tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75365800720867344412024-03-14T04:00:41.338-07:00 The Pursuit Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-69364051056773976762017-10-27T10:26:00.002-07:002017-10-27T17:44:04.989-07:00Day 21: Building a HabitRarely in life do things go the way you you want them to go. Especially in the pursuit of distance running. Like most things you wish to accomplish, it all starts with the basic concept of needs and wants. Most of the time, we want things, cars, houses, jewelry, or any objects to fill us with the idea that we are happy or complete. These needs are usually easily obtainable, with some hard work and money, you can make it seem like your life is fulfilled. The things we want in life, sometimes can't be as easily reached. Most of us are programmed to want what we don't have. Fame, fortune, expensive things drive us to work harder, or become depressed due to the fact these objects or feelings will never come to life for us.<br />
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With running, there are few limitations from keeping us from reaching what we want. Except ourselves of course. Our minds are the biggest instigator, motivator, and sometimes our worst enemy. But, with few distractions and the right mindset, there is absolutely no excuse for not reaching our full potential.<br />
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Accomplishing a goal is a direct correlation between the degree of witch you are willing to work, and how long you can convince yourself that the daily grind will result in something beautiful. Some runners may enjoy the simplest aspect of the sport. Going out and getting in a 30 minute jog, 4-5 times a week is enough to continue the balance of a happy life. Then you have the weekend warriors, trying to go after that Boston qualifier. To them, they find the act of simply doing the run, or race, is enough for a pat on the back, and hanging up the shoes for good.<br />
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For me, I'm never satisfied. Never have been, and probably never will be. I think I haven't come close to my potential on the roads or the track. The desire to better myself everyday drives me sometimes to extreme measures, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate what I've accomplished in the past. It's easy to get caught up in one side or another, but it's with balance that one is able to accomplish great things.<br />
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The drive for unfulfilled potential comes in waves that can easily vanish as quickly as it showed up. The older I get, the more these questions appear as to why I'm trying to run, what I wish to accomplish, or what this will get me in the long term sense of the sport. Sometimes these questions can get the best of me, and for a long time I was easy to answer without much care or passion.<br />
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After my half marathon in Dublin, I was riding a good wave of training, excited for the possibilities and new gained fitness; But quickly, I fell off that wave not caring for myself, or my fitness. Getting in a 30 minute run was miserable at times, and I only really enjoyed a quick dip in the trails, and be done with it. I quit working out, even though the marathon was arriving in 3 weeks, I just didn't seem to care.<br />
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It's easy to loose track of what's important in life. The chase for money, fame, or personal satisfaction can eat you alive. The drive to "make it" in society usually is a direct result in giving up a piece of yourself in the pursuit to the top. As runners, we accept that we might be poor, have few friends, much of a social life, or have a hard time explaining why we must press forward with everything we got. Sometimes living the lifestyle of a recluse is all we know. The sacrifice in of itself is one of the hardest things, and also one of the most important things you need to lay the path forward to achieving your dreams.<br />
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So, as most people would have guessed, the Columbus Marathon did not go the way I had imagined it would. Going into the race, I knew I didn't belong up at the top. I was no where close to the sub 2 hour 30 minute shape. All of the facts leading into the race pointed that I shouldn't of even ran it. But, I enjoyed a nice Sunday stroll for 10 miles of hard tempo running, and got to help people along the way. It was a short and inevitable death, but helped me quickly figure out that the balance of running and taking care of myself, while continuing to be an adult and work full-time was not happening.<br />
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For the past 21 days, I've been able to start getting back into a daily, healthy routine again. I have been living very much in tune with the present, and I couldn't be happier. Making running and training a priority again, finding the balance of working full-time at the hospital, and taking care of myself have become very important to me. This winter I want to become a secluded, well-balanced, strong distance runner. I intend to continue testing myself by giving up things irreverent to my success. The continued balance between what will help me achieve my dreams, and what will make me happy as a person.<br />
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I know what I want, and I know how to get it. Making the right decisions daily, and creating healthy habits will allow me to stay on the right track. I intend to mold myself into the best shape mentally, and physically that I have every been in, and it all starts with the decision to simply do it until it becomes a habit.<br />
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Here's to the enjoyment of the fall, and the beauty of a hard days work.<br />
- BJW<br />
<br />Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-72223997608056860302017-08-31T07:18:00.001-07:002017-08-31T07:18:13.689-07:00Emerald City Half Recap
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVcbyIlBgJKnpL2PAasewO2eO1b3Gg265TjdHcuTQ1PkYj5v20_GIv45-MQjHCdimKvyAzOcwOECsOBLm162kzg43ldGq_pHvU7iExxFOkamS6AYbOrnmFcmsslw_PsqPtQ0ylQaPRV4/s1600/IMG_6354%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVcbyIlBgJKnpL2PAasewO2eO1b3Gg265TjdHcuTQ1PkYj5v20_GIv45-MQjHCdimKvyAzOcwOECsOBLm162kzg43ldGq_pHvU7iExxFOkamS6AYbOrnmFcmsslw_PsqPtQ0ylQaPRV4/s400/IMG_6354%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Going into unknown territory with nothing more than your
bones, muscles and a desire to succeed can be extremely overwhelming at times.
