Take me to the TOP

The week ends in dramatic fashion, who would of thought? The Hawks get their first Superbowl win in franchise history, and I’m alive to witness it. I often try to recognize those historical moments in our world so I can look back on them and see how they either influenced harsh shifts in trends, or altered the outcome of nail biting athletic performances. Why? I have no idea. Where were you when 9/11 happened? What did you think? What about Bin Laden was finally captured? I eat that shit up. Conspiracy theories, count me in. I’m love the thought of Area 51, or the secrets the President knows. Pretty astronomical I think. I rode my sweet ass bike(with a variety 12 pack of anchor steam) over to my friend Nick McBalls house(not a typo), and enjoyed the afternoon with amazing people. Everyone is unique, and we all love running. A good combo. A little back story. Nick just celebrated his 40th birthday, and ran for the Air Force Academy back in the day. He competed for the Nike Farm Team, as well as the Santa Monica Track club and has worked with some of best coaches out there. Also has ran 4:00 in the mile…I hope he can live vicariously through me when I break it. Aside from being a brilliant dude, he is someone that I trust, and take his advice very seriously. If you read this Nick, you are the man. Thanks for being there.

This week has been crazy. My roommate Sean turned 21..finally! He doesn’t have to feel left out anymore. Without too many details, there were a lot of consecutive late nights, which doesn’t bode well for early mornings, especially when you aren’t a morning person. I hope he enjoyed getting a taste of the night life in SF. Sean is the whitest black person I know. He talks incredibly fast, and makes me listen to Too Short. He even gets me to freestyle on occasion..need I repeat, I am WHITE. Then again, EMINEM can do it so what’s stopping me. Will the real slim shady please stand up? Sean is awesome, don’t get me wrong. He bring lots of laughs, and random shit in my life that I just laugh at. Cheers to you.

Hot off the Press. Sam Hyams is fu%$*ing weird. Not that that is bad, and he definitely doesn’t top my roommate Jesus, or come even close for that matter. haha, I just laughed out loud. What makes you laugh out loud? He ran for UC Irvine, and is now training with us at BATC awaiting Law school. It’s funny, I raced him at regionals, and didn’t even know him there, but now he has showed up in my life, and am thankful for that. Just so you know, I beat up on him pretty good there, but now that we are in the same shoes, and combining forces with a common goal in mind, we can be friends, I guess. I look forward to the miles with you, and all the good times.

What happend with training this week? I ran ALOT. Keep in mind, this is my highest ever, and I’m doing nothing but feeling like shit. It’s a good thing though because it is going to pay dividends when it matters most. Here’s my week:

Essentially all easy running with strides on Tuesday and an uptempo run Thursday from work along the embarcadero on a splendid SF day. I went for one of my coworkers CR’s on a long jutting pier, and missed by a lot. I ended up taking another one I wasn’t even trying for. WIN. Let’s be honest, I’m still pissed. Something about soft matched activities…whatever. I have bigger fish to fry. Back to a standard week next week with a few more quality workout sessions and drop in volume to account for the different stressors of training being added back in. One thing that was new this week was a “circuit” session on Saturday at SFSU. It consisted of 4 different stations and it went like this: Skipping A’s x2 in different directions over hurdles—>stride 150meters(15srest)—>lateral wall throws each way x15 w/medicine ball—>high knees on pole vault pit x40total—->stride 150m and do 2/1/2 hops—>Rocky stair running super fast each step. Thats 1 set. Repeat with less time to complete each station, and lest rest(which felt like none) and change activities to kettle bells/rocket jumps/star hop single leg/double leg over steeple barrierx10. It might sound easy, but it wasn’t because everything happens so fast once you start. IT is the little things that separate yourself to the next level. I believe in what I’m doing, and it’s a matter of time before I can call myself a sub 4 miler.

OMG post race brunch hosted by my friend Esther was heavenly. She ran the Keiser Half Marathon today in 1:58! Congrats! She is awesome, and a badass dancer. I’ve seen some weird mind BLOWING modern dance performances because of her, but do I wish I hadn’t, nope. She’s strong, motivated, and has nothing but love in her heart. Did I mention she made hippie pancakes, and Texas cakes with bacon(mouth watering again). Add in Mimosas and a great bunch of awesome people= fantastic morning. I learned I should pamper myself and take mud bathes at least once a week. I can do that. Here are some photos from the week:

Brunch with fantastic individuals

Sam and Esther with Mimosa Action

Playing #Track and keeping things fun while working hard.

Need I say more. Hurdle king, and stud #muffin.

Have a great week, and make the most of each day! Can you handle it?

Steven