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.

Flip Flop, Part 2

This is the flop part of the flip flop from yesterday. I ran 4 X 3 mile loops down at the Mohican Campground. No particular reason for doing the multiple loops. Thought it would be different.
Boring!!!!!!!! The 12 miles are in the books. I also ran 3 with one of my distance track runners.
Haley is ready to kick something at tomorrows 5 way meet.

Flip Flop

Today I did a flip flop. I was to run 12 miles, but decided to do my Monday's 5 miler instead.
It was 56, however tomorrow will be in the 60's, better to do 12 tomorrow.
I did get some measuring done on the Mohican course. It looks like the 50 miler is now 3.8 miles short.

10 miles on the B+O Trail

This afternoon I ran 10 miles on the B+O Trail from Butler to Bellville. Of course I returned to Butler. The weather was sunny, but windy. Actually the wind was quite stiff at times. Lots of people out and about today.

Then I took my wife to the emergency room around 8 pm and returned home after midnight.
She had another bad migraine and extremely high blood pressure. She's now resting and I'm posting............

Revelation Run

First, here I am heading back to the US after a beverage run in Mexico. Back then I did not actually run, as you can see.

I know I haven't been posting much. This is do to the blue flu. Down in the dumps with the runs and feeling Blah. Was blaming it on the weather, which does get some responsibility. However, during my run today I had a revelation as to my pooh pooh problem, it is cross country and track.

In 1999 I took over as the head coach for Loudonville High School Boys and Girls Cross Country.
In 1998 the were no girls out for CC so the previous coach was asked to retire. A shame as she was the coach who established a sound girls CC team at the school over her ten year tenure. Now my 10th year is coming this fall and destiny looks to repeat, as my boys team may not have the numbers to compete as a boys team. This is a little depressing as the boys teams have been a power 7 of the last 9 years. So will I be asked to retire after my 10th year or should I step down and let a younger coach come in and regenerate the team?
As for the girls, the numbers are there, but the talent or desire is missing.
A delemia for me to sort out. And that's what has been making me so blue, as I still enjoy coaching. Maybe age (mine) is the factor that is limiting the number of athletes heading for cross country and track.

Tomorrow I plan on running 10 miles and 12 miles on Sunday. Monday is the last day of March so I will finish out with 5 miles.

Easter Morning Run

I met Rob Powell at Butler, Ohio to run 15 miles on the B + O Trail. We ran 7.5 miles out past Bellville and almost to I-71 before turning around. It was nice of Rob to coerce me into getting up early for the run. He was convincing since he wanted 20 miles and myself only 15, so he ran 5 miles before I was to run with him. That meant he should be a little worn down.
Some Photos of Rob's past...............................
What a beautiful morning with a nice frosty feeling, probably due to the 17 degrees at 7:15 am. A plus was no wind, at least not aloft and the sun was appreciated. Overall we had a good visit while running and I was glad I got up and did the run.
Rob has Umstead 100 in a couple of weeks and with his training schedule, he should be prepared physically and mentally. Mentally getting all those training miles in in this miserable Ohio winter. Go get it Rob!!!!!!!!

Rob 'Buckeye' Powell, What an inspiration.

Today I received a call from good friend Rob Powell, the one who ran 20 miles on Good Friday. He ran 4 multiple loops to get those miles in. Now that's inspiration. I told Rob I was heading out to do my run when he called and intended to beat his number of loops from yesterday. Rob inquired as to the number of miles I was intending to do.
I told him 5 loops at 1 mile per loop. He thought that was unfair, but I only intended to beat the number of loops he ran. He's the one who's running a 100 mile race in two weeks , not me. I did run the 5 miles down at Mohican in the Campground area.
Now to be fair, I am taking pity on Rob by running 15 miles with him tomorrow morning. He is planning on 20 miles, so he will run 5 miles prior to me showing up at the B+O Trail in Butler. I hope I don't sleep in!!!!!!

5 X 800

This is week #1 of my 12 week marathon training program. Today I did 5x800 at my 5 km pace. I did a 1 mile warm up and a 1 mile cool down. The 800's went well with a 3:36.8 average. The weather made it tough on the LHS track as it was raining and the wind was very strong. However by the end the rain stopped and the wind was much calmer.

