New Beford Half Marathon Race Report

**YEAH I KNOW. A WHOLE MONTH LATE ON THE REPORT**

March 15th (Saturday): Slept in. The normal organize the house/room before heading out for the weekend for a race. Breakfast. Down to Albany to pick up Joanna with Goup to carpool over to New Bedford. Joanna works part-time at the Hampton Inn so we scored made cheap rooms for the weekend. Made it over to Fairhaven (town over) to check into the hotel by 2ish. Packet pickup was open until 4pm. Quick drive over and back to the hotel to change up for a shakeout run.

5 miles (34:47) with Goup. Stretched, sticked the legs, and showered up. Two people were "busy" in the next room. We were hoping they would get it out of their system before we headed to bed. Called into The Pasta House for reservations. Only can make reservations for parties 6 or more. Whatever. St. Patrick's day weekend so it was busy at the only nice restaurant in Fairhaven. Walked over and waited for about an hour. Worth it. Fried calamari and some pizza for dinner. Rocked my new orange corduroys for dinner. As we were finishing up, I received a compliment from a tipsy guy with green pants, an orange sweater, and a belt buckle with a suggestive saying on it.

Stopped at Walmart on the walk back to pick up some Gatorade. Back to the hotel to watch some television and crash for the night. Clothes all laid out for the morning.

March 16th (Sunday): 7am wakeup. Down to the lobby to grab the free breakfast. Saw a Belgium waffle maker. Boom! Some butter and fake maple syrup. Chilled and upstairs to change up. Packed up the room and on the road by 9ish. Short drive over to Y. Inside to destroy the bathroom. One stale, but waited in line.

Breezy out, but sunny. Warmed up 2.5 (18:57) with Goup and Joanna. Back to the car to decide on the level of warm clothing I needed. Decided on just a thin hat, thin gloves, half tights, and arm sleeves. Made it to the front line after some swerving/bobbing/weaving. Knew the competition was deep so dipped back a few rows to control my first couple miles. Goup and I discussed the night before and the morning about what to do to run a smart race.

Splits went like this:

Mile 1: 5:24
Mile 2: 5:40 (changed gears and left the pack I was running in)
Mile 3: 5:25 (16:30)
Mile 4: 5:32
Mile 5: 4:57 (26:59)
Mile 6-7: 10:07
Mile 8: 5:09
Mile 9-10: 10:19 (52:35, 25:36 2nd 5 miles)
Mile 11: 5:47 (wasn't changing distance on the guys in front of me, it was just that brutal for everyone)
Mile 12: 5:32
Mile 13: 5:18 (uphill/downhill)
Last 0.1: 54

Photo courtesy of Krissy K.

Finish time: 69:47

Happy with the results and a quality step forward in the training. Still very early in the year.

2.5 mile cooldown (19:17). 18 miles on the day. Major food intake inside the gym. Fish sandwich, seltzer, and a Powerbar protein bar. In the car and on our way back to NY. 45 miles for the week due to the beginning of the week (home for a few days for personal reasons). No worries.

Home For A Few Days

March 10th (Monday): Drove home yesterday to spend a few days at home. My aunt's longtime boyfriend (aka basically our uncle) passed away. He was a great man and it was unexpected. To be home with family and friends was a blessing in disguise. I was able to see my sisters from California (especially my sister who is due May 1st). 4+ miles with Sarah in the afternoon.

 Crispy, thin, thick, bendy. We had it all for the BLTs with mad accessories.

March 11th (Tuesday): Off. Day of togetherness with the family. Services in Greenwich. The rest of the day was spent at the restaurant. Good food and good company all around.

 Scallops. So tasty.

March 12th (Wednesday): 5 miles (34:04) in Newtown.

First draft and concept of tattoo idea for the 4 siblings.

March 13th (Thursday): 8 miles (55:44).

March 14th (Friday): 5 miles (31:18) and felt like crap.

Still Cold

March 3rd (Monday): 8 miles (60+).


