Monday, June 29, 2009

Old Man Monday

Each Monday I run with the high school cross country team. Although I can still run faster than most of them, it takes me their entire workout to get warmed up. I will probably start 30 minutes early to equalize things.





Spending the day at the pool.

-- Post From My iPhone

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Sunday, June 28, 2009

General Updates

I have been a blog slacker since the trip to Utah. We had a great time and I met some really cool people during our race. I have also been pretty busy since my return. A few days of getting the XC team on its feet, a few days at Cedar Point, then a busy running weekend (31 miles Saturday / 22 miles Sunday). All in all a good span of 10 days.

July is now upon us and the fun does not end. This will be the final 30 days of training for the Burning River 100. All systems are go at this point. I am finally feeling strong again - like I did in March. The fueling plan is in place, the timing system is ready, and I am looking forward to running a smart race.

Logan and I will head to OU on July 26th for orientation. Summer will be over before I know it. I am still weighing my employment options following my "Summer Hiatis". It appears that I will be the head Cross Country coach at Copley High School. It will be a fun challenge...but clearly does not pay the bills.

Regular reports will begin again tomorrow!

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Sunday, June 21, 2009

Ragnar Relay Recap


Words don't describe what a great adventure this was. Leg 1: 3.8 miles. Mostly flat. Started around 9pm. Ran it a little faster than I wanted. Got a boost when I was passed by Van 1 enroute to the next exchange. Great support from van 2 along the way. Averaged 6:08 per mile. Leg 2: 7.7 miles. Gradual and rolling climb. Started at 6:15am. Tried to back it off and run even. Leg 3 was on my mind. Got rid of the headlamp and vest 2 miles into the run. Very scenic as the sun came up. Beautiful running towards the mountains. Again great support from my van-mates! Averaged 7:05 per mile.Leg 3: 4 miles. All uphill on a soupy mud road. 8% steady grade beginning at 7500 feet and ending at 9500 feet. Started at 3pm. I knew the altitude would be tough on my lungs…but it killed me. Air getting to my lungs just wasn't going to happen. I decided the key here was steady forward progress. I used a combination of power walking, running, and walking backwards (stretch legs and ease my back from the leaning forward bits). Felt like I was carrying a piano on my back for the entire time. Made solid progress to the finish. Passed many people during this stretch. Not for the timid! Amazing views on the way up. Averaged 11:15 per mile

Other highlights – Van downtime 1 - Sleeping for 2.5 hours on the cement at the ski resort while the winds whipped and it got really cold. Watching Souci watching the naked guys change their clothes in the field. Meeting up with van 1. Van downtime 2 - Sleeping under the skateboard ramp to avoid the rain. Seeing Econo bring it home! Staring at the mountains all around us.

Words and recaps just can’t capture the amazing adventure we had. Thanks to everyone for the trip of a lifetime.

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Saturday, June 20, 2009

MCBeer

Mile 6



-- Post From My iPhone

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9,500 feet

4 miles uphill. 2,000 foot climb. DONE.


-- Post From My iPhone

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Elaine to Jeb




-- Post From My iPhone

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Barb to Elaine




-- Post From My iPhone

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Mountains Ahead




-- Post From My iPhone

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Wind and Rain

The last 6 legs will see some weather. We also have the 3 toughest segments. Think good thoughts!



-- Post From My iPhone

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Last Sleep

I am taking a nap under a skateboard ramp at the school. We start the last round of legs in an hour or so.



-- Post From My iPhone

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Morning

We are progressing nicely. Sun is up and the temps are rising. Still tough to breath at altitude.

Sans Souci




-- Post From My iPhone

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Sunrise





-- Post From My iPhone

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4:30 am

Elaine is running her 7 mile leg while we mess around with glow sticks!



-- Post From My iPhone

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3am

MC and JJJ



-- Post From My iPhone

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Friday, June 19, 2009

Better night photo




-- Post From My iPhone

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Van 1 done

Everyone hit their times. Now sleep.



-- Post From My iPhone

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Elaine 1st Leg

Sun is beginning to set




-- Post From My iPhone



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Rose

Running her 1st leg




-- Post From My iPhone

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Waiting for Van 1




-- Post From My iPhone

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Ready to go




-- Post From My iPhone

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Van Prep

Almost ready




-- Post From My iPhone

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Van Prep

Millbot


-- Post From My iPhone

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Van Prep




-- Post From My iPhone

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Race Day

I went out early today and got 2.5 "warmup" miles in. Ran to the starting line to check things out. Looks like it is going to be a blast. I can clearly feel the altitude in my lungs when I am running....should be interesting. SeeMomGo has brought and oxygen tank! Maybe a few hits of O will put me over the top.

Had a great dinner last night with everyone. La T and MC were missing, but the rest of us had a really nice time. Mike (millbot) handed out a few awards of thanks prior to the event.

I will be posting fairly often once the race starts at 1:30pm local time. The cell reception will be the key as to how much gets posted. Stay tuned!

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Firehouse Pizza




-- Post From My iPhone

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4/6ths of Van 2

Jeb, Elaine, Chris, Jim



-- Post From My iPhone

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Van Pickup

Waiting for the group



-- Post From My iPhone

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Landed

Bumpy ride to Salt Lake



-- Post From My iPhone

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CLE to SLC

Jo and I should arrive tonight around 9:30pm



-- Post From My iPhone

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Florida - Home

Got home this afternoon after a nice hot weekend in FL. The mountains of Utah are now calling! I will be posting frequently during this event.

