Sun. Oct. 28, 2007
9am - 11 miles
Today was another Sunday where we drove down 30 minutes to Orange County to go for a run out of our everyday monotony. Today we were running down at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. It was not as crazy as I thought it was going to be, it was pretty much a dirt road that went along a spillway. Nothing special, but it was nice to get off the roads again. Matt and I ran 11, and I think both of us really were happy that the other didn't want to go further. My legs were pretty tired today, and it was a happy thought for me to do 11 instead of 13-15.
Afterwards we all went to eat at the Shorehouse Cafe. Super Oatmeal and an Omelette with cheese, broccoli and carne asada.
Worked for 5 hours.
11 Miles today
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Through the Palisades
Sat. Oct. 27, 2007
9am - 11 miles
Headed up to 4th and Marguerita at 9 am to meet the team and do a steady 11 miles on the "north rollercoaster loop" which runs through northern Santa Monica into the Palisades. It was a descently hilly loop, but nothing too bad. We started out pretty slow, just jogging the first mile or two. We ran in a small group for the first 1 or so with Eric, Matt, Dennis and myself, and of course no Ozzie today. He is supposed to be my training partner and I have seen him twice in the past 6 weeks, yea, I am getting alot out of training with him. So after the first mile we hit hit a nice steady incline for about a half mile or so, and Matt decided to start picking up the pace, so this was where the group split. We strung out a bit, and at first I was having a hard time keeping up becuase he is such a good hill climber. After a little bit I decided to push a bit just to catch him, and from then on him and I cruised the run at a good clip. After like 3 miles or so, we slowed down just to let Libby catch us cause he was running by himself. We ran through some really nice houses up there. Russell Crowe, Britany Spears and a couple other big names celeb houses. After a while though, Matt and I decided to pick up the pace a bit and we ended up leaving Libby a little ways back, but he was only doing 8 miles, so he was going to turn off soon anyways. Matt and I probably cruised our last 3 miles between 5:30-5:00 min mile pace, and it felt pretty relaxed. So all and all it was a good run.
Then I went to work for 6 hrs, hooray.
11 miles today - 1.08:02
Thursday
Thurs. Oct. 25, 2007
6:30am - 3 miles
5pm - 8 miles
Ran by myself in the morning cause Libby decided to sleep in.
After I came back from USC Libby and I went running, however he didn't want to run as far as I was going. So I decided to have him meet me down by the woodchip trail. I ran the first 2 miles by myself at a descent pace, and met up with him and ran another 5 miles with him, then added another 1 mile at the end.
8 miles today
6:30am - 3 miles
5pm - 8 miles
Ran by myself in the morning cause Libby decided to sleep in.
After I came back from USC Libby and I went running, however he didn't want to run as far as I was going. So I decided to have him meet me down by the woodchip trail. I ran the first 2 miles by myself at a descent pace, and met up with him and ran another 5 miles with him, then added another 1 mile at the end.
8 miles today
Friday, October 26, 2007
Run around a park for a while
Fri. Oct. 26, 2007
7:30am - 3 miles
6pm - 8 miles
Had a little bit of a late start this morning. I set my alarm for 6 am, but kept hitting the snooze till 7:30. Who doesn't love that snooze button. Ran my 3 miles, then headed for a few hours of work.
Got back home and looked up some stuff on Oregon with Libby. New possibility: Come December, its gonna be either Oregon with Libby, or back to NY by myself. I'm almost 100% positive that I will not stay in CA after Dec. The weather is great and I love having Skip as a coach, but that is about it. The traffic here is too much, the running sucks, and by that I mean its all roads, and I prefer trails. So I have to decide whether I want to go home to NY and train with the Westchester Track Club, have the trails that I love to run on, a job working 30-40 hrs a week with my high school coach Nuge at a running store, and live at home with my parents which would be a nice comfort blanket becuase I do miss them and my family. The other option would be to go 1,000 miles north to Eugene, OR, and run with Team XO, not be positive until a few weeks from now about a job, housing (which I have considered buying a shitty RV to live in with Libby), but have tons of other great runners to train with in the Mecca of running. Besides the rain, can there be any place better than Eugene to train and run? I dunno, there is a lot to weigh on my plate for these next few weeks. I know I would like Eugene a lot more than here due to the fact that it is the Maine of the West Coast, minus the snow and freezing, and substitute cold and rain. I loved Maine except for the cold and snow that lasted FOREVER. I wouldn't mind hearing a few opinions if people want to comment, it is always good hearing other peoples thoughts.
Libby and I ran a bunch of loops around this sketchy park near the house here for a total of 6.5 miles for him and 8 miles for me. It was nice to get off the road for a day.
11 miles today
7:30am - 3 miles
6pm - 8 miles
Had a little bit of a late start this morning. I set my alarm for 6 am, but kept hitting the snooze till 7:30. Who doesn't love that snooze button. Ran my 3 miles, then headed for a few hours of work.
Got back home and looked up some stuff on Oregon with Libby. New possibility: Come December, its gonna be either Oregon with Libby, or back to NY by myself. I'm almost 100% positive that I will not stay in CA after Dec. The weather is great and I love having Skip as a coach, but that is about it. The traffic here is too much, the running sucks, and by that I mean its all roads, and I prefer trails. So I have to decide whether I want to go home to NY and train with the Westchester Track Club, have the trails that I love to run on, a job working 30-40 hrs a week with my high school coach Nuge at a running store, and live at home with my parents which would be a nice comfort blanket becuase I do miss them and my family. The other option would be to go 1,000 miles north to Eugene, OR, and run with Team XO, not be positive until a few weeks from now about a job, housing (which I have considered buying a shitty RV to live in with Libby), but have tons of other great runners to train with in the Mecca of running. Besides the rain, can there be any place better than Eugene to train and run? I dunno, there is a lot to weigh on my plate for these next few weeks. I know I would like Eugene a lot more than here due to the fact that it is the Maine of the West Coast, minus the snow and freezing, and substitute cold and rain. I loved Maine except for the cold and snow that lasted FOREVER. I wouldn't mind hearing a few opinions if people want to comment, it is always good hearing other peoples thoughts.
Libby and I ran a bunch of loops around this sketchy park near the house here for a total of 6.5 miles for him and 8 miles for me. It was nice to get off the road for a day.
11 miles today
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Grass Reps
Wed. Oct. 24, 2007
7:30am - 3 miles
2:30pm - 3 mile warm-up, 7x1000 rep. w/ 2 min rest, 2 mile cool down
This morning was like every other morning, did my run, stretched, ate and took a few hours of getting a lab report done. However, I was quite pissed to find out that the lab report wasn't due until next week, but its finished with now. Then ate my peanut butter, honey and banana on toast for lunch and headed to practice.
I warmed up at 2:30, did my drills and strides and then put on my light weight trainers. I have been recently running in my new Brooks Glycerine shoes, and I do like them alot, but having those and a heavy pair of orthotics in them really makes the shoes heavy. So i switched the shoes and headed to workout. Today's workout was 7 x 1000 rep w/ 2 min recovery running from 7th ave up to 11th and coming back down. This is all done on a grass island on San Vicente blvd. Skip read me the last workout I did here, and it was 5 x 1000 w/ 3 min recovery with an avg. of 3:01.
