Thursday, May 6, 2010

Addiction

Hi, my name is Sean, and I'm addicted to flotrack.org, Haile Gebrselassie videos, Chris Solinsky videos, and pretty much any and all other videos that show fast runners running really fast.

When I finally bought a computer in November, I thought that I'd be blogging at least twice a week. No more computer cramming sessions at the library where I could just barely get my internet to-do list crossed off, let alone blog. One post was going to be committed to running (shocker), and one post a bit more controversial - throwing some issues out there to see what you think and why. I could just chill out while surfing and blogging away in the comfort of my home.

And then I found running videos. I dare you to watch the Chris Solinsky video and not get excited. Seriously. In fact while writing this post I'm replaying that video for the 10th time or so, going back and forth between writing and watching.

So in addition to my running and racing, of which there has been plenty of both, I've been spending many evenings, sometimes very late into the evenings, with my newest form of crack. And thus, the blogging has suffered. I am determined, however, to at least try to get caught back up.

Since Hagg, I've...

Had a sweet weekend of 2 trail races, Buck Mtn. Mudslinger 6.5 miler (organized by the very cool Gary and Shandi at Run Wild Adventures) and Tumor Shooter 7 miler, with the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival squeezed in between the races. Although the festival ended up being really crowded so my friends and I ate seafood, drank wine and beer, and played games in a really cool condo on the beach instead. The races were both super fun. Buck Mtn. lived up to its Mudslinger name, while the Tumor Shooter helped raise some money to shoot Johanna's tumor. A good group of runners ran this double, one of whom I whooped in a bet and will pay up soon.

The first weekend of March I ran the Napa Valley Marathon with high hopes of sub-2:37 for a sub-6 pace. I never got into a good groove, feeling like I was pushing too hard for the pace I was running, then ultimately blew up the last 3 miles, finishing in 2:50.

Then after 7 races over the previous 6 weekends, I decided to take a break from racing and help out at the local 5k/10k, Grin and Bear It run. Despite whacking a deer on the way to the race, I really enjoyed marking the course and just helping out in general. Volunteering is awesome!

The following weekend was the Santiam Canyon Scramble, another Run Wild Adventures production. This was a classic scramble and true to form, I got whooped! I just don't do well at runs that include bushwhacking off trail, hiking up super steep climbs, arms-flailing descents, and where shin guards wouldn't have been weird. I was so beat up after this and I had a complete blast! As a bonus, I got to autograph a pair of Montrail Streaks for the very enthusiastic Ryan Krol.

Autographing my first pair of shoes!

What better way to finish the first quarter of the year than by running a marathon? Well, I couldn't answer that question, so I ran, and ended up winning, the Yakima River Canyon Marathon in 2:45:14, complete with a nice 2 min. negative split on the tougher second half (getting a little Napa redemption in the process). My good friend Annie won the women's race. The post-race party Annie, Steve, Chris, and I created was one of the best ones I've ever gone to, complete with wine tasting, pool, beer, darts, wing-eating contest, karaoke, bowling, talk of a beer mile (next time)...truly epic!

Winning the Yakima River Canyon Marathon. I never saw all of that writing surrounding me during the race.

Helping Super Dave with the Horse Butte 10 miler was another fun volunteering opportunity. It really is fun to help out at races then cheerlead for everyone as they're closing in on the finish.

Of course my biggest adventure of the year so far was the Peterson Ridge Rumble. Once again it was awesome! There were about 350 registered runners, 290 finishers, 1 lost kid (who was found!), 1 broken bone, 10 people and 2 dogs at my house, fantastic timers (Run Wild Adventures), and some of the best post-race food ever. I decided to do away with the burgers and hotdogs, instead splurging a bit and hiring Long Board Louies for a burrito bar. This was one of the single most popular decisions I've ever made regarding the Rumble, and as such, Louies is already booked for next year. And as always, Nancy P's provided the to-die-for Peanut Butter Fudge Bars, Brownies, and Wonder Bars! Thanks so much to all who Rumbled!

Jerry Duncan and Nancy MacInnis sportin' some stylish retro Rumble socks!

Post-Rumble I always like to treat myself to something fun, so finally after years of wanting to run the Race to Robie Creek 1/2 marathon in Boise, I did it. It's mostly a dirt/gravel road, gaining about 2,000' in the first 8.4 miles, then bombing down the final 4.7 miles while losing 2,500'. It was the first warm day of the year for me, plus having the race start at noon and running in a canyon where the heat was trapped, made for a little extra suffering foe me. I averaged a heart rate of 185 (maxed at 197) and was happy to just nab a top-10 finish (out of 2,500). This is a classic, fun event.

After being beat-up from Robie for a week, I didn't really have much time to fine-tune for my next race 2 weeks later: Bloomsday in Spokane. Bloomsday is a great event. There are 50,000 runners and probably that many spectators and volunteers, too. I grew up running Bloomsday every year from 1983-1995, with a p.r. of 42:40 in 1994. It's a 12 km and I had a goal of 41:00, which is 5:30 pace. From the gun I went out like it was a 1/2 marathon instead of 12 km, as my first mile was 5:43. That's pretty much the pace I stayed at then the entire race. I think the key to running well at short races is to go out aggressively, as there just isn't much distance to make up lost time. I finished in 43:17, a 5:48 pace, and surprisingly good enough for 86th (I was hoping for top-100, but thought it would take my original goal of 41 for that). Although not quite the time I hoped for, or even a p.r., I really enjoyed Bloomsdaying for the first time in 15 years.

