Fall Training Begins

It's an un-daunting task to come back from a break after the spring season in the middle of summer to start training again. Yet, here I am excited and ready to roll. Honestly it's been a rough couple of months for me dating back to my season ending P.R in the 800m. I hit my goal of 1:52 on the last meet of the season which validates any hardship it took to get there. Still I find myself even more hungry and ready for a grueling year of training and racing. As I prepare to start building mileage for an appropriate base phase, I constantly look to obtain as much joy as I can from running. With a hectic schedule, child, and a girlfriend running is a way of life for me and must have its own schedule, time, and place. I look forward to making the XC National team which will travel to Kentucky for the race. Coming across the tape in 1:50/sub 1:50 for 800M indoors is very much a reality. Then shaving for spring and running 1:49/1:48 outdoors is the ultimate goal for the year. I'm hoping to stay healthy and level headed enough to accomplish these goals. I cannot stress enough how much I love being a part of Garden State Track Club and the constant gratification which becomes of a team run or team outing. I'm looking to be more of a leader within our own Sprint Group specifically with our Mid-Distance runners as I hope to pave way for them. So I start my fall training building from 50 miles a week and hoping to reach 80 for base. I want to learn as much as I can this year about my specific race and pay more detail to the sport in whole instead of just showing up to race and run. So lets get this thing started and plan on hearing a little bit more from me blog wise and in the results. I'm done rambling now. Catch me on the next run.

Early Goodbye?

Anthony Harris, hybrid half-miler and utility runner for Garden State Track Club, retired last night from complications of  training for his most prominent 800M race. He was 27 years old. Out-spoken and dedicated, Harris never looked the part of embattled runner and dreamer. But, in the final days of his life, he revealed an unknown side of his psyche. This hidden quasi-Olympian persona surfaced during the Michael Johnson-like pursuit of a long reputed personal record, a time with whom he was within a precious and mere .08 seconds of breaking. Sadly, the protracted goal ended late Saturday night in complete and utter failure as Harris once again failed to reach his goal suffering a loss along with heartbreak. Yet even in certain defeat, the courageous Harris secretly clung to the belief that life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences. Uh-uh. But rather, its a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite, sublime plan. Asked about the retirement of his dear friend, Chuck Schkneecloth, the President and Head Coach of the Garden State Track Club, described Harris as a changed man in the final days of his career. "Things were clearer for him," Schknecloth noted. Ultimately Harris concluded that if we are to live life in harmony with the track Gods, we must all possess a powerful faith in what the ancients used to call "fatum", what we currently refer to as destiny. 

1:52 Seconds

First 200M: Where am I? What's my position? This guy is too close and I'm not afraid to jockey for place. Get ready and find someone to sit on when we break to lane one. How's the pace? Should I move up? I'm listening for a 200M split. 25,26 is okay. 10 runners in this heat. We will be separated soon.

200M-400M: Settle in. Keep contact with the leaders. Mantra, be patient you got this. Visualize. What's going to be needed to win this? A strong kick or do I front run and try to hold the lead? I know who I have to beat. Do you know that I'm the one you're going to have to beat? I hear coach, "MOVE, MOVE, YOU'RE OKAY." The pack has separated. A couple of guys have gone to soon. I'll see them in 100M. I cross the 400M mark. Coach again, "56." I'm too slow.

400M-600M: The other guys think think the race starts with 200M to go. I know the race starts now. 56, I'm slow. Time to work. The guys who went to soon are now watching the back of my jersey. Have to split 56 again to hit my mark 1:52. The pace is picking up. I know I'm stronger, this part is mental. Focus on breathing. Back straight I start to open up. I pass one or two and now I am in position to unload a fierce kick. Mantra, be patient you got this. Lactic acid is starting to build up, focus. These guys don't know what's coming.

600M-800M: Time to finish. All strategy is now out the door. Regardless of position it's time for an all out kick. Coach, "MOVE, FINISH, LET'S GO!" Teammates cheering, every spectator screaming and bringing their runner home. The only question now is, who wants it more? Surprise! I'm a converted 400M runner. More importantly I want this. I have heart. I have passion. I love the pain. I see nothing but the finish line and this is cake compared to the grueling workouts. On the turn I'm right on his shoulder. A meter before we hit the final straightaway I swing wide. With every ounce of energy left I hit the after burner and am now full throttle. I take the lead. Don't look back. Run through the finish. Another personal best. Another GSTC win. I love this race. I love this sport. I love this team.

