Masters Weekend Races and Runs

Good week here. Consistent in my base 8-milers, and a solid tempo run. Yesterday ran with Club members up at the Rockies -- the area's running Mecca -- and really struggled. Had to stop at one point, but they waited for me, and ran the rest of the way back. That was a tough run that I felt for the rest of the day and into this morning.

Joe

I'm back to fairly normal training; 3 days per week running. No workouts yet.

Managed to run about 20 miles injury free so I'm happy with that.

Have a good week all.

Get well soon Mike. Expect to read about your running and racing again. Hoping to see some of y'all up in Spokane (Track first XC next). As luck would have it I will be the happiest one the line for that 800 semi-final. Been a rough year for injury. But as a wise 'ol Vet said to me long ago... "always race like it's your last. For you never know if it just may be". Then again... I see our 'ol friend Clingan in the Status Of Entries List again. Hip hip!

KP

Greetings to all. Having typical hot weather in the South.

Specifically the ATL. but being originally from New Orleans area this is nothing I can\'t handle.

Had a very productive week as i went into the 73mile week range.

Had not done that in yrs in fact never was too much of a high mileage guy. Always around 30-45. But I notice as I gotten older i can tolerate more mileage and less speed.

That was my bread and butter natural speed but age has robbed me of this so i have to look else where for speed as in strenght. Looking to just keep improving on masters pr this fall in 10k especially.

First off - KP, great to see you rounding into form again. Here's hoping you have another great track nationals in Spokane! ... Even though I know it'll already be great just by, as you say, lining up for that 800 semi.

Speaking of Spokane x-country ...

Had our first (and undoubtedly only) Fluffy Bunny summer run yesterday - the day when we all get together and see how things are coming, see who's still in the mix, and make plans for the fall. We did a 13-ish trail run, and I have to say that I'm pretty psyched about this year's model. With freshman Dave Schumacher and Christian Cushing-Murray (Christian ran for us at USA's in February, but hasn't run Clubs since his open days), we have young legs to spell those on the club who are getting a wee long-in-the-tooth for the 40-49 division (3 of our returning top 5 from the 2007 Club meet are 47, with 2 others in our top 8 being 46 and 47). No surprise that the "youngin's" (Buckhoff in his safari hat, Schumacher, and C-M) pushed the pace up front, while Olds and I drifted back, more concerned with avoiding sprained ankles or (in my case) jolts to the spine on the downhills than with jockeying for position.

At breakfast afterward, I couldn't help thinking how lucky I am to have discovered this sport and this new group of peers in my 40's. Because no matter what this fall (and then Club Nationals) brings, we've all got this great excuse to keep running and planning and getting together with one another for races and beers for the next 5 months. And how great is that?!

Okay, hope everyone has a great week!

MF - I also wish you a speedy recovery, and skinnbones - glad you were able to log in a few miles.

I hit my first 50+ mile week in quite a while after hovering in the high 30s while acclimating to more speedwork. My long run totaled 105 minutes yesterday, which is also my high since April. One thing I've noticed recently is that the pace of my easy runs is a little faster with less effort. They are still relaxed and my heart rate is generally less than 140, so I guess I shouldn't worry too much as long as I keep the effort easy and run for my target length of time.

The track workouts are still going strong. A veteran (age 57) man we've been coaching won golds in the 200 and 400m at the Empire State Games, posting a 64.x second time in the latter - a 3 second improvement. I also think one of the college women ran a fast enough 5k on Saturday to get her coach's attention. It's satisfying seeing all of their hard work pay off.

Countdown to Spokane. This morning was my last hard practice as next week is a taper week. Everything is going so well; I have been crossing my fingers before and after every practice that no sudden aches, pains, or injuries crop up and my luck is holding. Block starts are still fast, hurdles are smooth and quick, can't ask for anything more. I'm entered in the 100, 200, 80H, and a few field events, plus my teammates and I have a great 4x100 relay team ready to go.

This has been a great season for me as I have narrowed my training focus to the events that I really enjoy, with the result that practices and meets have been nothing but pure fun. I'm wondering if there is a connection between having fun and posting PRs???? I'm sure there is.

Next Saturday is my 48th birthday. I think I feel better than I did at 28. Running keeps you young. Rock on, masters!

After not posting last week--I was only a cyclist and elliptical user due to my ankle sprain--I managed a whopping 10 miles this week! At least this morning I was antsy during my run... I wanted to go, but I didn't want to jeopardize my ankle... so I'm guessing I'm close. Welcome back, skin. Keep at it, KevinB. Good luck and good health to everyone else.