So today he wanted 2 more with 1 min less recovery per one, avg. about the same or so. So I went out and just wanted to be conservative for the first one, and I came in at a very comfortable 3:04. I felt pretty good today and knew it was gonna be a good workout, because I actually felt recovered from the past couple days and wanted to have a good workout. I would sip some water in between each rep., cause it was very hot today. My thousands for the day were (3:04, 3:01, 3:01, 3:02, 2:58, 2:57, 2:54) Avg. 2:59. I felt really relaxed and smooth today which was awesome. I also workout by myself, so throw someone else in there and I probably would have cruised a little bit faster. Very good workout day. Cooled down 2 miles and stretched a little, but not too much becuase I have to head to USC.
I think from where I am in Santa Monica for the workout to USC is about 15 miles or so, give or take a couple of miles. Every Wednesday I have to workout early so I can make it to USC for my lab. I usually leave right around 4pm hoping to get to USC in an hour, mind you its about 15 miles. Today took me 1 hr. 40 min. It is so frustrating to have to drive that long every Wed. and still be late to lab. Traffic out here is so bad, and there really is no way around it.
After lab, met up with Libby at Whole Foods and grabbed some grub and watched some of the Sox game there. I talked to my boy Jon for a little bit, good to hear from him and find out he is liking his new situation down in the city. For everyone who doesn't know, Jon and I grew up together about 20 ft. apart and did everything together as kids. Then I also talked to Jeff Caron, who I would like to congratulate on a nice $300 win at Foxwoods. Him and I just chatted about normal crap in our lives, running and girl situations, or lack there of. I will say though he has had more going on in that ballpark then me, keep swinging Jeff. Oh yeah and I almost forgot, I talked to the big Mark Lech today, my college coach. It was good to chat with him about things, and hear how things are going with the Black Bears.
13 miles today
7:30am - 3 miles
2:30pm - 3 mile warm-up, 7x1000 rep. w/ 2 min rest, 2 mile cool down
This morning was like every other morning, did my run, stretched, ate and took a few hours of getting a lab report done. However, I was quite pissed to find out that the lab report wasn't due until next week, but its finished with now. Then ate my peanut butter, honey and banana on toast for lunch and headed to practice.
I warmed up at 2:30, did my drills and strides and then put on my light weight trainers. I have been recently running in my new Brooks Glycerine shoes, and I do like them alot, but having those and a heavy pair of orthotics in them really makes the shoes heavy. So i switched the shoes and headed to workout. Today's workout was 7 x 1000 rep w/ 2 min recovery running from 7th ave up to 11th and coming back down. This is all done on a grass island on San Vicente blvd. Skip read me the last workout I did here, and it was 5 x 1000 w/ 3 min recovery with an avg. of 3:01.
So today he wanted 2 more with 1 min less recovery per one, avg. about the same or so. So I went out and just wanted to be conservative for the first one, and I came in at a very comfortable 3:04. I felt pretty good today and knew it was gonna be a good workout, because I actually felt recovered from the past couple days and wanted to have a good workout. I would sip some water in between each rep., cause it was very hot today. My thousands for the day were (3:04, 3:01, 3:01, 3:02, 2:58, 2:57, 2:54) Avg. 2:59. I felt really relaxed and smooth today which was awesome. I also workout by myself, so throw someone else in there and I probably would have cruised a little bit faster. Very good workout day. Cooled down 2 miles and stretched a little, but not too much becuase I have to head to USC.
I think from where I am in Santa Monica for the workout to USC is about 15 miles or so, give or take a couple of miles. Every Wednesday I have to workout early so I can make it to USC for my lab. I usually leave right around 4pm hoping to get to USC in an hour, mind you its about 15 miles. Today took me 1 hr. 40 min. It is so frustrating to have to drive that long every Wed. and still be late to lab. Traffic out here is so bad, and there really is no way around it.
After lab, met up with Libby at Whole Foods and grabbed some grub and watched some of the Sox game there. I talked to my boy Jon for a little bit, good to hear from him and find out he is liking his new situation down in the city. For everyone who doesn't know, Jon and I grew up together about 20 ft. apart and did everything together as kids. Then I also talked to Jeff Caron, who I would like to congratulate on a nice $300 win at Foxwoods. Him and I just chatted about normal crap in our lives, running and girl situations, or lack there of. I will say though he has had more going on in that ballpark then me, keep swinging Jeff. Oh yeah and I almost forgot, I talked to the big Mark Lech today, my college coach. It was good to chat with him about things, and hear how things are going with the Black Bears.
13 miles today
Google Earth run
Tues. Oct. 23, 2007
6:30am - 3 miles
5pm - 8 miles
Waking up at 6am I already noticed that today was going to be a hot day, 92 degrees today in Santa Monica. I got my morning run taken care of so I could come back, eat breakfast and then cram a little more for that nice 2nd Mid-term. I crammed for a few more hours, then headed to USC to take the test. I'm not really sure how it went, but its over, so all I can do is wait to see some results.
Later in the day, Libby and I planned out a run on the roads out here, becuase there is nowhere else to run besides roads. Truthfully, we are not in a very runner friendly area, and there are really no good places to run, it gets very annoying. We planned out a 6 mile run that lead us to a park, around the park and then back. It was a good run, and when I came back with Libby, I just tacked on a couple more miles.
Libby and I made some awesome steak fajitas
11 miles today
Oh yeah I also forgot, Libby and I have been making our own bread and granola.....it friggin kicks ass over all this store bought stuff. Now all we have to do is get some cows and chickens and we will be set.
6:30am - 3 miles
5pm - 8 miles
Waking up at 6am I already noticed that today was going to be a hot day, 92 degrees today in Santa Monica. I got my morning run taken care of so I could come back, eat breakfast and then cram a little more for that nice 2nd Mid-term. I crammed for a few more hours, then headed to USC to take the test. I'm not really sure how it went, but its over, so all I can do is wait to see some results.
Later in the day, Libby and I planned out a run on the roads out here, becuase there is nowhere else to run besides roads. Truthfully, we are not in a very runner friendly area, and there are really no good places to run, it gets very annoying. We planned out a 6 mile run that lead us to a park, around the park and then back. It was a good run, and when I came back with Libby, I just tacked on a couple more miles.
Libby and I made some awesome steak fajitas
11 miles today
Oh yeah I also forgot, Libby and I have been making our own bread and granola.....it friggin kicks ass over all this store bought stuff. Now all we have to do is get some cows and chickens and we will be set.
Monday
Mon. Oct. 22, 2007
6:30am - 3 miles
5pm - 6.75
My legs are definitly feeling a little bit sore after the race on Saturday and the run on Sunday morning, but its nothing to worry about, just a little soreness. I decided to call in to work today and tell them that I had alot of school work to get done today, and that I couldn't make it in. There is nothing like cramming for a test the day before.
We went up to Santa Monica for our Monday workout, which today was just an easy 6.75 plus drills and strides. This was a very happy day for me, cause I did not want to workout today. Matt could not make it today due to the fires near his house in Orange County, he apparantly had no power and other things happening. So it was just Libby and I doing the run together. There were a couple of other people there, but they can't run with us, so we do our own thing. We pretty much just cruised around 7 minute pace or so, nothing hard. We definitly noticed the smoke in the air from the Mailbu fire, it was pretty much all around the area wherever you went. This caused Jon on the team to have a small asthma attack, and the caused the rest of us to have really, REALLY dry and sore throats. After the run, we finished up with our drill, strides and stretching.
