It's time...

Let me just say simply, 2011 YOU SUCK.  I cant wait for this F'ING year to be put in the books.  And as they say things come in threes, well hows this trifecta for you?
1. Death of one of my best friends.  Mark Carbone, a genuine sports fanatic, but most importantly to me; a great guy.  Fell in early 2011 down a set of stairs, and passed from complications.  Mark, I miss you terribly, and think of you often.  And you missed it, the B's won the Cup!
2. Dad - on August 4th at the great age of 97 the greatest man I will ever have the priviledge to know, or the honor and luck to be his son, passed.  A real character, and a great and loving man.  Not a day goes by that I dont think of him fondly and sadly.
3. Divorce - after 11 years of marriage, I got divorced.  Nuff said, on this topic.  No need to go into details, or mud slinging.  The overwhelming majority of the time, it will be remember fondly. 

Ok so all that being said, whats the plan.  Well I was going to actually wait until 1/1/12 to start running again.  I mean I love these years that start on a Sunday.  Talk about starting off your running calendar cleanly in a new year.  But I actually got a couple runs in this week, ref'd a few games over 3 days this week.  But will start in earnest on Sunday.  I am hoping to get in a 50k this year.  Actually I guess I should say I AM going to do a 50k this year.  Not sure what one, but kind of thinking about the Vermont 50k.  Gives me enough time to get my training in.  So that's the plan.

Enough for now.  I wish you all peace in your lives.  A much better 2012, regardless of how you fared this year. 

Be well ~ Sank

If you go down to the woods today....

I have absolutely no idea why that title popped into my head, but now I cant get that stupid song out of my head.  Anyway, I FINALLY got on to the trails this past Sunday.  I had left the house and it started to drizzle out a bit so I almost turned around but decided ... screw it, I'm going!  So off I went to the Gilbert State Forest.  The trails hadn't really been touched over the winter so thankfully I knew where I was going and I was really just more interested in lacing up my trail shoes and off the pavement. 
Why is it that you see a hole or root on the trails and you take it in "stride" and keep plugging.  But... if you see some pothole on the pavement, you get all aggravated that you could twist an ankle or something, OR maybe that's just me.
Anyway, unfortunately I had left my trail running partner, Belle at home this time; which I think was probably a good thing since I didnt have an old shower curtain for her to lay down on afterwards.  And about a mile in, I ran across a group of walkers with a rottie and 2 pit bulls.  I really am a huge dog guy, but for some reason those 2 breeds just scare the shit out of me.  And I couldn't have forgiven myself if something happened to Belle.  Yeah a bit paranoid I know, but whatever.....
Anyway, tonight I got home after a bitch of a day at work (been the same for about 3 weeks now) and strapped on the Garmin and figured I would have a speed work out.  Not a long run, but my Nelson Loop course but was hoping to break 20 minutes tonight.  I go out really quick, keep my breathing under control.  Nice strides, run through my hill section, fight thru the last half mile to my house.  Look down....and I never started the F-ing Garmin :(    Not happy.  But there's always another day.
Well enough for now,
Be Well ~ Sank

Wanted: Stretching help

So I have to admit that back in my foolish youth, having previously run a couple marathons, numerous road races and having done probably close to 100 triathlons; all without a combined 5 total minutes of stretching.

That being said I am now knocking on the door to turning 49, cominh back from numerous life and health issues and started running again.

Problem is I am so damn tight I think that stretching would DEFINITELY help but I dont really know any good ones. Any one have any links or tips they can share with me?

Many thanks,

Be well

Sank

Catching up

Well it's been a while since I posted anything, so I figured I would just touch base out there.
Well the training continues, although I do have to say that I haven't been in the pool for a bit.  I was trying to go 2 or 3 times a week, coupled with the mileage on the roads and the refereeing that I do.  A lot of my co-ref's ask me why I sprint following the ball.  I do it mostly to get somewhat of a sprint workout in.  I generally do anywhere from 3 to 5 games a day (when I do do them) and I have read that a player will generally run 1.6 miles a game and since the ref's dont get any time off (but generally will run 3/4's of the court, I simply track it as 1 mile per game as a sprint workout. 
Anyway, I just have to concentrate now on getting some of the weight off, and slowly creeping up my mileage base by the end of March.  By mid-March I will get back in the pool and I can hit the bike in April.
That will give me 10-12 weeks before my first triathlon in 11 years, and hopefully a Trail race or two or three or what else I can find this summer and fall.
Until then, Be Well ~ Sank

Still going and going ....

Ok well maybe I am overstating things here but here it is the 25th of the month and I am still going.  The weight doesn't want to seem to drop (although in truth I'm not really watching what I eat) and the speed isn't dropping, but I'm still out there.
I have even started hitting the pool a bit, I even went so far as to sign up for a membership for a (slightly smaller than normal) hotel lap pool fitness center.  So instead of 25 yards it's 20 but who the hell cares.
The runs are ok, nothing special, but I am out there still banging away.  Been a bit tough with the consistent snow 2 or 3 storms a week (making it a bit slippery) although I have to say that the Yaktrax that I had won in a blog giveaway last year, work pretty well when there isn't any dry spots on the pavement.  I hadn't had the chance to try them last year with my neck (pre-surgery).
Oh well, still haven't decided on the triathlon this summer or not, but it hasn't been rulled out either.
Until I get to the keyboard again,
Be Well ~ Sank

Off to a good start

Granted it is still in it's infancy but I am proud to say that I am still plugging away at my 31 day test run and have hit the pool twice. Now they definitely wasn’t the return of Michael Phelps, but both times was able to get 3 sets of 500, and felt pretty damn good doing it. The numerous snow storms (the last one dropping 20 inches) has made running a bit of a challenge, but I am still excited about getting out and doing workouts.
A little past halfway thru January and we will see how it goes. No biking for a LONG time, not unless Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow and quick, but for now; sneakers and goggles.
Be well ~ Sank

Belgians that hit close to home - The Boston Globe

Belgians that hit close to home - The Boston Globe

I may have just started to get running again, but I never have quit my love of the malted beverages.

Starting anew

Well after a long drawn out "break", I honestly believe by the need of a mental not a physical break, I am back at it.  This time however I am coming out of this break with a goal. 

Near mid-December, Nancy (my wife) asked me about doing the Timberman Tri with her next August '11.  After talking about it a while, we both realized that it is more important for me to be her "pit-crew" than participating with her.  But it did get me to thinking about jumping back in the Tri pool (no pun intended) again. 
Seems like yesterday, but it actually was about a 4 or 5 year span back in the mid-80's when I was doing about 7 to 10 races a year.  Although I did actually do the Sharon MA Triathlon back in 2000.  But that was more of a curiosity race, as my training and poor running portion showed.

So I am giving myself 31 days (starting January 1st) to see if the desire I had in December (and now 7 days and 3 runs in) is still there and I actually want to give this a go.  Hopefully by this time next week, I will have 3 more runs (not counting the miles I put on refereeing) and at least 2 swims under my belt.

Well, til then
Be Well ~ Sank