ChornyRuns! like a rabbit!

This past weekend turned into a great and historical meet for IU. Complete Results here.

IU Men:
Andy Bayer, a redshirt Freshman ran sub 4 in the mile, clocking in at 3:58.89. DeSean Turner, although he was last (9th) in the race, clocked in at 4:02.68... as a season opener in the mile, not too bad. Look for some great results in the future from Turner. (Yoshi Shimizu 4:21, Dan Kinn 4:21)

On Saturday, Andy Bayer and DeSean Turner were gracious enough to pace Andrew Poore in the 5K. Clocking 4:28 at the mile and 8:57 at two miles, Poore closed with a 4:17 and finished in a 13:48.88, only 1.88 seconds away from an Automatic qualifier to the NCAA finals. Tim McLeod 14:18, Zach Mayhew 14:20.

The 3K was pretty solid too. Cole Hardacher 8:16, Andy Weatherford 8:16, Jacob Laird 8:19, Nate Morrow 8:21 (Andrew Ramos 8:40)

Danny Stockberger won the men's 800m in 1:51.96, while Freshman Joe Holohan was 2nd in 1:52.16.

IU Women:
The women's mile didn't disappoint. The IU women had the top three spots and all were an NCAA Provisional time. Molly Beckwith 4:43.44 , Chelsea Blanchard 4:45.87, and Wendi Robinson 4:45.88.

Sarah Pease won the women's 3K clocking 9:32.44 only a couple seconds away from a provisional mark.

And Helene Delone won the 5K in 17:41, and Jenny Kulow was 3rd in 17:51

Lindsay Hartman won the 800m in 2:10.68 with Ashley Baker 4th in 2:11.81
THE BEST
Perhaps the highlight of the meet was ME rabbiting the 3K, and you can watch that here: Video
It is interesting for me to watch this because it seems like I'm running a lot different than I have in the past. ( Anybody else think it looks different?) I've really focused on shortening my stride and increasing my stride rate this past 6 months and it seems to have taken. In theory, this should help me be more efficient... we'll see what the outdoor season brings.

Indiana Relays Mile

VIDEO HERE

ChornyRuns! the mile in 4:14.60

Well, that's out of the way. This was my first race on the track since May 31st, 2008, before the Olympic Trials. After many nagging pains and a couple injuries, I've gotten myself back to a point where I feel like I'm ready to start training again.

Here's what I was thinking going into the race. If I run faster than 4:12 I'll be pleasantly surprised, but if I run slower than 4:16, I'll be disappointed and maybe a little worried that things are coming around. I know that's a small window, but I just needed to make sure I didn't blow up and run stupid.

200m Indoor Banked Track at Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse, Indiana University.

I wanted to be 2:06-2:08 at the half way point, so after a 62 second split, I needed to let up a bit, and that pace felt pretty decent. I think I came through right at 2:08 high, and was about 3:12 at 1200m; right where I wanted to be. I started to push the pace thining that a 58 could get me 4:10, but going into the last lap, I really started to feel the booty-lock (Chapman's official term). I smiled the whole last 100m because I knew I couldn't go any faster but I was going to be just fine. I haven't felt that pain for a long time. I love it!

So, this race basically says... 'OK Thomas, time to get out there and train.' My PR is 4:07, and I think I have a good shot at taking that down this season. Still taking care of my Achilles Tendon, but I should be back out on the track in two weeks, and again in 3 weeks.

ChornyRuns! this Saturday

RACING

IT'S OFFICIAL! I'm racing the Mile this weekend at Indiana's first Indoor Track Meet of the season. I am so nervous. I have no idea what to expect. It's one thing to go into a race knowing that you're ready, and quite another to go in blind. I plan to race 4-5 times during the indoor season, so look for more updates.

TRAINING

Since I wrote last, I've been dealing with some Achilles Tendon inflammation. This has actually been nagging me since October, and I'd really like to be done with it.

Here's my weekly mileage since July: (*signifies a day off.)

-----------------------------------

July: 53, 50, 50, 60
August: 62, 61, 50, 52, 60
Sept: 60, 60, 63, 60
Oct: 70, 55*, 67, 70, 72
Nov: 70, 53*, 70, 60*
Dec: 45*, 30***, 48*, 51*, 50
Jan:
-----------------------------------

So, as you can see, I've trailed off a bit in December, trying to get my Achilles better. Some days it feels better, but then others it's still pretty bad. I've already started to introduce steeple drills and those feel great, very smooth. My speed is decent, Lactate Threshold is coming close to solid, not as good as it's been before. VO2Max is where I haven't done a ton of work yet, and that's why I don't know what to expect on the track tomorrow.


WORKOUTS

Best workouts lately:

1) 6mile cut down tempo 5:31/5:12/5:14/5:08/5:04/5:05 = 31:19 it was cold.
2) 16x200m goal 30 with (30sec) rest. I averaged 30.5 and (32.7) After the first couple, I thought there was no way that I could finish 16 straight on that rest, but half way through, I found the resolve to challenge myself, and I made it through. just fine. It hurt, but I was fine.
3) 8x800m (60) = 2:21(55) 2:20(55) 2:20(55)2:20(55) 2:20(60) 2:21(60) 2:19(60) 2:18

COACHING

The steeplers and I have started to do steeple sessions, and I think there is a lot of potential for our group. I am working with 5 guys and 8 girls. I have 3 guys who are looking great and they are great examples for the others to follow. My top girl was 7th at the NCAA champs last year and is getting faster and faster. 2 other girls have experience but still need some work, and the rest of them are rookies who will benefit by watching the veterans.

Right now we are doing 'side drills' and won't be over the top until Feb. March will be here before we know it, so Steeple season is on the horizon.

Nutrition

Many of you know that I'm quite passionate about nutrition so I'll add some tips and hints and advice that may improve the quality of your life, because if you don't have your health, what do you have?


Vitamins D: From Oregon State University, "vitamin D is now seen as one of the most critical nutrients for overall health." Read the article HERE.

USANA has always recognized Vitamin D as an important nutrient; consider our Vitamin D for your seasonal health during these winter months.




Thanks for Reading. -Tom-
Independent Usana Distributor
chorny@usana.com
231-578-8888

Athletes and USANA
Nutritionals you can Trust
Rev3 Energy Drink, Cleaner, Smarter, Stronger

Favorite Track and Field event to watch...

My favorite event to run is the 3K steeplechase, but I have always been a fan of the Triple Jump. I had a chance to watch John Edwards compete back in 2001 and it was amazing. So graceful and powerful... I would love to do all of the events, but Triple might be my favorite to watch.

What's your favorite? The Survey is at the bottom of the page. Thanks for reading.

-Chorny-

Reborn Chorny Runs!

Thanks to Joe Jasinski for putting this together.