Monday nights and Wednesday nights Libby and I eat at Whole Foods, cause we get home so late and don't really feel like cooking and eating at 9:30 or 10 pm. Makes it a whole lot nicer on those days.
10 miles today
Santa Monica 5000/10000
Sun. Oct. 21, 2007
So nothing is sweeter then waking up at 5:15 am the day after racing to drive up to Santa Monica to watch Libby run is 5k debut for VSA. The 5k started at 7:30am up in Santa Monica, and the team was meeting at about 6:30 at the starting line, so I made sure we got there on time. It was still dark when we got there, the crazy thing was that there was this red glow coming out of Malibu, which is like 5 miles or so away. So apparantly we saw the fire that had just started like 30 minutes before hand up in the mountains. It was very luminous, a nice red glow coming from the mountains; it was my first wildfire.
So we met up with Skip and the others running the race today, and before we warmed up we decided to go to the bathroom. There is nothing like taking a dump in an open stall while staring directly across at a bum. Him and I must have lock eyes for most of the duration of my stay in the Ritz crapper. Very weird. Then Eric and I warmed up with Roz and Jen. These girls are very good runners too. Roz is a 2:05 800 runner, and Jen has run 15:50 for 5k. Since I raced yesterday, I was just getting my miles in today. So I warmed up with them, then jogged some more while they stretched, and then took some pics/ran next to them while they were racing, and then cooled down with them. Good 9 miles I believe. Eric ran a PR of 16:46, while the leader ran 14:04....pretty close. The leaders were haulin ass, it was a great race to watch. Eric was the first VS finisher which was kinda cool. Jen and Roz were the 3rd and 4th women, and came in together.
Afterwards, Eric and I grabbed some food at the Omelette Parlor, a pretty dam good restaurant near the start and then headed home. Took a nap today, that was pretty dam sweet. After the nap, Eric and I had to paint a little bit in the house for Brendan, which took a nice 2 hrs. Then for me it was study time, cause I have my second Mid-Term coming up, awesome.
Santa Monica 5000/10000
Pictures of the Race
9 miles today
Monday, October 22, 2007
San Marcos 8k
Sat. Oct. 20, 2007
9:45 am - 8k
So the race this morning is down close to San Diego, which is about 2 hrs away. I woke up this morning at I think around 5:30ish am to eat. Breakfast this morning was a 4 egg omelette with cheese and 2 pieces of toast with PB, Banana and honey. I definitly like eating a good meal in the morning. Also I did not want to drive down this morning, so I hopped in the car with Skip for a relaxing 2 hr drive down. We chatted for the first 30 min then I just passed out for the rest of the ride. This meet was run by Steve Scott, the coach down at San Marcos, and he said this was going to be a flat, fast course. It was definintly not a fast course. However, it was a pretty cool course I have to admit.
Ozzie, Matt and myself warmed up about an hour before with a 2 mile warmup, followed by some drills and strides. I had 2 goals this morning, 1. Finish 2. break 26. I accomplished both of them, so it was a good day. I pretty much wanted to run a tempo for the first few miles just to keep my head in the game, I didn't want to kill myself my first race for the first 3-4 miles. I wanted to make it to 4 miles feeling comfortable and relaxed and I accomplished that.
The race started out like any race, a little quick at the start just to get out and then we settled in. There was a nice pack for the first half mile or so, then Ozzie tried to split the race open early. This backfired pretty bad. Matt went with Ozzie and later on both of them started coming back. I really didn't even bother myself with their move, I was busy running my own little race, I pretty much let everyone go and just ran with 2 other dudes for a while, then it was down to me and this other guy from San Marcos. This guy had also previously out-kicked me last year down in San Diego in a 1500. We ran together for the entire race. The thing was that I could have pulled away from him at any moment, but I didn't want to run by myself. For most of the race the next person was like 100 meters or more ahead, so when he slowed, I slowed, and I kept grabbing his attention to get him back running with me. So we worked together for the race, he definitly seemed way more tired than me, I was very comfortable, breathing was easy, and until the last mile my legs were very comfortable too. With like a half mile to go, they started getting a little heavy but nothing bad. I ended up hammering the last 200 meters cause we came onto the track and because I felt really relaxed. If you remember, I also said I wanted to break 26 as one of my goals. 25:57. A PR nonetheless. So it was a mental victory for the day. Stayed strong mentally and did what I needed to do. Matt, Ozzie and myself went 5,6 and 7. Not the best, but not too shabby. We cooled down then headed for home.
Today was also the first day that I have gotten to nap in a while, so that made the day even better.
Went for a 2 mile shake out run with Libby at about 5 pm. Then at 7:30 went to watch the CHIVAS soccer game at the Home Depot Center with our VIP tickets courtesy of my cousin Brendan.
13 miles today
9:45 am - 8k
So the race this morning is down close to San Diego, which is about 2 hrs away. I woke up this morning at I think around 5:30ish am to eat. Breakfast this morning was a 4 egg omelette with cheese and 2 pieces of toast with PB, Banana and honey. I definitly like eating a good meal in the morning. Also I did not want to drive down this morning, so I hopped in the car with Skip for a relaxing 2 hr drive down. We chatted for the first 30 min then I just passed out for the rest of the ride. This meet was run by Steve Scott, the coach down at San Marcos, and he said this was going to be a flat, fast course. It was definintly not a fast course. However, it was a pretty cool course I have to admit.
Ozzie, Matt and myself warmed up about an hour before with a 2 mile warmup, followed by some drills and strides. I had 2 goals this morning, 1. Finish 2. break 26. I accomplished both of them, so it was a good day. I pretty much wanted to run a tempo for the first few miles just to keep my head in the game, I didn't want to kill myself my first race for the first 3-4 miles. I wanted to make it to 4 miles feeling comfortable and relaxed and I accomplished that.
The race started out like any race, a little quick at the start just to get out and then we settled in. There was a nice pack for the first half mile or so, then Ozzie tried to split the race open early. This backfired pretty bad. Matt went with Ozzie and later on both of them started coming back. I really didn't even bother myself with their move, I was busy running my own little race, I pretty much let everyone go and just ran with 2 other dudes for a while, then it was down to me and this other guy from San Marcos. This guy had also previously out-kicked me last year down in San Diego in a 1500. We ran together for the entire race. The thing was that I could have pulled away from him at any moment, but I didn't want to run by myself. For most of the race the next person was like 100 meters or more ahead, so when he slowed, I slowed, and I kept grabbing his attention to get him back running with me. So we worked together for the race, he definitly seemed way more tired than me, I was very comfortable, breathing was easy, and until the last mile my legs were very comfortable too. With like a half mile to go, they started getting a little heavy but nothing bad. I ended up hammering the last 200 meters cause we came onto the track and because I felt really relaxed. If you remember, I also said I wanted to break 26 as one of my goals. 25:57. A PR nonetheless. So it was a mental victory for the day. Stayed strong mentally and did what I needed to do. Matt, Ozzie and myself went 5,6 and 7. Not the best, but not too shabby. We cooled down then headed for home.
Today was also the first day that I have gotten to nap in a while, so that made the day even better.
Went for a 2 mile shake out run with Libby at about 5 pm. Then at 7:30 went to watch the CHIVAS soccer game at the Home Depot Center with our VIP tickets courtesy of my cousin Brendan.
13 miles today
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Friday....not with Ice Cube
Fri. Oct. 19, 2007
6pm - 3 miles
Libby went for a run in the morning, but my legs still felt like crap so I slept in and just ran in the evening after work. Did my run around the block and then did a few strides. Took it pretty easy today and just getting ready to go and race early in the morning tomorrow down at San Marcos.
