McMillanElite :: Andrew Middleton
Entry #189 We had an awesome team dinner the other night. It had been some time since our previous get together, so it was great to see everyone in one place. Winter always seems to scatter everyone about. People racing, taking trips home, going down to Sedona or other warm weather locations. It was a great evening, with Greg giving us a great toast and much needed reminder of how much we have accomplished in the past year. A great addition has been made to the team’s training capabilities here in Flagstaff. Last week, Jimmy Bean, a representative from AlterG brought us a P200 AlterG Trainer (video here). The potential seems limitless in the application of this tool. It has so many different uses, speed training, rehab, prehab, post-race recovery, pre-race recovery … the list goes on an on. It is always amazing to see, and use, something so new to our sport. In my training world, I have been ramping up the intensity going into the L.A. marathon next month. Trent Briney has been a great training partner for this race and having him show up to help with my workouts takes off a major load of stress. We push each other well and feed off each other’s successes and strengths. What I am really excited about is the quality of my workouts. Greg really knows how to get a marathoner to come around at exactly the right time. With all the miles under my legs, I know that come race day, I will be a rocket ready to take off. Along with the great workouts, my therapy team of Geoffrey Bishop and John Ball have done an amazing job of keeping my legs moving. My last attempt at a marathon ended before it ever started with a prolonged injury. This time around is different. I am very grateful for the attentive and educated hands that have helped me train at the level I know will help me reach my goals. One last note: mark your calendars for March 26th – Team USA Arizona will be hosting a fundraiser at the Orpheum Theater here in Flagstaff. It will be a great night of food and fun. Check out the website here for more details: (Run to 2012!). Entry #181 It was a great weekend of racing for my teammates – both Saturday and Sunday saw breakthrough performances, demonstrations of developed fitness and true examples of grit. From Flagstaff, to Houston to Phoenix, McMillanElite started 2010 exactly how we left off in 2009 – on fire. At the first indoor track meet of the year, Ian Burrell and Jordan Horn completely disregarded the lack of oxygen in the air and opened up with a great time in the mile, going 1 and 2 in the race. Down the mountain in Phoenix, Alvina Begay locked in her spot for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials with a huge personal best of 2:37:14 at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon. Alvina has been very dedicated to improving all aspects of her running since joining the team and this race is a direct result of that. Congratulations Alvina on your awesome effort! I had the opportunity to be in Houston for the marathon this year and was able to cheer on Paige and Brett at the 20 mile mark of the race. If you have ever run a marathon, watched someone race or heard their battle stories, you most likely know this is where a race can go from good to bad. Accordingly, this is where I positioned myself during my morning run in order to give them any and all of the energy I could impose on their spirits. I gave them the best advice I could conjure up in the short 5 seconds in which it took for them to pass by, hoping it would make an impact on their race, even if only helping them get to the next mile marker. In the end, both Brett and Paige had excellent days with Paige running very close to her personal best and finishing fourth, and Brett running the 4th fastest debut marathon in U.S. history. I’ve seen the way these two work through marathon training, and I’ve been taking notes for my own use leading up to L.A.
