Mortan International Meeting

There's a rumour Flotrack will be covering the race tonight in Dublin at the Mortan International.  Here's where it would be.  I race at 8:31PM.....Irish Time Zone
http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/249619-Morton-Pre-Games-International-Athletics-Meeting

Better Days

I've sat on this post for a while trying to figure how what i was and am feeling and how to describe it all.  It wasn't just 8 months of training, it was 4 years of preparation. 4 years of besting my last performance, 4 years of eating healthy, 4 years of "I'll just have water to drink" when I go out. 4 years and not to accomplish what I wanted.

                                              

It sucks, that's all there is to it.  Fucking sucks. I want to say I can roll it off but its hard. Its hard to put in everything and come up short. If you've ever seen the end of the movie Friday Night Lights where Billy Bob Thorton is the football coach you can imagine all the emotions that I faced when I crossed the line at the Olympic trials. To put everything out there is hard enough but for it not to work is something new to me. I've never not gotten what I wanted after putting 100% effort into it.

I don't regret how I played the season out. I took a shot and it didn't pan out. But I wouldn't have done anything different, so in reality I have no regrets.  A famous man once wrote "when life gives you lemons, some else gets dog shit" (G.M. 2012). Basically someone has it worse. I was going for a shot at making the team. There are many who were expected to not only make it but also medal who ended up missing it. Really this means nothing, but its a great way to rationalize.

So now the pressure's off. It's all about just running fast for me. Basically what it should have been from the start. I've raced 4 times since nationals and have been to Flagstaff, phoenix, Calgary, Moncton, Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa Rome, Pergine and not heading to Milan then fly to Dublin then Stockholm  all within the month. So 12 cities and 5 countries....I love living out of a suitcase and seeing the world.

Racing has not gone as planned. My races have been frustrating. Every opening seems to close up on me. I go inside, it shuts down, I swing outside, it shuts down. I've tried coming from behind and from the front and nothing is working....WTF!

Last night I had my first race in Europe. My plan was to sit back relax then move the last 200m. Everything was perfect, 200m left the rabbit (pace setter) starts moving wide, so I start to go, except the rabbit stays in my way. I move wider, he moves wider. I swing out to lane 5 and put the hammer down going from 6th to 3rd but got nipped at the line (0.01). 1:48.64. 1st was 1:48.44. First place was mine if I had better positioning.

My next race is Dublin for the Irish Miles Club. There's no Pacer so I'm getting out front. Get out of the shit and set my own pace. Why not try it. Everything else seems to blow up in my face. Let's try something new! Just trying to stay confident and remind myself I do this because I enjoy it.

TRIALS TIME

This weekend is the Olympic Trials.  It's what I've spent year preparing for. I've put in the work,  I know how to race, and I've got the support.................. It's all about the execution now.

Friday is prelims and Saturday is finals.
STREAM IT ONLINE OR WATCH ON CBC
Friday 6:55MT http://www.cbc.ca/sports/trackandfield/video/live/#id=2234952886/ 
Saturday CBC 3:15 MT or http://www.cbc.ca/sports/trackandfield/video/live/#id=2234952886
Thanks to for the support, in whatever way you want to show it!

1:46.83

  What a mixed emotions race. Some of me is happy and most just wants to cry. I mean Finally under 47 again! It took a bunch of races but I finally got under and back to really feeling confident. Also, yet extremely small (0.02),that race was a PB (personal best) for me. So I can't hate on it......but man, that race went went B standard. So it's like getting kicked in the nuts by a really hot girl....who gave you her number. You think, "Awesome, digits"...but "man kick in the nuts"! Big congrats to Geoff Harris who got the second B. Obviously I wish it was me, but he deserves it. He put in solid training and maximized on the races.     

My goals haven't changed. I still want to run fast. I'm still aiming for 1:45. My confidence is there. I close hard and am making strong moves in the race. I'm just wasting energy all throughout the race. In and out of the pack, surges to get around people, running the 2nd 400 in lane two.... all these are showing me one thing, GET OUT IN THE TOP 3! I let these guys get in front in the first 200 and when I want to get going, they start going backwards. So it's a mission to get get around them and back with the leaders.         

All us track runners want those races that you just follow the train and run fast. The ones where it just pulls you and you run fast. I'm in fast races, just not blazing races so i can't sit back. I need to get out and close hard. That's my thing I need to change.