6pm - 3 miles
Libby went for a run in the morning, but my legs still felt like crap so I slept in and just ran in the evening after work. Did my run around the block and then did a few strides. Took it pretty easy today and just getting ready to go and race early in the morning tomorrow down at San Marcos.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Rest Day
Thurs. Oct. 18, 2007
0 miles
I can feel that from the past few days of running and working out that my legs are wrecked. My rest day today came at a good time, and I am taking full advantage of it.
Tonight my boy Kevo from NY is in town. He works for SPIKE tv and is out here for business, which im not sure what that means, cause he always seems to be watching video's online. So Eric and I drove up to Hollywood and ate some Sushi with Kev and just chatted about everything going on. He took care of the bill and said that SPIKE tv was paying for us tonight. We ate on Sunset Blvd. and commented on how shitty the area is, but had a good time nonetheless. Afterwards, we drove around looking for the first ice cream place that we could find. It took a while, but there was one pretty much right across the street from Kev's hotel. After ice cream, Eric and I headed back home, only to my surprise to find a nice parking ticket. Nothing makes you happier than seeing that bill for $45.
0 miles
I can feel that from the past few days of running and working out that my legs are wrecked. My rest day today came at a good time, and I am taking full advantage of it.
Tonight my boy Kevo from NY is in town. He works for SPIKE tv and is out here for business, which im not sure what that means, cause he always seems to be watching video's online. So Eric and I drove up to Hollywood and ate some Sushi with Kev and just chatted about everything going on. He took care of the bill and said that SPIKE tv was paying for us tonight. We ate on Sunset Blvd. and commented on how shitty the area is, but had a good time nonetheless. Afterwards, we drove around looking for the first ice cream place that we could find. It took a while, but there was one pretty much right across the street from Kev's hotel. After ice cream, Eric and I headed back home, only to my surprise to find a nice parking ticket. Nothing makes you happier than seeing that bill for $45.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Another day, another grind
Wed. Oct. 17, 2007
2:30 pm - 2.5 mile warm-up, 3k, 2k, 1k w/ 5min in between, 1.5 mile cool down
I didn't wake up this morning for my morning run. Yesterday wasn't the best day, and I didn't sleep that well, and on top of that my legs have been pretty tired the past few days. So I just slept in a little bit.
Got to practice at 2:30 to warmup and do drills by 3, @ Clover Park in Santa Monica, so I could make it to USC on time. The workout was a 3k, 2k and then a 1k at 5 min pace with 5 min rest. Felt fine when I started the workout, came through the 1st K right on pace, 3:06, then fell off from the next a little bit, 6:17 and then from there on out the workout was just more or less survive. I was having a really hard time today. Everyone has a bad workout, today was one of those days for me. I think there were a couple of reasons, the Mountain Gate drive hill on Saturday and not really sleeping too well last night. Its all good, finished the workout and then cooled down and stretched a little before taking off for USC lab.
Successful lab tonight, another time there might be more details, but as of now, the journal cuts short
8 miles today....did not feel good
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Not the Best News
Tues. Oct. 16, 2007
8am - 3 miles with Libby
4pm - 7 miles with Libby
So after not thinking Libby was going to run with me this morning, I had just finished going to the bathroom and when I opened the door, to my surprise was Libby lacing up the shoes, with his normal Libby grin. So we went for an easy 3 around Artesia. Came back stretched and did my morning routine.
Decided to skip class today and just get some things done around the house and get ready for my 2nd Exam next week.
So after grabbing some food, I went back up stairs and looked at my computer and saw an IM from Tony Morgan, aka Aggrevated Assault Morgan. Normally, or ever, he does not IM me, so I knew it was either he was gonna have another kid, or there was some bad news. Well it turned out to be bad news. Marina Ivankovic, a former Umaine Volleyball player that we had all been real close friends with throughout college, apparantly had some complications due to being sick for the past couple of weeks and passed away. This really through me for a loop, cause I had no idea that she had been sick. There were two other teams that the Track team at Maine had always been close with, the Swim team and the Volleyball team. From the first day that I was on campus I had been introduced to the team via Mike Lansing, who was currently hanging out with Cheryl Elliot. Throughout the years numerous track guys, my roommate and others that were in our little click, dated volleyball girls, Tony obviously taking it too far, married Carmen and had two kids.
I can honestly say that anytime that I would see Marina, there was a hug and a smile, and she had a GREAT smile. Seriously, it was an outspoken smile. It sucks to have to be writing this, because it always seems that the good words are always spoken after the fact. I have all my great and funny memories and will have them forever. I will say there is no funnier story then Pat Guerette farting and blaming it on Marina, and then later while drinking, tried to jump off the wall and then drop kicked Marina in the face. So I know that there are alot of people all over that are at a loss right now. I miss all of us in our group getting together after a Saturday workout or Sunday run and going to the V-ball game with signs and being obnoxious yelling for all the girls.
So I will leave this post with an old Irish blessing:
An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
8am - 3 miles with Libby
4pm - 7 miles with Libby
So after not thinking Libby was going to run with me this morning, I had just finished going to the bathroom and when I opened the door, to my surprise was Libby lacing up the shoes, with his normal Libby grin. So we went for an easy 3 around Artesia. Came back stretched and did my morning routine.
Decided to skip class today and just get some things done around the house and get ready for my 2nd Exam next week.
So after grabbing some food, I went back up stairs and looked at my computer and saw an IM from Tony Morgan, aka Aggrevated Assault Morgan. Normally, or ever, he does not IM me, so I knew it was either he was gonna have another kid, or there was some bad news. Well it turned out to be bad news. Marina Ivankovic, a former Umaine Volleyball player that we had all been real close friends with throughout college, apparantly had some complications due to being sick for the past couple of weeks and passed away. This really through me for a loop, cause I had no idea that she had been sick. There were two other teams that the Track team at Maine had always been close with, the Swim team and the Volleyball team. From the first day that I was on campus I had been introduced to the team via Mike Lansing, who was currently hanging out with Cheryl Elliot. Throughout the years numerous track guys, my roommate and others that were in our little click, dated volleyball girls, Tony obviously taking it too far, married Carmen and had two kids.
I can honestly say that anytime that I would see Marina, there was a hug and a smile, and she had a GREAT smile. Seriously, it was an outspoken smile. It sucks to have to be writing this, because it always seems that the good words are always spoken after the fact. I have all my great and funny memories and will have them forever. I will say there is no funnier story then Pat Guerette farting and blaming it on Marina, and then later while drinking, tried to jump off the wall and then drop kicked Marina in the face. So I know that there are alot of people all over that are at a loss right now. I miss all of us in our group getting together after a Saturday workout or Sunday run and going to the V-ball game with signs and being obnoxious yelling for all the girls.
So I will leave this post with an old Irish blessing:
An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Start of the Week
Mon. Oct. 15, 2007
8am - 3mile run
5pm - 10 mile run
I won't lie, my legs are a little tired today from the hill workout on Saturday. I started the day off nice and easy with a 3 miler but I could definitly tell that I had a hard workout on Saturday. Went into work at 10 -3 then it was off to practice up in Santa Monica. Today we had an easy 10 miler with Brazilian Grass Circuits after and stretching. The 10 milers started at Palisades Park and went up around the Brentwood Country Club, then through some hills side streets of Santa Monica, and then back down San Vicente to the park again. The 800 guys had an 8 miler and took off before we did, and for the 10 mile group it was just Matt and myself. He is a good running partner, just wish there were more of us. We averaged 6:30 for the 10. It felt very easy breathing wise, but my legs were a bit tired, so I just wanted to cruise and not push it today. Matt was more than happy to just hang out and run. Today for some reason I definitly missed my trails from the East; after running on trails yesterday, it just made me miss then more and knowing that I will not have then for some time stung a little.
