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Written by Jeffrey Eggleston
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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 |
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Well my last blog entry was posted just after Thanksgiving. Needless to say I am well-overdue for a new post. I am currently in the process of resuming training and workouts after a week and a half downtime. It has given me plenty time to reflect on my marathon training and first racing experience at that distance.
Looking back, I was pleased with how well I executed my race in Phoenix. Based on my race performances and workouts during November and December, Coach Jack and I had a good idea of the pace (and time range) I should plan to run. We discussed starting very conservative early on and going for a big negative split. I have been successful in past races running a faster and more aggressive second half. For Phoenix I was also prepared to run my own race and not worry too much about other athletes. I am used to training and working out on my own here in Flagstaff, which has helped me learn patience, self-reliance and develop good racing instincts. I feel that training independently also works to my advantage; I do not need to rely on any other athletes to help pace me.
 I knew what to expect on race day. It was a chilly Phoenix morning when I switched into my new Team MarathonGuide.com singlet and Brooks T5 racing flats. I knew it would take the early miles of the race to get warmed up. I was not worried with my slow pace at the start (5:20 pace for the first 3 miles). I stayed composed and ignored the lead group’s erratic pacing. Around 4 miles I began to get more into a comfortable rhythm and left the chasing athletes behind. I followed my breathing and my sensory data was indicating I was at the right effort (running 5:07-5:10's). I took my Cytomax bottles at the early stations and made sure I was well-hydrated (just as I had practiced in workouts). Over the next 9 miles I began to catch casualties from the lead group. I reached half-marathon in just over 1:08:00, feeling very strong but still wanting to be patient and cautious. I didn't notice a change in effort, but began to split 5:00-5:06's. I felt ready to push by 25K, but intuition told me to wait. At mile 19, I began to get excited and could see the lead pack and press car in the distance ahead of me. I knew at least a few more athletes would fall off the back. My next 3 miles were between 4:50 and 4:55. I passed a few badly fading Kenyans during this stretch, which gave me more forward momentum. I felt difficulty at miles 22 and 23, but was still maintaining 5:00 pace. I saw my girlfriend standing at the 40K mark, and seeing her at that point really helped divert my attention away from the waves of discomfort I was beginning to experience. Even with fatigue accumulating, I kept pressing. I did not settle once moving into 6th place. I knew my family, coach and Flagstaff housemates would also be waiting for me at the finish (all have been huge sources of inspiration and support). As the finish came into sight, my emotions were overtaking me. I thought back to when I started running after college in hopes of running the marathon. My journey in the sport has not been without difficulties, but I felt such joy in my final strides that made all the trying and discouraging times these past years worthwhile. I drew a sign of the cross and thanked God.
Overall I'm proud of my performance and how I ran. 2:14:32 is a good debut, although the bar in American distance running continues to be raised. My performance puts me in good company on the all-time American debut list (#24 in front of Craig Virgin's 2:14:40 and behind Ryan Shay's 2:14:30). Though I am still very much a student of the sport and the marathon has been a huge learning experience for me. I believe there is so much room for improvement, and at 25 years old, I see myself having plenty of time to develop and mature as a marathoner. I have truly enjoyed all the work and energy I've invested in marathon training, and I am grateful to have family, friends, coaches and sponsors to faithfully support my running aspirations.
- Jeffrey
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 13 February 2010 )
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Thanksgiving morning came early for me... |
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Written by Jeffrey Eggleston
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Saturday, 28 November 2009 |
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Please post your questions or
comments at our Forum.
Thanksgiving morning came early for me, and I
found myself one day removed from Flagstaff in a San Jose hotel having the usual
pre-run breakfast: a bowl of muesli, an apple-cinnamon flavored PowerBar and few cups of
strong black coffee. I did some rope-assisted stretching on the bed, while
watching a captivating documentary on MSNBC chronicling the plight of the
nearly-extinct black rhino. For the moment I was absorbed in the landscapes of
the East African Serengeti, distracted from any notions of the morning’s race.