March 4th (Tuesday): 7 miles (47:42). Weight lifting. 5 Guys Burgers and Fries
.
March 5th (Wednesday): 8 miles (55:10).

March 6th (Thursday): 5++ miles (40:31).

March 7th (Friday): 9 miles total. Ran outside for a few miles, but it was brutally windy out. Ran over to the local gym and ran on the treadmill for 5+ miles. Ran home. Picked up my 10 pound slab of smoked bacon from a buddy after work. BLT made with avocado and raw onion.

 Pure healthiness.

Lightly toasted and real Hellman's mayo.

March 8th (Saturday): 2 miles at the Summer Expo for the good running form clinic. 9 miles (60:44) in the evening. Down to Albany to hang out with some buddies and grab some beers.

Another diesel sandwich with bacon.

March 9th (Sunday): Day off. Volunteered at the Summer Expo again and ran 2+ miles with good running form clinic group. 51 miles for the week and just waiting for warm weather. As I type this, I was able to run in shorts and a long sleeve. It's a totally different ballgame now.

Breakfast before heading to the expo.

Week After DH Jones

February 24th (Monday): 8+ miles (58:03).

February 25th (Tuesday): 7-8 miles. Not sure exactly what I ran this day. Weight lifting at night.

February 26th (Wednesday): 8.5+ miles (61:39).

February 27th (Thursday): 10 miles with a 5 mile mini tempo in 29:24 in the middle with Pete Rowell. Solid through a hilly 4 miles and the last mile was a bit of a stretch at the moment for Pete, but he is transferring over to distance well.

 Fuel for the run with a couple peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches (with the butt ends).

February 28th (Friday): Goose egg.

March 1st (Saturday): Goose egg. I'll take them now before the serious training starts.

March 2nd (Sunday): 14+ miles (1:42:03) with Ricardo, Pete, and Megan. Relaxed all day and made some buffalo chicken strips. Breaded with egg and flour. Fried up in the cast iron pan. Tossed in Texas Pete hot sauce and melted butter. 48 miles for the week. Down week, but its all good.

 Homemade buffalo chicken strips. Bomb.

 Cleaned the stove-top because it was overdue. 

 

DH Jones 10 Miler Race Report

*For people who are reading this. I am finally catching up on my last month and a half of training and races. Sorry for the delay*

February 23rd (Sunday): Oat bran for breakfast at the house. Down to Fleet Feet to meet the rest the team to head over to Amherst, MA. 2 hours over and arrived by 9:30ish. Picked up the number and hit up the bathrooms before the warmup. Chilled in the cafeteria and prepared the racing gear.

2.5 mile (19:11) at 10:20am along the first mile+ of the race. Back to change up and decide on the level of warm clothing I needed. Decided on half tights, singlet, arm sleeves, hat and gloves. Over to the starting line for a few strides and line up with the entire New England/New York squad. Stacked race and ready for an fast start.

Off the line well. Quick first mile in 5:05ish and settled into a pace. This was the first hard effort of the year so I wasn't fully prepared, but have run well here the last two years.

First mile and eyes closed hammering down the hill.

 First hill was a shock to the system at 2.5 miles. Starting going backwards and had a group pass me on the hill. Re-rallied on the downhills and through 5 mile in 26:45. Negative split the 2nd half and finished up strong in 53:15 (26:30 2nd 5 miles). Poorly ran race with an aggressive first couple miles. Ran a tough race and happy with a top 10 finish in a stacked field. Next up is New Bedford Half Marathon and I need to run more relaxed (smarter).

 Strong finish.

3.5 mile cooldown with a couple of the guys. Awards, food and on the road. Stopped at the Amherst Brewery and received some terrible service. So bad we left after 45 minutes and we weren't even served our beers. Pathetic. Chipotle for a monster burrito and some soda. Home safely. 54 miles for the week and ready to slowly start up the spring racing season.

Quality and A Day Off

February 17th (Monday): Taught in the morning. Shake for breakfast. Pasta and chicken for lunch. Down to Clifton Park for a little shopping. Relaxed. Lots of Nutella for fuel. Out for 8.5 miles (59:07) with Goup.