I enjoy Thanksgiving for many reasons: visiting with family, the food, college football (Hook ‘Em Horns), and the opportunity to reflect and give thanks. This past week, my wife and I made the trip back to Texas for an extended break, one which was very much needed. Our families took us in and fed us far too much. In the midst of all the travel between families, I had the opportunity to test the legs in a Turkey Chase in Corpus Christi, on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The Corpus Christi Road Runners have put this race on for years but this was my first time in six years to toe the line. In my pre-race warm-up I lost contact with the course but thankfully found the race director, Clent Mericle, who graciously took the time to draw the route on the sidewalk with a rock. Overall, the race went well and I achieved the objective of improving my performance with each race. This weekend, my trusty training partner, Trent Briney, is racing the Cal International Marathon. After watching this guy tear through workouts all fall, I know he is in peak shape, very likely the best shape of his life. This is a guy who is due for a big race, this weekend will be the one. As far as training goes, I couldn’t be more pleased. Each workout seems to be building on the last. This morning, I worked through 16 quarters with Brett, Jordan and Martin. Each taking turns in the lead, we steadily cranked the effort and times down. It was an awesome experience to be feeding off the energy of the group, knowing we are making each other better. It wasn’t a competition, no half-stepping or clipping of heels, just a solid effort, getting the work done just as we do week in and week out. Entry #158 Every journey begins with a first step. In my case, it was a great first step. After more than a year of battling injuries I finally toed the line and re-started the journey which I committed to two years ago. The event was a small, but well run race in Tucson, the Jim Click Run’n’Roll 8k. The results were encouraging, but left me hungry for much, much more. Thankfully, Bri, and Jaime, and I were treated to first class pre- and post-race hospitality by Bonnie and Dean, great runners, great conversationalists and great people overall. Having a home-like atmosphere goes a long way to easing pre-race nerves. Every aspect was covered, from the first jog when we arrived, to soaking our legs in a warm pool, to a great carbo loading dinner and delicious root beer. Many thanks, Bonnie and Dean, for your great hospitality, we hope we can return the favor the next time you are in Flagstaff. One other great detail about the day was all the text messages from my teammates wanting to know how I raced. It reminded me of how great it is to be a part of a team, especially McMillanElite. This past weekend, Andrew Lemoncello, Brett Gotcher and Andrew Carlson made the trip to Birmingham, England for the World Half-Marathon Championships. It was a great day for Lemon, Brett and AC who both finished very well, with Lemon recording a PR on a tough course. Be sure to check out the new photo galleries of the athletes being added to the Photo Page by local photographer Melissa Dunstan. Entry #144 All the ups, none of the downs. Such great happenings to report here in Flagstaff. First, and foremost, Paige Higgins, in her usual way, demonstrated her extraordinary grit racing the World Championships Marathon this past weekend in Berlin. Facing the best female marathon line up the world has to offer, warm weather and a shortened training phase, she made her way through the pack passing many runners on her way to a 30th place finish in the entire world. Paige, your hard work and dedication to the sport and the team is inspiring. Thanks. My running is picking up, along with my confidence and hunger to race. After several months of what I term “shaky” running, I can finally relax and know my fitness is back, my workout times are dropping, and the injuries of the past are behind me. Of the events in the past few weeks, many things come to mind: the visit of my younger brother, Thomas; the team’s motivational meeting with Burt Gershater; and Trent’s birthday. Thomas’ visit helped me to get out of the office and do some of the touristy things I have never experience in tourist-rich Flagstaff. The Lava Tubes, Slide Rock and disc golf filled our days with plenty of action and fresh air. As he enters his freshman year of High School, I am glad to know he could spend his final few days of freedom here in Flag. Burt Gershater, our team’s sport psychologist, gave a great talk on fighting back the negatives, those pesky thoughts that enter our mind at will, taking with them the positives we have so long fought to maintain. I’ve heard many ratios respecting the mental vs. physical aspect of sport; without going into a full-blown exposition, I will simply note that it is obvious our mental attitude affects our physical performance more than we like to believe. Thanks, Burt. Finally, Trent Briney’s birthday bash. Of the desserts laid out on the dining room table, not an inch of table’s surface was to be found. But Greg need not fear, as there were many on hand to tackle such a monumental display of dessert delights. After dessert, the obligatory game of Catch Phrase was assembled. Am I the only one who thought Penelope Cruz was in Spanglish? Entry #128 It has been two years since I made the move to Flagstaff, Arizona. Looking back on my experiences thus far, I find not all has been as I would have hoped. Yet running is part of my life, so how can I expect anything different? Life does not happen as planned. But above all, I have advanced. