Year End Running

I've switched shoes, Hoka Odyssey and Challenger, but I was back in the Conquest this morning. Still having some problems with right side which is limiting my miles.
It comes down to my right hamstrings are weak. I will concentrate on strengthening them over the next week.

Tough Running

So I haven't been able to run much since Rehoboth. My right leg is weak and I have been concentrating on strengthening my right side. Today I ran 6.5 miles after snow blowing and shoveling snow. I discovered today that it is my back again on the right side which along with my rt. hip that is giving me a problem. Strength training definitely has helped. Massage from Cc released a lot and help me focus on the true problem. I believe I will work through it and have a great 50 miler in February.

Rohoboth Beach 2016

In porti-potty line until 6:52 and then a late start. Fast 2 mile warm up and I recovered well. First 5 miles faster than I planned but I was OK. By mile 8 I was uncomfortable but kept saying I needed this for Boston 2018. Mile 10 was pushing harder than I thought I would have before race. I didn't talk as much as usual. By mile 14 pushing!!! At mile 20 uncomfortable. By mile 22 I knew I was on target for 4 hours and by mile 24 I knew if I stayed mentally tough I would make it!
4:00:21 final 9:39 faster than Boston qualifying time! 2018 im books. THIS is a great BQ, with all the Ultras and mile this year I definitely thank GOD for all the miles and the help to persevere.

Manchester Road Race 2016

Going in I didn't know if my speed would come back. I was in the front of U38 corral and I felt good. First mile 8:25, there are still people in front of me in the first mile who shouldn't be there and they slow everyone down. The second mile my left arm felt heavy and I probably shouldn't have eaten so much oatmeal earlier. I came down the hill fast and I was hitting my stride. With the church in site I felt I could keep my seeding. I ran hard BUT finished in 38:04 missing the U38 for next year by 5 seconds.

Update

Became a USATF member today. I'm closing in on 1500 miles for the year. Looking forward to my "fast" race of the year, Manchester Road Race. Many friends are running this year.
Two more doubles and this should continue through January.

Another Double

Yes another double 7.6 AM and 6.2 PM. Over 36 miles for the week and I am on target to break last years total miles.

Double Today

The first 5.2 miles early, done by 5 AM. The second this afternoon. 47:16 AM, 46:21 PM. I am feeling great! I have acupuncture tonight and will then watch election results.

The Need to Run

I ran 6 miles early this morning before teaching sixth grade CCD and Mass. Then off to Fleet Feet to work all afternoon. I need to run more but working 7 days a week and overtime driving the bus just is very hard to find the time to get to 40-45 miles per week.

Vastus lateralis

Yes this is the muscle Cc Major worked on and today I ran  an 8:58 pace  for 10.1 miles. I can't tell you the joy I felt for the entire run. Yesterday my last 1.2 miles were @ a 3:37 pace.

Update post 100k, 50 mile, Marathon

I am finally back to running over 35 miles per week. Cc Major, my MT, pinpointed the problem in my right leg and I have started rolling and yoga to alleviate the problem. I feel much better and  I hope to have it gone in 2 weeks. I take/eat/extract 4 mushrooms now which help in many ways as well as a probiotic. I'll write more about them in the future.

2016 Eversource Hartford Marathon

My daughter Tiffany's first marathon. I started with her, saw her at her mile 15, and saw her heroic finish. I had finished and my thoughts were with her throughout my run. She came around the corner to the arch and was sprinting all the way to the finish. I found out that her left knee hurt since mile 11.
For me it help lift my body out of  a tough recovery from VT and I felt strong but not very fast. 4:14:31 is OK and I have already started running again today.

Finally, My First Run After VT 50

Yes I finally started to run again. I was very tight and I had a strange week. Three straight days of acupuncture BUT the massage on Thursday started me getting loose and I felt like my self Saturday night. I did have to work all weekend so I decided to wait until today to run. 6.4 miles today in 1:00:45 a little slow but my first run in Hoka Clayton's. Very light, I felt glutes but no stress. Nice shoe and I hope to see just how far I can run in them.
Saturday is my daughter Tiffany's first marathon, Eversource Hartford, I hope she loves every minute and has a great run. I am running it, either with her or starting with her and cheering at the out and back and at the finish. Keith Jr. has run with me in a marathon and I hope I can get everyone to run an ultra with me before I am done.

VT 50 2016

It was such a pleasure to run with friends Stacey and Jenn For several miles during the race. They are both much younger and even though I have more experience I would have been disappointed if they did not finish ahead of me. They did!
I had a few problems which probably lead to a slower time than last year even though it was a better day to run. Bit my tongue at beginning, pinned my number to shirt even though I was planning to switch shirts, looking for chaga mushrooms, ran off course 2 times. But my finishing place was better.
The 2 things I need to focus on for next year are a different pack and another longer run before the race; I didn't run a long run after the 100k and it cost me.
I hope to run this into my 70's so I have time to get it right.
It was a great day and I had fun which is what it is all about.
Hats off to Colton Gale 2nd overall! An awesome runner and another friend.
Cheers to all my friends who ran the 50k too numerous to list. WHAT A DAY!

