Redbud 10k!!!! Day with Ashlee!

The photos from the day at Redbud right near Oklahoma City Golf and COuntry Club through the nice homes of Nicholls Hills.

To sum up the race it was a little warm and extremely windy, windy enough to make any fast runner become slowed by the 40mph gusts.

Redbud was the first large-scale 5k/10k I have ever run. The race was huge with people ranging in the thousands like maybe 6 thousand runners.  The race also took place at the heat of the day at 2pm which for running fast is not always the best thing.  I though there might be some real competition but unfortunately, Oklahoma really does not bring the thunder with super fast road racers except if they were a Kenyan from OSU.  The course was rolling which suited me great but the strong cross and headwinds did not as the 40mph winds just sucked my 5:10 pace right out of me.  My first 5k was solid but the last one suffered as 5:10 pace became 5:30 pace as my overall time was 33:30 or so which translates to like 16:40's.  This was not a fast time but at least I kept a controlled effort the whole way even though I stopped for maybe 20 seconds to 30 seconds to scarf down some gatorade because I was dehydrated and had bad muscles cramps in my stomach.  All in all, my new Karhu Flow kicked major bush and thank you to Jordan Kinley for that sweet deal on the shoes.  I would also like to thank Ashlee for her support and hard effort running to the finish a long hilly mile away and my sponsors, Backwoods, OK Runner and Acidotic Racing for all the gear that makes me perform my very best.

Advice for those who proceed me in the Redbud:

Rule 1: Hydrate, Hydrate Hydrate

Rule 2: Run the hills controlled and you will be fine.

Rule 3: At the last 2 miles you cross into 5k finishers, shove them, yell at them do all that it takes to show you are running twice their distance and much faster than them and you deserve some space.

Rule 3: If the day is windy, drafting off of someone is a necessity.  That wind this year was insane!!!!!

Rule 4: If you place in the top 3, no need to stay for the awards as everyone leaves and you are left with the band just chilling.

Rule 5 and Final Rule: I am sorry but Redbud is not such a high profile race as it used to be as prize money does not exist nor does really fast competition.  Run this race for training or for fun as it will not be the best race to run your best time if you are ultra-competitive. If you are a mid-pack runner then this event is great as you have thousands of people with you along the way!

Here is a link to the picture of me from the race http://newsok.com/photo/pid/1696434

OH AND 1 MORE RULE: If you Burn easily, wear sunblock as I got a little sun because of the time of day...now I have to apply aloe.....ugh!

AND THIS RACE DOES GIVE PAPER COVERAGE WHICH IS NICE....

http://newsok.com/davis-crosby-win-redbud-classic-10k/article/3666862

RUNNING IN A TORNADO!!!! FRIDAY THE 13th

So I decided to run before a bunch of rain and to make matters short, I was running in the middle of a tornado that roared through Norman, OK this afternoon at 4:01pm.


I texted Ashlee where I would be heading which was 36th and Cedar Lane out towards Noble.  The thing was, I never expected the storm to be so severe. I made the stupid mistake of leaving my phone at home with the fear that a heavy rain would destroy the phone.  I began my run with the dangerous storm at my back as violent lightning and a sky as dark as midnight approached. People were driving by the thousands it seemed out on the country roads and like "bats out of hell" too.  As I made the crossing over Highway 9, a woman dragged me into her SUV as she yelled to me that there was a tornado right on the OU campus near the Weather Center and highway 9.  It was scary and even scary-er to know that Ashlee was on her way home from work and that I was out in the wilderness away from her and the cats.  I knew she would be terrified. ANd so the phone tag game began. I kept calling her but the phone would not send the signal.  I kept trying and trying but no go.

Then I had arrived at the woman's house right near the Noble middle school about 7-10 miles from the tornado. We could see it swirling around and in that moment I saw my very first tornado.  There I met Jenn Kennedy who worked at Belmar and I hung out with them as I finally was able to reach Ashlee and boy was it a relief.  I had run a total of 39 minutes almost at my turn-around point only to find I was in the middle of a tornado.  After all was done, I was reunited with Ashlee as we had the chance to relax after the crazy afternoon festivities.

