Deep Fried!

Yes, I know it has been over a week since I last blogged. I have been busy, busy, busy.
Not that I want any sympathy, it came down to choices and writing my blog came in last.

1st. I have been running, nothing to brag about, just runs, mostly in Mohican. I hope to incorporate some long runs into my training soon.

2nd Track consumed most of my time last week. A tri-meet on April 22 which the girls won handily, worked the Jr. High meet on April 24, went to Elgin Relays on the west side of Marion, Ohio and got home after midnight, and finally hosted our own Mohican Elite Track meet.
Our girls came in 14th overall, but that's not bad considering some of the best teams in the state are at this meet. We placed thanks to Tori Mowery our high jumper who cleared 4 feet 10 inches for 4th place. That's her in the photo 'I'm Cool!'.


3rd. I took this cute photo of my wife Betty wearing a neat little granny cap. Every time she wears the cap it makes me smile. She can be found sporting the cap when the dreaded lady bugs are on the attack. Not only is the cap on, but it includes cotton in the ears, coat covering the arms, neck, and body. The poor gal has had her problems with severe migraines and trigeminal neuralgia. At least one migraine per week. The Cleveland Clinic is working on getting them under control.

4th. Mohican 50 mile race has also been a bit too active. I have laid out the course and measured it once. I still have portions to measure a second time. If current measurements hold it should be 50.34 miles. The map is done and the purple loop will be had by them.
Need to do the course description, aid station/elevation information, and directions for support crews. Then I am done with the 2008 Mohican.

So that's what I have been up to. Hope to post more often.

Number 38!!!!!!

First, last Wednesday (4/16/08) Kyle Lemke one of the high school athletes I coach broke the school record in the 800 meter run. The record had been in place since 1992. There had been several boys I coached over the years who, I thought might break it, but at last Kyle did the deed in 1:59.2. Congratulations Kyle.

Second, on Saturday Rob Powell and I headed east to Connecticut to run in the Jack Bristol Lake Waramaug 50 km race. We left my house at 7:00 am and drove 553 miles to Danbury, Ct. where we spent the night. It only took us eight hours and 50 minutes. After eating we went to bed at 7:30 pm and got up at 5:45 am. Definitely had a good night sleep.
We arrive at Lake Waramaug and began the race at 7:30 am. The race followed a loop road around a lake. It was a 7.6 mile loop. We ran a 2.2 miles out and returned at the start finish. From there we ran around the lake three times. Then ran a 1.9 miles out and returned 1.9 miles to the finish.
A beautiful setting with the temperature at 53, cloudy, and breezy. The high was near 65.

The plans:
Rob's was to run conservatively using this as a training run for Mohican. What a line of crap!
Anyone who knows Rob, knows he is going to go like hell and give it his all until the finish or the wheels drop off. Thats what he did and he finish 3rd.

I on the other hand knowing my training was deficient, laid out a plan with a goal of 5:41. I finished in 5:46:44, just 5 minutes off my goal. I planned on hitting the 12 mile mark in 2 hours and it is what I did. In 19.6 miles 3:23 (actual was 3:26), 27.2 mile in 4:55 (actual was 4:58).
Felt great through the whole race. Got to run with many nice runners.
Rob and I left the race at 2 pm and arrive at my home at 11:45 pm. Not to bad turn around.
So in summary we were gone for 40 hours and 45 minutes. Drove 1,138 miles, ran 31 miles, and slept 10 hours and 45 minutes.
That's all worth it for STATE #38. 12 TO GO!

8 Mile Trail Run - Tuesday

Tuesday, I ran an 8 mile trail run in Mohican. The weather was perfect being 50 with sun and a slight breeze. This type of weather has given me a new energy, looking forward to running more and more. Wow, what a little sunshine will do for one's soul.
I still need to get the final mile measurements done for the 50 mile race at Mohican this year. Time is flying bye quickly and so much to still finish.

Paying the Price

Paying the price can be had many ways. The girls track team competed in 5 meets or invitationals in the past 11 days. It took its toll on them physically and emotionally. Being that most are only 9th and 10th grade it was a difficult task to get through, but they did and now the meets will be spaced out better. They will rebound and do well. I did have one young lady who tripped over a hurdle during the 300 IM Hurdles. I think she thought it was a 400 meter run, except someone left a hurdle on the track. She fell very ungracefully and had a little itty bitty scratch on her knee.
See the photo of the tape job she put on her knee. One would think it was a major injury, but we humor her.

Now for me and my training or lack of training. I will pay this coming Sunday at Lake Waramaug Ultras when I do the 50 km. Oh yes I will suffer soooooooooo! I have not kept me mileage up over the past two weeks, but what is one to do? Suffer I guess. I do tend to take it out on the track team, as it should be.

Mohican Comes To Life

Today I ran 5 miles in Mohican, partially on the orange loop. Wow, it is so nice to run with nice temperatures and a light breeze. Everything is coming to life and looking much greener. The trails are nice to run, no mud up to the ankles. My only regret is I did not run longer. However track practice was calling.

Speaking of track practice, I have an athlete who has done a PR in every event she competed in since January 19 at indoor track meet. I figure she has 16 straight Pr's in the 800, 1600, & 3200.
I wonder how long this can continue. She won't let me throw her into a 4th event. Probably thinks it will curse her Pr's. Believe it or not it's a girl and her name is Haley 'PR' Young.........

200's

Tuesday I ran 6x200 repeats. 71 degrees, nice and sunny. Did a 1 mile warm up and cool down.
The 200's were ran at 90-95% MHR. Went well, a little slower than my goal of 38 seconds each.

Plan to run 18+ miles with Rob Powell on Sunday at Mohican. We will do the orange loop, I think.

The reason for the sporadic reporting is track. The girls did not fair well at the Newcomerstown Relays last Friday, coming in 8th. They also lost in a tri meet at home on Tuesday. Since the team is made up of mostly 9th and 10th graders, it is hard to compete at a level of the teams with dominance of upperclassmen. Most were getting personal best, so what more could one ask for.

Spring has sprung so lawn work has begun. Removed large downed limbs from yard, prepared the riding mower, and whacked the decorative grass. So now let the grass grow!!!!!!!!

Mile Repeats

On Tuesday night the girls track team was at a 6 way meet. It was cold and very windy. The girls did well for being a few short for the night. They beat two teams, but lost to three. Friday night will be our next meet.....Newcomerstown Relay.

Wednesday I did mile repeats. First did a mile warm up then did 3 - 1 mile repeats at 5 km pace.
Or 7:30's. Follow by a 1 mile cool down. Not a bad work out.