Pages


Jimmy

Monday, September 30, 2013

9/30 - 10/6

Monday:  4 miles w/Jimmy in Pisgah.  Beautiful morning - 50 degrees.  I was able to get out and run since I stayed home from school today.  I hammered.  In the pm, I had a sinus migraine which I've never had before.  Started with vision issues then puking - just like Greg gets 'em.  Crappy way to end a nice day.  Feeling better at night.  I did manage to finish the second crib and put together the bassinets.  Gina is staying home from school these days with constant contractions.  The babies need to wait a few weeks longer!

Tuesday:  0.  Lifted upperx3.

Wednesday:  4 miles w/Jimmy up Beat Mtn.  I forgot how steep this run was.  I was able to run the entire climb which I believe is a first for me.  I guess I can thank the 50k for this.  Ran right past a porcupine (5 feet).  Luckily Jimmy was way behind me so I was able to go back and leash him to avoid issues.

Thursday:  0.

Friday:  0.  I let practice get in the way the last two days.

Saturday:  10 w/team in Pisgah from Reservoir Rd parking area.  I ran with our #1 guy up to the Parker Trail and back.  Gorgeous morning.  The foliage is blowing up.

Sunday:  10 w/ Jimmy in Pisgah.  Same run as yesterday - chopped about 3 minutes off my time.  We ordered a new beeper for the beast.  Thanks loc - it made the run enjoyable!  ;)

Weekly total:  28
Fall total:  163.5
YTD:  671.5

Monday, September 23, 2013

9/23 - 9/29

Monday:  7 miles w/team.  Great run despite my cold.  Good way to start this week.

Tuesday:  3 miles w/team.  Felt a little sluggish today.

Wednesday:  0.  Bolted out of practice to meet Gina at the hospital.  She was having contractions about 4 minutes apart.  The doc said it was too early and gave her a shot that calmed things down.  She's at 31 weeks.  Hopefully the babies will wait at least 4 weeks.

Thursday:  4 mile Depot Rd w/team + 1 mile w/Jimmy on Oxbow Rd.  I hammered the mile w/Jimmy. Feeling good.

Friday:  1 at school.

Saturday:   3 at Manchester Invite.  Saw Coach Hab.  The team had some good performances.

Sunday:  1.5 on roads w/Jimmy.  I should have run farther but I was dragging Jimmy plus I wanted to go cheer on Greg in the marathon.  Fun watching him - good job ace.

Weekly Total:  20.5
Fall total:  135.5
YTD:  643.5

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Recovery week 9-16 - 9/22

I took Monday through Wednesday off.  I did some lifting on Wednesday afternoon.  Thursday, I did a little light running with the xc team.  Friday, I lifted again and got a couple more miles in.  Saturday, we had a meet and I got about 3 miles.  I ran 3 miles w/Jimmy in Pisgah on Sunday morning.  I felt awesome on Sunday.  I had a lot of chores to do, so I kept it short.  I'm excited to get back after it next week.

Total miles - 10
Fall miles -  115
YTD -  623

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Pisgah 50k

I had a fun time this weekend at the Pisgah 50k.  I didn't really start getting tired until the Ridge Trail at about 18 miles in, which makes sense given that my longest run was 16 miles in training.  By the top of the Ridge, I was fairly certain that I was going to quit at the Kilburn aid station.  I reached the summit and told myself to slow down and enjoy the views before I bowed out in a couple miles.  I felt a little guilty giving the Elijah salute when I knew I wasn't going to see this one to the end, so I gave a half assed effort and quietly said woo.  When I did this, something inside made me realize that I was being a wuss.  I got fired up and really let a proper salute howl out.  I asked for the Bossman's help and immediately a tree branch yanked my hat off which made me laugh.  With a new motivation, I hauled down to the Kilburn aid station.

I hit the aid station the first time at 3:57.  I fueled up on a Coke and made my way out on to my least favorite part of the course.  My left hip and ankle were killing me.  I couldn't cruise on the downhills because of the pain.  I made it to the first set of bridges before the sharp left turn that would take me to the uphill portion of the loop.  A runner named Dave passed me here and asked if I was doing all right.  I told him something like I was just pooped.   I contemplated quitting again.  I thought that it would make more sense to walk back from here rather than start the difficult section and add more mileage.  For some reason I kept going.  With each step I took, I started getting pissed at the quitter in me and basically told the quitter to go "f"himself.  I got a second adrenaline rush and was able to really cruise the harder part of Kilburn Loop at a good clip.  I made it to the aid station at 5:00 even.

