The Daily Run: A wonderful winter for runners

Early February is normally what we would call “the dead of winter” but thanks to unseasonably mild temperatures and a serious void of the white stuff, us runners have been treated to some of the best winter weather running conditions in years. Two short years ago we were crippled by the weight of a record breaking 65 inches of snow and all of us runners were obsessed for much of the winter with a daily search for a “clear surface” to train on. All of our usual haunts, from Ridge Road to the UVa track, were, for two solid months, covered with ice and packed snow. As a coach, I spent a good deal of energy trying to figure out where in the heck to have my athletes, particularly those training for a spring marathon, log their miles. So, what a treat it’s been to have all of our running paths and arteries clear throughout this winter!

And speaking of good weather, the Albemarle “Indoor” track team traveled to Warrenton on Tuesday to compete at their Indoor District championships...but what made this so special was, thanks to the spring like conditions, they actually competed on an outdoor track! Sophomore sensation Ryan Thomas racked up a pile of points for the Patriots as he finished second in the mile with a stellar 4:19 and fifth in the 1,000 with an impressive 2:36 clock stopper. Speedy teammate Adam Visokay had a nifty “double” as he clocked a 4:23 mile and surged to a 9:43 in the 3,200, good enough for a photo-finish tie for the blue ribbon.

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And as we begin to close the books on this indoor season I have to share one of my favorite running moments I’ve witnessed in a long time. Albemarle seniors Zack Coffman and Guillaume Bailey got on the starting line for the mile at last week’s dual meet with Western (also run outdoors thanks to the unseasonably mild weather) with hopes of accomplishing something they had been trying to do since their freshman year: break five minutes! This elusive goal is what drives every high school boy miler at some point during his four-year journey. Some are lucky to do it in their very first attempt, like the above mentioned Ryan Thomas, who shattered the five-minute barrier as a freshman, while others graduate from high school having never attained this Holy Grail mark. This was to be the last race of their high school track careers for the duo, as both boys will be playing Lacrosse in the spring, so as they lined up for the start of the race they knew that the next four laps would be their last chance at sub-five glory. As the race unfolded, with each passing lap it looked like the lads had a real shot at the mark: 75 seconds after one lap, 2:29 at the half way mark and then with a lap to go the clock read 3:43. I was so excited as I realized that “Oh, my gosh, the boys have got a real chance.” I suddenly shouted “this is it…no regrets…don’t let up now!”  Everyone in the stands got to their feet and all of their teammates, who had lined the side of the track for this “historic” event, began to cheer loudly and yell “You can do it, Zack and Guillaume!” 

As they surged down the last straightaway I could tell that they were straining to put every bit of energy into this last hurrah at a goal that personally meant so much to each of them. As Zack hurled himself across the finish line my stopwatch read 4:52. Yes! And five quick seconds later his teammate joined him in the sub five circle with a 4:57. They had both done it!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen two happier runners at the conclusion of a race. In fact, I seriously doubt anyone would have been able to tell the difference on their faces with that of the winner of the Boston Marathon. 

Way to go, Zack!…and Way to go, Guillaume!

You can now ride (or run) off into the sunset knowing for the rest of your life that you’re sub five minute milers!

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Ragged Mountain Racing sensation Donnie Cowart continued his march to this summers’ Olympic Trials with a nifty 1500 meter p.r. effort at an elite invitational at the Armory in New York City over the weekend. Cowart, whose specialty is the steeple, led for most of the race before he was narrowly outkicked in the final straight-away (by a 1:46 half miler) to finish in a stellar 3:41.7, which equates to the metric version of a sub-4 minute mile.

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We had a wonderful “meet and greet” with new UVa head track and field coach Bryan Fetzer and his two new distance assistants, Todd Morgan and Peter Watson, in the RMR clubhouse Monday evening. Several dozen community runners listened to Fetzer’s dream of a “Track-Ville USA”, as he awed us with his vision of us being the East Coast version of Eugene, Ore., widely known as “Track Town USA”. With a brand new $7 million Olympic caliber facility about to open and talk of several community oriented events and a series of national caliber track and cross country meets, including a potential annual “Battle of the Brains” between Cal, Michigan and Virginia, the three top public institutions in the country, none of us in the room doubted Coach Fetzer!

And speaking of the new facility, Fetzer stated that it should officially open in time for their first home meet of the season, which is set for March 24. We can’t wait!

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One of the area’s oldest and most beloved footraces, The Amnesty International Valentines 5K, is set for this coming Saturday at Old Trail in Crozet. Carol Finch and her fine corps of Charlottesville Track Club volunteers are all set to host this popular winter event and you may sing up at the golf clubhouse Saturday morning from 7:00-7:30. As always, 100 perecent of the proceeds will be passed along to help with the wonderful work by the fine folks of our local Amnesty International. For more information go to charlottesvilletrackclub.org

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Local Ultra marathoner, Neal Gorman, who is one of the toughest long distance trail runners in the country, recently completed the entire 20 mile RTF loop in what is believed to be record time. His FKT (Fastest Known Time) of 2:09:47 is around 7 minute pace, which is pretty darn fast, especially considering some of the tricky footing and steep climbs along the southern and western portions of this beautiful loop. Gorman finished his remarkable feat by making a generous donation to the RTF. Way to go, Neal!