Map to Track

The link below will help you find the track.

http://g.co/maps/x84r7

Hills First Then Ice

While some were at Rita’s Water Ice or getting their nails done, the Speedsters were back at it hitting the hills hard this evening.  Tonight’s turnout was much improved. 
There were first timers, a special guest star in Mike Kane, Dan was back from Texas instead of Scott, and even Breandan un-retired his running sneakers this evening.  A big thank you goes out to each of you for coming out to this evenings workouts.

Coming out:  John O’Brien, Tim Damiani, Dennis Brown, Dan Schaal, Kevin Delaney (1^st Timer! Welcome!), Steve “Water Ice” Cickay, Paul Snyder, Maria Jimenez, Mike Kane (That’s not a typo), Haydee Lowry (1^st Timer! Welcome!), Denise Coll, Rod Messenger, Glenn Cohen, Breandan Nemic, and Shawn Donovan.  If you count me we had 16 and doubled last week’s attendance. 

No Mo Pocono

Just in case you haven’t noticed, I have not mentioned much about my progress with my Pocono marathon training.  The truth is I never really wanted to do this race, but like any good husband I gave into my wife.  Allyson wanted terribly to do this race and talked it up as if all the cool kids were doing it, so I should too.  Now, if you know me peer pressure doesn’t persuade me very well, and I knew for a fact that if I wasn’t interested in doing this race the true cool kids were not doing it.  In any case Allyson sold me on the idea that I was in really good shape and that it’s supposed to be a fast course.  If you do the math Really Good Shape + Fast Course=Personal Best.  Well, after doing the math I decided I would join her at Pocono. 

Everything was going as planned, putting in the mileage, eating better, working on the core; you know the typical stuff we runners do during marathon training.  And then Allyson started getting this pain in her heel that apparently she has been dealing with for quite some time, but just not on this level.  The pain had gotten to the point where she could barely walk.  It turns out that she is suffering from a stress fracture which will side line her for some time, now knowing Allyson it won’t side line her as long as it should…In any case Allyson will not be able to continue training for the Pocono marathon, so I no longer feel obligated to do this race.  I can focus on Broad Street and some 5k’s before I begin my training for the Marine Corps marathon (a marathon I want to run). 

Till we run into each other again…

Hill Workout tonight at Council Rock South

Just a friendly reminder that we will be meeting this evening at Council Rock South (parking lot closest to the track) at 6PM.  The workout is designed for you to go at your own pace, so your not forced to keep up or wait up for runners depending upon your skill set.  Tonight's workout will be roughly 5-6 miles.  The holidays are done with and Scott's back from Texas, so I'm expecting a much better turnout this evening.  I also recommend that you arrive a few minutes before 6PM to get a proper stretch in.  I will see you this evening.

Another poor turnout.

Last night we again had a very sad number for attendance (11).  I’m allowing myself to think that this number was so poor because it was right before a holiday weekend.  I went back in the archives and in 2010 we had 18 runners come out for week one and 24 runners in 2012.  I really hope that this is not what it has become, because if so another great addition of this club will come to an end.  I’m willing to drive a total hour commute for the group if the numbers are going to be a good size, and I’m sorry but, 11 is just not going to cut it.  I appreciate that those 11 came out and I told them that.  I don’t do these workouts for me, granted I do get a lot out of them, but I can easily do them on my own time on much closer tracks.  I do this, because I want to give back and help other runners to get better.  I made a promise last night to the other 10 runners that came out, I told them I will give it to the end of April before I cancel the program, if the numbers improve substantially I’m all in again.  So I ask you, are you all in?  Are you still willing to “Dig Deep”?  I did forget to post the testimonials from runners like you that came out last year.  I have been doing this for the past two seasons and forgot to do it before our first workout this season so I have them posted below.  Read them, and then come out and see for yourself.

2011 Speedster Testimonials:

“Thank you Chris for your Speed Workouts. Last year I broke a PR at the Gary Papa 5k. I also never imagine that it was going to be so much fun, and it was. You’re a great coach, motivator and above all a great friend”.     Maria Jimenez

“Count me in for the track workouts this year. I really want to add a speedster(ish) shirt to my collection.”-Breandan Nemic

“Thanks for the speed training.  I'm still a big load, but creeping up to the head of the pack of the slow people.  I would have been at a whole different level in sports had I known about all of this 30 years ago.  Better late than never.” –CorySteiner

“Thanks for a great track season, it was lots of FUN and I think I even got a little faster!! I appreciate all your hard work and motivation. You guys are awesome! I am already looking forward to next year!!” –Paul Snyder

“Thanks for putting on the meet and the weekly track workouts. It has been a great boost to my running and keeps me motivated to run and try to keep improving. A lot of us owe you a great deal to putting in the time and effort to do this each week.” –Matt Hastings

“You do such an amazing job motivating us, and teaching us to be better runners- I hope you know how much we all appreciate you!  And I hope you don’t mind, but my boyfriend teaches a spin class on Tuesday nights, so he can’t attend, but I’ve been passing your workout outs on to him.  And he just PR on his 5k.  So you’re helping people you don’t even know. “-Denise Coll