13 miles today
8am - 3mile run
5pm - 10 mile run
I won't lie, my legs are a little tired today from the hill workout on Saturday. I started the day off nice and easy with a 3 miler but I could definitly tell that I had a hard workout on Saturday. Went into work at 10 -3 then it was off to practice up in Santa Monica. Today we had an easy 10 miler with Brazilian Grass Circuits after and stretching. The 10 milers started at Palisades Park and went up around the Brentwood Country Club, then through some hills side streets of Santa Monica, and then back down San Vicente to the park again. The 800 guys had an 8 miler and took off before we did, and for the 10 mile group it was just Matt and myself. He is a good running partner, just wish there were more of us. We averaged 6:30 for the 10. It felt very easy breathing wise, but my legs were a bit tired, so I just wanted to cruise and not push it today. Matt was more than happy to just hang out and run. Today for some reason I definitly missed my trails from the East; after running on trails yesterday, it just made me miss then more and knowing that I will not have then for some time stung a little.
13 miles today
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Sun. Oct. 14, 2007
8am - 13 miles
This morning I woke up at 6am to eat a little bit of food before I start driving my 35 miles to Carbon Canyon Regional Park out in Orange County. It was a pretty sweet run, I won't lie. Damian, Matt and myself met up at about 7:55 at the park entrance and then drove up a block or two so we didn't have to pay the entrance fee. We started off pretty easy cause of the hill workout yesterday, but as the run went on we got into a nice comfortable pace. Damian was with us for a while then kinda fell off the pace and ran his own pace for the rest of his 50 minutes. Matt and I ran together for 32 minutes out and then turned around, cause Matt was only running an hour today. I ran back with Matt then added on an additional 30 minutes by myself on some different trails. It was a good run and I felt pretty good considering the tough hill workout yesterday.
After the run we went hoped in the cars and headed to find some food. Took us a few minutes but we found a restaurant called Minnie's. We pounded our Sunday breakfast, for me it was Oatmeal, pancakes, and bacon and eggs. I was quite happy.
Then I had to get outta there quick to head home, shower and go work. Something that I have to get used to is working on weekends after my workouts and long runs. I do miss taking naps during those days.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Mountain Gate Hills
Sat. Oct. 15, 2007
9am- 3 mile warmup, 4 x 1.1 mile uphills, 3 mile cooldown
So this hill is up in the Santa Monica Mts., and is a pretty long tough hill. There is no specific time to run when running up, its just pretty much "Survive", as some people would call it. You climb 800 feet in a mile, so it definitly has a little bit of incline to it. So we warmed up and did our 6 x downhill strides, then were driven to the bottom to start our climbs. This was my second time doing these hills, Libby's, Matt's and Ozzie's first time. First thing I will say is that Matt climbed these hills like a BEAST. Second thing I will say is that you really feel like you are going nowhere up these hills. So our first ascent went Matt, Ozzie, Myself and then Libby. Matt and Ozzie both were under 8 min, I was just over and Eric was 8:52, which is awesome. The order of the hills stayed the same througout most of the workout. Matt, Ozzie and myself were the only ones who had to do 4, everyone else had to do 3, which makes total sense although seems unfair.
The last hill, when it just the 3 bulls, seemed to never come, but then all of a sudden we were almost finished. I was quite proud of myself up until this point cause I had convinced myself to stick with it and be confident, and all these thoughts started making me feel great. We attacked the hill the same as normal, Matt and Ozzie out hard, then me slightly behind. Matt took off and then Ozzie started coming back to me half way up the hill which was a great boost for me, because it made me keep my composure and stay relaxed. He came up next to me and I could just tell he was shot; his breathing was bad, he had no leg lift. I'm not saying he was sucky, he had just worked real hard the other ones and was paying for it now. So I passed Ozzie and made my way to the top picking it up a little with about 100 to go. 7:59! I was so pumped to hear that. Previously I had averaged 8:31 for all the hills. This time I had run (8:07, 8:05, 8:15, 7:59) averaging 8:07. HUGE IMPROVEMENT. Ozzie claimed the 4th all time avg with 7:52, even though he was hurting on the last one. Matt on the other hand, crushed the all-time avg best, which was previously held at 7:37, with his 7:17 avg. That is insane in all regards to this hill, he is a great addition to the team, and he is a kick ass guy too. Then it was cool down time and then off to work, but not before a little lunch, which then I decided to show up an hour late for work.
10.5 miles today
9am- 3 mile warmup, 4 x 1.1 mile uphills, 3 mile cooldown
So this hill is up in the Santa Monica Mts., and is a pretty long tough hill. There is no specific time to run when running up, its just pretty much "Survive", as some people would call it. You climb 800 feet in a mile, so it definitly has a little bit of incline to it. So we warmed up and did our 6 x downhill strides, then were driven to the bottom to start our climbs. This was my second time doing these hills, Libby's, Matt's and Ozzie's first time. First thing I will say is that Matt climbed these hills like a BEAST. Second thing I will say is that you really feel like you are going nowhere up these hills. So our first ascent went Matt, Ozzie, Myself and then Libby. Matt and Ozzie both were under 8 min, I was just over and Eric was 8:52, which is awesome. The order of the hills stayed the same througout most of the workout. Matt, Ozzie and myself were the only ones who had to do 4, everyone else had to do 3, which makes total sense although seems unfair.
The last hill, when it just the 3 bulls, seemed to never come, but then all of a sudden we were almost finished. I was quite proud of myself up until this point cause I had convinced myself to stick with it and be confident, and all these thoughts started making me feel great. We attacked the hill the same as normal, Matt and Ozzie out hard, then me slightly behind. Matt took off and then Ozzie started coming back to me half way up the hill which was a great boost for me, because it made me keep my composure and stay relaxed. He came up next to me and I could just tell he was shot; his breathing was bad, he had no leg lift. I'm not saying he was sucky, he had just worked real hard the other ones and was paying for it now. So I passed Ozzie and made my way to the top picking it up a little with about 100 to go. 7:59! I was so pumped to hear that. Previously I had averaged 8:31 for all the hills. This time I had run (8:07, 8:05, 8:15, 7:59) averaging 8:07. HUGE IMPROVEMENT. Ozzie claimed the 4th all time avg with 7:52, even though he was hurting on the last one. Matt on the other hand, crushed the all-time avg best, which was previously held at 7:37, with his 7:17 avg. That is insane in all regards to this hill, he is a great addition to the team, and he is a kick ass guy too. Then it was cool down time and then off to work, but not before a little lunch, which then I decided to show up an hour late for work.
10.5 miles today
Morning Fartlek Run
Fri. 10/12/07
9am - 2 mile warm-up, 15 min. of speed play, 2 mile cool down
So woke up at 7:15ish and ate some toast with PB/honey/banana, then just watched some Sports Center with Libby before taking off for our morning run. We jogged down from here to the beach and then we each took turns with a surge for the first 10 minutes cause that was his workout, then I went solo for another 5. Felt pretty good, I started having more protein and carb mix after my workouts and runs, a combo of a banana, water, oj, and Whey protein mix in a blender. I think it is very helpful, so I will keep track of how I feel over the next few weeks with the mix. After some good stretching and breakfast, I took off for work.
