Just when I thought the weather was taking a turn for the better, it goes ahead and dumps 8 inches of snow! Lots to report on over the last month with plenty more excitement to come also.
First and foremost I PASSED MY BOARDS!! I am officially a registered physical therapist in the great state of Massachusetts. The studying has paid off and I am amped to get a job and begin my career as a physical therapist.
On a sadder note, I have no heard from the producers at CBS in regards to my Survivor audition and I assume I wont this go around. That is ok because up next in the auditions is the Amazing Race with Kara. We have talked about it a bunch and think it would be a blast to give it a try.
Skiing lately has been awesome. This past Sunday we headed up to my favorite and first mountain, Bromley. I forgot what a great mountain it is, and furthermore realized its not as big as it was when I was 9 and 10 years old. Regardless its name showed true as we had the Sun all afternoon long with little to no lift lines...BONUS!!
As far as the running goes I have felt great. Last week I put in a total of at least 20 miles and no calf pain! I am continuing to build my base for this years St. Paddys Day 10k in Holyoke. I am hoping to get the jitters out of my system in May at the Sherriff Sprint where I would be defending my win from last year.
A pretty cool thing happened two weeks ago, I got invited to the 2012 Talent ID Invitational Sprint in Lubbock, TX in April. This race is for triathletes ages 18-23 (this year I am 24) and 24-34 year olds whos national rank score was 90 or higher. The idea behind this race is to find talent prospects for the 2012 and 2016. As appealing and awesome this oppurtunity is, its not a reality. With me starting a career and student loans coming in I wouldnt be able to find the time or the money to put together a good race. That just means 1 thing, I have to perform well this year in order to get invited back next year.
That is it for now, until next time (which will hopefully be sooner than a months time) its back to the job hunt and interviews with some runs thrown in for good measure.
Cheers,
Paul
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Back to the Running...FINALLY
Since my return last weekend to the Snowstorm Classics I have been more focused on my building my base for this upcoming season. This was the first time in a few months that I was able to hit 20 miles of running in a week. The calf issue has finally resolved and I was able to log 20.4 miles this past week in 5 days of running. I ran the 10k Snowstorm yesterday with the plan of taking it easy and just getting the miles logged outside as oppossed to the treadmill where the remainder of my miles have been completed.
When it is less than 10 degrees outside it isn't the easiest to back off and run slow. I NEEDED to warm up and as a result I pushed the pace. At the 4 mile mark I was maintaining around 8 minute miles and then the racing bug showed its ugly head and I pushed it. The covered the last 2.2 miles in 16 minutes which put me under 8 minute miles. It felt good and I am not sore today...BONUS! I plan on heading to the gym later today for an easy 2 mile loosen and some weight training. Kara, her fam and I are all heading to Mount Snow tomorrow for some downhill skiing with fresh powder on the ground so I am wicked stoked for that.
In other news my Survivor audition has been completed and delivered to CA.
Studying has been going especially well lately and I am almost excited for my exam.
I swung by Springfield College yesterday after my race to watch (and announce) the meet against NYU. It was a wicked close with both the mens and womens meets coming down to the last relay. They both won the final relay which gave the women a victory and the men a tie. They are having a stellar season and I can't wait to see the culmination. Thats all for now, I will check back soon, perhaps with some pics from Mount Snow.
Cheers,
Paul
When it is less than 10 degrees outside it isn't the easiest to back off and run slow. I NEEDED to warm up and as a result I pushed the pace. At the 4 mile mark I was maintaining around 8 minute miles and then the racing bug showed its ugly head and I pushed it. The covered the last 2.2 miles in 16 minutes which put me under 8 minute miles. It felt good and I am not sore today...BONUS! I plan on heading to the gym later today for an easy 2 mile loosen and some weight training. Kara, her fam and I are all heading to Mount Snow tomorrow for some downhill skiing with fresh powder on the ground so I am wicked stoked for that.
In other news my Survivor audition has been completed and delivered to CA.
Studying has been going especially well lately and I am almost excited for my exam.
I swung by Springfield College yesterday after my race to watch (and announce) the meet against NYU. It was a wicked close with both the mens and womens meets coming down to the last relay. They both won the final relay which gave the women a victory and the men a tie. They are having a stellar season and I can't wait to see the culmination. Thats all for now, I will check back soon, perhaps with some pics from Mount Snow.
Cheers,
Paul
Friday, January 9, 2009
Annual Meeting
Tonight is our clubs annual meeting. We eat, we drink, we raffle, and most importantly we welcome new members! My hopes for this year is that we get more guys under the age of 35. We have plenty of middle aged guys that kick some serious tail, so us younger guys need to step it up. If anyone is ever interested in joining please let me know or check out our website at www.springfieldbikeclub.com
Side note, I am looking forward to tomorrow, as I am planning on heading to the Hillman's spin class followed by my return to the Snow Storm Classics. My legs are feeling better and it is time to test them for 3.1 miles outside in the cold. Ahhh nothing better.
