Swimming in 2010

In 2010, I started swimming in earnest beginning in July. For the most part I have been consistent with a few breaks for lower abdominal muscle issues. Lower ab issues have gone away now that I am nearly exclusively using the pull buoy - no kicking. My pace is usually 150 feet in 1 minute, a bit faster actually but I do push off a bit ;-). Based on that, here are my monthly totals for the 1/2 year:

Month, Days swum, Minutes swum, Miles swum
Jul, 14, 405, 11.475
Aug, 15, 405, 11.475
Sep, 11, 330, 9.35
Oct, 14, 420, 11.9
Nov, 19, 570, 16.15
Dec, 20, 600, 17.0

Totals, 93, 2730 (45.5 hours), 77.35

Week ending Christmas Day, 2010

I had bit of a scare with my good hamstring (tendon right behind knee), but as of this post (Dec 29), it feels ok. Getting better each day. I did not miss any scheduled runs. Next week I will foray into back-to-back running days.

The Peterson boys worked feverishly with trace snow amounts to make the Snowmen Sentinels for the DaveLaDave Christmas Eve run.

Miles run: 11
Miles swum: 3.4
Minutes stationary bike: 40

Sun: off
Mon: 30 min swim, 30 min run
Tue: 30 min swim, 20 min bike, PT drills
Wed: 30 min swim, 30 min run at Gates Pond with JoeK
Thu: 30 min swim, 20 min bike, PT drills
Fri: 30 min run with DD and DaveLa
Sat: off, PT drills

Week ending Dec 18, 2010

Wow! A good week, very encouraging. Not perfect but I will take it. Need to figure out best way to start running back-to-back days which will happen 2 or 3 weeks from now. Do I just try and fill in the off day with a little run OR go to a run-run-off-run-run-off schedule? I am leaning toward the latter. Comments encouraged from my 4 readers ;-) ! Merry Christmas!

Weekly Mileage: 11
Miles Swum: 4.25
Minutes on stationary bike: 60

Sun: 25 min run on Black Ice Day with DD and DaveLa
Mon: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Tue: 30 min swim, 25 min run
Wed: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Thu: 30 min swim, 25 min run with DaveLa
Fri: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Sat: 25 min run with Q brothers, DoubleJ, DD, DaveLa, KenN, DannyV atWinni

UMLowell XC 13th at D2 xc Nationals

UMLowell had two All Americas and placed 13th at D2 xc Nationals in Louisville on Dec. 4. My nephew Christopher Estrella was 5th man. He was a bit disappointed but sickness the 2 weeks before took its toll. All in all a great season for him and his teammates.

http://www.goriverhawks.com/sports/m-track/recaps/120410aaa.html

Week ending Dec 11, 2010

Better than last week and I did my first (relatively) hilly run around Gates Pond with Joe with our headlamps on.

Miles run: 7
Miles swum: 3.4

Sun: off, PT drills
Mon: 30 mins swim, 20 min run
Tue: 30 mins swim, 20 min bike, PT drills
Wed: 30 mins swim, 20 min run
Thu: 30 mins swim, PT drills
Fri: 20 min run
Sat: off, PT drills

Week ending Dec 4, 2010

Not a terrible week but the hammy hurt a bit more than usual. I skipped the bike on Friday and that seemed to help. Looking forward to 20 minute runs next week.

Today's the day the 14th ranked UMLowell xc team runs D2 XC Nationals. My nephew has been sick since Thanksgiving (along with 2 teammates), but all are on the mend. Hopefully all goes well. The goal is top 10.

My Mom would have been 85 today.

Weekly Mileage: 7
Miles Swum: 4.25
Minutes on stationary bike: 40

Sun: 15 min run
Mon: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Tue: 30 min swim, 15 min run
Wed: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Thu: 30 min swim, 15 min run
Fri: 30 min swim, PT drills
Sat: 15 min run

Week ending Nov 27, 2010

Feeling ok. Swimming and biking down b/c pool/gym was closed in early AM on Thurs and Friday. Had a scare with hip really hurting (old injury from 2009) early in week, but it seems to be aok now. Cannot wait to get back to a regular schedule although Thanksgiving was great! Walks between runs are done! Upcoming week will be a drop in actual running total time, just one 15 minute run every other day, but no more walking in between runs. Still no plans to run back-to-back days just yet.

Weekly Mileage: 7
Miles Swum: 2.55
Minutes on stationary bike: 20

Sun: off, PT drills
Mon: 30 min swim, 30 min walk w/ two 10 min runs
Tue: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Wed: 30 min swim, 30 min walk w/ two 10 min runs with "Red" Karner
Thu: off, PT drills
Fri: 30 min walk w/ two 10 min runs
Sat: off, PT drills

Louisville!!

