Track workout 4.28.09

For me, yesterday was about "family"... my biological family... and also my family of friends... Goons... GTD... MVS, etc. all taking care of me with their thoughts and prayers.

I couldn't help but smile with 15 Goons on the track, part of the 70, or more, other enthusiastic fans of Fernando's Going The Distance program... runners of various abilities, experiences and clubs, all coming together as a GTD family.

John Murphy and newest Goon "BamBam" made for a fabulous group and tenacious Mrs. T will be back soon. On a day which could have been challenging in many different ways, nothing made it easier than being surrounded by so much superlative "family."

Thank you

Thanks very much to everyone... you have been so kind with the passing of my grandmother (Nana) yesterday. All of your thoughts, prayers, concern for me has been extraordinary and I feel blessed to have such wonderful people surrounding me in my life. I am the luckiest.

A special "wove you", Chris (Doc D) you are the ultimate in caring, love & support.

New Goon - West Coast "Whacko"

Michael Bower : Whacko

Whacko's official Goon name comes less from his recent back-to-back marathons (Salazar nixed it, Whacko did it) or his 12 month 12 marathon schedule... rather, his name comes from his whacked out obsession to become part of Goon Squad Nation. Don't get me wrong, it worked... the bribery and chanting the Goon name assured us of Whacko's deep dedication to life of Goonism.

Our West Coast Goon, Whacko: http://12months12races.blogspot.com/2009/04/goons.html

Track workout 4.21.09

it felt like we died and went to heaven last night... friends we hadn't seen all winter... our own private, cushy track... warm-up by Coach Annie Starrett (official Goon name "Poopsy")... feeling like kids who don't have to come in from playing in the rain.

Trackmate, Steph Triage, did the whole workout despite nursing a naughty, knotty calf and between sets, checking in with Professor for clearance... we were joined by Goon-in-Training, Ray Sarcione... returning to the track with form still so smooth.

The workout objective was to enhance current strength, threshold/aerobic capacity and short transition to anaerobic development. We had a little of everything... and I just listen to Professor Fernando... just like a very fast girl, Jill Gaitenby Boaz, once told me to do.

Goon Squad Runners at Boston

Doctor Death... thug pirate

Doc Death achieved his goal of 2 Boston Qualifiers in 3 weeks... plus, Silent Assassin, Cosmo and Spanky had PR's!!!! Must have been the Professor's GTD and the powerful, big, bold "G" ?

Goon Squad Runners assaulted the course at Boston Marathon today:

Taz 2:54

Silent Assassin 2:56 (PR)

Cosmo 3:12 (PR)

Cougar 3:26

Doctor Death 3:33

Mad-Dog 3:36

Spanky 3:55 (PR)

Codfather (Don Chapelle) and Dave Smith

photo from GTD track workout 4.14.09

Codfather kept the Goon founders in tears laughing when driving to RI (Rhody 5k)... he's so off the wall. At track, Codfather is focused and intense... plus very fast. A few minutes later, cooling down, he can elicit a smile from me just using a glance or couple quick words.

See more about him here: http://www.brillianticesculpture.com/ and his First Night ice sculpture photos.

We even got Dave Smith in this photo too... as trackmate Bob Whirty correctly pointed out, it's nice to get a picture of Dave for a change, rather than the other way around.

Track workout 4.14.09

Fernando's runners have a tradition after the last track session of the season (i.e. winter, spring, etc)... get together at Bertucci's to celebrate! I must have been excited to get there, because there was little anyone could do to slow me down during the workout. Mrs. T, Ann K. and Sonic Boom all tried to keep me on pace... no luck... finally Hillcheck and Cougar wore me out and Sonic Boom was able to reign me in on the last set.

I was also trying out a brand new running bra, Moving Comfort cross-front in Goon green... it worked great!! But, since I was so excited about that, I uncontrollably flashed many trackmates.

Photo is Silent Assassin (Brian Reeves), Professor (Fernando Braz) and Tim Harris at Bertucci's. We love Fernando.

When & Where? MG & Goon in Training

Goon In Training, Ray Sarcione

Can anyone identify when & where this photo was taken?

(and don't immediately zoom in and look at the race bib)

Track workout 4.07.09

Mr. Triage thought he could run faster, like Mrs. Triage, if he wore her pants for the workout last night... similarly, I wore her gloves. Yup, we felt faster. But seriously, we're in awe of Mrs. T running her first ever 5k and winning! First woman, 6:41 pace!

There was also applause for Mr. Triage (plus some bowing down by Judge) for Sonic Boom and Mountain Goat who all picked up age division hardware at weekend races. Sure, we figured we were getting fit from Professor's GTD track sessions... well, guess we were right. Then promptly, no resting on laurels, we trotted off to execute the workout.

SEA 5k, Concord NH

Photo credit, Taz Photography, Inc.

How hard would I run for a glass beer mug? Look at my face... attention to form... no glance for Taz... all focus is on the finish line. At last year's race, Sarah Hardy and I both won great clear glass beer mugs... heavy weight... perfect for freezer... such a useful prize... we loved them! This year, I came back hoping I had it in me to earn another.

My race pace averaged 10 seconds per mile faster than last year and I felt every step of effort and discomfort a 5k brings... but, the hard work was rewarded. I scored my 2nd fastest 5k time and the glorious honor of another mug.

Here's a photo Taz got of the cool mug

7th woman, 3rd in age division (21:45, 7:03)

Sonic Boom, Mad-Dog & Glamour Hammer

THREE NEW GOON SQUAD RUNNERS!!

SONIC BOOM: LINDA JENNINGS

Like a sonic test pilot she is so cool, self-assured, fearless... she'll max the engines and make that machine perform... pushing the limits even when the wings are shaking and pieces are falling off... an awe inspiring national champion, she's the Goon Squad Runner breaking the sonic barrier

http://www.goonsquadrunners.com/bio_sonic.html

MAD-DOG: CHRIS RUSSELL

Witty, talented, nuts... and an accomplished runner... if it involves some sort of bizarre weather, death-defying terrain or anything else adventurous... he's in. Last weekend he ran Georgia ING Marathon, wrote "Mad-Dog" on his bib and made the crowds yell it, he drew blood and put his newbie into the med tent! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb_Q2xJufiw&feature=email

http://www.goonsquadrunners.com/bio_russell.html

GLAMOUR HAMMER: MARSHA HOGAN

Even when training or racing, she looks great... her outfits match, her lipstick freshly applied, chiseled abs... watch out... next thing, she's hammering so gut wretchingly deep in a track session or race... well, yes, she's ready to toss her cookies.

The four Goon founders extend a deep, heartfelt welcome to our newest Goon teammates!!

Track workout 3.31.09

16 year old Sarah would have been quite pleased with me last night. While my 16 year old self considered herself a "runner," her best mile time was a full 30 seconds slower than what Professor Fernando had in our workout last night. Granted, I was intimidated thinking about the scary number all day yesterday... my Goon friends Mrs T and SB provided the push to get me through. Driven to execute, we even nailed the mile a little quick.

Not to knock 16 year old runner Sarah... because she certainly did not have a coach like Professor Fernando, nor her teammate friends, nor faith in the program the coach put together for her... little Sarah likely would be very, very impressed with her 42 year old self