goodbye anonymous comments

I have gone back and forth on this issue of anonymity a number of times in my own mind and after reading here, I have decided to remove anonymous comments from the various blogs I control. This change is effective 3/1/08.

This is not turning away conversation.

This is ensuring that the conversation is based in honesty and real identity.

It also helps that Google has enabled additional accounts to be used to comment.

If you have any issues with anonymity, you can email me (as you won't be able to comment) after March 1. Email to shersteve at gmail dot com

Foxboro 10 Mile - Top 13 Finishers

Here is some video of the Top 13 finishers as they ran into the wind on the last stretch:




Enjoy!

The full 10 Mile race results can be found at Cool Running.

Foxboro 5K - start

After the 10 milers are sent off, the 5K starts. As the runners gathered, you'll hear lots of conversations and very little instruction from the front. Then there is a muffled "ready", the horn sounds and we're off.



I only took the first 30 seconds or so of the start, hey I was supposed to be running this too!

I took it easy, starting slow, working my way into some running room and then stretching the legs a bit to be comfortable without really pushing it.

I had not started my watch (my hands were busy with the camera so I would be dependent upon my sense of pace. I did well considering I had not run since the prior Sunday. Monday I "felt" my ankle in a way that I don't normally. It seemed like it would be wise to rest it. I have come along very well thus far. I don't want to start all over again. A little time now should be better than more later.

I finished comfortably in 24:40 (7:57/mile) about a minute faster than the Thanksgiving run and also about a minute faster than I did here a year ago (that was also a recovery period as I was coming back from my dislocated knee cap at that time).

The ankle is no worse today for the run yesterday. It is not a whole lot better but I didn't really expect that either.

I'll continue to take it easy. A good excuse to really focus on the strengthening exercises that are the "plus 2" part of the First or "3 plus 2" plan.

Complete 5K results can be found on Cool Running

Foxboro Old Fashioned 10 Mile - Race Start (video)

Went to Foxboro today to run the 5K as part of the annual event conducted by the Wampanoag Road Runners. I had registered to run the 10 Mile but I started feeling my ankle again after a run recently so I backed off, didn't run this week, and decided to only do the 5K today. The ankle doesn't hurt. I just could feel it when walking and sitting in certain positions. Not wanting to take chances, the rest was a good idea.

The real test will be to see how it feels tomorrow.

Anyway more of my status and 5K run later. Here is the start to the 10 Mile Race.




Enjoy!

Note: full 10 Mile race results can be found at Cool Running.

Running Tragedy: Qualifying time

What is running a PR
That finishes one
Second shy to qualify?

What is a sherku?

Running tragedy: Race day

What is training for months
Only to have THE race day
Spoiled by bad weather?

What is a sherku?

NewBCamp 2008

Hello World!

This is the announcement for NewBCamp 2008, which is being held from 9:00am - 4:00pm on February 23, 2008 in Providence, RI.

You are invited to use the 'Registration' button to RSVP for the event.

The Details:

• Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 9am to 4pm in Providence, RI
• Xavier Building on the Johnson & Wales campus
  
  259 Pine Street
  Providence, Rhode Island 02903
• After Party at AS220, 115 Empire Street, Providence from 5 PM - 7 PM
  

If you're looking to get the flyer for NewBCamp, here's a link to the PDF,

Old Fashioned 10 Mile and Flat 5K

There's still time! Come run The Old-Fashioned Ten Miler & Flat 5K, scheduled for February 17, 2008.

If you have not yet registered, the fee will increase after February 10, 2008, so move fast and register today at: Active.com


Yes, I have registered and will be running this as my 10 mile workout. If you are going to be there, let me know and we can meet to talk running before or after the race.

sherku: "Run Less, Run Faster"

sound approach, practical
advice, great science for
impressive running results

A short form book review of "Run Less, Run Faster" by Pierce, Murr, Moss

Also posted at quiet poet

sherku: moon shadows

Pale blue field, bright white orb

casts shadows racing around

me running this morning

What is a sherku?

For more sherku and other poetry of mine, you can visit my quiet poet site

Good 6 in the cold

Got my second 6 miler on a Sunday in earlier today. Both last week and today felt good. I used the same route for both runs, a nice rolling course. Last week I started a little slower for the first half, running at 9:15/mile pace and then finished stronger with the last three at about 8:45/mile. Today was much more even, all six miles at 9:00/mile.

Gradual progression scheduled now as I up the distance for my Tue/Thu runs to 3 each and the Sunday run goes to 7 for the two weeks, then 8, then 9, then 10...

Once that far, it should be almost warm enough to run some track work and get into the real FIRST program to get ready for some summer and fall races.

It feels good to be back.

How are your runs going?

New Feed Alert

I went ahead and created a new podcast feed and linked it to the prior feed.

Feedburner is happy with it.

iTunes is happy with it.

