Hi Bloggers! It's Tuesday which means Tuesday night track workouts and one of my more favorite nights for running. Their is nothing better than running with the Mystics at Reading High during the nice months. A few weeks from now we will be heading indoors to the Gancher Center. It is always a relief in the middle of the winter to be able to run indoors once a week!
This past weekend was Amica Marathon and the United Healthcare Half Marathon. My friend John Kelly and I both ran the half marathon. If I have ever run on a more beautiful course, I can't remember. The course took you out along Ocean Drive and through the mansions on Bellevue Ave. On top of that, it was the perfect fall day. Comfortable temperatures and slightly overcast skies made the run absolutely gorgeous. The day was complete when I was able to win my age group and take home 7th overall out of over 2,500 runners.
What an absolutely perfect day. That is it for now :)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Smuttynose Rockfest
Today is what it is all about in running! To run is amazing but to run, support, and encourage is even more grand.
Today, I got the opportunity to run 13.1 amazing miles with one of my best running friends, John Kelly. John is an incredible story considering that less than a year ago he had never made a run at a true distance race. Now he clicks of times as if he is a seasonsed veteran and all of this at the young age of 57. Today, I got the chance to pace John through the Smuttynose Half-Marathon and by no surprise he did an amazing job (1:28:33). That is a 6:43 pace, just in case you were wondering.
On top of that, I got to see two more of my very close Mystic friends, Chaz and Rich finish the Smuttynose Marathon in very impressive times. Chas in 3:53 and Rich in 4:00! On a day that was not really made for quick times, they pulled off incredible paces! Way to go guys!
Running is meant to be fun and that is what today was all about.
Today, I got the opportunity to run 13.1 amazing miles with one of my best running friends, John Kelly. John is an incredible story considering that less than a year ago he had never made a run at a true distance race. Now he clicks of times as if he is a seasonsed veteran and all of this at the young age of 57. Today, I got the chance to pace John through the Smuttynose Half-Marathon and by no surprise he did an amazing job (1:28:33). That is a 6:43 pace, just in case you were wondering.
On top of that, I got to see two more of my very close Mystic friends, Chaz and Rich finish the Smuttynose Marathon in very impressive times. Chas in 3:53 and Rich in 4:00! On a day that was not really made for quick times, they pulled off incredible paces! Way to go guys!
Running is meant to be fun and that is what today was all about.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Wilmington Fun!!!
What a day for the Mystic Runners! Yesterday marked the annual Wilmington Half Marathon and a historic day for our great running club. We had many members take home individuals awards but the big story of the day was the Mystics taking home the Overall Male Team Award. Myself, Rob Mirable, and John Mulroy combined to be the three fastests males to cross the finish line. I can't wait to show off the award this Wednesday night to all the Mystics.
On another running note, I am running well. It is such a joy when this sport pays you back and right now I feel a renewed sense of optimism for this upcoming marathon cycle trainning. This is my final week of my pre-marathon specific training and then it is 15 solid training weeks until Houston! I am so excitted to get into the marathon specific training because of the solid base I have built up. This training cycle will challenge me to a point that I have never gone before. I will officially hit weeks of 90 miles. Yes, 90 miles. You can pratically round it up to 100. To think that prior to by running career I had not logged 90 combined miles, makes this moment even more special.
Thanks for reading everyone and talk to you soon.
On another running note, I am running well. It is such a joy when this sport pays you back and right now I feel a renewed sense of optimism for this upcoming marathon cycle trainning. This is my final week of my pre-marathon specific training and then it is 15 solid training weeks until Houston! I am so excitted to get into the marathon specific training because of the solid base I have built up. This training cycle will challenge me to a point that I have never gone before. I will officially hit weeks of 90 miles. Yes, 90 miles. You can pratically round it up to 100. To think that prior to by running career I had not logged 90 combined miles, makes this moment even more special.
Thanks for reading everyone and talk to you soon.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sorry for the Delay
Hi Everyone! So as my faithful followers can tell I got away from the blog a little bit. I am back though and really looking forward to this weekend of running.
