With the majority of the team having completed the workout yesterday, today was a three man effort: Potter, who took the day off to ease his aching back; Matt OC, who went home with a stomach ache yesterday probably hoping to skip the workout, and Abernathy, who ran 41 laps on the track. It was test day; everything was going to be fast. Matt had the option to either run with Alex (two 4x200s) or me (8x400). Alex convinced him to do his first ever 800 workout because of the 8 minute rest in between the 4x200s.
It was defiantly a hard workout, but it went really well. I was knocking out 67s and 68s while Alex and Matt were consistently hitting around 30. They even dropped a 28 in there which was a 200 PR for Matt.
After practice, we discovered how many DeSmet runners it takes to tape ice to someone’s back. Being cautious Coach asked Potter to put ice on his back after practice. He had to go to the meet so I said I would do it. I had no idea what I was getting into. We went into the trainer’s room and Matt followed. Even his help was not enough; the three of us were defeated by the ice. Four bags of ice and lots of rap wouldn’t do it. Lucky, Coach Williams appeared and saved the day with so handy work. The secret was to do a couple raps in X form.
Quote of the Day: “It must be Skittles day” – Coach Traughber referring to the three of wearing colorful shorts. Alex had red, Matt had Yellow, and I had Orange.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A Dream Come True
Again this is another personal reflection.
Coming into today’s practice, I knew I had a unique opportunity. I was on a different schedule because of the double yesterday. The other Varsity guys had a workout, and the rest of the team had a simple AE run. Coach called me over at the beginning of practice and said I could pretty much do whatever I wanted for my run today since I was on my own. I had planned on this happening and decided what I wanted to do the night before. Coach said maybe a Spoede loop. A couple guys suggested the awesome new run they did earlier. I didn’t want any of these. Today was destined for greater things.
This greatness was the 40 Laps on the Track Day. Finally, my opportunity had come. As some people know, I have been asking for this run since the beginning of cross country. Seriously, what could be better than a long run (10 miles) on the track? I’ll answer that- Nothing! I had been waiting so long for and it was here; I was so excited.
Starting at the 300, I ran the first 4 laps with the guys doing the workout. The group atmosphere was nice, but it was gone after 7 minutes and 20 seconds. You’d think things would go done hill from here, but they only got better. Watching the workout get destroyed by everyone, I knocked out one lap at a time. After 10, I got in my first reverse. When you’re doing 40 laps on the track you have to reverse. Lap after Lap head on into traffic, and then boom- 20 laps done, half way, and time for a water stop. I was at 35:05 which was just about perfect as I was supposed to run about 70 minutes overall.
With another reverse, I was back out there. This was the big 10 laps. I was cursing. I didn’t have any idea how fast I was going so I decided to time on mile. So, I borrowed Potter’s watch and after 4 laps melted away, only 6 minutes and 29 seconds had ticked by. Just as I had thought, I was going fast. Hearing encouraging words from coach, who thought I was crazy, and other runners, I made another reverse. It was at last the home stretch. Only 10 laps to go before my dream was realized. This short gave me the added strength to press on. 38, 39, 40! I had done it. 40 Laps on the track – 10 full miles. 69:15, a big negative. And being under seventy, I even pressed on and surpassed the goal running a lap and quarter more.
After 41 laps and about 71 minutes, the workout was complete. I had finally accomplished what I had been waiting so long to do. You may ask how it was. Simply, it was awesome, so much better than I had expected. I had a blast. I ran in circles like a crazy man and enjoyed every minute of it.
Best Dressed: kabes. He wore the trainer shirt that he designed. But what made it best dressed was its perfect match with his shorts. The dominant gray of the shirt matched the accent gray on the bottom and the light-blue words matched the main color of the shorts. It was a fairly week field and this coordination was far above the rest.
Coming into today’s practice, I knew I had a unique opportunity. I was on a different schedule because of the double yesterday. The other Varsity guys had a workout, and the rest of the team had a simple AE run. Coach called me over at the beginning of practice and said I could pretty much do whatever I wanted for my run today since I was on my own. I had planned on this happening and decided what I wanted to do the night before. Coach said maybe a Spoede loop. A couple guys suggested the awesome new run they did earlier. I didn’t want any of these. Today was destined for greater things.
This greatness was the 40 Laps on the Track Day. Finally, my opportunity had come. As some people know, I have been asking for this run since the beginning of cross country. Seriously, what could be better than a long run (10 miles) on the track? I’ll answer that- Nothing! I had been waiting so long for and it was here; I was so excited.
