Track and Field Blogs - Stephen Haas

Hello Floworld, Today is my second full day in beautiful Flagstaff, AZ. This is my 3rd trip to Flagstaff but my first with the whole Team Indiana Elite. Coach Chapman is doing a research study on altitude training, and the research study is helping to fund our trip. Before we left we all had to go through a lot of test at Indiana University’s human performance lab. We did V02 max testing and lactate threshold testing as well as tons of blood work. It was a lot of time in the lab but well worth it for a month trip to Flag.

Team Indiana Elite is a group that Coach Chapman and I started last year. The group has really developed into a very good thing. We have 7 guys and 1 girl out here in Flagstaff and the training environment for the group is so much better then I ever imagined. The guys come from all over the place and all bring something special to the group.

Forest Braden is from Bonners Ferry, Idaho and went to Boise State University. Forest is a human juke box, and is always good for a laugh. Scott Overall is from London, England and went to Butler University. Scott is a ladies man, but is hard to understand most of the time, I would say he probably catches the most shit but he has it coming. Derek Scott is from Grand Rapids, MI and went to Cornerstone University. Derek is one of the newer members of the group, but already found part time employment in Bloomington with Forest as a part time school crossing guard. Jordan Fife is from Seymour, IN and went to Indiana State University. Jordan is probably the only sub 4 min miler to train simply off eating pigs in a blanket and cookies. Jeff Powers is from Franklin, IN and went to Central Michigan University. Jeff was quoted last week saying any where he is, “is flannel country.” Itay Magidi is from Israel and went to Clemson University. Itay is the newest member of TIE, and has only been with us 2 weeks now. All the guys are great runners, and as a group we have had some really good training. Representing the female side of TIE is Laura Farley. Laura went to Cathedral High School in Indianapolis and attended Purdue University. She is by far the most attractive member of the Flagstaff crew.

We left Bloomington, Indiana on Tuesday morning. Before leaving we did a 10 mile LT run in the blowing snow. We landed in Phoenix, AZ and it was 80 degrees out. The past 2 days in Flag have been a beautiful 50 degrees with plenty of sunshine. The trails have some snow on them still, but with weather like this they should be clear soon. Another great thing about Flag is how close it is to Sedona which is still at 4000 feet elevation, and has numerous dirt roads. We drove down to Beaver Creek Road the first day and it was a great run. Clear dirt roads, sunny, and 70 degrees. Afterwards we iced our legs in one of the cool mountain streams near by.

We rented a house right on the edge of town in Flagstaff, and it turned out to be much nicer then we imagined. It is more than we need, but will be a great place to crash for the next 4 weeks.

The community of runners in Flagstaff is great, we were short a few beds when we arrived. I called Mike Smith who is the MAN in flagstaff, he put a few calls out and we got 2 beds right away. Fasil Bizuna, who is sponsored by PowerBar and a fellow New Balance guy, hooked us up with PowerBars, gels, HarvestBars and recovery drink. Sean Anthony and Jack Daniels at the Center for High Altitude Training here in Flagstaff, gave us all VIP cards so we have access to the Northern Arizona University Rec Center, and the Sky Dome indoor track as well as other things. I love coming here and seeing these guys, and running with everyone here in Flagstaff.

Stay tuned the next few weeks as I plan to post at least one blog a week with pictures and videos of workouts. If anyone wants to see anything in Flagstaff let me know and I’ll try to get some pictures up for you.