November/December 2018 Training

After running the Dublin Marathon at the end of October I took a very easy week, then started my transition back into some sort of normal training.  PT was going good and my injury felt better and better, but I was good throughout November and still kept super minimal mileage, trying to gain some fitness.

I ran a total of 150.2 miles with a long run of just under 9 miles and only 3 days off from running.

December, I kept the progression of longer and longer runs going.  I ran everyday but one, I raced once, I did a couple short work outs and I did some long runs.

I ran a total of 239.7 miles, ran two 13 mile runs and a 14 mile run.

Looking back to my runs in the middle to the end of November, I was generally averaging 7:15 to 7:30 pace with a few runs more upbeat.  I ran the TNT Thanksgiving morning run a hilly course in West Greenwich and was happy to run 7:05 pace...but was beat doing it.

Fast forward to the middle to the end of December and my pace has gotten faster in most runs, with much less effort.  I have been able to finish some longer runs fairly strong.

The race went better than expected at the start of December, I was surprised top be able to run lowish 6's for 6 miles.  I also ran Nooseneck under 7 min pace, feeling good.  That was a great improvement over the TNT Thanksgiving run.

All in all the last 2 months were productive.  I was happy to get back to doing regular Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday group runs.  Hopefully January will continue in the right direction!

Knead Donut Run

Wall outside Knead, Downtown Providence

2018 Year in Review

Year in review...
Training and racing wise, this year was a bust.  A stupid downed tree that I thought nothing of jumping over back in May pretty much crushed all dreams of running fast this year, it also gave me the most zero days I probably have ever had since I started running.

The last few weeks I have been slowly building fitness, run by run.  I am still as fat as ever, but hopefully with more continued training, that will alleviate itself sooner rather than later.

Here is my year by the numbers...

• Races run: 15
• Race breakdown by terrain: Road - 8, Trail - 5, Indoor Track - 2
• Best Finish: 2nd
• Miles run: 2,084.3 mi - Lowest year since 2013
• Elevation run:  73,255 ft
• Most elevation gain in a single run: 2290 ft
• Time run: 258h 17m
• Days with no running: 81 (WOW!)
• Lowest mileage week: 2.0 (injured)
• Highest mileage week: 79.5 (that's pathetic)
• Highest mileage day: 26.7 (marathon and WU)
• Longest running streak: 74 days
• Longest non-running streak: 5 days
• Number of segment CRs: 12
• Number of states run in: 4
• Number of countries run in: 2
• Run furthest from home: Ireland
• Miles Biked: 369.9 mi

Soapstone Mountain

Frank Nealon 15k

Merrimack River Trail Race

Doyle's Emerald Necklace 5 Mile

2019...

Same ol' same ol' here.  Get back into shape and try to race well.  I have a great group of guys to train with on pretty much a daily basis, so I have no excuses, other than ensuring I don't ramp up to quick and mess shit up.  I am still going to PT for my injury and I still have some pain/tightness in that area...but it is getting better.

We have a huge group of runners doing Boston this year, so that is the first "bigger" race on the calendar.  First, I have the KKC.  I really need to start ramping up the peppiness in my runs to get ready for that race, which is a month away.  We have 7 guys running in the challenge race this year and will be taking aim at the team title.

Later in the year, who knows.  The USATF GP will see some attention for me before and after Boston.....  and hopefully I will be able to jump in some other fun races throughout the year....not going to plan too far ahead.

Good luck to everyone in 2019, especially Brandon Vulnerable.