good!
Wednesday:
0mi. SUPing with Jen 1:30. Good workout coming back into the wind. 30min hike with Jen and Griffin. Played some wiffle with Boj and lost 2-1. He hit a two run walk off homer to win. I still hate him.
Thursday:
AM: 2mi with Jen and Griffin. SUPing 1:30 with Jen.
PM: 10mi/74min on Marlborough trails with Boj. Good run. Went fishing with Griffin. I managed to land 2 bass even though Griffin swam after my lure and scared all the fish. She was too cute to get mad at and it was nice to see the old girl acting so spry.
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Total for the week:
1:45 on Mt Monadnock. Ran up the Pumpelli Trail w/Ferenc. Hot day. I was tired and sluggish from the heat and humidity. Ferenc was feeling it too. Up in 54, down in 50+. Slow run but still fun. I went fishing at night with MC. I broke my line on a hog. Landed a nice 3.5lber. I'm upgrading from 12lb mono to 14lb mono. I can't fish braided, that stuff sucks!
Tuesday:
1mi + drills and sprints at the YMCA. Lifted weights. Feeling good!
Wednesday:
0mi. SUPing with Jen 1:30. Good workout coming back into the wind. 30min hike with Jen and Griffin. Played some wiffle with Boj and lost 2-1. He hit a two run walk off homer to win. I still hate him.
Thursday:
AM: 2mi with Jen and Griffin. SUPing 1:30 with Jen.
PM: 10mi/74min on Marlborough trails with Boj. Good run. Went fishing with Griffin. I managed to land 2 bass even though Griffin swam after my lure and scared all the fish. She was too cute to get mad at and it was nice to see the old girl acting so spry.
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Total for the week:
Week of August 10th to 16th, 2015
Monday:
8mi*/47:05 - m.p. run in Pisgah solo. New pr for the loop for me. Hike 45min with Jen and Griffin. Did some stand up paddle boarding (SUPing) on Spofford Lake with Jen for 1:30. Went fishing at night with MC. He caught a 6lb beast. I landed a fish close to 5lbs. Great day!
Tuesday:
DDP Yoga. I haven't done this in a long time. Damn it's tough! Rainy day.
Wednesday:
12mi/1:25 on the Putney Mtn trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Great run. Nice weather. Hit up the magical waters of the Putney covert culvert after the run. Went SUPing for 2hrs with Jen.
Thursday:
3mi in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. SUPing 1hr with Jen. Helped Andy move in the evening, that will do for strength training.
Friday:
12mi/1:26 in Pisgah with Ferenc and Lena. Body tired and legs sluggish. Hot and thirsty.
Saturday:
0mi. Lifted weights. Making gains! Hike 45min with Jen and Griffin.
Sunday:
0mi. Hike 45min. Went SUPing with Jen and Griffin on Fullam Pond in Pisgah. Griffin stayed on my paddle board for a while then she got sick of it and swam with us the rest of the time. Fun adventure.
Total for the week:
35mi. Great m.p. run on Monday. Mileage is low but paddle boarding is a blast and a good workout. Feeling strong. I need to do more DDP Yoga. My flexibility is junk.
8mi*/47:05 - m.p. run in Pisgah solo. New pr for the loop for me. Hike 45min with Jen and Griffin. Did some stand up paddle boarding (SUPing) on Spofford Lake with Jen for 1:30. Went fishing at night with MC. He caught a 6lb beast. I landed a fish close to 5lbs. Great day!
Tuesday:
DDP Yoga. I haven't done this in a long time. Damn it's tough! Rainy day.
Wednesday:
12mi/1:25 on the Putney Mtn trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Great run. Nice weather. Hit up the magical waters of the Putney covert culvert after the run. Went SUPing for 2hrs with Jen.
Thursday:
3mi in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. SUPing 1hr with Jen. Helped Andy move in the evening, that will do for strength training.
Friday:
12mi/1:26 in Pisgah with Ferenc and Lena. Body tired and legs sluggish. Hot and thirsty.
Saturday:
0mi. Lifted weights. Making gains! Hike 45min with Jen and Griffin.
Sunday:
0mi. Hike 45min. Went SUPing with Jen and Griffin on Fullam Pond in Pisgah. Griffin stayed on my paddle board for a while then she got sick of it and swam with us the rest of the time. Fun adventure.
Total for the week:
35mi. Great m.p. run on Monday. Mileage is low but paddle boarding is a blast and a good workout. Feeling strong. I need to do more DDP Yoga. My flexibility is junk.
Week of August 3rd to 9th, 2015
Monday:
9mi/65min on the Athens trails with Ferenc and Lena. Felt hot and thirsty. I got a migraine in the afternoon. I managed not to puke, but still it wiped me out for 6 hours or so. First one in a long time. I forgot to have a green smoothie with ginger in the morning. I swear the ginger works.
Tuesday:
0mi. Drove to Corning, NY. Long drive.
Wednesday:
5mi/34min in Corning, NY on the roads solo. Hiked in Letchworth State Park. Impressive gorge! Back stiff.
Thursday:
1mi + hike 1hr with Jen and Griffin in Urbana State Park with Jen and Griffin. Saw a 8" leopard slug. Cool creature! Caught some rock bass and yellow perch from the dock in Keuka Lake.
Friday:
3mi + hike 1hr in Urbana State Park with Jen and Griffin. Kayak 30min on Keuka Lake. Long drive home in the afternoon.
Saturday:
0mi. Lifted weights and got huge. Bought stand up paddle boards. Had my birthday party at night. Fun times!
Sunday:
0mi. Lazy day. 38 years old today. Getting old.
Total for the week:
18mi. Not a good week. Oh well.
9mi/65min on the Athens trails with Ferenc and Lena. Felt hot and thirsty. I got a migraine in the afternoon. I managed not to puke, but still it wiped me out for 6 hours or so. First one in a long time. I forgot to have a green smoothie with ginger in the morning. I swear the ginger works.
Tuesday:
0mi. Drove to Corning, NY. Long drive.
Wednesday:
5mi/34min in Corning, NY on the roads solo. Hiked in Letchworth State Park. Impressive gorge! Back stiff.
Thursday:
1mi + hike 1hr with Jen and Griffin in Urbana State Park with Jen and Griffin. Saw a 8" leopard slug. Cool creature! Caught some rock bass and yellow perch from the dock in Keuka Lake.
Friday:
3mi + hike 1hr in Urbana State Park with Jen and Griffin. Kayak 30min on Keuka Lake. Long drive home in the afternoon.
Saturday:
0mi. Lifted weights and got huge. Bought stand up paddle boards. Had my birthday party at night. Fun times!
Sunday:
0mi. Lazy day. 38 years old today. Getting old.
Total for the week:
18mi. Not a good week. Oh well.
Week of July 27th to August 2nd, 2015
Monday:
3mi/20min in Stone Harbor, NJ. Last mile 6:00. Walked an hour in Cape May. Saw some cool birds: purple martins, black skimmers, least terns, piping plovers, fish crows, laughing gulls and American oyster catchers. Body surfing for an hour +. Waves decent.
Tuesday:
0mi. Walked for an hour on Stone Harbor Point. Saw a peregrine falcon swoop down and catch a baby least tern. Easy pickings! Swam in the ocean, small waves today. Long drive home in the afternoon. Fun trip.
Wednesday:
3mi/20min in Pisgah solo. Lifted weights and went fishing at night. Lost a 5lber at the canoe.
Thursday:
0mi. Swam at Kilburn pond with Jen and Griffin. Lazy the rest of the day.
Friday:
12mi*/1:12:40 - m.p. run solo in Pisgah. Great run! Gorgeous weather again. Fishing at night with MC and George. George landed 2 big bass. I caught 20 fish, biggest was 3lbs.
Saturday:
0mi. Drove to RI for my mother and older brother's birthday party. 70 and 40. Fun time!
Sunday:
5mi/37min in Burlingame trails solo. My back is stiff.
Total for the week:
23mi. July totals 173mi = 39.1 MPW. Not great but I'm cool with it. I'm addicted to catching bass.
3mi/20min in Stone Harbor, NJ. Last mile 6:00. Walked an hour in Cape May. Saw some cool birds: purple martins, black skimmers, least terns, piping plovers, fish crows, laughing gulls and American oyster catchers. Body surfing for an hour +. Waves decent.
Tuesday:
0mi. Walked for an hour on Stone Harbor Point. Saw a peregrine falcon swoop down and catch a baby least tern. Easy pickings! Swam in the ocean, small waves today. Long drive home in the afternoon. Fun trip.
Wednesday:
3mi/20min in Pisgah solo. Lifted weights and went fishing at night. Lost a 5lber at the canoe.
Thursday:
0mi. Swam at Kilburn pond with Jen and Griffin. Lazy the rest of the day.
Friday:
12mi*/1:12:40 - m.p. run solo in Pisgah. Great run! Gorgeous weather again. Fishing at night with MC and George. George landed 2 big bass. I caught 20 fish, biggest was 3lbs.
Saturday:
0mi. Drove to RI for my mother and older brother's birthday party. 70 and 40. Fun time!
Sunday:
5mi/37min in Burlingame trails solo. My back is stiff.
Total for the week:
23mi. July totals 173mi = 39.1 MPW. Not great but I'm cool with it. I'm addicted to catching bass.
Week of July 20th to 26th, 2015
Monday:
0mi. My body is stiff and sore. Went fishing with MC. He caught 2 big pigs.
Tuesday:
4mi/26min + 5 x 8sec sprints solo in Pisgah. Lifted weights. Went fishing at night.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights.
Thursday:
8mi*/49:17 m.p. run in Pisgah solo. Beautiful weather. Great fishing trip at night with MC.
Friday:
12mi/1:25 in Pisgah w/Thomas. Gorgeous weather, feeling good.
Saturday:
1mi + lifted weights and got huge. Fishing again at night.
Sunday:
0mi. Drove 6.5hrs to Stone Harbor, NJ. Good waves! Body surfed for an hour or so.
Total for the week:
25mi. Not a great week, but the fishing has been good and I lifted consistently. NJ is nice!
0mi. My body is stiff and sore. Went fishing with MC. He caught 2 big pigs.
Tuesday:
4mi/26min + 5 x 8sec sprints solo in Pisgah. Lifted weights. Went fishing at night.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights.
Thursday:
8mi*/49:17 m.p. run in Pisgah solo. Beautiful weather. Great fishing trip at night with MC.
Friday:
12mi/1:25 in Pisgah w/Thomas. Gorgeous weather, feeling good.
Saturday:
1mi + lifted weights and got huge. Fishing again at night.
Sunday:
0mi. Drove 6.5hrs to Stone Harbor, NJ. Good waves! Body surfed for an hour or so.
Total for the week:
25mi. Not a great week, but the fishing has been good and I lifted consistently. NJ is nice!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Week of July 13th - 19th, 2015
Monday:
2:46 in the White Mountains with Ferenc and Matt Haley. Great run/hike up Franconia Ridge.
