Tuesday, March 3, 2009

TRACK!

Just got off the horn with Jim, who had a conversation with Hopkins coach and fellow Terp, Bobby Van Allen regarding use of the new Hopkins track (located on 33rd and Loch Raven Blvd, near Lake Montebello and in general, the hood). The track is open for use until dusk everyday. I suppose dusk is currently in the 6pm realm, although as of this weekend we'll get another hour. So if you're looking for a place to do a workout, and Hopkins is NOT practicing at that time, you should be good to do it there.

This segues into the topic of this year's track practices...

In years past we've started the first Tuesday in April with "official" practices, and now that we're in March we have to start thinking about how we're going to do things this year.

1) For 3 years we have always met on Tuesday evenings. My vote is to not change that.

2) Last year we met at 6:30, workouts starting at 7. This was in large part to Gilman asking us to not meet prior to that time. Do we want to keep this time or meet earlier, like 6 with workout at 6:30? The goal is to accommodate the largest number of people that routinely show up. If you typically show up less than half the time, your input may be glanced over.

3) What are our goals for this year? Last year we began doing longer workouts in anticipation of a number of fall marathons. As far as I can tell, this year will not be the fall of marathons for many of you, but a lot of 5k, 10k and half races.

My personal thoughts are to meet a little earlier if it's possible. Workout starting at 6:30 would allow us to do some of the longer workouts without getting done really late. This way you're not eating dinner at 9. It will also help later in the season as it gets darker. I'd also like to do more workouts off the track. I don't think it's necessary to run 30 straight weeks of workouts on the track. Perhaps this year a planned downtime session is in order, where instead of a workout we hit a Tuesday night baseball game or go for a sweet trail run somewhere.

Some of the workouts that are summertime faves are: hills at REL (to be made much harder this year), tempos at the Magic Garden and of course the 8x1000 w/:60 rest. This year, if we meet at Hopkins Track, we could do tempo stuff at Lake Montebello. Or we could meet at Druid Hill Park and do some workouts there. Lots of options.

But let's start with the time, so post your thoughts in the comments section.

And then read this hilarious article about Ryan Hall.

29 comments:

alyssa said...

I like Tuesdays. I also like an earlier start time, but I don't really care about that factor.


I also like field trips, and polynesian sauce. I challenge people to find a better condiment.

THE KRIS said...

me too. except poly sauce, don't know what that is.

brennan said...

I'm all for the Tuesday night baseball games (that is where I'll spend most of my TNTs).
But when I do make track workouts, I'd be up for early start time. I also agree with getting off the track every now and then to mix things up!

JAR said...

I like Tuesdays. I like the 7pm start time. And I like staying on the track as much as possible. So, those are my votes. I can't wait for it to start!

De said...

I'd vote for the earlier start.

Is there parking near the track at hopkins?

Pete Mulligan said...

My two cents...

Lake Montebello would be a better alternative to run to & from JHU / Loyola track. Too many crazies on 33rd Street west of the new track.

Chick-fil-A has THE best Polynesian sauce.

I saw Ryan Hall run the Gasparilla 15K this past Saturday. He was all by himself the entire race. He had a 100yd lead at M1 - nobody even came close. He won but there was a 'locals only' prize money so the third place guy walked off with a cool $2000 for his running a 49:12.

Tim said...

Like the options, Ryan, especially tempos on sure footing! Magic Garden was magic, as far as I can tell, because no one was hurt spraining an ankle or worse.

RM said...

Denise, there is parking at the Hopkins Track. We'll need to come up with a nickname for it. If we are to run there, I think parking there is a must and then warming up/cooling down on the track is too. I'd want to be able to see my car at all times if I'm there.

So if we did a workout at Montebello, we'd probably just meet there.

What I'll try and do is come up with a month's worth of schedule at a time, that way everyone can know where we'll be meeting ahead of time. We'll keep the time consistent at least.

April workouts may be different than usual since we're so close to Boston at that point.

BG said...

That article contains the greatest quotes ever.

I prefer an even earlier start time for the track workouts. I usually go to bed at 11 or so which is 5pm your time. Can we get the workouts done before that?

RM said...

Bri, you now have to read the new article on German Fernandez. After the first article they did about him not getting any, apparently he did and that's why he ran so well over the weekend.

Matt said...

Either time is fine for me.

gladfelter said...

I can go either time but generally I run late from work so 7 is seemingly better. I like the parking area at Gilman and being able to use their facilities, and the trail for warm up is pretty sweet (even though it took my ankle down more than once last year). I am open to Hopkins too, as I could almost run there and back home.