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually. In running, one must always be moving forward. With arms pumping and legs driving like pistons, pushing you ever closer to your goal. The same applies to life, regression is not acceptable. We learn to crawl, then walk, then run, and run we must! After a difficult winter, I have emerged in the springtime a new runner. Months of rehabilitation and treatments left me sore. The first few runs back left me doubtful. The first run on Waterline Road gave me a glimpse of deep fatigue. And the first steady state recharged my drive to succeed. Watching my teammates achieve their goals this spring has been a tremendous boost to my running as well. From Jordan knocking 30 seconds off his 5k personal best, to Lindsay running personal bests each time she stepped on the track, to Paige and the realization of her dream of being selected to represent the U.S. at the World Championships, it has been an awesome spring. I am grateful to be a part of a team, that in such a short time period, has already made its mark on U.S. Distance Running. It is a sure testament to the level of dedication all around, from Greg and Tracy, Trina, and every member of the team. I see everyone doing the extra one percents to make this the best training environment around. The year is halfway through. With six months left to 2009, I am eager to finish the year right. It is time to set PRs, be competitive and do as my father has told me before every race, “put yourself in a position to win.” I am on the sidelines no more, and it is time to set out and do exactly what I have had planned. middle Entry #99 One day you may run, the next day you may not. There are no guarantees in this sport. From the first painful mile of a beginner to the twenty-six mile mark for a marathoner, running can, at its disposal, go from bliss to banishment in the matter of minutes. For me, it came quick and severe: from 130 miles per week to zero in nothing flat. And just as suddenly you can be back out on the roads putting in the distance. Where is the punishment that comes from being banished found in an injury? This is the question we introspectively find ourselves asking each and every day the injury lingers. Was it my form? Did I run too many miles? Did I not stretch well enough? What could I have done wrong to deserve such a dreaded sentence? Beyond this contemplative banter of which we are guilty, one thing remains: the cure. Despite the advancements in modern sports medicine, there are no timetables set in stone for recovery, nor are there clear pathologies for every running injury. I am going to offer today a more unorthodox manner in the alleviation of an injury; something that I know without a doubt aided in my recovery. This method is not the first place we normally look; doctors won’t prescribe it, physical therapy cannot provide it, you can’t get it over the counter, and only a select few know how to dispense it. This wonder I am talking about is simply the act of encouragement. You think, ‘of course, everybody needs to be encouraged,’ ‘a kind word goes a long way.’ But many people in this world are in an unfortunate place where encouragement isn’t felt or maybe even expected. Even so, how could encouragement have helped me in my recovery, it was my groin, after all, that was hurt, not my feelings. This is a question that I myself was unsure of even during the dark days without running. But it all became clear in hindsight. Going from doctor to physician to orthopedic specialist I felt lost in a maze of unanswered questions and misdiagnosis. Despair set in and I felt utterly helpless. That is, until I began to take notice of those around me: my wife, family, friends, teammates, and coaches, even those I hardly know that understood my injury offered words that carried immeasurable amounts of motivation to get back out there and run again. My ‘prescribed treatment’ to everyone, not just runners, is to surround yourself with people who genuinely care enough to offer up encouragement during life’s trials, however big or small. I consider myself very blessed to have such people. For that I am very grateful and now, more than ever, am motivated in my return to form to prove them right. So, now I want to thank to my support group for their amazing encouragement through this small, but very meaningful, trial in my life; foremost my wife Casey, my family, Coach Greg McMillan, Tracy and Angus, the Painters, the entire McMillanElite team, Phil and Ellen Wharton, and anyone else who may not know of their role but are surely known by me. Have a great week, and be sure to look for me on the roads, ‘cause that’s where I’ll be! middle Entry #79 Amazing results poured in on my cell phone Thursday morning. Greg was texting me, super excited as he should be, to announce all the PR's and great finishes our team recorded on Thanksgiving Day. On the East Coast, Martin Fagan took home the top honors at the Manchester Road Race. He was followed by a trio of McMillanElite athletes, Andrew Carlson, Andrew Lemoncello and Celedonio Rodriguez finishing 4th, 5th and 8th respectively. I was definitely thrilled to hear my training partners took four of the top eight spots at such a high quality race. Several thousand miles away on the West Coast, McMillanElite athletes took to the streets of San Jose, California, criterium style, in a invitational elite 5k Road Race. What followed was Four Road 5k PR's and Three All-Time (both road and track) 5k PR's. Major congratulations to Jordan Horn and Becky Guyette; they obliterated their previous personal best by over 