Tuesday:
5mi/34min in Friedsam solo. Legs feel pretty good considering what I did for a run yesterday.
Hiked up Pitcher Mtn with Jen and Griffin.
Wednesday:
1mi. I went fishing at the reservoir with MC. He landed a nice 4lber and then I landed a 5lber. Biggest largemouth of my life. Awesome trip. I'd put pictures on my blog but I'm too lazy. I showed a lot of people the pictures already.
Thursday:
8mi/54min in Pisgah solo. Nice weather. Feeling good. Played some wiffle with Boj and he made me eat my words with a walk off grand slam. I hate him.
Friday:
0mi. Lazy day. I had to take Griffin to the vet. She's got another UTI poor old girl!
Saturday:
14mi*/1:36 - Run with the Beavers 10mi trail race - 1:04:22 (6:26) 2nd place. There was a lot of excitement going into this year's race with the team competition between WTAC and Team Hambojaloob. Wooley, Garvin and Galoob all ran much faster splits than me at Ragnar so I was thinking I'd probably finish in 4th. I also realized I've gained a little fitness since then and this course paired up nicely with my strengths. (Not much climbing, lot's of small ups and downs on semi-technical single track). I took the lead with Wooley, Galoob and Garvin following closely as we entered the single track early into the race. I wanted to push and make the race honest the whole time. No tactical racing here. After the water stop, Wooley came up along side me on the dirt road. I kept brushing into him as I tried to run the tangents of the dirt road. He probably thought I was being an aggressive jerk. We entered back into the single track and I took the lead again with Wooley right behind me. We had a very small gap on Galoob and Garvin. We dumped back onto the dirt road and Wooley shot into the lead as we re-entered the single track. He blasted the steep downhill and started to pull away. I was feeling the effort and Galoob started to catch me after the bridge on the side-hill techy section. He finally passed me and chased after Wooley up the steep hill. I didn't lose much ground on the hill and kept the gap at about 3 seconds behind Galoob. As we came around the field to finish the first lap, Wooley started to extend his lead and Galoob did the same to me. Garvin was a few seconds back of me. I hit the line in 31:25 for the first loop. There was no way I was going to even split. Time to hang on and try to rally.
I felt tired but kept my cadence high climbing the dirt road hill that starts the second lap. I gained a little ground on Galoob here. We entered the single track and I started to reel in Galoob. I made the pass soon after. He said something like his head hurt and I was worried he was having a medical episode. (Turns out he said his hip hurt). I yelled at him that he could recover on the downhills after the water stop and still run fast. I could see Wooley occasionally up ahead and this became my new motivation. I looked back and could not see Galoob or Garvin so I went into hunt Wooley mode. That was a good place to be in mentally rather than being scared of getting passed by the guys behind me. I hit the water stop and the guy told me I was 20sec down to Wooley. I tried to dig down, but I never saw him again. He must have torched this last 1/4 of the course. As I came into the woods near the finish of the field, I looked across and saw Ryan finishing in 1:03:40. I dug down for the final field in crossed the line in a satisfying 1:04:22. My second lap was 32:55. This was my second fastest time on the course which I was happy with. I waited to see if Galoob would beat Garvin to keep the team race close. Garvin crossed next in 1:05 for a big pr. Brightman and Bentley and Chris Fox all came in ahead of Jonny so I knew our team was having a rough day. (Turns out he lost a shoe in the mud). I started to worry about Galoob and then I was told he dropped with a hip injury. Seth ran a pr and then Boj came through with a pr as well. Fun cool down with the guys after the race.
This has me excited about where my fitness is at, if only I can get motivated to run a little more. I'm also very much looking forward to the battle at Lil Rhody with all the same players.
Sunday:
12mi/1:25 on the Pinnacle trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Legs not really sore but very tired and sluggish today. Hot and humid weather. Dipped in the magical healing waters at the Putney culvert after the run.
Total for the week:
53mi. Decent week. Very pleased with my race and I caught a monster largemouth bass. I need to get the mileage up to the 60's and get to the gym more next week.
2:46 in the White Mountains with Ferenc and Matt Haley. Great run/hike up Franconia Ridge.
Tuesday:
5mi/34min in Friedsam solo. Legs feel pretty good considering what I did for a run yesterday.
Hiked up Pitcher Mtn with Jen and Griffin.
Wednesday:
1mi. I went fishing at the reservoir with MC. He landed a nice 4lber and then I landed a 5lber. Biggest largemouth of my life. Awesome trip. I'd put pictures on my blog but I'm too lazy. I showed a lot of people the pictures already.
Thursday:
8mi/54min in Pisgah solo. Nice weather. Feeling good. Played some wiffle with Boj and he made me eat my words with a walk off grand slam. I hate him.
Friday:
0mi. Lazy day. I had to take Griffin to the vet. She's got another UTI poor old girl!
Saturday:
14mi*/1:36 - Run with the Beavers 10mi trail race - 1:04:22 (6:26) 2nd place. There was a lot of excitement going into this year's race with the team competition between WTAC and Team Hambojaloob. Wooley, Garvin and Galoob all ran much faster splits than me at Ragnar so I was thinking I'd probably finish in 4th. I also realized I've gained a little fitness since then and this course paired up nicely with my strengths. (Not much climbing, lot's of small ups and downs on semi-technical single track). I took the lead with Wooley, Galoob and Garvin following closely as we entered the single track early into the race. I wanted to push and make the race honest the whole time. No tactical racing here. After the water stop, Wooley came up along side me on the dirt road. I kept brushing into him as I tried to run the tangents of the dirt road. He probably thought I was being an aggressive jerk. We entered back into the single track and I took the lead again with Wooley right behind me. We had a very small gap on Galoob and Garvin. We dumped back onto the dirt road and Wooley shot into the lead as we re-entered the single track. He blasted the steep downhill and started to pull away. I was feeling the effort and Galoob started to catch me after the bridge on the side-hill techy section. He finally passed me and chased after Wooley up the steep hill. I didn't lose much ground on the hill and kept the gap at about 3 seconds behind Galoob. As we came around the field to finish the first lap, Wooley started to extend his lead and Galoob did the same to me. Garvin was a few seconds back of me. I hit the line in 31:25 for the first loop. There was no way I was going to even split. Time to hang on and try to rally.
I felt tired but kept my cadence high climbing the dirt road hill that starts the second lap. I gained a little ground on Galoob here. We entered the single track and I started to reel in Galoob. I made the pass soon after. He said something like his head hurt and I was worried he was having a medical episode. (Turns out he said his hip hurt). I yelled at him that he could recover on the downhills after the water stop and still run fast. I could see Wooley occasionally up ahead and this became my new motivation. I looked back and could not see Galoob or Garvin so I went into hunt Wooley mode. That was a good place to be in mentally rather than being scared of getting passed by the guys behind me. I hit the water stop and the guy told me I was 20sec down to Wooley. I tried to dig down, but I never saw him again. He must have torched this last 1/4 of the course. As I came into the woods near the finish of the field, I looked across and saw Ryan finishing in 1:03:40. I dug down for the final field in crossed the line in a satisfying 1:04:22. My second lap was 32:55. This was my second fastest time on the course which I was happy with. I waited to see if Galoob would beat Garvin to keep the team race close. Garvin crossed next in 1:05 for a big pr. Brightman and Bentley and Chris Fox all came in ahead of Jonny so I knew our team was having a rough day. (Turns out he lost a shoe in the mud). I started to worry about Galoob and then I was told he dropped with a hip injury. Seth ran a pr and then Boj came through with a pr as well. Fun cool down with the guys after the race.
This has me excited about where my fitness is at, if only I can get motivated to run a little more. I'm also very much looking forward to the battle at Lil Rhody with all the same players.
Sunday:
12mi/1:25 on the Pinnacle trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Legs not really sore but very tired and sluggish today. Hot and humid weather. Dipped in the magical healing waters at the Putney culvert after the run.
Total for the week:
53mi. Decent week. Very pleased with my race and I caught a monster largemouth bass. I need to get the mileage up to the 60's and get to the gym more next week.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Week of July 6th - 12th, 2015
Monday:
AM: 1mi + drills and lifted weights.
PM: 9mi/65min on the Athens, VT trails with Ferenc and Lena. Hot weather. We saw a dead short-tailed weasel in the trail. Cute little bugger. I wonder what got him?
3mi/24min with MC to Kilburn for a nice swim.
Tuesday:
0mi. Crappy weather today. I took Griffin for a nice long walk.
Wednesday:
13mi*/1:23 in Gilsum Woods with Dawson Adams. M.P. run. Dawson was running fast right from the start. He dropped me twice on two big climbs. My legs were tired. I lifted weights before the run and did a lot of front squats and cleans. Humid weather.
Thursday:
0mi. Hiked Mt. Wantastiquit with Jen and Griffin. Lower back is stiff. I should have run though.
Friday:
8mi*/49:02 in Pisgah solo. M.P. run. Great run. Nice weather. Saw a deer and a garter snake. Feeling great, really hammered the last mile.
Saturday:
8mi/54min in Pisgah with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Nice weather again.
Sunday:
1mi. Lifted weights and played some 2 on 2 hoops at the Y. Went fishing at night with MC. We had a fantastic trip catching some nice largemouths. A couple 3 pounders and a bunch of 2 pounders. We heard skunk apes howling on the ridge at sunset and decided to run out of there. It was pretty freaky. Sasquatch lives!!
Total for the week:
43miles. This was essentially 3 days off. I guess that's fine but I shouldn't expect to win any races on this kind of mileage.
AM: 1mi + drills and lifted weights.
PM: 9mi/65min on the Athens, VT trails with Ferenc and Lena. Hot weather. We saw a dead short-tailed weasel in the trail. Cute little bugger. I wonder what got him?
3mi/24min with MC to Kilburn for a nice swim.
Tuesday:
0mi. Crappy weather today. I took Griffin for a nice long walk.
Wednesday:
13mi*/1:23 in Gilsum Woods with Dawson Adams. M.P. run. Dawson was running fast right from the start. He dropped me twice on two big climbs. My legs were tired. I lifted weights before the run and did a lot of front squats and cleans. Humid weather.
Thursday:
0mi. Hiked Mt. Wantastiquit with Jen and Griffin. Lower back is stiff. I should have run though.
Friday:
8mi*/49:02 in Pisgah solo. M.P. run. Great run. Nice weather. Saw a deer and a garter snake. Feeling great, really hammered the last mile.
Saturday:
8mi/54min in Pisgah with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Nice weather again.
Sunday:
1mi. Lifted weights and played some 2 on 2 hoops at the Y. Went fishing at night with MC. We had a fantastic trip catching some nice largemouths. A couple 3 pounders and a bunch of 2 pounders. We heard skunk apes howling on the ridge at sunset and decided to run out of there. It was pretty freaky. Sasquatch lives!!
Total for the week:
43miles. This was essentially 3 days off. I guess that's fine but I shouldn't expect to win any races on this kind of mileage.
