Brixx 10K Preview

9.38mi. from Dowd Y @ 1:13:36

I showed up to the Dowd thinking I would just roll into whatever run the group had in mind since I thought the crew would likely be previewing the Hit the Brixx course on Thursday.  Apparently, I was the last to know that Paul had posted his intent to preview today.  This was the first time I realized just how slight the difference was in my strength recovery from Blue Ridge.  I hung slightly back with Shue barely pulling 7:40 pace.  I felt bad for Billy going through the recovery phase also since Paul made it seem effortless again.  I was glad I previewed this morning, but certainly don't think the 10K would be the race for me.

Easy Sunday Funday Recovery Run

Recovery Goal: 1-2 Miles (Just survive the pain.  You'll appreciate it later)
Actual: 1.79mi. @ 22:07

Christi and I painstakingly headed down to Freedom Park for CRC's bi-weekly Sunday Fun Run.  Thankfully, half the field was recovering from BRR, so a number of us agreed to do an easy loop around the park instead of the usual four mile course.  Somehow, for Compton, Christi, Adam, Jessica, Emily, and I this jaunt around the park turned into a casual walk/run with no sign of embarassment.  After returning we hung out and waited for everyone as we cheered on approaching runners.  As if we couldn't get enough of each other from the relay weekend together, 10 of us opted to go to Outback Steakhouse up the street together.  More good times had by all.

Anticipation

Distance: 9mi. @ 7:38

Time: 1:08

This has been a great last 48 hours for me.  I got some great news that could change a number of variables in my life.  On Wednesday, Caitlin put the word out to see if anyone wanted to run at 6AM at McAlpine Thursday instead of at the Dowd.  Naturally, I jumped on this opportunity.  William Isenhour and I met Caitlin in the main parking lot and took off for Old Bell.  I knew the plan was to hold 7:30 for the run.  When I started hitting 7:20, 7:14 in the first few miles, I knew I just had to suck it up and ignore what the watch said.  Being out at the muddy trail surfaces of McAlpine was a nice change from the Colville loop.  We decided to take the greenway all the way down Campbell Creek and back to the course.  I was a little weary of hitting the asphalt considering Caitlin's recent IT band troubles, but she felt fine as we finished up a great run.  Trying to be smart about the effort I put in right before the 50K, I had a nice cycle of falling 10-20m behind then catching up with Cait and Will.  At the end of a 9.15 mile sunrise trot at McAlpine, my average was still 7:38 just as if I had been with all the guys down at the Dowd, but I felt fantastic.  This is exactly why I decided to join Charlotte Running Club in addition to the University City Road Runners in the first place.  Naturally I tried to restrain my excitement, but as much as I become enthralled with our local running celebrities, all I could think was that I finally got to "See Red Run" firsthand. Awesome!  So my last solid run before the big day tomorrow was a nice push for me, and I'm thankful that Will and Cait took it easy sticking with the 7:30 plan.

I joined Allen, Stephanie Sawyer, Emily Hansen, Theoden, Jade, Leonard, Billy, and Bjorn at the Burger Co. for their typical Friday morning lunch.  Filled with great conversation, a little discussion of our plans for the race tomorrow, delicious food, and wonderful friends, I really hope to meet up for this crew on Fridays more often.  I realize that I get excited again and again to think how far I've come since moving to Charlotte, but two years ago, I couldn't possibly imagine learning from and running with some of the greatest minds and fastest legs in the Queen City.  I could be a little nervous leading into my first ultra-marathon tomorrow, but really I've just got great anticipation.

Happy New Year

Goal: 20mi.

Actual: 5k + 9mi.

I had a really late start this morning, because even though we had a fairly tame New Year's Eve, I was up far later than normal last night.  After sleeping in, we decided to drive down to McAlpine just in time for CRC's inaugural Hangover Run 5K instead of logging the warm-up miles from the house to the course.

Just after approaching the starting line, "Ready, Set, Go!" was shouted by el presidente Aaron Linz, and the runner's were off. Of course the front of the pack was led by Paul, Stan, Caleb Boyd, Ben Hovis, maybe Mike Beigay and several others I couldn't see, but I decided to just catch up with Allen and stick it out with him.  Kicking off 2011 with an 90% effort 5K without a warm-up seemed to be a recipe for injury, but I survived with a comfortable 21:12 only getting passed by Michael Kahn with the dual stroller and Todd Capitano who was gracious enough to let me draft off him for a few seconds and not complain.  I finished 12th this morning, but I don't really know what value that would provide. I was just glad to be out there with such a great group.  I got to catch up with Leonard briefly.I finally met Larry and Kathy Seavers, Charlott'es Co-Runner's of the Year.  Great couple, but I'm pretty sure Kathy managed to mistake me for Leonard somehow and all of Larry's Red Sox attire made me a little queazy, but great couple.  After the race, I was sure to pick up another great cold-weather layer from Jordan by Craft of Sweden.  Looks and feels great.

After chat-chitting with a few other runners (Lauren Tilton and her husband Dan, Emily Barrett, Jay Holder, et al) Christi, John Fillette, and I took off for more miles with Leonard and Allen quickly pulling away.  I wanted to be smart and not forget that the Frosty 50K is exactly a week away so John and Christi were sure to take it easy with me.  I enjoyed the early mileage company leading up to Boyd Park, but that's as far as it lasted.  I proceeded to log more miles looping around back to Old Bell and few other varied loops around the XC course.  I tried eating a Nutri-Grain bar on the run per Aaron Linz's advice and I still don't have the technical aspects of this task down pat with very little time to experiment before the race. It was horrid.  With only a couple miles to go before my hilly ascent back up the road to my place, I saw Christi and Layla who had come back just to show me some support for my lonely miles.  After stopping to show some love for my love, I realized how difficult it would be for me to restart, so I called it a day at twelve miles.

Though I only logged 12 today, I still feel pretty good knowing the long run I plan in the morning too will put me at higher mileage for the new year than most of my comrades in the community and I know I started the year off right head and shoulders above my training a year ago.

A Few Good Men

9.02mi. @ 7:43

The numbers were pretty slim this morning as I guess all the usual suspects are still vacationing for the holidays.  We took off for the usual Thursday morning loop from the Dowd, just Kevin, Paul, and Tom Ricks.  Still forging the remaining intensive workouts before the 50K, I was more than pleased when I realized running with only these three guys would mean pushing my comfort zone.  I had some good conversation with Tom before the chilly air made me feel more winded around mile 5... coincidentally where I was forced to start deciding when to re-tie my shoe laces as my kicks came dangerously close to flopping off mid stride.  The inevitable stopping to fix the problem made it a very strong fight to catch up to the group.  Tom split off while I continued to chase.  Truthfully, I spent almost the entire remaining miles just trying to keep Paul and Kevin in eyesight since I still get the loop confused A LOT.  By mile 7, morning commute traffic buzzing around the city, I began to confuse headlights for the reflective properties of their gear.  Thankfully, we were close enough for me to know a pretty direct route back to the Y, thanks to Thunder Road.  Even though that may have been one of my more difficult runs since Thunder Road, and it's somewhat embarrassing to be so easily dropped by the CRC speedsters, I relish the self-improvement.  It serves as a simple reminder as to why I joined CRC in the first place.