OKC Marathon Preparation and FastPacking

Here is a link that explains all about what fastpacking is http://www.seriousrunning.com/blog/trail-running/fast-packing-is-extreme-trail-running/

As far as training has come, I have run with Ashlee and a fast-paced 72 minute night run through the OU campus, a Friday work-day where running to grab clubs and golf carts exhausted my body and today I ran a nice hilly Noble run out along 36th street.


It is almost time to move from Oklahoma and head out towards New Jersey and New York.  I look forward to trying out fastpacking out in the Catskill Mountains and the Adirondacks of NY.

My Running is coming along nicely as sleep and recovery are making me strong and ready for a fast marathon. Bring it on OKC!!!!

Future dreams as of now would be to be sponsored by Marmot. They make great outdoor equipment and apparel and I would love to grab my hands on a fast pack of their own the Kompressor!

And for those who do not know what fastpacking is....this sport is growing in the trail running community as adventure running where you take a minimal trail backpack about 20-30 liter capacity and pack your bare essentials and then trail run and camp out for at least a day out in the wilderness. I look forward to doing such adventures in the near future.

Training Since Thursday---Has been AMAZING. I have run mileage and felt great. Some days I go fast and shorter say 10-11 miles and other days long and steady like 2 hours or 1 hour 30 minutes.  

Monday I ran with Scott Downard all along OU and Norman. Got a nice effort in like 1 hour and 30 minutes or so and I feel great.  Once Ashlee wakes up from a nap, we are going for a fun running adventure later and I cannot wait.  

Fun run out on Alameda to 72nd street. Nice hills and a nice sunset. My next pack of the day is the Salomon XA 20 liter bag which is waterproof and has great features for adventure racing and fastpacking.

Potential Remaining Race Calendar for Oklahoma

SO I still have some time left before the big move and I am looking into what races to run.



April 7th --- Lake McMurtry Trail Race  Stillwater, OK

April 15---- Redbud Classic---OKC


April 29th---- OKC Marathon

May 12---  Cavanal Killer 8k----Poteau, OK



Sunday---Run to see Ashlee at Husdsons....17 miles---It was a nice night-time run that took me out on Main street, Robinson, over to Ok Runner, over to Hudsons, to Bank of America and then by the Sooner Mall and Hollywood Theatre and then back on Robinson. It was a nice long run and the cool air felt so good since I am not totally acclimated to 80 degree weather just yet.

Tuesday--- 7 miles of running at Belmar Golf Club. It was a little warm but a nice fast-paced tempo on the grass of the course.

Wednesday---13 mile run from Embassy Suites at night all around Rock Creek Road and the Polo fields.

Thursday--Run as the sun sets out on the hills of Norman.  All the way out to 72nd...nice long loop to Highway 9 and back.  15 miles

Friday---Night run out to Robinson. Beautiful stars in the sky and a nice humid evening to help acclimate me to the weather I might face at OKC.  Fast run of 11.32 miles at 5:36 PACE!

Saturday-- Nice run of 84 minutes running in  the warmth that is now Summer in Oklahoma.  It is the last day of March and running out here is crazy already and feels like mid-July in New Jersey.

Sunday--Night Run around OU campus...a little cooler than 90 degrees and it was a sweaty humid run but felt good with my mid-day nap out of the way.  Logged 70 minutes or so.

Night Rider

Friday--- night run of 12 miles in 75 fartlek with 5 mile pick-up



Saturday---Run of 1 hour and 32 minutes on Cedar Lane and Weather Tower up on THE HILL.


Sunday-- 15 min  run to my car parked at Bison Witches

Monday-Torrential rain and a run on Alameda with my Inov 8 shoes up and through the pounding rain and almost out towards Lake Thunderbird. There is something so special about running in the rain. There is this sense of peace that comes with it and today was no different.  It is time to get the extra miles in before OKC and I am training hard, working hard, and working with Ashlee to get everything in order for our move to NJ and NY. Today was a run of about say 13-14 miles!

Tuesday--- Nice run out on 36th then a loop on Rock Creek through Sutton Wilderness and then back home. I ran about 76 minutes and to describe the run, I was floating. Everything felt effortless and that is a great sign for my upcoming marathon and for any other races I can run in to prep for the big show.