I still have plenty of races to run fast. I just need to keep maximizing. Like I said I PB'd! Hells ya! You gotta take in the little things. But in reality, no time has been good enough. If it was I'd be hanging the spikes up and drinking margaritas with my "She Devils" having a blast. Haha. That may sound a little jaded but thats how the winners stay winning. Take the race, find the positives, fix what needs fixing, reevaluate and....ON TO THE NEXT ONE!!!!           

Tonight 10:56 ET Zone 800m Indianapolis High Performance Series

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/249462-2012-American-Milers-Club-Series-Meet-4/video/641624-LIVE-American-Milers-Club-Series-Meet-4-6162012-Indianapolis

1:47.4...Not the standard

Tonight felt great. Despite the cold weather and wind, I was ready to run fast. I can't remember much except for the last 200m. I can remember 3 things from that point. 1. Geoff harris goes down
2. We were so bunched up there was nowhere to go
3.  I came off the turn and put the hammer down

When I run this late it's freaking hard to sleep so you just think. It sucks thinking about things after. What if i had done this, what about that...bla bla bla. I'm wired from the napping, the caffeine, and pure adrenaline. So i just replay the race over and over. But I have to look at the positive. I know something is there, I feel super confident, and I finished 2nd in a race filled with Olympians, world championship competitors and people with far faster times than me. I raced some good competition and came out pretty well.

SLIGHTLY INNAPROPRIATE TIME
Post race I had my first drug test ever. Immediately after the race a guy comes up and tells me i've been selected. You then have 1hr before you have to check in with him, so you can get your cool down in and such (but you have to stay in site of them). So i finish my cool down and go into the drug test office. I down 4 bottles of water and after 20 min I feel it coming. I grab the cup, the guy follows me in and I pee with him staring at my junk. EXCEPT....I fill up 75ml and you must have 90. So i have to wait another 20min for my girl bladder to reload. Same thing again, the guys follows me in, looks at the goods and I fill a massive 30ml (totaling 95ml...I'm good) I pushed so hard I almost sharted. Hahaha.  He then makes me drop the pants to the ankles and lift the shirt to make sure I have notyin to switch/tamper with the bottle then sends me on my way.

What an experience!

Up next is Indiana. Last shot before nationals. I love these close calls.  I really feel like a great one is there, but I just can't buy a time.  Saturday night, one more time to give it all.

Pissed

what the fuck was I thinking? I had a simple plan, GET AFTER IT. I was going bang or bust. What did I do...? Fall asleep from 500-600m and let the fast guys gap me. Then I try and finish hard down the homestretch where everyone else did the same. What  the fuck?!

Deep down I think  I was a little scared. Scared of dying down the homestretch. Who the hell cares. maybe I would have pb'd maybe I would have died. Who knows.... Not me because I didn't commit.

same plan for wednesday but I'm actually going to do it.

Yes, I'm alive

Whoa it's been a bit since I've logged on here.  I've been MIA since the race in California.  Why, haven't I updated....? In a word, "frustrated".  Basically I've been super frustrated with my season's progression.  I decided to shut down my media distractions thinking it might be a culprit in my over-stressing in races. Since the blog shutdown I've raced one more time which was a 1:47.18.  It was a seasons best and still a top 5 performance for me, so I can't be disappointed with that.  But, like anyone chasing a dream, it's not fast enough.

The Arizona camp is done and I've landed in Victoria, BC.  Lets just be honest, I hate Victoria.  I've seen the sun twice since I've been here and it's rained EVERY DAY!!!  This is the complete opposite to phoenix where it rained twice in 5months.  However, looking at the bright side, this is exactly what to expect in London for weather, so there's that.  Also, I'm rooming with 5 other UVIC girls, which has actually been hilarious.  They're fun, easy going, and are crazy....I forgot how much drama 5 university girls bring with them.  For a guy who loves gossip, let's just say, SEX in the City...you NAILED IT!!!  Sometimes I really miss college. I welcome them anytime to stay with me, in all honesty they really are awesome.

My next race is Sunday on the mainland for the Harry Jerome Track Classic.  This race over the years hasn't been the best to me time-wise but I'm ready for a change.  My body is feeling strong, I know I'm ready to run fast, and I feel a PB (personal best) in me.  My biggest thing is I need to relax.  It's all about fast and controlled.  My California race was the perfect example.  I wanted it TOO bad and fought myself to make it happen.  With 150m to go I rigged up and shuffle stepped it in to a very upsetting performance.

