PM: 10 miles easy
Relaxed run through campus with Dan at dusk in the cold rain. It's the first time I've finished a run with numb hands since last spring.
11.29.2011
11.28.2011
November 28
AM: 10 miles easy
Slow run with Reed through campus. I felt a little pooped after a later long run yesterday. I followed up with core work in the evening.
Slow run with Reed through campus. I felt a little pooped after a later long run yesterday. I followed up with core work in the evening.
November 27 (74 miles/week)
PM: 18 miles moderate
Valerie and I drove back from Charlottesville this morning, and I met up with Reed shortly thereafter for a Duke Forest long run. Like last week, this proved to be a pretty honest effort. Next week will be shorter and easier with less than two weeks until my last race of the year at Club XC Nationals.
Valerie and I drove back from Charlottesville this morning, and I met up with Reed shortly thereafter for a Duke Forest long run. Like last week, this proved to be a pretty honest effort. Next week will be shorter and easier with less than two weeks until my last race of the year at Club XC Nationals.
November 26
AM: 12 miles easy
Shaking off some rust and turkey, I ran from Brittany and Tom's house, down a natural gas easement, and around Lake Monticello (a 10-mile loop) for a run that featured constantly rolling hills.
Shaking off some rust and turkey, I ran from Brittany and Tom's house, down a natural gas easement, and around Lake Monticello (a 10-mile loop) for a run that featured constantly rolling hills.
November 25
PM: 45 minute bike, 5 miles easy
After a hard but short 45 minute ride with Tom, made more difficult when I forgot the the shoes for my bike, I ran through his neighborhood for an easy run at dusk checking out the early Christmas lights.
After a hard but short 45 minute ride with Tom, made more difficult when I forgot the the shoes for my bike, I ran through his neighborhood for an easy run at dusk checking out the early Christmas lights.
November 24
AM: Earlysville 5k - 16:05, 1st overall - 8 miles
In search of a Turkey Trot while visiting her family, Valerie and I got up on Thanksgiving morning and jumped in a Turkey Trot near the Charlottesville airport. The first mile was fast or short (4:54), followed by a tougher second mile (5:05) and then an uphill final mile. The time doesn't show it, but I felt pretty strong and smooth on this solo effort.
In search of a Turkey Trot while visiting her family, Valerie and I got up on Thanksgiving morning and jumped in a Turkey Trot near the Charlottesville airport. The first mile was fast or short (4:54), followed by a tougher second mile (5:05) and then an uphill final mile. The time doesn't show it, but I felt pretty strong and smooth on this solo effort.
November 23
AM: 10 miles easy
Relaxed recovery run with Reed through a quiet campus the first morning of Thanksgiving break.
Relaxed recovery run with Reed through a quiet campus the first morning of Thanksgiving break.
November 22
AM: 8 x 800m grass with 2:00 jog recovery - 10 miles
Reed and I jogged down to Forest Hills Park for some grass repeats in preparation for Club XCs in Seattle in a few weeks. We averaged 2:24, so they were an honest effort on a soft surface.
Reed and I jogged down to Forest Hills Park for some grass repeats in preparation for Club XCs in Seattle in a few weeks. We averaged 2:24, so they were an honest effort on a soft surface.