Week of June 29th - July 5th, 2015
Monday:
0mi. Drove up to Pittsburg, NH. Legs sore and tired. Staying right on the First Connecticut Lake in a little cabin. No cell phones, no internet or cable. Nice and peaceful.
Tuesday:
0mi. Hiked up Mt. Magalloway with Jen and Griffin. Lot's of moose poop on the trail. Great hike. It's gorgeous up here.
Wednesday:
2mi with Jen and Griffin in Johnson's Family Forest in Pittsburg. Rainy day. Hooked a trout on my fly rod but it broke my line. I don't think I tie the right kind of knots on the flouro-carbon leader and it slipped, or it was a 5lb monster. I then proceeded to shut my fly rod in the car door breaking it when I went to tie on another fly. Uggghhhh! I've been fishing for over 30 years and I've never broken a rod before. It wasn't an expensive rod, but it was very frustrating!
Thursday:
0mi. Hiked 800' Bog Bridge Trail with Jen and Griffin. Drove home from Pittsburg. It was a great relaxing trip. Caught a brown trout in the Ashuelot on spinning tackle when I got home and 2 smallies.
Friday:
9mi/60min on the WML tracks with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Beautiful weather. Lifted weights and got enormous.
Saturday:
10mi*/63min - Keene 4 on the 4th road race - 21:40 (5:25) 9th place. Good race. I ran very even splits and ended up dueling with Dawson Adams (George's 16yr old son). We yo-yo'd in the last mile several times and then he dropped me with a strong surge with 400m to go. It felt like a flash back to 2006 (I believe) when I was battling with George in the last mile where he pulled away for the win. Now I'm battling with his son. Pretty cool! Jonny ran a big pr and then was left out of the official results. Thomas won his 4th straight title which is the most wins at this race, putting him in the discussion for 4 on the 4th GOAT. He still has Fyffe's monster course record of 19:23 to chase. That time is freaking fast! We spent the afternoon at Stoddard with the family. Fun day.
Sunday:
13mi/1:30 in Goose Pond trails with Thomas. Nice weather. My legs are sore from the race.
Total for the week:
34mi. Fun trip to Pittsburg. I could have run up there, but I didn't mind chilling in the cabin and hanging at the lake all day being lazy. The hikes were nice and I'm content with my race effort.
0mi. Drove up to Pittsburg, NH. Legs sore and tired. Staying right on the First Connecticut Lake in a little cabin. No cell phones, no internet or cable. Nice and peaceful.
Tuesday:
0mi. Hiked up Mt. Magalloway with Jen and Griffin. Lot's of moose poop on the trail. Great hike. It's gorgeous up here.
Wednesday:
2mi with Jen and Griffin in Johnson's Family Forest in Pittsburg. Rainy day. Hooked a trout on my fly rod but it broke my line. I don't think I tie the right kind of knots on the flouro-carbon leader and it slipped, or it was a 5lb monster. I then proceeded to shut my fly rod in the car door breaking it when I went to tie on another fly. Uggghhhh! I've been fishing for over 30 years and I've never broken a rod before. It wasn't an expensive rod, but it was very frustrating!
Thursday:
0mi. Hiked 800' Bog Bridge Trail with Jen and Griffin. Drove home from Pittsburg. It was a great relaxing trip. Caught a brown trout in the Ashuelot on spinning tackle when I got home and 2 smallies.
Friday:
9mi/60min on the WML tracks with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Beautiful weather. Lifted weights and got enormous.
Saturday:
10mi*/63min - Keene 4 on the 4th road race - 21:40 (5:25) 9th place. Good race. I ran very even splits and ended up dueling with Dawson Adams (George's 16yr old son). We yo-yo'd in the last mile several times and then he dropped me with a strong surge with 400m to go. It felt like a flash back to 2006 (I believe) when I was battling with George in the last mile where he pulled away for the win. Now I'm battling with his son. Pretty cool! Jonny ran a big pr and then was left out of the official results. Thomas won his 4th straight title which is the most wins at this race, putting him in the discussion for 4 on the 4th GOAT. He still has Fyffe's monster course record of 19:23 to chase. That time is freaking fast! We spent the afternoon at Stoddard with the family. Fun day.
Sunday:
13mi/1:30 in Goose Pond trails with Thomas. Nice weather. My legs are sore from the race.
Total for the week:
34mi. Fun trip to Pittsburg. I could have run up there, but I didn't mind chilling in the cabin and hanging at the lake all day being lazy. The hikes were nice and I'm content with my race effort.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Week of June 22nd - 28th, 2015
Monday:
0mi
Tuesday:
5mi/36min in Friedsam solo. Hot and humid weather. Lifted weights. Caught 2 smallies at the river
Wednesday:
AM: 8mi/54min in Pisgah solo. Beautiful morning.
PM: 8mi*/53min track workout at Monadnock track. 2mi at T pace (10:56)
Thurday:
AM: 1mi + drills and lifted weights
PM: 5mi/34min in Friedsam solo.
Friday and Saturday:
Ragnar Trail Relay - 15mi*. I had a blast with my team. I also enjoyed hanging out in the wee ours of the morning with the Foolproof Team. Thanks for the beverages guys.
I ran the green loop first in 22:20. Next was the red loop at around midnight in 51:57. I had a blast racing at midnight and passing people super fast on sketchy trails in the dark by the light of my headlamp. It was a very cool experience. Finally around 6:45am I ran the yellow loop in 36:11. This was by far my favorite loop. I wish I got to run this one first while fresh. Very fun mix of single track and not too much climbing. I stayed up all night and was absolutely exhausted by the end of it. Great time and I'd love to do it again.
Sunday:
8mi/65min in Pisgah with Danny. Body sore and tired but glad I did it. It was pouring rain. Good little recovery run.
Total for the week:
50mi. Ragnar was an absolute blast.
0mi
Tuesday:
5mi/36min in Friedsam solo. Hot and humid weather. Lifted weights. Caught 2 smallies at the river
Wednesday:
AM: 8mi/54min in Pisgah solo. Beautiful morning.
PM: 8mi*/53min track workout at Monadnock track. 2mi at T pace (10:56)
Thurday:
AM: 1mi + drills and lifted weights
PM: 5mi/34min in Friedsam solo.
Friday and Saturday:
Ragnar Trail Relay - 15mi*. I had a blast with my team. I also enjoyed hanging out in the wee ours of the morning with the Foolproof Team. Thanks for the beverages guys.
I ran the green loop first in 22:20. Next was the red loop at around midnight in 51:57. I had a blast racing at midnight and passing people super fast on sketchy trails in the dark by the light of my headlamp. It was a very cool experience. Finally around 6:45am I ran the yellow loop in 36:11. This was by far my favorite loop. I wish I got to run this one first while fresh. Very fun mix of single track and not too much climbing. I stayed up all night and was absolutely exhausted by the end of it. Great time and I'd love to do it again.
Sunday:
8mi/65min in Pisgah with Danny. Body sore and tired but glad I did it. It was pouring rain. Good little recovery run.
Total for the week:
50mi. Ragnar was an absolute blast.
Week of June 15th - 21st, 2015
Monday - 0
Tuesday - 0
Wednesday - 0
Thursday - 0
Friday - 0
I was sick with a nasty stomach bug. Finally feeling better.
Saturday - 2mi + lifted weights
Sunday - 16mi w/Ferenc, Lena and Ellie
Total for the week: 18mi. Not a great week but school is out now and I'm feeling recovered from my stomach bug.
Tuesday - 0
Wednesday - 0
Thursday - 0
Friday - 0
I was sick with a nasty stomach bug. Finally feeling better.
Saturday - 2mi + lifted weights
Sunday - 16mi w/Ferenc, Lena and Ellie
Total for the week: 18mi. Not a great week but school is out now and I'm feeling recovered from my stomach bug.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Week of June 8th to 14th, 2015
Monday:
0mi. Feeling stiff and tired. I needed a day off.
Tuesday:
2mi in Pisgah with Griffin. Deer flies out. Saw a porcupine.
5mi/36min in Friedsam Forest solo saw a deer.
Wednesday:
9mi*/61min at Monadnock track with Andy. 4 x (400-200-200) with 200 rest.
(75, 36, 35, 72, 35, 34, 70, 34, 33, 67, 33, 30)
Felt great! I always feel good doing 2's and 4's. Super easy and relaxed. Nice weather hot 80 degrees but no humidity and a nice breeze.
Thursday:
8mi*/49:38 in Pisgah solo. M.P. run. Felt good, calves a wee bit sore. Gorgeous weather again.
Friday:
0mi.
Saturday:
1mi/8min + drills. Lifted weights and got swole. Went fishing with MC. I caught a smallie he landed a brown (with fins).
Sunday:
14mi/1:43 in Pisgah with Thomas, Brett and Summit. Hot out but the humidity lifted as the run went on. We took a nice dip in Kilburn Pond. Body sore from lifting. Went fishing in the afternoon in Marlow and caught a sucker. Beautiful day.
Total for the week:
39mi. Not a good mileage week. There are lots of things going on with the end of school. Next week is the last week with kids and it should be hectic as well. Bring on summer!
0mi. Feeling stiff and tired. I needed a day off.
Tuesday:
2mi in Pisgah with Griffin. Deer flies out. Saw a porcupine.
5mi/36min in Friedsam Forest solo saw a deer.
Wednesday:
9mi*/61min at Monadnock track with Andy. 4 x (400-200-200) with 200 rest.
(75, 36, 35, 72, 35, 34, 70, 34, 33, 67, 33, 30)
Felt great! I always feel good doing 2's and 4's. Super easy and relaxed. Nice weather hot 80 degrees but no humidity and a nice breeze.
Thursday:
8mi*/49:38 in Pisgah solo. M.P. run. Felt good, calves a wee bit sore. Gorgeous weather again.
Friday:
0mi.
Saturday:
1mi/8min + drills. Lifted weights and got swole. Went fishing with MC. I caught a smallie he landed a brown (with fins).
Sunday:
14mi/1:43 in Pisgah with Thomas, Brett and Summit. Hot out but the humidity lifted as the run went on. We took a nice dip in Kilburn Pond. Body sore from lifting. Went fishing in the afternoon in Marlow and caught a sucker. Beautiful day.
Total for the week:
39mi. Not a good mileage week. There are lots of things going on with the end of school. Next week is the last week with kids and it should be hectic as well. Bring on summer!
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Week of June 1st to 7th, 2015
Monday:
0mi. I had a retirement party after work. It was nice seeing former coworkers that had retired in the past.
Tuesday:
8mi/49:59 in Pisgah solo. Cool weather. I felt great just rolling along at an honest clip. I heard a black-billed cuckoo.
Wednesday:
8mi*/52min at the Brattleboro Fun Run. I warmed up and then did the 2.4mi trail race. 13:49 (5:45) 1st place. The trail race has been around for 4 years or so but I haven't done one of these things in about 5 years so it was new to me. The course is really fun! I'll be back to do more of these this summer and try to lower my time. I wore my new Hoka Clifton's. They are ok. Light but they are a little big and the foam seems like it will break down really fast. Jen ran the road 2mi. Fun night.