Cheers,
Paul
Side note, I am looking forward to tomorrow, as I am planning on heading to the Hillman's spin class followed by my return to the Snow Storm Classics. My legs are feeling better and it is time to test them for 3.1 miles outside in the cold. Ahhh nothing better.
Cheers,
Paul
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Happy New Year!
Sorry it has been so long since I have updated. With racing season ending and the offseason taking over, I haven't been motivated to blog. Here is a quick update of days, weeks, and months to come:
Lifting lots of weight - I have been hitting the weights pretty hard for the last 2 months and plan to continue in the weight room through the start of the season.
Run help - My goal in this off season was to lift weights (see previous statement) and work on my run. Due to some December calf issues (body part, not baby cows) I have not been running until yesterday. I hope to get back on track building a solid base of weekday runs followed by the Saturday Snow Storm Classics at Forest Park. When the base is there, the track workouts and hill repeats will follow.
NEW BIKE! - I am looking forward to racing on a new bike this upcoming season. I won a Guru Chrono frame in October and can't wait to be on a new classy whip come May!
Back to Skiing! - I have jumped back into downhill skiing this winter and am totally stoked about it. I had my first run on New Years Day when it was a balmy -12 degrees at the summit of Mt. Snow and a much warmer -7 at the base. It is similiar to riding a bike, as it came back to me fairly easily. Can't wait for more runs!
Big Races in 2009 - I plan on hitting up some big races this season. Provided I register in time I will be racing at the new REV3Tri Half Iron in CT in June, Providence 70.3 in July, and Timberman in August. All three are half irons and the second 2 hold qualifying spots for Clearwater 70.3 World Championships which is the ultimate goal of the season.
Distraction alert!! - On a shot of pure luck, I am hoping to be selected for Survivor!! I am currently working on my audition tape in the hopes of being selected for the cast of season 19 to be filmed this summer. There will always be triathlons, who knows how long survivor will be around for.
Now its time to get back to the books (PT exam is just around the corner)
Cheers,
Paul
Lifting lots of weight - I have been hitting the weights pretty hard for the last 2 months and plan to continue in the weight room through the start of the season.
Run help - My goal in this off season was to lift weights (see previous statement) and work on my run. Due to some December calf issues (body part, not baby cows) I have not been running until yesterday. I hope to get back on track building a solid base of weekday runs followed by the Saturday Snow Storm Classics at Forest Park. When the base is there, the track workouts and hill repeats will follow.
NEW BIKE! - I am looking forward to racing on a new bike this upcoming season. I won a Guru Chrono frame in October and can't wait to be on a new classy whip come May!
Back to Skiing! - I have jumped back into downhill skiing this winter and am totally stoked about it. I had my first run on New Years Day when it was a balmy -12 degrees at the summit of Mt. Snow and a much warmer -7 at the base. It is similiar to riding a bike, as it came back to me fairly easily. Can't wait for more runs!
Big Races in 2009 - I plan on hitting up some big races this season. Provided I register in time I will be racing at the new REV3Tri Half Iron in CT in June, Providence 70.3 in July, and Timberman in August. All three are half irons and the second 2 hold qualifying spots for Clearwater 70.3 World Championships which is the ultimate goal of the season.
Distraction alert!! - On a shot of pure luck, I am hoping to be selected for Survivor!! I am currently working on my audition tape in the hopes of being selected for the cast of season 19 to be filmed this summer. There will always be triathlons, who knows how long survivor will be around for.
Now its time to get back to the books (PT exam is just around the corner)
Cheers,
Paul
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
New Guru Frame!!
Every season my tri team (the Cyclonauts) compete in a team series put on by FIRM (Fiske Independant Race Management). The series has a number of Grand Prixs that you are able to earn points at. They also have non point races that occur just about every weekend from May til October.
This year they had a raffle put on by one of their sponsors Quad Multisport in Arlington, MA. The winner would recieve a choice of a brand new 2008 Guru Chrono TT frame or a 2008 Guru Geneo road frame (each worth about $4500). You were entered into the raffle by placing top 5 in your age group at any FIRM race.
From what I have read, Guru makes an awesome bike. Measurements are taken prior to ordering the frame in order to have the perfectly fit bike. I found out yesterday that I won the raffle!! I have never won anything of this magnitude and am completely stunned. I plan on heading out to Quad Multisport at the end of the week or beginning of next to get fitted!
Guru Chrono TT
Guru Geneo
This year they had a raffle put on by one of their sponsors Quad Multisport in Arlington, MA. The winner would recieve a choice of a brand new 2008 Guru Chrono TT frame or a 2008 Guru Geneo road frame (each worth about $4500). You were entered into the raffle by placing top 5 in your age group at any FIRM race.
From what I have read, Guru makes an awesome bike. Measurements are taken prior to ordering the frame in order to have the perfectly fit bike. I found out yesterday that I won the raffle!! I have never won anything of this magnitude and am completely stunned. I plan on heading out to Quad Multisport at the end of the week or beginning of next to get fitted!
