2009 Year in Review

As 2009 comes to an end, it's always fun to reflect on the year in running. This year was once again a lot of fun. What a great running community we have here in Bend. I feel fortunate to have two quality running stores in town that keep us all appropriately "shoed" and active. I also feel fortunate to run with the quality group of runners that gathers each Tuesday at TPG. Many help to push me, while others are just flat out inspiring. Ryan "Hobbit" Rein in Mercer Island is a nice extended addition to the community and always keeps me motivated with his hobbitude. Overall a great group of people. That being said...

The year began with a major decision...do I hire a coach or not? If so, who should I hire? Well it ultimately came down to two individuals, Alberto Salazar and Andy Martin. After I looked at their credentials, it was no contest, Martin had a far superior resume. After all, Martin could boast of victories at the Light of hope 5k and Flying Pig Marathon. He also holds course records at Horse Butte and Dirty Half. What has Salazar done lately? Nothing. Welcome aboard Andy Martin.

I set out some goals with my newly hired coach. 1. Sub 6:00 pace at Dirty Half, 2. Win Haulin Aspen Marathon with new course record, 3. New PR in the marathon, low 2:30's acceptable, sub 2:30 ideal.

Seemed simple enough. We got to work early. Typically I like to challenge myself by being lazy until 2-3 weeks before Dirty Half and then start running a bunch of tempos. This year was different. My coach brought to my attention a new word...Consistency. I had to look it up. Never really struck a cord with me before. Nonetheless, I began logging consistent miles each week, gradually building up until the week before Dirty Half, then actually tapered. Well the philosophy worked. I ran a 1:18:00, good enough for a 5:57 pace and accomplishment of goal #1. Ideally I would have liked to win the race but Santiago Ocariz came out of nowhere to kick my butt in his star spangled shorts.On to goal #2. My training continued. Martin kept preaching consistency. I kept following his instructions. Before long I was logging 70-80 mile weeks, incorporating track work, tempo runs and long runs into the mix. There was a brief detour in training to run the Cascade Lakes Relay, one of my favorite events. It's always fun to get together with this group. We once again won by several hours, and most importantly had a blast. Shortly after CLR I began my fine tuning for the Haulin Aspen Marathon, including a couple of runs on the upper section. I admittedly unleashed some profanity my first time on the course, as I breached the 5th false summit on the everlasting climb to the radio tower. I repented and moved on. Ultimately it helped prepare me for the race, which I won with a new course record of 2:51. Goal #2 accomplished.

On to goal #3, the toughest of the group, a sub 2:30 marathon, or somewhere close to that. I selected the Twin Cities Marathon as the designated course, as it serves as the national masters road marathon championships, in which I am hoping to compete in 2010. The build up to the race was, well... consistent. I was able to peak out at 90+ miles per week with many quality miles. I never could get over Achilles tendonopathy, so embraced it and decided to enjoy my time with it. For the first 2-3 miles on every run, it was just me and my aching Achilles tendon. It had my full attention. Gradually it would demand less of me and by mile 4 or so I would be feeling pretty good and finish up strong. Later my other Achilles decided it also needed some attention, now I split time equally between the two.

The trip back to Minneapolis was awesome. There was a cool group of Central Oregonians and Washingtonians that met up at the race, making for a good time. The race went well for me with a 2:31:12 finish, a new PR. Not quite the sub 2:30 I was initially hoping for but definitely a step in the right direction.



Post race has been met with injury fury. Bilateral Achilles tendonopathy and left foot extensor hallicus longus tendonitis has knocked me down, but I'm slowly crawling back. Next year I turn 40 and have big plans for the master's division. I'm just hoping I can get my body to buy in to the program.

2009 Awards

Best Memory: Cascade Lakes Relay. How could you not relish heat exhaustion and dehydration followed by a sleepless night and an early morning tempo run with a belly ache. This year we added a couple new faces to the guy's van in James and Teague. Both were awesome to have aboard. Nice job to Cindy too, seamlessly stepping in for Cory. Michael's speedoman costume topped off the weekend. Look forward to next year.



Best Race: Twin Cities Marathon. New PR, cool course, fun group and lots of meals at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Enough said.

Most Disappointing: Unfortunately this award goes to my wife. She was running awesome, claiming victory in the Dirty Half and crushing her CLR legs, but was ultimately brought down by injury. Darn plantar fasciitis. She stoically ran hard in the Xterra Nationals and placed well but did not have an opportunity to fulfill her potential. She does win an additional award for most diligent rehab. I have been living with a wife who stretches her calves and massages her foot nonstop. Cooking, working, cleaning, putting the kids down, lounging, doesn't matter. My calves and feet feel better just being around her. Let's just hope persistence pays off and she can run pain-free next year. The marathon Olympic trials are waiting.




Most Improved: Toss-up between Teague Hatfield and Dave Webster. Both were very impressive in 2009. I'm still wowed by Dave's 2:57 marathon and second place age group finish at CIM. Teague on the other hand kicked butt at the TPG workouts, ran a solid PR at the Dirty Half, and held his own anchoring our CLR team. I can't decide. Maybe Teague wins and Dave gets Most Inspirational. We'll let the fans vote on this one.










Most Valuable: Male: Max won the most money this year so literally he is the most valuable. He also ran a bunch of fast races, claiming victory in just about all of them...except NYC. Still a 2:19 marathon at NYC is quite impressive. Way to go Max. Others receiving votes- Sean Meissner- multiple first place visits at marathon and ultra distance including victory at the Canadian Death Race, crushing cover boy Dean Karnazes. Santi Ocariz- the young nordic skier who should convert to full time runner. He was impressive at the 1/2 marathon distance winning the coveted Dirty Half and beating a stacked field in the Haulin Aspen. Female: Kami Semick. USATF agrees with this, and who could possibly refute it.

2010 goals

• 1st place master's division at national trail 1/2 marathon championships (only if run on the Dirty Half course)
• Top 5 at the master's national road marathon championships- Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, Minneapolis
• 1st place master's division at national trail marathon championships- Lithia Loop, Ashland
• Marathon Olympic qualifying time for Katie
• Finish trans Rockies stage race. Top 3 finish in coed or master's depending on division entered.
• Marathon PR
• Run an ultra, probably 50k, win the master's division, beat Meissner if he enters the race.
• Get over my Achilles injuries and run pain free!

Look forward to toeing the line with you all in 2010.