These last few days I’ve been feeling like whether I like it or not my season is finished. My foot has been bothering me again as well as I’m beginning to feel really run down. I was originally going to try to do 4 events next weekend at the Canada Summer Games Trials in Sherwood Park but after this abysmal weekend of sub par performances I’m having trouble motivating myself to want to run at all.
My training partner Isaak ran a terrific 1:53.17 yesterday to win Junior provincials and that excited me a little bit as all year we have been very close in workouts and both had run a lot of 800s in the 1:55- 1:57 range up till now. I think I will make this weekend’s goals to break 4:00 and 1:55 instead of making the Team as those were my season’s goals, but I will play it by ear for now and not scratch the 400 and 5000 yet.
I haven’t updated this in awhile but I have just returned from my first trip to Senior nationals. Since my last post I have lowered my PR to 1:55.97 at the Victoria International Track Classic 2 weeks ago. Going into Senior Nationals in Toronto this weekend, I was optimistic hoping to dip under 1:55 and finish in the top 20. Entering the competition I was ranked 31st and was eager to experience this new level of competition.
We traveled to Toronto Wednesday afternoon arriving late. Thursday we worked out in the muggy heat and then watched Jamie attempt his 5000m he has been having a lot of foot issues lately and it didn’t go as he was hoping. After Jamie and I went and saw the new transformers movie to get his mind off of the disappointment and to keep mine from the nervousness I was feeling about the race.
I drew the 3rd heat of 4 and was racing a few of the countries best runners with at least 2 former junior champions in my heat. It was still very hot and I was having trouble handling the heat but was excited to race. We ended up being a little late but after the mess of the Kajaks meet in Richmond (an extra hour of warming up behind) a few minutes didn’t bother me. My starting box ended up being Adam Currie, Darren Mazzie, and Olivier Collin… all of whom had previously broken 1:50 so I was timid off the line and tucked in behind them. Coming off the bend I ended up at the back of the heat and in hindsight should have been a little more aggressive. I split 27 for the first 200 pretty close to where I wanted to be but I made the mistake of relaxing a little bit and came through 400 in 57 way too slow. The next 200m was where I later learned experience would have helped as I hit the 500m mark in the race and was promptly dropped losing contact in a bit of a surge by the pack. I tried to push to pick up but had trouble coming through 600 in 1:26 again too slow. I kicked and saw Darren coming back so I worked on gaining on him but my last 200 wasn’t there and ended up being 31 seconds. I was very upset with my final time of 1:57.07 as I felt that this was the race that I could prove my fitness and racing skills.
I later saw the replay of my race (below) and realized that the leaders had split exactly what I was hoping to split 26, 55, 1:23. It was just a case of nerves and letting the whole atmosphere get into my head. I ended up 29th with my saving grace being that I finished higher than I was initially ranked. However It was great experience and I look forward to coming back next year fitter, faster, and smarter. Being in the finals will be my new goal.
My teammates ran great also with Brian and Jaden coming 3,4 in the final both having PR's of 1:48.89 and 1:49.11. Nicole ran a PR of 2:11.59, and Alana and Hayley both learned lots and gained experience that they will likely put to good use when they go after their Junior titles in 2 weeks.
