Gary Truce 5K Gone for Good?

I looked through the 2010 reunion schedule, and despite promies from Coach Acuff that the Gary Truce 5K would return, I saw no signs of it. They still continue to have a 5K Kristen Faust memorial run, which is fine for those that knew Kristen, but apparently, the alumni association doesnt' seem to understand the impact that Gary Truce has had on the university over the years.

I think I remember from last year, that alumni may be invited to run in one of the actual home cross country races (if there are any), but then we would be way at the back of the pack, looking a little foolish finishing several minutes behind the main pack, especially if there were only a handful of us. I wish they would bring back the Gary Truce!

Tennis, Running, and Snorkeling Update

As I suspected, while in Key Largo for a week (July 3 to 10), I only ran 2 times, about 3 miles each time, in fairly intense heat and humidity, although one run was cloudy and cooler than usual. However, I played tennis a number of times while there, and it seemed to be a good workout. I also snorkeled almost every day. Now, I'm not sure how snorkeling translates into a workout, but my style of snorkeling is to frequently go underwater for 10 to 20 seconds at a time. So, in a typical one or even 2-hour snorkeling outing, I am underwater holding my breath many times. Each time when I surfaced, especially on the deeper dives (upwards of 15 to 20 feet down), I would be breathing heavily and heartbeat was elevated. Could this potentially have a similar effect to a speed workout, or is it just plain tiring, and maybe even detrimental. Anyway, although I ate out every night, I didn't really gain weight, and felt tired out each night, so I think I was getting some exercise in. I also did more than the usual number of pushups and crunches while on vacation.

Upon my return, I have only run twice so far (about 4.1 miles each time 8:20 to 8:30/mile pace), played tennis twice, and lifted weights once. I should be running tonight and hopefully tomorrow.

On the tennis front, I played my 4.0 buddy again last night. Unfortunately, he won 6-3, 6-4. I was actually down 5-0 in the 2nd set, battled back to 5-4, but then caved and lost 6-4. I think my serve has picked up a little speed and consistency. I think I only had about 5 double faults (not bad for me), and my 2nd serve, although slower than the first, wasn't too bad, and he didn't hit many winners at all on my 2nd serve. I still don't have a true kick serve. This may take some work and even a lesson. My buddy took a private lesson from a pro just to start getting the hang of a kick serve. He didn't even try it in the match last night. Apparently, although seemingly routine, a good kick serve takes a lot of work.

That's it for now. No plans for time trials for now. Just enjoying summer in Buffalo (and Key Largo), playing tennis, and running as time permits.

Mark

Tennis Improving?

I don't know what's happening.....last year, I was about 0 and 8 for competitive tennis matches, primarily against 2 opponents (one who is a 4.0 player, the other guy probably about like me, 3.5 to 4). Friday night, I came up with another tight win against the "other" guy, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4), winning in 3 sets with a final tie-breaker in the 3rd set. This puts me at 2-1 for the season overall. I don't feel like I've improved, but I'll take it. In fact I was up 5-1 in the 3rd set, and he came all the way back to force a tie-breaker. Admittedly, I relaxed some after being up 5-1, and starting playing around with my kick serve (which doesn't kick), and incurred a few double faults, before I realized how close the match was getting. Oh well, at my age, I shouldn't really be concerned about winning, right? Anyway, 2 hours of competitive singles tennis was certainly a good workout, and once again, it took me all day Saturday to recoop from the Friday night match.

On the running front, I ran 3 times last week, played tennis once (details above), and did yard work on Saturday (pretty tiring in the heat).

Yesterday I started the week with a 4.2 mile run, again under warm, humid conditions.

I'm leaving this coming Saturday for Key Largo, and don't expect to run much while I am there for a week. I think last year I may have run 3 times, about 3 to 3.5 miles each, which was about all I could take in the heat and humidity. However, I typically swim/snorkel every day, and even play some tennis at night, so i feel that I at least maintain my conditioning on these trips. I will target running at least twice, maybe 3 times if I can this year.

Mark

Three runs in a row!

I was hoping for tennis last night, but the courts were closed due to rain earlier in the day. The big disadvantage of clay court tennis is that a good rain can shut the courts down for a day or so, as it takes time for them to dry out enough to use.

Anyway, I ran 4.2 miles, with some fartleks, and averaged about 8:16/mile. It was quite warm and humid (for Buffalo), so this was a good effort.

Hoping to play tennis with my daughter tonight, probably no running or tennis tomorrow night, then singles tennis Friday night, then we'll see for the weekend.

