20 Mile Sunday Action!!!!

Today was a sweet long run that took Scott and myself all the way into Noble, Oklahoma as we tracked many nice hills about 30 + of them over the course of the run to test the human condition. The run began at around 7:40 am and the heat was just beginning to hit us. The humidity was also up too.  Hydration was a key component to the run because of the conditions.  Amazingly enough, we were able to keep a nice pace throughout the run around the high to mid 6 minute range and even crack a 6:09 closing mile at the 20 mile mark.  The heat at the turn-around was starting to get to me though every water stop we made was like a slice of heaven. By mile 15, we were out of fluids and it was finishing time. My singlet and shorts were soaked from the water and sweat combination on my body.  On days like this I feel like a kenyan, going out on  the trails or roads running to your own limits to prepare for a big race months away.  Today was my Kenyan Day and today I honor Paul Tergat! This man is FASSSSST!  And when the temperature gets hot, you know this man is still out there pushing the limits.  Overall, amazing run with great pace and great aerobic effort. This run has set the tone for a great week of training.  Plus that 5k from yesterday sapped some bounce out of my calves but the new Lunar Glide + in bumble bee yellow are baller shoes that feel great from mile 1 to 20. I always find a way to pick out a shoe I know is going to work. Time to relax with the DR. Pepper Icy and rest on the couch. Sorry Mr. Tergat, we all need to be couch potatoes every once and a while.  Enjoy your Sunday Running World and do not forget to hit the trails!  The sooner the better!

Tulsa Riverside 5000m 4th Place---15:31

Today was the Tulsa Riverside 5000m and the race had a great field.

This race I thought had a series of 2.5 laps but I was wrong.

The morning was nice with a temperature in the mid 70's but humid.  I knew going into the race that if I was in position with the leaders I could win.  From the gun, I was pacing the race with Kyle King a Tulsa running legend.  I just told myself to remain relaxed through the sharp 180 degree turns and to wait to make a move.  I spent the whole race waiting.....and waiting and waiting.  CMON! Make a move!  We were running around 4:50-5 min pace which felt very relaxed.  It was in the second lap that I thought the race had one more half lap to go. I saw something say 4k but it was a miss-print.  Whoops! I began to pick up the tempo and begin to enter my kicking phase. What I did not realize is that we had a whole other 1000m to go which was disappointing.  I felt like I had lost the battle mentally and then fell back behind Kyle King, David Chirchir and then Jerry Faulkner.  That is how the race played out. David Chirchir won the 500 dollar prize with Kyle King then Jerry then me. 15:31 was my overall time which the course runs a little slow with the sharp turns and the humidity. Otherwise, a great effort for me. My last 5k was in November of last year so I would say I ran pretty solid. I was able to score some money 100 dollars which is going into my bank account to buy groceries and other goodies.  It was a fun event and now I have regained my racing edge and I am hungry for more.  What other races are in store for me, I am certain to accept the challenge and gain new insight on running and myself.

Thunderstorm Run, Time off and Race Weekend!

There is a bunch to write about and not enough time but hopefully when I get a spare moment I can recap.

I Ran at lake thunderbird today and it was so nice. 70's oh yeah!  I ran out at the lake and though it was humid, I kept a great pace throughout. I ran some hills and some trails and then finished in a glorious 75 minute run and 12 miles!!!!   For the week I am at a 11.6 mile average and my runs have been great!

I have gone running to view great thunderclouds and intense lightning which is something you would never see in New Jersey to running on the trails of Thunderbird to running with overcast skies which has not happened all summer.

I ran with Connor as well out along the OU stretch and out by Norman high school where we ran some strides to get our legs ready for the Riverside 5k.  60 minutes of work just enough to recover for a 14:30 performance on Saturday if my legs will allow me to.

 I have been rounding into shape and finally my racing schedule begins!!!  I have been so busy with work and graduate school applications that I have had just enough time to run, eat, sleep, work, and just finish chores.  I am so excited about this weekend and I look forward to running fast!