Spikez wrote:

Countdown to Spokane.

Same here but unlike you I continue to discover new and newly returned aches and pains (achilles, hamstring attachment, turf toe, groin to name a few). I cut *WAY* back this week, to no avail. Still able to run fast (1x200) with decent form, but I'm hurting here and there. It's a question of which will happen first, Spokane or something bad. Injury and peak fitness are close friends!

Maybe I need to spend 100,000$ to keep the body going like Dara Torres.

For Spokane I've signed up for 400/800/1500. That first one is the new bit. A scary field for sure! And big.

had a good week. 81 miles with a few perceived effort based workouts and a nice long run with the fellow bunny's which was a total blast. good to run with the group and looking forward to xc season.

this week of 81 is my longest week since 2003 :o

nice to hear you got a few miles in this week ghost!

A forced easy week for me - needed several days to get over a bad blister from racing in new spikes last weekend. Did get in 2x 3x400 on Friday in 66-65-64 and an easy 10 today (first run this week without bandaging my heel). I'll do one more hard workout this week then start the real taper.

MF - hope the recovery goes well.

KP - See you on the starting line in Spokane.

JM

5 minutes' worth of running in the halls of my school, where no one could see me.

Rode the bike a lot--road and mtb. Did the elliptical and the Nordictrack.

Two weeks into this injury (the mirror image of January's injury), I'm not appreciably better. The PT says if I'm not better in a week it's time to go see the back doctor. I'm beginning to thing this is a sacro-iliac joint issue, given my symptoms. Nothing has really helped, though.

Man, I really do miss running!

hey everyone. Did a 10 mile race yesterday 7.5 pace and it was hard. Sun and heat. I'm out of shape. I dragged the Giant carbon fiber bike out today for the first time this year and road it in Madison. Biking is a joy and running is a chore. I suppose if you didn't run a person would not know the difference. Keep on movin. TC

Hey Masters,

Just woke up from a much needed nap and a short (which turned long) shopping excursion with the Mrs. Y @ target. She let me get new running socks and some pickles so I could tolerate the "what do you think?" questions on her purchases.

Completed a massive workout week and can honestly say I do not feel any-worse-for-ware! Since we will be on the Oregon Coast vacationing during track Nationals, I have started to run my base training with some little turnover included. Got up every morning and ran an easy 40 minutes and before going home after work did at least the same. Looked at my log and I did the highest mileage for the year, 90 miles. I would never recommend to anyone to jump like that (60-90), but it felt good. Even hit the weights three times this week.

Planning on a 5k double (road) this upcoming weekend and pacing a friend to a good 800m on Weds night to get ready for Nationals.

Weds Paced a friend to a 4:38 mile/then :55 400 five minutes later.

Sat 12 x 200 w/:30 sec rest.

Sun 2 hrs on the trails where the UW XC girls just hammered the pace (for us) the first 90 minutes. They are going to good this Fall. Very fun hanging on with them as the rest of the guys would attest to!

Enjoying the Summer and appreciating not being injured!

tY

Howdy Masters.

Good luck with the orthopedic and the achilles, Old Man. Hopefully we'll have you posting workouts soon.

Got an ego boost during my last hard track workout of the season Saturday. An elder fellow jogging laps in an outside lane asked, "Are you a 440 man?" No, I said, more like a rusty 880 guy. "Well you're sure burning up the track. Are you a college runner?"

I don't know. Maybe his vision was dim. Maybe he was just being kind.

Good luck to everybody tuning up for Spokane.

Have a great week everybody.

Cool trail run on Grand Island in Lake Superior culminated an other wise mundane week.

Fortunately ,stumbled across one of my old collegiate team mates on the web. Good Luck at Spokane, Dave.

Good morning Masters,

I'm still enjoying this summer's track season. Dropped my mile time to 5:18 this week.

My wife, child and I are visiting family in the Seattle area August 5 - 17. I thought I would finish the season by dropping in on the Club NW All-comers series at Shoreline District Stadium the two Wednesdays (6th and 13th).

We will be staying with relatives much of the time but might need to stay in a hotel room the night of the 6th. Can any of you recommend a moderately priced yet nice hotel near the stadium? I'm looking forward to running in the cool of your NW summers.

Grace & Peace.

Will,

Are those NW all comer's meets ongoing?

We will be in Seattle Aug 18 thru Aug 23 and it would be an option if there is something going on.

thanks to anyone who can pass along the details