Wednesday---Run out to Bank of America. The sun was out and the rain has subsided. It was a gorgeous day with the morning temps in the 50's. I ran with my fanny pack out to the bank and then through the OU campus back home. I feel really good and I am so excited to race the marathon in my pair of new Karhu shoes that Jordan Kinley  is so generously helping me out with!  Karhu is a very interesting brand and it is known for really great color patterns and designs and a shoe that focuses on the natural gait of a runner!


Thursday--- Run with Kelly Waters. Easy run of 35 with her out to the OU track and we did some strides and then I left and ran the last 48 minutes on my lonesome to get in some extra miles.  The day was beautiful as the rain ended and the weather became perfect and sunny.

Friday---Run out to Lake THunderbird. I parked at the lodge and then ran out towards the campsites on the shoreline. I was impressed with all the cars now vacating the once barren park because it is officially spring and the weather is AMAZING.  I ran along some of the trails of Indian Point and then headed back out towards 120th street. 120th is by far the toughest road to run on here in Norman.  The hills are long and brutal and just as many as Cedar Lane and some of the other spots.  The road begins with a long gradual 1.5 mile incline at 8% grade which is pretty tough. Then once you crest the top, a downhill followed by a nice long uphill again and repeat it all over again and again and again.  I ran at 6 as the sun as low in the sky and the reflections of the sun off of the water presented the most magnificent golden hue I have ever seen.  I love Lake Thunderbird runs and today was a hard run with strong pace increases and a blazing 4:48 finishing mile up and down some hills that can really test the runner. It felt great to set a new PR on this section after a 14 mile run as my personal best came almost a year ago when I ran 70 minutes and split a 5:06 last mile or so. Today, I was on top of the game and this is all great news for OKC marathon race day.

I am so thankful that OKC will be my closing of a great 5 years here in Oklahoma where I have molded myself into a real runner and a stronger more mature person.

Sunday---Rain and ALLL

I went out for a nice Sunday run and decided that 75 minutes would be enough. I still had that fatigued feeling in my body and made the effort to enjoy the run in the rain.  It felt great to have some rain and my new Salomon jacket really is great with rain and the cold damp weather conditions. I ran some hills and this weather will be short-lived as 70's and 80's are in store for the area for eternity.


Monday---Run with Ashlee. It was hot as we made a 26 minute loop out of a Norman bike outing.  She rode her bike and I tired to keep pace. The temperature was around 79 and my body was tired from the week of running so it was hard to keep up but I made the effort to put in some nice speed work.  Ran maybe 3 miles or so.  (AM)

(PM)---Ran up to Summit Lakes development and just did a nice loop out towards East Lindsey.  The moon was covered by the clouds and it made for a very dark and erie run but it was nice to have the solace of the night on my side.  50 minutes was the total time of the run as I amassed about 75 mins for the day.  I caught a leisure biker out on the sidewalk and scared the living daylights out of him which was funny. I bet he never thought that a skinny white kid could run so fast!


Tuesday-- 1 hour 38 minute run with Scott Downard out on the hills of East Norman.

Wednesday--- 65 minute swampy humid run out to Cedar Lane. Ran real easy and now I work a 11 hour day at the club.

Sooner 10k--Last Time out

Saturday was the Sooner 10k where I have been the defending champion for the past 2 years. This year was indeed my last and I wanted to go out a victor. It was a nice cool morning as my Puma gloves gave me just the right amount of warmth.  From the gun, I ran really controlled as I hit mile 1 in 4:58. Hovering right around 5 minute pace was where I wanted to be.  As I proceeded throughout the race, I felt that I might be just a tad tired from running long mileage days Wednesday and Thursday and I my legs just recovered from my fast trail run.  I made the move to slow down and stay relaxed.  I slowed to a 15:40 first 5k and then continued to hover around 5:20 a mile for the remainder of the race.  My strength from the gun was all that was needed to secure the win as I enjoyed my last go at the race. I crossed the line in 32:10 and some change and though it was not a fast time, I still felt great considering I was pretty tired and my legs did not have the extra gears today.  Now, I can rest up and really hit marathon form!  OKC is right around the corner!