Ready to Run

7.1 miles today, still humid. The VT 50 is suppose to be 43 - 60 F perfect temperatures!
There are 7 M60-69 listed to run. I will have a lot of competition. I hope to be a little faster than last year and finish in the top 3 in my age group.

Less Than 2 Weeks til VT 50

Yesterday I felt like my old self, 4.2 miles. 1 hour and 40 minutes of acupuncture last night at Many Rivers, http://manyriversacupuncture.com/ and I felt ready to run 10 again. 10.2 miles today and I felt strong at the end. I can't wait for VT.

Ultra Rankings

I just saw that I am ranked #2 in U.S. in 100k in M60-64, #46 overall in U.S. , #270 in the world.
I so wish I could train more and not have to work 7 days a week.

Finally, I feel like my old self

13.2 miles today in 2:03:58 and I finally feel like my running is back although my speed is still a little slow. Worked in the yard all afternoon and I still feel good. I'm ready for the VT 50!

Welcome Gavin Mark Glazer

Yes I have a new grandson, Gavin. I hope someday to run with him in some race.
My grandkids are 14, 16, 17 and 2+ hours running. Katie is still my favorite granddaughter ;)

Green Lakes 100k

First let me say that I had been nervous about the run for 2 weeks. I knew that as soon as I started I would be fine. I was.
17 started the 100k but only 8 finishd. I was 6/8. 8 laps of about 7.7 miles each.
It was a beautiful day, cloudy for the 1st 6 hours.
I ran the 1st lap with a lot of people and then I ran 11/2 laps with an Army Captain who was running his first 50k. He slowed at the end of lap 3 so I pulled away. I did not run with another runner the rest of the way.
At around mile 38 my stomach bothered me; lemonade did not help in fact my mouth was dry after drinking it. At mile 46 they kidded me that I should have some pizza, they gave me some pizza and 3 miles later I was fine. From 40 miles on I drank a lot of ice water.
I can't tell you what it is like to go 62 miles but today I do not feel bad at all.
The last 2 laps I ran about 60 percent of the time and walked the hills.
The Green Lakes people ARE THE BEST!!! The volunteers were great and the course is beautiful, just tough enough. On lap 8 I was sure one of the hills had grown and the bee balm in the Serengeti was beautiful.
RUN HERE!

Less than 3 Weeks

12.1 miles today with less than 3 weeks to go until my 1st 100k. I am very excited right now and I can't wait to run.

Testing Equipment for 100k

I used my UltraSpire pack today with an ice pack inside a plastic bag. I ran 7.2 miles in 1:08:05 and it was 87 F when I came into the house. It was still cold, 1/2 frozen and I will try a 2 hour run to see if it will last that long. I felt good, it definitely helped.

Going Long

Another 20 today. I felt great and did extra hill work during run. 2 hills which use to be hard for me I ran relatively easy. My blood pressure is low when I don't take more than 1 day off. BP reading is very good after long run.

July 4 2016

11.1 miles 9 days after the cat 50k. I feel good after the run. I have to run an avg. of 5.2 miles for 12 hours for the 100k.

Catamount Ultra 50k

I had a lot of fun! 2 laps and some hills and technical terrain but it was a nice course. Waterbury is a place to have several Beer Advocate 100 rated beers and I bought a Lawson Session #2 low alcohol beer for the night before the race. 4:17:20 61/113. I was 1st in my age group, 1/5, and  I passed 8 people on the 2nd lap and I did not get passed at all.
I did start too fast and that and the heat got to me after mile 26.

Young Minds

So I had to take 4 days off since I over did it last week. I ran 6.2 miles today in the Vanquish 2 since they are softer and stress the upper legs more. I felt fine and will get acupuncture tomorrow.

2015 Vs. 2016 Mileage

          2015            2016
Jan    172.2           189.0
Feb   169.0           141.3
Mar  147.4           142.1
Apr  109.5           113.1
May 119.8           150.1

I feel stronger this year and I will be running loner races with several BQs.

Vermont City and Beyond

The 2016 VT City was hot.  My first hour was great but as the temperature rose ir was tough to keep up the pace. After mile 16 I did feel the heat. I was on a 3: pace but as I cramped up by mile 22 I has to settle for a 4:01:42 which was 3/64 in my age group. A surprise to me but I did feel great most of the race. A Shout out to all the support and to the volunteers! Water sprays everywhere!!!
I do have 2 suggestions for the race committee:
No pacers and start the race at 7 AM.
This is still one of my favorite races at any distance, way more positives than negatives.

2 Weeks Til VT Marathon

I run all my miles in the Hoka Odyssey right now. Excellent shoe. 40.7 miles so far this week.
After bodywork massage last night 9.2 miles today after work and I feel great tonight. Cc does great work! 655 miles so far this year. VT will be fun and I hope to run 300 miles in 2 months.

Post Boston, Pre -VT City

14 miles tonight after work. My legs feel great!

Boston 2016

Negative splits! My #24595 and overall I was 18029 with a pace of 9:23.
I went by a lot of people the last 9 miles and I felt great at the finish.