Work is going along pretty well, I like the job cause it is very relaxed and I get to talk about running all the time. What more could I ask for?
9am - 2 mile warm-up, 15 min. of speed play, 2 mile cool down
So woke up at 7:15ish and ate some toast with PB/honey/banana, then just watched some Sports Center with Libby before taking off for our morning run. We jogged down from here to the beach and then we each took turns with a surge for the first 10 minutes cause that was his workout, then I went solo for another 5. Felt pretty good, I started having more protein and carb mix after my workouts and runs, a combo of a banana, water, oj, and Whey protein mix in a blender. I think it is very helpful, so I will keep track of how I feel over the next few weeks with the mix. After some good stretching and breakfast, I took off for work.
Work is going along pretty well, I like the job cause it is very relaxed and I get to talk about running all the time. What more could I ask for?
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Easy loop from the house
Thurs. Oct. 11, 2007
8am- 3miles
5pm-7 miles
So I woke up this morning to the sweet sound of Journey playing on my phone at 4:30am, thanks Ryan Schinnerer. Really didn't affect me, but I did have to get out of bed to check it, and once I saw it was him, I guess I just went back to bed, sorry. Got up at 6 shortly there after to eat my bowl of cheerios, which seems to be working well right now, stomach ways anyhow. Went back to bed till 7:45 then woke up at 8 to go for an EASY 3 miles, my legs have just been feeling beat up lately so I need to take better care of my nutrition after workouts I think. After stretching and my morning routine, I ate a delicious omelette and then got ready for school. I got all dolled up and took off doing about 100 miles an hour to LA.....and anyone who has ever driven out here in the AM knows that I am lying, it was more like 20 mph. So eventually I got there and did my thing.
Came back home and Libby and I decided to make our own bread, the project started at 3 pm this afternoon, it is now 8:30 pm and this son of a biscuit isn't even ready to go in the oven yet. Anywho, we went for a run at 5pm from here down to the woodchip trail then back home, hilly run, and I think that Libby is getting used to the running in the area, cause its not flat. Ate some dinner and getting ready to head to 24 hour fitness to hit the weights...obviously.
Don't worry Jeff, I have the same thoughts on my runs too, minus really caring too much about XC...but the track thoughts are there. Keep on stridin baby....aint nothing gonna break my stride.....except for all the cars that almost hit me everyday.
10 miles today
8am- 3miles
5pm-7 miles
So I woke up this morning to the sweet sound of Journey playing on my phone at 4:30am, thanks Ryan Schinnerer. Really didn't affect me, but I did have to get out of bed to check it, and once I saw it was him, I guess I just went back to bed, sorry. Got up at 6 shortly there after to eat my bowl of cheerios, which seems to be working well right now, stomach ways anyhow. Went back to bed till 7:45 then woke up at 8 to go for an EASY 3 miles, my legs have just been feeling beat up lately so I need to take better care of my nutrition after workouts I think. After stretching and my morning routine, I ate a delicious omelette and then got ready for school. I got all dolled up and took off doing about 100 miles an hour to LA.....and anyone who has ever driven out here in the AM knows that I am lying, it was more like 20 mph. So eventually I got there and did my thing.
Came back home and Libby and I decided to make our own bread, the project started at 3 pm this afternoon, it is now 8:30 pm and this son of a biscuit isn't even ready to go in the oven yet. Anywho, we went for a run at 5pm from here down to the woodchip trail then back home, hilly run, and I think that Libby is getting used to the running in the area, cause its not flat. Ate some dinner and getting ready to head to 24 hour fitness to hit the weights...obviously.
Don't worry Jeff, I have the same thoughts on my runs too, minus really caring too much about XC...but the track thoughts are there. Keep on stridin baby....aint nothing gonna break my stride.....except for all the cars that almost hit me everyday.
10 miles today
Wednesday at San Vicente blvd.
Wed. Oct 10, 2007
8am - 3 miles
3pm - 3mile warmup, 8 x 690 meter reps between 4th and 7th st (2:10-2:15 w/ 90sec. rec), 3 mile cooldown
Went for an easy 3 with Libby this morning around Artesia and back. Then worked on my Lab report all morning, such crap, it takes so long to get done. Some might say that I should have done it earlier but whatever.
2:30 pm I warmed up in Santa Monica for 20 min then did drills, afterwards I jogged up to 4th st. (2:15, 2:13, 2:13, 2:13, 2:14, 2:15, 2:15, 2:12). I finally did not have stomach problems today for the first workout since I have been here, hopefully I can keep figuring out what I can and cannot eat before running. Felt pretty good early in the workout, but around rep 5 I wanted to quit and I began having those crappy negative thoughts. Skip said, "well sorry we still got 3 more to do." I then thought to myself, what the hell am I doing, I will finish this crap. So then for the rest of the workout I kept myself pretty smooth and relaxed. It was real windy coming back down the loop.
Had lab, which it took me an hour and a half to get to USC tonight....definitly need to start talking to this girl in the class.
12.5 miles today
8am - 3 miles
3pm - 3mile warmup, 8 x 690 meter reps between 4th and 7th st (2:10-2:15 w/ 90sec. rec), 3 mile cooldown
Went for an easy 3 with Libby this morning around Artesia and back. Then worked on my Lab report all morning, such crap, it takes so long to get done. Some might say that I should have done it earlier but whatever.
2:30 pm I warmed up in Santa Monica for 20 min then did drills, afterwards I jogged up to 4th st. (2:15, 2:13, 2:13, 2:13, 2:14, 2:15, 2:15, 2:12). I finally did not have stomach problems today for the first workout since I have been here, hopefully I can keep figuring out what I can and cannot eat before running. Felt pretty good early in the workout, but around rep 5 I wanted to quit and I began having those crappy negative thoughts. Skip said, "well sorry we still got 3 more to do." I then thought to myself, what the hell am I doing, I will finish this crap. So then for the rest of the workout I kept myself pretty smooth and relaxed. It was real windy coming back down the loop.
Had lab, which it took me an hour and a half to get to USC tonight....definitly need to start talking to this girl in the class.
12.5 miles today
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
New roomie
Tues. Oct. 9, 2007
3 mile morning run
7.5 mile evening run
Well this morning I woken up at like 6:45am to some friggin jerk who was trying to figure out how to get to my house. This Jerk was Eric Libby, former roommate from Umaine and new member of VS Athletics. Libby is now staying in my room with me for the next couple of weeks until he gets is housing situation taken care of.
Once he got here this morning, we went for an wasy 3 around the area and just chatted it up about how things have been. Libby took the past 6 days to drive across the country with his girl. She flew out this morning. Having him here should definitly help my situation out here, even if he is a crappy runner, just kidding. I took him with me today to USC while I had class, he did his own thing for a while then we got lunch, then there was one more class then back to the house. Took a little nap then went back to work running down at the Woodchip trail. Then we came back here and made out first dinner as Cali roommates, which was chicken, veggies and rice. Im pretty sure we will be seeing more of that as time goes on.