Since the problems with the feeds started on or about the 10/14/07 posting, I have submitted all those that came after that to this new feed.

If you do want to listen to the prior ones (prior to session 42), you can follow this link here to my directory and choose the ones you want.

If there is enough demand (i.e. either comments or emails) I could also repost the earlier podcasts to the new feed.

Use one of the subscription options on the right column.

If you do have any trouble please let me know.

Originally published 11/12/07
Updated 12/27/07

I heard from Curt that he is having a problem with the feed from iTunes not having any podcasts since 10/14/07. As there may be others with the same problem, I am putting this up top for a couple of weeks.

Fund Raising for Taline

I received the following in an email from Taline recently. I contributed to her effort in 2007 and did so again this year.

On April 21st I'll be running my second Boston Marathon!! Despite the injuries and challenges I faced during my training last year, I'm testing my mental and physical boundaries once more and also trying to beat my 2007 finish time.

Last year with the help of my friends and family I was able to raise $6200 for the Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester, and this year they have awarded me a number again as I have committed to raising $5000 for their organization.

The Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester is a safe haven where children can participate in over one hundred different programs in art, music, sports, education, peer leadership, and life skills. I hope you will consider sponsoring me and supporting my fund raising efforts with your tax-deductible donation. Online donations can be made through my secure page

Thank you in advance for your support as it was, and continues to be, the guidance and encouragement of those around me that motivates me to try my hardest and do my best in all facets of my life. Thanks, Taline

Good luck, Taline!

Spirit of the Marathon - 1/24/08

NCM Fathom, in partnership with Active.com and Wasserman Media Group, is proud to present “Spirit of the Marathon” on the big screen in high-definition with Cinema Surround Sound on Thursday, January 24th at 7:30PM (local). Don’t miss your chance to see the Chicago International Film Festival’s “Audience Choice Award” winner!

“Spirit of the Marathon” is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the production brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries. As six unique stories unfold, each runner prepares for and ultimately faces the challenge of the Chicago Marathon. More than a sports program, “Spirit of the Marathon” is an inspirational journey of perseverance and personal triumph; a spectacle that will be embraced by runners and non-runners alike.

Four years in the making, “Spirit of the Marathon” is the collaborative effort of three-time Academy Award winner Mark Jonathon Harris, Telly Award winner and marathon runner Jon Dunham and producer/marathoner Gwendolen Twist.

A “Behind-the-Scenes” featurette produced specifically for and shown only at this one-night event includes interviews with the director and producers as well as marathon veterans reminiscing about their first marathon experiences. The featurette highlights deleted scenes, dramatic race footage and previews the upcoming 2008 Olympics with a Q&A session with Olympians Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall.

Tickets are limited ... Please note: this event is at participating US locations only.

For more information, including locations and ticket purchase go here

Hess Fields trail, Danville, PA

Hess Fields trail, originally uploaded by shersteve.

I had a good run last Sunday while visiting some friends in Central PA. MapMyRun came in handy as I found a run I had mapped last time visiting here and combined that one with a new option to put together a good five mile course including this fine trail stretch.

Happy New Year

Thank you for coming here to read and continue the conversation.

Wishing you and yours all the best this year!

Merry Christmas

1 - This Christmas enjoy the holiday trains from South Station:



2 - follow this link to a great Christmas story (be patient for the first commercial, the story is worth waiting for)

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4003490&affil=wpvi

3 - and to recognize our countrymen and women serving in the military:



Merry Christmas to one and all!


PS - thanks to Joan at Songs of Experience for the link to ABC News

5 miles today

I had a good run today. Weather was a little warmer, into the 30's F. Overcast, with a little fog as the melting snow tried to rise. Went out on the hilly King-Summer-Mount-Upper Union-King loop I like.

This is a good course to run particularly on the comeback route. There are three hills. The first one, a good half to 3/4 mile long incline with almost a one mile downhill to follow. The second hill is shorter (about half mile) but steeper and followed by another approximately one mile decline. The third hill is both shorter and more of a slope which leads to a flat stretch for the finish.

Why are hills good for the comeback route?
The hill provide resistance so you are working harder for the distance. The best part of running the route in this direction is the combination of the downhills after the inclines. Especially during the comeback, you can let gravity do the work on the downhills. Simply concentrating on form, getting a good stride and rhythm, letting the hill do the work, stretch your legs out and down you go.

I'll expand upon this idea in a future podcast. One of the good things about the run was that I came up with three podcast topics: (1) hills, (2) curse of the splots, and (3) the practicality of glittens.

Pause for the train crossing

Out running a couple of weeks ago, before the snow came, I was carrying my camera to enforce a slow run and capture some local scenes. As I came along Union St, the train signals started. Good timing.



Enjoy!

Best Buddies finish made the paper!

Thanks to a family friend for catching the photo in the Milford Daily News. I read the paper online and not all the printed content makes it to the web version.