14 seconds each. I am really excited about the progress our women's team is making this fall. With the racing by Becky Guyette and Lindsay Allen in the past few weeks, it is clear that they are on a mission to run fast, not just this fall but on the track in the spring as well. Not to forget Paige Higgins' amazing 7 minute PR at Chicago. To add to all of this, another super-talented, experienced elite has joined them to create a solid training group the likes of which Flagstaff has never experienced. Alvina Begay has been in Flag longer than most of us on the team and knows her way around town, but it was awesome to finally have her join McMillanElite to reach a new level of fitness. Next in news, we have a new sponsor on board with McMillanElite. The Houston Marathon has been very supportive of our group from the beginning and has now stepped up their commitment in the form of the Houston Marathon Foundation. You can read all about the new sponsorship here: Houston Marathon Foundation. We really appreciate all our sponsors do to make this amazing training group possible. It is because of their generosity that McMillanElite runners are making huge strides in becoming the top in our field. Thanks to everyone who makes their way to read our blogs each week. If there is anything you would like to see added to the site or questions for our bloggers to answer, send us a line and we would be glad to make it happen. Have a great week! middle Entry #61 Two thousand three hundred ninety-four miles of training later, I find myself shaken, but not broken, by a nagging injury. It is the sort of unexpected tragedy befit of a made-for-Hollywood movie in which the band of misfits whose unexpected rise to the top find themselves bogged down by an ambiguous by-law thus disallowing their participation in the championship match. Like the previously mentioned misfits, I too will overcome the barrier that is only temporarily holding me back. I, like the Little Giants, Average Joes, et al, have a plan and the benefit of the best six months of training in my life, and it is getting me back on the road sooner rather than later. It is not easy to write about running when running itself is not going well. As runners, our confidence comes from recent workouts, from looking back on our logs and noting improvement from races. Without this, we must look to other sources. The other day, I watched as my teammates completed one of their final Fast Finish Long Runs in great form. As I found out, confidence in one's self can come from the achievement of others, especially those you train with day in and day out. It might seem a strange source, but as it is, it is the only one I have at the moment. I know as soon as I am healthy, I will be right back there with them and that is all the confidence I need right now. Outside of running, I have found the difficulty of being a single parent. My wife, Casey, traveled to Reno for a weekend conference, thus leaving me with our ten-pound fuzzy bundle of joy, Scooter. I can't complain, however, as quirky and strange as he might be, the only complaint I have is that he is like an old man with a prostate problem, it takes him forever to use the bathroom! Tonight, I am initiating Burger Night at the Middleton residence. On the menu: Pesto Provolone Burgers with Tabouli and Black Beans. Other recent dishes have included Pesto, Potato, and Parmesan Pizza, Panko Fried Chicken and Tortilla Encrusted Tilapia. Good food is like a high-octane fuel for race cars or jets, the better your fuel, the faster you will go. And if it tastes great, then tha'’s even better! This past weekend, newcomer Ian Burrell posted his second top-ten USATF Championship finish in the past three weeks at the US 5k Championships in Providence, Rhode Island. Everyone else has been turning in great workouts as well and the mileage keeps coming as we all look to a great fall season. Thanks for visiting McMillanElite.com to check up on your favorite post-collegiate team. Be sure to look for us on the roads and fields as we demonstrate our gains in fitness and continue to improve. andrew middleton
Entry #42 My life has finally settled down. Getting married, a honeymoon and moving into a new house in three weeks really put my training and dedication to the test. Now, with no more boxes to unpack or wedding plans to make, I can once again start training with a purpose. Greg and I decided it was time to avenge my disappointing race at Chicago last year where I dropped out after 21 miles when the temperature reached a record 88 degrees at 9 am. The goal now is the Twin Cities Marathon, which is also this year’s U.S. Championships. Training has been great so far. I am pumping out the miles while staying cool in the wonderful Flagstaff summer. More importantly, I’ve been healthy and happy which no doubt lead to better training and better racing. This is going to be a great Marathon training phase. With all the miles ahead of me, I am truly thankful for the awesome training partner I have in Trent Briney. He is my Mr. Miyagi, old and wise, but deceivingly strong and fast. We have been training together daily this spring and I have learned a lot from him already. At times, Trent can get really distracted and speak of crazy adventures he would like to try, but I have been able to pull him back to reality so far. On the other hand, I can get too serious too often and Trent will put a smile on my face and keep my mind occupied for a few more miles. We might be an odd couple of sorts, but when it comes down to getting in a 15 miler on Monday morning, I have no doubt he will be by my side the whole way.