Thursday:
2mi in Pisgah with Griffin. Nice and easy in the morning before school. Griffin's 12years old and not up for long runs with me. It was nice to run with the old wolf.
I planned on running in the afternoon, but I had meetings that went very late and they zapped my motivation to get out the door.
Friday:
15mi/1:48 from Athens to Putney Culvert with Ferenc. Good run. My legs were tired from the dance show we had at school. I did 10 dances with the kids at the performance. Fun stuff!
Saturday:
4mi/35min in Pisgah with Griffin. I was thinking of racing at the Westmoreland 4mi but I couldn't leave Griffin behind. She was looking spry and wanted a run. Jen is in Oregon visiting friends so I knew Griffin wouldn't get exercise if I didn't take her. No regrets. It was a beautiful day and I spent the afternoon in Stoddard hanging out with my family.
Sunday:
0mi. I was planning on a 2hr long run but nobody could make it and George called and asked if I wanted to go mountain biking on his trails. He took me on a 2hr gnarly ride. Lots of climbing and some tricky technical sections. Super fun! I'm going to be sore. No running but fitness was gained. I played some intense wiffle in the afternoon with Boj, MC and Fyffe. Good times, it feels like summer is here.
Total for the week:
37mi. Not a lot of miles and no lifting but I was active at school all week with dancing getting ready for the dance show. Mountain biking was a blast, I'd like to go twice a week once school is out. Higher mileage next week and lift twice.
0mi. I had a retirement party after work. It was nice seeing former coworkers that had retired in the past.
Tuesday:
8mi/49:59 in Pisgah solo. Cool weather. I felt great just rolling along at an honest clip. I heard a black-billed cuckoo.
Wednesday:
8mi*/52min at the Brattleboro Fun Run. I warmed up and then did the 2.4mi trail race. 13:49 (5:45) 1st place. The trail race has been around for 4 years or so but I haven't done one of these things in about 5 years so it was new to me. The course is really fun! I'll be back to do more of these this summer and try to lower my time. I wore my new Hoka Clifton's. They are ok. Light but they are a little big and the foam seems like it will break down really fast. Jen ran the road 2mi. Fun night.
Thursday:
2mi in Pisgah with Griffin. Nice and easy in the morning before school. Griffin's 12years old and not up for long runs with me. It was nice to run with the old wolf.
I planned on running in the afternoon, but I had meetings that went very late and they zapped my motivation to get out the door.
Friday:
15mi/1:48 from Athens to Putney Culvert with Ferenc. Good run. My legs were tired from the dance show we had at school. I did 10 dances with the kids at the performance. Fun stuff!
Saturday:
4mi/35min in Pisgah with Griffin. I was thinking of racing at the Westmoreland 4mi but I couldn't leave Griffin behind. She was looking spry and wanted a run. Jen is in Oregon visiting friends so I knew Griffin wouldn't get exercise if I didn't take her. No regrets. It was a beautiful day and I spent the afternoon in Stoddard hanging out with my family.
Sunday:
0mi. I was planning on a 2hr long run but nobody could make it and George called and asked if I wanted to go mountain biking on his trails. He took me on a 2hr gnarly ride. Lots of climbing and some tricky technical sections. Super fun! I'm going to be sore. No running but fitness was gained. I played some intense wiffle in the afternoon with Boj, MC and Fyffe. Good times, it feels like summer is here.
Total for the week:
37mi. Not a lot of miles and no lifting but I was active at school all week with dancing getting ready for the dance show. Mountain biking was a blast, I'd like to go twice a week once school is out. Higher mileage next week and lift twice.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
A little bit of catch up (ok a lot)
To say I've been slacking on blogging is a bit of an understatement. To be honest I haven't been really training since early 2013. I still love to run and keep a run log, but blogging has lost a little bit of luster when I'm not training seriously. I've been feeling a bit like a hypocrite because I still get a lot of enjoyment out of reading other's blogs. (Update yours, Jonny!)
Here's my monthly totals and some highlights:
February 140mi = 35.0mpw
Raced at Prospect Mtn on snowshoes. Got 2nd place in a fun battle with Ferenc. Lot's of deep snow in the woods this month. Cold temps.
March 111mi = 25.1mpw.
I bought some backcountry xc skis and got Jen some for her birthday. What a blast! A fun workout that hits the whole body better than running. I put in 18hrs of xc skiing along with running and lifting. I mostly skied in Pisgah but went to real xc ski areas on weekends. Skied at Grafton Ponds in VT, Prospect Mtn in VT and Windblown Ski Area in NH. Windblown is absolutely awesome!
I raced at Prospect Mtn again on snowshoes and got dropped on the steep climb near the top by Tim Mahoney. He then crushed me in the deep snow single track and my obliques cramped (I think from xc skiing the days before). Deep snow this month. I also raced the Fast Friends 4.5mi in 25:38. I got 2nd place there and it was snowing with 1/2" of slippery powder on the roads. I even went to Baker Street for a speed workout with Andy this month. Trying to get Wednesday's going again.
April 216mi = 50.4mpw
I raced at the Big River 1/2 Marathon trail race. What a fun race. I blew my 30+sec lead after 2.5mi when the trail markers got stolen. I then ran behind Jonny for a bit with a big group of chasers. The markings seemed good and then I made another break for the lead. I got a 10+sec gap and then the markers were missing again. Ugghhh! I waited again and ran right with Jonny. Finally, I broke away late with Eric Lonergan right on my heels. We dropped everyone but Jonny was only 15sec back or so and he was yelling encouragement to me at points in the last mile. We emptied out onto the dirt road and Eric pulled away for the win. Really fun race. I ran 1:23:23 for 2nd. Jonny was next across the line. I had so much fun racing with my brother for so many miles.
I also raced at the Sports Med 5K in Keene. I ran a lack luster 17:00 for 3rd place. Kurt Hackler and Andy were too strong for me on this day. I got 4 track workouts in at the Monadnock track with Andy.
May 214mi = 48.3mpw
I started the month with a course record and win at the Chesterfield 10K in 37:43. This is a tough hilly hybrid race with roads, dirt roads and trails. I felt really strong and fast running here. Things were looking up for my fitness. Track coaching was in full swing and my mileage and track workouts started to slip. I raced at Sleepy Hollow and my SI joint was killing me on the warm-up. I kind of knew I was in for a crappy race. I climbed with no power on the steep climbs and limped down the descents. It was depressing to be losing ground to my competitors on the downs, where I can usually pass people. The weather was hot and I just kind of gave up out there. A terrible race, but it was a fun day with friends in the woods. I only managed one track workout which did not go well, Thomas and Andy ran good ones. I ran/hiked with Garry Harrington for a nice double summit day on Mt. Monadnock and I got a good trail run in with Jonny on Memorial Day Weekend. I ended the month with a great 20mi run in Pisgah with Brett, Thomas, Ferenc, Summit and Lena.
June is here. School is winding down. We end on the 19th. I'm going to start training for the DeMar Marathon at the end of September. I need some kind of goal to jump start my motivation heading into the summer. I'll start posting my weekly numbers again.
Here's my monthly totals and some highlights:
February 140mi = 35.0mpw
Raced at Prospect Mtn on snowshoes. Got 2nd place in a fun battle with Ferenc. Lot's of deep snow in the woods this month. Cold temps.
March 111mi = 25.1mpw.
I bought some backcountry xc skis and got Jen some for her birthday. What a blast! A fun workout that hits the whole body better than running. I put in 18hrs of xc skiing along with running and lifting. I mostly skied in Pisgah but went to real xc ski areas on weekends. Skied at Grafton Ponds in VT, Prospect Mtn in VT and Windblown Ski Area in NH. Windblown is absolutely awesome!
I raced at Prospect Mtn again on snowshoes and got dropped on the steep climb near the top by Tim Mahoney. He then crushed me in the deep snow single track and my obliques cramped (I think from xc skiing the days before). Deep snow this month. I also raced the Fast Friends 4.5mi in 25:38. I got 2nd place there and it was snowing with 1/2" of slippery powder on the roads. I even went to Baker Street for a speed workout with Andy this month. Trying to get Wednesday's going again.
April 216mi = 50.4mpw
I raced at the Big River 1/2 Marathon trail race. What a fun race. I blew my 30+sec lead after 2.5mi when the trail markers got stolen. I then ran behind Jonny for a bit with a big group of chasers. The markings seemed good and then I made another break for the lead. I got a 10+sec gap and then the markers were missing again. Ugghhh! I waited again and ran right with Jonny. Finally, I broke away late with Eric Lonergan right on my heels. We dropped everyone but Jonny was only 15sec back or so and he was yelling encouragement to me at points in the last mile. We emptied out onto the dirt road and Eric pulled away for the win. Really fun race. I ran 1:23:23 for 2nd. Jonny was next across the line. I had so much fun racing with my brother for so many miles.
I also raced at the Sports Med 5K in Keene. I ran a lack luster 17:00 for 3rd place. Kurt Hackler and Andy were too strong for me on this day. I got 4 track workouts in at the Monadnock track with Andy.
May 214mi = 48.3mpw
I started the month with a course record and win at the Chesterfield 10K in 37:43. This is a tough hilly hybrid race with roads, dirt roads and trails. I felt really strong and fast running here. Things were looking up for my fitness. Track coaching was in full swing and my mileage and track workouts started to slip. I raced at Sleepy Hollow and my SI joint was killing me on the warm-up. I kind of knew I was in for a crappy race. I climbed with no power on the steep climbs and limped down the descents. It was depressing to be losing ground to my competitors on the downs, where I can usually pass people. The weather was hot and I just kind of gave up out there. A terrible race, but it was a fun day with friends in the woods. I only managed one track workout which did not go well, Thomas and Andy ran good ones. I ran/hiked with Garry Harrington for a nice double summit day on Mt. Monadnock and I got a good trail run in with Jonny on Memorial Day Weekend. I ended the month with a great 20mi run in Pisgah with Brett, Thomas, Ferenc, Summit and Lena.
June is here. School is winding down. We end on the 19th. I'm going to start training for the DeMar Marathon at the end of September. I need some kind of goal to jump start my motivation heading into the summer. I'll start posting my weekly numbers again.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Week of February 16th to 22nd, 2015
Monday:
0mi. I played 2-on-2 hoops after school with coworkers. -12F this morning and windy.
Tuesday:
0mi. I played 4-on-4 hoops after school again. Fun times. Did a short snowshoe hike with the neighborhood kids after basketball.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights and got swole. I should have run, but feeling tired.
Thursday:
3mi S.S./20min on the beaver pond single track with Griffin. Windy and cold, 9F. It's been below 0F every morning this week. The cold temps are keeping the snow nice and fluffy.
Friday:
0mi. Played floor hockey at school all day. Vacation starts tomorrow!