So if I'm going to take anything from this rant it's that I need to stop being a bitch and commit and RACE!!!.....but controlled.  

It'll be broadcasted live all day

Harry Jerome (west coast times)

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/248652-2012-NTL-Harry-Jerome-International-Track-Classic Click on the watch live button

2:42 Opening Ceremony
2:52 Hammer Throw Women NTL
2:54 400m Women NTL
3:00 400m Men INV
3:04 Long Jump Women NTL
3:04 High Jump Men NTL
3:08 1500m Women NTL
3:16 1500m Men NTL
3:20 Javelin Men NTL
3:24 200m Men NTL PARA
3:30 100m Women INV
3:36 100m Men NTL
3:40 Jerome Outreach Award Presentations
3:48 800m Women NTL
3:56 800m Men NTL
4:04 100m Hurdles Women NTL

Smitty out-

GO BIG...

<p>HOLY SHIT!!! <br>
That's all that's going through my head. Heat sheets are out for the OXY meet in California and it's perfect. This race is going Olympic A standard. I've been wanting a fast race all season and I got it. There are few times when track and field gives something to you. Tomorrow it's giving me a shot. Time to maximize. Think fast thoughts for me!

Watch live at Flotrack.org
http://live.flocasts.org/flotrack-248557-live.html

Section 3 Timed Finals
1 219 Kyle Smith Canada
2 190 Julius Mutekanga New Balance
3 222 Duane Solomon Saucony
4 187 Tyler Mulder Nike O T C
5 140 Andrew Ellerton Reebok
6 210 Alex Rowe Melbourne TC
7 212 Michael Rutt N J- N Y TC
8 176 Lopez Lomong Nike O T C

Business in the Front

 This past weekend I got a chance to rep the Red and White at the Penn Relays.  I was on a Distance Medley Relay (DMR) team. It goes 1200m, 400m, 800m and 1600m. The field was 2 American teams, Australia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco and 2 Canuk teams. The two Canuk teams; Team Red and team black.  Myself, Mike Robertson, Geoff Harris, and Pete Corrigan were Team Red.  Red was known as the “B” team.

I was the 1200m leg.  Yes, that’s right a whopping 400m longer than my event.  It’s a bit of a different relm for me, so yes I was nervous.  I’m coming off a 3:50 1500m time (terrible) and stepping on to the field with guys who’ve run 3:35-3:38 as 1:44 800m guys, basically a bit out of my element.  So if you caught the race on NBC and saw my face, yes I was a little FREAKED OUT! 

The gun went and I went to the back. Sit and wait, that was my plan.  To be honest most of the race is a blur.  But I do remember thinking “don’t get left behind”.  I knew at any moment these boys were going to change gear and I didn’t want to be a step behind when they did, so with a little less than 400m to go I made a move and swung wide to lane 3 and started to move.  I went hard and with 100m left tide up, and held on to hand off in 5^th. 

Ya, I’m a little upset about the placing.  I mean I hate losing. But running against the top and to only have them barely pull away from me, I’ll take it.  Team Red was suppose to be a write off and I was barely 1second away from the “A” team for Canada and 2 from the rest of the field. Against 1500m runner an 800m stuck right there.  I think I’d be more worried if I was a 15 runner… I could make excuses like “I was boxed in”, or “I fell asleep for a second” or “I had to swing wide” but why?  I know I pushed hard.  I made the decision to go when I did and I think I made the best move possible.  I took control of the race to kick when I did. I just didn’t have enough in the tank to hold on. 

I got arrived in to Flagstaff, AZ for the second year of altitude training.  Rumour has it, that it’s suppose to be easier each time you go back to it.  I’ll just be honest I went for a 3 miler and that fat kid feeling came right back.  My heart rate came up and my chest burned.  Oh Flagstaff.  

Either way, its time to get focused on these next couple of workouts then my next race.  I’ve heard too often now the phase “just need to take care of business”.  I’m tired of being an afterthought.  Time to start focusing and race!  Time to put myself in contention for the Olympic standard. 

-Smitty out-

Roll With It

What happened yesterday in my race was both frustrating and liberating.  My previous race was not how I foresaw my 800m season opener to go.  I believed I was in great shape and my race would prove it.  Talk around my group was pretty optimistic about times but it all seamed attainable. However, it came crumbling down with a 1:49.3.