Next up I have the Do Wack a Do trail run in September that I will hope to set the 25k record and run around an hour and a half which would shatter the next best time of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

I may even look into trying to get an ascent/descent record up Mount Scott hopefully for a November effort while the temps begin to cool!

HASTINGS!!!! MOVIES!!!!!!

Run to Hastings! Recovery run of 11.4 miles.

The run was a typical run. Nothing too crazy just going out in the Oklahoma heat and dropping off a movie.  I ran from one side of town all the way to the other side then back again trekking the almost 6 mile one way trip.  Hastings is a pretty awesome store. They give you credit if you return your movies on time as most of the movies I rent from there cost me nothing to rent. I wish there was a store closer to where Ashlee and myself live but what can you do.  Anyway, I am getting too anxious to race as I sit on my computer looking up various races I could enter in.  I think it is the excitement of racing since Mount Washington was my last race and training at this point has been the same old.  It is hot and I would like to win some gift certificates or money or grocery coupons or something!  Grad school work is coming along as I send out those emails and GRE studying has commenced!

Out on the Roads!!

1 hour and 26 minutes 58 seconds!   15.7 miles!  With this water bottle, I can go longer and longer! Today I ran hills off from Alameda and then 60th ave.  I looped up towards Tecumseh and then ran out towards 12th ave and then back home.  It was not as hot as it has been this morning but it was HUMID! I chugged the gatorade in my hydration bottle in the first 20 minutes of the run then I was in conserve mode and kept the last 8 ounces as a keep-sake.  I feel like my endurance is fantastic right now and I am itching to race and show what I am made of.

I am excited about becoming a real pro trail runner and the responsibilities that come with it.  Pretty soon I can apply for sponsorship with Inov 8, Montrail, La Sportiva and North Face to see if maybe I can get some financial backing or other deals.  I have run pretty fast times but I just need more wins and more race exposure. Trail running is growing and I am excited with the direction of the sport.  I would like to be apart of this growing trend and to help revolutionize the way people think about running and really how much fun and challenging it can be!

Hell On Earth!

For the whole summer, Oklahoma has been at the epi-center for the hottest section in the whole country. No where else is as hot as this state. Las Vegas and Arizona have been cooler!  Today's run was great and my water bottle is so essential when it is almost 100 degrees by 9:30 am are you serious!!!!  I ran out to Noble through the downtown and back and was able to run 1 hour and 45 minutes!  I ran about 16-17 miles and my pace was strong as I set out to run at 7:30 am.  Here is a picture of Norman in the summertime, nice huh, well that was when there was rain. All that green has vanished as the earth begins to crack and water supplies continue to dwindle.  Water is going to become the next big commodity all across the world.  I am going to look into new pairs of shoes for my next stint of training.  I liked the Lunar Elites I have but the toebox seems to be a little snug. So I think the Lunarswift will provide me the same flex and light-weight support with a wider toe box. Let me tell you that lunar foam is awesome and in the Oklahoma heat, a breathable and light shoe is a must!

Beat That Heat!

It has been so hot around Oklahoma it makes me want to move in the worst way.  I wake up and run at 7 am and I am greeted by 80-85 degree temps right off the bat.  This sucks believe me.  I took a nice nap and then was able to go out and get some errands done in 107 degree heat. Yuk. Well at least if I want to run a Desert Race, I am well-equipped to do so.  Today I ran by OK runner and was able to get 1 hour and 30 mins of running in and yesterday began my week with a 45 min jog in the evening up by Summit Lakes.  The heat has been my main topic as of late  but anyone and everyone around the country knows what is up. It is hot so drink those fluids and take those rest breaks if at all possible, because it may just save your life.

I am starting to work on graduate school decisions and compiling all of my work for that.  I have a bright future and my running career I hope is going to take off soon.  My job at Belmar has been tough because of the heat and I am hoping I can grab some hours at OK runner to help me get away from the outside and to work somewhere that I do not feel insignificant at.