Lives: I currently reside in western Massachusetts with my wife, Laura, going on 3 years—and she is my number one running fan (it matters)!—and two dogs (Luna, an Australian Labradoodle, and Jack, a Jackapoo). This May we are moving full-time to our Yurt in Western NY, where I will be responsible for managing our family’s rental properties. Despite our seemingly landlocked residence, we get to the coastal beaches a couple of times a month, since my folks live on Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The coast is where my soul finds rejuvenation.
Works: I work as an Instructional Designer (teaching instructors how to use technology in the classroom) at UMass Amherst.
Hobbies: Long walks on the beach with my dogs, kayaking, hiking with my pups, with my family, with my friends, with myself … it’s all good.
Letterboxing (similar to geocaching, but using a compass instead of gps and utilizing hand-carved rubber stamps instead of plastic trinkets — it’s more of a back-to-the-basics of human intelligence that emphasizes art over consumerism). I particularly love carving the stamps and hiding them on beautiful trails in the woods for others to find.
I’ve joined two local running clubs recently — “Wicked Running” in Salem, MA and also the “Greater Rochester Track Club” (GRTC) in Rochester, NY. I had my first experience participating in a group run last Saturday with “Wicked.” Since I train primarily alone, I’m hoping the clubs will help me evolve into a more well-rounded runner.
How long have you been running?
One year (this month).
What are your goals? Goal races? Any bucket list running goals?
Develop a strong running foundation so that I can run recreationally for the next 46 years!
My next goal race will be the Mighty Niagara, this coming September. It will be my first half marathon. I have my sights on running my first marathon, the Wineglass Marathon, in the fall of 2015.
Having grown up on the North Shore outside of Boston, I have to admit my Bucket List Goal is the Boston Marathon.
What has been your proudest moment as a runner? Are there any particular races that you are proud of?
In complete naiveté I cast aside my introverted self for a moment and signed up for the “Backshore 5-Miler” last May. I was nervous, ill-trained and didn’t think I should run in a road race, of all things, because I wasn’t really a “runner.”
There turned out to be lots of us non-runners, or should I say non-elite runners! I was so proud to be out there on the course, going at my own pace, and enjoying the thrill of a race with all sorts of different folk. It was my proudest moment as a runner because I think it was through that experience that I mentally became a “runner.”
I’m thoroughly pleased with my race performance in this year’s “Green Strides St. Patty’s 10K” in Salisbury, MA. I stuck consistently to the training plan since last October, despite the frigid winter, snow, sleet, and pitch dark morning runs. I felt prepared on the day of the race and rose to the mental challenge of ignoring the mental and physical discomfort of running hard — and just kept running. Coming in at 44:46, I smashed my previous PR of
53:24 from the 2013 Tufts 10K.
What had been your favorite race or race experience?
The “Tufts 10K” in Boston last Fall was super. The event was brimming with positive energy, happy runners, and lots of cheering spectators.
I loved hearing Joan Benoit Samuelson speak in person. The swag was heads-over-heels better than most of the local races that I’ve run and the post-race nutrition was smart and plentiful. I ran in this race with friends so we got to share a celebratory meal afterwards, which really sealed the day with a special charm.
What is your favorite race distance to run?
Right now I enjoy racing the 10K; I like that it takes a bit more of trained endurance to go the distance. I’m no spring chicken, and the 5K just seems so dang fast!
Time may shift my preferences, as I branch out and have the training and opportunity to run other distances.
Have you ever had any set backs or injuries that you had to overcome? What was the issue/injury? How long did it take to get through? What did you learn from the experience that made you a stronger runner?
I’ve had a handful of smaller injuries that have been more annoying that debilitating. Such as: overnight shin and calf muscles (when I first started running), discomfort in my left knee for a bit, hints of plantarfascitis a couple of months ago, and currently a nagging tight hamstring and glute.
I’ve overcome the injuries thus far by being smart — not running if I really felt my body needed a rest (listening!), learning and employing dynamic stretching, trying to fit in strength training work that targets my weaker areas.
I’ve learned that I need to take care of my body as a whole if I want to continue running and become a stronger (and perhaps faster) runner.
What were your biggest struggles before joining RunnersConnect?
How to run — well. How far, how fast, when to run & when to rest, when to go faster or slower, what all the lingo meant …
Having come to running in mid-life, I simply didn’t have a clue about what to do, how to get better, and how to avoid injury.
What part of training did you struggle with the most?
The necessity of running slower (and why).
The necessity of long runs and speed/tempo/threshold workouts.
The hardest part was not having anyone (knowledgable) to check in with and counterbalance the research and reading I was doing on the internet.
What did your training look like prior to working with us? Why do you think it wasn’t working? Were you writing your own plan, using a book, etc.
Prior to RC I used a number of packaged programs available through RunKeeper. A couple of them were written by Jeff Gaudette, so I came upon RC through that route.
I appreciated having a plan to go by, but it felt a bit too generalized and vague. I wanted to know more of the “why” and tailor my training to my specific fitness level.
What prompted you to start looking for a better solution? Was there something that sparked the need to try something new/different?
After the “Backshore 5-Miler” I continued to participate in road races (I really lucked out with that race because it is part of the North Shore YMCA Road Race Series — a very organized, supportive, and friendly running community).
As time progressed, more and more, running felt good rather than grueling. In late summer I took a series of Chi Running workshops and learned to listen better to my body, breath, and pace. I stopped using music as a crutch to get through a workout and fell into the meditation of being with my being.
Mostly I kept getting faster and fitter. Inspired by the energy of the “Tufts 10K” I wanted to take my training to a more focused place, so I joined RunnersConnect.
Did you have any doubts or fears before joining RunnersConnect? After you first joined, were you intimidated or nervous about the schedule? The community? If so, what helped you get over these fears (if anything specific)?
I was excited to join RC. The schedule felt comfortably challenging (though both then and now I found it frustrating to not be able to choose a specific date for the new schedule to begin — a little breathing room to prepare mentally for the next phase).
I found the community to be immediately welcoming and the coaches were (and continue to be) patient when I posed newbie-type questions — it made it friendly and supportive.
What is your favorite part of RunnersConnect now?
I love love love being able to have my questions answered directly! Although I haven’t made the time as of late, the Coaches Chats are particularly appealing and helpful.
I very much appreciate the customized and incremental training plan that is geared toward my schedule, race goal, and fitness level. This is just AWESOME.
What recent results have you been able to attain since joining (PRs, staying healthy, new outlook, etc.)?
PRs — my big PR was the “Green Strides 10K” last month. Generally though, my training with RC has increased my average pace across the board. (See attached image of my race tallies.)
My desire to become a stronger runner compelled both myself and my partner to make dietary shifts. Pointedly, we switched over to a paleo-based diet and have found huge benefits to our overall physical health, energy, and temperament. Simply happier!
Other
I began a blog a short while ago to share what I’m learning and experiencing along the way as I evolve as a runner and yurt dweller. Here’s the link if you’re interested: Blog “Running the Gamut“
2 Responses
Thanks for sharing, JC. I look forward to meeting at Boston!!!
Go for it girl!!