Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest
A line from The Boxer that appeared in my head as I power jogged down the roads of middle America today. It is deer season and though I have not hunted in years I miss the complete enjoyment I had as a young man hunting with family. Driving to meet friends at an annual Thanksgiving park run yesterday, an eight point powered across the road in front of me and simply looked fabulous doing it. I have no other way to describe it. To me hunting has many similarities to running, from the act of the goal to the other participants. Keep it simple applies to both endeavors.
I don't keep up with the current world class runners scene, but I certainly was aware who Shalane was who won the New York City Marathon. I'm blown away by the dedication to the sport and all the elements that go along with it besides training. At 36 this is a major win and I learned from the tube that she writes about eating properly. This is not a new revelation to me, but slowly the concepts of healthy living might have to become practiced on my part. Four years ago I gave up tobacco. Three years ago I stopped drinking alcohol. Two years ago I made a conscious effort to drop 6-7 pounds. I have gotten back to my hot fudge and mashed potato diet and I'm afraid I need to re-evaluate what gets put inside of me...even if it is the counting calories method. I just need the freedom to still eat what I want to eat. The last piece is some type of core activities. I just hate the way that sounds. I prefer calisthenics.
I'm still tired and beat up from JFK. I ran 4.7 on the trails yesterday and did a slow 5.3 miles today at 11:08 pace. As much as I need to become a full time experience chaser, I keep pulling myself back in. Looking at races, developing training wishes, and pondering what if scenarios just won't go away. Like Ron Daws wrote similarly years ago...I'm shooting at 2018 with 1970's ammunition. The problem is I do half the work much slower, look like the stay puffed marshmallow man, and still think if I take a few more days off I should race well. That's the plan anyway.
Friday, November 24, 2017
Thursday, November 23, 2017
55th Annual JFK 50 Mile
I pulled out of the driveway Thursday at 3:26 AM so I could get through Chicago easily. I pulled in my brother Bryan's driveway early afternoon with 552 miles under the belt. My Mom was also there to greet me as she was down for her chemo treatments. We all had a nice visit that day and capped it off by watching the Steelers beat the Titans. With only about 220 miles to go the next day, my brother and I sauntered over to the packet pick-up and to join the rest of the crew. Dean and Andrea flew over from Wisconsin and her nephews came in from Connecticut and Baltimore respectively. I also had my niece (Bryan's daughter) come up from Arlington. All in all we had four running and three crewing, but better yet it was a nice house full of people to relax and chat with. After a big dinner of spaghetti and meatballs for me, I hit the sheets around 10 something and was up by 4:00.
The race start stages at Boonsboro high school and after the race talk we walked the 900 meters to the start. I knew they started at 6:30 sharp so I beat it up there, while the others didn't quite make it to the field. It's funny how much I did not remember about this course. You basically run up this gigantic hill for a few miles and run over a gaggle of leaf covered rocks. Unless you are free from a lot of people and young enough to rely on your dexterity, you basically get through in a fashion as to not bust apart. Passing people slower than you is almost useless as you immediately are behind others. You then become okay with this.
At around 9 miles my legs were kind of beat and I questioned even breaking 9 hours. At 15.5 when I saw my peoples I was just under 3 hours, it was raining, and my legs felt trashed. I wondered briefly if I would even break 10 hours. I'm pretty sure as I got on the pancake flat tow path I would $6 million dollar man it and start waxing people. I had 26 miles (of tow path) to do so and I am a flyer (I told myself), but the opposite occurred. People smarter than me were flying by...even the guy in the Panda gear.
The next place you can see your peoples is at 27.1 miles. At about 25 I did something. I started doing pick-ups of 40-50 yards with intermittent jogging. Suddenly the fog lifted and I was able to easily begin running in the low 9:00 pace. This feels great by-the-way as you are only catching people. You have to keep and eye on it and I basically did. A couple people tried to go with me, but I just went faster until they disappeared. Nothing personal, but when you go from having a tough time running 10:15 pace to running a minute a mile faster you go with it. My legs felt great.