Saturday:
13mi* S.S./1:26 - Prospect Mtn 10K snowshoe race - 56:40 - 2nd place. Ferenc and I dropped a guy early on the deep single track as the trail started to climb. The climb was tough but it kept dumping out onto groomed trails and it was not too steep. Ferenc started pulling away after 24min of racing mostly uphill. I kept him in sight and he had 30 sec on me at the 5K mark which was at the summit (32:30). I lost sight of Ferenc on the descent on deep powdery single track, but soon I could see snow spraying from him far up the trail. I kept pushing on and got closer and closer. The course continued mostly downhill but with some brutal traverses and little climbs on single track. We dumped onto the groomed descent and we were flying. I was maybe 8 seconds back and I gave it everything I had to try to catch him. I finally caught him on the last little climb on the groomed section right before the final switch back descent before the finish. My legs were destroyed and he pulled away on the switch backs. I jogged down them, just trying to keep from falling on my face. He won by 5 seconds. I'll take the moral victory of just being able to catch back up to him. If TiVo hadn't have put those impossible switchbacks there, I might have gotten him! It was a great race though and I really surprised myself with how well I ran. It was super cold at the mountain and I think that scared a lot of peope away from the race as there were only like 35 people. (It was -14 at my house in the morning when I was getting ready to leave for the race.)
Sunday:
11mi S.S./1:20 in Pisgah with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Sunny and warm today! 33F and it felt like Spring! My body was pretty tired from yesterday's race. I shoveled the 5" of new powder we got in the morning before the run.
Total for the week:
27mi. Great race on Saturday. It's vacation next week. I'm pumped to run, lift and hopefully go to the rock gym and do some climbing.
0mi. I played 2-on-2 hoops after school with coworkers. -12F this morning and windy.
Tuesday:
0mi. I played 4-on-4 hoops after school again. Fun times. Did a short snowshoe hike with the neighborhood kids after basketball.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights and got swole. I should have run, but feeling tired.
Thursday:
3mi S.S./20min on the beaver pond single track with Griffin. Windy and cold, 9F. It's been below 0F every morning this week. The cold temps are keeping the snow nice and fluffy.
Friday:
0mi. Played floor hockey at school all day. Vacation starts tomorrow!
Saturday:
13mi* S.S./1:26 - Prospect Mtn 10K snowshoe race - 56:40 - 2nd place. Ferenc and I dropped a guy early on the deep single track as the trail started to climb. The climb was tough but it kept dumping out onto groomed trails and it was not too steep. Ferenc started pulling away after 24min of racing mostly uphill. I kept him in sight and he had 30 sec on me at the 5K mark which was at the summit (32:30). I lost sight of Ferenc on the descent on deep powdery single track, but soon I could see snow spraying from him far up the trail. I kept pushing on and got closer and closer. The course continued mostly downhill but with some brutal traverses and little climbs on single track. We dumped onto the groomed descent and we were flying. I was maybe 8 seconds back and I gave it everything I had to try to catch him. I finally caught him on the last little climb on the groomed section right before the final switch back descent before the finish. My legs were destroyed and he pulled away on the switch backs. I jogged down them, just trying to keep from falling on my face. He won by 5 seconds. I'll take the moral victory of just being able to catch back up to him. If TiVo hadn't have put those impossible switchbacks there, I might have gotten him! It was a great race though and I really surprised myself with how well I ran. It was super cold at the mountain and I think that scared a lot of peope away from the race as there were only like 35 people. (It was -14 at my house in the morning when I was getting ready to leave for the race.)
Sunday:
11mi S.S./1:20 in Pisgah with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Sunny and warm today! 33F and it felt like Spring! My body was pretty tired from yesterday's race. I shoveled the 5" of new powder we got in the morning before the run.
Total for the week:
27mi. Great race on Saturday. It's vacation next week. I'm pumped to run, lift and hopefully go to the rock gym and do some climbing.
Week of February 9th to 15th, 2015
Monday:
4mi S.S./33min on the beaver pond single track. Awesome run! The trail we made is so fun. It's tough going up and a blast coming down. I shoveled for 3hrs and roof raked the 12" total of new snow from yesterday and today's storm. Did a 1hr snowshoe hike with Jen and Griffin to pack our new trail in my big 30" snowshoes. No school today, again.
Tuesday:
0mi. I roof raked and shoveled my neighbor's house for her. She is old and has some ailments and can't do that kind of stuff. Then I went to Glenn's house and helped him shovel tons of snow off his deck that had come off of his roof (which our friend George cleared for him). My upper body and back are a bit sore and stiff.
Wednesday:
0mi. I went for a snowshoe hike with my neighbor and his young kids. I'm glad they are into it. My body is tired. It's worth it though, I love all this snow!
Thursday:
3mi S.S./20min on beaver pond single track. Fun little run in the morning. Watched the middle school basketball tournament at night. C-field won the title for boys.
Friday:
1mi + drills and sprints after lifting at the YMCA. Got diesel. Snowshoe hike at night to pack the single track.
Saturday:
8mi S.S./58min on the Athens, VT trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Fun run on a cold day, 4F. Helped Ferenc get a load of wood after the run.
Sunday:
12mi S.S./1:30 in Pisgah with Ferenc, Lena and Elle. Cold day, 10F with lot's of wind. Tiring run, 7" of new snow. I was bonking at the end of the run. Shoveled for 2hrs. My snow banks are about 6' high. Snowshoe hike at night with Jen and Griffin for an hour packing our single track again.
Total for the week:
28mi. Again, not a lot of running, but I've been very active with shoveling, roof raking and snowshoe hiking. Feeling strong. I love a real winter. I can't even count how many nights we've had below 0F and the snow is super deep. Awesome!
4mi S.S./33min on the beaver pond single track. Awesome run! The trail we made is so fun. It's tough going up and a blast coming down. I shoveled for 3hrs and roof raked the 12" total of new snow from yesterday and today's storm. Did a 1hr snowshoe hike with Jen and Griffin to pack our new trail in my big 30" snowshoes. No school today, again.
Tuesday:
0mi. I roof raked and shoveled my neighbor's house for her. She is old and has some ailments and can't do that kind of stuff. Then I went to Glenn's house and helped him shovel tons of snow off his deck that had come off of his roof (which our friend George cleared for him). My upper body and back are a bit sore and stiff.
Wednesday:
0mi. I went for a snowshoe hike with my neighbor and his young kids. I'm glad they are into it. My body is tired. It's worth it though, I love all this snow!
Thursday:
3mi S.S./20min on beaver pond single track. Fun little run in the morning. Watched the middle school basketball tournament at night. C-field won the title for boys.
Friday:
1mi + drills and sprints after lifting at the YMCA. Got diesel. Snowshoe hike at night to pack the single track.
Saturday:
8mi S.S./58min on the Athens, VT trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Fun run on a cold day, 4F. Helped Ferenc get a load of wood after the run.
Sunday:
12mi S.S./1:30 in Pisgah with Ferenc, Lena and Elle. Cold day, 10F with lot's of wind. Tiring run, 7" of new snow. I was bonking at the end of the run. Shoveled for 2hrs. My snow banks are about 6' high. Snowshoe hike at night with Jen and Griffin for an hour packing our single track again.
Total for the week:
28mi. Again, not a lot of running, but I've been very active with shoveling, roof raking and snowshoe hiking. Feeling strong. I love a real winter. I can't even count how many nights we've had below 0F and the snow is super deep. Awesome!
Week of February 2nd to 8th, 2015
Monday:
0mi. I shoveled for 2hrs. We got 14" of new snow. No school today.
Tuesday:
3mi S.S./23min on the beaver pond. Lifted weights. It was -13F this morning. Brrr! Snowshoe hiked at school.
Wednesday:
8mi S.S./59min in Pisgah with Ferenc and Griffin at night. We wore headlamps and had a great night run. The snow was deep and challenging in spots. Most of the running we did was a snowmobile trails, thankfully!
Thursday:
0mi. Snowshoe hiked at school with the kids. I had a late meeting and didn't feel like running.
Friday:
4mi S.S./31min in Pisgah with Griffin. Lifted weights in the morning. Snowshoe hiked with the kids at school again. It was -14F this morning.
Saturday:
12mi*/1:24 - Northfield Mtn 4.5mi snowshoe race - 44:48 - 2nd. Tough conditions. Ross Krause and Tim Mahoney dropped me on the single track climb. I caught Tim on the flat single track and my calf cramped. I was able to descend pretty fast and put some space on Tim. Ross killed it in 42:01. Fun day of racing!
Sunday:
0mi. Snowing all day today. I shoveled for 2hrs and then Jen, Griffin and I snowshoe hiked a trail across the pond and up into the woods connecting to a snowmobile trail on Horseshoe Rd, which leads into Pisgah. We have a ton of snow right now! 8 new inches of powder.
Total for the week:
27mi. Not a lot of running but the race was fun and I've been snowshoe hiking a lot which is kind of like doing an easy run. There's really no such thing as easy on snowshoes. We have knee deep snow. I love it!
0mi. I shoveled for 2hrs. We got 14" of new snow. No school today.
Tuesday:
3mi S.S./23min on the beaver pond. Lifted weights. It was -13F this morning. Brrr! Snowshoe hiked at school.
Wednesday:
8mi S.S./59min in Pisgah with Ferenc and Griffin at night. We wore headlamps and had a great night run. The snow was deep and challenging in spots. Most of the running we did was a snowmobile trails, thankfully!
Thursday:
0mi. Snowshoe hiked at school with the kids. I had a late meeting and didn't feel like running.
Friday:
4mi S.S./31min in Pisgah with Griffin. Lifted weights in the morning. Snowshoe hiked with the kids at school again. It was -14F this morning.
Saturday:
12mi*/1:24 - Northfield Mtn 4.5mi snowshoe race - 44:48 - 2nd. Tough conditions. Ross Krause and Tim Mahoney dropped me on the single track climb. I caught Tim on the flat single track and my calf cramped. I was able to descend pretty fast and put some space on Tim. Ross killed it in 42:01. Fun day of racing!
Sunday:
0mi. Snowing all day today. I shoveled for 2hrs and then Jen, Griffin and I snowshoe hiked a trail across the pond and up into the woods connecting to a snowmobile trail on Horseshoe Rd, which leads into Pisgah. We have a ton of snow right now! 8 new inches of powder.
Total for the week:
27mi. Not a lot of running but the race was fun and I've been snowshoe hiking a lot which is kind of like doing an easy run. There's really no such thing as easy on snowshoes. We have knee deep snow. I love it!
Week of January 26th to February 1st, 2015
Monday:
0mi. I'm feeling much better today after being sick for 12+ hours. Just a quick bug. I had to ref 2 games at night.
Tuesday:
4mi S.S./28min on the beaver pond track. I shoveled for an hour and a half. We got 6" of new snow. We were supposed to get a lot more. Went for a 30min snowshoe hike as well with Jen. No school today.
Wednesday:
4mi S.S./31min in Pisgah with Griffin. Beautiful trail conditions made for a fun run. Lifted weights in the morning and snowshoed all day with the kids at school.
Thursday:
9mi S.S./63min in Pisgah with Brett, Summit and Griffin. Awesome run. Turned on the headlamps for the last 25min of the run. Snowshoed with the kids at school again.
