ADELANTE!

PSORE IN THE PSOAS - My Achilles Heel every time I complete a 50 KM Trail race... Monday, 05-30-2011 4 miles steady thru Rockburn in 27:55 * HR 146... alright, stupid decision of the year. Leg was feeling much better, then decided to run and it freaking hurt badly after and during the run. Ugh. Tuesday, 05-31-2011 Strengthening of Psoas Wednesday, 06-01-2011 ART Treatment with Dr. Bross Thursday, 06-02-2011 3 miles easy around Ft. McHenry in 22:36 * HR 136/151... good improvement from last night's ART, but not 100% gone. Strength is back to 80% and pain is down to low digits, but I am not out of the woods yet. Have treatment again tomorrow to really nail this and then it will be a matter of slowly ramping up, nailing two major weeks of training and then tapering. I am still in a good place. Friday, 06-03-2011 AM: ART Treatment with Dr. Bross PM: 8 miles steady out to Patterson Park in 53:00 * HR 140... ugh.. not pretty. I was very comfortable, but the hip flexor was...

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Monday, 05-23-2011 Work, Rest, and Recovery Tuesday, 05-24-2011 3 miles recovery around Ft. McHenry in 25:28 * That's not a typo. 25:58 for 5 KM. That's all I had. I was depleted and just done. I probably should have run this yesterday so that today could have been a little more quality. I am not concerned, however, as my legs feel healthy and I should be good to go within 48 hrs. Wednesday, 05-25-2011 9.5 miles steady around Patterson Park in 58:26 + 6 x strides * Whoa, I was rolling. Today was that type of run which had no fatigue, no issues, just a bit of deep tiredness, but I was rolling well under 4-min/km without much effort. My stride was long and fluid. I felt Kenyan-like. Crazy. I keep thinking that it was probably from the second loop at Drity German where I mounted an effort to catch Gramsky and I really worked strongly for a good hour or so on muddy trails. Good stuff. Feeling good enough to attempt track work tomorrow. Thursday, 05-26-2011 20 min easy + 3 ...

Monday, 05-16-2011 4 miles easy, including 12 x 20sec fast, 40sec moderate in 29:01 Tuesday, 05-17-2011 6 miles steady around Ft. McHenry in 40:08 Wednesday, 05-18-2011 3 miles steady around Ft. McHenry in 20:13 Thursday, 05-19-2011 9 miles steady out to Patterson Park in 1:00:59 + 6 x strides * Finally got to get in a substantial run, as my Sales Meeting presentations came to a close last night. Obviously the most stressful (and important) time of the year as you have to perform, much like an Olympic Trials race. You perform great, you are recognized as an Olympian. You perform poorly and you are back on the street scraping for sponsors. Get it? Really nailed my presentations and am very pleased. Hopefully by next week I can get back into my routine, as I am feeling quite awkward, plus I have a weak left foot, which isn't helping much (fell off the stage!). Friday, 05-20-2011 6 miles including 6 x 800m at UMBC in 2:32, 2:29, 2:26, 2:28, 2:25, 2:24, jog 90 sec * Goal was...

Monday, 05-09-2011 20 min easy, 4 x (2 min fast, 1 min easy, 1 min fast, 1 min easy...) * Woke up to a typical Seattle morning, grey and wet, but a crisp 50-degrees and it felt great in the NW air... had a really good effort in racing flats. Minimal fatigue, but it was a perfect workout volume based on yesterday's workload and the fact that I traveled all day.. Tuesday, 05-10-2011 7 miles easy on the Bay Area Trail in SFO in 50:05 Wednesday, 05-11-2011 13 miles up Jones Trail, up Limekiln Trail, and down Priest Rock Trail in 1:39:59 Nuts... I wanted to run this loop that I saw on a map, but once I got out there I started climbing, immediately, and once I hit Limekiln, I knew I had to change the plan. I summitted the mtn and had over 2,500ft of climbing. The descent was gnarly, as I was trying to stay controlled and not get injured. However, I was pleased at my climbing skills, never got in trouble and felt great the whole way. Had enough energy to finish strongly. One day wo...

