Recap and rest of week

Saturday 11
Early morning long run with the 4:45 club (5K and Gazelle). We didn’t leave at 4;45 – more like 6:30. Started from the Y out to Barn Island and back. One of my favorite runs because it is half road, half trails. The hunters were out because Gazelle was leading us right into the line of fire – what was his motive? Julie? Funny thing, when we were running down Mechanic Street this old guy (older than Jeff) passed us in an old truck – looked over at us. Come to find out 5K happen to recognizes him as one of the hunters we ran into running the trails. Was he sizing us up? On the way back as our space watches chime mile 9, 5K suggest we run mile 10 all out. First half feeling good – second half, just hanging on. I couldn’t wait for it to end – I kept looking down at the Garmin which I never do. Looks like I need to get back to speed work routine. Good run with good company and conversation.

Sunday 5 and change

This was Run For the Pumpkins 5K that we (WTAC) co-host (more like host) with the town of Westerly.  Arrive early to help set up. Went out to set up the mile markers and when I came back everything  was running smoothly as WTAC members came out in force to help Jeff and family. They are the only reason this race is still going. Went for a 1 mile or so warm up with Chris, Jonny and Mike. Came back to get ready for the race – I had no plan/strategy as I do not like this course.  Steve Schonning ask me if I would run with him at 7 pace – like we did on many of the fun runs this summer. So we ran together with no other runners after mile 1 talking it up. Went out for cool down run with Chris and Mike when we notice that no runners were left on the course. Chris won, so I happen to mention that he needs to get back to accept his award or Jeff will keep it for himself. Mike and Chris turned around and I continued on because someone had to pick up the mile markers. Funny running back with two pieces of wood under your arm. I think I ran faster on the cool down than the race. If I didn’t have my racing bib on I bet the neighbors thought I was stealing some wood.

 

Monday 6

Lunch run at work. Went out strong for the first 2 ½ miles than I caught up to colleague at Avery Point. Wasn’t sure what to do – blow him off and run my run or slow the pace and continue with him. I ended up slowing the pace (7:30/7:40-ish) and talked it up for rest of the run. Strange how I have to do most of the talking. Can it be that most runners can’t talk and run at the same time………..Came back to the fitness center and lifted some weights (I pick things up and put them down). Started to lift a little as the trail running season has begun. Figured I would work the muscles around the knees as I learned my lesson last year.

 

Rest of week – lunch runs from work, various distances along with a day for speed work. Loving the global warming.

Jana Walker Sports Photography   

 

Global Warming

Loving the weather lately – this global warming works for me. Nice running at lunch time at work instead of early in the morning all alone in the dark. I went out for another cool run this week – run to the Navy base in Groton (under the bridge). The road goes along the Thames River, 4 miles to the base. On the way back a submarine was going out. In addition, I decided to do some speed work which I have not done in a few. This was a challenge because I’m running later in the day now so UCONN Avery Point is populated. So went on MapMyRun and found 500m loop and a 300m loop – that will work. I think the neighbors think I’m weird (no comments) because I’m running these loops, than stopping (sucking wind) and run the same loop again. They should see my running friends if they want to see weird.

Nothing special for rest of week. Thinking of the Walkers

little late

Sorry little behind on the blog

Last weekend while everyone was off doing their vision quest Tom 5K, Shara and I did the

the inaugural Ocean Road 10k http://www.oceanroad10k.com/ in Narragansett

I haven’t done a 10K race since 2009 and this was going to be a point-to-point along the water. Yes, wind played a hand but still a fun race and good distance. Strategy was little different than a 5K.

Tom took second, Shara took third overall women and I took second in my age group, 10^th overall 41:04/6:37 pace (thanks Jeff for not participating). Age group award are supposed to be mailed – haven’t seen a thing. Oh-well, I have a feeling this race will grow in popularity next year in my which I intend to do again

Rest of week – running at lunch, various distances

Although on Tuesday I did something I always wanted to do – I ran over the Thames River Bridge to New London on interstate 95 – pedestrian lane. Cool view looking down at the water. Major head wind coming back against traffic. I will do this route again.

Therapy

Jeff always asking us to guess what races these pictures are from

My turn – what do you think Matthew is thinking …………

 

Webster definition of therapy is therapeutic treatment especially of bodily, mental, or behavioral disorder. I indentify with all disorders according to this definition with regards to running – no comments Julie.

Group email went out on Wednesday from Gazelle about a group run on Saturday – could this be the therapy I need…  As I have been on a running low (mental) for the last couple of weeks. Plus you know who doing her best impression of coach Bobby Knight without the chair throwing on coaching me on this mental block that I have (hi Julie).

Decided to forgo defending back-to-back 5K’s wins from a year ago (St. Michaels & Westerly Loins Club) for some therapy – group run in Carter’s Preserve in Charlestown with Jonny, Jeff, Justin, Seth and newest WTAC member Nathan Vinhateiro. We ended up running around 8 miles just over an hour. Because of the conversations while running, weather you were just listening or engaged this run felt like it lasted only 20 minutes. Good weather, good company equals a good run. Looking forward to more of these group runs (therapy sessions) in the coming weeks.

Next week – most everyone is has a Vision Quest (1987 movie) or a fall marathon (Smuttynose & Nipmuck). Good luck to everyone on your quest/endeavors. Look forward to reading post race write-ups.