This week I took my race to the Mt. Sac Relays where I was in the Olympics Development 800m section.  I’ll be honest it was hard to not dwell on the past, but that’s what this level is all about.  Being able to roll with the shitty ones and come out on top.  My game plan was simple.  RACE!! Stop worrying about time and just race.  What I thought were 12 guys in my race turned out to be 16, which is a lot for it.  We started as a two lane waterfall start, which is rarely fun for anyone.  I got out mid-pack…STUPID, and did whatever I could do find openings and move up.  At every point I wanted to go, someone was there blocking me.  It’s difficult to pass in someone in any race at this level, but it’s even more difficult to do it in lane 3.  Pretty much the entire race was 3 lanes wide.  I finished a disappointing 8^th with a 1:48.2.

Yes, it is a frustrating time, and a frustrating performance.  But the entire race I felt good.  I had energy to kick (too little to late with 80m to go).  My mistake was simple; I got out too fucking slow.  I’ll just be honest, I raced that first 200m like a bitch.  Watch the vid and see.  I should be getting to the first 200 around 25.0 - 25.5, which I was around 26ish.  I should be going through 400m around 51 - 52, which I was 53.  Then watch the race…3 lanes wide. I try to step out on the back stretch and move, but with 6 guys in front and more beside me, it’s freaking hard.  From the bell lap, I knew I fucked myself.  I tried to find the gaps where I could, and managed a solid manoeuvre on the homestretch. But it wasn’t perfect.  I wanted to fire the thrusters at 200m but am boxed in.  I remember thinking about my decision at the end “wait till the guy beside me goes past or slow down and go around?”  I slowed up, and then started to go wide, when the inside opened. Man oh man, I love it when that inside lane opens up. But it was just off my timing.  I felt strong finishing and was confident I could have maintained another 100m.  What this means is go through a little quicker and there’s my 1:46.  Today was a 1:47 effort.  I know it and I felt it.  It doesn’t show it on the books, but I know where I’m at.  What this shows is progress.  Anyone who talked to me after my first 800m knows I was just baffled at what happened.  Least this time I can pinpoint. 

Too much of my thoughts are about times, and to some extent it has to be.  I’m chasing the Olympic standard which is a set time, but focusing on that single entity is unrealistic.  I need to focus on what I can control, and that is how I race.  I can control how fast I go out in the race, when I make a move, and how confident I go into the race.  Work with what I can and the rest will follow.  Either way I love this shit! 

Next week I take time away from my individual running and head to Philadelphia for the Penn Relays.  I’m representing Canada on one of our Relay Teams.  My confidence is back and I’m hungry to race. 

HELLS YA!

I'm in the Orange top inside lane

Watch more videos on Flotrack

1:49.35.........not happy. Enough said

PB...WHAT WHAT!!!

Saturday was a a good day. I had my Brother and Dad visiting for the week and had a solid race weekend with a 1000m and a 4x400m.  It's been quite a while since I've done either of these events, so I was pretty excited.  I couldn't ask for a better race setup.  We had a good field (basically every guy in my training group), a pacer, and great weather.  The talk within the group was sub 2:20.  Which is basically 1:50-1:52 at the 800m mark and close hard.  I'll be honest, seeing the splits on paper seems easy but getting after it, that's always the challenge.

Take a look at the vid (I'm the Orange).  I was around 1:53 through 800m.  I made a strong move with 250m to go but what can I say....too little too late. Lincoln had a good surge early and when I finally got up to him held me off well.  I need come off the turn HARD and BELIEVE that I can push through the line.  The win would be great, but a PB's a PB.  You can't be disappointed when you run faster than you have before. I ran well and closed hard.  The way I look at it is my race is 200m less. I closed well in this, so I gotta have a stronger kick in an 800m!!!


4x400m was 3 hours later (yup long day waiting around). The order was Myself, Daren St.Clair, Andrew Ellerton, and Matt Lincoln.  I opened in a 48.6.....I'll take it.   And we went on to win in a 3:15 (2nd was 3:20).  I started way out there in lane 7 with the closest guy to me in 4.  As soon as the gun went we were in first and stayed there. ha ha.  Not bad for a couple MD boys.  Put us in a pack and I think I'd have a faster time.

BEETS THE DEMON VEGETABLE!!!

