City Coach | Kevin Starkes' Blog

The Past Seven Days Have Been Hell

I cannot describe the trouble I've had running this past week. Basically every time I went for a run my legs and mind were not on the same page. Last night I seriously tried to pick up the pace and failed miserably. In fact, I think I was actually running backwards!

With roughly 10 weeks before Boston, I am not pleased with the fact that I feel so crappy. To be completely honest, I have not been able to run well since the Manhattan Half-Marathon. Every day has been a struggle and the joy of running is completely gone. Hopefully with my trip to Florida & Georgia next week, the warm weather will kick my ass into gear and I can get in some decent runs!

With that said, the next 7 days will probably be worse than hell!!! If you see me out there shuffling along. don't be alarmed, that is actually as fast as I can manage to move!

"Race Day is the Truth"

First off, I am amazed I remembered my password to this blog. It has been months since I even thought about writing something down. To be honest, I had nothing to write about. My last race was in 2008 (NYC Marathon) and I was injured for the better part of 2009. I finally started training again in November/December.

With that said, yesterday I put my training to the test in the Manhattan Half-Marathon and although I ran my fastest half-marathon to date, I walked away disappointed. I expected more yet had nothing to give. It makes me sad to think that I am not where I thought I would be at this point in my training. I'm sure I could make excuses and rationalize why I did not perform the way I had intended to but I did that all day yesterday. The bottom line is that I lack the mental toughness (at the moment) in a race setting. I need to race more and gain experience.

With that said, I want to start looking for at least 3-4 more races before the Boston Marathon. Obviously I want two of the races to be half-marathons but I think a nice 10k or 15k would do me well. Since I lack overall speed, racing a 10k would definitely be a challenge. In the meantime, it's back to training and logging as many miles as possible - I am a huge believer that I will only get better by running a ton of miles!

I'll try to write more later this week... It won't be just my whinning about the half-marathon!

 

Week In Review...

It's been once crazy week. So I Ieft Pennsylvania Sunday morning and headed down to North Carlina to vist my first running camp (Smokey Mountain Running Camp - UNC/Asheville). Going in, I was a little nervous since it was my first actually event representing NIKE. After settling in (I have been living in a college dorm room and have the privilege of sleeping on the top of the bunk-bed), I was introduced to all the coaches leading the camp (Roy Benson is the camp director and one hell of a nice guy).

Most of the week as been hanging with high school kids - talking about running, analyzing their gait, and basically making them all laugh (and no, I yet to get dropped by a high school --- mainly because I've been running with the back groups!) Anyway, I have the great opportunity to run with some amazing runners --- The Oz, 8.0, and Gov --- all guys working for NIKE and have dropped serious times in distances ranging from 1500 to 10k. Needles to say, I am a little out of my league but I am holding on strong and will be in better shape upon my return to NYC than ever before. I am roughly at 60 miles this week - all trail runs and steady inclines - and hopefully will be back on the track working on some speed next week. I feel great minus some pain in my left calf (mainly because I am not use to running on trails - damn those NYC streets)    

More to come...

Quick Stop In PA

So Ozzie and I left NYC Friday night and headed to Philly for an event - Back On My Feet (a race benefiting homeless individuals) - and left this morning. Of course, being in PA, we had to rock the flag hard. I mean, what else were we suppose to do. I'm loving this flag in every state theme that developed. After a few months, I 'll be sure to send the flag to the Chicago or LA tour and make sure the tradition continues!!! ROCK ON USA!!!

Now The Oz and I are heading to North Carolina for two weeks to hit up a running camp. It should be awesome. I'll have the chance to run close to 70 miles per week and of course get dropped by a 14-year-old at least once a day. It's going to happen so I won't fight it... It's natural.  

At the moment, I'm on roughly 7 hours of sleep for the past two days (sleep is turning into a luxury) so I think we'll be stopping in VA and call it a day. I be sure to post the first time some kid drops me... That means you'll probably hear from me tomorrow!

Run in Ohio --- Check!