Not knowing what to expect around the corner, or what problem may be thrown your
way send most people into their programmed state of fight or flight. </div>
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Having confidence in your ability to handle and approach
situations like these is pretty much what racing is like. As distance runners we all
know that at some point that fun and enjoyment we get out of hearing the crack of a starting pistil will subside. and the reality of the situation will soon begin to take weigh in on us. Quickly, we begin to make
equations in our head calculating energy vs. distance hoping that we can get
the most out of our $0.02. It is at that point where often times we are
defined. We must come face to face with our demons, and go to war with lactate.
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Being okay with being uncomfortable is pretty much exactly
what you wish to accomplish in marathon training. Preparation. Did I eat right all
those nights? How much do I weigh? I should’ve taken it easier this week. I
should’ve ran more miles last month. All of these thoughts begin to race through your head, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>but knowing there is a choice early on and preparing for war can give you a tremendous opportunity to find out your true potential on race day.</div>
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The battle within turns into a head game with your biggest
enemies, and the only thing you can do is hope you’ve built that
Orb to handle these uncomfortable and often painful situations. With increased fitness and a
strong mindset, by God you can take on the world! Or at least that's what you think.</div>
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Emerald city was a great way to find confidence in my
ability to be uncomfortable. Luckily, I had two of my friends Breydon Gates and
Jeremy Anderson there to help me along the way. From the gun, Jeremy ran
side-by-side with me helping me quickly get into a good rhythm. Clicking off
mid 5:30’s and enjoying the Dublin countryside I was surprised by how "enjoyable"
this was. Breydon met us at mile 9, and helped me cut down the pace for the
last 4 miles. By then the legs started to get heavier and heavier, but found
that I could override this feeling simply by not thinking much about it.</div>
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The
last two miles I had a mix of feelings. I couldn’t help but think about how in
just 7 weeks, I will be expected to double the distance I’m racing today. But I
also thought about how good it was to get back on the roads, and be able to win
these small battles within myself. How breaking a tape and crossing the line in
first is something I haven’t felt in a very long time, and how in the grand scheme
of things, maybe I’m doing okay for myself.</div>
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I had a mix of emotions, but all in all it was a great experience put on by M3S Sports and Ohio Health
Network. Dublin is a beautiful place to race, and I’m happy I was able to run a
new PR and win the Emerald City Half Marathon. Here’s to a healthy and bountiful
7 weeks of training before taking on the great battle the Columbus Marathon.</div>
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- BJW</div>
Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-68545954812540747662017-08-01T08:59:00.000-07:002017-08-01T09:22:10.823-07:00Alone In The Woods<br />
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Solidarity and being alone are amenities one might find uncomfortable or hard to deal with, but for me these conditions are exactly what I need to create myself into the runner I most desperately needed. I have lived alone in a small one-bedroom home right outside the gorgeous Strouds Run State Park since May of this year, and it has brought such blissfulness and peace into my life.<br />
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I find that when put in a situation where you have no other option but to adapt to your surroundings, I become obsessed with the routine and free of all things that may have brought me down before. The ability and freedom to mold yourself into whomever you wish to become, and the realization that most of life's problems that are thrown at you is bull shit. It is a very rare opportunity to have, and I don't plan to waste it. <br />
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For me, I want to become a marathoner. I want to run under two hours and thirty minutes at the Columbus Marathon on October 15th, and I'll do anything to do so. I'm very new to the idea of racing more than 3 or 5 miles at a time, so being out there for 26.2 miles terrifies me. The only way I know how to not let that fear overcome me is out there on the roads. Focusing on The Task. Living by the clock, just like Quenton taught me to do. Trying to beat myself up, adapt, and become better than what I was yesterday. The cruel and rewarding lifestyle of the Trial of Miles. Within these realms of life, nothing can hurt you.<br />
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So here I am 74 days outside of making my marathon debut, wishing that the fitness and realization I have today would've arrived months ago; But, you deal with what you're dealt with. As I move forward I find that I'm at peace with where I am today, and excited for who I may become tomorrow. <br />
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Seems fitting to end with a passage from Rudyard Kipling's "If" heading into marathon season...<br />
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"If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to nerve your turn after they are gone, </div>
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and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: 'Hold on!'"</div>
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- BJW<br />
<br />Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-29014685446579595712016-12-11T15:03:00.001-08:002016-12-11T16:31:45.304-08:00Winter's Reality It’s 5:24pm and the night has come already under an eerie
quiet Athens evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medical
students are the few left in the now much smaller town. Its population has
decreased by fifty percent this week, which for most of us called “townies”, is
a very enjoyable time. No lines to get your local court street water holes, no
trash thrown recklessly in your lawn, and of course no lines at Chipotle.