11.21.2011
November 21
PM: 11 miles easy
Today was one of my toughest as a runner. While it's a long story as to why the school is in this position, the punchline is that Maryland is officially cutting men's track and cross country unless it AND the competitive cheer team can raise a combined +$9 million by June (the teams are linked together because of Title IX, but the pairing appears to be otherwise random at the discretion of the bureaucrats that made this decision). Suffice to say, it doesn't look good. I'm going to have a tough time supporting Maryland after this point because this is a punch to the stomach and then sad end of a proud tradition.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/maryland-accepts-recommendation-will-cut-eight-varsity-sports-programs/2011/11/21/gIQAyn1NjN_story.html
Below is the letter I mailed to the school president last week that summarizes my feelings better than I can with another running log post, though at this point it clearly fell on deaf ears. As a junior walk-on, college track and cross country at Maryland was something I had to fight and work hard to become a part of, and it's now unbelievably heartbreaking to see it stripped away so suddenly and unfairly:
Today was one of my toughest as a runner. While it's a long story as to why the school is in this position, the punchline is that Maryland is officially cutting men's track and cross country unless it AND the competitive cheer team can raise a combined +$9 million by June (the teams are linked together because of Title IX, but the pairing appears to be otherwise random at the discretion of the bureaucrats that made this decision). Suffice to say, it doesn't look good. I'm going to have a tough time supporting Maryland after this point because this is a punch to the stomach and then sad end of a proud tradition.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/maryland-accepts-recommendation-will-cut-eight-varsity-sports-programs/2011/11/21/gIQAyn1NjN_story.html
Below is the letter I mailed to the school president last week that summarizes my feelings better than I can with another running log post, though at this point it clearly fell on deaf ears. As a junior walk-on, college track and cross country at Maryland was something I had to fight and work hard to become a part of, and it's now unbelievably heartbreaking to see it stripped away so suddenly and unfairly:
November 16, 2011
Dear Dr. Loh:
I wanted to reach out to you regarding the recent Report of the President’s Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. As proud alum, former track and cross country athlete, and lifelong member of the Terrapin family, I read the report with heartache and disappointment. I am deeply saddened to think a school that I have staunchly supported and represented is on the verge of cutting not just men’s track and cross country, but also eight varsity sports, affecting 166 student-athletes and countless number of alumni such as myself. These proposed eliminations are coming not long after the journalism school similarly lost many great mentors and professors just last year due to budget cuts.
While the athletic program may be under unprecedented financial stress, the priorities of the commission seem to be out of step with the purpose of an athletic program. Focusing on comparing spending ratios is an arms race, and suggesting that the experience for the remaining student-athletes will get better as a result of the proposed cuts shows at best a lack of perspective and at worst a lack of sincerity. I recognize that the athletic program faces many challenges and the projected financial condition seems daunting, but I firmly believe that those must be addressed with a scalpel, not a hatchet.
In an effort to bring Maryland “on par” with the other ACC institutions, we would be eliminating the first men’s track and cross country programs in the conference. I note the unfortunate irony where, come July 1, Coach Andrew Valmon would lose his men’s track and field team literally just weeks before he represents not just our school but our country as head coach of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team in London. Additionally, in losing men’s track and cross country, the school is losing a history of 8 NCAA Champions, more than 50 ACC Championships, countless All-Americans. This is also a program that consistently produces President’s Cup Team GPA Award-Winners and Academic All-Conference selections.
I implore you to consider alternatives to cutting men’s track and cross country from the Maryland Athletic Department. The recommendations of few are on the verge of destroying the history and heritage of many for a program that truly embodies the spirit of student-athletes. Maryland Athletics’ revenue problem grossly outweighs that of its costs, and by getting rid of eight different programs, you would alienate generations of some of your most loyal alumni such as myself that consider themselves lucky to have competed in red and white.