Photo: Olivia, Evan, and Maddie at Sea World.


-- Post From My iPhone

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Monday, June 15, 2009

Sea World




-- Post From My iPhone

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Sunday, June 14, 2009

Florida Day 1

Hot. After a late night of travel I arrived I Orlando. I am renting a Honda Insight. Very cool car. Today is a typical Florida day but too hot for me. Good thing Kevin has a pool and water toys.



-- Post From My iPhone

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Saturday, June 13, 2009

Travel to Florida

I just loaded the blogger app for the iPhone. I will post more frequently this week as I visit my brother then head to Utah to run.



-- Post From My iPhone

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Wax On Wax Off


Training for a 100 mile race is unique. For anyone who has trained for distance events, whether it is the mile or marathon, you typically follow a pattern of timed running. Training to sustain race pace is the name of the game in 99% of all distance events. Not so with a 100 miler. The key is simply to maintain without falling apart physically and mentally. I keep asking "when are we going to get to the pace workouts?". Well folks it ain't happenin'! My training plan is based on time on my feet and repetition. I truly feel like the karate kid right now. I seem to be in a holding pattern of "wax on wax off" and "paint the fence" while impatiently asking why am I doing this? I enjoy running the miles of trails...but man I have no speed. How did it disappear? Recently five of my friends had an informal 10K race. I ran as hard as I could...but came no where close to my potential. I have become Mr. Tree Trunk Legs. Strength but no speed. I know in the end it will serve me well at the 100, but it can be frustrating from time to time.

Over the next three days I will have run 50 miles of trails. Like Daniel-son I will have moments of impatience and question the methods. Fortunately I trust my Mr. Miyagi and know that the payoff will be worth the effort in the end.

Lookout Cobra Kai!

* Maddie is in Florida with my Mom and my niece hitting all of the theme parks. I head there on Saturday for a few days to join the fun.

* After returning on Tuesday from Florida, Jo and I turn right around and head to Utah on Wednesday for the Ragnar Relay.

* Logan heads to Myrtle Beach on the 20th until the end of the month.

* I had a very good discussion about my future employment plans with a potential business partner. Once I get through June and July the goal will be to sharpen the pencil and pick a career direction. Things are bright on the horizon.

* I am waiting to hear about my potential coaching opportunity and things could be finalized by early July.

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Sunday, June 7, 2009

True Blood

When I was a young kid my mother used to watch a "daytime drama" called Dark Shadows. I used to watch it as well. I have fond memories of that show. Well...I caught wind of a series on HBO called True Blood. Thanks to HBO On Demand I have finished watching the first season of this series. It was created by Alan Ball, who also created one of my favorite HBO Series called Six Feet Under. Great writing, great acting, and dark story lines. The premise is basically about Vampires as a community / societal class wanting to integrate with mainstream human life. It is pretty intense and I highly recommend it. Season Two premiers on HBO June 14th.

My running has been picking up. I did the No Frills All Hills run and covered roughly 34 miles in just under 5 1/2 hours. I maintained my 100 mile goal pace...which was my target. A good day.

I hit 104 miles last week. That is the most miles I have had in several years. I am feeling really good these days and seem to be well ahead of my 2007 fitness. June and July will be intense training months.

Next week I head to Florida for a quick visit with my brother and his family, then I am off to Utah for the Ragnar Relay. I really don't have my racing legs right now...but it will be a fun trip to take with Jo.

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Monday, June 1, 2009

Coach Tolle


A great guy that I wish I knew better. Touched many lives. What better way to live and be remembered.


Popular Copley High School coach Stuart Tolle passes away at age 47



Posted by Tim Rogers/Plain Dealer Reporter June 01, 2009 11:31AM



About 200 high school football players and female track athletes gathered in the Copley High School fieldhouse around midnight Sunday to mourn the assistant football and girls track coach Stuart Tolle, one of the most popular teachers at the school.
Tolle died of an apparent heart attack after mowing the lawn at his house in Akron's Firestone Park neighborhood on Sunday. He was 47. Tolle played at Alliance High and went on to star at Bowling Green before spending parts of three seasons with the Detroit Lions, the Browns and the Arizona Wranglers of the U.S. Football League.

"This is a total shock," said Ed Robinson, a former assistant coach at Copley and a close friend of Tolle's. "I am devastated. Stuart was one of the greatest guys I know. The kids just loved him. The staff loved him. We all loved him."
Tolle, 6-3 and 245 pounds during his playing career, played in one NFL game, for Detroit in 1987. Twice he was one of the Browns' final cuts and spent time on the reserve squad. Tolle, a science teacher, was known for keeping himself in shape.
A bachelor until recently, he jogged regularly and spent time in the weight room. He also owned the most popular pet in Copley Township, a yellow lab named Claire, who went everywhere Tolle went. She even had a special spot in the school, where she patiently waited for Tolle's day to end.
"This is a real tragedy," said Copley Assistant Principal Jim Borchik. "Stuart had the gift. He connected to kids from all walks of life. I can't begin to tell you how many children he has reached and touched."
Tolle attended Copley's graduation ceremonies on Sunday before going home to do yardwork.
"He was a low-key guy who always had a smile on his face," said Robinson, now an assistant principal at Polaris Vocational School in Middleburg Heights. "Stuart kept to himself but he was always willing to help someone out."
Funeral arrangements were pending.

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