A big congrats to my nephew, Christopher Estrella, and his UMLowell xc teammates for winning the NCAA D2 XC East Region Championships at Franklin Park yesterday. It was Christopher's first 10k ever and he banged out a 32:09, good for 5th man on the team and 19th overall. His former Lowell High teammate, Jeff Veiga, led Lowell as he hammered out an impressive win in a blistering 30:08. Four of Lowell's top 5 were Merrimack Valley Conference high schoolers. With the win, the RiverHawks are headed to Louisville, KY for the NCAA D2 XC Championships on December 4th.

http://www.goriverhawks.com/sports/m-track/masl-m-track-body.html

Week ending Nov. 20, 2010

Feeling ok. I had my last PT session and asked as many questions as I could to prepare for the following months. Now I am free...hopefully, not free fallin' ... a la Tom Petty. The next item is back from days of yore with two additional cross training items:

Weekly Mileage: 7 (bike path markers tell me runs are about 8:40 pace)
Miles Swum: 4.25
Minutes on stationary bike: 60

Sun: 35 min walk w/ three 5 min runs with DD, Scott, DaveLa and DanielleLa
Mon: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Tue: 30 min swim, 30 min walk w/ three 5 min runs
Wed: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT session
Thu: 30 min swim, 30 min walk w/ three 5 min runs
Fri: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Sat: 30 min walk w/ three 5 min runs

Week ending Nov 13, 2010

Things are holding steady. I almost broke a sweat on a run this week. Passed 50 miles swimming since I started at the end of June.

Sun: off, PT drills
Mon: 30 min swim, 30 min walk w/ three 4 min runs
Tue: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Wed: 30 min swim, 30 min walk w/ three 4 min runs
Thu: 30 min swim, 20 min stationary bike, PT drills
Fri: pool closed, 30 min walk w/ three 4 min runs with DD
Sat: hike with Jay, Beth , Eileen, MaryCate, Rob, DD and the boys, PT drills

Week ending November 6th, 2010

Holding steady. Hammy is sore after working out but recovers the next day. Still running every other day. The boys and I went to Stonehill on Nov. 7th for the NE-10 XC Championships. Kudos to my nephew Chris Estrella for his 17th place finish (UMLowell's 4th man). He ran 25:47 for 8k. The team won the championship scoring 50 points to Stonehill's 74 points. NCAA D2 Eastern Regionals are slated for Nov. 21st at Franklin Park. Top 2 teams go to Nationals in Louisville.

Sun: 30 min walk with 3 x 3 min runs
Mon: 30 min swim w/ pull buoy (PB), 20 min bike, PT drills
Tue: 30 min swim w/ PB, 30 min walk with 3 x 3 min runs
Wed: 30 min swim w/ PB, 20 min bike, PT drills
Thu: 30 min swim w/ PB, 30 min walk with 3 x 3 min runs
Fri: 30 min swim w/ PB, 20 min bike, PT drills
Sat: 30 min walk with 3 x 4 min runs with Scott

Week ending October 30, 2010

Feeling ok. Actually feel like I am in a training plan. That feeling is GREAT! Slow, and not much, but it is something. Progressing to runs every other day now. Light biking every off day. Swimming when I can.

Sun: off, PT drills
Mon: 30 min swim w/ pull buoy (PB), 25 min bike with 3x2min hard
Tue: 30 min swim w/ PB, PT drills
Wed: 30 min swim w/ PB, 30 min walk w/ 3x2min runs
Thu: 30 min walk, PT drills [ missed alarm, no swim ;-( ]
Fri: 30 min walk w/ 3x3min runs, PT session
Sat: 30 min walk w/ DD

Week ending Oct 23, 2010

Had a good week. Watched Ken Tripp, DD, Jim Pawlicki and Mark Behan all run well at the BayState marathon. Andrew and I saw them at 13 and 23. We missed DoubleJ but he had a great run as well.

The running plan is in action, time will tell.

Sun: 30 min walk with three 1 min runs
Mon: 30 min swim with pull buoy (PB), PT drills
Tue: 30 min swim w/ PB
Wed: 30 min swim w/ PB, 10 min elliptical during PT session
Thu: 30 min swim w/ PB, 30 min walk with three 2 min runs
Fri: 30 min swim w/ PB, PT drills
Sat: 30 min walk with three 2 min runs with Scott

Week ending October 16th, 2010

Felt a bit better this week. Looking forward to my next tidbit run on Sunday and Thursday.

Sun: off, PT drills
Mon: 30 min swim with pull buoy (PB), 20 min stationary bike (3 x 2 min hard)
Tues: 30 min swim w/ PB, PT drills
Weds: 30 min swim w/ PB, PT, 25 min walk with three 1 min runs
Thurs: 30 min swim w/ PB, massage, PT drills
Fri: 20 min stationary bike (3 x 2 min hard)
Sat: 30 min walk with DD, PT drills

Week ending October 9th, 2010

Had a tough week, after biking alongside DD running for an hour (not fast biking, no offense DD!), hammy was sore, really sore. It did recover by end of week. PT and I have a new pattern plan: off day with PT drills, return to run day (2min walk, 1 min run *3), off day with PT drills, bike work 20-25 min with intervals of not so easy stuff. We'll see.

Sun: 1 hr bike alongside DD running
Mon: 30 min swim
Tue: 30 min swim
Weds: 20 min walk
Thur: 30 min swim with pull buoy
Fri: PT, 10 min bike
Sat: 3 one minute runs during 25 min walk

On Saturday I also watched UMLowell get 4th place at New England XC at Franklin Park. Usual 4th place runner was really sick and faded to 7th. My nephew was Lowell's 4th man and he ran 25:40, good for 51st place. Not bad for his 2nd xc race ever!!