Sincerely,
Patrick Reaves
University of Maryland
Team Captain, Men’s Cross Country, 2006
Phillip Merrill College of Journalism, 2006
University of Maryland
Team Captain, Men’s Cross Country, 2006
Phillip Merrill College of Journalism, 2006
November 21
PM: 11 miles easy
Today was one of my toughest as a runner. While it's a long story as to why the school is in this position, the punchline is that Maryland is officially cutting men's track and cross country unless it AND the competitive cheer team can raise a combined +$9 million by June (the teams are linked together because of Title IX, but the pairing appears to be otherwise random at the discretion of the bureaucrats that made this decision). Suffice to say, it doesn't look good. I'm going to have a tough time supporting Maryland after this point because this is a punch to the stomach and then sad end of a proud tradition.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/maryland-accepts-recommendation-will-cut-eight-varsity-sports-programs/2011/11/21/gIQAyn1NjN_story.html
Below is the letter I mailed to the school president last week that summarizes my feelings better than I can with another running log post, though at this point it clearly fell on deaf ears. As a junior walk-on, college track and cross country at Maryland was something I had to fight and work hard to become a part of, and it's now unbelievably heartbreaking to see it stripped away so suddenly and unfairly:
Today was one of my toughest as a runner. While it's a long story as to why the school is in this position, the punchline is that Maryland is officially cutting men's track and cross country unless it AND the competitive cheer team can raise a combined +$9 million by June (the teams are linked together because of Title IX, but the pairing appears to be otherwise random at the discretion of the bureaucrats that made this decision). Suffice to say, it doesn't look good. I'm going to have a tough time supporting Maryland after this point because this is a punch to the stomach and then sad end of a proud tradition.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/maryland-accepts-recommendation-will-cut-eight-varsity-sports-programs/2011/11/21/gIQAyn1NjN_story.html
Below is the letter I mailed to the school president last week that summarizes my feelings better than I can with another running log post, though at this point it clearly fell on deaf ears. As a junior walk-on, college track and cross country at Maryland was something I had to fight and work hard to become a part of, and it's now unbelievably heartbreaking to see it stripped away so suddenly and unfairly:
November 16, 2011
Dear Dr. Loh:
I wanted to reach out to you regarding the recent Report of the President’s Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. As proud alum, former track and cross country athlete, and lifelong member of the Terrapin family, I read the report with heartache and disappointment. I am deeply saddened to think a school that I have staunchly supported and represented is on the verge of cutting not just men’s track and cross country, but also eight varsity sports, affecting 166 student-athletes and countless number of alumni such as myself. These proposed eliminations are coming not long after the journalism school similarly lost many great mentors and professors just last year due to budget cuts.
While the athletic program may be under unprecedented financial stress, the priorities of the commission seem to be out of step with the purpose of an athletic program. Focusing on comparing spending ratios is an arms race, and suggesting that the experience for the remaining student-athletes will get better as a result of the proposed cuts shows at best a lack of perspective and at worst a lack of sincerity. I recognize that the athletic program faces many challenges and the projected financial condition seems daunting, but I firmly believe that those must be addressed with a scalpel, not a hatchet.
In an effort to bring Maryland “on par” with the other ACC institutions, we would be eliminating the first men’s track and cross country programs in the conference. I note the unfortunate irony where, come July 1, Coach Andrew Valmon would lose his men’s track and field team literally just weeks before he represents not just our school but our country as head coach of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team in London. Additionally, in losing men’s track and cross country, the school is losing a history of 8 NCAA Champions, more than 50 ACC Championships, countless All-Americans. This is also a program that consistently produces President’s Cup Team GPA Award-Winners and Academic All-Conference selections.
I implore you to consider alternatives to cutting men’s track and cross country from the Maryland Athletic Department. The recommendations of few are on the verge of destroying the history and heritage of many for a program that truly embodies the spirit of student-athletes. Maryland Athletics’ revenue problem grossly outweighs that of its costs, and by getting rid of eight different programs, you would alienate generations of some of your most loyal alumni such as myself that consider themselves lucky to have competed in red and white.
Sincerely,
Patrick Reaves
University of Maryland
Team Captain, Men’s Cross Country, 2006
Phillip Merrill College of Journalism, 2006
University of Maryland
Team Captain, Men’s Cross Country, 2006
Phillip Merrill College of Journalism, 2006
11.20.2011
November 20 (72 miles/week)
AM: 18 miles moderate
I met Reed in the late morning for a long loop around the WaDuke and a stretch through Duke Forest. I honestly felt awesome, and I pushed some on the hills in a fast albeit relaxed cadence. I tried to drop the hammer a little bit in the last mile from East Campus to home on an unseasonably warm but pleasant day.