Starting at the 300, I ran the first 4 laps with the guys doing the workout. The group atmosphere was nice, but it was gone after 7 minutes and 20 seconds. You’d think things would go done hill from here, but they only got better. Watching the workout get destroyed by everyone, I knocked out one lap at a time. After 10, I got in my first reverse. When you’re doing 40 laps on the track you have to reverse. Lap after Lap head on into traffic, and then boom- 20 laps done, half way, and time for a water stop. I was at 35:05 which was just about perfect as I was supposed to run about 70 minutes overall.
With another reverse, I was back out there. This was the big 10 laps. I was cursing. I didn’t have any idea how fast I was going so I decided to time on mile. So, I borrowed Potter’s watch and after 4 laps melted away, only 6 minutes and 29 seconds had ticked by. Just as I had thought, I was going fast. Hearing encouraging words from coach, who thought I was crazy, and other runners, I made another reverse. It was at last the home stretch. Only 10 laps to go before my dream was realized. This short gave me the added strength to press on. 38, 39, 40! I had done it. 40 Laps on the track – 10 full miles. 69:15, a big negative. And being under seventy, I even pressed on and surpassed the goal running a lap and quarter more.
After 41 laps and about 71 minutes, the workout was complete. I had finally accomplished what I had been waiting so long to do. You may ask how it was. Simply, it was awesome, so much better than I had expected. I had a blast. I ran in circles like a crazy man and enjoyed every minute of it.
Best Dressed: kabes. He wore the trainer shirt that he designed. But what made it best dressed was its perfect match with his shorts. The dominant gray of the shirt matched the accent gray on the bottom and the light-blue words matched the main color of the shorts. It was a fairly week field and this coordination was far above the rest.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Seeing Double
This is a personal reflection of my day. Today, I ran what I considered to be my first ever double. Once last year, I ran a 4x8 and a 4x4 at the same meet and this year at All-Catholic I ran the mile and the 4x4. But, I don’t count those meets. One of the two races was a 400, one lap; that’s nothing. Today was the big double, the real double. Mile & two mile, 1600 & 3200, 4 laps & 8 laps.
After school I traveled to Vianney with Goetz. I was unsure but confident. I had a tough task ahead of me. I knew that I would be up front in both of the races, but I didn’t know who I’d be racing. Watched the other guys run the first couple events of the meet. Then I warmed up and ran by Coach’s house.
Shortly before the mile began, I learned that there was a Webster runner who can run 4:30s. Right before going to lane one Rob gave me some great advice that I try to remember before all my races. He simply said, “Have fun.” Coach Russo gave me my 200 split and I was in the back of the race but right on pace. We came around the last turn onto the straightaway and the field put on the brakes. I came though the first lap too slow. I moved up into 2nd behind the Webster kid on the second lap. I felt like we were doing fine but I came through slow again. So I made my move and lead the rest of the way and finished in 4:34. This extended my winning streak to three races. It was a little slower than I wanted to be, but I was all on my own for the second half.
After the race, I had a nice chat with Coach and Rob. I always enjoy discussing the race and getting pointers from them. We talked about my form because it was a little off this race. Because I was slightly upset over the time, they reminded me that I ran a great race. I had an hour and a half before I was got back on the black track for twice as many laps. I grabbed my Lemon-lime Gatorade (the best flavor) and relaxed and talked for a bit.
What seemed like a short time later, I checked my watch and saw that I had 20 minutes before the two mile. I decided to start getting loose. Ran a couple laps, stretched, and some drills and strides. Before I knew it I was on the line again. Next to me was SLUH senior Bill Gabeler. He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll meet, and he brings an amazing attitude to the sport. I got have a nice little talk with him before the race.
The race went pretty well. Got out a little over pace running the first mile in 5:06. Obviously laps 5 and 6 came next, but I sorta fell asleep, lost my focus. I was just running and paying attention and stopped closing on the leaders. It was with about 700 meters left that I clicked back in. Bill was starting to fade and I realized I could catch him. I made a big move and finished the rest of the very well. I passed Bill and got third place with a 10:13. Afterwards, he told me how impressed he was with my move.
It was a tough day. I ran a couple good races and brought home a couple medals. All-in-all it was very good and I had fun.
After school I traveled to Vianney with Goetz. I was unsure but confident. I had a tough task ahead of me. I knew that I would be up front in both of the races, but I didn’t know who I’d be racing. Watched the other guys run the first couple events of the meet. Then I warmed up and ran by Coach’s house.