Andrew Lemoncello has also been competing well as of late. In dominant fashion, Lemon has swept his past two races in Europe and even finished third at the European Cup in France. His times are right on schedule and he is poised to a take a top showing at his Olympic Trials for the Steeplechase coming up on July 13th. To top it all off, Lemon is currently gracing the track and field world with his image on the front of Athletics Weekly. Every four years I eagerly wait for track and field to be in the spotlight. Even as a kid, I understood the significance of the Olympic Games. When my cousin accidently unplugged the TV during Michael Johnson’s record breaking performance in the 200m back in 1996 I nearly broke down. Thankfully, they replayed the blazing 19.32-second race several times thereafter and I was able to experience the amazing performance. In my mind, there is no single spectacle of the human experience more poignant and concentrated than the Olympics. Four years is really not that long to wait, especially for something so meaningful. So be sure to make time in your schedule next month for what will be more dramatic than any Law & Order episode, more magical than any U2 concert, more suspenseful than a buzzer beater at the Final Four and more meaningful than any Superbowl, World Cup or Wimbledon Championship combined. Beijing 08.08.08 middle
Entry #36 May has arrived, spring is in the air, the trails are open and the weather is fair. After a frigid winter with abundant snow, Flagstaff is beginning to look as it did when I settled here last July. The past few weeks I have been exploring the trails north of our house in the San Francisco National Forest. I've found myself taking unmarked trails, exploring new territory, all the while steadily climbing to higher altitudes that strengthen my lungs and punish my legs. At times I may feel slightly unaware of my location, but as it is said in The Lord of the Rings "not all who wander are lost." I feel I have invigorated my running by seeing new sights and testing my abilities. Pitchin' Shoes
Around February it was a ten-foot sledding hill in the front yard. This time around, Jordan Horn, assisted by three cups of delicious Café Espress coffee, got the ball rolling on the next backyard project. Jittery Jordan came through with a horseshoe pit of professional standards. Similar to the Top Gun beach volleyball scene, we have begun to form 2v2 games, which provide more excitement to the game. It's nice to hang out in the backyard pitchin' shoes with my teammates, especially since the weather has been great.
New Benefits
Love and Marriage
A Parting Word
"Don't forget who you are, where you come from, or who you represent."
Take it as you will, but I find one can get out of it exactly what they need in just about any given situation.
