New Year's Resolution

Would be to update this slightly more frequently than I do. Generally I call this run "The Worst Run of the Year" because technically it is.

Had a relatively relaxed NYE, where I flew back to Portland from Baton Rouge, drank a few beers, and called it a night before midnight. I finally caught up on sleep somewhat, which was great.

Ran 30 minutes around Westmoreland Park and stretched. Not running for 5 days, then sitting on an airplane can really make you tight.

Ronaldo Loops

Nike has two international sized soccer fields put end to end right in the middle of campus that are perfect for running intervals on. Hoss and I measured out a course and got to work. The plan called for 6x1k at 3:07 effort, 3 min recovery. There was a bit of snow out on the fields, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it was easier to see the cones marking the course. I guess the footing was good because I ran well in flats and it was dark. Jerry Schumacher, coach of the first non-African under 27:00 for 10k showed up and chatted a bit. The man is amazingly nice and super-talkitive. I thought I was going to have to tell him to be quiet so we could get running. Good thing this workout wasn't about the recovery.

Summary: 3:07/3:11/3:09/3:11/3:12/3:10 - can't complain.

Day/Week: 8/15

SnowCast - Chili

Well, it will if it gets any colder up here. After a quick email to Mom for some comfort food recepies, I hit the grocery store and stocked up. There's nothing quite like cooking chili while watching some snowflakes fall. The chili turned out delicious and freezes well, so I'm set for a few days. Then I can work on some gumbo, then later some taco soup. Yeah, I'm real committed to getting back down to college racing weight of 158lbs, real committed.

Ran the usual two Glendoveer loops, sans Nurse, plus some strides in John Luby park. Unfortunately, my blogs tend to get boring as I tend to run the same routes over and over and over and over again.

Day/Week: 7/7

Over The Creek.....

Through the woods for this edition of the SLR. Hoss was feeling under the weather and we chilled out and only ran about 11.5 miles. I would've liked to go longer, but I'm facing a long season of running through 2011, so I can remain somewhat restrained for the time being. We ran at the perfect time Sunday, as it soon turned cold and gray and started threatening snow. In actuality, it's the kind of weather I love running in and part of the reason I moved up to Oregon from Louisiana. Hopefully we do get some snow later on, mostly because it's fun to play in.

Day/Week: 11.5/54.5

Race Report - USATF NW Regional Champs

Out at Oregon City HS was a crit-style cross country race, featuring many, many loops. Well, it was only 5 loops, but I still lost count and was in danger of running an extra loop. This time we didn't even see the clock until 100m from the finish line, so it was probably the most pure cross country race I've ever run. I ran 27:39 for 11th place and grabbed the final spot on the BAC club team. This means I'm headed to Charlotte, courtesy of Nike, to do some more racing. I love this, it's like being back in college.

Results: http://www.redlizardrunning.com/xc/2010%20XC%20Race%205%20Results.htm

Day/Week: 9/44

Leaving The Hay

Went to Nike and met up with Hoss and we ran two laps of the chips, plus a bit, and stretched. It was cold and rainy and threatening snow - cross country weather. Well, XC weather if you're from New England, which neither of us are. But I like it because I feel like the weather is an equalizer when it comes to racing. Of course, I'm a track guy, then a road guy, then a cross guy, so poor weather and footing really doesn't play into my hands. Also, considering my relatively high body weight (for a runner) I tend to sink a bit deeper into the mud and muck. Cross can be rough for me, but I find it fun because it is so different from what I'm used to.

Day/Week: 4.5/35

Dawn Patrol!

But there's nowhere to surf in Portland? you ask. Well, this version of Dawn Patrol (DP for short), included a small Hawaiian person and a Wolf, running a loop around Portland. It was chilly and nice and relaxed and I came to the conclusion that I am shocked that I live in Portland. This city is amazing and I've been able to find nearly every opportunity I've wanted (and a few unexpected ones) in, or within a few hours, of Portland. I'm in heaven, but mostly because of the amazing people I've met here. I can't say enough about them, nor can I adequately put into words exactly what they mean to me either.

Day/Week: 5/29.5