So Ozzie and I went for a sweet run in some random Ohio park. It was roughly 7 miles with each mile steadily increasing to a flat out dash to the finish (not racing - simply dropping some good time). Anyway we both have some crazy weeks ahead, visiting a few running camps along the East Coast, but some serious training is ahead of us. With each of us coming back onto the running scene, it's going to get interesting! Hopefully we progress  

Ozzie is on Board

So I left Paul this morning in St. Louis - tired, beaten but still loving this country - and though it is sad to see him to, we went as far as we could go together. It was time for a change and that change came with The Oz! Skilled in the art of running, the gift of gab, the wisdom of a season pro, and the pure luck to have me has his new partner, Oz his a New Yorker with fine taste in the world of music and believe me, this guy knows his NIKE apparel. As the miles click away, the conversations between us turn from world views, running, our respective girlfriends, and the rules of the road. 

With miles well ahead, we'll be turning our focus will be on a solid place to lace up the sneakers and show Ohio, maybe Pennsylvania, what's up!!!   

St. Louis --- Here We Come

We started this journey - a quest if you will - young, impatient, a little wet behind the ears but most importantly, we came into this trip loving America. Now we find ourselves roughly 7 hours away from St. Louis (Paul's destination) extremely tired but in high spirits. I believe when it is all said and done, we will have traveled more than 2,057 miles on zero sleep and our hearts filled with pride, love and of course, freedom.

Once Paul leaves my actual partner in crime, Ozzie, will jump on board. Based on a few conversations I've had with him while I drove through SD I know he shares the same passion and desire to succeed. How do I know this, you may ask. It's because he bleeds the same red, white, and blue that Paul and I bled for the past 2 days!

Looking forward to it! Let the tour begin!!!

System Overload

So much has gone on I have no idea where to begin. So Paul and I are now leaving Mount Rushmore (GBA!) and heading to St. Louis, refusing to sleep until he gets to the airport for his 8:15am flight back to NYC.

Since we left Beaverton, OR we have combined for a total of 3 hours of sleep and it looks like we are going for another day without sleep. That is how our ancestors crossed America and so shall Paul and I. 

Let me drop a little insight into this great country that we are crossing. Montana is the largest single piece of land in the world... I'm serious! You attempt to cross Montana and tell me how long it takes. Paul and I did it in around 12 hours and it felt like 19 days. My other insightful piece of info about Montana is to stay away during it's National Folk Festival... Every single hotel room in the entire state will be booked.

We have driven through six state and yes, the American flag has came along. With every state we enter, a picture is taken with the flag to show our love for America. I have other great stories to share but for now, I'll leave you with this...  it is possible to live off of coffee, energy drinks, desire, and the red, white, and blue! 

The Oregon Trail... Backwards

So Paul and I left Beaverton, OR this morning heading West? East? Okay so for the first hour we drove around Oregon because out GPS system was search mode forever... But we are now well on our way, hitting up Washington and now entering Idaho.

Along the way, we have met some interesting people who truly represents this awesome country that we call America... God Bless America --- GBA!!! 

Where to Begin

Let's start with this simple FACT --- for the next year or so I'll be traveling around the Easy Coast and the picture next to this post is what I'll be driving.

I was recently hired to represent NIKE at High School Running Camps, Schools, and Meets... It's basically one of the coolest jobs I could think of having. 

So my first day on the 'job' was spent at the NIKE Campus in Beaverton, OR learning the ins and outs of NIKE. After that, the past four days have been preparing me to drive this awesome beast across America...

Needless to say, I have a lot to write about - recapping the entire week and the drive across this beautiful country!

Let's begin by talking about my running since I was seriously put in my place all day, every day. Besides seeing some of the most talented runners America has to offer the world, I spent the week running with a few elite runners and was lagging behind, praying not to get dropped. As sad as it is to write this, I realize I will never to get to be a great but at least I now can say that I have ran with some real talented runners.

Anyway, NIKE Campus is built upon awesomeness... It is where magic comes from. I bet that if NIKE wanted to it could produce unicorns and wizards. I honestly believe they have the technology to do just that.