2009 Canadian Track & Field Championships Championnats canadiens d'athlétisme 2009 Toronto,ON - 6/25/2009 to 6/28/2009
Event 16 Men 800 Meter Run ================================================================ Championship: ! 1:45.34 2004 Gary Reed Name Year Team Prelims ================================================================ Preliminaries 1 Harris, Geoffrey Halifax Tigers 1:50.37Q 2 Reed, Gary T. Pacific Athletics 1:50.98Q 3 Currie, Adam Athletisme Montréal 1:51.61Q 4 Roppelt, Brian Edmonton Thunder 1:51.70Q 5 Ostapowich, Jaden Edmonton Thunder 1:50.47q 6 Collin, Olivier Vaudreuil-Dorion 1:51.69q 7 Rae, Jeremy Niagara Regi 1:51.90q 8 Laporte, Charles-Olivier Rouge ET OR 1:51.92q 9 Del Monte, Michael University O 1:51.93 10 Smith, Kyle Phoenix Athl 1:52.04 11 Tome, Mitchell Windsor Legi 1:52.57 12 Saizew, Michael Caltaf Athle 1:52.76 13 Finn, Ryan Phoenix Athl 1:53.31 14 Gamble, Dustin Speed River 1:53.34 15 Simair, Chris Queen City Striders 1:53.70 16 Langridge, Jordan Durham Drago 1:54.37 17 Theriault, Madison Caltaf Athle 1:54.42 18 Mccormick, Iain Queen City Striders 1:54.48 19 Young, Sean Ottawa Lions T.F.C. 1:55.06 20 Brennan, Kevin Ottawa Lions T.F.C. 1:55.23 21 Russell, Ryan Calgary Inte 1:55.39 22 Carlos, Shane Unattached-OTFA 1:55.41 23 Gravel, Benjamin Cirrus 1:55.51 24 Raymond, Mathieu Club D'Athlé 1:55.78 25 Laan, Brandon London Runne 1:55.80 26 Nishiyama, Michael Leduc Track 1:55.86 27 Lecours, Tommy Sherbrooke 1:56.70 28 Mazzei, Darren Queen City Striders 1:56.75 29 Carroll, Rory Edmonton Thunder 1:57.07 30 Dib, Abdelkader Caltaf Athle 1:57.36 31 Abbott, Larry Harbour Track 1:57.48 32 Klaus, Anders Harbour Track 1:57.73 33 Fleming, Noah Harbour Track 1:57.91 34 Azzi, Sofiane Cirrus 1:59.37 35 Anderson, Travis Brantford T.F.C. 1:59.77
So I got to the track this morning and was pumped to run a good race, I felt so good and was pumped to tear it up.
It was super hot out but got windy as I warmed up. I lucked out this time and snuck into the fast heat with my 1:55 seed time Lane 1. Trent wasnt feeling it, so he decided to pace through 600m.
The race started and I was in dead last going through 200 in about 28, felt good but it was really windy and I tucked in behind Madison. The 400m split was around 56 and at that point i was feeling great. 600m 1:25 and at this point im getting stoked because I new I was on Pb pace. I had to go really wide like outside of lane 3 wide to pass Jeff Homer, Madison, Abdel, and Nish... I thought I was flying and running a 29sec last 200 but when i saw my time after I realized that i had probably ran at least 5m extra that last 200m.
Event 508 Men 800 Meter Run Senior ========================================================= Name Year Team Finals Points ========================================================= Finals 1 Saizew, Mike 87 Caltaf Athle 1:52.91 2 McCormick, Iain 85 Queen City Striders 1:53.22 3 Russell, Ryan 88 Calgary Inte 1:53.29 4 Simair, Chris 85 Queen City Striders 1:53.87 5 Wasylyshyn, Adam 89 U OF C Athle 1:56.47 6 Ratzlaff, Scott 90 Caltaf Athle 1:56.53 7 Carroll, Rory 88 Edmonton Thunder 1:57.17 8 Nishiyama, Michael 89 Leduc Track 1:57.21 9 Theriault, Madison 88 Caltaf Athle 1:57.70 10 Dib, Abdelkader 89 Caltaf Athle 1:57.72 11 Boldt, Alyosha 89 Queen City Striders 1:58.58 12 Homer, Jeffrey 90 U OF C Athle 1:58.91 13 Dorosz, Sam 90 Lethbridge T 1:59.10 14 Delange, Owen 88 Calgary Spartans 1:59.12 15 Furlong, Mark 83 Calgary Spartans 2:00.42 16 Elford, Adam 88 U OF C Athle 2:01.83 17 Brown, Travis 90 Calgary Spartans 2:03.75 18 Wittig, Luc 91 U OF C Athle 2:11.51 19 Herzog, Walter 55 Unattached Alberta 2:16.13 20 Marks, Laurence 72 Unattached 2:16.49 21 Davies, Roger 35 Calgary Roadrunners 3:00.77 22 Wollman, David 49 Calgary Roadrunners 3:27.12 -- Ratzlaff, Trent 86 Caltaf Athle DNF
I'm happy with this race Its a PR, but I really wanted to get down in the 1:55 range. I guess it will have to wait till west coast. The last 200m felt like a 29 effort but it turned into a 31 so I know that ill be under 1:55 on the coast if im smart and run the entire race in the inside lane I also felt really good through 600m so I think I can get away with shaving a second or 2 off my first 600m.
so last night I got to track thinking that i was doing a few 200s and that the rest of my group was doing 3x600. Glen at the last minute due to perfect conditions switched up the workout and had the group do one 600m time trial instead with a few 200s after. He asked me if I would pace for 400 as my pre race workout and I was happy to oblige.