Just past 37 miles you can see peoples again, and I had the feeling I was probably going to out strip my coverage. That's completely my bad as I told them to figure 10 minutes a mile. When they finally got there and checked on me they discovered I was even past the 41.2 checkpoint and heading in. The last 8 miles are on rolling roads. I love roads and just kept rolling to about 5 miles to go. I wasn't completely shot, but could tell the minimum miles in training started to expose weaknesses. I develop a really bad lean/drift to my left. Pictures of me look comical and the announcer even stated, "Here comes someone with the famous JFK lean." I crossed in 8:27:27 for 91st overall. A bit off my 8:10 goal, but did achieve my top 100 goal. Looking back I was in about 103rd when I hit the last road section. Not a spectacular run, but I do know that zero people passed me the final 25 miles.
My friends Dean and Andrea had a great run as well. They finished together in 11:17 and it sounds like they were running 10 flats on the road and just cruising by people. I also got to see Howard Nippert and we chatted and caught up for about 30 minutes. It was another great JFK experience. Will I go back? Not sure, but I will remember how big those hills are at the beginning.
The race start stages at Boonsboro high school and after the race talk we walked the 900 meters to the start. I knew they started at 6:30 sharp so I beat it up there, while the others didn't quite make it to the field. It's funny how much I did not remember about this course. You basically run up this gigantic hill for a few miles and run over a gaggle of leaf covered rocks. Unless you are free from a lot of people and young enough to rely on your dexterity, you basically get through in a fashion as to not bust apart. Passing people slower than you is almost useless as you immediately are behind others. You then become okay with this.
At around 9 miles my legs were kind of beat and I questioned even breaking 9 hours. At 15.5 when I saw my peoples I was just under 3 hours, it was raining, and my legs felt trashed. I wondered briefly if I would even break 10 hours. I'm pretty sure as I got on the pancake flat tow path I would $6 million dollar man it and start waxing people. I had 26 miles (of tow path) to do so and I am a flyer (I told myself), but the opposite occurred. People smarter than me were flying by...even the guy in the Panda gear.
The next place you can see your peoples is at 27.1 miles. At about 25 I did something. I started doing pick-ups of 40-50 yards with intermittent jogging. Suddenly the fog lifted and I was able to easily begin running in the low 9:00 pace. This feels great by-the-way as you are only catching people. You have to keep and eye on it and I basically did. A couple people tried to go with me, but I just went faster until they disappeared. Nothing personal, but when you go from having a tough time running 10:15 pace to running a minute a mile faster you go with it. My legs felt great.
Just past 37 miles you can see peoples again, and I had the feeling I was probably going to out strip my coverage. That's completely my bad as I told them to figure 10 minutes a mile. When they finally got there and checked on me they discovered I was even past the 41.2 checkpoint and heading in. The last 8 miles are on rolling roads. I love roads and just kept rolling to about 5 miles to go. I wasn't completely shot, but could tell the minimum miles in training started to expose weaknesses. I develop a really bad lean/drift to my left. Pictures of me look comical and the announcer even stated, "Here comes someone with the famous JFK lean." I crossed in 8:27:27 for 91st overall. A bit off my 8:10 goal, but did achieve my top 100 goal. Looking back I was in about 103rd when I hit the last road section. Not a spectacular run, but I do know that zero people passed me the final 25 miles.
My friends Dean and Andrea had a great run as well. They finished together in 11:17 and it sounds like they were running 10 flats on the road and just cruising by people. I also got to see Howard Nippert and we chatted and caught up for about 30 minutes. It was another great JFK experience. Will I go back? Not sure, but I will remember how big those hills are at the beginning.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
Good to be back in Western PA. We leave today for Shepherdstown, WV which is about a 10 minute drive from Boonsboro, MD. That is the start of the 55th annual JFK 50 mile. The plan is to manage the distance the best I can and have fun out there. I just want to find that zone which allows you to move along at your best pace without having to think about it. In other words, a really long training run with buffet tables to enjoy along the way. Our group has 4 people running and three others for comic relief which is usually my role. Two are family for me. My brother is driving out with me today and his daughter is driving up from DC after work. The most challenging part so far involves possessing this common communication device that allows people to reach you in a number of ways by starting with “I know your on vacation, but...”
Saturday, November 11, 2017
I'm handing out wings
So here is the breakdown since Al's. As meager as this looks I feel fairly optimistic. My goal for JFK next Saturday is 8:10. I ran 7:10 here in 2000 and basically thought if I could get within an hour of this, then somehow I've learned a little bit. One thing is the 50 mile distance doesn't intimidate me. There was a time it was rather intimidating. I put less pressure on myself to race which helps keep me loose, but it may under motivate me to train.