Friday:
0mi. Feeling tired and lazy. Played some 1-on-1 volleyball at school with my student teacher. Pretty fun stuff. Body tired.
Saturday:
12mi/1:24 in Horatio Reserve with Brett and Summit. Tough run, we should have worn snowshoes. The snow was deep and it was cold, -3F. I managed to overdress though. Rock climbed for 2.5hrs at Vertical Dreams in Manchester after the run. I'd love to start climbing more. When I came home, the beautiful house across the beaver pond was on fire and we watched in horror as it burned to the ground. The fire department couldn't do much except keep it from spreading to the woods. Sad.
Sunday:
17mi*/1:59 on the Athens, VT trails with Ferenc, Brett, Lena and Ellie. Cold to start -6F. It was sunny though and plenty of climbing to warm us up. We ran the switch backs on the way back and we did a death slide on our butts down the steep icy terrain. Fun but a bit scary! We saw a porcupine sitting in a hollowed out tree.
Total for the week:
46mi. Decent week. Rock climbing was a blast! I need to do more snowshoe runs as it is really slippery out in the woods. The snow is too deep for micro-spikes to do anything.
0mi. I'm feeling much better today after being sick for 12+ hours. Just a quick bug. I had to ref 2 games at night.
Tuesday:
4mi S.S./28min on the beaver pond track. I shoveled for an hour and a half. We got 6" of new snow. We were supposed to get a lot more. Went for a 30min snowshoe hike as well with Jen. No school today.
Wednesday:
4mi S.S./31min in Pisgah with Griffin. Beautiful trail conditions made for a fun run. Lifted weights in the morning and snowshoed all day with the kids at school.
Thursday:
9mi S.S./63min in Pisgah with Brett, Summit and Griffin. Awesome run. Turned on the headlamps for the last 25min of the run. Snowshoed with the kids at school again.
Friday:
0mi. Feeling tired and lazy. Played some 1-on-1 volleyball at school with my student teacher. Pretty fun stuff. Body tired.
Saturday:
12mi/1:24 in Horatio Reserve with Brett and Summit. Tough run, we should have worn snowshoes. The snow was deep and it was cold, -3F. I managed to overdress though. Rock climbed for 2.5hrs at Vertical Dreams in Manchester after the run. I'd love to start climbing more. When I came home, the beautiful house across the beaver pond was on fire and we watched in horror as it burned to the ground. The fire department couldn't do much except keep it from spreading to the woods. Sad.
Sunday:
17mi*/1:59 on the Athens, VT trails with Ferenc, Brett, Lena and Ellie. Cold to start -6F. It was sunny though and plenty of climbing to warm us up. We ran the switch backs on the way back and we did a death slide on our butts down the steep icy terrain. Fun but a bit scary! We saw a porcupine sitting in a hollowed out tree.
Total for the week:
46mi. Decent week. Rock climbing was a blast! I need to do more snowshoe runs as it is really slippery out in the woods. The snow is too deep for micro-spikes to do anything.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Week of January 19th to 25th, 2015
Monday:
20mi*/2:26 in Pisgah with Ferenc, Brett, Summit, Lena and Ellie. Good run. The snow was slushy and provided decent traction. I felt a little tired out there but it was a fun day in the woods. Warm 35 degrees.
Tuesday:
0mi. My body was tired today. Needed a rest.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights. I elected to skip the run and watch the basketball game at school.
Thursday:
AM: 3mi/21min on the roads solo. I wore my new Hoka Rapa Nui2 Tarmacs. They are strange. They dig into my ankles on the lateral side pretty annoyingly but the cushioning is bomb and they're fairly light at 10 ounces. I don't love them but I'll keep them in the rotation.
PM: 8mi/55min in Pisgah with Brett, Summit and Griffin. Great run. 30 degrees F. My body feels good. I was able to grab rim (ok barely touch the rim) today at school after playing some two-on-two hoops. It's my goal to touch rim until I'm at least 40, so 2015 is checked off my list. The lifting helps! Had 2 redpolls at the feeder this morning. The first redpolls of the year, hopefully we'll get a big flock of them like the pine siskins which number up to 50. We're burning through a lot of bird seed this winter!
Friday:
1mi with drills and sprints + lifting weights at the YMCA.
Saturday:
4mi/36min in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. Nice and easy run on 3" of new powder.
Sunday:
13mi/1:30 on the Putney Mtn trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. We ran for 16min then sat in my truck to warm up. My toes were freezing and the wind was crazy. After warming up we headed south on new trails and were out of the wind and in the sunshine. Driving home I had the chills and was aching all over. Turned out I had a fever. Ughhh.
Total for the week:
49mi. I was sick as a dog Sunday afternoon.
20mi*/2:26 in Pisgah with Ferenc, Brett, Summit, Lena and Ellie. Good run. The snow was slushy and provided decent traction. I felt a little tired out there but it was a fun day in the woods. Warm 35 degrees.
Tuesday:
0mi. My body was tired today. Needed a rest.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights. I elected to skip the run and watch the basketball game at school.
Thursday:
AM: 3mi/21min on the roads solo. I wore my new Hoka Rapa Nui2 Tarmacs. They are strange. They dig into my ankles on the lateral side pretty annoyingly but the cushioning is bomb and they're fairly light at 10 ounces. I don't love them but I'll keep them in the rotation.
PM: 8mi/55min in Pisgah with Brett, Summit and Griffin. Great run. 30 degrees F. My body feels good. I was able to grab rim (ok barely touch the rim) today at school after playing some two-on-two hoops. It's my goal to touch rim until I'm at least 40, so 2015 is checked off my list. The lifting helps! Had 2 redpolls at the feeder this morning. The first redpolls of the year, hopefully we'll get a big flock of them like the pine siskins which number up to 50. We're burning through a lot of bird seed this winter!
Friday:
1mi with drills and sprints + lifting weights at the YMCA.
Saturday:
4mi/36min in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. Nice and easy run on 3" of new powder.
Sunday:
13mi/1:30 on the Putney Mtn trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. We ran for 16min then sat in my truck to warm up. My toes were freezing and the wind was crazy. After warming up we headed south on new trails and were out of the wind and in the sunshine. Driving home I had the chills and was aching all over. Turned out I had a fever. Ughhh.
Total for the week:
49mi. I was sick as a dog Sunday afternoon.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Week of January 12th to 18th, 2015
Monday:
3mi/24min in Friedsam with Running Club. Fun running in the snow with the kids. We enjoyed pulling down on hemlock branches to cover the person behind in powdery snow. Also hiding behind trees and ambushing each other with snow balls was a popular thing to do on this run. Serious fun.
PM:8mi/55min in Pisgah with Brett and Griffin. Good run, headlamp last 4mi.
I played some hard core Ballistic Box Ball at school today.
Tuesday:
0mi. I was pretty exhausted from another day of all out Ballistic Box Ball with the kids and my student teacher. I went home and took a nap.
Wednesday:
10mi/73min on the Athen's trails with Ferenc, Lena, Ellie and Griffin at night. Threw on the headlamps and micro-spikes and had an awesome run. We came across some sort of unidentifiable coyote kill. Cold 8 degrees, but I'm getting used to the temps so it felt warm. (It was -11 this morning).
Thursday:
8mi/57min in Pisgah with Brett and Summit. Wore the head lamps again for the last 3miles. We ran across Fullam Pond which was the first time I've done that. The snowmobiles have finally, been out in the park. I'm not sure what took them so long, but it is nice running on their tracks. Lifted weights.
Friday:
0mi. Lifted weights in the morning and then was too tired and lazy to run in the afternoon.
Saturday:
18mi*/2:01 on the Athens, VT trails with Ferenc, Brett, Summit, Lena and Ellie. Brrr! -6 degrees to start but it warmed up to a toasty +6F by the end of the run. Beautiful day and a fun time out on the trails. I wore my micro-spikes and had good traction. Feeling decent.
Sunday:
10mi/1:37 in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. Warm 28 degrees. It started to drizzle at the end of the run. I can't believe we're getting rain instead of snow with the cold temps we've had.. This sucks! I want a good fresh foot of powder!
Total for the week:
57mi. This was a pretty solid week. I'm happy I lifted twice and got a fun long run in.
3mi/24min in Friedsam with Running Club. Fun running in the snow with the kids. We enjoyed pulling down on hemlock branches to cover the person behind in powdery snow. Also hiding behind trees and ambushing each other with snow balls was a popular thing to do on this run. Serious fun.
PM:8mi/55min in Pisgah with Brett and Griffin. Good run, headlamp last 4mi.
I played some hard core Ballistic Box Ball at school today.
Tuesday:
0mi. I was pretty exhausted from another day of all out Ballistic Box Ball with the kids and my student teacher. I went home and took a nap.
Wednesday:
10mi/73min on the Athen's trails with Ferenc, Lena, Ellie and Griffin at night. Threw on the headlamps and micro-spikes and had an awesome run. We came across some sort of unidentifiable coyote kill. Cold 8 degrees, but I'm getting used to the temps so it felt warm. (It was -11 this morning).
Thursday:
8mi/57min in Pisgah with Brett and Summit. Wore the head lamps again for the last 3miles. We ran across Fullam Pond which was the first time I've done that. The snowmobiles have finally, been out in the park. I'm not sure what took them so long, but it is nice running on their tracks. Lifted weights.
Friday:
0mi. Lifted weights in the morning and then was too tired and lazy to run in the afternoon.
Saturday:
18mi*/2:01 on the Athens, VT trails with Ferenc, Brett, Summit, Lena and Ellie. Brrr! -6 degrees to start but it warmed up to a toasty +6F by the end of the run. Beautiful day and a fun time out on the trails. I wore my micro-spikes and had good traction. Feeling decent.
Sunday:
10mi/1:37 in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. Warm 28 degrees. It started to drizzle at the end of the run. I can't believe we're getting rain instead of snow with the cold temps we've had.. This sucks! I want a good fresh foot of powder!
Total for the week:
57mi. This was a pretty solid week. I'm happy I lifted twice and got a fun long run in.
Week of January 5th to 11th, 2015
Monday:
3mi/21min on the roads solo at night. It was cold 10 degrees and windy. Lifted weights.
Tuesday:
3mi/21min in Pisgah with Griffin. Cold 9 degrees and windy. Brrr! I wore micro-spikes and was going to go further but Griffin was slipping and sliding all over the trail. It's 2" of hard packed frozen icy snow.
Wednesday:
4mi/27min in Pisgah with Griffin. Cold again, 7 degrees. Wore my micro-spikes. My back was pretty miserably stiff.
Thursday:
1mi with drills and sprints + lifted weights at the YMCA. It was -14 degrees this morning. Yikes, that's chilly! I had meetings at night.
Friday:
8mi/57min in Pisgah with Brett, Summit and Griffin. Slow going in the 3" of new powder we got today. Wore head lamps for the last half an hour. Wore my micro-spikes too.
Saturday:
6mi/52min in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. Nice and easy run. Beautiful sunny day, 11 degrees. Went out on Lily Pond.