 Dinner from the night before. Avocado, spinach, onions, mushrooms with pasta and chicken.

February 18th (Tuesday): Same deal as last week. Hill workout/sprints with a couple Willow Street guys (Chuck Terry and Pat Cullen) at Pinehurst Avenue in Albany. 3+ mile warmup. 4 miles of work on the hill. Worked from 58 seconds down to 47 seconds. 3+ mile cooldown. 10.5 on the day.

Immediately over to Fleet Feet in Albany for lifting with the group. Lighter lifting because of DH Jones this weekend. Convinced Paley to hit up 5 Guys for dinner. Same burger I always get. Double patty with cheese. Mayo, ketchup, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, hot sauce and BBQ sauce. Always hits the spot. Cherry Coke and raspberry Powerade to wash it all down.

Home to shower and head to bed by 10:30pm.

February 19th (Wednesday): 7+ miles ridiculously easy with Goup. 55:46 and it felt amazing. Enough said.

February 20th (Thursday): Up to Saratoga after work to met up with Megan for a run. Goup, Meg and I were all under-dressed for the rain run, but we survived. 7.5 miles (55+). Inside to warm it up and change it dry clothes. Flannel lined pants came in handy. Over to Irish Times for a beer and dinner.

 

Two eggs, bangers, Rasher bacon, black and white pudding, baked beans,  

grilled tomatoes and Irish soda bread. Washed down with a nut brown ale.

February 21th (Friday): Easy day at work. Pot luck lunch with lots of homemade items. Destroyed a couple plates. A recipe for rancid gas later in the evening.

 Spotted a Subaru Forester (STi version).

6 Out Of 7 Days Outdoors

February 10th (Monday): 8 miles (59:57) in Saratoga with Megan and Goup. Easy on the legs. Quads were tight, but legs felt better than I thought after a solid 25 mile long run.

February 11th (Tuesday): 9 miles total on the day. Workout with a couple Willow Street guys in Albany on the Pinehurst hill at 5:45pm. 3 mile warmup. 2 mile cooldown. Over to Fleet Feet for weight lifting. Lots of squats. Variety of pushups. Abs. Over to 5 Guys Burgers and Fries with Paley to replenish the system with lots of quality nutrition.

February 12th (Wednesday): 5+ mile loop (38:04) with Goup.

February 13th (Thursday): 5 miles (32:54) on the treadmill in the evening. Major snowstorm keep me indoors to avoid the crappy roads and crazy drivers.

OCD much?

 Cleared the neighbor's driveway and all the way across the road.

February 14th (Friday): 9 miles (62:34) with Goup in the evening after work at about 6pm.

 Double spinach egg and cheese sandwiches. Valentine's day dinner to myself.

February 15th (Saturday): 12 miles (82:35) at SUNY Albany with Goup, Renee, and Joanna. Worked the last few miles with the girls.

February 16th (Sunday): Slept in until 11am. Open face egg and cheese sandwich. Clif Bar with gobs of Nutella as a second round for breakfast. Star Trek was on TV on FX. Watched it all. Changed up for a long run at 2pm. No route planned. 15+ miles (1:40:55). Back to stretch, foam roll, and shower up. Protein shake. Relaxed a bit. Back in the kitchen to make dinner (lunch for the next day). The Cosby Show, then Wedding Crashers. Bed at a decent hour.

63 miles for the week. Solid week of work.

Keene Bound + 25 Mile Long Run

February 3rd (Monday): 8.5 miles (NT).

Boom.

 

February 4th (Tuesday): 5 miles (31:22) outside on the normal loop. Worked it in after a mile warmup. Weight training down in Albany in the evening.

February 5th (Wednesday): 8 miles (60:12). No grocery shopping so I've been eating the homemade mac and cheese Sarah made every day for lunch. Eggs and protein shakes for dinner.

Egg and cheese sandwiches for dinner.