9/16 - Al's 8k in 32:39
9/17 - 12.7 at 11:08 trails
9/18 - AM 4.0 at 9:48
9/18 - PM 3.0 at 10:04
9/19 - 5.0 at 9:13
9/20 - 5.5 at 9:14
9/21 - 3.0
9/22 - 6.0 at 9:44 trails
9/23 - 17.8 at 11:43 trails
9/24 - 6.0 at 9:42
Total = 50.3
9/25 - 6.0 at 9:34 pace
9/26 - 6.0 w/ 4 @ 7:11, 7:12, 6:59, 6:51
9/27 - 5.1 at 8:49
9/28 - 3.5 at 9:24
9/29 - OFF
9/30 - 12.4 at 9:55
10/1 - 8.0
Total = 41.0
10/2 - 5.0 at 8:43 t-mill
10/3 - 6.0 at 8:51
10/4 - OFF
10/5 - 4.0 at 7:48, did 4 x 3:00 fairly hard
10/6 - OFF
10/7 - 4.0 at 10:20
10/8 - 31.0 at Glacial 50k (9:50) trail
Total = 50.0
10/9 - OFF
10/10 - 3.0 at 10:43
10/11 - 4.5 at 9:43
10/12 - 7.0 at 9:25
10/13 - OFF
10/14 - 10.6 at 10:08 trails
10/15 - 9.1 at 10:15 trails
Total = 34.2
10/16 - 5.5 w/ 3.0 at 8:08, 8:07, 7:45
10/17 - 5.5 w/ 3.0 at 7:32, 7:24, 7:02
10/18 - 5.5 w/ 4.0 at 7:48, 7:16, 7:01, 7:00
10/19 - 5.5 w/ 5.0 at 7:58, 7:30, 7:27, 7:30, 7:35
10/20 - 9.3 at 9:41 trails
10/21 - 18.0 at 9:28 trails
10/22 - 20.2 at 11:59 trails
Total = 69.5
10/23 - OFF
10/24 - OFF
10/25 - 5.5 at 7:13 pace t-mill
10/26 - 5.5 at 8:06
10/27 - OFF
10/28 - 15.0 at 8:01
10/29 - 19.0 at 9:29 road and trail mix
Total = 45.0
10/30 - OFF
10/31 - OFF
11/1 - OFF
11/2 - 5.5 at 7:30 t-mill
11/3 - 5.5 at 8:04
11/4 - 13.0 w/ 10.0 at 7:44 pace
11/5 - 6.0 at 9:37
Total = 30.0
11/6 - 6.0 at 9:27
11/7 - 4.0 at 9:14
11/8 - 6.6 at 7:52
11/9 - OFF
11/10 - 4.0 at 9:45
11/11 - 9.4 at 8:23
I think at JFK I will probably run the first predominately uphill paved 5 miles faster than I should. Only because with a 1,000 runners I don't want to get too far back in the conga line. Once I get to the trail the plan is to dial it back and try and relax. This is one reason I have been running a bit faster. The second reason is I'm hoping this meager attempt will allow me to stay around 9:30 pace on the towpath and final road segment. I'm pretty confident if this was a 40 mile event than I'd be okay. I'll just have to get out there, and manage my needs, pace, and enthusiasm. It is far more rewarding to be able to pass people than it is to manage a complete beat down.
Happy Veterans Day to all who have served. Thank you.