Athens is a beautiful town this time of year, and I’m looking forward to
spending my second winter in southeastern Ohio.<br />
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As the promise of a warm Carolina spring blazing down the
track begins to once again creep it’s way into my head, the reality of a harsh
winter ahead is becoming easier to accept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, winter is my favorite season of the year. There’s
something beautiful about nature’s preparation for hard times. There’s no
hiding or covering up. Nature rises to the occasion, gets strong, and prevails.
I like to use this as an analogy for the type of person you have to become in
order to be a successful distance runner. This mentality of acceptance of hard
times, and the readiness of standing tall.<br />
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Jeremy and myself raced at Kent State this past Friday, and
though neither of us where happy about the outcome, I think it helped get our
minds right leading into this next block. It was a harsh shock racing around an
indoor track again, but competing is something I’ve always loved, and it was
nice to get back in that shark tank. </div>
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I’ve reached out to my old teammate and now current
Assistant men’s and women’s Cross Country and Track Coach at Bowling Green
State University, Chuck Wentz, to help me with training and coaching. Chuck has
been very successful at BGSU, and I’m excited to see where he can take me in my
running. I’ve had some goals since 2012 I’ve wanted to achieve, and it seems
like I’ve put myself in a good position to go after it this Spring. Athens has
been a staple in my life now, and I’m anxious to continue to work hard everyday
and grow as a runner, and in my career path with Morison Healthcare.</div>
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There’s no easy way to do it. Nowhere to hide or cover up
from the harsh reality of hard work prospers. So grow strong, and continue to
work hard towards unfulfilled potential. </div>
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-BJW</div>
Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-53152609373735558472016-08-30T13:59:00.002-07:002016-08-30T13:59:24.604-07:00Sharing A Drink They Call Loneliness I often think about how I've lost the opportunity to fall in love at a young age. Being single at 27, my world is filled with social media marriage proposal videos and baby announcements, yet here I am about to enter another year of failed relationships still living with my college roommate. I feel like everyday I am slowly inching my way to the dreaded 30 year mark alone, but free. Free to do what I want, how I want, when I want. That freedom to live your own life is something only a select few of us mid-twenty year old bachelors can appreciate. Yet I still feel a void in my life. A hole that no matter how many good times, fun trips, or days to myself I have, there is something missing.<br />
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In the movie, <i>Into The Wild </i>Christopher McCandles wrote, "Happiness is only real when shared", in his journal right before he laid down in that magical bus to die in the middle of the Alaskan wild. Perhaps after so many adventures and time spent alone, Christopher finally realized that you cannot simply get by in life without loving someone and sharing ones happiness together.<br />
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Part of me immediately spits back what I just said, with an aggressive "Fuck you, watch me do it" mentality, but part of me feels for Christopher and the hardship he endured alone in the wild. Another quote that is completely opposite from what McCandles says is from one of my favorite movies <i>Fight Club, </i>"We're a generation of men raised by women. I'm wondering if another women is really the answer we need". This takes on a whole different approach to the subject. Again, I have two views on this, but there is something inside of me that feeds into what is being said. Everything I need to accomplish what I want in this world is inside of me, and I dare a women to try and take that away.<br />
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After a certain age your chances of meeting "the one" will decrease dramatically. In High School and College it was easy meeting people. Students all have the same interest and agenda as you, and are usually looking to get swept of their feet, which unfortunately is never like what the movies make it out to be. The small amount of young professionals that make it out of college single are ultimately screwed. The working class will slowly get taken over by the fake un-meaningful existence that is a career - The other half will find happiness in binge watching Netflix with their newly adopted kitten in their parents spare bedroom or cool downtown loft apartment.<br />
