georgetownrunner
Life on the RunPeople Are Wondering
……..why doesn’t this guy write anymore. I’d tell you, but I’m not sure. I always think I have something to say, but then I go take a run and it falls out of my head. It’s somewhat annoying to say the least. Maybe I’ll do something soon.
Something Witty
Not really. Though it would probably make my blog more popular. One should understand though, this is more for me than anything. Sometimes you just gotta set stuff down in print.
GTR is off like a rocket! The Rogue Trail Series starts in a little over a week and we have at least six runners entered! Six strong runners! Our big test will be in the Masters Division. The old guys are pretty tough, so Mark and I should have our work cut out for us!
The following week it’s off the Dallas where Megan and I will be participating in the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon! Those guys really know how to throw down a race! Can’t wait to experience their hospitality!
I’ve taken my training up a notch. I’m shooting for a 1:30:00. Makes me a little nervous to think about it, but I’m sure it can be done! I’ve been training hard, throwing in some core work, rolling out, running like a man possessed …… and thinking. Thinking about how great it will be to see 1-3-0-whatever after that at the end of the race! If I can do that, I’ll be fairly content. Yeah. Right.
At the end of May we’ve got a relay in Corpus, the Beach to Bay Relay. We’re running with our friends Erin, Dan, Matt and Sidra. I’m sure it’s gonna be one for the books! Then in June (hopefully), we’re off to Seattle to do their Rock-n-Roll Half! Looks like it’s gonna be a great season!
Thanks to Megan, Dad, my running group friends, and the fine folks at Brooks. Y’all are keeping me going!
Run Happy!
A New Perspective
It’s funny how a long run can really clear your head and get your thinking straight.
Megan and I have jobs that require a huge amount of time during the holidays. Time that, unfortunately, cuts into our training. We had both signed up to do the Austin Marathon in a few weeks. Small problem: Neither one of us has run over eighteen miles in preparation for it. Luckily, I surround myself with people, including Megan, who seem to own volumes of good advice. Megan had decided to drop down to the half-marathon instead of the marathon. Her reasoning and arguments were sound, solid as rock. It got me thinking. So I called coach Mark, and yep, same thing there.
Here’s the deal. I know, absolutely KNOW, that I could finish that marathon. But at what price? Poor performance, undoubtedly. Boston Qualify, not a chance. Injury (and I quote Mark here), the odds are not in my favor. I can handle having a bad race. Been there, done that. And there will be other opportunities to BQ. But injury, no thank you very much! I have other races. Other plans. I’m not sitting out a dance just because I’m stubborn (and I am!).
So I dropped to the half as well. And I feel better about life for it. It’s hard for me to back down from something like that, but maybe I’m just getting smarter. I can’t wait to tear up that half! And I’m going to Dallas to do the same there! And yeah you bet, I’m in on the spring trail series! And in the back of my mind: San Antonio Marathon in November. I’m on it!
Run Happy
3M Half Report
The day started off beautifully if not a little early. A 4 o’clock alarm is a little disturbing really. Got to the start area about 30 minutes before race time. Just enough to check in, do a warmup, then hit the line! The weather was odd, misting and warm, but at least there wasn’t much in the way of wind. Insert airhorn sound here.
The first few miles through the Arboretum area were strong. Saw Erin at mile 1. She was on her way quickly, but holding her 6:30 pace was not in my plan! It was nice to see her, though. Mile 2 saw me drench myself with my first cup of race water in months – it’s not like riding a bike. Saw Raymond somewhere around mile 5 right before we crossed over Mopac, and right after the 1:30 pace group passed me. I still felt strong, though, and kept them in sight for the next 4 or so miles.
The tour through the neighborhood off of Shoal Creek saw us with a longish false flat that ate up a little time, but nothing I knew I couldn’t and wouldn’t make back up. At the half-way point, the relay switch area was very quiet. My friend and coach, Mark, was there to give me inspiration and some small instruction, though. Still feeling very strong
After that, the turn onto Burnet for the long hill. Once again, the pace dropped but was still strong! Raymond again on the curb asking me why the alligators were so mean. A deep cough caught me off guard at around mile 8, but I recovered quickly and didn’t lose much ground. I started passing people who had gone by earlier in the race. My strength was still there!
At mile 10.5, our man “Two-Shoes” (Ron) was there to cheer on his friends. Seems like they were all in the right places at the right times! The last three were a bit of a test. Starting to get tired and hungry, but I held strong in the fact that I was almost finished!
The finish line was an awesome sight! The crowd-feel gave me a nice little kick. I pulled across the line in 1:33:54 for a new PR! 5 minutes worth to be exact! I saw quite a few of our other Brooks Team ID members and was very proud of them all.
It’s a tired kind of happy now. I’ve had some food (OK a lot of food, the bagels and lox at Manny’s are awesome!) a margarita, and I’m considering a short nap! I’m content beyond belief and happy for all my friends for doing so well today!
Run Happy Y’all!
whew
So, I’ve been really busy lately! Vincent and I have received so much interest in Georgetown Trail Runners that I’ve hardly had time to deal with my blog! Good thing albeit bad for this blog. I figured I better get on here and do something before it looks like it’s been abandoned and someone erects a tent city around it.
It’s been a great year so far on my front! I’ve been doing more coaching here at RunTex on the Square! It’s something I can do to give back to the local running community after what it’s done for me! We have a great group of runners that train with us! Each and every one of them should be proud of the things they have and will continue to accomplish!
As mentioned, Georgetown Trail Runners is off to a huge start! It’s really exciting to be on ground (no pun intended) level of such an adventure! Thanks, Vincent, for sharing the ride! This thing is gonna get B-I-G!
Lastly, I haven’t spoken much about it here, but I wanted to get confirmation before I jinxed it. I’ve been selected by Brooks Sports to represent them in their Team ID Performance and Coaching Elite (PACE) program. It’s a great honor to be chosen again for the 2011 season! This is a quality company that produces great products that I’m happy to represent! Can’t wait to see what the new year will bring!
I’m in the midst of training for the 3M half marathon and the Austin marathon, so posts may be short and few, but I think you can see why! Full hands and busy feet!
Run Happy!
T
Short and Sweet and Eco-friendly
Went for a run with the Georgetown Trail Runners today! Last night it stormed pretty hard around here. Enough to fill the creek beside our apartment! It rained lightly off and on all morning. We went out to hit the trail at Lake Georgetown anyway, but wound up having to cut it short. Why? I’ll tell you …..
As trail runners, it’s our privilege to run in some of the most beautiful settings this world has to offer! Mountains, deserts, beaches; roots and rock and sand! Mother Nature has given us the ultimate runner’s playland! So, it’s also our privilege, duty yet, to take care of our trails. This goes for mountain bike riders, too! Our local Austin Ridge Riders do a bang-up job at this! Conservation and stewardship are the keys to keeping our trails beautiful and usable.
We cut our run short today, because, as the front running group, we assessed that the trail was much too muddy and unstable for our activities. In plain English, we were tearing up the trail, hurting it. 30 minutes short on the workout, but that means in a couple of days when the trail dries out, we can get out there and enjoy it without the pits and ruts created by poor conservancy! Many of our runners are new to the trail experience, and I hope they keep this important consideration in mind! I’m sure they will!
muddy buddies
Run Happy
Talmedge
Shameless Self Promotion
Ok yeah, just like it says:
Thanks, Vincent for the killer video! Our group is growing!