I met Reed in the late morning for a long loop around the WaDuke and a stretch through Duke Forest. I honestly felt awesome, and I pushed some on the hills in a fast albeit relaxed cadence. I tried to drop the hammer a little bit in the last mile from East Campus to home on an unseasonably warm but pleasant day.
November 19
AM: 4 miles easy, treadmill
During my quick trip to LA, I kept my body on east coast time to adjust to an early Saturday flight home and my 7:45 AM interview on Friday. Thus, running for a quick half hour at 4:15 on the treadmill fortunately didn't feel all that bad as it would have had I actually been on the east coast.
During my quick trip to LA, I kept my body on east coast time to adjust to an early Saturday flight home and my 7:45 AM interview on Friday. Thus, running for a quick half hour at 4:15 on the treadmill fortunately didn't feel all that bad as it would have had I actually been on the east coast.
November 18
PM: 12 miles easy
After a job interview all morning in LA, I tried heading out from the hotel. I kept running out of sidewalk, which was not conducive to survival in East LA at rush hour, so I made it back to the hotel after about 3.5 and finished the rest on the treadmill watching college basketball...not the end of the world by any means.
After a job interview all morning in LA, I tried heading out from the hotel. I kept running out of sidewalk, which was not conducive to survival in East LA at rush hour, so I made it back to the hotel after about 3.5 and finished the rest on the treadmill watching college basketball...not the end of the world by any means.
November 17
AM: 10 miles easy
I met Dan for a run early at school before jumping on an afternoon flight to LA for a job interview tomorrow morning.
I met Dan for a run early at school before jumping on an afternoon flight to LA for a job interview tomorrow morning.
November 16
AM: 10:00 @ tempo, 3:00 recovery, 1:00/3:00/5:00/3:00/1:00 with 1:00 recovery, 10:00 @ tempo - 14 miles
This was meaty workout in the afternoon around East Campus, but good XC prep for Seattle.
This was meaty workout in the afternoon around East Campus, but good XC prep for Seattle.
November 15
AM: 9 miles easy
Meandering run through Forest Hills Park and the ATT solo in the morning.
Meandering run through Forest Hills Park and the ATT solo in the morning.
11.14.2011
November 14
AM: 5 miles easy
Today is another jam-packed school day, but I did manage a short morning run, which is better than nothing in my book.
Today is another jam-packed school day, but I did manage a short morning run, which is better than nothing in my book.
November 13 (75 miles/week)
AM: 14 miles with 3 miles @ tempo
For my long run this morning, I got in a 5-mile warmup on campus, stopped to stretch, and jumped in Fuqua's Turkey Trot for a workout. The race involved a loop on the WaDuke trail, chasing a teammate in a turkey costume who got an two-minute head start. I managed 15:45 for the loop, which for a solo effort is pretty decent for me, especially for a solo effort. I can't remember running under 16:00 many times for the 2.93-mile loop over rolling hills: including a nice 500m climb at the finish.
He was about as fast as I've seen anyone run in a turkey costume, and I've never seen a turkey rock racing flats. I was relieved to catch him about two miles into the race. An East Campus cool down afterward made it 14 for the day.
For my long run this morning, I got in a 5-mile warmup on campus, stopped to stretch, and jumped in Fuqua's Turkey Trot for a workout. The race involved a loop on the WaDuke trail, chasing a teammate in a turkey costume who got an two-minute head start. I managed 15:45 for the loop, which for a solo effort is pretty decent for me, especially for a solo effort. I can't remember running under 16:00 many times for the 2.93-mile loop over rolling hills: including a nice 500m climb at the finish.
He was about as fast as I've seen anyone run in a turkey costume, and I've never seen a turkey rock racing flats. I was relieved to catch him about two miles into the race. An East Campus cool down afterward made it 14 for the day.
