May Doldrums

OK, the last chapter in the Gil-Mike rivalry happened almost 3 weeks ago, during a 10 k in the park on May 20th, 2006. Move over Federer-Nadal, who cares about Detroit-Miami! Yankees-Mets? Yawn! The rivalry to watch these days is right in our back yard (Give or take a few thousand miles for some of you (us))
Both guys felt their effort from their amazing performance in the 5 k three days prior, but they both still put down a time of which most of us can only dream. And yes, Gil beat Mike again in a time of 42:31 which translates in a 6:51 pace per mile. Mike ran a pace of 6:54 min/miles for a finish time of 42:51.
The scariest part of the race came after the finish line. All of a sudden there were Flyers everywhere.
Flyers to the left of us,
Flyers to the right,
Flyers as far as the eye could see,
And not an SLG'er in sight!
Is that how the "Ode to SLG" is supposed to go? Seriously guys, what is going on? Where are all these SLG'ers these days?
There is only one word I have for this phenomenon. DOLDRUMS!!!!!!!!! Running does not seem to be very prevelant on anybody's mind these days. I don't hear much about running, I don't hear much from the running buddies and on top of that, my clothes, belly button and brain seem to constantly be full of dust with the expansion and renovation of SLG headquarters still going on.
That in combination with the fact that I am on running hiatus myself because of some bone inflammation in the pelvis area and a strained hamstring makes me feel like my life is a bit on hold. And I want my life back!!!!!!! I want the apartment to be done, I want to be able to run and I want some enthousiasm from the other SLG'ers about running.
The only camp which seems to be quite engrossed about the running business lately, except for the MOL, Belgium chapter because they are always engrossed in running it seems, is the one man chapter of Philippe Schaillee in Chicago. He ran the Brussels 20 k last Sunday and finished in 1:48. Philippe was hoping to do sub 8 min/miles but a hard course in combination with a crowded field in which the corral system was strictly enforced made for some very slow first kilometers. Anyway, for anybody who needs a kick in the butt, he is running a half marathon in Chicago on June 11th. Does this information get you out of these doldrums a bit? How can I motivate you all.
How about this. On August 27th at 7.30 a.m., the NYRRC is organizing the New York City half marathon. I know, I know, what comes to mind is 2 loops of the park and then some in the sweltering heat and humidity of late August but hey, YOU ARE DEAD WRONG. As you may recall, the Manhattan half has already come and gone this year. It was moved from August to January. The New York City half however will start, but will not limit itself, to Central Park. It will be the first time that a half marathon is run in the streets of New York. I do not really know what the course is but it will go through Times Square, down the Hudson and end around Ground Zero. So, how about it. I think we should have a great SLG showing for that but be forwarned. I hear there will be a lot of promotion for the event and that entries will be limited. (And how are they going to prevent New Yorkers/Slg'ers from running this?? Anyway, I just checked the NYRR website and you can register for any race until August 19th. So, keep your eyes peeled for the registration of this one.
Wouldn't it be great if we could unveil the new SLG logo for that race? How is the logo coming? David? Stefan?
And speaking of running, logo's and the like. How is everybody's biography coming? I really do think it would be fun to read a few lines about everybody's running credentials and how you got connected to SLG??? Anybody wants to start this? I think Clem was the one who had this idea. Clem, you want to go first with your bio? And add a picture?
And now for the "social and gossip" part of the blog :
1) Steven Vandenabeele (MYCmarathon '05) and wife Micheline welcomed their second baby, daughter Audrey on May 30th. Audrey has a two year old sister, Madelon. Since having a two year old and a new born obviously leaves you with a lot of time on your hands, they bought a house in the center of Oudenaarde that needs a lot of renovation. Obviously, the coach can give you some tips not only on running but also on the pleasures of renovating.
2) More baby news : Mark Hennenfent (NYC marathon '04, '05 and founding father of SLG) and his wife Helena are expecting a second boy. He will immediately have an older brother Erik, who has been around for three years already.
3)Happy first birthday to Margot Sevenants, today, June 1s, 2006, daughter of Erik Sevenants (NYC marathon '04) and Wendy De Hoef and younger sister of Victor Sevenants who will be 3 any day now.
4)Philippe Schaillee (NYC marathon '03, '04, '05) and Petra, hosts of the 2006 Chicago marathon, are expecting a girl in November of 2006. I am sure she cannot wait to meet her older brother, Maxim, who turned 3 about 3 weeks ago.
5) Stefan (founding father of SLG and NYC marathon '04, '05) and Anne (the one from a "funny thing happened on the way to the Bethesda fountain) are.... no not expecting any children as far as I know but they are apartment hunting. Good luck in the search and if they are planning on renovating, I am sure that the coach can give you some tips on the subject.
6) Claudia Valladares was in town over Memorial day weekend, visiting from Caracas. She looked great and seemed very happy in her new job and with her new apartment. There are even rumors that younger men are courting her. She did not seemed to mind that part of living in Caracas either.
So, this will be it for a while. I am going on vacation from June 9th until June 25th. If registration for the NYC half marathon comes available during that time, please, please, can somebody register me for that? When I come back from vacation, the training period for the Chicago marathon will officially commence. I hope I will not be training by myself.
Last but not least. We hope that SLG headquarters and the rest of the compound will be finished when we get back from Italy. A preview BBQ will be held on Saturday, July 22nd. Bart and Nathalie will be in town, Tom Verbeure has already booked his fligt from California, Petra and Philippe have made a pledge to be here and I hear other rumors. It will be a Saturday afternoon BBQ (or that is the starting time anyway) and if anybody would like to join, please let me know. If you want to stay over, that is fine too. We have beds for the first two respondents, an air matress for #3 but after that, there is plenty of floor space if you bring your camping mat.
So, this is it for now. I wish you all Good Night and Good Luck for your running and other endeavors. Lief
In case you want to share family or other news on the blog, you can let me know or post it as a comment. A bit of social news never hurt anybody.
2 Comments:
Lief - I have my priorities wrong obviously, but not entirely. After healing from my shoulder dislocation I have started a modest running training again along the East River. There's a 400m track right at East 10th street, and there's several miles along of running up the River. Not quite as nice as the park, but with an mp3 player to block the FDR noise it's feasible. Slowly building up again.
5:30 PM
Well, maybe you are right and a 100% tapering approach really won't work for the Chicago Marathon. It was such a nice idea... I did run the founding father Mark's 'Killer' loop up in the mountains last weekend and I think I got to the bottom of why this guy is such a strong runner. This altidude training really killed me. I had made grand running plans for the weekend but after total exhaustion from the killer loop I had to take a rest day. I like to think that it was the mid-day heat and dehydration that made it so difficult but deep inside I know that my professional tapering is the real culprit. So this motivational post comes at the right time and I proclaim to pick it up again. Cheers
4:59 AM
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