Training Log Archive: Rosstopher

Another nice day in NY. A pretty hike past a waterfall, an overlook used as a hang gliding launch site, and a woodland pond.

Then also a walk around the town of Dryden to visit with another set of friends. We had to go for a walk because I wasn't allowed inside the house as it was too messy. When have I ever given an indication that I would react badly to a messy house?

C • Messy house... 1

Rest Day. Hanging out with Mom and Dad. Getting to see some of the work that goes into putting on a Rogaine. They are preparing for the US champs next weekend. You could probably still sign up and race . if you acted quickly.

The maps especially look really nice. But my favorite is the part where they go grocery shopping for over 100 people. mmm food.

To work.

home. In the torrential downpour. A car pulled over right in front of me, and gestured for me to stop. It was a very friendly woman and she got out of her car and dug around in the trunk of her car because she thought she had one of those plastic ponchos that you get at baseball games. She wanted me to have it so that I could be dry. It was a really nice gesture, eventhough I was already drenched and she couldn't find it in the end. I like friendly people.

Vetting for the A-meet in the fall. It was a dark and gross night, and I had decided to stop by Baldwin Hill on my way back to Ithaca. I was second guessing myself the entire way, especially because I didn't get to the woods until just before 8pm. It was dark in the forest and wet, but it's a fun area. Didn't get to vet as much as I would have liked, but maybe I can get back again next Saturday.

Weston 5 mile race. what an awesome evening for running. Headed over to the race after work with my friend Rachel. We did some warmup running, and then parted as I headed off to the front of the pack for the start. A nice little cluster of CSU guys on the line consisting of Terry, Kevin and me. Last year I ran 27:30 and this year I wanted to go faster. I got a quick start off the line, not wanting to get mowed over or hemmed in by the horde of hundreds behind me. I eased back after 50 meters or so and cruised behind the lead pack of 4 runners for the first road stretch. Then a pack of runners who hadn't gotten such a good start but were faster than me rolled through me, which left me in about 10th after the first mile (no idea what my first mile was, I didn't see the sign for it and my Garmin was happily sitting on the driver's seat when I got back). There were some great rolling hills on the next section and yet another group of runners pulled up, and by my count that left me in 16th, but these guys were struggling a bit more, and so I was able to keep my relaxed running and keep up with them and start picking them off again. Pushed hard the whole way, about 0.5 miles from the end, one of the runners ahead of me pulled up to a stop and started stretching at his leg, what a crappy place to have to deal with an injury. He kept running but he wasn't able to hold his faster pace and so I got ahead of him as we ran along the only trail section of the race. Then it was a 300 finish on the track. 45 seconds faster than last year and 11th place this time. 8 seconds faster would have been in the top ten, and 1 minute faster would have gotten me third in my age group (important because they gave prizes that deeply).


These are the splits that I took, I don't necessarily believe them so much, but I hit the split button as I passed the signs, so maybe my 3rd mile really was sub 5.
1-
2- 10:44
3- 4:55
4- 5:36
5- 5:28

after there was some cheering for friends (a personal favorite of mine) and some eating of random foods. There were piles of ice cream cups, watermelon, cookies, pizza, sports drink. I had some coconut flavored Owater. seriously, we should contact them to see if they will sponsor our Ameet in the fall. They are local and their name is Owater!

C • one thing 8

Biking to work. Legs feeling a bit tired.

C • Tired 8

Heading over to SGB's for CSU training tonight. Stopped at Trader Joe's because celery was requested and who am I to deny a poor SGB his vice.

Super fun CSU training with SGB, Alex, and Clem. We did a pair simplification exercise. I was paired with SGB and he was much friskier than I today. We took a route around the neighborhood that took in a lot of the hills.

I was pretty exhausted so I had to push really hard to keep up when SGB was leading. We used a nice Open Street Map tonight.

Afterward there was a lot of food that needed to be consumed. mmm. food.

SGB fed, exercised, and groomed me... so I was a happy Ross.

slowly biking home. very full, and legs tired. I think it's too late to rest my legs up for the 5 mile race tomorrow :)

biking to work.

Finally, I left work early enough on a Tuesday to get to CSU track session on time.

warming up before drills and strides. running counterclockwise.

Striding the straights, jogging the curves.

1200 x 2
800 x 2
400 x 2
magic 800

a nice night, feeling very tired beforehand, but an invigorating workout. I felt tired but motivated when I finished. I think that I'm getting a bit faster, which I suppose is the point.

3:46
3:47
2:28
2:32 (very tired on this one, probably did the first intervals a bit too hard)
1:09
1:07
2:34 (magic 800 is run the straights hard and the curves a bit more relaxed)

heading home. I was inspired to do a bit of cooking when I got back. I've been doing my best to clear out the pantry of older half used packages of things. Used up the quinoa. Now I need a good recipe for the rest of the kasha.

Biking to work.

Hills on Summit. Left my Garmin sitting on the kitchen counter so these are timed on my Timex. I just melted tonight, so so hot. I had told myself I was going to do 8, and I stuck it out to finish the 8, but it was a real downward spiral in someways. Was giving a full effort the whole time, but I wasn't drinking enough. I did borrow a woman's garden hose after one of the reps. She was watering her hedge and she let me get a drink when I ran over to ask.

(7:20)
1:54 (3:53)
1:56 (4:04)
1:58 (4:24)
2:02 (4:25)
2:07 (4:31)
2:09 (4:34)
2:10 (5:04) drink
2:10 (13:24)

Biking home. I had hoped to meet up with a visiting Feet and the CSU posse for circuit training by the Charles, but I had pressing plans to do a birthday celebration, so I biked home instead.