On tap for this Sunday is the Wilmington Half Marathon. The past two years at this event, I have been second (loosing by only about 30 seconds last year). To say that I am a man on a mission this year would be an understatement. I was extremely greatful for the time I was blessed with last year, 1:19:41 (Personal Best for me) but it left me hungry for more. I will have the support of the greatest running group, Mystic Runners, and my dad to cheering me on. It is so special knowing that I have people standing behind as I make this journey through running. Where will it lead me?
That is a great question :)
On tap for this Sunday is the Wilmington Half Marathon. The past two years at this event, I have been second (loosing by only about 30 seconds last year). To say that I am a man on a mission this year would be an understatement. I was extremely greatful for the time I was blessed with last year, 1:19:41 (Personal Best for me) but it left me hungry for more. I will have the support of the greatest running group, Mystic Runners, and my dad to cheering me on. It is so special knowing that I have people standing behind as I make this journey through running. Where will it lead me?
That is a great question :)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Back from the Cape
Hey Bloggers. So I have been away on Cape Cod for the past couple of days. Got the chance to get away with my mom so I took full advantage.
Friday was a great run on the cape. Did 9 miles total from my house in Falmouth, down along the water, and back. Their is something magical about running on the cape. Maybe it is because that is where I ran my first ever road race (Falmouth Road Race) in 1997 or because that is where my first ever marathon was run (Cape Cod Marathon) in 2006. The cape to me is the ultimate place to run and I always feel totally at peace when I'm out there :) God really must have known how much I would love to run on the cape and that is why I was born in this part of the world.
Took the day off on Saturday and did 13 miles today. I love today's route. I was back in Stoneham and did a run that included Stoneham, Medford, Melrose, Wakefield, and finally Stoneham again. The run provides a good taste of all different terrain. In culminates with a climb up the Prospect Street hill around 10 1/2 miles.
I really am finding a lot of joy in my running these days and can't wait for tomorrow's Around Cape Ann 25K race. More to come on that tomorrow!
Friday was a great run on the cape. Did 9 miles total from my house in Falmouth, down along the water, and back. Their is something magical about running on the cape. Maybe it is because that is where I ran my first ever road race (Falmouth Road Race) in 1997 or because that is where my first ever marathon was run (Cape Cod Marathon) in 2006. The cape to me is the ultimate place to run and I always feel totally at peace when I'm out there :) God really must have known how much I would love to run on the cape and that is why I was born in this part of the world.
Took the day off on Saturday and did 13 miles today. I love today's route. I was back in Stoneham and did a run that included Stoneham, Medford, Melrose, Wakefield, and finally Stoneham again. The run provides a good taste of all different terrain. In culminates with a climb up the Prospect Street hill around 10 1/2 miles.
I really am finding a lot of joy in my running these days and can't wait for tomorrow's Around Cape Ann 25K race. More to come on that tomorrow!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Loops around the Lake
Surprise, I have written in my blog for four days straight. Surprised? Me too!
I think it was a few days ago when I said that I love when you have the perfect route to match the workout, well today was not the case. 11 miles. Honestly, how do coaches come up with such a random distance. I guess it has to do with my liking of even numbers. Ten is totally find and Twelve is a dozen but 11. Okay, I'm done ragging on the number 11. After all, I was born in November which is the 11th month of the year :)
Today was meant to be a relaxed day and it was (bassically). I did 3 loops plus a little more around Lake Quannapowitt. The lake is beautiful but after seeing the same areas 3 times, it begins to wear on you. The first loop was the hardest which didn't make any sense to me while I was running but does now. I mean think about it. When you know you have to run around the same lake 3 times, the first one is bound to feel like it is never going to end. I tried to remind myself about the joys of running and enjoying every bit about being out there. At some point, during the third loop, I remembered that I have the next 4 1/2 days off from work and that was a huge boost to finishing the run strong. I was happy about my effort and didn't even care much about the pace I was at. I know shocking :)
Going down to the cape until Sunday morning so I will not have access to the internet. One of the many reasons why I love Cape Cod. Their will be more in my next post about the cape but until then folks enjoy the weekend.