Next up I have a fun little race this weekend, the Larison Rock Hill Climb 4.5 mile in Oakridge. The next weekend is Silver State 50 km in Reno, then Pocatello 50 mile on Memorial Day Weekend. All of this, plus a few solid 120-130 mile weeks and sauna sessions, will hopefully get me ready for my first "A" race of the year, Desert RATS Stage Race. It's 150 miles, 5 stages on Kokopelli's Trail from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT.

And that, my friends, is what's up in Sean-land.

Now I gotta go back and watch some more fast videos.

19 comments:

Brad Mitchell said...

Oh Yea - Flotrack is badass - Solinsky video, very inspiring! 10K debut and sub :27 - WTF!
BTW - great performances, keep it up!

Olga said...

Holly shit, man, you're racin'! That's what happens when you turn to shorter events. The videos are cool too!

The Mountains are calling and I must go said...

even though the signature has faded my enthusiasm has not! The Ridge Rumble was awesome thanks again Sean

Gretchen said...

Whoa, you've clearly been way too busy to blog, so you don't need to make excuses. Nice job on some killer finishes there! Hope to see you at Silver State. I'm doing the 50M, so we may miss each other. Have fun with the rest of your training!

William Swint said...

I was begining to think you had been abducted by hillbillies. Thanks for getting your fans up to date.

You forgot to mention the guy you whooped up on in the bet, kicked your ass at the Scramble. Just sayin'

sharmanian said...

I wondered why you hadn't blogged. I was having to rely on the old fashioned word of mouth. Good luck with the upcoming race and enjoy Desert Rats. I was going to enter it, but got my WS place instead so decided it wouldn't be a smart move. Looks very cool.

Ryan Altman said...

Its about time you are back. Thanks for sharing, your blog is always a good read and I had missed it. Thanks for filling my need and you are right the Solinsky race was just awesome! I had goose bumps, nuff said.

Ronda said...

Okay, that is list. Thanks for getting us caught up. You are truly a machine!

Leslie said...

Whoa. Spring in Oregon is Busy.
And I like to watch fast guys,too!

Anonymous said...

average heart rate of 185 for a half marathon?! wow

SilkySlim said...

Among my favorites is the Seb Coe documentary "Born To Run". Makes it sound simple, multiple 800m repeats over hills at 1:50, of course! Search for it on the tube or google video.

saschasdad said...

Damn you, Ruben...damn you!

Anonymous said...

Love the videos!

Anonymous said...

Sean, May 6th was a long time ago. Time to refresh your blog, don't you think? :)

jennifer Nichols said...

dude, you really should blog sometime:oP slacker!!

and yes, I'm giving you a hard time because you NEVER hesitate to do so to me! :OP

zbsports said...

You are a great bloger...thanks for your good post and for sharing running videos...:D

Anonymous said...

Lemme' fill in for the "Colonel"
- I am came up with my own trail name, something to akin of Extenze!
- I ate cheese fries, they were "yummy!" Wait, real men don't use the that word?
- I broke up with my 14th girl friend in the past 5 years -- or was they all broke up with me?
- I continue to work odd jobs with no future though I am starting to push near 40.
- I have an odd relationship with my dog.
- And yes, I ran a crummy 100 and dnf'd, oh wait I avoided running one this year so I didn't have to blog that.
- I have nothing to show for my life other than a room full of trashed race bibs.

There, now you are all up to date on Sean's life, it hasn't changed -- not one year in the past 10.

chum said...

My addiction used to control me. It overwhelmed the person inside of me, and I became a stranger to my family, and to myself. All I cared about was having another drink. All I thought about was where and when I was going to get my next drink. My mind was totally and completely absorbed within my addiction, and I didn't even know it. I was proud, haughty and selfish. I was an alcoholic. Kind Regards, wine cellars coolers

jennifer Nichols said...

you know, I have ZERO appreciation for the comments the last Anonymous poster left. Not only do they reek of mean spirit and maliciousness ( I find it extremely sad another "runner" would actually SAY terrible things like that to another one, REALLY???) surely this guy, doesn't run.

but it's apparent to me, That whomever posted that is insanely jealous of you, Sean. AND they are too chicken shit to use their actual moniker, so they had to illustrate their massive cowardice by hiding behind a "anon" poster to try to take a swipe at you on your own blog.
HA!!! WELL, all I have to say is:
MR.Anon,

since you've made this a forum we can say EXACTLY what we want and not have a filter, how about this:

1. you're an asshole. I can tell that about you STRAIGHT AWAY.
2. for someone to be so openly critical, perhaps it's YOU that should take a LONG HARD, f-ing look in the mirror and do some self reflecting about your life, your accomplishments and your own legacy before being so critical of others. I feel it's your own inadequacies that have caused to you act out in such a negative way. EH?? maybe?? perhaps?? yeah, I thought so.
and guess what, you just showed the world what a JERK you are in the process. good job.

Sean: Keep fighting the good fight, and ignore the hater who obviously is clamoring for your attention..

I gave him a little, maybe he can go to bed happy tonight knowing he annoyed a little redneck ultra runner from southwest VA.:oP