Get out there

Week ending Sep 25, 2010

Hey

Taking it easy on my legs still. A few more weeks of this. PT says I can do some easy biking every other day this week.

Sun - 2 min walk & 1 min run times 3
Mon - PT
Tue - 15 min UBE
Wed - 15 min UBE
Thu - 30 min swim
Fri - 30 min swim, 8 min bike, PT
Sat - off

Week ending Sep 18, 2010

After talking with my physical therapist, she admitted the mine was a troubling case. I have progressed to where both hamstrings are of equal strength but the soreness in the left hammy still persists. I did do a 2 min walk followed by a 1 minute run * 3 on the treadmill. It felt fine running but that night the hammy was sore. We may be switching gears at PT, stay tuned....

Sun: 65 min bike alongside E-Streeters
Mon: 30 min swim, 20 stationary bike (SB), PT
Tue: 25 min SB
Wed: 25 min SB, 10 min kick board (swim no arms)
Thu: 25 min SB, 10 min kick board
Fri: PT
Sat: 45 min walk

Week ending September 4, 2010

I was a bit disappointed this week. I increased my water running and the hammy felt sore by end of the week. Lower ab muscle also sore so swimming again with pull buoy. I am hoping long weekend away from pool helps. The lower ab issue is definitely exacerbated by some fo the lower ab drills I do each day for hammy. The beat goes on...but I am excited to be back in the water running...but the water temps and air temps are going to be dropping.

Sun: Hike Mt Watatic
Mon: Swim 30 min, PT, 30 min AJ
Tue: Swim 30 min, 30 min AJ
Wed: Swim 30 min pull buoy, PT
Thu: 45 min AJ
Fri: 45 min AJ
Sat: Hike Great Brook State Farm State Park

3rd Annual Peterson Mt. Watatic Hike

Destination: Mt. Watatic, Ashburnham, MA (on Rte 119, 45 mins from Rte 495).

Hikers: Andrew, my sisters Susan and Barbara, Barbara's grandson Christian, my brother Rick and his wife Donna and their grand-nieces Chanda and Jordan, and Dad. OliBear chose to stay home with Mom.

3rd annual: This was the Peterson clan's 3rd ascent of Mt. Watatic. 2008 was in September, a beautiful day. 2009 was in October but it was windy and cold at the top. This year, although it was hot, there was a nice breeze a the top.

If you live in the northeast MA area and have never done this hike, SHAME ON YOU! It is a very reasonable climb, going up about 600 feet and 1.2 miles. At the true summit, there are great views of Mt. Monadnock but DO NOT stop there, head over to the treeless secondary peak and enjoy 270 degrees of beautiful scenery. Pack Monadnock, Mt. Wachusett, the Pawtuckaway hills, Blue Hill and the Boston skyline are easily seen.

The main trail up Mt. Watatic is the Wapack Trail. In its entirety it runs from North Pack Monadnock to Mt Watatic, about 21 miles. From there the MidState Trail provides a trail across MA to the RI border in Douglas, MA.

Here is a link to Mt. Watatic's past:

http://www.nelsap.org/ma/watatic.html

Get out there!

Week ending August 21, 2010

I was disappointed how the hammy felt after this week's aqua jogging on Sunday the 15th. Two days in a row may have been too much. I did not not do any more water runs until the 21st and felt ok after that. I have been faithful to my PT stuff even though I have had no formal PT sessions since I was on vacation all week.

Sun: 40 min walk, 45 min AJ
Mon: 20 min swim with pull buoy, 10 min swim
Tue: 30 min swim
Wed: 30 min swim
Thu: 30 min swim
Fri: off
Sat: 40 min AJ

2010 Peterson Boys Hike #6: Pack Monadnock

Pack Monadnock, Peterborough, NH

On Saturday, Andrew, Oliver, Mom and Dad hiked with Ken Tripp and 3 of his 4 children: Macy, Owen and Noel. We ascended via the rocky but do-able Marion Davis Trail. While holding Oliver's hand, I disturbed a wasp nest and got stung 4 times. Fortunately, Oliver was not stung. Phew! The day was gorgeous and the views from the climbable fire tower were awesome. We could see the Boston skyline in the distance. In the pictures, the peak above the trees is Mt Monadnock. The multiple-peak picture has Temple Mt in the foreground, Mt Watatic in Ashburnham, MA as the 3rd major peak, and Mt Wachusett in Princeton, MA as the final peak. We will be climbing Mt Watatic on the 29th.

Get out there!

Week ending August 14, 2010

Steady as she goes. PT exercises each day for strengthening left leg. Getting there. I did my first two aqua-jogs this week, easy effort. L hammy was sore afterwards but ok. Hoping to do more as the weeks go by but the water will start to get colder soon! Starting to wean myself off the pull buoy, I'll see how ab muscle reacts.

