Thursday, July 30, 2009

5K to help Greg fight cancer

I'm long overdue for an update on my stuff, including badwater, but this is more important. Greg has been a friend of mine from almost the day he moved to the city. We worked together at JackRabbit for over a year and he was a member of my first Texas Independence Relay team in '08.

Greg Hamilton was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June of 2009. The cancer has spread, so he is currently undergoing four months of chemotherapy, and if that is not successful he intends to undergo major surgery to remove the cancer from every part of his body. Before the diagnosis he was training to run his first Ultramarathon, a 50 miler. Now, between the disease and the chemo, he struggles to climb the stairs to his apartment. His dream of joining the FDNY has been put on hold while he focuses all of his energy on getting better.

Greg is 22 years old, and has worked at JackRabbit since he arrived in NYC almost two years ago. As an assistant manager first in the Union Sq store and now in the Brooklyn store, Greg has helped thousands of people start running, get faster, and reach their goals. This is our opportunity to give back for all the support he’s given us over the years.

There are all kinds of costs when fighting cancer, and only a few of them are covered by medical insurance. Greg’s parents live in Washington State, so travel and lodging are big expenses. Greg’s cell phone bill has doubled. Transportation to and from treatment, plus dozens of co-pays, adds expenses. Greg needs extra medical supplies while he is recovering from chemo, and all of his food needs to be delivered. While he is working at the Brooklyn JackRabbit occasionally, his income is nowhere near what it was and will not be at least until chemo is complete in October. If he has to undergo surgery, that’s another 3-6 months of recovery from the surgery where Greg’s expenses will be high but his income will be low.

When: Tuesday, August 25, 7p

Where: Prospect Park, the race starts at the Bartel Prichard lot near the movie theatre.

Race Registration: $20. (ALL proceeds go to helping Greg with his fight against cancer. There is no T shirt so that more of the proceeds can be directed to fighting cancer)

'Team In Greging' T-Shirt: $20. ALL proceeds from the sale the the 'Team In Greging' shirts will go towards helping Greg fight cancer.

Make a donation - if you would like to make an additional (non tax deductible) donation please do so through the registration link.

Online Registration & Donation Link: http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1775486&assetId=9d464e64-c31f-4a78-a987-34bde72eaf1d

*Volunteers Needed - if you or a friend would like to help out on race day or with pre-race day preparations please let us know at programs@jackrabbitsports.com

Monday, July 20, 2009

Monday

Nothing special today. 5.9 mile run with Run Club at sub 7:00 pace. Then hit the pool for a 30 minute swim.

In news unrelated to me, Chrissie Wellington recently smashed the women's world record for the Ironman. She's going to dominate the women's field for a long time to come.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Newtons


I got a free pair of Newtons while I was at Badwater. I did my second run in the Newtons. The first was just a quick 20 minute run the other night to see how they felt. Tonight I did a 6 miler to really give them a test. I definitely felt like I was getting a slightly higher turnover, especially while running uphill. Toward the end of the run I could definitely feel my calves were a little tight. I could feel the lugs a bit when running downhill, which I wasn't a fan of.

I'm not a convert, but I don't dislike the shoes. I'll probably rotate them in and use them as a supplemental shoe, maybe running in them once a week.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Big finish!

Pam powered her way away from the guy who was gaining on her and finished in 29:02. 2nd place woman.

I don't think any of us have an ounce of energy remaining. I have a whole new appreciation for those of you who came out and paced me at knickerbocker 60K.

I will post a wrap up eventually, but I just don't have the energy.
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Long, long ascent

Pam is still ascending. Pacheco blew by earlier. Pam has another runner closing in. She's still moving but is running on fumes. We are doing what we can to rejuvinate her.

I can barely keep my eyes open. Everytime I blink my eyes burn. If I stop moving I instinctively start to doze off.
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Back from the dead

Pacheco is now running this brutal ascent and is hot on the trail...
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And up the mountain

Pam is on her way up Mt. Whitney. We split up the team to resupply and have a short bit of downtime. I just took the best swim of my entire life. I was caked in dirt, salt, and stench. I feel even better than when I brushed my teeth. I have new socks on. Less than 15 brutally vertical miles left.
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A woman posessed in lone pine.

Pam was blazing. She's slowed down just slightly, but she's still moving. Almost at the 120 mile check-in.
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Pacheco bonks.

Pam just passed him. He's walking. He was with the leaders last night.
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New game plan

Pam now has headphones on and is running 'solo.' One person is trailing her spraying her down with water. She's picked up the pace quite a bit. We are nearing Lone Pine. Still about 5 miles out.

I'm hungry. I just finished pacing, so now I'm wide awake.
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Fatigue

Its really setting in. I'm having a tough time staying lucid. We are all tired of every food and drink. I can't imagine how tired pam is of everything.

She's closing in on 120 miles. She's still the 2nd overall woman. Jamie Donaldson is having the race of her life. She's tearing it up and has a good shot at breaking the female course record.

Its getting hot again.
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Sunny morning

Just got done with another shift running. Its now 7:30 am. Pam has been running for 21.5 hours now...is that right? I can't do math right now, I've been awake for about 26 hours or so. Running is the easy part. It keeps me awake. Its hard to concentrate. We've still got several hours ahead of us.
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19

We just caught up to the 19-year old runner. He was in the 6 am wave. He's still going but looks like he's got some serious blister issues. 19 years old!
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Almost 100 miles

Just short of 100 miles. Pam is sort of having a rough time, but she keeps moving. We're trying to get calories into her for more energy.

