The last 5k, my race of choice, was in April, a local race, and I did okay for how much training I was doing. I ran a 28:44, not great by any means for what I should be running but like I blogged before I am coming off some injuries that made my normal training difficult. My fastest 5k time this year was in March at the Hanson's 5k where I ran a 27:50, some great progress at the time. I'll get back to my 5k later.
Since my last 5k in April I still have been racing: I did a 8k in May, the NCTR was in June, and I did a duathlon and the GLR in July. So I have been doing a fare amount of training and racing. Mid summer is usually the drop off of my 5k racing when the relays and more endurance racing starts. But, now that all the relays are over I am going to concentrate on getting my 5k time down before winter starts and my training slows to maintenance training.
Here is a look back at the past few major races I've completed.
The first was NCTR a drunken weekend with the friends that starts summer off with some adult sodas, good friends and some good running. I've only had one really great NCTR relay three years ago the rest have been hard runs that kick my butt into gear and remind me that GLR is a month away and my training needs to improve. I died on the first leg which was a 7.2 miler trail run. I ran it in about an one hour and forty minutes. Just miserable. After that long run tripping through the woods my back was shot and in pain. I was down for a nap in one of the cars and after that I felt a bit better and finished the day with a 3.5 miler that was slow but not to bad. This was not a great start to my running for the summer.
The next big race was my first duathlon. A first annual local race that was a 5k run, 20k bike and then a 5k run to finish. I ran the first 5k easy and relaxed, I have never done such a race before so I didn't want to die. I ended up running a lady into the ground that was trying to race the first 5k. She kept attacking and because I was running easy it wasn't to hard to control the pace and keep ahead. My first 5k was run in 30:22. Then the bike came up. I rode strong and for such an insane ride with huge uphill climbs I didn't die or get beat down by the ride. I've realized that I am a strong rider just not a brave rider. I could have taken a few down hills with a bit more bravado than I did. But I finished the ride in 01:02:27, which is close to how long it takes me to ride around 14-16 miles with traffic stops so the hills didn't slow me down to bad. The last 5k was hard. I past a few people but the last mile was just me trying to maintain my pace. I was glad to finish the last 5k at 35:45 with a 02:08:34 overall time. I was proud of myself for accomplishing my first duathlon and finished in a realistic time. I am hoping to compete in more duathlons if I can find ones that use Mountain Bikes, not a big Road Biker yet.
The last race report is for the GLR our yearly three-day drunken running fest. Lots of memories and funny stories from this year. A great time. My first run of day one was a 5.2 mile trail run. Good trails and I ran it easy at 01:03. My second run of day one was horrible a 5 mile trail run on overgrown sandy horse trails. Took me 01:17 to suffer through that run. Day two was a bit better I ran my first run a 5.4 mile trail run in 01:04 so I was on the same pace as the day before and it was cool to run the same run again after running it for my first GLR first leg six year ago. Then the mess comes out. I started drinking after my first leg and didn't stop. Ran my second leg a 3.5 mile trail run in 50 minutes of drunken stumbling running through the woods. Don't recommend running distance runs wasted. Day three I only had one run which I killed. It was a 5.5 mile run on two tracks, dirt and country roads. I ran it at a ten-minute pace finished the leg in 57:20. This is when I really realized that trail running sucks for me. I can't stride out like I can on roads. I had a great year this year. Oh, and between five drinks and five little helpers we drank ten cases of beer. So, yea, we had some fun.
So, back to 5k's. After all this crazy running I am really looking forward to running a 5k this Saturday and hopefully setting a new PR (Personal Record) that I am proud of. Got a week of rest last week, new shoes this week and starting to hit some good running. Hopefully I will hit a low 26 min or a high 25 min time. That would make me happy.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
the weirdness: part one
I get really weird about completing projects and outlandish tasks before I leave for a weekend whether it's for a race, wedding or vacation. I noticed this last year when I had a lot of destination weddings and races, among summer time stuff, to leave for I would run around crazy trying to complete weird things before I left. Besides my "five goals" a week I write on a dry-erase board to complete weekly I also write a list of random crap that has no consequence to try and complete before leaving. I think I'll document this behavior for a future post, circa July 16-ish before I leave for the GLR (Great Lakes Relay).