Sun: hike up and down Nashoba Valley Ski Area with boys
Mon: 30 min swim with pull buoy (PB), 10 min bike as warmup for leg exercises
Tue: 30 min swim w/ PB, 5 mins bike and 5 min elliptical as warmup for PT
Wed: 30 min swim w/ PB, 20 min AJ, 5 min bike as warmup for leg excercises
Thu: 10 min swim w/ PB, 20 min swim
Fri: 10 min swim w/ PB, 20 min swim
Sat: 30 min AJ, hike up Marion Davis trail at Pack Monadnock, descended via road

Peterson Boys 2010 Hike #5

Nashoba Ski Area, Westford, MA

This was a short hike but one that was on my bucket list. We were the only ones on the hill. Nice views of surrounding area at the top. Excellent view of Robin Hill and its fire tower in Chelmsford. We enjoyed a nice cold drink and Skittles at the top.

Get out there!

Week ending August 7th, 2010

I have gone to PT 4 times over the past 2 weeks. Hammy is very sore upon departing PT, but I dare say I think I am making some strides. I actually played wiffle ball with Andrew in backyard and jogged ever so slowly a few times and did not feel a thing. I have been swimming a lot. However, lately I am using a pull buoy since my lower abdominal muscle feels strained...you guessed it an old injury rearing up again. I joined the Westford Regency in prep for the colder weather. It's a 50 foot pool, lots of turning, but it is rarely occupied.

Been stretching a ton and doing certain hip and hammy strengthening exercises every day.

Sun: swim 30 mins
Mon: PT, easy bike 10 mins, UBE 15 mins
Tue: swim 30 mins, massage
Wed: PT, easy bike 10 mins, swim 30 mins
Thu: swim 30 mins
Fri: UBE 10 mins, easy bike 10 mins
Sat: swim 30 mins in Walden Pond with Glenn

Week ending July 24th, 2010

Although Pinnacle PT will still be consulting, I will be going to a new PT place in West Natick (a lot closer to work, much more manageable). Hammy is feeling better but I know it is still sore as I sit on a tennis ball nearly each night attempting to: hurt it to heal it.

Bob Worden stressed patience with this. He guessed an October return to running. Cannot wait....

In the meantime, swimming. Kudos to Glenn for meeting me for a swim. Glenner - I told you to avoid the lily pads, you did not listen!

Sun: 20 min swim (forgot goggles)
Mon: off
Tues: 30 min swim
Weds: 30 min swim
Thurs: off
Fri: 30 min swim
Sat: 30 min swim

Get out there.

Week ending July 17th, 2010

Since July 6th, I really have been resting the legs. DD convinced me to really rest. The only thing they extra they do now is kick while swimming. I have been a regular visitor to Long Lake in Littleton (home of the Appleman Triathlon (7-18-2010). Hammy does feel better. I saw Bob Worden on Tuesday. He definitely believes the hammy is/was torn and patience is a key to recovery. Let's hope the water stays warm late into September ;-).

Sun: 25 min swim
Mon: Off
Tues: 30 min swim
Weds: 30 min swim
Thurs: 30 min swim
Fri: 30 min OLAJ
Sat: 40 min swim

Week ending July 3, 2010

I had my first PT session. As I getting fully into PT I hope for the best. Right now, not much has changed. Hammy sore as I do some things, trying a lot of things as you can see below.

Heart Pond in Chelmsdale, is literally a 3 minute drive from my house. I have been in there a lot aqua-jogging (AJ'ing). One morning, I saw a turtle rise up to the surface, look around, assess and dive back down. So cool!! I have seen turtles on rocks sunning themselves, and I have seen them swimming around but never had I seen this. It's very quiet on (and in) the pond at 6AM.

Thanks to DD for use of the aqua-jog vest and scuba gear and scuba shoes. One morning it was 53 degrees air temp when I started AJing. Brrrrr.....

I am thinking on cutting down on walking to see if that will help ease the hammy achiness as I continue with easy intensity AJ'ing.

Sun: 60 min easy biking alongside Scott running
Mon: 20 min UBE, 60 min one-legged AJ (OLAJ), 15 min walk
Tue: 60 min OLAJ
Wed: 30 min swim, 30 min AJ, 20 min UBE, 20 min walk
Thu: 30 min walk, 30 min AJ
Fri: 30 min walk, 30 min AJ, 20 min UBE
Sat: 30 min AJ, 10 min OLAJ

Totals: 60 min easy bike, 95 min walk, 30 min swim, 130 min OLAJ, 120 min AJ, 60 min UBE

Week ending June 26, 2010

Not much has changed. Hammy still aches with various activities. It was sore on a walk the other day and I was bummed. On the 26th I resorted to one-legged aqua-jogging (OLAJ), 1 hour in Heart Pond. Today (the 29th) I ran the idea of OLAJ by Leigh at Pinnacle PT. She nixed the idea, stating it would make the right leg much more dominant. This could cause issues when I eventually do run again. She suggested I retry aqua-jogging but at a reduced intensity. I'll do that on the 30th. I'll do so with trepidation.

The week that was...

60 minutes upper body bike
155 minutes walking
60 minutes OLAJ

Mt. Washington History a la Petey

Hey

Beginning to wonder how I ever ran some of these times...here's to feeling good (or at least competitive) in the last few miles of THE MTN. I'll be back!