I shut my eyes for 2 seconds earlier and fell asleep. Of course I immediately woke up.

The sun is rising over the Sierras, which is quite beautiful. Its going to be very hot soon.
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Oh...

She's about 82 miles in. Incredible.
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Clean teeth and contacts

You can imagine how much of a pick me up brushing your teeth at 3 am is. I feel like a new person.

You also can't imagine how hard it is to put in a contact in the blistering sun in death valley.

Pam is still motoring along on a steady diet of horchata, oatmeal, and water. Its incredible how much it has cooled off tonight. Its actually somewhat chilly.
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Father crowley

I'm about to run with pam again. This is an incredible experience.
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Cell service, nope

Haven't had service since yesterday. Its been a LONG hot day, but the stars are amazing and there's an amazing breeze. Pam is in the top 5, but there's a lot of jostling of positions up front. We passed dean a long time ago.

I'm going to have some great tan lines!
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Sunday, July 12, 2009

Closed? No problem!

We stopped at ACE Hardware to get some coolers. A guy out front was painting the curbs by hand. He informed us the store was closed. Pam somehow convinced the guy to open the store and sell us the coolers.
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Tonopah, NV

We just bought groceries in Parumph, NV. Its hot, but reminds me of texas summers. I honestly miss the repressive heat sometimes.

On the way in to town I saw a sign for Tonopah, NV! We rolled through there in '04 after 117 miles and 5 mountain passes. It was the day of the infamous "pizza buffet" song.

This post is dedicated to all my Texas 4000 peeps!
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Morning Run

Its 7 am and I just finished a run. That doesn't happen very often. I'm not a morning runner. However, I slept A LOT last night. I passed out early, so when I woke up this morning I felt fantastic.

The same group as last night went out for a run, but Pam joined us this morning. Its already warm out. I went through 20 oz of water during a 30 minute run. I can't even imagine what its going to be like tomorrow.

I'm watching the end of the tour. Then breakfast. Then a 4 hour drive down to Death Valley.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Stuffed

Vegas buffets are the epitome of fat Americans. I can't believe how much food I was able to shove down my throat. If you find yourself in Vegas, I highly recommend the chocolate mousse at the buffet in the Luxor...i had two.

After the run earlier, we sat at the pool for awhile discussing race strategy and such. I've already gotten some great tips regarding the Ironman and ultras. Pam and some other crew members are veterans of countless races, and they are full of experience.

Right now I'm watching the replay of the Tour de France and debating if I want to go work out in the gym. Its about 7:30 here, but my body is on New York time. It feels much, much later.

Looks like there's going to be a 6:30 am run tomorrow before breakfast. After that, its a 4 hour drive to Death Valley. Hopefully I can get some pictures uploaded over the next few days, but my phone isn't cooperating with posting photos. I'm not sure when I'll have wireless again after I leave Vegas.

I have to give a shout out to my boys Kevin and Paul who are driving across our fine country right now. GBA guys, G.B.A.!

...until tomorrow...

Quick run to test the waters

I met Stephany at the airport and the we were picked up and driven to the hotel. We quickly divided up supplies between the two vans.

Four of us just got back from a quick 30 minute run. Its really hot, but we kept an easy pace to get a feel for what it'll be like during the race. Although it will be 20+ degrees hotter at badwater. Coming from the mild NYC temps, this is a shock.
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Arrival

After an absolutley ridiculous night/morning, I'm finally here. Its hot!
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Friday, July 10, 2009

Headed below sea level, on very dry land


Tomorrow I ship off for Badwater. I'll be updating when I can on the race and my experiences there. It should be interesting!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

The Cervelo has arrived!

its a go-fast bike. Tomorrow, I ride!

Night Owls



This explains me.

Around 8 or 9 pm every night I "wake up" and I'm wired. I love running/riding in the evening and especially at night. I've always felt as though I get a better work out at night. It also may explain why I've done well when I've had to travel a distance to a race in the morning rather than competing shortly after waking up. Even though I get less sleep, maybe the travel time allows my body to "wake up" and I get a better performance.

Or maybe its all in my head...

Monday, July 6, 2009

Fast Five

I ran with run club tonight. I'd initially meant to take it easy, but found myself up front with Worku and the lead group. I cut out and only did 5 miles so I could get back and sign people up for marathon training, but I still ended up averaging about a 6:35 pace for the run. That's fairly quick for me.

After the run I hit the gym for a quick full body workout.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Brick

I planned on a long bike ride and a short run, but my bike had other plans. I got about 16 miles into my ride and flatted. No big deal, right? Wrong. As countless cyclists passed and asked if I needed help, i told them no and continued changing my tube. I started to air up my tire and then my pump broke. I waited, but no one passed. I tried to fix the pump, but to no avail. Still no one passed. I started walking. No one passed. Eventually after I walked roughly a mile another cyclist stopped and I borrowed a pump. With an inflated tire, I rode the 16 miles back home, not wanting to risk going farther without a pump.

When I got home, I changed and headed out on an 80 minute run. Its not what I'd planned for the day, but not a terrible workout.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Tough Track Work

The shorter stuff has always been tough for me. The longer the workout/race, the better I feel doing it. Short stuff hurts. The track workout tonight was shorter work, but I felt like I got a REALLY good workout.

2 X 800 @ 5:40 pace
2 X 600 @ 5:30 pace
2 X 400 @ 5:20 pace

all with 200 recovery. We also got in 1.75 mile warm-up and a 1.75 mile cool down.