Excited About Running Boston

After 2 sessions of massage bodywork and 3 sessions of acupuncture bodywork I am feeling much better. I have been running well 3 of the past 4 days and I'm excited about Boston. Not sure what shoes to wear yet.

Boston Taper

Well I didn't plan to take 4 days off but left foot not feeling it right now. Today driving the bus I discovered that the Hoka Bondi 4 is not a good shoe for me even to walk in or drive the bus. My left foot was killing me so I took the shoe off and pain eased. I was able to run 9.4 miles after work and felt fine in the Hoka Vanquish 2. Icing foot and I now feel I will be ready for Boston. This will be the eleventh in a row and I have already qualified for 2017.
The trail run did not help Boston and I will think about running a road marathon 4 weeks before next years Boston.
Ball of foot still hurts but I will run in the Conquest 2 to try to fix it in the next 10 days.

Tapering for Race

I'm not feeling it right now. Left big toe not 100 percent. Low salt diet for BP not helping my digestion or running. Odyssey a great shoe but I will probably run in the Challenger. Also right hamstring too tight at first for about a mile into the run the past 4 days. Hopefully, I can run OK and fix any problems when Cecilia returns from her trip.

Hoka Vanquish 2

I ran a double today 7.2 miles this early AM in 1:06 and 7.4 miles in the rain this PM. Actually it started to rain for my last 1.2 miles this morning too. Both runs were in the Hoka Vanquish 2. Plush upper sock-like feel. lighter than the Conquest 2 and my legs feel great tonight.

Hoka Odyssey

Just started running in the Hoka Odyssey tonight after work. So far, I love it! Firm and light, about 8.8 oz., 5 mm offset. Will run in it more this week.

Rare Day Off

I was able to run 14.5 miles today on the Rail Trail since I took the day off to be with my son and grandson Jalen, but they weren't able to come due to car problems so I got to go for a long run instead.
I felt the massage last night would help my run and still be of maximum benefit. I feel great right now.

Mid-Maryland 50k Grand Master Champion

Number pick-up was smooth and Philip was helpful and enthusiastic.

Directions were spot on and the weather was clear and cold.

After the 1st lap it seemed like a mini VT50, technical and varied terrain. 

A lot of people only went 3 or 4 laps,  laps needed for a 50k. I loved the chocolate chip muffins and Powerbar chocolate gel. I had pizza after the 3rd lap. I felt great except lap 4. 

I tripped 2xs, after the 2nd I felt like my back and shoulders were out of place. 

The last lap I passed several runners and I wanted to run sub 6 hours.  Next to last hill I was at 5:55 and I finished 5:59:18 in in AG, RRCA Mid-Maryland 2016 Grand Master Champion.

Food after was great! Hot soup and hot pizza! Timing spot on Bling, half zip, metal and magnet for $55.

Unique Double for 2016

Well I woke up at 3:35 and was trying to decide if I should run due to the snow. I was wide awake so I got up and put spikes in my shoes. My wife woke and said I could plow instead of running. I said I would run a short one and plow after. It was still snowing when I left. 4.1 miles run.
I got back home and all the lights were on and my wife was shoveling the snow. I joined her but said we should plow. Our electric plow did great and we were soon done.
This afternoon it was warmer and sunny and I ran 4.1 again 3 minutes faster.

Two Long Runs

I ran 10.2 miles yesterday and 12.4 today. 51 for the week.
I had to get a massage at the Massage School,The Massage School since Cecilia was out of commission. Erin was great and she actually goes to Cecilia for massages too.
My blood pressure this morning was 126/75 the lowest it has been in years.
Great weekend, I do miss being off to run every weekend.

Roll with It

Storm for Saturday maybe 18-22" of snow in Delaware for race. The director said "don't be stupid" to come so I'm going to do a couple longer runs Friday and Saturday.
CC fell down the stairs so I can't get a massage from her tonight. I just hope she is OK with no lasting effects.
Three sessions of acupuncture three days in a row; I definitely feel different I'll see what long term effects might be.
Trying hard to lower stress.
Definitely a different week.

Another Double

Today I ran 6.8 AM and 6.2 PM. This is the ninth time in a month I have run a double. I hadn't done this in 10 years. Lots of energy right now.

AM Run

I love early morning runs. 8.1 miles starting at 3:45. 11 degrees F at start. Glasses kept fogging up.

Dr. Kate Klemer

I had an appointment with Kate today. Helped with my supplements and tested my flexibility. Suggested I start meditation (20 minutes in morning), continue Yoga and said my right kidney was tired. She performed Craniosacral Biodynamic therapy on me which helped loosen my left sacral area.

Monthly totals for 2015

1. January       172.2
2. February     169.0
3. March         147.4
4. April           109.5
5. May            119.8
6. June            135.9
7. July            103.7
8. August       141.6
9. September 121.4
10. October       92.7
11. November   90.0
12. December 184.7

Acupuncture + massage have boosted my energy and my overall health.

Starting the New Year Off Right

18.7 miles on the Rail Trail today in 2:55:36 with the last mile at 8:33/mi.
A little tight right now but lots of help next week to stay loose.