“I just wanted to thank you for what you did tonight.  By you organizing members of the club in teams and making this point based competition, you raised awareness of the Tiger Classic and, in doing so, made the schools that benefit from this race at least an extra $150.  May not seem like much, but in a school system scraping for funds, any amount can make a big difference.  While waiting at the end, I heard at least 5 people saying they would have never heard of this race if it wasn't for you, and I'm sure there were some others as well. As an alumni, ex-coach and ex teacher in BTSD I am grateful for what you did.  I know it won't be acknowledged by the foundation or district staff, so I thought I’d send a message to you.” –Greg Yerkes

“Not knowing what to expect when I came out to do your workouts I have to admit that I have been pleasantly surprised.  These workouts are well organized and a lot of fun.  I admire the time and effort that you put into this.  We never had anything like this when I first came into the club and its really nice to see the club members get involved.  It seems that as the club has grown so have the members activities. Last night I wasn't supposed to be there because of a business dinner but when the person I was going to dinner with canceled I made sure to get to the workout as I actually look forward to doing this.” –Past President of BCRR Eric Stern

We will once again be meeting this Tuesday at 6PM at the parking lot closest to the track at Council Rock South for a Speedster Hill Workout.  I hope you all will join us.

CT

First Official Workout Of The Year.

Day one brought out a very poor turnout when it comes to numbers (8), but when you put names to the numbers that came out I was able to turn my frown upside down.  Coming out for the First Ever Official Speedster Hill Workout was:  The future Mr. & Mrs. Johnson (Brendan and Jackie), Mr. Water Bottle Rod Messenger, three Ultra Marathoners, Glenn Cohen, Paul Snyder, and Denise Coll, Myself obviously, and guest star Winter Series Champion Andy Shapiro.  We did a nice 1 mile warm-up, before doing a hill workout that consisted of 6 sets of 600 rest and 400 hard. 

I had expected a larger turnout, but again was happy with the effort put forth by everyone that did come out this evening.   I know most of you are intimidated by these types of workouts, but I’m here to tell you that because of these types of workouts I was able to break 18 minutes in a 5k for the first time since I was in high school.  That was almost 15 years ago!  I ran a 17:56 on Saturday at the Phillies 5k a week after running my fastest time in a 50k.  I guess what I’m saying is that my program works, and if you want to get faster and to become a better running version of yourself, mustard up the courage and get out there with us.

With that said we will be meeting Thursday at 6PM at New Hope High School for a Speed Workout.  I hope to see you there! 

Till we run into each other again…

The High School’s address:

182 West Bridge Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania 18938

Speedsters Back At It This Week!

          Preparations for the 2012 Speedster Season has been hectic to put it mildly.  Balancing is one of my better skills, but it’s really been put to the test these past few months.  As most of you know I went back to school full time in January and that’s been a rude awakening.  I’m very happy with my decision and not only will my future benefit from this decision, but my running too.  I can already tell that my body is beginning to feel my proper age of 32 not 62.  Being a FedEx guy for the past 8 years has taken a toll on my body.  Climbing in and out of a box truck with some really heavy packages five days a week beat me to hell.  Down grading to a part-time route has me delivering 8 stops a day instead of 80 which allows for more time to train, when the studying doesn’t get in the way.  In any case with this life style transition taking place and still taking some getting used to, I was thrown another curve ball.  When I was told that we would have to pay $100 a night for continual use of the track at Council Rock South and that every track that I or one of many Speedsters looked into would not work for us or allow us to use their track.  We were turned down by School District after School District. 

           

           Then I received a phone call from the 100 meter female champion of the Speedster Track meet from a year ago.  Debbie Burns called me like many of you did asking if she should look into using the track at New Hope Solebury.  I told her yes even though it’s a good 25 minutes from my house.  I honestly was hoping one of the closer schools would accommodate us.  I gave the go ahead to Debbie to look into it as a last resort plan.  Well, the last resort plan is going to become our home for the first two months of the program, and most likely the entire season.  Because of this location I expect a huge drop in the attendance numbers, but I hope I am proven wrong.  The New Hope Track is very nice and offers us everything we need to have successful workouts.  So please don’t let the distance of the location discourage you.  

         

            In addition to the once a week Speed workout’s there will be a Hill workout.  These workouts will be run the same way as the Speed workouts including attendance being taken which will be used to keep track of points for Blue and Orange team members.  The sign-ups for the teams will take place in May.  This too will be taking on some changes, with the biggest change being the elimination of a summer race schedule.  A lot of the races on last year’s schedule are in limbo, not to mention the controversy this caused with some race directors.  I have decided to base the points solely on attendance this season.  I have also taken the liberty of creating a calendar for the month of April that is posted on this Blog page for your benefit.  I’m hoping this tool will help you keep the Speedster schedule straight.

         I would like to thank Debbie, Pete, Tim, Jimbo, Dave, and everyone else that helped look into the different tracks in the area.

       

         So, just in case you fell asleep reading today’s Blog we will be meeting for the first official Speedster Workout of the season this Tuesday which will be a Hill workout!