10.5 miles today
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Monday Bloody Monday
Mon. Oct. 8, 2007
Ocean Ave and San Vicente
Santa Monica, CA
So I have had some stomach issues these past few weeks. As most runners have had in the past, I have been having problems while running where I need to stop and take a heaping dump. The problem however, does not stop there. Once I start it has a tendency to keep going. So lately I have been trying to figure out a game plan for tackling this issue. I know I eat pretty good, but its more of an issue of when I eat, timing is everything. So I have to try new methods to my eating habits to ensure this crap ends, literally. People at Maine have seen some of the issues that I have had, they are ridiculous, and for all the peeps who were with me that magical day on Magnolia rd. in Boulder, they now know sleeves are great to have on a run.
Woke up at 6am to eat a bowl of cereal, I have been trying not to eat cereal cause of the sugar content, but at 6am i really don't care too much. After eating that I go back to bed for a another hour or so then wake up and go for a 3 mile run. Stretched a little and did some abs and pushups, then went and had a 5 egg white omelette with broccoli and an ALIVE meal supplement. Then went to work for 5 1/2 hrs.
At 5 pm I had practice, now this is where I have had my problems with the stomach. Not before practice, but right around 3 miles in. So today I was hoping there were going to be no problems, and thank the Lord, there were none. I just have to be cautious of what I through in the old garbage disposal before I run. Mondays are usually a steady paced run with a tempo either in the middle 2.1 miles or the final 2 miles of the 6.75 mile run. Today it was at the end. So we started off easy, then gradually picked it up to a nice steady pace of around 5:55 or so and then ran the last 2 miles, which are slightly down hill, in about 10:15. Didn't feel that great when we first started the tempo pace, but eventually I got into a good grove.
We follow our Monday runs with a Brazilian Grass Circuit, which is some drills and then team stretching. Having the team around tends to make me much happier, so the more time I can spend with them, the better.
10+ miles today
Long Beach long run
Sun. Oct. 7, 2007
So after having a rough Saturday, there is nothing like waking up at 6am so you can eat something for breakfast before you go for your long run at 8am. I met up with Damian and Matt down in Long Beach for what I thought was gonna be a 13 miler at least with Matt and myself. However, Matt's legs were tired, apparantly finishing a XC race makes you more tired. So he only ran 25 minutes out and then turned around. Damian being an 800 guy, couldn't hang with us for more than a mile or so, but he put in a valiant effort.
The run was on the beach down there, it was kinda cool; because of the water break out in the ocean, there were no waves and the sand was pretty flat and hard, so it made for pretty good running, but there was the occasional deep sand pocket which always keeps you guessing. Ran out about 30 min on the beach then ran around some grassy area next to the Queen Mary, big ship. Then after a while turned and went back to the start. Good run, figured at least 13 miles. Brought some melon with me, so I was pretty pumped to have that once I was finished. Then Damian and I proceeded to dominate this cafe in town. I had a big bowl of oatmeal with banana, raisins, cinnamon, brown sugar and maple syrup, three eggs and then 3 big buttermilk pancakes with whipped cream banana butter and syrup.....DELICIOUS.
Then I topped the day off by going to work.
13 miles today
So after having a rough Saturday, there is nothing like waking up at 6am so you can eat something for breakfast before you go for your long run at 8am. I met up with Damian and Matt down in Long Beach for what I thought was gonna be a 13 miler at least with Matt and myself. However, Matt's legs were tired, apparantly finishing a XC race makes you more tired. So he only ran 25 minutes out and then turned around. Damian being an 800 guy, couldn't hang with us for more than a mile or so, but he put in a valiant effort.
The run was on the beach down there, it was kinda cool; because of the water break out in the ocean, there were no waves and the sand was pretty flat and hard, so it made for pretty good running, but there was the occasional deep sand pocket which always keeps you guessing. Ran out about 30 min on the beach then ran around some grassy area next to the Queen Mary, big ship. Then after a while turned and went back to the start. Good run, figured at least 13 miles. Brought some melon with me, so I was pretty pumped to have that once I was finished. Then Damian and I proceeded to dominate this cafe in town. I had a big bowl of oatmeal with banana, raisins, cinnamon, brown sugar and maple syrup, three eggs and then 3 big buttermilk pancakes with whipped cream banana butter and syrup.....DELICIOUS.
Then I topped the day off by going to work.
13 miles today
Monday, October 8, 2007
Vanguard Invitational
Sat. Oct. 6, 2007
Woke up at 5:15am, which was not as sweet as it sounds, to eat my 4 egg omlett with boccoli and chicken and toast with honey and a banana. The race today is in Costa Mesa, which is like 45min-hour south of Redondo.
Got down there like 75 min before the race, and just hung out. Looked at the course, and was not that impressed. It was primarily in a desert, but apparantly Native Americans used to live here, so that was nice to know. It was an 8k that made a bunch of loops throughout this area, with one STEEP 70ish meter hill that we had to run twice. Well I am going to start off by saying that I quit the race after mile 3. It sucks starting a race when you do not want to be there and have been having a really hard couple of weeks prior to the race. Anyways, we started at 9 am and went through the mile in 4:58, which was very comfortable. The race was pretty much a pack of 5 of us, 3 of us from VS. We went through 2 miles in about 9:50, so about 4:52 second mile. I felt very comfortable but just was having bad thoughts and didn't want to be running anymore. We went through 3 miles in a little over 15 minutes, we had hit that hill in this mile, and it was a SLOW hill. So then I proceeded to quit, but Ozzie on my team go 2nd, losing in a kick at the end, which says something about the other runner, cause Ozzie has a GOOD finish. They were both around 24:50 for the 8k. Then Matt on out team was at 25:30.
I had a long talk with my team and coach and let them know the feelings and thoughts that I have been having lately, and although there is never an excuse for not finishing, I used it. I think after talking to my team, things will get better for me out here. Then we concluded with a big meal at IHOP....we dominated that Pancake house.
8 miles today
Woke up at 5:15am, which was not as sweet as it sounds, to eat my 4 egg omlett with boccoli and chicken and toast with honey and a banana. The race today is in Costa Mesa, which is like 45min-hour south of Redondo.
Got down there like 75 min before the race, and just hung out. Looked at the course, and was not that impressed. It was primarily in a desert, but apparantly Native Americans used to live here, so that was nice to know. It was an 8k that made a bunch of loops throughout this area, with one STEEP 70ish meter hill that we had to run twice. Well I am going to start off by saying that I quit the race after mile 3. It sucks starting a race when you do not want to be there and have been having a really hard couple of weeks prior to the race. Anyways, we started at 9 am and went through the mile in 4:58, which was very comfortable. The race was pretty much a pack of 5 of us, 3 of us from VS. We went through 2 miles in about 9:50, so about 4:52 second mile. I felt very comfortable but just was having bad thoughts and didn't want to be running anymore. We went through 3 miles in a little over 15 minutes, we had hit that hill in this mile, and it was a SLOW hill. So then I proceeded to quit, but Ozzie on my team go 2nd, losing in a kick at the end, which says something about the other runner, cause Ozzie has a GOOD finish. They were both around 24:50 for the 8k. Then Matt on out team was at 25:30.
I had a long talk with my team and coach and let them know the feelings and thoughts that I have been having lately, and although there is never an excuse for not finishing, I used it. I think after talking to my team, things will get better for me out here. Then we concluded with a big meal at IHOP....we dominated that Pancake house.
8 miles today
Pre Race Day
Fri. Oct. 5, 2007
There is nothing like not wanting to race the day before a meet......
