Track and Field Blogs - RunDMC

2008 was a pretty good running year with the exception of getting injured in October. I lost out on my last few planned races and failed to take advantage of the gains I had made in training. However I know that I was in very good shape and ready to run well. A friend and training partner ran 2:50 at the Sacramento Marathon (CIM) and I think I would certainly have been close. Woulda, coulda , shoulda.

Did: Ran 15 races spread from Jan through Sept. Four top 3 finishes overall, two 4^th place finishes, all but 2 races in the top 20 overall. Those two were the Boston Marathon (1345^th), and a big college/open cross country race.

Even at 38, I learned a few things about running. I found that the pros in Mammoth do drills and core work almost daily. I have always done those things a little, but am doing them more now.

I lived in Mammoth Lakes, Ca for 4 months and am thoroughly convinced that altitude training works well. I have not felt that strong in years, but I was slow to acclimatize. I never felt 100% there, but when I came down to sea level I felt incredible. It did not make me a different runner, but definitely made me better. I made some friends and did something I always wanted to do and probably should have done when I was 22. If you are in college and have even thought about “just training” after college to see how far you can go, DO IT!! A career can wait a while. Find a way to make it work. You don’t need a lot of money, just a place to live, food and some shoes. You probably won’t get the chance in 15 years like me, and you won’t be as fast and your body won’t handle the training like it will now. Do it, you won’t regret it.

Did it. Loved it. No regrets.