Thanks for reading, now it's time to train. Be sure to check out the new videos! Entry #27 Once again my blog coincides with a quick visit back to my homeland of Texas to visit family, friends and my awesome fiancée. With lots of wedding planning to do and the unpredictable Texas weather, I had a fun time squeezing in runs between picking out invitations and wild thunderstorms. But there can be no complaints when the next day calls for t-shirts and sandals. Wedding planning is going well, and I am particularly excited about the prospect of having the groom’s cake of my dreams come to life (imagine a replica of the San Francisco Peaks, except made entirely of cake and icing). Back in Flagstaff, the Cooper House Crew soon became re-engaged with an ongoing winter project. After morning runs up and down Mount Elden Road, With McMillanElite scattered across the globe the past few weeks, I can proudly announce that the team is back in full force. Having spent several weeks at home in Ireland, Martin, who recently secured his spot for the Beijing Olympic Marathon, has triumphantly returned to the states. As it has become tradition, a potluck was in order and this past Sunday was the day; tremendous dishes were prepared by all, including Beijing Chicken (Michelle), Stew (Tracy), and Curry Potatoes (Middle and Jordan). At the end we toasted to Martin’s successful race in Dubai and to a great racing season in 2008. My favorite memory of the night was re-learning Martin’s accent and deciphering the conversations between him and Lemon. These are the nights that I will best remember from this year in Flagstaff. The family bond that I am building with my teammates and coaches are truly solidified when we can meet together to share a meal. It is not the same when a member of this team is not with us, and it was evident these past few months by Martin’s absence. I could really tell that everyone felt a little better seeing and hearing Martin on Sunday. We are all really glad to have him home. Running has been especially tricky the past few months with the high snowfall. From July till November we were spoiled with perfect conditions, amazing trails and clear skies. The past few months have helped me appreciate that a whole lot more. Even so, the running here is surely better that 95% percent than most places even when covered in snow. One of the best aspects of Flagstaff is its proximity to lower elevations such as Sedona and Camp Verde (both at 4000’ or lower). We often make the short drive down the hill at least twice per week for workouts and long runs. Each of these locations can boast their own unique and visually stunning scenery that helps the miles go by. After our Sunday Long Run in Sedona, we made a stop at The Coffee Pot – ‘Home of 101 Omelettes.’ Without hesitation Martin stunned us all by ordering the one omelette we all wanted to try, but dare not order: the ominous #98, Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana Omelette. Needless to say, his plate was clean at the end of the meal.
Thanks for taking a minute to check out the McMillanElite Blog. This has been a great way for us to let everyone in on our lives. I hope winter is treating everyone well; be sure to look forward to Spring because I know I am! Andrew “middle” Middleton
Entry #19 The Week in Review As for my teammates, I don’t know much of what they have been up to, so the following is only speculation: I know Martin is in good company as Greg defied the U.S. Government and made contact in a secret rendezvous point somewhere along the coast of Portugal. Brianna likely didn’t have to travel far, as her family lives a short drive away in Phoenix. Brett is likely catching waves back home, camping on the beach and playing his guitar. Mike Hanlon was kicked out of his parents’ house and had to come home the day after Christmas. I honestly have no clue where Mike Smith is, but last I heard he was pumping out endless quarters in 87 seconds in preparation for pacing duties at Houston. Lemon is murdering his base phase work, getting ready to defend his Scottish homeland at the World Cross Country Championships. As for Jordan, our fantastic local Chili’s Server, he is holding down the Cooper House, catching up on missed video game time. A little more about my week Tuesday was Christmas, my favorite day of the year to run. Having trained in Flagstaff for the past six months, I have become accustomed to solitude on the trails and absence of vehicular traffic coming from the roads while training in the national forest. However, growing up in the city back in Texas, the only day I have found that will provide me with the rare opportunity to not see a single soul or hear a car whizzing by is the 25th of December. Wednesday I headed to my fiancées parents’ house in Bastrop to see the other side of the family. Bastrop is located in what is called the Lost Pines of Texas. A small outcropping of pine trees in the middle of what is typically an oak tree and grazing pasture region, the Lost Pines are an amazing oasis of red dirt and towering pine trees that remind me of my new home in Flagstaff. My runs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday consisted of winding trails in Bastrop State Park and McKinney Roughs. A Conclusion to the Week
Entry #11 Welcome back to the McMillanElite Training Blog. It has been a busy week for the team, mixing in miles on the roads and miles in the air. A lot has gone on that I am ready to share, so let’s get started… The New Addition Late to bed, Early to run New York, New York
