106...It is Hot Out There--Mount Scott Preview

Now that I have finished work and I wait for the sun to crest over the horizon, I have my sights set on Mount Scott.  Mount Scott is the tallest peak in the state of Oklahoma and at one time had a 5k race up to the summit.  Though the race may not exist, I want to attempt to break the course record of 21:04 set by Gilbert Limo in 2006.  Mount Scott has an average grade of 7% which is half of Mount Washington and half the distance too.  The peak is 2,464 feet as according to Wikipedia and was around since the Dinosaurs.  This to me is like my Mount Washington, my Colorado Rockies. Yes, it is a small peak in retrospect but it is at least something and certainly a challenge.  Before I head East for graduate school, I have the goal in mind to do something like Kilian Jornet- ascent the mountain and then run down it as fast as possible to set a record of strength and endurance that a true Oklahoman would be proud of.

I wish the race still existed though it might in myth, I am going to run up this mountain and do so in 21:03 or faster.

More to come about tonight's run but I can tell you I am excited to document my journey to Scott. Thank you La Sportiva for the response to my email.  As you know  I am looking for sponsorship with a trail running brand and I am a potential future prospect with the team.  That to me is exciting and I look forward to continuing my running adventure maybe with La Sportiva and OK Runner.  Thank you Gus and company for all the help and support your store gives me plus we have a sweet LOGO which makes you feel cool and fast as you run by people!




Heat Run of 60 minutes! When the temperature is over 100 the run is pedestrian but it helps acclimate the body for extreme conditions.  The run felt great considering the heat and now it is time to celebrate my buddy Clayton's birthday!!!! Overall, a tough day but there is hope for nicer Oklahoma days.

Freshman Move In Day? Car Accidents Out on East Lindsey Hills?

All I have to say is I am struggling right now.  This summer heat is driving me crazy as every run becomes a bout for survival. And to top things off, The sun decides "Hey lets mess with Cole by coming out of the clouds just as he runs so the temperature can instantly rise 10 more degrees but we will place 70% humidity as a factor too HAHAHAHAHAHA".  And Today I wanted to get in some hills since I do need as much vertical gain I can get around here in flat Oklahoma if I can have any chance against  the best mountain runners in the country.  Well I maybe crested 3 hills then a serious car accident between a minivan and a truck met almost head-on sending both people in the vehicle to the hospital in critical condition...my prayers are with them and their families.  So I spent a good chunk of time once I saw the collision making sure the people were okay as myself and another man pried these bloodied people out of their vehicles as I got covered in blood and I was wearing a nice white running top---(now in the washer). This incident was not the first time  I witnessed an accident running out on the hills of east Norman.  Today it was out on Alameda, last time it was out on Robinson.  All I have to say is what the heck.  I spent 45 minutes detailing what I saw then once I was free it was already 10 am and it had become hot!

Freshmen move-in day is today so I headed to campus to see if I could snag some free stuff. I was also in dire need of some water.  I get to campus and the place is a ZOO!  Parents and students and crazy Borat kids in man thongs go speeding by me.   I turned the run into a tempo as the campus loop was all in 5:30-5:50 pace. I was whizzing by people as my body glistened from all the sweat. Oh yeah, I also stopped by a bathroom on campus and smudged some of the blood off of my shirt so that it did not look like I was a mass murderer or something.  I really wanted a new laundry bag which they usually have at this event but no such luck. I looked at every kiosk but no go so I headed back disappointed.

(This is what both cars looked like after the crash--Pretty bad when your both going 65)


This fall is going to be busy for me...I have to take the GRE, Apply to graduate school programs, Forward my transcripts, get letters of recommendations, forward my resume, and give personal statements all while working 40-50 hours a week and training and racing hard so I can be sponsored by a rad company like La Sportiva if they ever respond to my requests.  There is so much going on and I am a little tired of all the craziness.  I just have to do my best and get things done and everything will work out.  I thought graduating would be a release from the rigors of work but it really never ends does it!


Day 1 run--Campus Loop/Canadian River ---76 minutes---12-13 miles

Day 2---Hills then Campus Loop To Law Library and back---13-14 miles

The Oklahoma Death Race

71:34---Pure pain---too hot---105 degrees---high humidity and climbing---Death!


To sum up my evening run the above equation tells the whole story. It was hot, the humidity was rising and my body was already depleted from working hard at Belmar golf club and for some reason, I was in a greater demand for water and fluids.  The run was slow and painful as my gut was doing 360s over and over again.  I had my hydration bottle that has Powerade in it though the essential fluids were not really helping me like usual. I struggled throughout the run and just was able to survive. I am very tired as I write this and I am grateful I survived the run.  Now I can rest up for tomorrow's morning run and workday.

Sore Muscles--20 mile run hangover

After the strong 20 miler, I decided to go run for a nice 10.5 miles or so.  I ran around the University of Oklahoma campus and let me tell you school is right around the corner.  Students are out and about trying to learn the campus and figure out their bearings in a new environment.  It was fun to feel that  energy and to know that I do not have to worry about class for now as  I work on graduate school applications soon.   The run was nice and easy since my legs have been tight.  The highlight of the run was stepping into a huge mud puddle and coloring my bright yellow nikes into Brown piles of mush. I found a sprinkler and then vigorously cleansed those bad boys then headed back home.  I am excited about my races I will run this fall as I begin to reach a new level of fitness that can be refined and sharpened.

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!