November 12
AM: 9 miles easy
I'm behind the gun with schoolwork this weekend with a looming master's thesis deadline, but I squeezed in an hour this morning on the ATT.
I'm behind the gun with schoolwork this weekend with a looming master's thesis deadline, but I squeezed in an hour this morning on the ATT.
November 11
AM: 10 miles easy
With a busy day at school on tap, I met Jason early for a run through campus and downtown before and during sunrise.
With a busy day at school on tap, I met Jason early for a run through campus and downtown before and during sunrise.
November 10
AM: 8 x 600m with 200m jog recovery - 10 miles
Reed and I hit the track for a short workout this week, aiming for :70/400m. We didn't really get there until the last couple of reps, starting at :73 and working our way down. It wasn't the greatest effort in the world, but good to get out there coming off the race last weekend.
Reed and I hit the track for a short workout this week, aiming for :70/400m. We didn't really get there until the last couple of reps, starting at :73 and working our way down. It wasn't the greatest effort in the world, but good to get out there coming off the race last weekend.
November 9
PM: 12 miles easy
I was in Charlotte with Valerie last night for the Foo Fighters, so I ran with Dan in the afternoon from school for the big Forest Hills-WaDuke loop. My legs felt like oak trees.
I was in Charlotte with Valerie last night for the Foo Fighters, so I ran with Dan in the afternoon from school for the big Forest Hills-WaDuke loop. My legs felt like oak trees.
11.07.2011
November 7
AM: 10 miles easy
Relaxed recovery run with Reed through campus and the fitness loop, picking up David Roche en route.
Relaxed recovery run with Reed through campus and the fitness loop, picking up David Roche en route.
11.06.2011
November 6 - City of Oaks Half Marathon
AM: City of Oaks Half Marathon, 1:12:12, 5th place - 17 miles
There isn't much of a play-by-play for this race, but I'm generally happy with the way it unfolded, and. My goals coming in were to finish in the top five (which had prize money) and shoot for around 1:12. I came away happy with the time relative to the course and OK with my place.
The weather this morning was nearly perfect with weather in the high 40s at the start near the NC State bell tower. I shot to the front, curious to see who showed up to race. Four minutes and 53 seconds later through the first mile mark, I had my answer. I noticed two guys shoot to the front with TAF's Joe Moore, who's awfully fast, and became clear that pack was either chasing 1:05:00 today or would be left for dead for the rest of us in about 8 miles (the former proved to be true).
I latched on to one other guy, who I eventually gathered was from the CAC-UNC workout crew, and we exchanged pleasantries before trying to drop each other over the next five or six miles. We came through the mile in 5:05, at which point I audibly noted, "that's going to feel awesome in about an hour," in reference to our fast start. I split 5 miles in 26:33, or about the same overall time as my last race, the 8k at Great American XC, which was a positive takeaway from this morning and tangible sign of improvement.
The other shoe dropped just before the 10k mark. The runner I was with shot ahead, but I was definitely starting to feel lactic acid's rigor mortis with 7 or 8 miles left to race. That's never a good sign. I did my best to dismiss the internal alarms and do some damage control, relaxing my stride and focusing on the race at hand.
Act 3 of this race isn't much to write about to be perfectly honest. My primary concern soon became running a time on par with expectations and maintaining my financially motivated fifth position in the race in what was largely a solo effort. That involved grinding out one hill after another, and accelerating when I started to come through a mile marker or otherwise mentally drifted. Sure enough, I hung onto fifth place (1:12:12) in what was probably my best 2011 race to date in an otherwise lackluster year...but better late than never. My stomach was a swirling torrent of bile and unpleasantness afterward, which is always a telltale sign that I left it all out on the roads.
Splits: 5:05, 5:16, 5:24, 5:26, 5:20, 11:12 (2 miles), 5:40, 5:35, 5:48, 5:36, 5:36, 5:59 (1.1 miles)
There isn't much of a play-by-play for this race, but I'm generally happy with the way it unfolded, and. My goals coming in were to finish in the top five (which had prize money) and shoot for around 1:12. I came away happy with the time relative to the course and OK with my place.