The High’s and Low’s of Distance Running If you have ever run a marathon, or other long distance race, you know of the ebbs and flows of energy levels throughout. At times you feel above the race itself, merely floating along. While others, it seems putting one step in front of the next takes all the strength you have. In this way, life is full of moments of joy and periods of suffering. One thing we are promised in this life is that the times of pain will never be more than we can withstand. The comfort of family and friends is just one of the reasons we can overcome anything. As you might have heard, one of our closest friends in the running community, Ryan Shay, passed away Saturday morning during the Olympic Trials. It hurts to write about this loss, knowing we will never have the chance to run with him again or be able to enjoy his presence again in this life. But in this time of grief, I find it important to bring up the impact of his life and the great attributes he brought out in all of us. Ryan Shay, the ‘Workhorse,’ as we laughingly and affectionately called him, was one of the hardest working athletes I have ever been around. Without a doubt I looked up to him and respected his ability to train at the highest level. Upon arriving in Flagstaff, my first long run was spent chasing him and Abdi on the dirt roads at A1 Mountain at 7000 feet. After getting dropped before the halfway mark, I began to understand that these guys train at a level that would take me some time to reach; I knew I would have to dedicate myself to that purpose to one day race with them, and for that lesson, I am thankful. To me, Ryan represented a guy who maybe didn’t have the talent as his competitors or the slight body physique of an elite distance runner, but what he lacked in those areas, he made up for in his desire and determination. No one could count out Ryan Shay when it came time to race. His toughness was unmatched. Ryan, thank you for the long runs, for the pain you put me through on Sunday mornings and your ability to make us all strive to train harder and race faster and live with all we have. McMillanElite wishes to send our prayers and thoughts to the Shay and Craig families, as well as all of the many friends and competitors who were honored to know Ryan. Four Years From Now
Entry #3 Welcome to McMillanElite for another episode of our weekly team blog. My name is Andrew Middleton and it will be my honor to give you the best insight I can into the ever progressing and growing McMillanElite Team. If you have read the previous, and quite flattering, posts by my teammates you will already have an idea of who I am: a neat, quiet, rock solid aspiring culinary artist from Texas. The Journey After two solid months of training, I opened up my professional career with McMillanElite this past weekend at the 30th Annual New Haven Road Race. Armed with the great support staff of Coach Greg McMillan and his wife Tracy, I was able to post a strong showing in my first US National Championship over 20 kilometers. Everything about this race was first-class. From the moment I arrived in New Haven, until the moment I left, the race management and USATF made me feel like a professional runner. Overall, I enjoyed the 20K distance and I look forward to returning to New Haven next year to improve on my time and finish. My teammate, Mike Smith, and I want to thank the New Haven Race Management, USATF and the New York Road Runners for their hospitality over the weekend. Cooking Tip Much of what I prepare is done through experimentation. Rarely is a recipe required. Take Saturday for example: After an invigorating run with Martin Fagan and Brett Gotcher, I returned home to create an original dish, a Turkey Chili Omelet. Now to my cooking tip: omelets can be tricky, but with practice they can become your post-run staple. Tip #1: Add some milk, just a splash to get the eggs light and fluffy. Trials of Miles Back To The Future This coming week is an exciting one for me with the visit of my girlfriend, Casey. Leaving her behind in Texas, with all my friends and family was not an easy move. However, I know now is the time in my life to chase the goals I have set up for myself and I am blessed to have her and my parents as my unwavering support back in the Lone Star State. I will be the first to institute a quick list of questions for the following bloggers:
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what began as shoveling the walk and driveway soon digressed into building the neighborhood’s new sledding hill in our front yard. With three of the four Cooper House residents being from states where snow is not an expected part of winter, you can only guess the excitement involved in the construction of this oversized pile of snow. As it progressed, our sledding skills soon attracted the neighborhood sixth-graders and before we knew it we were twelve years old again. Of course, we couldn’t let our pre-teen neighbors out-do us, so it soon became a game of who could get the biggest air off the ramp. As told by the picture included in this blog, the award for biggest air and ensuing biggest flop went to our own Mike Hanlon.
On Thursday, the Cooper House plus Trent Briney and Greg drove east to a small community called Twin Arrows. This interstate exit is unmistakably identified by two 40 foot wood arrows standing in the ground. The run was an out and back on the straightest, most out and back route I have ever run. You could see for miles in each direction, and we even managed to spot a pack of coyotes scattering in the distance. With so many unconquered roads to run, I have no doubt we will ever get bored of Flagstaff running.
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