It has been a great week of running so far. Started off the week right with a huge 18 miles on Sunday. Knowing that I had the Martha's Vineyard 20 miler coming up this Saturday, I wanted my legs to get the feeling of long distance again. It has been about a month since Houston and 18 felt great!
Last night was the famed Mystic track workout at Tufts University. I was in good spirits when I arrived and the workout matched my mood. We ran 2 by 800, one mile, and finished up with 2 by 800 with half the distance rest in between. It was a solid effort and I was really proud of the my mile time (5:19). Splits were: 2:41, 2:40, 5:19, 2:40, and 2:37. Throughout the workout, I tried to remind myself to listen to my legs and not my brain. Sometimes I feel like the brain only limits my speed and if I trust in my legs, I will be able to push harder.
This coming Saturday is the Martha's Vineyard 20 miler. It is a beautiful run along Martha's Vineyard. The weather report looks excellent, mid 40's and sunny. When I first signed up for the race, I thought it would be a chance for me to get back into the flow of things but with the success this past month has brought I believe a good run is on its way. Last year I finished the race 14th overall in 2:09:37.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Fudgcicle 5K
Another great Saturday morning in Tewksbury. Said to say that I only have one week of the Fudgcicle left. Next week I will be heading to Martha's Vineyard to takle the 20 miler and that will mean missing the Fudgcicle. Glad that I can be there for the final week on February 25th!
It was a really nice morning for a race and after feeling under the weather for the better part of this week, it was wonderful to be able to get out there and run. Jason Bui (Greater Lowell Road Runners) was there and I figured that would mean some good competition. I ran solid through the first mile (5:34), two seconds quicker than last week but to my surprise had very little competition. Last week, around the one mile mark, Dave Dunham (Central Mass Striders) put in a strong surge and I chose to cover it but this week I had no one pressing the pace with me. I clocked a 5:38 second mile, 10 seconds slower than last week. At this point I knew PR territory had gone out the window but I continued to push hard despite the lack of persuit. Third mile clocked in a 5:49, 8 seconds slower than my previous week. Finally, I covered the final .15 in 43 seconds.
I think the cold was having a small effect on me later in the race because my breathing felt off. Still the overall pace averaged out at 5:39 for a 17:43 overall finish time. It was a beautiful day for a run and the temperature was right around 32 degrees, meaning I could go with shorts :) Not bad for February 11th.
I'm hoping for the double dose of Dan Verrington and Dave Dunham to show up on February 25th so we can have a true battle. I may end up regreating that throw down but it would make for quite a race.
Results:
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/12/ma/Feb11_Fudgci_set1.shtml
It was a really nice morning for a race and after feeling under the weather for the better part of this week, it was wonderful to be able to get out there and run. Jason Bui (Greater Lowell Road Runners) was there and I figured that would mean some good competition. I ran solid through the first mile (5:34), two seconds quicker than last week but to my surprise had very little competition. Last week, around the one mile mark, Dave Dunham (Central Mass Striders) put in a strong surge and I chose to cover it but this week I had no one pressing the pace with me. I clocked a 5:38 second mile, 10 seconds slower than last week. At this point I knew PR territory had gone out the window but I continued to push hard despite the lack of persuit. Third mile clocked in a 5:49, 8 seconds slower than my previous week. Finally, I covered the final .15 in 43 seconds.
I think the cold was having a small effect on me later in the race because my breathing felt off. Still the overall pace averaged out at 5:39 for a 17:43 overall finish time. It was a beautiful day for a run and the temperature was right around 32 degrees, meaning I could go with shorts :) Not bad for February 11th.
I'm hoping for the double dose of Dan Verrington and Dave Dunham to show up on February 25th so we can have a true battle. I may end up regreating that throw down but it would make for quite a race.