I hope you notice!

A perfect day to mingle with you my greatest love. Weather isn't to warm, not to cool. Out of curiosity, have you noticed lately how much time and effort I've been putting in to mend and better this relationship. I know I took years off from you shortly after we were introduced. Apologies, remember though I was young, I wasn't as dedicated. It takes an emotional as well as a physical strength in order for this bond to grow and I just was naive. Did you notice that I was never over you? Daily I dreamed of you as I watched others share a connection that made me jealous. Your characteristics were forever changing and evolving, yet somehow constant and simple. Things got faster for you I know. People came and went. New faces, things happening in new places. Listen I'm writing to tell you that I'm still in love with you. Let's face it, I always was. This relationship can be love/hate, how can it not be when you are such a fickle lover. I'm always running, continuously on my feet, yes. Forgive me or not I will be here. I will see you off to London and I will meet you when you are home. I'll meet you for a minimum 50 miles a week. We can sweat and fight through painful workouts together and on race days I only ask one thing. Will you reciprocate in time the effort I lay on your track?  I won't let the past get in my way anymore. I hope you notice I'm here to stay. I hope you notice I was never over you. I hope you notice you are the greatest sport, my greatest love!

Year of Tim Morgan or Year of Tony Polite?

Now usually I don't do this but I was compelled. I'm not trying to be rude, just a little friendly competition. So here is the backdrop. Tim Morgan and I have come to a mutual challenge to go head to head in this weekends 5k. Lets get the facts straight here, I'm currently in the midst of my track season running solely 800M races and anchoring 4x400's. Occasionally I have deviated to blast others in a 20k but keeping in perspective I'm a sprinter. I'm in the middle of my my most productive season/year as a runner. I'm currently splitting 48 high for 400M, and have personal bests of 1:53.12 for 800M, 15:53 for 5k, 26:12 for 8k, and 1:09:08 for 20k. Not the best marks or fastest times I know. However this much I'm sure, this is my year and I will take down my dear friend Timmy Morgan in any 5,000 meter race on any given day. I'm not being cocky rather extremely confident. Come on I'm the new age runner. Cool, good looking, fast, versatile, smart. You can't break my stride man. "When your so good that you can't say it, because it aint even cool for you to sound cocky anymore." Hah, words from my good friend Eminem. Just make sure that you come to this race cash in hand Timmy. Make all checks payable to Anthony Harris. Maybe even buy a money order so we have proof this happened. I might not even cash it. I'll just put it on my plaque wall with the rest of my medals in the races which I've been the heartbreaker. I've even been contemplating exactly how I would beat ol' Morgan this Sunday. Should I do it in dramatic fashion with a powerful kick in the last 400M? Should I sit on him the whole race to just pass him at the finish line? Or should I just dominate him from the gun? Though this blog session is mostly in jest It does come down to this. Whose year is it, Tim Morgan, or Tony Polite? Be at Stomp the Monster 5k in Marlboro 4/22/12 for the stunning conclusion.

I love you Tim! But this Sunday you get NO LOVE!

20k, Year of Polite, and Rocky Balboa?