February 6th (Thursday): 5 miles (29:40) on the treadmill in the evening. 25:37 effort off the McDaniels calculator. Keep the grade honest. Mount Washington is the next goal race.

1st mile: 8.5 mi/hr at 3% grade (6:30 effort)
2nd mile: 10 mi/hr at 6% grade (4:35 effort)
3rd mile: 11 mi/hr at 4% grade (4:42 effort)
4th mile: 10 mi/hr at 7% grade (4:20 effort)
5th mile: 9 mi/hr to 12 mi/hr, increased each 1/4 mile at 3% grade - 5:40 (5:20 effort)

February 7th (Friday): 7 miles (46:26) with Goup before heading to Keene. Out to the bars for the night.

 Swag and Snoop. My job is the coolest.

February 8th (Saturday): Relaxed all morning. Fresh salad at 12:30pm with Goup. 10 miles (69:28). Beech Hill 10 loop from Fowler Street and added on in Robin Hood at 4pm. Fell asleep by 8:15pm.

February 9th (Sunday): Everything bagel with butter for breakfast for Dunkin Donuts. 25 miles (2:44:31) in Vermont with Hammett, Ferenc, and Goup. A couple Powerbar Gels for fuel. Last few miles at low 6s or sub 6s. Monster run with good people. Serious protein shake after the run. Ferenc had individual mason jars for all of us back at his house. Hit the spot. Watched Kick Ass and chowed down on frozen pizza. On the road by 7pm. Home by 9:30pm.

Birthday Week (End Of January)

January 27th (Monday): 7 miles (48:34). Standard start to the week with a bomb dinner to end the night.

Ground beef. Avocado.

January 28th (Tuesday): 7 miles (43:23). Quick run with Goup in the evening.

January 29th (Wednesday): 8.5 miles (61:43). Easy run around Saratoga with Goup and Megan.

Craving hamburgers this week.

January 30th (Thursday): Major cleaning in anticipation of the company for the weekend. No run.

January 31th (Friday): 8.5 miles (57:30) with Goup. A couple buddies came over around 8pm. Sarah and Bob in from Massachusetts at 9pm. Out to Saratoga for the night for the big 25th birthday celebration. Fun night.

February 1st (Saturday): Day off. IHOP for breakfast. Chowder Fest in downtown Saratoga. Hanging out with the family the whole day.

February 2nd (Sunday): Winter series 10 miler. Minimal warmup again. 10 miles (54:18). A couple people had it as 10 long. So I'll take it as 53 high. Solid solo effort. 3+ mile cooldown (27:39) with Tom O'Grady. Superbowl Sunday. Anticlimactic night. Chilled at the house.

44 miles for the week. Down week, but oh well. Great weekend with the family. Glad they were able to make it for the week and spend time with me.

15K Tempo

January 20th (Monday): 8+ miles (58:12). Shake for breakfast. Pasta and veggies for lunch. Eggs for dinner.

January 21st (Tuesday): 8.5 miles total. 6 miles outside in single digit (44+). 2.5 miles (17:09) on the treadmill. Body couldn't warm up outside, but got the solid hour in.

January 22nd (Wednesday): 7 miles (45:09) with Goup. Solid progressive run.

Big bowl of oat bran with plain Greek yogurt to make it extra creamy.

January 23rd (Thursday): 11+ miles on the treadmill. I was in the zone and it was balls cold out. 10 miles in 65:xx. Solid day of miles.

January 24th (Friday): 8.5 miles (57:40). Plan was to hit up Albany for a hockey game with Goup and our buddy from the racing team. He cancelled last minute and we were already en route. So we hit up the bars. Good night with some friends.

January 25th (Saturday): 11 miles (79:34) in the morning hours. Snowy, but an enjoyable run.

 Frosted.

January 26th (Sunday): Minimal warmup and made it to the winter series 15k just in time. 52:09 for a solid tempo with Paley. Blueberry pie for the win. 2.5 mile (18:03) warmup with Goup.

 

Big batch of stir-fry made with the new wok for the week.

67 miles the week. Solid week with a couple hard efforts.