5 Hilly Miles.

Ran to the Mohican Resort Lodge, all road and hilly. Felt good with temperatures at 40 and windy. Interesting thing while I did my run, I saw the three fence post taken from my property, they are now 0.7 mile away my my house. They were used to hold up a wooden fence that was loose. Now the reason I know they are my posts, they are painted bright yellow with the top 10 inches painted in bright red. The same color as my face was when I saw them. Not likely a person would take care to paint those post that way for the purpose they used them. Now what to do, call the police or contact my neighbor who lives next to where the posts were taken?

Kyle Does Good!

Kyle Lemke, Loudonville's 800 m runner finished 5th at the State Indoor Track Meet at Akron University on 3/15/08. His time was 2:03.00. He was in 2nd or 3rd most of the race, but two runners got past him with 150 m to go. Still not a bad showing for his 1st trip to the indoor meet. Kyle is a senior.

As for me, I know it's been a while since I blogged. I'm getting as bad as my friend Rob. However, I have been busy, busy, busy. Indoor track, outdoor track, and my running. Speaking of my running, it has slid a little the past two weeks due to being busy and the weather (snow). Now I will get back on track with my running. I decided to start my 12 week marathon training program anew, focusing on the Teton Dam Marathon in June. I will have to go into Lake Waramaug 50 km Ultra not in top form. What's new!

I saw Rob, due to Mike had a PICKLE up on his blog, in tribute to Josh. I am apparently out of the loop on that. Any thoughts?

Snow Storm Done.

Finally the snow stopped and I had the chance to fire up the snow blower. I was beginning to think it would not be used this year. My philosphy is don't clear the snow if it will melt soon. When the snow is 12 inches deep with drifts of 24 inches, you got to clear it so the car can go.

After the snow was cleared today, it was time to do at least a 3 mile run, so I did at Mohican S.P., Class A.

My running schedule went to h........, due to the weather. Next week it's back to salt mines.

On a good note, Kyle Lemke qualified to the state indoor track meet this weekend for the 800m. The 4X400 team are alternates, so if enough top 16 teams don't confirm they may be there also (Lemke, Nick Kopp, Micky Harvey, Jace Wolford).

5 X 1000 /// Comments on last Fridays Indoor Meet

Went to Wooster Indoor Track to do the 5 X 1000 at 5 km pace. This is the true test if you are in shape. I'm not, so lots of work ahead to be semi ready for Lake Waramaug Ultras on April 20.
I ran a mile warm up, did the 1000's in the 4:30's and followed with a cool down mile. There was a 3 minute rest between the 1000's.

The Mt. Union College High School meet went OK last Friday. Had one girl place 4th in the 3200 and the boys 4X400 relay team placed 2nd, giving them a chance for the state meet. My boy 800 runner was 4th, however DQ for running in the wrong heat. Oh well, he had secured his ticket for the state meet at Kenyon College meet.
The 4x400 race was run around 12:30 am. What a long night. Got home around 2:30 am. Notice the parent on the edge of his seat during his son's race. I won't name names.

Kahtoola's Revisited

Today was a beautiful day for a run except the snow on the ground. Rob 'some kind of nut' Powell came over at 7:30 am for a run at Mohican. He ran from my house to the Covered Bridge while I drove to the Covered Bridge. He ran 3.2 miles to that point.
Our plan was to run the MT 100 orange loop (Minus the grist mill section).
Well!!!!!!!!!!! We started from the CB up the bike trail. The snow was deep and no one had traveled that way, at all to do any packing of the snow. Not even a mountain bike? I did notice Rob let me head up the trail first. He must think I'm a real dumb ass. He wanted me to break the trail.
As I led the way we were discussing how tough the entire run was going to be. I was already exhausted. So after a half mile into the run we went back to the car.
New plan, run to the Big Lyons Falls .85 miles (1.7 miles round trip) and to the Pleasant Hill Dam .75 miles (1.5 miles), round trip 3.2 miles. I ran 15.5 miles while Rob did 18.7 miles. If you haven't figured it out we did multiple loops.
The conditions on these trails were snow packed and/or icy.
Now for the Kahtoola's revisited part. I wore my Kahtoola's and they were great. Worked well in deep snow, I didn't. Worked great on packed snow, excellent traction. On ice they gave outstanding traction and no slipping.
So there you have it a nice long run with a nut, snow, ice, and my Kahtoola's. www.kahtoola.com

4X1600

Drove to The Gault Recreation Center at Wooster High School to use the indoor track for my 4x1 miles. With all the snow on the ground it makes it tough to do repeats.
Ran a mile warmup, 4x1600 @ 7:48 pace, then a cool down of a mile.
Getting a little better.