Monday, 05-02-2011 AM: 3 miles recovery around Ft. McHenry in 22:39 PM: 20 min easy, 3 miles of alt 200's in 17:38 * 47-40-47-39-46-38-47-39-48-39-50-39-49-39-48-38-48-38-48-39-50-40-51-41... left quad/IT band is just trashed. Was hoping it would warm-up, but it's just fried. Need recovery the next couple of days. Tuesday, 05-03-2011 Rest Wednesday, 05-04-2011 Rest Thursday, 05-05-2011 3 miles easy around Ft. McHenry in 22:37 * Life is full of stupid decisions. After learning I made the US contingent for the Trail World Champs, I should have cancelled my track season. But, no, I was stubborn to get on the track and race a 5000m hard after a long drive and tiring day. My left leg was weak and caused my IT-Band to strain. So, now I am dealing with the consequences and beating myself up. At least it's not terrible and I feel I am able to get back to training. We will find out tomorrow when I have a hilly 45-minutes. Today felt pretty good, perhaps 90% and just weak. ...

Monday, 04-25-2011 AM: 3 miles easy around Ft. McHenry in 21:00 PM: 20 min easy, 2 x 1200m + 3 x 800m + 4 x 400m (rec. 400m) * 3:46/3:46 + 2:22/2:23/2:25 + 68.59/68.35/66.65/64.57... was feeling miserable due to the drive, not much rest, a completely hectic day at work trying to get caught up and back in a routine, and add onto that a terrible attack of local pollen/allergies, I had no energy. My warm-up was hilarious, as I was uncoordinated, no power, but once I strapped on my spikes, I knew I had the power in my legs to run fast. Not sure what this all translates to, but only good things. I fell asleep on my 800's for some reason, but had those nailed. Quarters were money. Tuesday, 04-26-2011 8 miles out to Patterson Park in 55:23 * Absolutely destroyed. Not sure I ran under 7:00/mile pace the whole way. Just pure recovery, putting one step in front of the other. Good news is that foot is fine, but had some other aches and pains from the effort last night. I did not sl...

Monday, 04-18-2011 AM: 3 miles easy around Sylvan Beach in 22:31 PM: 8 miles easy around Jenkins Park with Rudy in 58:21 Tuesday, 04-19-2011 10' easy + Drills + 6 x 800m in 2:27, 2:25, 2:27, 2:27, 2:28, 2:28, 2:30 * 2 min recovery... jogged to the track with my wife at like 10 min/mi pace with a torn hammy and a bum ankle. Decided to do 2 sets of drills and then line up for an attempt at the 800s with Plan A in 2:30 and Plan B in cut-down. Felt decent during the drills with moderate power so lined up and ran the first one thinking I was gonna run a 2:45. Ran 2:27. I was committed. After hitting 2:25 in the same effort as the previous one, I knew I couldn't cut-down today and went for avg. 2:30 for the workout and nailed it. Upper body was holding me back, just dead tired arms and shoulders. Legs were great. Wednesday, 04-20-2011 AM: 3 miles starting with Perla around Sylvan Beach in 21:51 PM: 7 miles easy with Rudy at Jenkins Park in 49:46 Thursday, 04-21-2011 AM: 3 m...

Monday, 04-11-2011 AM: 3 miles around Ft. McHenry in 21:16 + Drills PM: 20 min easy, 2 x (6 x 400m) with 200m/800m jog in 68 (1st Set), 66 (2nd Set) * 70.54-68.93-69.54-68.43-68.91-69.41 (avg. 69.29), 66.61-66.87-68.02-67.22-67.88-68.53 (avg. 67.52)... that was tough. Was still feeling the weekend in my legs, especially yesterday's 2hr progression in which I got tight the final miles from depletion/dehydration. Mechanically was pretty sound. Only a tad weak in the right glute and left knee. However, some great work, especially with the nasty wind on the backstretch. Was really rolling with wind at my back. Good form. Tuesday, 04-12-2011 Work Wednesday, 04-13-2011 9 miles hilly around Ellicott City in 1:03:15 Thursday, 04-14-2011 15 min easy, 5 x 1200m in 3:53, 3:49, 3:49, 3:53, 3:51, rec. 400m jog * Roanoke VA... found a nice 6-lane concrete high school track within jogging distance from the hotel and in crisp 49-degree weather, knocked out a great workout. Really cruised...