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Your only hope in this world is thinking some of us slipped through the cracks and there is still a chance of true love. Sure, you have the single moms, divorced parents looking to try over, or the rare gem of the opposite sex that is in the exact seat you are in, but chances are you are in for a long lonely life. In the meantime, try to find inner happiness. A silver lining, that will promote good character, and meaningful moments in your life. Usually real relationships will happen out of no where. Who knows, one day you might just bump into Mrs. perfect reading a Barns And Noble top seller at Starbucks, or not.<br />
<br />Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-10358177068295694912016-08-23T08:33:00.000-07:002016-08-23T08:39:28.032-07:00The Continued Balance<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflnp1vfWiP_n9lBXprIlri4jXTVQF7GZbBin5ZtL-sLx504elvsLnz8vkSmhBHijKIyaZSi7BkA4wza3mZkTTWD51Nq8U5aWqx-JOPQsoiLG7PY_e0GdJlMiDpihiCDhQ17dh2ADLnIQ/s1600/13995410_10153659992876813_4810326561559294276_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflnp1vfWiP_n9lBXprIlri4jXTVQF7GZbBin5ZtL-sLx504elvsLnz8vkSmhBHijKIyaZSi7BkA4wza3mZkTTWD51Nq8U5aWqx-JOPQsoiLG7PY_e0GdJlMiDpihiCDhQ17dh2ADLnIQ/s320/13995410_10153659992876813_4810326561559294276_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Start of the 2016 News & Sentinel Half Marathon)</td></tr>
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One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite cinemas,<br />
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"Sometimes you're flush and sometimes you're bust, and when you're up it's never as good as it seems, and when you're down, you never think you'll be up again, but life goes on".<br />
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This quote from the movie Blow is when George Yung's dad, Fred was explaining to George why money isn't real. It rings true to a lot of things that may be thrown your way in life. The hard part that I think Fred was trying to explain was that you have to learn to appreciate the balance of the ups and downs. To not get stuck at the far ends of each spectrum, but to understand a lot of the time life is hard. It is often that in our toughest moments in life, is when we force ourselves to adapt and grow.<br />
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I don't want to turn this post into another sob story about how I've once again trained hard, got hurt, then somehow overcame to continue to push towards fitness. Repeat the cycle and add some other life struggles, and you pretty much have my past 8 year life story. No, I want this to help people understand how you find positive outcomes out of every situation regardless of what you may see it as. Learn from it, use that knowledge, and move on because you'll never be truly satisfied when you're stuck in a shallow narrow minded view.<br />
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Extensor tendinitis turned from bad to worse to can't run on it. Masked by too many ibuprofen than i'd like to admit, eventually caused my achilles to become inflamed. Eventually getting diagnosed with bursitis. I ignored it as usual and attempting running here and there in hopes of holding onto fitness for the News and Sentinel Half Marathon last Saturday in Parkersburg, West Virginia. As you might have already figured out, the race didn't go well.<br />
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As I take this week to finally give my foot the rest it needs, I have time to reflect on the closing summer, figure out what went wrong, learn, adapt, and prepare to once again gear up for the upcoming fall training. I've often struggled to find the balance of the training that works best for me. This past buildup I was focused more on miles, then strength, and in previous base phases I tend to get into the weight room 5 times a week while holding a good bit of mileage. I'm still playing with the balance of the two, but one thing I know for sure is that i'm not able to recover and bounce back as quick as I use to in college. I need to focus on recover, and less on being stubborn. Training can be like balancing on a teeter-totter with a cactus at each side. Too much of one thing can result in becoming an unbalanced athlete often leading to injury. But like George Jung's father said, life goes on.<br />
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With the familiar smell of a fall breeze slowly making its way into the foothills of south east Ohio, I'm eager to get on some soft grass and run pain free again. I have one hundred and eight days until Club Nationals, and I don't plan to waste a single one of them.<br />