I think it was a few days ago when I said that I love when you have the perfect route to match the workout, well today was not the case. 11 miles. Honestly, how do coaches come up with such a random distance. I guess it has to do with my liking of even numbers. Ten is totally find and Twelve is a dozen but 11. Okay, I'm done ragging on the number 11. After all, I was born in November which is the 11th month of the year :)
Today was meant to be a relaxed day and it was (bassically). I did 3 loops plus a little more around Lake Quannapowitt. The lake is beautiful but after seeing the same areas 3 times, it begins to wear on you. The first loop was the hardest which didn't make any sense to me while I was running but does now. I mean think about it. When you know you have to run around the same lake 3 times, the first one is bound to feel like it is never going to end. I tried to remind myself about the joys of running and enjoying every bit about being out there. At some point, during the third loop, I remembered that I have the next 4 1/2 days off from work and that was a huge boost to finishing the run strong. I was happy about my effort and didn't even care much about the pace I was at. I know shocking :)
Going down to the cape until Sunday morning so I will not have access to the internet. One of the many reasons why I love Cape Cod. Their will be more in my next post about the cape but until then folks enjoy the weekend.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
3 Days in a Row!!!
It is a small celebration but those are what matter the most. 3 days straight of running and I already feel like I'm back in the grove. Their is definitly something to be said for rest after a big race. To be completely truthfull, cause I always am, I feel like my stride is more efficient then it was right before I ran my previous marathon. My stride is a funny thing because I have nothing to base it off other than feel. Okay, occasionally I run by a glass building side and take a peak at my running stride but other than that I am basing it all on how it feels.
Did 9 miles of "rolling" hills today. I put "rolling" in quotation marks because everyones definition of rolling can be a little bit different. It is hard to count the number of rolling hills I encountered along this stretch but if I had to estimate I would say about 10 decent hills along the 9 mile loop. This route is another one of my favorites because I can make it into so many different distances. The 9 miles I covered today is pretty much the shortest the route can be done in so it is a nice mid-distance run. Today, I went down my street onto Main St in Stoneham. From there it is a straight shot out to Spot Pond. One loop around spot pond will put you back onto Main St and then you just follow it back to my house.
I was happy about my energy levels today. After the repeat hills yesterday, I was curious on how my legs would react today. They did not take long to get going! Second mile clocked in at 7:37 and it only got a little faster from there. I was trying to push myself through this workout and not just stay content at one pace. My mile pace gradually got faster right through till my last mile (7:00). Overall, I averaged a 7:24.
I am trying to not get caught up in pace but as you can tell from my last paragraph it still matters to me. Ryan Hall's book talked a lot about putting your confidence in God. I have a long way to go before I stop caring so much about the clock and thinking more about how joyful I am when I'm out there. I am only human though and I look forward to challenging myself in new ways.
Did 9 miles of "rolling" hills today. I put "rolling" in quotation marks because everyones definition of rolling can be a little bit different. It is hard to count the number of rolling hills I encountered along this stretch but if I had to estimate I would say about 10 decent hills along the 9 mile loop. This route is another one of my favorites because I can make it into so many different distances. The 9 miles I covered today is pretty much the shortest the route can be done in so it is a nice mid-distance run. Today, I went down my street onto Main St in Stoneham. From there it is a straight shot out to Spot Pond. One loop around spot pond will put you back onto Main St and then you just follow it back to my house.
I was happy about my energy levels today. After the repeat hills yesterday, I was curious on how my legs would react today. They did not take long to get going! Second mile clocked in at 7:37 and it only got a little faster from there. I was trying to push myself through this workout and not just stay content at one pace. My mile pace gradually got faster right through till my last mile (7:00). Overall, I averaged a 7:24.
I am trying to not get caught up in pace but as you can tell from my last paragraph it still matters to me. Ryan Hall's book talked a lot about putting your confidence in God. I have a long way to go before I stop caring so much about the clock and thinking more about how joyful I am when I'm out there. I am only human though and I look forward to challenging myself in new ways.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Hello, High St Hill
It is always interesting after taking three weeks off to see how your legs will react to a "tougher" workout. Ran 7 total miles today. Did a 2 mile warm up to the High St hill. Then did 5 by 1 minute runs up the High Street hill, jogging back down after each set. Finished my hill workout with a 1 by 1:25 run back up High Street and finally did a three mile cool down back to my house.
It is always nice when you have the perfect route to match a workout. It can be tricky at times finding the right route when you have a complicated workout like today. Fortunantly, for me the High St hill is exactly two miles from my house and then I can take a little bit longer route back home to get in the 3 mile cool down.