I was told by the boys and Glen that 25 seconds for the first 2 and 52 seconds through 400 was what they needed. I came off the first corner to hear "Too Fast Rory" from Glen and I slowed down a little settling down and relaxing. We went through 200 in 24 seconds and I then tried to pick it up as best I could, as this pace was out of my element and I didnt want to slow the boyos down if i rigged. I hammered off my last corner and about halfway down the straight Ropes followed closely by Osta passed me at which point I moved out but still finished the 400. They went through in 50 and I slowed short of the line right behind them for 51 (Glen said 50 but i timed it). Then the 2 of them battled out a Epic last 200 and both ran Pbs of 1:17! Isaak was alittle behind them in 1:22.
I was so happy for my team mates and feel like the whole group is improving in leaps and bounds. Brian seemed frustrated at times with the hard workouts we have been having and I dont think he was sure if he was doing the right stuff, but I have no doubt that he is sold on it now as he seemed surprised by the 1:17.
Im currently riding the Red Arrow motorcoach to Calgary to open up my season (I dont consider the 4th my opener...) and I recommend it to anyone. It's amazing, leather seats, wireless internet, free food and refreshements, and a movie (James Bond Quantum of solace is currently playing while I write this). Also its all at a reasonable price of $60 which compared to the gas and effort to drive down is totally awesome in my opinion. I got a $5 discount for being a student and an additional $5 off for being AMA. These guys really impress me and I think I will be using them alot more later on in my life If i need to commute between the 2 cities. For anyone who is thinking about taking it say I refered you because they have a program where You would get 10% off on your ticket and Id also get 10% off on my next trip!
Anyways Im off, Going to go watch some episodes of chuck.
Hopefully next post I'll have alot of great news about a big PR.
So the last few days I have felt extreamly good and limber, wednesdays workout was ok with a few minor setbacks, and mondays speedwork was great. I leave tomorrow for calgary and then race sunday afternoon. The entry list looks good, and everything feels like its going right.
Event 508 Men 800 Meter Run Senior =============================================================================== Saturday 5/16/2009 - 2:10 PM Name Year Team =============================================================================== 1 McCormick, Iain 85 Queen City Strid 2 Simair, Chris 85 Queen City Strid 3 Saizew, Mike 87 Caltaf Athle 4 Homer, Jeffrey 90 U OF C Athle 5 Russell, Ryan 88 Calgary Inte 6 Wasylyshyn, Adam 89 U OF C Athle 7 Dib, Abdelkader 89 Caltaf Athle 8 Ratzlaff, Scott 90 Caltaf Athle 9 Theriault, Madison 88 Caltaf Athle 10 Carroll, Rory 88 Edmonton Thu 11 Nishiyama, Michael 89 Leduc Track 12 Dorosz, Sam 90 Lethbridge T 13 Furlong, Mark 83 Calgary Spar 14 Delange, Owen 88 Calgary Spar 15 Boldt, Alyosha 89 Queen City Strid 16 Spendiff, Mathew 89 U OF C Athle 17 Elford, Adam 88 U OF C Athle 18 Brown, Travis 90 Calgary Spar 19 Wittig, Luc 91 U OF C Athle 20 Herzog, Walter 55 Unattached A 21 Davies, Roger 35 Calgary Road 22 Wollman, David 49 Calgary Road
Hopefully this one will be what im hoping for.
Tonight I'm doing most likely a pre race workout of a few 200s getting myself loose and ready for sunday. I'm stoked.
All finished school and am settling in here at ATCO to work for 8 months. I opened my season last weekend in calgary and it wasnt what i wanted so ive erased it from my memory and am planning on a pb this weekend.