Another note, I just signed up for the Bald Eagle Megatransect 24.9Miler. It's Saturday, October 3. I know I mentioned it to you Alyssa. The Web-site is http://www.ultrahike.com/home.htm and registration is open (for only a short time as it fills up rapidly).

As far as Boston goes this year, unless a miracle happens, I'm just not going to be ready to run it this year, so I'm going to have to bail. If something changes I'll let the group know. I'm just not in shape right now.

Christy said...

I vote for the earlier start time and also like the idea of getting off the track from time to time and having scheduled down time. Posting the workouts for the entire month is also a great idea (Ryan, can we email you workout ideas?).

Polynesian sauce is awesome. The "Magic Garden" is not awesome and I veto any workout at said place.

///MM said...

Frank's Red Hot. Put that shit on everything.

and from what I hear T would argue that BBQ sauce is the best condiment. Sweet Baby Ray's is dope.

Terence aka LT said...

SWEET BABY RAY'S... Def my Fav! I have some in my wallet now for emergency.

RM said...

1) Thanks for bailing Barf

2) People that don't like the Magic Garden are square

3) This is mostly for Kris and Brennan: http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens/apparel/tops/camouflage

We need to get some of this stuff, particularly for our manhunt game. UA also has FIRE RETARDANT long sleeve tops. How sick is that!

Joel, the Hopkins track is nowhere near Homewood. If you run late when driving there, you certainly wouldn't be able to make it to that track in a timely fashion on foot.

Chrissie, you can certainly email workout suggestions.

Eileen said...

Either the same time or earlier is fine. I do like Gilman, but I'm willing to try out other track. Would there be access to a bathroom?

RM said...

See, someone asking intelligent questions! I actually don't know, Eileen. Possible that the school there would be open, but likely that it wouldn't. I'll inquire with BVA and find out. That may be somewhat of a cockblock.

THE KRIS said...

i do loves me some camo.

gladfelter said...

I feel awful about bailing, if that makes you feel any better. I have a long road in front of me, and making the trip up for the run would yield a DNF (at least at this point). I can still help out with the hotel $ share as earlier committed.

If the Hopkins track is the one I'm thinking of, it's about 3 miles north. The run there would be almost equal in time to driving and looking for parking. But I agree, it would be nice to have bathroom facilities (or nearby woods) for cockflow abilities. Either way I'm sure my vote doesn't largely count; But I'm open to the new scene.

RM said...

I'm just messing with you Joel, we know it must be killing you to not be in shape for your favorite race - but there's honestly no point in running it if you're not going in ready.

I don't know when you would have seen the Hopkins track, as there isn't much of a reason to drive past it. You may be thinking of the LAX field which also used to house a track. That's at homewood and would be about 2-3 miles away for you on Charles.

This one is if you went up to 33rd and banged a right and went a mile or two east. There are no woods, just hoods. Warming up would likely be wisest to take place on the track.

We certainly wouldn't go there every week, but a change in scenery is never a bad idea.

Jen said...

I never go to track workouts, so my opinion doesn't count. However, that area isn't as bad as Ryan makes it out to seem. My school is right by there, and I run around the neighborhood quite a bit. After dark, it may be more sketchy but during the daylight hours I wouldn't worry too much about warming up/cooling down on the roads.

THE KRIS said...

t got robbed there. just saying.

RM said...

Yeah Jen, TERENCE.

We need to monitor our superlatives here.

"not bad" = harbor east

"not that bad" = where I live

"don't go there if you don't have to" = areas west of Lexington Market, north of Baltimore St, Alameda, Clifton Park, York Rd south of Northern Pkwy, Cherry Hill, Brooklyn, and anywhere on 33rd.

Terence aka LT said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Terence aka LT said...

Can we add Mt. Washington to this list? My Bike got stolen and Don't forget the Deer who plot to crush your car...

RM said...

Actually I'd be completely down with doing hills in Mt. Wash.

Maybe we can also do a workout called "scour baltimore for ryan's missing bike" as well...

gladfelter said...

T, I can take out that deer with my Bow.

On that note, I need to schedule a venison party at my place. You know, to congregate and eat up the 6-point. Finding the right night is the challenge because I have to thaw out the meat in advance, which requires a headcount of sorts. We could go sometime around St. Patty's day, but I'm not sure how deer and Irish mix?

The other Ryan said...

I know that I'm late in the game making a post about this issue but since I coach at Hopkins I can help answer your questions. Eileen, there is very limited access to bathrooms. As far as warm up, there are a few parks within a half mile of the track that we could use but Ryan is correct that it is a little ghetto running to and from the track. My team of over 130 athletes runs there daily and we have not had any problems yet but it's not like being on the Gillman Trail. Finally, you don't have to worry so much about time of day since I have a key to track...