GNYER 5K: Last Race of the Year

Once again, the Great New Years Eve Race (known as the GNYER) marked the last race of the year. Bringing 2008 to a close. I still need to tally up some stats, but this was my 27th race of the year. I had really hoped to stay under 20 minutes here, however, this years conditions made that a bit tough for me. Aside from the ice, wind, and snow, I did manage to place 4th in my age group and 33rd overall. My highest placement at the GNYER. So I was pretty happy with that.


This also marked the last year that Steve is going to be the race director. I met Steve a few years back working the finish line to a race in Stow. At the start of the GNYER, it was announced that Paul Organ is going to be taking the race over. Steve left some pretty big shoes to fill, but Paul will do an awesome job I am sure! Steve, thanks for putting on a great race every year!

I hope everyone had a great New Year and I am looking forward to 2009.

See you all next year!

Cannonball!

A bit behind from the holidays. Going to be posting some updates to get caught up....

So, today was the 2nd annual Waterfalls run my boy Nick puts on the last Saturday of the year. Basically, it is a trip through the CVNP on trails hitting three different Waterfalls: Brandywine Falls, Blue Hen Falls, and Buttermilk Falls. This year there was a TON of folks out there. Looked like at least 40 people. Crazy!

Luckily, you will see why in a second, the weather was REALLY warm and temps for up to the 40s. Made for a bit sloppy trails, but it was really nice out.

Well, during one of the water crossings by Buttermilk Falls, I see Steve H. crossing the water like a sissy. So, I went flying through the water to splash him. I stopped right next to him and yelled, “CANNONBALL!”

Unfortunately, I fail to realize that I was standing in water that was actually a complete sheet of ice underneath. You can guess what happened next. As I kicked the water at Steve, my other foot gave and I went down in the water like a huge…cannonball!

It was COOOOLD and the water went up almost to my neck. I flew out of the stream laughing with Steve who almost fell laughing as well. I noted this is twice running with Steve on that trail that karma bit me. During the summer, I was in mid sentence making fun of him and Vince when I kneed a fallen tree I was jumping over. This was twice karma got me!

Everyone seemed to think I actually did a cannonball on purpose. I didn’t think I am that crazy, but it seems others do! Anyway, I did a quick poll of everyone with cameras, I thought I was lucky and got away with no one getting a picture of it. Whew! Safe!

Until I got home later that day and received a message from Facebook. It appeared I was wrong. Janet had her Blackberry and caught the fall and posted it on Facebook. Way to be “Johnny on the Spot with the Crackberry”, Janet!

So, here is where it gets good. Seems the picture leaked out at work from fellow Davey-Facebookers and signs began going up along with cannonball jokes. Then I get to my office last week and low and behold. I find a t-shirt with the moment commemorated on it with instructions to where it in Boston. Lucky me! My coworkers are great. Unfortunately, I am going to have to retaliate!

Christmas Ale Night 2008

Christmas Ale Night 2008 was another complete success. It was great seeing everyone who came out. Trying to get a final count, but it looked like about 30ish people throughout the evening.

If you have any pictures you want to add to the site, just let me know. I got a few that I will be posting shortly...after a bit of editing of course! You can thank Kurt for that. What I get for leaving my camera on a table unattended.

Also a bit thanks for everyone who donated to the cause. A final count of proceeds is being tallied and being sent to the foundation. If you still wanted to make a donation, please let me know.

There will be another chance for that donation. If you were around late in the evening, you might have heard I have an event lined up in 2009. I let the cat out of the bag a bit. If you weren't there...going to have to wait for the formal announcement!

I am in!! Boston here I come!!

Well it is official! I just got my acceptance letter into the Boston Marathon. I was holding my breathe until I saw it with my own eyes. But it showed up in the mail and I am now listed under the entrants.

I think it has really set in now. I am blocking out a training plan and thinking I will be starting that training very soon. Better get a room and flight, too.

In some very cool running news, Olympian and arguably the fastest US distance runner in quite some time, Ryan Hall has announced he will be running in this years Boston as well. It would be great to see an American win it again. Even better to be there in person!

The count down has begun....122 days til Boston!

X-MAS Ale Night 2008 in one week!

That's right folks! It is time once again for the 5th Annual X-Mas Ale Night in Kent on December 19th.

More details about the event are here.

I hope to see a great turn out like we have in the past again this year. The charity this year will once again be the Special Operations Warrior Foundation aiding the families of fallen soldiers that are members of US special ops groups who have died in combat.

If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a donation anyway, please email me.

As always, we will be starting at the Kent BW3's at 5ish and going until...well....the 20th!

Hope to see you there!

Tecumseh Trail Marathon

"What was I doing and why?"

That was the question that was going through my head while eating Oreos and drinking Gatorade while running on a trail in Indiana during the Tecumseh Trail Marathon. I can't say I was having the best race. Just a few minutes later it hit me. At mile 23, the course twisted into a pine forest that was simply the most beautiful moment I have ever had. The winds were howling and the snow was coming down in my eyes...until I reached that spot. It was completely peaceful. No sound at all. No other runners. Just complete peace. I have never seen anything like it.

As I pushed through the last few miles I thought about the coolest things I had seen in 2008. I watched the sun rise in the Arizona desert. Ran along the Blue Bells in Virginia. Saw some breath taking views in Napa Valley. I ran the entire circumference of the Cleveland Metro Parks All Purpose Trail nonstop (62 miles) with my friend Nick. Saw two good friends cross the finish line of a 100 mile race. (Saw both of those friends puke, too, but that didn't make the list.) Saw some friends run their first marathons and got to see them push through "it" to get there.

That is why I was there and do this stuff. Moments that I would never have experienced if I wasn't there. Moments that no matter what happens to the medals, results online, or the shirts I get will be there to remember.

So, there I was in the middle of that Indiana Pine forest. Completely taken in by it. I totally stopped running for a second. Watched a few snow flakes drift down slowly. "Wow", I thought. As for the race? I finished. It was marathon (0r longer) number 10 of the year and 26 overall total for me.

Afterwards, the crew went down to the Upland Brewery. Ate a great dinner and had some really good beer. If you are in the Bloomington area, I highly recommend it.

That about does it for 2008. Now...about 2009....I got this idea...

Picture courtesy of Nick. Thanks Nick!

Turkey Trot & Tapering for Tecumseh

Well, I think I am finally getting back to normal (if you can call it that) after the back-to-back marathons. This past Thursday was the Akron Home run for the Homeless which is one of the most competitive races in the area. It's a 4 mile hilly course through Akron & Glendale Cemetery. I wasn't sure how it would go still recovering and all and getting ready for Tecumseh.

I didn't make the same mistake as last year and got out fast and early. At the first mile, saw Mom & Dad at the family plot (always a good reminder to keep on running there since that is where I am going to be buried one day.) Maintained things through the hills and pushed it the last mile trying to catch Aaron aka the "Mayor of Bolanz." Funny part where I was trying to catch him, Nick B was trying to catch me!

Ended up 86th overall out of about 1700 folks and 5th of 76 in my age group and a new 4 mile PR! WOOT! Wasn't expecting that at all.

The next day, had a great trail run in the valley with some folks. Took my buddy Jeff from my Akron relay team on his first trail run with Jim C, who is also running Tecumseh. After that, got some miles in over the weekend despite being out of town and started my taper. Feeling pretty good now. I was feeling pretty burned out last week, but the energy levels are coming back now.

4 days to Tecumseh!