Monday, 04-04-2011 15' easy, 8 x 600m in 1:53, 1:53, 1:50, 1:50, 1:52, 1:47, 1:49, 1:49 with 200m jog * Great dedication and creativity. Had to fly out to Denver so I opted to work out on this track near BWI. First warm day of Spring (70's) and quite windy on the backstretch, but I finally got going (goal was 1:52) on the third one, as I was a bit tired from the past couple of days (15 x 300m and 2hrs), but this was great. 1:47 was shirtless. I was so tempted to jump the steeple pit, as it was set with water but at the women's height, but I was tired from the workout and didn't want to risk anything. May have to go cold turkey for Saturday. Tuesday, 04-05-2011 7 miles around the Mile High Loop in City Park in Denver, CO (5,280ft) in 51:51 * Denver is beautiful. I made the sacrifice to wake up early on the day of my presentation and headed out towards City Park. Pretty flat, but I could feel some of the altitude. The loop was beautiful, especially when I hit the nor...

Monday, 03-28-2011 AM: 3 miles aroud Ft. McHenry in 21:25 + 2 sets of Drills * 7:04, 6:42, 6:35 (avg. 6:47/mile)... nice and crisp around Ft. McHenry, getting the legs ready for tonight. PM: 20 min easy, 6 x 400m with 200m jog in 72/72/70/70/68/68 * 70.58/73.73, 70.22/70.95, 67.59/68.39... ended up cutting the 200m jog short, as I didn't want to run any more than I had to on the track with my spikes to save my calves/achilles. Obviously, was worried I wasn't going to be able to hit 72 and blitzed a 70.58 feeling easy. Slowed it down and then got back on track. Amazing how my trail strength and endurance is paying off on the track. I felt like I could've run 6 x 400m in sub-64 if I was going close to all-out. I will practice some hurdling on Thursday, as that is my only worry (fatigue from jumping). Anyway, very pleased how I'm feeling getting back to some speed and am quite surprised at my strength and speed carrying-over. Tuesday, 03-29-2011 8 miles steady out to...

Monday, 03-21-2011 3 mile wear-test around Ft. McHenry in 20:23 + Drills * 6:58, 6:23, 6:06 (avg. 6:29/mi)... wear-testing and figuring out motivation. Legs felt pretty darn good. Wear-testing kept my pace controlled, but I was running a very strong pace. Tuesday, 03-22-2011 6.5 miles out to the Inner Harbor in 43:54 * Avg. 6:38/mi... once again, feeling pretty good. Settled the decision on what to focus on next and will continue committed to building strength and endurance. No racing schedule as of right now, other than TransRockies. Need to stay healthy, need to fix 100% my hip flexor and need to keep up the motivation and diet. Wednesday, 03-23-2011 7.5 miles up and down E. Clement St. with 6 x 2 min uphill in 52:22 * 20 min easy, 6 x 2 min uphill, jog back recovery... pace equivalents of 5:15-5:23-5:24-5:17-5:22-5:15, recoving at 8:00-8:30/mile... felt strong and in control but definitely worked the recovery more than in the past workouts. Can't wait to get on the track...

Found these pictures online from 2006, when I won the Ocean Drive 5K in Miami in 15:45... need to document the pics, since it's so rare to get shots nowadays..

Monday, 03-14-2011 9 miles around Patterson Park in 1:00:14 * 7:02, 6:42, 6:35, 6:53, 6:27, 6:32, 6:24, 6:30, 6:09 (avg. 6:35/mile)... damn, I've turned a page in fitness. I was working quite effortlessly out there and could not believe my time or my splits. Finally, I am back to my old fitness level, pre-Blues Cruise, however, that stupid blister bothered me the whole run. Will pop it tonight and start the healing process. Tuesday, 03-15-2011 7.5 miles total with 20' easy + 1'-2'-3'-1'-2'-3' uphill/jog down rest in 54:26 * Was feeling pretty good today... results were 5:14-5:18-5:11, 4:48-5:02-5:05/mile pace. My mantra continues to be "I am not training for a 10K". Today was hilarious, as everything tried to get in the way of my workout, including work construction, cars, and then a funeral procession! I am not kidding.. unbelievable. Great sign that I get faster as I warm-up and build into the workout. Need to note this for racing/workou...