Shortly before the mile began, I learned that there was a Webster runner who can run 4:30s. Right before going to lane one Rob gave me some great advice that I try to remember before all my races. He simply said, “Have fun.” Coach Russo gave me my 200 split and I was in the back of the race but right on pace. We came around the last turn onto the straightaway and the field put on the brakes. I came though the first lap too slow. I moved up into 2nd behind the Webster kid on the second lap. I felt like we were doing fine but I came through slow again. So I made my move and lead the rest of the way and finished in 4:34. This extended my winning streak to three races. It was a little slower than I wanted to be, but I was all on my own for the second half.
After the race, I had a nice chat with Coach and Rob. I always enjoy discussing the race and getting pointers from them. We talked about my form because it was a little off this race. Because I was slightly upset over the time, they reminded me that I ran a great race. I had an hour and a half before I was got back on the black track for twice as many laps. I grabbed my Lemon-lime Gatorade (the best flavor) and relaxed and talked for a bit.
What seemed like a short time later, I checked my watch and saw that I had 20 minutes before the two mile. I decided to start getting loose. Ran a couple laps, stretched, and some drills and strides. Before I knew it I was on the line again. Next to me was SLUH senior Bill Gabeler. He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll meet, and he brings an amazing attitude to the sport. I got have a nice little talk with him before the race.
The race went pretty well. Got out a little over pace running the first mile in 5:06. Obviously laps 5 and 6 came next, but I sorta fell asleep, lost my focus. I was just running and paying attention and stopped closing on the leaders. It was with about 700 meters left that I clicked back in. Bill was starting to fade and I realized I could catch him. I made a big move and finished the rest of the very well. I passed Bill and got third place with a 10:13. Afterwards, he told me how impressed he was with my move.
It was a tough day. I ran a couple good races and brought home a couple medals. All-in-all it was very good and I had fun.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Mellow Monday
For today’s practice, I got to run with some guys that I haven’t run with all season. It was different and made the pre-race Mosley rather enjoyable. Other guys had a workout on the track that went well. It was the second straight practice with a celebrity appearance. This time it was former Spartan distance runner and current Big River employee Rob Garwitz. It’s always nice to have alumni come back and offer encouragement and expertise.
Milkman’s Minute: Coach Leeman, aka the Milkman, started a new thing this week and I wanted to extend it to the blog. He selected four runners to be the first ever “Milkman’s Runners of the Week.” With the new prestigious award comes recognition on the bulletin board and a free Chocolate Milk. This week’s winners were Abernathy- 1600 (4:29), O’Brien- 800 (2:23), M. Callahan-3200 (11:24), and Husmann- 1600 (5:03). Along with all this he included an inspirational running quote: “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare" – Juma Ikangaa 1989 New York City Marathon Champion.
Quote of the Day: “I’m prepared for all weather; I just left my other clothes inside and I don’t want to waste any of your valuable time” – Coach Traughber to the team upon borrowing Hillmer’s hoodie. Hillmer showed that even as a freshmen he knows what it means to be a Man for Others.
Best Dressed: Bob. He might have been a little behind the times, but it was still a great look. He had dark blue matching hat-shorts. Even though, it was not the weather he was planning on (it got a little cool today), the short-shorts, a new thing for Bob, worked just fine. To make it even more legit, the shorts say Chicago Marathon on the back.
Milkman’s Minute: Coach Leeman, aka the Milkman, started a new thing this week and I wanted to extend it to the blog. He selected four runners to be the first ever “Milkman’s Runners of the Week.” With the new prestigious award comes recognition on the bulletin board and a free Chocolate Milk. This week’s winners were Abernathy- 1600 (4:29), O’Brien- 800 (2:23), M. Callahan-3200 (11:24), and Husmann- 1600 (5:03). Along with all this he included an inspirational running quote: “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare" – Juma Ikangaa 1989 New York City Marathon Champion.
Quote of the Day: “I’m prepared for all weather; I just left my other clothes inside and I don’t want to waste any of your valuable time” – Coach Traughber to the team upon borrowing Hillmer’s hoodie. Hillmer showed that even as a freshmen he knows what it means to be a Man for Others.
Best Dressed: Bob. He might have been a little behind the times, but it was still a great look. He had dark blue matching hat-shorts. Even though, it was not the weather he was planning on (it got a little cool today), the short-shorts, a new thing for Bob, worked just fine. To make it even more legit, the shorts say Chicago Marathon on the back.
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