The weather this morning was nearly perfect with weather in the high 40s at the start near the NC State bell tower. I shot to the front, curious to see who showed up to race. Four minutes and 53 seconds later through the first mile mark, I had my answer. I noticed two guys shoot to the front with TAF's Joe Moore, who's awfully fast, and became clear that pack was either chasing 1:05:00 today or would be left for dead for the rest of us in about 8 miles (the former proved to be true).
I latched on to one other guy, who I eventually gathered was from the CAC-UNC workout crew, and we exchanged pleasantries before trying to drop each other over the next five or six miles. We came through the mile in 5:05, at which point I audibly noted, "that's going to feel awesome in about an hour," in reference to our fast start. I split 5 miles in 26:33, or about the same overall time as my last race, the 8k at Great American XC, which was a positive takeaway from this morning and tangible sign of improvement.
The other shoe dropped just before the 10k mark. The runner I was with shot ahead, but I was definitely starting to feel lactic acid's rigor mortis with 7 or 8 miles left to race. That's never a good sign. I did my best to dismiss the internal alarms and do some damage control, relaxing my stride and focusing on the race at hand.
Act 3 of this race isn't much to write about to be perfectly honest. My primary concern soon became running a time on par with expectations and maintaining my financially motivated fifth position in the race in what was largely a solo effort. That involved grinding out one hill after another, and accelerating when I started to come through a mile marker or otherwise mentally drifted. Sure enough, I hung onto fifth place (1:12:12) in what was probably my best 2011 race to date in an otherwise lackluster year...but better late than never. My stomach was a swirling torrent of bile and unpleasantness afterward, which is always a telltale sign that I left it all out on the roads.
Splits: 5:05, 5:16, 5:24, 5:26, 5:20, 11:12 (2 miles), 5:40, 5:35, 5:48, 5:36, 5:36, 5:59 (1.1 miles)
11.05.2011
November 4
PM: 11 miles easy
I slept in again to try to kick my cold, instead running the Forest Hills loop to the WaDuke trail and back through campus. I felt better today than I have all week, so I hope I've turned a corner.
I slept in again to try to kick my cold, instead running the Forest Hills loop to the WaDuke trail and back through campus. I felt better today than I have all week, so I hope I've turned a corner.
11.03.2011
November 3
PM: 8 miles easy
Still hit with a cold, I jogged a weak run on the ATT, though it did clear my head up for a little while. I'm pretty certain it's just a cold: I've been tired and super congested.
Still hit with a cold, I jogged a weak run on the ATT, though it did clear my head up for a little while. I'm pretty certain it's just a cold: I've been tired and super congested.
November 2
AM: 10 miles easy
I was hammered last night by a cold. This morning was a slow shuffle with Reed through campus and the fitness loop as a result. The new game plan this week is to get to Sunday's race healthy and fresh.
I was hammered last night by a cold. This morning was a slow shuffle with Reed through campus and the fitness loop as a result. The new game plan this week is to get to Sunday's race healthy and fresh.
November 1
AM: 2-lap East Campus tempo @ half marathon pace, 4:00 recovery, 3'/2'/2'/1' with half-time recovery - 10+ miles
With a race this weekend, I opted for a solo short and sweet workout today. I felt generally all right, but still a little stiff from the weekend of flying. The trail was a little congested, which was annoying, but I felt generally pretty comfortable out there, hitting tempo splits of 9:02 and 8:51. I met Reed at the end, who jogged the cool down with me.
With a race this weekend, I opted for a solo short and sweet workout today. I felt generally all right, but still a little stiff from the weekend of flying. The trail was a little congested, which was annoying, but I felt generally pretty comfortable out there, hitting tempo splits of 9:02 and 8:51. I met Reed at the end, who jogged the cool down with me.
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