Year, Time, Place

1988, 69:11, 10
1989, 74:53, 23 (only year I walked, rainy and windy)
1990, 69:08, 14
1991, 68:01, 8 (PR, literally ran out of my shoes on the last crazy climb, finished in my socks)
1992, 70:28, 17
1993, 69:10, 16
1994, 71:32, 13 (it was so hot!!)
1995, 71:01, 20 (windy)
1996, 68:59, 11
1997, 69:52, 7 (windy, best place!)
1998, 69:41, 11 (humid)
1999, 68:22, 14 (ideal conditions)
2000, 73:35, 10 (humid then windy)
2001, 72:33, 12 (humid and hot)
2002, 32:50, 34 (only 1/2 way up b/c of bad weather!)
2003, 74:07, 20 (sunny and nice)
2004, 73:10, 30 (windy at top)
2005, 73:33, 24 (misty and below 40F at top)
2006, 74:59, 34 (40+ PR, nice weather)
2007, 90:38, 129 (missed 3 weeks in May, stress reaction in shin)
2008, 79:22, 87
2009, 89:04, 125 (hip issue, missed 5 weeks in March/April)
2010, 99:46, 268 (hammy issue, missed 3 weeks leading into race, 29+ minutes for last 1.7)

Get out there!

Week ending June 19, 2010

Well, another Mt. Washington is done. My 23rd in a row. Since my inaugural race in 1988, I have never missed THE MTN. This year was nearly worst case scenario, though. Hammy issues caused me to make the race my first run in the month of June. I feared a hammy spasm during the race which would make for a long walk.

Amazingly, I felt great at the beginning. The hammy was ok, only a little sore. I was passing a lot of people and feeling good. I reached 1/2 way in 42:53 and still felt aok. I was thinking I may be able to squeak out a 1:32. However, after about 5 miles I started to really feel it in my calves and hip/groin area. My energy was way low. I started a dead man's run, to stubborn to walk. My last 1.7 miles took 29:54.

Here are my splits:

9:23 (actually 0.9 with 600 meters of flat before hill starts)
11:04
11:39
11:59
12:43
13:05
16:00
13:54 (only 0.7 miles, I was crawling!)

My official time was 1:39:46.

Really hoping Pinnacle PT in Plaistow can help me solve the decade-long hammy issues.

But who is going to help me get into the 2011 Mt. Washington ;-) !!??

I love this race!

Week ending June 12, 2010

0 miles

Supplemental work: 75 minutes UBE, 95 mins aqua-jogging, 190 minutes walking

Second week on DL. I tried aqua-jogging but that aggravated the hammy. Thus, I am walking and upper body biking (UBE). I can still feel the hammy walking around, but it does not seem to get aggravated much by walking. I have no clue how I'll do at the mountain. My hope is that the hammy holds up (no spasms) and a nice slow pace can be maintained. My goal is to make it to the top without walking. Very, very nervous.

Week ending June 5, 2010

0 miles

Supplemental work: 30 mins UBE and 15 mins water running

Well, I am on the DL. Next run is scheduled to be at Mt Washington. Hoping hammy holds up for my long, slow trudge up the MTN. Met with my college trainer, Bob Worden, at Pinnacle Physical Therapy in Plaistow, NH. We are devising a plan to finally lick this hammy issue.

Peterson Boys 2010 Hike #4

Destination: Gates Pond, Hudson, MA

Hikers: Gramma, OliBear, Andrew and Dad

Date: May 29, 2010

This hike is literally 3 minutes off of Rte 495. The loop around the pond is a wide dirt road with a few good hills. The entire loop from parking lot, around pond and back is 2.2 miles. An excellent place for 2 mile repeats. There are some good hills on the western side of the pond.

We had fun although I did not leave enough time for circumnavigation of the pond. We did hike counter-clockwise and that is the longer way to get to the far side of the pond's dam. For fear of being rushed at ice cream and my date-night, we decided to be safe and we turned before reaching the dam.

Ice cream was at Colonial Candies in Bolton, MA. Again, readily accessible from Rte 495. It is the big white candy house seen when traveling southbound on Rte 495. Good stuff.

I finished the day with Danielle at Fenway. Sox won 1-0.

Get out there!

Week ending May 29, 2010

35 miles

1 day off

Supplemental work: 22 mins stationary bike, 30 mins UBE.

Long run 63 minutes

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

35, 36, 35, 12, 40, 43, 38, 38, 43, 32

On Monday, my day off from running, I went on stationary bike and had two hammy twinges in 22 minutes. Stopped. Rest of week was slow mileage. Saturday I had another twinge at a blistering 9 min per mile pace. Going to rest for a few days.

Next race: My 23rd Mt. Washington.

Week ending May 22, 2010

36 miles

1 day off

Supplemental work: 2 hours stationary bike.

Long run 60 minutes

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

36, 35, 12, 40, 43, 38, 38, 43, 32, 26

Hammy a bit more sore towards end of the week. Taking it slow. All mileage has been at "Burdett Slow - BS" - 8:30 to 9:00 pace. Francis Burdett runs some unbelievably fast times with all mileage at about 9:00 pace, but he races a lot and does a ton of miles. Trying to take it easy to get ready for some harder miles for some of Pack. But if I'm sore it'll just be a training run.

Next race: Pack with DD and DaveLa (maybe Joe K). Perhaps last few miles will be at a faster effort.