Ive been having some breakthrough workouts as of late and I'm stoked to see if it translates.
wednesday: 2x (800m, 400m, 200m w/ 30sec rest and 10min between sets)
800s were in 2:05-2:07 and 400s were 65 then a 30 and a 31 for each 200
I was very excited about this workout because traditionally I have had a very poor 1500 and any time I had improvements it translated to my 800 significantly
friday: 2x (300m, 200m, 100m w/ 100m walk jog rest and 10min between sets)
first set: 41,26,12 second set: 38,25,11
Next race is an 800 this weekend in calgary and I'm hoping to run 1:55.
Down to my last exam, cant wait till tomorrow at 11 haha.
My outdoors racing schedule: May 3rd New Balance 800m May 16th and 17th Spring Classic 1500m 800m May 24th New Balance 1500m June 10th Victoria International 800m* June 12th Kajaks International 800m June 16th Abbotsford 1500m June 26th Nationals 800m* July 11th and 12th CSG trials 400m 800m 1500m August CSG (fingers crossed)
(* Dependent on times in previous races, for Nationals I need to break 1:55)
To say im stoked would be an understatement. Last year my only chances to race were at foothills in calgary twice so I'm going to take full advantage of fast races like the west coast series at sea level. I really want to go to Nationals to get the experience of racing at that level against the best Canada has to offer and a bonus is that I'll get to be with my girlfriend for her birthday.
I'm feeling faster than I ever have and cant wait to debut on the 3rd, I'll be very dissapointed if I don't PR as I feel my recent training shows I am capable of much much more than I have achieved on paper.
New Ten second epic video from their album HOMETOWN
2 more exams left I'm running out of gas for studying. I just want to be done and focus on running. I'm Feelin faster than ever, Tyler and I came pretty close to pbing in a 600m yesterday with a 1:23 then followed it up with a 27 200m and a 12second 100m right after. Cant wait to bust out an 800m come May 3rd.
Here are a few of the things that have been distracting me from my studies haha
Mt Sac
Fam's 5k
Puma Mile
Christiano Ronaldo's Amazing goal in champions league this week:
Monday, April 13, 2009
I'm so sick of studying. Just no motivation...
Today I did my workout which was stairs and hills, it felt good but was nothing like yesterday's long run as it was pretty chilly out. I keep reading Eric Gillis' and Dylan Wykes' blog posts about Flagstaff and want nothing more than to be living like that just training and relaxing totally focused.
This living with lions song reminded me of the Beermile next friday which should be alot of fun.
Jamie, Sean, and I went for a 90min great run today. Started a bit cold but the sun came out and baked us. I felt a bit tight but well rested and am excited to see what workouts the week brings. The more sunday runs I do the fitter I feel and I cant wait to run 1500m, a large PR is definatly coming.
I've been studying for my soil mechanics final and it's one class I hated alot this term, but I'm starting to enjoy it now that there arent any rediculous labs or long homework assignments.
Heres a song Marcus from the team showed me that I have had stuck in my head for a while now:
My name is Rory Carroll and Im a third year Civil Engineering student at the university of Alberta. This is the day to day, successes, tribulations, and thoughts in my life.
Today like most other days of late I'm studying with no motivation. I cant wait to just finish and focus on training hard. My ankle has been bothering me lately as I have been fighting posterior tibial tendonitis for approximatly the last year. I will probably go back to physio this week and get it checked out even though its frustrating as it has rarely helped.
This week a few comments and observations made me realize how much you really do have to trust your coach. I think that if you want success you need to believe in what your doing.
I recieved my racing contract wednesday from Glen my coach and found out that I will be competing at the West Coast Series for the first time this June. Im excited to say the least and cant wait to get a chance to finally run the 800m to full potential in a good field at sea level. here are a few of the goals i have long and short term.
Summer goals: - 1:52 800m - sub 4:00 1500m - Qualify to race at the National Championships - Make Canada summer games in the 400m, 800m, 1500m, or 5000m... whatever it takes.
Next years goals: - get a great base in xc and go to cis - qualify for cis in the 600m or 1000m and also as a team in the 4x800m - run sub 1:50 and give everything i have trying to qualify for my first national team. NACAC U-23
Future goals: - Get carded - Make a Fisu Universiade team before I am ineligible - take a year off after school and get everything I can out of running - win a CIS Gold Medal for Da Bears.