This past weekend I've been K.O.  Thursday was good; had a decent workout and a fine PM recovery run.  I had a great meal- Steak, Quoinoa, and Beets.  But Friday morning 2am...OH MAN I WAS HURTING!!  Ran to the bathroom...and have you ever eaten beets.... boy was I in for a surprise.  It was red!!!...WTF?!?!?  But that was the least of my concern. I ended up getting food poisoning and spent the entire day in a clouded haze in bed or the toilet.  I ate and drank basically nothing because I couldn't stomach a thing.  Day 2 wasn't much better, I had nothing in my stomach but that didn't stop the cramps.  "East Coast" said by day two my body smelt like the top floor of the geriatric ward....

Sunday was a new day, I sprang up and out of bed to the sound of East Coast head first in the toilet, then it hit me....No cloudy haze.  Through the sounds of her suffering, I actually felt okay.  I still had this bubble in my stomach and my appetite was light, but there was improvement. I was up and moving about.  The end of the day I decide its time to try the legs out.  My 4 mile run was okay.  That balloon in my stomach stayed with me the entire run bouncing with every step, but it did deflated each step as well.....IT FELT GOOD!!!!

Tuesday is a workout day, lets see if I'm 100% ready to workout again.

Day 69: What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple. Whether you are willing to do it, that's another matter

This is the quote my father sent to motivate/inspire me on this journey. The one you're following me on.  This quote really hit me today after today's workout.  It was an 800 specific workout meaning we're shooting for times similar to that what we want to race at.  My coach's guiding words are simple, "relaxed pace" or "comfortable pace".  I'l just be honest.....this shit never feels relaxed or comfortable.  What feels comfortable ....a warm up.  But I get what he means,  "don't go to the well".  Don't push it to max effort and tighten up.  You waste energy when you tighten up.  So its the balance between fucking fast-and staying relaxed.

Back to the story.  Today we had two sets of 800m specific.  The first set was great.  Great times, felt good (well except for the last 15metres).  As soon as the first set was done I ripped my spikes off and pain surged through my ass and legs.  Holy shit did I ever hit lactic acid.  I probably had about 5minutes where I could barely walk.  I slowly jogged the remaining rest to get it out.

Second set I choked a bit.  I'm not sure if I died or just shut it down a bit (probably a little of both).  Shit happens. and you can't dwell on it.  You've got to pick the goods and the bad and fix what needs fixin'. Workouts come in shitty, decent and great.  This was a decent one.  Nothing spectacular but not shitty.

I've just got to get it in my head to not think of the next rep or next set.  If I die, I die, but I'll never know if I can handle it if I hold back.  It's not about "going to the well" for every workout, but about pushing through when shit gets tough.  

It's almost there.  Workouts are clicking, the speed is there, and Saturday will show me where my strength is.  Either way its 16 weeks till the trials and even sooner till I need to be racing fast....so it's going to have to.

Another cycle complete means RECOVERY WEEK!!!  these past two weeks of training have been going great.  I'm rolling in workouts feeling confident, and my mileage is high.  So combo-ing the two together and having them both going well, things are looking good.  But lets just be honest, Saturday was the last workout in the cycle and it COOKED me.  And I'm not over-exaggerating.  I think everyone in the group felt the same way.  After laying on the track for 10min, I crawled through my cool down.  Getting home, I shower-bathed.  You've all done the shower bath...it's when you're so damn tired and smell so bad that you lie down in the shower unable to move as the water hits you.  I was so tired that "East Coast" turned the water to cold and I laid there debating whether to just take it or not.  ha ha ha.  The rest of the day I was in the fetal position too sore to sleep but so tired I couldn't move.

It's great though.  I'm about 3 weeks to our opener, so the mileage is getting cut back and the intensity will continue to go up.

I love it though.  I love that sting, I love that inability to move....this shit is awesome!!!!

P.S.  Here's what I run in.....

 

AND THIS IS WHEN I WENT HOME....ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!!?

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER: POKER

WHAT A FREAKIN TURNOUT!!!  Saturday night had to have been one of the coolest nights I've ever experienced.  Yes, it was awesome to be the centre of attention.  Anyone who knows me, understands that I strive for that, ha ha ha.  But this was way more than that.  I've never been so touched in all my life.