Guru Chrono TTGuru Geneo
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Lesson Learned
I went down to Hartford to support some teammates that were running the half and full marathon on Saturday and left there with a little more than I had planned on. Since I had not registered in time I planned on meeting up with Jim and Rich C and running the first few miles of the half with them. I figured I would wish them luck, get a good 3-5 mile run in, then peel off and head home to Brookfield for the weekend.
I met up with Jim, but never found Rich. With that, Jim and I started the race and were able to run steady 7:00 minute pace for a while. After about 3 or 4 miles, I realized I had no idea where I was and I had better just stay on course until I know where I am, at which time I will look for my car.
My original plan of 3-5 miles had some obvious flaws that became obvious when I found myself at the 10K mark having to use the bathroom. I hadn't really hydrated properly that morning, nor did I eat well. The race was pretty much completed on a sausage egg and cheese, a large french vanilla coffee, and a mini gatorade. Regardless, I kept running.
Jim and I went through the 10K in just over 43 minutes (a PR for me) and that is when I told Jim I was gonna stop at the bathroom and I would catch up with him, boy was I wrong! With Jim holding his 7 min pace, I had to run faster to catch up. When I tried this my body simply didn't respond. In all honesty it wasn't a smart move on my part as I hadn't run more than 3 miles in total since my half iron almost a month ago. I was able to keep Jim in my sights about 200 yards ahead of me until mile 9 when I really started to have trouble.
Up until mile 9 I had averaged somewhere around 7:15 per mile. Mile 10 dropped to 8:08, then to 8:53 at mile 11 (when Rich C passed me in persuit of Jim), then good ole Mike Roberts entered the picture. Mike was running the half for a good run workout in prep for Ironman Florida in 3 weeks, and had already run 5 miles before the half even started! Mike has had an awesome season incluing a 10:06 Ironman in Lake Placid, and a 4:22 half in Rhode Island (which he won overall). With about 2 miles to go Mike wouldn't let me continue my bonking experience and proceeded to push me (literally at times) back down to 7:30 pace. He offered some very helpful run tips and put me back on track to a sub 1:40 half. The two of us cut out just before the finish line in order to start our warm down without getting caught up in the finishers shoot.
It was a great day for our club as numerous Cyclonauts ran to PRs as well as Boston Qualifying times. I learned a valuable lesson in adequate race preparation, as I am still in quite a bit of pain 3 days following the race. More importantly I realized that I have quite a bit of work to do on my run if I am going to get the results that I desire in upcoming races. Welcome to the off season, which for me will mean weight training, and lots of running. I am not sure what my next big race will be, but whatever it is I had better start training for it.
till next time, cheers
Paul
I met up with Jim, but never found Rich. With that, Jim and I started the race and were able to run steady 7:00 minute pace for a while. After about 3 or 4 miles, I realized I had no idea where I was and I had better just stay on course until I know where I am, at which time I will look for my car.
My original plan of 3-5 miles had some obvious flaws that became obvious when I found myself at the 10K mark having to use the bathroom. I hadn't really hydrated properly that morning, nor did I eat well. The race was pretty much completed on a sausage egg and cheese, a large french vanilla coffee, and a mini gatorade. Regardless, I kept running.
Jim and I went through the 10K in just over 43 minutes (a PR for me) and that is when I told Jim I was gonna stop at the bathroom and I would catch up with him, boy was I wrong! With Jim holding his 7 min pace, I had to run faster to catch up. When I tried this my body simply didn't respond. In all honesty it wasn't a smart move on my part as I hadn't run more than 3 miles in total since my half iron almost a month ago. I was able to keep Jim in my sights about 200 yards ahead of me until mile 9 when I really started to have trouble.
Up until mile 9 I had averaged somewhere around 7:15 per mile. Mile 10 dropped to 8:08, then to 8:53 at mile 11 (when Rich C passed me in persuit of Jim), then good ole Mike Roberts entered the picture. Mike was running the half for a good run workout in prep for Ironman Florida in 3 weeks, and had already run 5 miles before the half even started! Mike has had an awesome season incluing a 10:06 Ironman in Lake Placid, and a 4:22 half in Rhode Island (which he won overall). With about 2 miles to go Mike wouldn't let me continue my bonking experience and proceeded to push me (literally at times) back down to 7:30 pace. He offered some very helpful run tips and put me back on track to a sub 1:40 half. The two of us cut out just before the finish line in order to start our warm down without getting caught up in the finishers shoot.
It was a great day for our club as numerous Cyclonauts ran to PRs as well as Boston Qualifying times. I learned a valuable lesson in adequate race preparation, as I am still in quite a bit of pain 3 days following the race. More importantly I realized that I have quite a bit of work to do on my run if I am going to get the results that I desire in upcoming races. Welcome to the off season, which for me will mean weight training, and lots of running. I am not sure what my next big race will be, but whatever it is I had better start training for it.
till next time, cheers
Paul
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Video Footage of the Speedo Challenge - Check it Out!
A very nice couple that is starting a videography company called Tri-2-Excel had some extra footage from the Chicopee Sprint and were nice enough to put it together for me. Check it out here: www.tri2excel.com!
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