Sunday:
4mi/27min on my beaver pond. I ran 6 loops around my frozen beaver pond while Jen and Griffin walked around at night. Super fun! I don't know why I never did this before, it's a good way to get some miles.
Total for the week:
29mi. My back has been pretty stiff. It was really cold this week. I wish we had more snow, with a few more inches it'd be perfect for snowshoeing.
3mi/21min on the roads solo at night. It was cold 10 degrees and windy. Lifted weights.
Tuesday:
3mi/21min in Pisgah with Griffin. Cold 9 degrees and windy. Brrr! I wore micro-spikes and was going to go further but Griffin was slipping and sliding all over the trail. It's 2" of hard packed frozen icy snow.
Wednesday:
4mi/27min in Pisgah with Griffin. Cold again, 7 degrees. Wore my micro-spikes. My back was pretty miserably stiff.
Thursday:
1mi with drills and sprints + lifted weights at the YMCA. It was -14 degrees this morning. Yikes, that's chilly! I had meetings at night.
Friday:
8mi/57min in Pisgah with Brett, Summit and Griffin. Slow going in the 3" of new powder we got today. Wore head lamps for the last half an hour. Wore my micro-spikes too.
Saturday:
6mi/52min in Pisgah with Jen and Griffin. Nice and easy run. Beautiful sunny day, 11 degrees. Went out on Lily Pond.
Sunday:
4mi/27min on my beaver pond. I ran 6 loops around my frozen beaver pond while Jen and Griffin walked around at night. Super fun! I don't know why I never did this before, it's a good way to get some miles.
Total for the week:
29mi. My back has been pretty stiff. It was really cold this week. I wish we had more snow, with a few more inches it'd be perfect for snowshoeing.
Week of December 29th, 2014 to January 4th, 2015
Monday:
11mi/1:19 in Burlingame with Jonny. Great run. We ran Sammy C's and some other twisty single track trails. Feeling good.
Tuesday:
16mi/1:53 on the Athen's, VT trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Fun run on a couple inches of crunchy snow. 19 degrees and sunny.
Wednesday:
AM: 5mi/NT with Jen and Griffin in Pisgah. Cold and sunny 16 degrees.
PM: 4mi/34min in Pisgah with Glenn and Griffin. Fun run.
Thursday:
7mi*/49min - track workout at Brattleboro track with Glenn and 2 of his athletes.
Mile - 4:58 + 4 x 400m with 400 rest (71, 70, 67, 66)
Fun way to start the New Year. It was cold around 11 degrees to start but it warmed up a little bit.
Friday:
0mi. My back is stiff and sore and I felt like taking it easy.
Saturday:
20mi*/2:24 in Pisgah with Brett, Ferenc, Lena, Ellie and Summit. Great run. It was cold around 15 degrees. We ran on Old Spofford trail and crossed the Swamp of Sorrow. We saw a painted turtle swimming under the ice. This is a really cool route that's only passable in the winter when the beaver pond is frozen.
Sunday:
4mi/33min in Pisgah with Griffin and Jen. 2" of crusty fresh snow.
Total for the week:
67mi. Pleased with this week. I got a good speed workout in and a long run.
11mi/1:19 in Burlingame with Jonny. Great run. We ran Sammy C's and some other twisty single track trails. Feeling good.
Tuesday:
16mi/1:53 on the Athen's, VT trails with Ferenc, Lena and Ellie. Fun run on a couple inches of crunchy snow. 19 degrees and sunny.
Wednesday:
AM: 5mi/NT with Jen and Griffin in Pisgah. Cold and sunny 16 degrees.
PM: 4mi/34min in Pisgah with Glenn and Griffin. Fun run.
Thursday:
7mi*/49min - track workout at Brattleboro track with Glenn and 2 of his athletes.
Mile - 4:58 + 4 x 400m with 400 rest (71, 70, 67, 66)
Fun way to start the New Year. It was cold around 11 degrees to start but it warmed up a little bit.
Friday:
0mi. My back is stiff and sore and I felt like taking it easy.
Saturday:
20mi*/2:24 in Pisgah with Brett, Ferenc, Lena, Ellie and Summit. Great run. It was cold around 15 degrees. We ran on Old Spofford trail and crossed the Swamp of Sorrow. We saw a painted turtle swimming under the ice. This is a really cool route that's only passable in the winter when the beaver pond is frozen.
Sunday:
4mi/33min in Pisgah with Griffin and Jen. 2" of crusty fresh snow.
Total for the week:
67mi. Pleased with this week. I got a good speed workout in and a long run.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
2014 - A look back
2014 is over and it's time to open a new running log and close the old one. First, one more look back at my year of running and racing.
The numbers:
I ran a total of 2,338 miles for an average of 45.0 mpw. This was a pretty low number for me and is similar to 2006 and 2005, when I ran 2,363mi and 2,426mi respectively. I started running in 1994 and I just didn't have the same fire to train hard that I did a couple years back. I also had one running injury to the plica of my left knee which kept my winter miles very low. That was my first running related injury in a long time and it was caused (I think) by doing a couple 20+mi runs on slippery snow covered roads. Lesson learned. I'm better off hitting the trails if there is snow on the roads and doing long runs with micro-spikes or snowshoes, something for good traction.
My highest mileage month was August with 270mi for a 61.0 mpw average. August is always my highest mileage month. I have summer vacation and I'm usually building from July into August with the goal of racing well in the fall.
My lowest mileage month was May with 128mi for a 28.9 mpw average. I don't really have a good reason for the low miles other than a lack of desire to train hard. I did go on a class trip to Rhode Island for a week which makes it difficult to get the miles in, it's also the track season and I had practice and meets. The kids had a great season and I had two individual State Champions, both in the 400m. I've now been lucky enough to have 3 State Champs over my years of coaching.
I raced 22 times. Which is a little on the low side. I'm usually racing closer to 30 races per year.
I won 7 of those races. 5 of those races were trail races, the longest being the Pisgah 23K and the shortest being the Friends of Pisgah 10K. I won 2 road races, the Chesterfield 10K (which has some trail and dirt roads) and the Granite State 10miler. Obviously, I had some success in my own back yard.
Some high lights of the year:
I had a blast running the Presidential Traverse in July with Ferenc. That was something I've always wanted to run. We had a great time in the mountains. I came away from that run with a huge amount of respect for the guys and gals that have set and reset the FKT there. It's a rugged route and I would need to be in top shape and do a lot more running in the mountains to even have a chance of sniffing that FKT. RESPECT!!
I really enjoyed racing the Big River Half Marathon. Bob Jackman and I were locked in a tight race for the final 8+ miles and it was a super fun course and I was happy to get the win.
It was cool winning Run with the Beavers 10mi again and finishing up as the RI Triple Crown Champion. That series would be a heck of lot more competitive if Mike Galoob and Bob Jackman could somehow race in the events that they direct. Still, it was an honor to win and finish with a perfect score.
I loved getting back to Greylock and Monroe, two of my favorite trail races. I got out climbed by Jonny at Greylock which was an eye opening experience for me. I was able to bomb the descents and finish in 3rd place. At Monroe, I was able to lead wire-to-wire and hold off a pretty strong field for the win.
Now some of the low lights of 2014:
For the second year in a row, I did not set any PR's. I didn't even break 16min on any 5K's this year. (I only raced 3 5K's and 2 were XC races though). I did set a personal best (PB) on the Chesterfield 10K course running 2min faster than last year on the 2yr old course.
I had a very disappointing indoor track season. I ran a 4:29 mile first race of the year and then I followed that off with a disastrous showing at the New England Master's Meet. I tanked to a 4:46 mile and then rigged to a slow 2:10 800m. Yikes! I think a big part of this blow up could have been running in micro-spikes for the week leading up to the meet and running too fast in a workout the weekend before the meet. My legs were dead and had no pop to race fast.
I didn't race any snowshoe events this year. I need to remedy that in 2015 and get back on the snow. The events are low key and super fun. They also put a little hair on your chest and make you tougher for the spring racing season.
I barely did any track workouts. I did some consistently in January and then I only got to the track a couple more times throughout the year. If I want to race fast again, I'll have to get back on the track consistently. When you're not training hard and feel out of shape, sometimes it seems to make more sense to go run 8-10miles rather than hitting the track for a workout.
Finally, Lil Rhody was not a good race for me. I went out too fast and faded badly failing to run in the 45's, which for me is a solid time. Mike Galoob went on to break the course record (one I had been trying to get for years) and everyone else seemed to run personal bests. "The willingness to win, means nothing without the willingness to prepare" is a quote that comes to mind for me. I wanted to win for the 8th time, but I just didn't train hard enough and put in the miles to be successful at one of the most important races of the year for me.
Goals for 2015:
I'm going to steal the Zen-like running idea from my brother, Jonny. I want to enjoy all the running I do and be satisfied with the race results I produce as a result of my training or lack there of. I want to go to races and have fun with the fitness I have and put in the best race I'm capable of on that day and not worry about the "what ifs".
If I get super motivated to train hard, then I will. If I'm not as motivated that's fine too.
I'd like to do some more adventures in the White Mountains. Perhaps a Pemi-Loop?
I'd like to lift weights year round with more consistency and effort.
I'd like to do more running with my brothers, Glenn and Jonny.
Do some mountain adventures runs/hikes with my wife, Jen.
Mountain bike more this spring and summer.
Do yoga after runs. I used to be like Gumby. Now, I'm kind of stiff and inflexible. I used to do yoga after every run. I've not been good about that the last couple years.
Stay healthy
Those are my goals for 2015. I'm looking forward to another fun year of running!
The numbers:
I ran a total of 2,338 miles for an average of 45.0 mpw. This was a pretty low number for me and is similar to 2006 and 2005, when I ran 2,363mi and 2,426mi respectively. I started running in 1994 and I just didn't have the same fire to train hard that I did a couple years back. I also had one running injury to the plica of my left knee which kept my winter miles very low. That was my first running related injury in a long time and it was caused (I think) by doing a couple 20+mi runs on slippery snow covered roads. Lesson learned. I'm better off hitting the trails if there is snow on the roads and doing long runs with micro-spikes or snowshoes, something for good traction.
My highest mileage month was August with 270mi for a 61.0 mpw average. August is always my highest mileage month. I have summer vacation and I'm usually building from July into August with the goal of racing well in the fall.
My lowest mileage month was May with 128mi for a 28.9 mpw average. I don't really have a good reason for the low miles other than a lack of desire to train hard. I did go on a class trip to Rhode Island for a week which makes it difficult to get the miles in, it's also the track season and I had practice and meets. The kids had a great season and I had two individual State Champions, both in the 400m. I've now been lucky enough to have 3 State Champs over my years of coaching.
I raced 22 times. Which is a little on the low side. I'm usually racing closer to 30 races per year.
I won 7 of those races. 5 of those races were trail races, the longest being the Pisgah 23K and the shortest being the Friends of Pisgah 10K. I won 2 road races, the Chesterfield 10K (which has some trail and dirt roads) and the Granite State 10miler. Obviously, I had some success in my own back yard.