My intentions coming home were to do several other things than write this blog. That said, I'm sitting here and the only thing I can think about is running. Perhaps I'm slightly inspired by the blogging of my friend, teammate, and competitor Mike Anis. I'm still living off this high, this adrenaline stemming from running my first 20k this past Sunday. A race, no, a distance that once seemed impossible for me to run found me a 10th place finish out of about 800 runners. 69 minutes, 5:34 a mile coming from a sprinter. In this past year I have found myself in almost every racing distance. 100M, 200M, 400M, 800M, 1500M, 5,000M, 8,000M, and 20,000M. There is no distance that I don't feel confident with. Though the ultimate goal for this year remains to run the fastest half mile I can, I find no need to limit myself. I'm out here flying high and daring runners to cut my wings at any distance. The level of fun that I'm having right now is climbing and this roller coaster when it does start to come down will be well worth the ride. I've waited in line for a long time and this year it's my turn. If you're at the top and holding the torch, hold it steady. If I see it flicker, I'm coming for it. I want it all right now, and I'm really just having fun doing my thing. This is my breakout season. I'm just grateful to not take this ride alone. Everyday I'm refreshed at the breath of life and energy this past year of running has given me. If I come across as arrogant or cocky sometimes I apologize. I'm just confident. However, know how humble I truly am. Know my heart and what this means to me. Know me, my past, my present, and where I see myself in the future and it will all make sense. Know my journey. I'm so grateful to my good friend and coach Chuck Schneekloth for mentoring me and putting so much dedication, time, and effort into this club. The other runners who push me and lift me up with every stride, every cheer, every morale boost. My family for being so supportive. I'm thankful that I no longer limit myself....... Staying with a theme that Mike Anis started, I feel this quote and video fitting.

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it isn't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. Thats how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you aren't where you are because of him, her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that isn't you. You're better than that!...... Until you start believing in yourself, you're not going to have a life."- Rocky Balboa

High Mileage

I've hit 25 miles in two days and am looking forward to adding another 10 miles to that string today. A grand total of 35 miles in three days would definitely be a first for me. Unfortunately thats more mileage in itself than some of the other half milers put in for a whole week. At this rate I should hit about 75 miles for the week plus 2 sprint practices and speed work. Not to shabby. I'm feeling really excited about the opportunity to run some fast times outdoors. The weather is getting warm, my passion continually grows, and I'm extremely hungry. I'll cling to the belief that all the practices, runs, races, hard work, and sacrifices I make are not meaningless. No, rather its a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite, sublime plan. To run fast!

Back in the saddle

After a very successful 2012 indoor season all sights are now focused on spring. I'm looking forward to running faster times outdoors. I have to admit, taking off last week was very much needed. Physically and mentally I'm slightly in a better place. The distractions continue to be thrown my way, but I seem to be able to counter them one problem at a time. My main goals remain the same. To be the best father that I can for Kadence, and to run fast. In that order. My patience sometimes wears thin but I have great coaching, family, and friends that keep me in check. When I say I want to run fast, I mean it. Though my fitness is at such a high level,  I haven't hit the roof yet. It can get better. So for now I'm just going to sweat the small things. I can tailor some workouts to tweak and improve certain aspects of my races. Being healthy is important so consistency and patience are the key.

On another thought I'm looking forward to running the second annual Road Relays, my first. I snagged a partner real early and now he is injured. Though early odds had us winning, I seem to be lost in the shuffle now without even a partner to run. So at this point I'm just looking to have some fun. With the official start of training this week for the outdoor season and Sundays Road Relays, I can officially say I'm back in the saddle.

Family first

Let's all be thankful for good health and the blessings and joys of life. My day started as normal with a run and a hour lifting in the gym. After work and running multiple errands, I went to visit my mother in the hospital who is suffering from pneumonia, fluid on the lungs, and an infection in her blood. Though she will get better, quickly I was humbled and forced to appreciate my health and life in general. You never know how quickly things can be snatched from you. Be aware of the gifts and abilities you have. Use time wisely because the clock stops for no one. Cherish and nourish yourself to be the best you can be at any given moment. Being practical, you know that your best is dependent upon the circumstances in you life. Your effort though can remain constant. Riding a bed in the hospital can't stop my mom from being the best mother in the world. Still she guides, supports, and offers herself. Amazing. I'm just going to work at being the best father I can be. I can bear to go a day without running. I can't bear to go a day without the little girl that calls me daddy, or the woman I call mother.