Well, I hit a snag two weeks ago before I left for the North Country Trail Relay. The snag was because not only did I create a random list of crap to complete but I was lamenting the fact that my list of 5 goals to complete have for the most part stayed the same all June. Aside from one goal, clean my studio space, all the artistic goals have stayed the same. So the week before I left for the weekend instead of packing I was trying to catch up on my art. And, this craziness hasn't let up. I've been really trying to clear my list, plus some other projects I am behind on, and get some new goals up before the end of June.
Here is one project I started to knock out. This is something I've tried hard to keep secret until launch but here is a brief taste. These are some finished comic boards of an online weekly comic my friend Paul and myself created. The comic is called Side Quest and is in the vein of pop and nerd culture. I'll post a full report on the comic just before we launch. Hopefully in the next two weeks. But, enjoy the first peek.
The next image is of a painting I knocked out this weekend during a crazy storm. I am happy with the experience of creating and what I learned from painting. But, I did need to separate myself from it. I do enjoy it now but I wasn't really happy with it. But I am excited about my next paintings. I am already planning the next four, yes, four, I am gathering the money right now. I hope to have them started next week. I am going to do multiple painting this time because I am impatient and get board when I have to wait for the paint to dry. So, I am going to knock out four next time. But here is my first of hopefully many paintings.
My last image is of a comp for my new digital portfolio. I told my girlfriend that I would have my design portfolio done by the time she takes the BAR. So I have five weeks to complete my new portfolio. A flash version, a web version and some hand-outs (printed cd holders and business cards). A lot of work and not a lot of time to do it. I'll post the process. Here is the comp.
Well, I hit a snag two weeks ago before I left for the North Country Trail Relay. The snag was because not only did I create a random list of crap to complete but I was lamenting the fact that my list of 5 goals to complete have for the most part stayed the same all June. Aside from one goal, clean my studio space, all the artistic goals have stayed the same. So the week before I left for the weekend instead of packing I was trying to catch up on my art. And, this craziness hasn't let up. I've been really trying to clear my list, plus some other projects I am behind on, and get some new goals up before the end of June.
Here is one project I started to knock out. This is something I've tried hard to keep secret until launch but here is a brief taste. These are some finished comic boards of an online weekly comic my friend Paul and myself created. The comic is called Side Quest and is in the vein of pop and nerd culture. I'll post a full report on the comic just before we launch. Hopefully in the next two weeks. But, enjoy the first peek.
The next image is of a painting I knocked out this weekend during a crazy storm. I am happy with the experience of creating and what I learned from painting. But, I did need to separate myself from it. I do enjoy it now but I wasn't really happy with it. But I am excited about my next paintings. I am already planning the next four, yes, four, I am gathering the money right now. I hope to have them started next week. I am going to do multiple painting this time because I am impatient and get board when I have to wait for the paint to dry. So, I am going to knock out four next time. But here is my first of hopefully many paintings.
My last image is of a comp for my new digital portfolio. I told my girlfriend that I would have my design portfolio done by the time she takes the BAR. So I have five weeks to complete my new portfolio. A flash version, a web version and some hand-outs (printed cd holders and business cards). A lot of work and not a lot of time to do it. I'll post the process. Here is the comp.
Friday, May 29, 2009
music for the masses: 0002 & supplies
In the celebration of my birthday over the passed week I used money and gift cards to feed the beast and snag a major amount of music over the past week or so.
- The appetizer was when I went out a grabbed:
Mastodon Leviathan
Protest the Hero Kezia
- Then from my awesome girlfriends parents:
Ray Lamontagne Trouble
- The main course was yesterday when I snagged four cd's for under $35:
Ray Lamontagne Till The Sun Turns Black
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest
Side Bar: I downloaded Grizzly Bear's Yellow House at the beginning of the year. These guys are moving closer to the top of my favorites list...if I had one that is.