Peterson Boys 2010 Hike #3 - Great Brook Farm State Park

Hike #3 completed a weekend at Great Brook Farm State Park. On Saturday, The Bear 5k took place at Great Brook. On Sunday, we did my favorite trail at GB, Stone Row. What a cool trail! Of course we finished up with ice cream at the farm's ice cream stand. Nice!

Get out there!

Week ending May 15, 2010

35 miles

0 days off

Supplemental work: 60 minutes stationary bike and 40 minutes upper body bike.

Long run 45 minutes

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

35, 12, 40, 43, 38, 38, 43, 32, 26, 13

Hammy feeling better. Taking it slow.

Next race: May run Pack with DD perhaps last few miles will be at a faster effort.

The 2nd Annual Bear 5k, May 15, 2010

Hello

Thanks to all those who helped at the race. We had 80 finishers. Although the final results have not been tallied, interim tallies show that we will be donating about $2000 to the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.

Thanks to Rose Washak for taking these pictures at the race:

http://doubledmountainrunner.shutterfly.com/1106

The results are listed at:

http://www.coolrunning.com/results/10/ma/May15_Bear3m_set1.shtml

Week ending May 8, 2010

12 miles

4 days off - hammy a lot worse, resting it

Supplemental work: 80 minutes stationary bike and 75 minutes upper body bike.

Long run 40 minutes

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

12, 40, 43, 38, 38, 43, 32, 26, 13, 15

After the May 1st run, my hammy was very sore. I decided to give it a few days rest and ran 40 mins on Tuesday. Run was ok, hammy did not feel that bad but I did have a twinge and it felt worse after. I rested Weds and Thurs and ran an easy 33 mins on Fr and 36 mins on Sat. We'll see.....
Next race: Not going to dignify this with an entry.

Week ending May 1, 2001

40 miles

1 day off - standard for me

Supplemental work: 40 minutes stationary bike and 25 minutes upper body bike.

Long run 68 minutes

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

40, 43, 38, 38, 43, 32, 26, 13, 15, 46

Well, I bagged race because of my hammy BUT decided to do a light, easy tempo instead. Only 13 minutes. Bad decision, hammy started to get worse.

Next race: Not going to dignify this with an entry.

Peterson Boys 2010 Hike #2

Destination: Ward Reservation in Andover and N. Andover, MA

Hikers: OliBear, Andrew, Gramma and Dad

Date: April 24, 2010

Ward Reservation is off of Rte 125 in Andover, not far from Merrimack College. Part of the reservation is Holt Hill which is the highest point in Essex County. Holt Hill is only a 5 minute walk from the parking area. The view of Boston's skyline is top notch!

Our goal was to make it to Elephant Rock which is on Boston Hill. From Holt Hill we hiked over to Boston Hill, most likely 1 to 1.5 miles away. Back in the day, Boston Hill had a ski area:

http://www.nelsap.org/ma/bostonhills.html

Elephant Rock does look very much like an elephant. It is a good place to hang and have some candy! Skittles are a big hit for the Bear and Andrew. The views from the area surrounding this rock also allow nice views of Boston's skyline.

We ended the hike by skirting Shrub Hill and Cat Swamp. It was a nice day for Hike #2.

Get out there!

Week ending April 24th, 2010

43 miles

1 day off - standard for me

Supplemental work: 40 minutes stationary bike and 40 minutes upper body bike.

Long run 68 minutes

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

43, 38, 38, 43, 32, 26, 13, 15, 46, 49

I am such a head-case. Shin was sore at beginning of week. That got better by Thursday. Hammy was a bit sore on Friday and Saturday. I was supposed to race Sunday. Saturday night I went back and forth so much thinking that I should run and hammy was fine, to don't run you may make it worse and miss valuable training and health. I ended up bagging race. I tell you, my HS coach told me not to let Mt Washington and my streak dominate my thinking....too late! Head-case signing off.....

Next race: Not going to dignify this with an entry.

Week ending April 17, 2010

38 miles

1 day off - standard for me

Supplemental work: 40 minutes stationary bike and 40 minutes upper body bike.

Long run 56 minutes

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

38, 38, 43, 32, 26, 13, 15, 46, 49, 43

After flagging Rivah course on 4/9, placing mile markers on 4/10 and picking up flags on 4/11, by Monday it felt like I had raced the Rivah. R hammy was very sore. I took a light day on Tuesday and then did my week goal runs of 7 to 7.5 miles the rest of the week. My R shin has been sore since Wednesday. Keeping an eye on that.

Next race: Maybe Groton 10k or Tewksbury HS fundraiser 5k on 4-25.

Week ending April 10th, 2010

38 miles

1 day off - standard for me

Supplemental work: 30 minutes stationary bike and 25 minutes upper body bike.

Long run ~70 minutes while marking course for Rivah (5 miles).

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

38, 43, 32, 26, 13, 15, 46, 49, 43, 40

I entered week with goal of running about 6 to 7 miles per day and that was accomplished. 5 mile run was a long run while marking Rivah course on Friday with Scotty G and Scott S.

Next race: Maybe Groton 10k on 4-25.

Merrimack river trail race

Videos and links to over 1,500 pictures posted on the River blog:


http://rivertrailrace.blogspot.com/

Week ending April 3, 2010

43 miles

0 days off - rare but that's how the days off (3/27 and 4/4) fell

Supplemental work: 40 minutes stationary bike and 40 minutes upper body bike.