During the previous weeks, I had made plans
to visit my sister and her husband in San Francisco for the Thanksgiving
holiday. For me, it was a convenient travel itinerary coming from
Arizona—although the difficult tradeoff would be missing my grandma’s delectable
pumpkin pie at our family’s traditional dinner in Greece, NY. I had also decided
I would race in a turkey trot in the Bay area and give myself a chance to see
how my fitness is progressing, being several weeks into marathon training and
feeling good.
 These plans brought me to San Jose for the Silicon Valley Turkey
Trot. I was participating in a competitive criterium-style 5K, which had
more resemblance to a track race (and subsequently added to my apprehension to
run). Though I was at peace with my decision to compete, and felt this race
would be a good opportunity to work on improving my speed—which I am learning is
still important for a marathoner.
I lined up at the start feeling good and focused on the task at
hand. When the gun went off, I started out cautiously and wanted to keep the
first 1.2 km tour controlled, even if it meant being further back. My race had a
smaller field size, but I found myself having a difficult time maneuvering
through the race traffic. On the 3rd lap, I had made my way by many of the
overambitious athletes and was quickly approaching the tail end of the lead
group. As in my past few races, I am learning I am much more successful in races
by being patient early on, and being more assertive and aggressive during the
second half. Again this strategy was effective, and I focused on passing
athletes through the final lap. Despite tying up a little towards the finish, I
closed my last mile in 4:30 and finished 10th in 14:11. It a very
encouraging result for me, given my focus in training and how the effort felt.
After the race, I took a few sips of my Cytomax and
got in an extended cool-down with prescribed marathon pace running to complete
my morning’s quality work. Needless to say, I worked up a strong appetite for
the Thanksgiving dinner that would follow.
It was a brief trip out to California, and I was on a flight
back early Black Friday morning. I really enjoyed spending time with Beth and
Matt, who have been so supportive of my running ambitions (and they make a great
cheering section!). Over the years they both have been huge sources of
inspiration for me in how hard-working and driven they are in their own
endeavors.
Flying back, I still felt full from the
previous night’s feast. And at the same time I left San Fran feeling more hungry
than ever…
- Jeffrey
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Written by Jeffrey Eggleston
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Tuesday, 03 November 2009 |
Please post your questions or comments at our Forum.
November is upon us… 
… and I am now entering my sixth month of residence in
Flagstaff. Looking back, my transition here has gone far better than I could
have hoped for. There was so much uncertainty when I first arrived in town with
a Brooks Boulder Bag stuffed with training shoes, running gear
and a few sets of clothes. For one, I wasn’t sure if I would remain autonomous
with my training or work with other athletes or a coach. In March-April, I had
met some area athletes during my training camp visit, but had made no long-term
arrangements. Secondly, I was apprehensive about the place I had signed a lease
to rent, having only briefly visited it a month prior (and I had been through
enough college living situations that made me realize how difficult it is to
find a distraction-free living space). Thirdly, I was concerned if I would be
able to get by—a question I think I am not alone to wonder as a
24-year-old moving across the country.
Well in
the course of these six months, I worked with great tenacity to quell these
uncertainties and establish myself. Having the “Yankee” connection, I quickly
came to enjoy the company of Anthony and Vince Sherry (Victor native) for
training runs and workouts. In Flagstaff, as in any major altitude training
venue, an aspiring endurance athlete moving into town is not a very unique occurrence. I am
grateful for how receptive Anthony, Vince and the other Run Flagstaff
athletes were. As it is, I am now immersed in a focused and positive training
environment—with an equally dedicated training partner and having the privilege
to work with a kind and brilliant coaching luminary. Also during this time, I
have continued to appreciate my living situation. I live in a very peaceful
neighborhood with energetic and active housemates who have quickly become good
friends. My house is in close proximity to the trails, which have been great to
explore on during afternoon runs. In terms of getting by, I am fortunate
to have a good balance between my training and having a part-time job to support
my living expenses. Athletes don’t
always have support systems in place for glamorous lifestyles, though I
couldn’t have asked for a better set-up.