Walls of Jericho Redemption
The crowning jewel one of my favorite bands:
mewithoutYou It's all crazy! It's all false! It's all a dream! It's alright
- For dessert my order from amazon came in with:
Ghostface Killah Ironman
This leads me to the rest of my delivery today and the rest of my post:
I started a side column or side bar...what ever it is, that has the art supplies I use and where I get them from. I've been ordering KRINK inks for a bit now and have found the perfect place to order from. The last place wasn't good at all. They took about a month to get the order to me and when it arrived I had one tube that was smashed and one was the wrong color. But, I found a new great place and put links to all the places I buy from and the supplies I use. Enjoy.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
on the work desk: 0002
"Slow and steady wins the race." A quote common among my group of friends and taken from our long time friend and former cross country coach. A quote that applies to running and drinking and most recently the completion of my comics and other art adventures.
This is page 5 of The Skateboard Diaries and the page that I've given the most and has taken the most from me.
I finished page 6 in the time it took me to simply draw (in pencil) page 5. And though there are tiny mistakes in each panel this page was a hurtle to overcome as much as it was a learning experience.
I still have the first two pages to complete (scenery) that I hope to complete this coming week so I can scan, color (black, white and shades of gray), add text, and design the finished book with cover and back cover. A simple six page mini comic that has taken some time to complete. But it is a learning process and I'll be better for it and a bit closer to make my hobby and passion a career.
Other News:
I picked up The Chariot Wars and Rumors of Wars and have enjoyed listening to it today with a bit of Deadliest Catch (the show) while finishing page 5 (the above image). I am looking forward to listening to The Chariot's new work for a long time to come.
This is page 5 of The Skateboard Diaries and the page that I've given the most and has taken the most from me.
I finished page 6 in the time it took me to simply draw (in pencil) page 5. And though there are tiny mistakes in each panel this page was a hurtle to overcome as much as it was a learning experience.
I still have the first two pages to complete (scenery) that I hope to complete this coming week so I can scan, color (black, white and shades of gray), add text, and design the finished book with cover and back cover. A simple six page mini comic that has taken some time to complete. But it is a learning process and I'll be better for it and a bit closer to make my hobby and passion a career.
Other News:
I picked up The Chariot Wars and Rumors of Wars and have enjoyed listening to it today with a bit of Deadliest Catch (the show) while finishing page 5 (the above image). I am looking forward to listening to The Chariot's new work for a long time to come.
Monday, May 4, 2009
running report: when I think I am back...my back
I have five weeks or actually six, but I am going to relax week six, before this years North Country Trail Relay (NCTR). This is my sixth year running the NCTR and my first that I can actually train for without being interrupted by college. But, my body has been revolting against me for the past year now.
I hit the point last year when my body started to break down because I wasn't training correctly. I have had a few injuries that have set me back over the past three years, non of them major, but all have sidelined my training. Last year I was up and down with my running and would rest one or two weeks and then kill myself at relays or other races. Around August I started to try and drop my times but with poor training and tendinitis in my shins my body had had enough. Most of the winter I ran just to maintain some running ability but never really trained. But, sense the beginning of this year I really started to get my running and my body put back together and be smart about it.
My tendinitis seems to be getting better and I am feeling better while I run but then a month ago my back went out. Great. So I've been dealing with that for the past few weeks now. A minor set back but it's just a reminder that I am not out of woods yet when it comes to putting myself back together and a reminder that I need more core training.
Training for NCTR:
Running
I am just trying to run maintenance mileage right now and run low but consistent mileage each week. I fallow the 10% rule (don't raise your weekly mileage more than 10% per week) and I keep my mileage in a range. So I am going to run between 14 and 16 miles per week for the next four weeks and then raise my mileage between 15 and 17 the week before the relay and then rest the week of the relay because I'll be running over 10 miles that weekend. My main goal is to run more than double the mileage I ran last year before this relay.
I am also happy that I am now ahead of my weekly mileage from last year. I've been keeping track of my year to year running and I am 1 mile ahead of last years mileage.
Cross Training
Cycling was the only reason last year that I was half way decent at running. I rode just under 400 miles last year and cross training is something that all serious runner should do. I rode 109 miles last year before the NCTR and I hope to ride 164 this year (around 1.5 times as much as last year). I rode 10 last week so I am having a slow start but a start non the less.
Core Training
Weights, abs and yoga. I am still working on this but I have had about two days a week of good core training. Hope to add some more to that.