Long run 53 minutes.

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

43, 32, 26, 13, 15, 46, 49, 43, 40, 33

I entered week with goal of running about 45 - 55 minutes per day and that was accomplished. Next week the mileage will not be as high because of the days off.

Next race: Perhaps some light, very light, workout this week. Maybe Groton 10k on 4-25.

Merrimack River trail race - Course conditions update

From Dave Dunham:

"Ran the course this morning (04-04) and it is in great shape.  The flood waters have abated and the course is almost completely dry.  I finished without getting my feet wet and only getting a little mud on my shoes.  With the weather this coming week the course should be in super shape for the race on 04-10."

25 years ago...1985 Outdoor Track

Hey

1985 Outdoor Track was my freshman year at ULowell. I ran a whopping four races but each was a PR:

1500 at Fitchburg, 4:39
5000 at Fitchburg, 17:11
1500 at UMass Amherst, 4:37
5000 at BC, 16:47

I fondly remember being pumped about the 4:39 because I considered it the first time I had ever broken 5 minute pace. My teammates were very excited for me. As you can see, I had nice teammates.

Petey

Week ending March 27th, 2010

32 miles

1 day off - planned

Supplemental work: 50 minutes stationary bike and 60 minutes upper body bike.

Long run 45 minutes.

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

32, 26, 13, 15, 46, 49, 43, 40, 33, 37, 47

The left hip was up and down during the week. I entered week with goal of running about 45 minutes per day and that was accomplished. I also wanted a better "supplemental" work week and was successful. Next week I'll go up in mileage a bit, I hope.

Next race: Perhaps some light, very light, workout this week. Maybe Groton 10k on 4-25.

Week ending March 20th, 2010

26 miles

1 day off - planned

Supplemental work: 20 minutes stationary bike and 20 minutes upper body bike.

Long run 40 minutes.

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

26, 13, 15, 46, 49, 43, 40, 33, 37, 47, 43

The left hip remains the same as I increase mileage. I entered week with goal of running about 30 - 40 minutes per day. I was disappointed with my supplemental work which I really only can do at work where gym is available. I need to run before going to work to make this supplemental work add up. I meet DD for a 5:15 AM run tomorrow, biking and uppper body biking at lunch. A good start....

Next race: Who knows?

Week ending March 13th, 2010

13 miles

2 days off - 1 planned, 1 injured

Supplemental work:

60 minutes stationary bike and 60 minutes upper body bike.

Long run 28 minutes.

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

13, 15, 46, 49, 43, 40, 33, 37, 47, 43

After 4 days off, the left hip was still sore but A LOT better. I entered week with goal of running without making hip worse. I started with 20 minutes and added 2 minutes each day. All seems unchanged and I'll ramp up a bit next week. All in all, happy with 13 miles.

Next race: Who knows?

Peterson Boys 2010 Hike #1

Destination: Stone Arch Bridge and Russell Bird Sanctuary, Westford, MA

http://www.westfordconservationtrust.org/Wct/Trails/StoneArch/trail.html

Date: March 6, 2010 (Saturday)

Hikers: OliBear, Andrew, Gramma and Dad

For the first hike of 2010, we traveled to nearby Westford, MA and visited the Stone Arch Bridge and Russell Bird Sanctuary off of Cold Spring Road. I ran these trails often when I coached outdoor track at nearby Westford Academy.

The weather was fantastic and trail conditions were mostly really good. There was some ice at the trail head but we managed just fine.

We enjoyed throwing sticks in the water, exploring and the boys even did a little running. Lame Dad with the bum hip was limping behind. We saw a very cool beaver lodge and braved the steep steps down to the bottom of the bridge twice!!

Get out there!

Week ending March 6th, 2010

15 miles

4 days off - 1 planned, 3 injured

Long run 40 minutes.

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

15, 46, 49, 43, 40, 33, 37, 47, 43, 43

Left hip continued to be sore. I entered week with goal of running 5 flat miles each day and see how it went. Tuesday's run was very encouraging, but Wednesday morning I stood up after helping OliBear put on his shoes and I had a sharp shooting pain in the left hip/lower back area. I ran 5 that day but it was very sore and was sore all night. Not much improvement since then. Had a massage on the 5th. Another planned on the 10th. I will try a slow run soon and see how it goes.

Next race: Northfield snowshoe on 3-13 is probably a no go ;-( !!

UMass Lowell DMR wins New England's

In an earlier post I talked about UMass Lowell DMR team posting a time (9:59) which qualified them for D2 Nationals in Albuquerque in mid-March. Lowell did one better this past weekend running a school record 9:53.97 to win the New England Track and Field Championships in that event.

=======================================================================New New England:: # 9:36.64 2007 , Providence College
School Finals Points
======================================================================= 1 Umass Lowell 'A' 9:53.97 10
1) Guerin, Tim 2) Wundt, Jeffrey
3) Wang, Daniel 4) MacDonald, Angus

Week ending February 27th, 2010

46 miles

1 day off - standard for me

Long run 80 minutes.