Tommy 5K - looks like you and I are the only ones around. Maybe bike/coffee ride into Mystic or a run on the beach……

Surftown

Congrats

• Muddy for the win – awesome, have a beer now
• Matthew – GREAT job, watch you the entire way. If you are reading this your are alone – so it’s ok to SMILE no one is looking
• Jeff – nice job. You’ll place again next year / when your 50
• Crutchley – I enjoy finding out post race times from you this year. You PR at almost everyone – GOOD job
• Seth – you are running very well this year, you have step it up. I have a feeling you will be killing it at Li'l Rhody Runaround this year. Remember last year – you said you went out too fast. This year you belong up front.
• Beth, don’t sell yourself short, you did a great job and you will do great at next month marathon.
• Rest of WTAC – great job, nice having home field advantage
• Jana – again thanks for the great pictures of everyone. I look forward to that nightly email saying you have been tag – appreciate the effort/support hanging around to take pics. Maybe we should start a pool and see who can get Matthew to smile.
• 5K – I know you weren’t there but I do have a scouting report (hi Julie)

Woke up early as I do every day, had my stuff already out – I’m like the military, very well organized. Wish my teenage kids were. Arrived early because I know from previous year’s traffic backs up to Jeff house. So hung out in the beach parking lot talking to complete strangers – these are runners so they are ok or insane like the rest of us. Actually, I really enjoy this part of the per race activity – nice meeting and talking with other runners and finding out where they are from and other races they have done or are doing.  I happen to run into couple of high school classmates and a lot of people from work. A very high level executive (one you always want on your side) from work happen to recognize me – now, I happen to work on a project with this person when I was working in facilities/operations over four or five years ago and he still recognizes me. I haven’t seen him in years (work at a place that has over 3,000 colleagues). He was there to support his daughter and cheered me on just after mile 7. How cool, nice knowing I still have connections at work – I’m part Italian if you haven’t notice, so we use these connections when needed. Beth knows these connections can be an advantage at work.

Ok, ok, I know the race – lineup upfront and gave out good lucks to fellow WTAC members. Now six days prior to this race I got Plantar – treated it with ice, Aleve, make shift roller thingy (actually it was a round award I got a work) but it worked - I was about 90%. Started out feeling great just behind Matthew, settling in a comfortable pace. When I past the mile 8 marker turning onto Watch Hill road the Plantar started to fare-up. It was a nagging pain, like marriage (Hi Julie). Change me stride a little to compensate for the nagging pain – wrong thing to do. Because when I got to the last water stop around 11 ½ miles on Ocean view, my calf muscle tightens up big time. One good thing about this – I could hardly feel the nagging plantar pain now. When I turned onto Atlantic Avenue I was running with a limp. Ended up coming in 30^th at 1:28:40 / 1:30 slower than last year. Not bad but because of the injuries this year with the knee and now Plantar – this year sucks. My morale, my drive, my spirit for running is at an all time low, I’m in a funk. Maybe I need to go on some kind of retreat and have an intervention.

Oh, Godfather, what am I gonna do "You can act like a man! [slap] What's the matter with you?"

Remember, part Italian – love this movie.

After the race I went over to the massage table to get my calf worked on – ok, massage by a guy – not my thing. End up going back the parking lot where I meet up with some towns people (Stonington) and talk about the event. Change cloths went back to the tent were I talk to Melanie Diamanti about the 5K race – Tom you would have killed it. Couldn’t find anyone as they must have been out doing cool downs.

Note for next year or have noticed or just feedback

·         Looking for a clean, no line Porter John - they have a few at the finish line, so do your warm up that way and they are all yours

·         Arrive early because of traffic

·         13.2 - everyone that had a space watch had 13.2 or more for distance. I believe this is because they wouldn’t let us run tangents. I was upset that we had to “stay to the right”. We all have run these roads before and know about the traffic – really. I know, I know – safety

·         They really need to work on the mile 3 markers and the timer – the last 3 years this has been off.  Jeff last year gave HM group this feedback. Guess they forgot  

Great participation from all the volunteers, recognized a lot of people volunteering

Plantar Fasciitis

Days before Surftown and I get Plantar Fasciitis

I’m miserable, unhappy, unpleasant – all those adjectives and then some

Running this year sucks

That’s all I have to say on that

Long weekend

Friday – 5.5

Saturday – 11.5

Westerly side of the river, down to Westerly Yacht Club

Sunday – 0

Monday – 17

I ran down to TS house in the rain. I was soaked to the bone from mile 3 on. Very difficult run, wet to the core. Everything went wrong from chafing, bleeding and the quest for thrust. Yes, I did use body glide, but when you are soaked to the bone, has little effect. One positive, I was able to stop at the water fountain in Watch Hill for a quick drink. On my way back running in White Rock, about 2 miles from home the road traffic was heavy and puddles everywhere with no side walk. Did my best to stay away from puddles and most of the drivers did their best to stay away from me until one driver in a blue Subaru decided instead to drive through a puddle while I was next to it. At this point in the run I was miserable, feeling major discomfort so I did what we all would have done – gave the double #1 sign to the driver along with yelling what that meant – like they didn’t know – made me feel better yelling it though. Looking back should have done this on Saturday instead.  I will have to start to pay attention to the weather now that summer is over.

Not sure if it was the run on Monday but I feel that I’m losing bit of the love from running. Instead of feeling like I wanted to run, I felt I had to run. Instead of wanting to go out and push the hill, I felt I had to push the hill. Don’t get me wrong - I believe this lacking in foresight or focus to be necessary. Attention to the detail of, and 100% commitment to each aspect of training (long runs, rest, recovery, speed work, hill work, tempo runs, sleep (what’s that), and so on is part of the daily life of a runner. This is fundamental to any hard core runner. But this structure, regimen, intensity, focus can also be demanding and yes, somewhat, draining.  Summary - running alone just sucks. I’ll shut-up now