 Saturday night brought poker to a new level for me.  A group of closer people in my life set up a poker fundraiser for me to help raise money for this Olympic dream you've been following me with.  And what a fundraiser it was.  Payouts were for the top 5 places with the winner taking home $720. Friends, family, and just poker lovers came out to support.  

Yes, I sat and played. Partly, I was hoping to walk away with some of the pot winnings, but mostly to talk with the people that are supporting me.  I caught up with friends at the table and also got a chance to meet others and exchange stories.  But did I ever have the shakes playing.  I got hot/cold flashes, my nerves were all over the place, my heart rate elevated.....I felt like I was going through........... menopause?!?!!!  All my sports have helped me with the ability amp myself up to explode out in a race.  But poker is like the Tour de France-tactical and calm waiting for the perfect moment to strike.  Man oh man was there some solid poker players.  One in particular that stands out in my mind was a woman dressed in a hoody and shades.  No smiles, barely any talk, just business.  And did she take care of business picking off players one by one.  Players were dropping hundreds of dollars in re-buyin, and she just took it right back from them.  Finishing 2nd, she was one of the bests to watch.

Something that has to take note is my "Lovely Ladies".  What a perfect set-up these women had.  The poker guys didn't stand a chance.  My fit club ladies, and hockey/track moms did an amazing job of selling....tickets.  50/50 tickets, raffle for Leafs tickets, and raffle for a Texas mickey of Grey Goose were all up for grabs.    No one stood a chance against them... Imagine hot women selling booze, women selling buy-ins, women giving food, women selling tickets, I LOVED IT.  One notable woman had a great talent of selling arm-length of tickets.  She gave a great deal when you bought the both arms....lets just say it was chest-ac-ular!!!!  

During the draw prizes winners who won truly deserved it.  The Goose went to a poker guy who when first arrived took one look at the bottle and said "I'm winning that", and was determined to do so.  The 50/50 draw went to a family who did something amazing and donated it right back to me.  Which is why, somehow by the gods of Karma she won the Gold Seats Leaf tickets (face value $200/ticket).   Thank you Kelly and George.

But I knew this poker night would be a success when I received a card from a family with two kids, one in grade 6 the other in grade 2 that participated in my cross country program this fall.  Within the letter there were two other personal notes from the kids saying thank you and good luck to me, each having placed money from there own pockets in there.  Ya, I broke down with that one.  

Thank you to everyone who came out.  Thank you to my planners: Margaret, Jeanine, George, and Ann.  

Thank you to my helpers: Lissa, Alanna, Marlene, Will, Kelly, Sunny, and Rocky.  

Thank you to my donators, Karen B, Karen S, Sharon, Rod and Sherri, Anna, Pat and Peter, Bill, Mike, Dermot and Katie, Evonne, Amanda and Zac, Nancy, Grant, Naomi, Carrie, Marry, Melissa and Paul, Kim and Brian, Andrew and Liam, Dad and mom, Bobbo, mAnne-train, Megs, Ann and Paul, Jeanine and Sam, Margaret,  Dave, Jan and Alana, Kelly and George, Julia  James  Will and Maddie, Tara, Tammy,  my Mom and Dad, all the poker people,

Thanks again to the poker players, who came out to support me. 

I hope I didn't forget anyone.  If I did it wasn't my intention.  Thank you, thank you all.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!   I can't express how grateful I am to this.  To have this much support and people behind me, I feel untouchable.  I don't feel pressure, but rather recharged with confidence and excitement.  

I'm rocking out this year.  I'm going faster than I ever have.  Watch, read, and follow me along this path, because you've all helped me get here and I owe you all eternal gratitude.

HELLS YA BABY!!!!

i'm sitting in the airport a out to fly home andni just looked at the toronto weather and saw ners in the negative!!  i'm leaving 15-20 degree celcius for this??!! t i'm heading back for a funraiser for me that a  group of people have helped put together.  They're rounding everyone they knosw and ngetting them out. Its actually looking pretty damn good. there's a pot that continue to grow for the winners (~$2000) right now, free food, gold seat leaf tickets, and plenty of booze.....all to come out and play. A pretty solid fundraiser. haha