I fueled up again at the aid station and walked up to the parking lot while eating a double stuffed Oreo.  Dave caught me again (I had passed him back in my adrenaline fueled push on the latter half of Kilburn).  We chatted about the race and people we knew.  He's from the Keene area and is good friends with Pat (Manny), who is friends with Boj.  Kevin Bacon doesn't have shit on Boj - everyone knows him.  He tried to convince me to roll with him up Davis, but I just didn't have the energy to stick to his pace.  I soon found myself alone on Davis.  I walk/limped up the hill for an eternity before I finally started descending.  I was able to muster a run.  Another runner caught me right before I made the sharp turn on the pre - Hubbard section.  We exchanged "good jobs".  Despite his quicker pace, he looked pretty haggard which was encouraging to know that everyone suffers in this race.  I made my way up Hubbard.    I actually (Nick Cash) caught someone on the mini-climb after the vista turn-off.  She said she was walking it in from there - her legs had had enough.  The climb up Hubbard wasn't as long as I was anticipating, but the muddy downs felt forever.  I was starting to doubt that it would ever end when I saw the logging activity.  I hit the turn and knew I was going to make it.

Long races must have been invented so people could get the feeling I had on Greg's road.  I knew I had conquered a grueling course on a day when a few miles earlier, I was certain I wasn't going to finish.  I got fired up when I saw everyone at Greg's house and maybe let my emotions flow into the crazy zone.  I spiked my borrowed water bottle (Jonny's bottle and Greg's quick draw device) and high-fived everyone I could.  I blitzed up the final hill while Gina drove by cheering and beeping.  I don't know if I've ever felt better on the road section.  I hammered.  The finish was sweet.  I didn't break 6 hours, but I got a 15 minute pr.  I broke the line at 6:29:xx to the cheers of Gina, Dave, and the rest of the finish line crowd.  It's three days later, and I'm still enjoying this race.

Yeah Fyffe!

Bringing it home

In the chute.  Dave in red cheering.


Crooked, tired, and happy

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Pisgah Week

Monday:  2 miles at meet in Sant Bani.

Tuesday:  4 miles at practice with kids on Rail Trail.

Wednesday:  2 miles at practice.  I cancelled practice after 2 laps around the course.  It was unbelievably oppressive today.  Heat index = 100+ degrees.  I'm happy everyone survived.  New shoes arrived today.  I need to run in them before the race to see if they are just what I needed.

Thursday:  Tornadic/flash flood conditions.  I cancelled practice and no running.

Friday: 2 miles w/team.  I wish the race was tomorrow.

Saturday:  3 miles w/Ez, Griffy, and Jimmy.  Jimmy looked very healthy and spry today.

Sunday:  31 miles - Pisgah 50k.  Finished the SOB in a pr.  Separate write-up to follow once I see official results.  On a side note, Jimmy is looking sick again.  I'm pretty worried about him as he just can't kick whatever the hell is wrong with him.  This morning his foot was swollen and he was lethargic - almost like he has a fever again.  I'm glad he looked so good yesterday.  I hate seeing my best friend suffer.

Weekly Total:  44
Fall Total:  105
Summer Total:  333
Spring Total:  175


Monday, September 2, 2013

9/2 - 9/8

Monday:  16 w/Boj.  Nash/Dogwood/Reservoir from Horseshoe.  I was tired and sore (hamstrings) going into this run.  I suffered out there.  Boj looked very relaxed - I looked like crap.  The humidity got to me today.  This run makes me really contemplate whether or not I'm up for the 50k.

Tuesday:  0.  Feel great.

Wednesday:  0.  Saw the babies today on the ultrasound machine.  They are 2 pounds 9 ounces (girl) and 2 pounds 8 ounces (boy) right now.  No time for running.

Thursday:  4 miles at practice w/kids.  2 on rail trail w/Jimmy.  Feeling good - beautiful day.

Friday:  0.  Lazy after a long week.

Saturday:  8 total.  3 at my xc meet today.  5 w/Jimmy on Southwoods from Winchester Rd.  Greg dropped us off for a nice afternoon scamper.  Felt fine.

Sunday:  am 3 miles w/Jimmy in Pisgah.  Beautiful morning.

pm:  5 miles solo.  I ran from Greg's house to Horseshoe Rd and back.   Now I've run every part of the 50k in training besides Chestnut.  Fun chilling with Greg and talking about the upcoming race afterwards.

Weekly Total:  38

Fall total:  61
Summer total:  333
Spring total:  175 (approx.)