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- BJW<br />
<br />Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-5916180867911582462016-07-05T13:35:00.001-07:002016-07-05T13:35:33.941-07:00Why Do We Fall?Why do we fall? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.<br />
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This quote has always hit home for me, especially in these past couple weeks. I've been in the thick of my training, enjoying the process and trying not to let my beat-up body get the best of me. Every day has become a routine, and I'm learning to enjoy the healthy habits needed for success. In the meantime, I've found it enjoyable to break up the routine and try my hand in some summer road races with some former Shawnee State Bears.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieqd_-qn6yrVRLV-kTBiRUGhdsPSrmIS_TVkVVQahCoBw-RreCNpE3op5JQ0LG6prkwNlHea4yldDIYabtH8DyzQF-V68XyLD0upaz4hTBRlzUaweb3c4xCfpCSI-UNg9FUGkcfff_pQ/s1600/57658227bbba7.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieqd_-qn6yrVRLV-kTBiRUGhdsPSrmIS_TVkVVQahCoBw-RreCNpE3op5JQ0LG6prkwNlHea4yldDIYabtH8DyzQF-V68XyLD0upaz4hTBRlzUaweb3c4xCfpCSI-UNg9FUGkcfff_pQ/s320/57658227bbba7.image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WV 5K Championships</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMAae49h_Ajt6IX2ZPE67TxWxEqEO1nBjIAnxSs8_iHbg8YdN2gajf734v5X3V5YwdP6_wSC6KJmt5o49Bo3af66GW49xZCAsV9sEn44QSKFjfS9A5-z-GqkQKMPTN5s8q5ctisHDDZc/s1600/HgxEDldsbjw83N6nGL2fOU1MV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMAae49h_Ajt6IX2ZPE67TxWxEqEO1nBjIAnxSs8_iHbg8YdN2gajf734v5X3V5YwdP6_wSC6KJmt5o49Bo3af66GW49xZCAsV9sEn44QSKFjfS9A5-z-GqkQKMPTN5s8q5ctisHDDZc/s320/HgxEDldsbjw83N6nGL2fOU1MV.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freedom Fest 5K</td></tr>
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The West Virginia 5K Championships on June 18th in Huntington, West Virginia (Results <a href="http://www.tristateracer.com/resultsdb.php?race_id=4477" target="_blank">here</a>), and this past Monday at the Freedom Fest 5K in Jackson, Ohio (Results <a href="http://www.tristateracer.com/resultsdb.php?race_id=4493" target="_blank">here</a>), have been both a learning experience, and a bit of a letdown for me. Leading into these races, I try to muster up any pop or freshness in my legs as I can, but they are always resistant and quick to remind me of how unfamiliar and unpleasant full-time training can do to your body. As you can see above, Eli Gerlach has shown me a familiar site at both races. Though it's fun competing, I find it more rewarding by putting "money in the bank" depositing miles after miles on your body in hopes of surpassing expected goals on that given day of withdraw.<br />
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The past eight weeks of training have been somewhat of a breeze so far, as I've just now been starting to get heavy in both volume and in workouts. My mileage has been slowly increasing (60, 59, 67, 70, 68, 75, 73), as I'm making sure to take things slowly and one step at a time. The plan is to continue increasing by 5 miles every two weeks, making the 100 mile benchmark by the first week of September, and holding that until Club Nationals December 10th. On top of more miles, my coach has begun incorporating an early week tempo/progression, as well as a later week fartlek/hill interval workout, and then topping it off with a up-tempo in the middle of my Sunday long run.<br />
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With the increase of volume, as well as continuing to get into the weight room twice a week for some strength and conditioning exercises, supplementary and core work, there is no doubt in my mind that I'm going to be in the best shape of my life this fall. But for now, I have to bit the bullet, enjoy the discomfort of a hard day's work, and not get caught up in meaningless summer road races.Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-79532044596108251102016-06-08T08:54:00.004-07:002016-06-08T08:54:44.329-07:00In The Grind We Trust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWNDEUQEBUg2FoccSgnxHKbbdvidxF1yIrAZpVICHksYod8G2EMlJP37o6-x8_A5JMzKGWdFhEQDtakHZlrHEvev6hl8h0ryuh4RemUQvTTK1r77x0qBR5bSi9QGA6hw1vRiSeavLjPY/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWNDEUQEBUg2FoccSgnxHKbbdvidxF1yIrAZpVICHksYod8G2EMlJP37o6-x8_A5JMzKGWdFhEQDtakHZlrHEvev6hl8h0ryuh4RemUQvTTK1r77x0qBR5bSi9QGA6hw1vRiSeavLjPY/s320/IMG_1870.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