As I sit here waiting for this flight it got me on a train of thoughts starting with starbucks and ending with friend and family that made me want to thank everyone for their support. I mean I have this little group of people that believe in me enough to get this fundraiser going, I've got friends that are just as poor as me coming out to play, people sending me wishes and donations,, a dad who sends me quotes each day to remind me and motivate each day as to what and why I'm doing this and family that's been with me since day one believing in me. I LOVE IT!!!!! I don't feel pressure with this either, rather a desire to push. I've got a community of support rooting for me. Pushing with me on my journey. HELLS YA BABY!!! Bring on the cold, bring on the snow, with everyone behind me, nothing can break me.


pokerhttp://www.meetup.com/YorkRegionPokerLeague/events/47799182/

If you're interested in playing there are still a few tickets available for the event

so........2/3 for workouts.  3 wasn't terrible but can't be listed as a solid session.  Bring on the 10miler today

HELLS FREAKIN YA!!!!! Finally had a good workout. I've been here over 20 days and nothin has seemed to click. I was having to modify workouts, my jogs felt shitty........ but not anymore...or not for these workouts. I'll be honest, not only was I getting dominated in workouts, but I had to get shit within the workout modified/changed.  It sucked. mentally and physically I was frustrated.

Tuesday was the next workout.  The workout was 300 (3min) 200 (2min) 100,   10min  200 (2min) 100 (2min) 100 (2min).  Everything was suppose to be fast.  Up to this point all I've done is 30 second 200s (i.e. slow and steady).  As I step on to the line for the workout, one thing crosses my mind...."F*ck it. Let's roll".  I wanted to run fast, that was it.  I finish the workout  36.8, 24.6, 12.4    24.3, 12.3, 12.0.  HELLS FREAKIN YA!!!

Second workout was on Thursday - 7x 3min surges with 2min recovery on a trail.  So basically 7x1000m.  3min surges is all about going to another place in the mind for as long as possible.  That's the trick.  Focus on a point on a loop and just stay with it.  I rocked out well. Splits were anywhere from 4:50-5:10/mile pace.  I'm pretty pumped with this workout because I've never done this many repeat 1kms in a workout.  \

So that's two workouts down with one to go.   WTF though.  I've been in the fetal position in any time from not running.  Everything hurts!! Hamstrings, quads, back, hips,.....face.  EVERYTHING!!! Want to know how to hurt...Run balls to the walls in a workout when you've done nothing but 5-10km training.  But it feels good.  This kind of pain feels real good!!!

Wow, long overdue entry!

4 days of driving across the countries and I've landed here in Scottsdale, AZ for another year of training. It's under 6 months to go until the trials and man it's crazy.  Crazy to think that all this work could become a reality.  I'm excited, scared, nervous, amped.....you name it I'm feeling it.  And it's great.  I want all these feelings because it's these feelings that are going to help me push my body to new limits.  I need to find a half second in my training.  A half second to cut my time to hit the Olympic Standard. Where will it come from?

It's all about different mindset and new limits.

The drive got me though.  I was out of commission most of last week because of a cold.  I ran 5 days out of the week.  clocking an whopping 20 miles...ha ha ouch.  (2 weeks prior I had logged a 70mile week). I was rundown, tired and a cloud of fog congested my head. But this is a new week and I'm feeling a lot better.  I even had my first week of workouts with the team.  Each day the cloud over my head cleared a little more and through the clarity the miles started to show.

9	10	11	12	13	14	15
off   off	AM: surge hill, SS downhill, 3min surge, 2 min SS (10minx3)  5:16, 5:31, 5:36 pace    6mile warmup/down         PM: 2miles	AM weights +3 miles    PM: 5 miles                 Total Mileage: 57	6,28 miles easy run	AM: 2x 4-400m 65, 65, 63, 61  64, 64  1min rest             6mile warmup/down    PM: 4 miles	AM: weights +4 miles       PM: 6.6miles	8 miles                   Total 57 Miles

Tuesday was rough.  30 min continuous running workout that involved a hill surge, 3min surge and steady state runs.  Basically each loop took roughly 10min.  What a day to come back.  Let's just say it, I DIED!!!  oh man it hurt so bad.  I ended up getting passed by a couple girls in the workout. Yes, they're some of Canada's best distance girls, but none the less, it was frustrating.

Friday was the second workout. It was a hell of a lot better.  I felt good and able to stick with the GUYS group....well for 6.  

It's going to take a little bit to get back into the groove again but I have plenty of time.  I got a down week this week to recover and recharge.

I'm not worried about things.  If I'm going to get sick, now's the time to get it out of the way.  It's about getting healthy and running fast now.