So I went for a 3 mile run in the morning, did my thing throughout the day, which at this point is now working at Road Runner Sports. Not a bad gig if you ask me. Then came back from work and absolutely stuffed my face with food, and then went for an easy 5 mile run on the Redondo Beach woodchip trail, which I pretty much incorporate into all my runs around here.
Went to bed at like 11:30 pm, a little later than normal, especially knowing that I had to wake up at 5:15am to eat breakfast.
Hopefully having Eric Libby, who was my Maine roommate, move out here and run for my team will help me out.
8 miles run today
There is nothing like not wanting to race the day before a meet......
So I went for a 3 mile run in the morning, did my thing throughout the day, which at this point is now working at Road Runner Sports. Not a bad gig if you ask me. Then came back from work and absolutely stuffed my face with food, and then went for an easy 5 mile run on the Redondo Beach woodchip trail, which I pretty much incorporate into all my runs around here.
Went to bed at like 11:30 pm, a little later than normal, especially knowing that I had to wake up at 5:15am to eat breakfast.
Hopefully having Eric Libby, who was my Maine roommate, move out here and run for my team will help me out.
8 miles run today
Thursday, October 4, 2007
East Coast meets West Coast
Whats up everyone...If you don't already know, Jeff Caron has one of these bad boys up already, but him and I are very competetive against one another, so this Blog will be better than his. Just dropping a little insight into my training thus far this year. I graduated from The University of Maine last year and I moved out to California to run with VS Athletics which are based in Santa Monica, CA. When I first came out here this summer, everything was as awesome as I thought it would be; the weather, the races, the coach. The coach, Skip Stolley, has been a great addition to my running life. He is very supportive and knows his way around a track, obviously not very hard, but you should understand what I mean. He is a great coach and has great knowledge and connections.
After my 7 weeks were up this summer, I took like 2 weeks off and then just did some long runs everyday. I also went to Europe with my friend from home Matt Ellis, I will put a picture up of him, for 3.5 weeks. We had a great time, and I had some great runs while I was over there.
I came back to California Sept. 2, and was enrolled at USC to finish my Masters in Exercise Physiology, only 2 classes to go. It has started off on a rocky start, very tough class with a ton of reading. Now back to the running aspect. When I first got back out here, everything was going great, I was back with my team, running, doing workouts and everything seemed to be rolling along. About 3 weeks into my time out here I began having doubts. Obviously I have to make the transition from college to the real world, but there is something about this place that is not sitting well with me. There is always a ton of traffic wherever you go, EVERYWHERE, the people have no personalities and suck in general, and my team isn't everything I thought it was gonna be. I constantly find myself training alone and not enjoying myself. I am supposed to have a training partner, but I never see him. About 6 days a week now I train alone in a place that I don't necessarily like anymore. There are really no trails around here besides up in the Santa Monica mts. which can take me up to an hour to get to cause of the traffic. So day in and day out I run the same trails down here in Redondo Beach, CA, where I live with my cousin, who is 32 and pretty much the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. He is awesome, he is pretty much an older, taller version of me. He used to be a runner in HS in Montgomery, NY, he is 6'7" and ran 4:30 in the mile in HS; not bad for 6'7".
So lately I have been talking to friends back home, who I miss dearly, and asking their advice. Those good friends are Jeff"JC Experience"Caron, Eric"gonna be living in my room with me for a few weeks"Libby, Ken"K Sav"Savary, Nuge...my old HS coach who I talk to about everything and am the Godfather to his daughter, and Mark"M Daddy"Lech, who was my college coach AKA"MANBEARPIG". They have been helping me out to decide what I want to do once Dec. rolls around, stay here or go home and run with the Westchester Track Club.
So pretty much I have been having a rough time dealing with my situation out here, and my running has also been affected by my struggles. For the past 2 weeks I have been having some stomach issues and have been having a hard time running and working out. Hopefully I can figure out how to manage it. I appreciate everyone who has been helping me lately, and all the other people who I try to talk to and never call me back or answer, thanks alot "FRIENDS" cause what goes around comes around. That did sound pretty angry huh, well thats the way it is supposed to sound, just cause I am outta sight doesn't mean you should forget who your friends are.
Anyways, since this is the first blog, this will be the longest, just as an introduction my situation. Also, I am trying to eat differently to test out the effects of cutting artificial sugars from my diet. When I do it I feel great, and when I eat artificial sugars, I feel terrible; its quite amazing.
So check back in another time to see how things are going. Also, not gonna lie, I couldn't be doing what I am doing without the help of my family, thank you for all the support, I love you guys. NIBBS HIGH FOOTBALL RULES!
After my 7 weeks were up this summer, I took like 2 weeks off and then just did some long runs everyday. I also went to Europe with my friend from home Matt Ellis, I will put a picture up of him, for 3.5 weeks. We had a great time, and I had some great runs while I was over there.
I came back to California Sept. 2, and was enrolled at USC to finish my Masters in Exercise Physiology, only 2 classes to go. It has started off on a rocky start, very tough class with a ton of reading. Now back to the running aspect. When I first got back out here, everything was going great, I was back with my team, running, doing workouts and everything seemed to be rolling along. About 3 weeks into my time out here I began having doubts. Obviously I have to make the transition from college to the real world, but there is something about this place that is not sitting well with me. There is always a ton of traffic wherever you go, EVERYWHERE, the people have no personalities and suck in general, and my team isn't everything I thought it was gonna be. I constantly find myself training alone and not enjoying myself. I am supposed to have a training partner, but I never see him. About 6 days a week now I train alone in a place that I don't necessarily like anymore. There are really no trails around here besides up in the Santa Monica mts. which can take me up to an hour to get to cause of the traffic. So day in and day out I run the same trails down here in Redondo Beach, CA, where I live with my cousin, who is 32 and pretty much the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. He is awesome, he is pretty much an older, taller version of me. He used to be a runner in HS in Montgomery, NY, he is 6'7" and ran 4:30 in the mile in HS; not bad for 6'7".
So lately I have been talking to friends back home, who I miss dearly, and asking their advice. Those good friends are Jeff"JC Experience"Caron, Eric"gonna be living in my room with me for a few weeks"Libby, Ken"K Sav"Savary, Nuge...my old HS coach who I talk to about everything and am the Godfather to his daughter, and Mark"M Daddy"Lech, who was my college coach AKA"MANBEARPIG". They have been helping me out to decide what I want to do once Dec. rolls around, stay here or go home and run with the Westchester Track Club.
So pretty much I have been having a rough time dealing with my situation out here, and my running has also been affected by my struggles. For the past 2 weeks I have been having some stomach issues and have been having a hard time running and working out. Hopefully I can figure out how to manage it. I appreciate everyone who has been helping me lately, and all the other people who I try to talk to and never call me back or answer, thanks alot "FRIENDS" cause what goes around comes around. That did sound pretty angry huh, well thats the way it is supposed to sound, just cause I am outta sight doesn't mean you should forget who your friends are.
Anyways, since this is the first blog, this will be the longest, just as an introduction my situation. Also, I am trying to eat differently to test out the effects of cutting artificial sugars from my diet. When I do it I feel great, and when I eat artificial sugars, I feel terrible; its quite amazing.
So check back in another time to see how things are going. Also, not gonna lie, I couldn't be doing what I am doing without the help of my family, thank you for all the support, I love you guys. NIBBS HIGH FOOTBALL RULES!
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