Legs still had that "it's about time we are running" pop in them. The High St hill is a tough stretch and to be able to complete 6 sets on that hill is always a good sign. It is interesting to me when I run for time and not distance during a workout. By running 5 by 1 minute sets, I was able to see how far I could push myself up the hill. Each time I got a little bit further than the last and was so happy to see that happening because I was getting more tired as the sets went along. It is hard to explain what is going on in a runner's mind as you get further into a tough workout and are still able to push yourself to the next level. I like to think that it is God pushing me further and encouraging me to stay positive.
It is always nice when you have the perfect route to match a workout. It can be tricky at times finding the right route when you have a complicated workout like today. Fortunantly, for me the High St hill is exactly two miles from my house and then I can take a little bit longer route back home to get in the 3 mile cool down.
Legs still had that "it's about time we are running" pop in them. The High St hill is a tough stretch and to be able to complete 6 sets on that hill is always a good sign. It is interesting to me when I run for time and not distance during a workout. By running 5 by 1 minute sets, I was able to see how far I could push myself up the hill. Each time I got a little bit further than the last and was so happy to see that happening because I was getting more tired as the sets went along. It is hard to explain what is going on in a runner's mind as you get further into a tough workout and are still able to push yourself to the next level. I like to think that it is God pushing me further and encouraging me to stay positive.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Day 1
So in the past, I have attempted to blog and been totally random about actually putting up post. With this new blog, I honestly hope to get on here once a day and share what is going on in my running life.
Today marked the very first day of my training for the Cheveron Houston Marathon, which is 138 days away. I haven't run much in the last three weeks because I honestly felt like my legs needed a major break after my past marathon.
Ran 8 miles from my house, down around the lake, and back. It is a beautiful run that gives you a little variety in the terrain. You run down the prospect street hill around 2 miles and then get to come back up it around 5 1/2 miles. Other than that the terrain is mostly flat and you see plenty of walkers/runners around the lake. I have always found that I like seeing people when I am out on my runs. Even if you don't know them, you know you already share a common interest. Usually, I will wave at complete strangers and get a little wave back. Makes me happy :) Overall, legs felt great today. After taking some time to recover, my first running stride was one of pure joy. It was as if my legs were saying, it is about time! I ran almost the entire way with a smile today. Hard to believe 24 hours ago Irene was blowing through and today the sun was out for a perfect weather day.
Recently, I finished Ryan Hall's book, Running with Joy. It brought a lot of interesting thoughts into my mind. I initially wanted to read it to see exactly what his running schedule looked like; however, as I went through the book I become more and more interested in his talks on religion and running with the pure joy that God intends you to run with. I am going to try to bring that more into my running. Not worrying every second about how fast I am but rather just enjoying the time I spend out there. I will never in my life be able to run with the elite athletes of the running world; however, I feel through time I can learn to find total peace in running just like so many of them have.
Today marked the very first day of my training for the Cheveron Houston Marathon, which is 138 days away. I haven't run much in the last three weeks because I honestly felt like my legs needed a major break after my past marathon.
Ran 8 miles from my house, down around the lake, and back. It is a beautiful run that gives you a little variety in the terrain. You run down the prospect street hill around 2 miles and then get to come back up it around 5 1/2 miles. Other than that the terrain is mostly flat and you see plenty of walkers/runners around the lake. I have always found that I like seeing people when I am out on my runs. Even if you don't know them, you know you already share a common interest. Usually, I will wave at complete strangers and get a little wave back. Makes me happy :) Overall, legs felt great today. After taking some time to recover, my first running stride was one of pure joy. It was as if my legs were saying, it is about time! I ran almost the entire way with a smile today. Hard to believe 24 hours ago Irene was blowing through and today the sun was out for a perfect weather day.
Recently, I finished Ryan Hall's book, Running with Joy. It brought a lot of interesting thoughts into my mind. I initially wanted to read it to see exactly what his running schedule looked like; however, as I went through the book I become more and more interested in his talks on religion and running with the pure joy that God intends you to run with. I am going to try to bring that more into my running. Not worrying every second about how fast I am but rather just enjoying the time I spend out there. I will never in my life be able to run with the elite athletes of the running world; however, I feel through time I can learn to find total peace in running just like so many of them have.
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