With Wimbledon in full force, I feel the pull of tennis more than running right now. I really need to learn that kick serve!

Training Run Not so Bad

Last night I was going to play tennis but my partner (my daughter) decided not to play. Thus, I went for a run. I was feeling somewhat groggy most of the day for some reason, so had low expectations for the run. But after a quarter mile, I was already averaging 8:45 per mile, and it was quickly dropping with little effort. In the end, I ran 4.3 miles at 8:12/mile average, feeling quite good. I may run again tonight, since it is supposed to rain, and the clay tennis courts will likely be closed (the big disadvantage of clay courts). This would be 3 days in a row of running! Tennis with my daughter is planned again for Wednesday, and hopefully I can play with another partner on Friday, then probably run Saturday.

Mark

Tennis on Rise, Running Declining!

Last Friday night, against the opponent who beat me 6-1, 6-2 the previous week, I squeaked out a "victory" in 6-7, 7-5, then I won a tie-breaker 7-2 that we agreed on for the deciding set (both too tired for a 3rd full set).

However, I didn't run Friday night (although more than 2 hours of very physical hard-fought singles tennis felt like a reasonable workout), didn't run Saturday (did mulching/yard work in hot weather), then ran only 4.1 miles Sunday at 8:28 per mile.

This type of scenario may be continuing here for at least a couple months.............(I mean playing more tennis, not necessarily winning).

Mark

Tennis Fever!

I'm afraid I'm coming down with "tennis fever" and it's affecting my running. Last Friday I played 3 sets of tennis with a 4.0 level player, whom I have been close to or even beaten a couple times in the past. However, this was my first match of the season, and I lost handily, 6-1, 6-2. We even played a 3rd consolation set, which I lost 6-3. I was tired and sore the rest of the weekend. Saturday I didn't run, as I did some heavy yard work in the heat, and was then too tired. I ran Sunday, and my usual easy 4 miler that often is around 8:20/mile was 8:50 per mile! Then I ran Monday, but played tennis with my daughter Tuesday, was too busy last night, have a bible study tonight, and then have another tennis match scheduled for tomorrow night!

I think the problem is that tennis works different leg muscles, as much of the motion is side to side. This seems to hamper my running a bit, not to mention that every time I play tennis is a day or night that don't run (not enough time or energy for both in one day).

The good news is that I really enjoy tennis, get a good workout, sweat a lot, it's more fun than plain running. It sort of combines the endurance and speed of running with a real sport. Although my tennis skills are not always equal to my opponents, I can often come close to them or at least give them a hard match due to my running ability. I often get comments like "you've really got a set of wheels!"

So, what I'm trying to say is that you may see several tennis updates throughout the playing season, with running and racing possibly taking a back seat until September.

I'll try to get a couple photos of me trying to play tennis! I am improving, however, and I'm finally working on a legitmate second serve, which is intended to be a kick serve.

Mark

Good Job Jeff--Time To Give Some Respect to SUNY-B Running Teams

The amazing thing about Jeff Martinez is not that he ran an 8:57 3,200 as a high school senior and came to SUNY-B to run, its that when he arrived he wasn't the best runner on the cross country team. Don't believe me? Click on the title of this entry and read about it.

But maybe I shouldn't be surprised--didn't I read something recently about a SUNY-B runner breaking 4:00 in the mile? And this change isn't just going on with distance runners. SUNY-B broke 3:10 in the 1,600 meter this past season. That's a very respectable time and means that there are at least four good 400 meter runners on the team.

The article about Jeff mentions some of what the overall running program has accomplished recently and how much the program has improved over the last few years. So, I think the time has come to stop picking on the teams and saying that they are no better today than they were more than thirty years ago. SUNY-B appears to finally have some runners who are not only faster than Mark, but would probably also be able to beat Bob Daniels. Way to go Colonials! (Sorry, as sad as the Colonial was, it was still better than an imaginary Bearcat that looks like every other cartoonish unimaginative logo out there.)

Beach Running

I'm at the beach now and most of my running is likely to be on the sand. This stretch of beach is surprisingly good for running. It is quite firm, but not too abrasive. And there are a good six or seven miles of beach available. My workouts consist of both "distance" and quasi fartlek (in quasi fartlek there is walking between the runs, not jogging).

Yesterday in my first timed distance run I did two miles in 17:01. I thought that wasn't too bad when compared to how my running has been going on the track. In addition to the two miles of running I walked five miles.