So, the results are in and a bit disappointing. Here are the highlights - 45th Fastest 50 KM Performer 48th Fastest 50 KM Performance Won the 28th Largest Ultra Marathon In 2008, I was the 2nd Top Graded Performance in the USA over 50 KM, and this year I did not make the Top 25 with my 3:34:07 from Blues Cruise, which was a tremendously difficult course. However, UltraRunning Magazine did state that they were experimenting with a new performance formula derived from http://www.realendurance.com/ and their race results. No worries, as I have now identified the big races in the USA to attack in 2011. In other big news, the Race Director from The HAT Run 50K has granted me entry into the 2011 race, as I was looking for a big effort that weekend. Perhaps I am in over my head, but there is nothing better than finding out. The only catch now is recovering in time for the Bel Monte Endurance 25K the following weekend.

Monday, 03-07-2011 5.5 miles around Ft. McHenry in 39:48 * 7:42, 7:34, 7:38, 7:44, 7:29, 7:26 (avg. 7:37/mile)... more of a check-the-tires kind of run, and amazingly I passed with flying colors. No major issues, no pain, just nice and easy running. Very prude decision yesterday to rest. Impressive. Tuesday, 03-08-2011 7.5 miles out to Patterson Park in 52:24 * 7:08, 6:57, 6:59, 6:48, 6:53, 6:52, 6:45, 6:40 (avg. 6:54/mile)... what a great run. So fluid, no issues, no depletion, just steady as she goes. Hit the hill nicely, and finished up well. I think I am ready for a workout tomorrow. Rankings arrived today from UltraRunning Magazine and my Blues Cruise performance ranked me 48th in the USA. I was hoping it would rank in the Top 25 based on difficulty, but they are experimenting with a new formula and it didn't make the cut. Oh well. Wednesday, 03-09-2011 6 mile fartlek around Locust Point with John Ealy in 41:43 * 20 min warm-up, 1-2-1-2-1-2-1 minute with 1 minute recov...

RUNNINGTIMES.COM http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=22142 The Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon and 50K in Damascus, Maryland, is a great introductory trail race or a first-rate test of speed for the more seasoned trail runner. The hilly point-to-point courses are over 95 percent singletrack trail with several water crossings to make things interesting. Over 300 runners were out to test their mettle against the course; in the marathon it was all Gabriel Rodriguez with his course-record performance in an impressive 3:12:26 . Chris Bain was Rodriguez’s nearest competition in 3:21:38; followed by Mark Hoon in 3:43:42 . Laura Dewald was the women’s marathon champ in 4:40:31 over Susan Landry in 4:47:06 and Kirin McElwain in 4:54:42. Paul Wallace was not to be outdone by Rodriguez’s performance and broke a course-record of his own in the 50K. Wallace ran a speedy 3:50:07 for the win and was distantly followed by John Rutherford in 4:08:53 and Josh Hunsberger in 4:13:04. C...

Monday, 02-28-2011 5.5 miles around Ft. McHenry in 39:03 * Avg. 7:10 pace... surprised at how good my legs felt today. Perhaps it was the Mexican lunch and dinner of refried bean tacos. I probably could've hammered today but kept it gentle, as I am rushing my week for the Trail Marathon on Saturday. Thankfully I planned well today and avoided the rain, although it was quite windy out there. Tuesday, 03-01-2011 8 miles up and down E. Clement in 57:50 * 20 min easy + 6 x 610m in 1:58, 2:00, 1:57, 1:57, 1:56, 1:53... alright so basically 5:05 pace down to 4:55 pace on this workout, which went really well, especially so soon after the long run. Right shin was bothersome on the walk around but compression sleeve solved it. Right teardrop was tight, but kept working it. Nice to blast the last one, really opened up and didn't feel different from the previous efforts. Wednesday, 03-02-2011 7.5 miles out to Patterson Park in 50:00 * Didn't have my watch, but thankfully had...