This seems like rambling but I am trying to keep it straight in my head. My encompassing goal is to do more or double than what I did last year. Double the mileage, more cycling and more core training. Then I should be physically and mentally ready. Because just about five weeks after the North Country Trail Relay I have the Great Lakes Relay which is three days long.
I hit the point last year when my body started to break down because I wasn't training correctly. I have had a few injuries that have set me back over the past three years, non of them major, but all have sidelined my training. Last year I was up and down with my running and would rest one or two weeks and then kill myself at relays or other races. Around August I started to try and drop my times but with poor training and tendinitis in my shins my body had had enough. Most of the winter I ran just to maintain some running ability but never really trained. But, sense the beginning of this year I really started to get my running and my body put back together and be smart about it.
My tendinitis seems to be getting better and I am feeling better while I run but then a month ago my back went out. Great. So I've been dealing with that for the past few weeks now. A minor set back but it's just a reminder that I am not out of woods yet when it comes to putting myself back together and a reminder that I need more core training.
Training for NCTR:
Running
I am just trying to run maintenance mileage right now and run low but consistent mileage each week. I fallow the 10% rule (don't raise your weekly mileage more than 10% per week) and I keep my mileage in a range. So I am going to run between 14 and 16 miles per week for the next four weeks and then raise my mileage between 15 and 17 the week before the relay and then rest the week of the relay because I'll be running over 10 miles that weekend. My main goal is to run more than double the mileage I ran last year before this relay.
I am also happy that I am now ahead of my weekly mileage from last year. I've been keeping track of my year to year running and I am 1 mile ahead of last years mileage.
Cross Training
Cycling was the only reason last year that I was half way decent at running. I rode just under 400 miles last year and cross training is something that all serious runner should do. I rode 109 miles last year before the NCTR and I hope to ride 164 this year (around 1.5 times as much as last year). I rode 10 last week so I am having a slow start but a start non the less.
Core Training
Weights, abs and yoga. I am still working on this but I have had about two days a week of good core training. Hope to add some more to that.
This seems like rambling but I am trying to keep it straight in my head. My encompassing goal is to do more or double than what I did last year. Double the mileage, more cycling and more core training. Then I should be physically and mentally ready. Because just about five weeks after the North Country Trail Relay I have the Great Lakes Relay which is three days long.
Monday, April 6, 2009
KRINK and a studio
I finally go out those KRINK markers and inks I was talking about at the first of the year. I am using them for an upcoming project I hope to talk about real soon but whatever. I shook up my new markers and went on discovering. I found an old unfinished painting of mine and went to work making it better...I guess.
Old background new KRINK:
Some other shots taken around the house:
I also really got frustrated with the fact that I have no art studio. I am not asking for much I just don't want my art board in the middle of my room anymore and I hate having to spend so much time cleaning a work space off every time I want to create. It is completely counter productive. And painting is completely impossible. There is far to much setup, cleanup and mess for my little cramped space right now.
So I hope to spend some time this and next week and try to make some more space to create. (Unintentional rhyme.)
Old background new KRINK:
Some other shots taken around the house:
I also really got frustrated with the fact that I have no art studio. I am not asking for much I just don't want my art board in the middle of my room anymore and I hate having to spend so much time cleaning a work space off every time I want to create. It is completely counter productive. And painting is completely impossible. There is far to much setup, cleanup and mess for my little cramped space right now.
So I hope to spend some time this and next week and try to make some more space to create. (Unintentional rhyme.)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
ghost rider...motorcycle...hero...
I haven't posted any art in awhile so I thought it was appropriate to through this up because I was actually quite surprised by this sketch. I've been trying to sketch more and more and I knocked this sketch out at work yesterday. I don't draw many comic heroes but lately I've taken to drawing Ghost Rider. I always sketch in pen so that I see my mistakes and learn to adapt and grow as an artist so nothing is ever perfect but I liked this sketch so much I thought I would use it to practice my coloring in PhotoShop. I've been really pushing the comic art lately and being able to color my work is really important to me so I've been trying to learn and grow as much as possible using digital media (PhotoShop). Enjoy
From the sketch book:
After colors:
From the sketch book:
After colors:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)