Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Snowy Run

I did my first run in 8 days today, through the snow from my house in Mystic to downtown Noank. The run lasted 46 minutes, and I took it pretty easy - probably covering a little over 5 miles at about a 9 min/mile pace. I decided to skip the Brook street hill, but did the Fishtown hill twice and added two 2-minute pickups on some straight/flat parts. The last two weeks have been about taking it mostly easy - oddly it felt great to hit the road again. Next week I should be getting back into a normal 2x/week schedule - and at some point I'll add the swimming back in.

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Monday, December 22, 2008

Year in Review

I made it to 9 races this year - so it's time to review.
1. The top race of 2008 for me must have been the Twilight Trail Run - Groton. I didn't go into this one with the highest expectations - but I came out of it with my second age group win of the year/life, as I covered the 7.4 miles at a 7:15 min/mile pace. As a bonus - it's a trail run - muddy, rainy and fun.
2. CVS 5k - Providence. Last year this was pretty down on my list, so this year was all about redemption. I ended up setting a 5k PR with a 6:40 pace. Cheese Cake factory lunch afterword helps also.
3. JP Morgan Championships - NYC. I had never done this one, and the elite field and excitement of running up and down Park Avenue made it one to remember. I ended up covering the 3.5 mile course at a 6:45 min/mile pace.
Honorable Mention: There were a lot of *very* good races this year: I set my first 5k PR at the O'Niantic 5K in March (6:41 pace) *and* won my first age group ever - so that one is pretty memorable. I also PR'ed at the wtac track mile, but didn't break 6:00 min/mile - so I still have some work to do there. The wtac beach run was great fun (first bare-foot run).
Disappointments: Not bad this year, but I certainly wanted to go a little faster than 6:51's at the Tarzan Brown, and although I enjoyed the race, I would've preferred not to be sick during the little Rhody Run'around. My least favorite of the year was the JP Morgan Quilifier in Central Park: the weather was hot, the race was crowded and the travel back the night of the race is a drag.

As a runner, goals are always important, especially this time of year. My short term goal is simply to add some strenght. Clearly, if I'm going make any quantum leaps in times - I'll need to improve my overall strenght. It's doable - I have a plan. Longer term for 2009, I'd like to hit a 10k next spring - since I haven't really done one of those. Perhaps I'll try and run that a few weeks prior to the JP Morgan Qualifier - so my fitness can cary over. Then, maybe aim for a 1/2-Marathon in the fall. I still don't think I'm game for the full Marathon.

Since I don't have another forum - I have to mention how happy I am to see the San Diego Charges get another crack at the Denver Broncos - following this years earlier officiating travesty. NFL Karma at it's finest. Hopefully the Bolts will bring it.

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Monday, December 15, 2008

Baseball News

My Padres signed this right-handed flame thrower from Iraq, and managed to keep Peavy on the roster heading into 2009 - so far, a great off-season.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Cruise

We spent last week on a cruise to the Bahamas with our kids and my in-laws. The cruise left New York City last Saturday night, then visited Port Canaveral, and two stops in the Bahamas: Nassau and Freeport. Freeport didn't look like much when we pulled up, but the Lakayna beach we visited was really very nice. As a bonus, our house wasn't covered with ice when returned home.

Workouts: I managed 3 workouts on the boat. The first (Sunday) was a treadmill tempo run. I did a 10 minute warmup, then ran hard for 20 minutes (~7:40 pace), then a 10 minute cooldown. Wednesday, I ramped up the slope on the treadmill and did another 20 minutes at a pretty steep pace. Friday, I did a spinning class with my wife - very difficult.

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Monday, December 01, 2008

Holiday Runs

No turkey trott'n this last week. I did make it out twice for run/workouts with my wife: Wednesday and Friday - with lots of eating in between. I managed to score one of these Paulaner Octoberfest kegs, as well as a Samual Smiths variety pack. Nothing beats complex carbs for those long runs. Anyway, last weeks mileage was about 14-15 miles. I did another 5.2 today with Dave and Dave. A little faster than I'd hoped, but I got through - beautiful day.

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