9/16 - Al's 8k in 32:39
9/17 - 12.7 at 11:08 trails
9/18 - AM 4.0 at 9:48
9/18 - PM 3.0 at 10:04
9/19 - 5.0 at 9:13
9/20 - 5.5 at 9:14
9/21 - 3.0
9/22 - 6.0 at 9:44 trails
9/23 - 17.8 at 11:43 trails
9/24 - 6.0 at 9:42
Total = 50.3
9/25 - 6.0 at 9:34 pace
9/26 - 6.0 w/ 4 @ 7:11, 7:12, 6:59, 6:51
9/27 - 5.1 at 8:49
9/28 - 3.5 at 9:24
9/29 - OFF
9/30 - 12.4 at 9:55
10/1 - 8.0
Total = 41.0
10/2 - 5.0 at 8:43 t-mill
10/3 - 6.0 at 8:51
10/4 - OFF
10/5 - 4.0 at 7:48, did 4 x 3:00 fairly hard
10/6 - OFF
10/7 - 4.0 at 10:20
10/8 - 31.0 at Glacial 50k (9:50) trail
Total = 50.0
10/9 - OFF
10/10 - 3.0 at 10:43
10/11 - 4.5 at 9:43
10/12 - 7.0 at 9:25
10/13 - OFF
10/14 - 10.6 at 10:08 trails
10/15 - 9.1 at 10:15 trails
Total = 34.2
10/16 - 5.5 w/ 3.0 at 8:08, 8:07, 7:45
10/17 - 5.5 w/ 3.0 at 7:32, 7:24, 7:02
10/18 - 5.5 w/ 4.0 at 7:48, 7:16, 7:01, 7:00
10/19 - 5.5 w/ 5.0 at 7:58, 7:30, 7:27, 7:30, 7:35
10/20 - 9.3 at 9:41 trails
10/21 - 18.0 at 9:28 trails
10/22 - 20.2 at 11:59 trails
Total = 69.5
10/23 - OFF
10/24 - OFF
10/25 - 5.5 at 7:13 pace t-mill
10/26 - 5.5 at 8:06
10/27 - OFF
10/28 - 15.0 at 8:01
10/29 - 19.0 at 9:29 road and trail mix
Total = 45.0
10/30 - OFF
10/31 - OFF
11/1 - OFF
11/2 - 5.5 at 7:30 t-mill
11/3 - 5.5 at 8:04
11/4 - 13.0 w/ 10.0 at 7:44 pace
11/5 - 6.0 at 9:37
Total = 30.0
11/6 - 6.0 at 9:27
11/7 - 4.0 at 9:14
11/8 - 6.6 at 7:52
11/9 - OFF
11/10 - 4.0 at 9:45
11/11 - 9.4 at 8:23
I think at JFK I will probably run the first predominately uphill paved 5 miles faster than I should. Only because with a 1,000 runners I don't want to get too far back in the conga line. Once I get to the trail the plan is to dial it back and try and relax. This is one reason I have been running a bit faster. The second reason is I'm hoping this meager attempt will allow me to stay around 9:30 pace on the towpath and final road segment. I'm pretty confident if this was a 40 mile event than I'd be okay. I'll just have to get out there, and manage my needs, pace, and enthusiasm. It is far more rewarding to be able to pass people than it is to manage a complete beat down.
Happy Veterans Day to all who have served. Thank you.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Working at the car wash
So after Al’s Run I switched gears into longer type stuff. Not long like the old days, but enough to remember what it is like to stay on the feet a few hours. Ran 17.8 on 9/23 at a pedestrian 11:43 trail pace. Just out enjoying the day with a few friends. The next Saturday I ran 12.4 at 9:55 pace which is my basic race pace for ultras. On 10/8 was the Glacial Trail 50k which went well with a 5:04. I was happy that I felt good and split the out and back course with a 2:42 out and 2:22 back. The following week I took it easy and tallied a big 34.2 mile week. The rest was good and I had a good past week with 7 solid runs. Monday through Thursday ended up being tempo type effort, Friday was a trail 15k at 50 mile pace. Saturday I was back on the trails and ran 18 at 9:28 pace and it was not as much work as I thought. Sunday was 20.2 with my fellow JFK entrants (Dean/Andrea) at a nice and easy 5mph pace. Good week for me. Four weeks to JFK and I will probably run next week similar to last week after a couple days easy.
On another note I find myself studying all the 50-59 entrants and their predicted finish times. Not sure what plans my sub conscious brain is hatching up, but I can’t stop running race scenarios through my conch. First things first...I ate my way back to the weight I lost for Al’s so that would need to come off. I ran this course in 2000, so I have some experience here. I may just freakin’ show up with the game face that day and take the top off.
On another note I find myself studying all the 50-59 entrants and their predicted finish times. Not sure what plans my sub conscious brain is hatching up, but I can’t stop running race scenarios through my conch. First things first...I ate my way back to the weight I lost for Al’s so that would need to come off. I ran this course in 2000, so I have some experience here. I may just freakin’ show up with the game face that day and take the top off.