In
reflection, I feel blessed to be here and seeing where this path I have chosen
will take me. This has yet to be realized, but in the brevity of six months, I
feel that Flagstaff has become my home.
Thanks for reading; we'll keep
you posted as training continues...
- Jeffrey
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 February 2010 )
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Greetings from the mountains! |
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Written by Jeffrey Eggleston
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Wednesday, 21 October 2009 |
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Please post your questions or
comments at our Forum.
Greetings from the mountains!
I would like
to thank Eric Boyce and Kevin Lucas for giving me (and Anthony)
the opportunity to share some insight about our training, and for allowing us to
chronicle our quixotic journey we are about to embark on with marathon training.
I recently
finished up my racing season, which began back in July with the Bix 7 . For the past few
months I have been getting adjusted to being at altitude full-time, while also
getting more experience at some of the major US road race venues (Falmouth, NYC, New
Haven). There were certainly some very encouraging
workouts and race results early on, indicating a positive response to the new
stimulus (training at 7000ft) and Coach Jack’s workouts. It was also an
adjustment to start training with Anthony, as I had been running on my own in
New York for
the past year. It took some time for me to get situated in Flag, but over the
summer I was able to establish a good routine. I even found myself enjoying
running quite a bit more.
Back to my racing, I spent the last week and a half on the east
coast. My first competition was the B.A.A. ½
Marathon in Boston. It marked my return to New England
after a very disappointing performance in New Haven on Labor Day. Weeks before Boston, I talked to
Anthony about racing conservative for the early stages of the race, and running
more aggressive for the second half. In the past I have had success running this
way, and I didn’t want to spoil a good race due to poor tactics. The morning of
the race, I sipped my Tangy Orange Cytomax and went through my active-isolation
stretching routine with the resolve to stick to the game plan. As the ½
unfolded, I kept patient early on and ran comfortably with the chase pack
through 5 miles. I felt extremely relaxed at 10K (30:58) and coming back through
the Franklin Park Zoo , I sensed my cue to go on the attack.
Following the rolling course back, I moved into 3rd place at around 11 miles by
reeling in John Korir of Kenya. I kept pushing in an effort to
distance myself from 4th place and still felt very strong. As a result of racing
smart and running a huge negative split (my 2nd 10K was under 30 minutes), I
held my 3rd place position and finished in 1:04:16. It was a great feeling
crossing the finish. My time was slightly off my personal best, but I believe
this was my best race performance thus far—especially considering how well I
executed my race.
After Boston, I drove back
to Rochester to
visit my family for the week and take in the crisp autumn air. I was also
planning to compete at the Run for Hospice 5K in Greece (a race in my hometown
directed by the indefatigable Pete Van Peursem). Even though I was
feeling strong, I ran easy for the 5 days between to maximize recovery. On a
very cool race morning, I laced up my Brooks T6 Racers feeling good. When the gun went off, Coach
Jack’s adage instantly came to mind: “The biggest mistakes you can make in a
race are in the first minute.” Considering this, I ran very controlled early
on, and focused on putting myself in good position by 2 miles (the “two-thirds”
tactic is a textbook Jack racing strategy). For the second week in a row, I
executed my race plan and ran aggressively on the way in; I took the lead
and ran 5:03 for the last 1.1mi to finish in 14:26. After completing this hard
effort, I still felt strong and did some prescribed M pace running to top off
the morning’s effort.
So it has been a nice conclusion to my fall racing. This week I
am getting back into my normal routine in Flagstaff, and taking some extra recovery time
before getting into the bulk of marathon training. As I look out my window at
the snow-dusted San Francisco Peaks, I am
excited for the imminent change of seasons and also my change of focus to 26.2!
Anyways, thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more!
- Jeffrey
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