2007 started out pretty rock, with a bad 50K in March and a really disappointing Boston Marathon, but finished as my best-ever running year to date. Here's how it all happened:
Seneca Greenway 50K (Virginia), 5:54
A long course (I heard one runner say Dave Horton must have measured it), extremely icy conditions and horrible performance made this race one to forget.
Boston Marathon, 3:23
The infamous Nor’easter combined with the fact that I was literally depressed from being unemployed at the time made for a disappointing performance. This was the second consecutive year that Boston had given my quads a painful beating and a wakeup call to spend as little time as possible on the treadmill during the winter months. Roads keep your legs tough and resilient.
Buckeye Trail 50K, 4:41
By this race, the direction of my running had completely changed as I was focused on the Burning River 100 and was regular logging 100-mile weeks (and working full-time again to restore balance to my life!). In the Buckeye 50K, run 3 weeks prior to Burning River, I placed 7th overall, making it my best-ever showing to date.
Burning River 100, 21:08
This was my first 100 miler. I finished 6th overall out of 144 starters and 68 finishers. Without question this was my best-ever showing to date and the defining moment of my running life.
Potato Stomp 9 Mile, 57:55
7th overall – extreme humidity. Struggled mightily on the hills and was sick as dog afterward, probably from the pomegranate juice.
Erie Marathon, 3:24
Traveled with Steve H. to Erie as a trainer for Columbus (Potato Stomp previous day). Just took it easy and didn't try to be a hero.
Columbus Marathon, 3:05
Going into this race, I genuinely believed I was going to break 3 hours, but I didn't. Sure, I PR'ed and qualified for Boston, but I went out too fast and ran a stupid race, finishing 5 minutes slower than my goal time of 2:59. Looking back on it, I didn't spend enough time on the track. Also, I think Burning River took about 6 weeks to come back from...at least.
Fall Classic ½ Marathon, 1:24
I finished off 2007 with a strong finish at the Fall Classic 1/2 Marathon in Strongsville, a key event for me and only my second half marathon. I ran a smart race, PR’ed and won age division, finishing 13th overall out 467.
Seneca Greenway 50K (Virginia), 5:54
A long course (I heard one runner say Dave Horton must have measured it), extremely icy conditions and horrible performance made this race one to forget.
Boston Marathon, 3:23
The infamous Nor’easter combined with the fact that I was literally depressed from being unemployed at the time made for a disappointing performance. This was the second consecutive year that Boston had given my quads a painful beating and a wakeup call to spend as little time as possible on the treadmill during the winter months. Roads keep your legs tough and resilient.
Buckeye Trail 50K, 4:41
By this race, the direction of my running had completely changed as I was focused on the Burning River 100 and was regular logging 100-mile weeks (and working full-time again to restore balance to my life!). In the Buckeye 50K, run 3 weeks prior to Burning River, I placed 7th overall, making it my best-ever showing to date.
Burning River 100, 21:08
This was my first 100 miler. I finished 6th overall out of 144 starters and 68 finishers. Without question this was my best-ever showing to date and the defining moment of my running life.
Potato Stomp 9 Mile, 57:55
7th overall – extreme humidity. Struggled mightily on the hills and was sick as dog afterward, probably from the pomegranate juice.
Erie Marathon, 3:24
Traveled with Steve H. to Erie as a trainer for Columbus (Potato Stomp previous day). Just took it easy and didn't try to be a hero.
Columbus Marathon, 3:05
Going into this race, I genuinely believed I was going to break 3 hours, but I didn't. Sure, I PR'ed and qualified for Boston, but I went out too fast and ran a stupid race, finishing 5 minutes slower than my goal time of 2:59. Looking back on it, I didn't spend enough time on the track. Also, I think Burning River took about 6 weeks to come back from...at least.
Fall Classic ½ Marathon, 1:24
I finished off 2007 with a strong finish at the Fall Classic 1/2 Marathon in Strongsville, a key event for me and only my second half marathon. I ran a smart race, PR’ed and won age division, finishing 13th overall out 467.