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Al's Run
I really look forward to this run. For years it has been competitive and you get the chance to see how you stack up. This year I made an effort to be somewhat race ready and for the most part I was. The better part of the day is having the team go up to Ryan's and enjoy a great cookout. The team is pretty thin at this point and we agreed again that we need to recruit new blood.
This year was another hot year as race temps must have been near 80. Ryan's car on the way back was reading 90. Nonetheless the race began and I was off. I had visions of breaking 32, but to do so I wanted to keep in control. Mile one was 6:29 with Ed and it wasn't as casual as hoped. Mile two is the one with the hill and again I didn't want to plow myself under so I laid back with a 6:51. At this point reality set in...you suck. Thing is there is a ways to go and so I begin to try and lay a few licks down. Mile 3 goes by in 6:38 and as slow as this is I am now winding a few people in. Not many, because few people train/run any longer and the field depth is no longer present at this race. The people around me are the same warhorses from past years. Where is the new blood? I drop my fastest mile of the day with a 6:15.
The last 0.97 miles of Al's finds one turning about 4 times through the streets of Milwaukee. Again though I am supposedly racing at these pedestrian paces the field is spread out. I go after a few guys on the last turn and manage to out sprint (ha ha) them, closing with 6:27 over this portion. My finishing time is 32:39.7. The interesting part is this garnered me 3rd in the 55-59 age group. Jerry won this group with a 27:57. The sprint at the finished paid off as I beat Dave for 3rd place by 0.7 seconds. Not that age group awards are a big deal, but if I would have floated in and saw I missed by a knat's eyelash I'd of been disappointed.
As I write this it is 8 weeks until JFK. Though I am looking forward to going, the desire to try and make a decent run at it seems to have past. I am getting near the end. No need to purchase flats any longer. Time to hit the outlets if you get my drift.
This year was another hot year as race temps must have been near 80. Ryan's car on the way back was reading 90. Nonetheless the race began and I was off. I had visions of breaking 32, but to do so I wanted to keep in control. Mile one was 6:29 with Ed and it wasn't as casual as hoped. Mile two is the one with the hill and again I didn't want to plow myself under so I laid back with a 6:51. At this point reality set in...you suck. Thing is there is a ways to go and so I begin to try and lay a few licks down. Mile 3 goes by in 6:38 and as slow as this is I am now winding a few people in. Not many, because few people train/run any longer and the field depth is no longer present at this race. The people around me are the same warhorses from past years. Where is the new blood? I drop my fastest mile of the day with a 6:15.
The last 0.97 miles of Al's finds one turning about 4 times through the streets of Milwaukee. Again though I am supposedly racing at these pedestrian paces the field is spread out. I go after a few guys on the last turn and manage to out sprint (ha ha) them, closing with 6:27 over this portion. My finishing time is 32:39.7. The interesting part is this garnered me 3rd in the 55-59 age group. Jerry won this group with a 27:57. The sprint at the finished paid off as I beat Dave for 3rd place by 0.7 seconds. Not that age group awards are a big deal, but if I would have floated in and saw I missed by a knat's eyelash I'd of been disappointed.
As I write this it is 8 weeks until JFK. Though I am looking forward to going, the desire to try and make a decent run at it seems to have past. I am getting near the end. No need to purchase flats any longer. Time to hit the outlets if you get my drift.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
That's a wrap
The best I can figure from looking at the calculators is I should be capable of 32:01 for the 8k. My stated goal is 31:30, so if I can make the juju work then maybe it can happen. Al's is never a gimme. People are throwing down. There are scores to settle. Largest Wisconsin race of the year, though the depth of fast times is a farthing of past years. I have to get out slow and come from the back. Today I did 2 x 1 mile repeats in 6:08 and 6:07 and it was Barney Rubbelish. My turnover is compromised.
I am at 169 which is good. The flats I have to race in have 639 miles on them, but I'm going to try and light one more match with them. You really suffer the last mile here. Flat as a board, but there are a lot of team races going on. I'm the old guy on the team. How rewarding.
Pack a lunch.
I am at 169 which is good. The flats I have to race in have 639 miles on them, but I'm going to try and light one more match with them. You really suffer the last mile here. Flat as a board, but there are a lot of team races going on. I'm the old guy on the team. How rewarding.
Pack a lunch.
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