Results:
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/12/ma/Feb11_Fudgci_set1.shtml
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Great Stew Chase 15K
Such a fun run this morning at the Great Stew Chase 15K. You can't be it for local races. $14 for the 9.3 mile race and a great stew afterwards. Ran very well throughout the race. First mile (5:41) was a little quick put me right in stride with the lead group but thought a little better of that. Cooled if off to an overall 5:51 pace after that with a challenging series of hills right in the middle of the race. Splits are below.
Only about 2 minutes and 20 seconds off the winner, which shows I'm moving in the right direction. Only small disappoint was the guy who finished one place ahead of me took home the last age group award for the age group 1-39. I'm really not that disappointed, more driven to continue to improve.
Mile 1 - 5:41
Mile 2 - 5:48
Mile 3 - 5:51
Mile 4 - 5:56
Mile 5 - 6:14 (tough hill)
Mile 6 - 5:44 (down the hill)
Mile 7 - 5:55
Mile 8 - 5:54
Mile 9 - 5:46
Only about 2 minutes and 20 seconds off the winner, which shows I'm moving in the right direction. Only small disappoint was the guy who finished one place ahead of me took home the last age group award for the age group 1-39. I'm really not that disappointed, more driven to continue to improve.
Mile 1 - 5:41
Mile 2 - 5:48
Mile 3 - 5:51
Mile 4 - 5:56
Mile 5 - 6:14 (tough hill)
Mile 6 - 5:44 (down the hill)
Mile 7 - 5:55
Mile 8 - 5:54
Mile 9 - 5:46
Saturday, February 4, 2012
So Must Has Changed
So much has changed since I last decided to post in this blog. With my running life taking on so much more meaning over the past month, I will be more dedicated to sharing what is on my mind.
A trip to Houston that I never imagined would change my life quite so much. It's true that a marathon can change your life but dealing with a lost of friend plus running 26.2 miles in his memory can change your whole outlook on life.
I have always loved running but with John Kelly's passing my running life has taken on more meaning to me. John may not be able to run here on earth ever again but he has thousands of miles of training ahead because he will always be with me in my heart. The inspiration that has come out of this tragedy seems to be my new formula for success. I have seen times in the past 3 weeks that have turned my head. I have always believed that greatness is within me but it has come fast and furious over the past 3 weeks. A 2:53:45 in Houston (pr by 4 minutes). Two sub-18 minutes performances at the 5K distance, including a personal best 17:23 today. 3 wins and one second (the only man to get to me was Dave Dunham today in Tewksbury).
Running isn't always about the numbers. Some times it's much, much more. I can feel you down here John, watching over me and giving me strength. You must have put in a good word with the Big Man upstairs because all this great running has come faster than it should have. I know the road will not always be so clear and full of so many pr's but I will run through it all and perserver in the hardest of times. Tomorrow I'm off to the Great Stew Chase 15K in Lynn.
Always and Forever
1-20-12
A trip to Houston that I never imagined would change my life quite so much. It's true that a marathon can change your life but dealing with a lost of friend plus running 26.2 miles in his memory can change your whole outlook on life.
I have always loved running but with John Kelly's passing my running life has taken on more meaning to me. John may not be able to run here on earth ever again but he has thousands of miles of training ahead because he will always be with me in my heart. The inspiration that has come out of this tragedy seems to be my new formula for success. I have seen times in the past 3 weeks that have turned my head. I have always believed that greatness is within me but it has come fast and furious over the past 3 weeks. A 2:53:45 in Houston (pr by 4 minutes). Two sub-18 minutes performances at the 5K distance, including a personal best 17:23 today. 3 wins and one second (the only man to get to me was Dave Dunham today in Tewksbury).
Running isn't always about the numbers. Some times it's much, much more. I can feel you down here John, watching over me and giving me strength. You must have put in a good word with the Big Man upstairs because all this great running has come faster than it should have. I know the road will not always be so clear and full of so many pr's but I will run through it all and perserver in the hardest of times. Tomorrow I'm off to the Great Stew Chase 15K in Lynn.
Always and Forever
1-20-12
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