GSTC WINS GOLD IN SPRINT MEDLEY RELAY @ US OPEN

One of the most exciting weekends in my racing career has come to an end. I can't even begin to be thankful for the opportunities that continue to be bestowed upon me. Forget all that for now, lets get right to the brunt of it. For those of you that know me, track and field, or Garden State Track Club, you know this weekend   was the U.S Open of Track and Field hosted at Madison Square Garden. Initially I bought tickets to this event as a spectator, just to have fun with some friends watching a few of the greatest and fastest runners in the world. Well, I sold those tickets and packed up my spike bag. What started as a joke with my coach about the opportunity to run at this event, shortly thereafter became a reality. Saturday night we competed inside the famed arena in a Club Sprint Medley event that kicked off the whole meet. We arrived in the city hours early to pick up our race information in the Affinia hotel located at 32 and 7th. Inside we met and took pictures with Lolo Jones, David Oliver, Bershawn Jackson, Justin Gatlin, and Hazel Clark. Very accomplished decorated professionals and olympians to say the least. The excitement was mounting and the adrenaline already pumping. As we warmed up inside the Garden ready to make our appearance on the track we crossed paths with Benard Lagat. Thankfully he paused for a brief picture as well. Finally it was time to race. We toed the line with 5 other premiere clubs in the east, winning in breathtaking fashion by only .01 seconds. Watch the race and experience the thrill yourself because its so hard to even articulate the emotions that went into those 3 minutes and 28 seconds. What I can say is this. My love for this sport continues to grow with each trial and tribulation that running brings, or for that matter, life brings. I'm extremely proud of the group of women and men we have on this team. This team is composed of nothing but runners who embody class, integrity, dignity, honor, respect, and heart. You will not find that in any other club in New Jersey. We win in this club, NO MATTER OUR TIME. When we are at our best we win on the track and in life. Therefore I will just work on being at my best.
Watch the race here- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-1buA2yaXQ&feature=youtu.be

1:55 P.R for 800M. Club Record 4x400

It's funny the way things culminate in a way in which we don't always entirely understand. Such was the way the events unfolded last night. It started with almost missing the opportunity to race altogether, because my daughter Kadence was suffering from an ear infection. Once Grandma stepped in to help me, I was happy to clear the first hurdle. Getting to the Armory in NY on the other hand didn't seem as easy. We had massive traffic jams locally and then another delay heading through the tunnel. The problem is that we should have taken the George Washington bridge in the first place but GPS had its own ideas. Finally, we arrived at the Armory with a very short amount of time to warm up. After checking in and registration, it was race time. I ran a good 15 minutes around the outer halls. I stepped into the infield for some drills and stretching and waited my turn to be called to the start. I was in the innermost part of lane 1 with 11 runners toeing the line. The fast heat. Gun goes off and immediately I'm spiked on my left ankle. My only thoughts are 54-55 seconds for this first quarter and just hold on after. I jumped out to an early lead which was slightly different from my previous style of winning and racing. After 400M a Zenith Velocity runner was on my shoulder, tripping me as he tried to go by. We battled swapping leads 3 times throughout the final 400M in which in the end he held me off for the win. My first loss of the season was well worth it because I crossed the line in a personal record (P.R.) of 1:55. After a cool down and more screaming for the other members of my team winning their heats, I returned to help our 4x400 team win the relay in club record time 3:21. Overall an amazing experience and a fun meet. It can only get better from here.

It was the second track meet of the season. First meet I opened with a 4:18, 1500M. This meet was my opening 800M race. This is the race that I will be focusing on for the year. I won my heat, and overall, but it wasn't done in Chris Heibell fashion. No head to head photo finish. No extreme fast times. At this point I'm just happy to be healthy and in great shape. I continue to win and I trust in my training and coaching, so I know the fast times will come. With that said, I did run a 49.7 on the second leg of our A 4x400 team. I was stoked to say the least. The mood was slightly dampened after the race, but I'm still looking up. I don't always agree with everyone or everything, but this much I know. Team comes first but nobody can run for me. It's something you have to own personally and individually. I'm putting in work. It's visible on the track, during races, and practice. It's visible to my family and daughter when I miss dinner or have slightly less time than what would be considered the norm. It's visible to me when I can compete in any race with confidence in myself and my training. Well, I'm tired. It was a long day and the meet was running damn near a hour and change behind. So dinner is done, the Saints have beaten the Lions, and I have a 15 mile long run in store for 10 a.m tomorrow morning.  Good night. Keeping it Polite.