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

46, 49, 43, 40, 33, 37, 47, 43, 43, 44

Left hip was sore all week. Seems like each of the last 3 times I get in the high 40's, my body tells me that it is a bit too much. By mid-week I was running very flat courses and that seemed to help. Hamstrings were feeling better. Had a massage on the 26th.

Next race: Northfield snowshoe on 3-13.

3:58.15 --- 16 years ago this week

No, I did not run 3:58.15, Eamonn Coghlan did, as a master!! and I was there. DD and I went into Harvard University to see Coghlan run during a high school meet. It still remains the most entertaining, riveting, all-out-craziness sporting event I have ever witnessed live.

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/21/sports/track-and-field-coghlan-over-40-under-4-minutes.html?pagewanted=1

Happy Trails, Petey

Week Ending February 20th, 2010

49 miles

1 day off - standard for me

Long run 80 minutes.

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

49, 43, 40, 33, 37, 47, 43, 43, 44, 43

49 miles is my largest week since the hip injury of March 2009. Hamstrings were feeling better but were sore during 80 minute run on the 20th. Hip is a bit sore. Another massage scheduled for the 26th.

Next race: Northfield snowshoe on 3-13.

Quest for Albuquerque...

Hey

My nephew, Christopher Estrella, is a freshman at UMass-Lowell and, like his uncle before him, runs there also. He is a lot better than I ever was. Anyway, he ran a 800 leg in a recent DMR that provisionally qualified for D2 nationals that will take place in Albuquerque, NM in March.

Here is news about DMR and 4x400 at BU St. Valentine's Day Invite:

The River Hawk 4X400 team placed second overall and tops among collegiate foursomes with a time of 3:13.69, bested only by Zenith Velocity, which ran 3:11.0.

Junior Donte Brown (Raynham, MA) led off with a time of 48.1 seconds and was followed by sophomore Jeff Wundt (Southwick, MA), who ran a 47.9-second leg. Freshman Craig Bennett (Milton, MA) followed with a 48.4-second split while senior Robert Liekweg (Salem, NH) anchored in 48.9.

Bennett also ran the 400 meters in the distance medley relay in 48.5 seconds, leading it to a time of 9:59.63, good for third place behind Boston College (9:57.63) and Lock Haven (9:56.55). UMass Lowell’s result currently ranks eighth in the country.

Senior Tim Guerin (Auburn, MA) led off in the 1,200 meters in 3:05.03, and was followed by Bennett. Freshman Chris Estrella (Lowell, MA) ran the 800 meters in 1:56.2 while junior Angus MacDonald (Methuen, MA) anchored in the mile in 4:09.5.

These are the top 10 DMR times (Indoors) ever at Lowell:

DISTANCE MEDLEY RELAY (TOP TIMES)
1. RUBEN SANCA, SAM BASTIEN, MIKE MALINOWSKI, STEVE DEWITT
9:54.15 VALENTINE INVITE @ BU 02/08/08
2. Kevin Alliette, Mike Paige, Eric Sherry, Carl Mease 03/03/01
9:54.46 IC4A Championships @ Reggie Lewis
3. Tim Guerin, Justin Oliver, Danny Wang, Ruben Sanca 02/27/09
9:55.30 NE Championships @ BU
4. Angus MacDonald, Doug Caves, Joey DeWitt, Ruben Sanca
9:55.71 Valentine Invite @ BU 02/13/09
5. Christopher Kapfer, John Drinkwater, Erick Colon, Patrick Morasse 02/25/05
9:56.07 NE Championships @ BU
6. Greg Povey, Tony Gilbert, Kevin Spicer, and Dennis Simonaitis 00/00/84
9:56.4(H) Boston University
7. Joey Dewitt, Clint Cooper, Pat Molloy, Patrick Morasse 02/25/06
9:56.99 N.E. Championships @ BU
8. Joey Dewitt, Clint Cooper, Pat Molloy, Patrick Morasse 03/10/06
9:57.28 NCAA Championships @ Reggie Lewis
9. Joey DeWitt, John Drinkwater, Erick Colon, Patrick Morasse 01/28/05
9:58.06 Terrier Classic @ BU
10. Pat Morasse, Andrew Grange, Pat Molloy, Joey Dewitt 02/11/06
9:58.97 Valentine Classic @ BU

Happy Trails, Petey

Week ending February 13th, 2010

43 miles

1 day off - standard for me

Long run 64 minutes.

Last 10 weeks' mileage (most recent first):

43, 40, 33, 37, 47, 43, 43, 44, 43, 39

Hamstrings are feeling better. Had a massage on 2-12 and we are going to focus on quad stretching.

Next race: Maybe Fudgesicle 5k on 2-20 but definitely Northfield snowshoe on 3-13.

25 years ago.......first collegiate indoor track season.

Hey, in honor of my friend DD and his xx years ago posts, I'll start with a post from Indoor Track of 1984-1985. I was a freshman at ULowell. My 2 mile HS PR was 10:52 so I was looking to improve on that. I ran a grueling 4 races in the indoor season:

Tufts, 2 mile, 10:41
BU, 2 mile, 10:41
UConn, 3000, 9:59
Colby, 2mile, 10:40

Pretty consistent and an improvement on my HS times. I was the slowest 2 mile guy on the team!

Missed Northfield Yesterday