Some high lights of the year:
I had a blast running the Presidential Traverse in July with Ferenc. That was something I've always wanted to run. We had a great time in the mountains. I came away from that run with a huge amount of respect for the guys and gals that have set and reset the FKT there. It's a rugged route and I would need to be in top shape and do a lot more running in the mountains to even have a chance of sniffing that FKT. RESPECT!!
I really enjoyed racing the Big River Half Marathon. Bob Jackman and I were locked in a tight race for the final 8+ miles and it was a super fun course and I was happy to get the win.
It was cool winning Run with the Beavers 10mi again and finishing up as the RI Triple Crown Champion. That series would be a heck of lot more competitive if Mike Galoob and Bob Jackman could somehow race in the events that they direct. Still, it was an honor to win and finish with a perfect score.
I loved getting back to Greylock and Monroe, two of my favorite trail races. I got out climbed by Jonny at Greylock which was an eye opening experience for me. I was able to bomb the descents and finish in 3rd place. At Monroe, I was able to lead wire-to-wire and hold off a pretty strong field for the win.
Now some of the low lights of 2014:
For the second year in a row, I did not set any PR's. I didn't even break 16min on any 5K's this year. (I only raced 3 5K's and 2 were XC races though). I did set a personal best (PB) on the Chesterfield 10K course running 2min faster than last year on the 2yr old course.
I had a very disappointing indoor track season. I ran a 4:29 mile first race of the year and then I followed that off with a disastrous showing at the New England Master's Meet. I tanked to a 4:46 mile and then rigged to a slow 2:10 800m. Yikes! I think a big part of this blow up could have been running in micro-spikes for the week leading up to the meet and running too fast in a workout the weekend before the meet. My legs were dead and had no pop to race fast.
I didn't race any snowshoe events this year. I need to remedy that in 2015 and get back on the snow. The events are low key and super fun. They also put a little hair on your chest and make you tougher for the spring racing season.
I barely did any track workouts. I did some consistently in January and then I only got to the track a couple more times throughout the year. If I want to race fast again, I'll have to get back on the track consistently. When you're not training hard and feel out of shape, sometimes it seems to make more sense to go run 8-10miles rather than hitting the track for a workout.
Finally, Lil Rhody was not a good race for me. I went out too fast and faded badly failing to run in the 45's, which for me is a solid time. Mike Galoob went on to break the course record (one I had been trying to get for years) and everyone else seemed to run personal bests. "The willingness to win, means nothing without the willingness to prepare" is a quote that comes to mind for me. I wanted to win for the 8th time, but I just didn't train hard enough and put in the miles to be successful at one of the most important races of the year for me.
Goals for 2015:
I'm going to steal the Zen-like running idea from my brother, Jonny. I want to enjoy all the running I do and be satisfied with the race results I produce as a result of my training or lack there of. I want to go to races and have fun with the fitness I have and put in the best race I'm capable of on that day and not worry about the "what ifs".
If I get super motivated to train hard, then I will. If I'm not as motivated that's fine too.
I'd like to do some more adventures in the White Mountains. Perhaps a Pemi-Loop?
I'd like to lift weights year round with more consistency and effort.
I'd like to do more running with my brothers, Glenn and Jonny.
Do some mountain adventures runs/hikes with my wife, Jen.
Mountain bike more this spring and summer.
Do yoga after runs. I used to be like Gumby. Now, I'm kind of stiff and inflexible. I used to do yoga after every run. I've not been good about that the last couple years.
Stay healthy
Those are my goals for 2015. I'm looking forward to another fun year of running!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Week of December 22nd to 28th, 2014
Monday:
3.5mi/25min up Horseshoe Rd with the Running Club. Fun running with the kids. I am a wee bit sore from the race.
Tuesday:
0mi. Drove to Corning, NY after school in the rain.
Wednesday:
10mi/68min solo on the Corning, NY roads. Great run. Warm 46 degrees.
Thursday:
0mi. Hike in Watkins Glen woods. Fun little Christmas day hike. I pulled a deer tick out of my arm a few hours later.
Friday:
6mi/44min on the Corning, NY roads solo.
Saturday:
14mi/1:37 in Pisgah with Brett, Ferenc, Lena, Ellie and Summit. Great run. Gorgeous sunny weather, 40 degrees F.
Sunday:
4.5mi/35min in Pisgah with Griffin. Drove to RI later for our Rhody Christmas.
Total for the week:
38mi. This is the last day of my 2014 Run Log. Therefore, it's where my running year officially ends.
Total for the year:
2,338mi. 45.0 MPW Avg
3.5mi/25min up Horseshoe Rd with the Running Club. Fun running with the kids. I am a wee bit sore from the race.
Tuesday:
0mi. Drove to Corning, NY after school in the rain.
Wednesday:
10mi/68min solo on the Corning, NY roads. Great run. Warm 46 degrees.
Thursday:
0mi. Hike in Watkins Glen woods. Fun little Christmas day hike. I pulled a deer tick out of my arm a few hours later.
Friday:
6mi/44min on the Corning, NY roads solo.
Saturday:
14mi/1:37 in Pisgah with Brett, Ferenc, Lena, Ellie and Summit. Great run. Gorgeous sunny weather, 40 degrees F.
Sunday:
4.5mi/35min in Pisgah with Griffin. Drove to RI later for our Rhody Christmas.
Total for the week:
38mi. This is the last day of my 2014 Run Log. Therefore, it's where my running year officially ends.
Total for the year:
2,338mi. 45.0 MPW Avg
Week of December 15th to 21st, 2014
Monday:
3mi/24min in Friedsam with the Running Club. Fun run in the snowy trails.
Tuesday:
0mi. Lazy day. I didn't get much sleep last night and took a nap instead of running.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights.
Thursday:
0mi. Had a Christmas party after school. Lazy.
Friday:
Am: 2mi/14min in Pisgah with Griffin.
Pm: 3mi/23min in Friedsam with Running Club. Jen and Griffin came and ran with us. Fun day!
Saturday:
4mi/29min in Pisgah with Griffin. Beautiful cold day, 19 degrees. I drove to Rhode Island and saw a snowy owl at Charlestown Breachway.
Sunday:
10mi*/68min - Old Mountain Field 5K - 18:46 (6:03) 2nd.
This was a fun race. I didn't get out super fast and entered the woods in 4th place. I moved into 3rd behind Bronson V. as soon as we hit the little bridges. Garvin was already creating a small gap. After about a mile of following Bronson V., I decided I better move by him and see if I could catch Chris. I was having a lot of fun on the twisty course but I could see I wasn't really making any ground up on him. Chris took a wrong turn late in the race. I shouted to him but it was too late. He lost a good chunk of time. I was now in the lead and I really didn't feel like stealing a win from the guy who was clearly the strongest runner so I pulled over at the finish and let him cross first. I know he didn't want to win that way, but I would have felt much worse crossing ahead of him. We both snuck under the old course record. Fun day on the trails! Thanks to Mike Galoob for directing an awesome event! I grabbed some food and a drink with my former student teacher, Preston. It was good to catch up with him and I'm psyched that he enjoyed the trail race and it sounds like he wants to do more in the series.
Total for the week:
22mi. Not very impressive mileage, but this is kind of the norm for me in December. I'll start to crank it up in January.
3mi/24min in Friedsam with the Running Club. Fun run in the snowy trails.
Tuesday:
0mi. Lazy day. I didn't get much sleep last night and took a nap instead of running.
Wednesday:
0mi. Lifted weights.
Thursday:
0mi. Had a Christmas party after school. Lazy.
Friday:
Am: 2mi/14min in Pisgah with Griffin.
Pm: 3mi/23min in Friedsam with Running Club. Jen and Griffin came and ran with us. Fun day!
Saturday:
4mi/29min in Pisgah with Griffin. Beautiful cold day, 19 degrees. I drove to Rhode Island and saw a snowy owl at Charlestown Breachway.
Sunday:
10mi*/68min - Old Mountain Field 5K - 18:46 (6:03) 2nd.
This was a fun race. I didn't get out super fast and entered the woods in 4th place. I moved into 3rd behind Bronson V. as soon as we hit the little bridges. Garvin was already creating a small gap. After about a mile of following Bronson V., I decided I better move by him and see if I could catch Chris. I was having a lot of fun on the twisty course but I could see I wasn't really making any ground up on him. Chris took a wrong turn late in the race. I shouted to him but it was too late. He lost a good chunk of time. I was now in the lead and I really didn't feel like stealing a win from the guy who was clearly the strongest runner so I pulled over at the finish and let him cross first. I know he didn't want to win that way, but I would have felt much worse crossing ahead of him. We both snuck under the old course record. Fun day on the trails! Thanks to Mike Galoob for directing an awesome event! I grabbed some food and a drink with my former student teacher, Preston. It was good to catch up with him and I'm psyched that he enjoyed the trail race and it sounds like he wants to do more in the series.
Total for the week:
22mi. Not very impressive mileage, but this is kind of the norm for me in December. I'll start to crank it up in January.
Week of December 8th to 14th, 2014
Monday:
3.5mi/27min up Horseshoe Rd. with Running Club. Nice and easy cold weather 23 degrees. Fun running with the kids.
Tuesday:
8mi/65min in Pisgah with Jen, Glenn and Griffin. Snow day today. 2" of new snow. Fun run.
Wednesday:
0mi. Feeling lazy. It was nasty weather. 33 degrees and pouring rain.
Thursday:
2mi/16min in Pisgah at night with Jen and Griffin. Fun run, we wore our headlamps and went out for a short adventure. Lifted weights.
Friday:
Am: 3mi/22min on the roads solo.
Pm: 3mi/24min in Friedsam with Running Club. Fun run in the snow.
Saturday:
7mi/53min in Pisgah with Griffin. Beautiful day, 35 degrees and sunny.
Sunday:
16mi/1:51 on the Putney dirt roads with Ferenc and Matty P. The dirt roads were covered in a thin layer of ice in most spots which made for some cautious running. Hilly run. Fun times.
Total for the week:
41mi.
3.5mi/27min up Horseshoe Rd. with Running Club. Nice and easy cold weather 23 degrees. Fun running with the kids.
Tuesday:
8mi/65min in Pisgah with Jen, Glenn and Griffin. Snow day today. 2" of new snow. Fun run.
Wednesday:
0mi. Feeling lazy. It was nasty weather. 33 degrees and pouring rain.
Thursday:
2mi/16min in Pisgah at night with Jen and Griffin. Fun run, we wore our headlamps and went out for a short adventure. Lifted weights.
Friday:
Am: 3mi/22min on the roads solo.
Pm: 3mi/24min in Friedsam with Running Club. Fun run in the snow.
Saturday:
7mi/53min in Pisgah with Griffin. Beautiful day, 35 degrees and sunny.
Sunday:
16mi/1:51 on the Putney dirt roads with Ferenc and Matty P. The dirt roads were covered in a thin layer of ice in most spots which made for some cautious running. Hilly run. Fun times.
Total for the week:
41mi.
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