As summer is quickly approaching, and the sweat stained miles are becoming an everyday occurrence, I thought now would be a good time to sit down and plan out my goals for the duration of 2016. Last month my roommate, Jeremy Anderson, and I sat down with Coach Tim Sykes at one of Athens local hot spots, Larry's Doghouse, to discuss our plans for the summer and fall. Coach Sykes helped us focus our ideas and energy into a detailed long-term developmental plan. Tim talked about how he likes to have his athletes make obtainable short term goals to help with long term success. Tim explained the breakdown of SMART (specific, measurable, obtainable, relevant, and time-bound) goals, and asked us get into the state of mind of an athlete in order to accomplish what we want.<br />
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The three things I wish to accomplish by August are one, to continue to slowly build up my volume while staying consistent with strength training, strides, and drills. As of this week, my mileage is at 70, and the plan is to add 5 miles every 2 weeks, until the first week of September. If I can stay patient enough and healthy, I will be at 100 miles per week the first week of September, and stay at 100 for 12 weeks leading into Florida. The second goal is putting more emphasize on recovery. Rope stretching and foam rolling have become my post-run routine, helping me stay flexible and hitting on range-of-motion. Breaking down scar-tissue and knots in my muscles by foam rolling is not fun task, but I know that it is essential to put as much time and energy into recovering from runs as I do on the run itself. Without proper recovery, there will be no gains and I will become flat and heavy.<br />
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The final goal I have for myself this summer, is focusing more on my diet. I have a unhealthy addiction to snacking at night, and eating my weight in candy (especially caramel creams). Nutrition goes hand-in-hand with recovery, and without eating right and hydrating, especially in the summer heat, I will most likely die a slow death on the roads. Pretty simple, more vegetables and smoothies, less sugar and shit.<br />
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The main goal for this fall will be the 2016 USATF Club Cross Country National Championships which are held in Tallahassee, Florida on December 10th. It will be the first time I will race a 10K on grass, with about 400 other runners of all ages and abilities. We are hoping to field a strong pack for Team Run Athens, and looking to do big things as a team. Individually, I hope to be in the best shape of my life, in contention to run mid 30's, and place in the top 50.<br />
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As for the 184 days until Club Nats, that will be spent building mileage and strength slowly but surely, while staying on-top of my goals and enjoying the task at hand. So, once again living by the clock has become the norm. I have yet to decide on my racing schedule leading up to December, but I will most likely run some summer road races, possibly a half-marathon in August, 2-3 Cross Country races this fall, and hopefully a fast time or two on the track if I can find a meet. For now, I'm enjoying the time spent training with my fellow Athens runners, and loving the grind.<br />
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- BJW<br />
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<br />Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-69282084488336397332016-05-16T10:48:00.001-07:002016-05-16T10:53:43.750-07:00Thunderbunny 50K Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp3eJz5x3XQY-UPHfk1_I7acoHhOGyFr4sCPE8Q4rr6aFRubY4_XWGRA-vPUKYK1ELAsogROlPhI8AzPWDcoiLeG1IPQZqfoVnmRnSAjS_yFsp1UtS4hTm_Ek2N5P3Ad40UP7nazHYLw/s1600/b31f1b_acd8caa973514a7bbc8661763e3bedc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp3eJz5x3XQY-UPHfk1_I7acoHhOGyFr4sCPE8Q4rr6aFRubY4_XWGRA-vPUKYK1ELAsogROlPhI8AzPWDcoiLeG1IPQZqfoVnmRnSAjS_yFsp1UtS4hTm_Ek2N5P3Ad40UP7nazHYLw/s320/b31f1b_acd8caa973514a7bbc8661763e3bedc2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Early this year my good friend and race director Michael Owen talked me into signing up for Athens, Ohio first ever 50K ultra race held at Strouds Run State Park, and named after one of his favorite the trails at Strouds, Thunderbunny Trail. I haven't had the best year of training so far in 2016. Dealing with two major injuries, as well as being sick a lot, left me with only a couple weeks to try and build some volume up in preparation for not only my longest run every, but longest race in my life.</div>
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One of my collegiate teammates Joe Stewart decided to jump on the oppertunity to race his first ultra as well and came to Athens for the weekend to experiance what it was like running 31 miles on trails. We both toed the line this past Saturday morning and were welcomed with low 50<span style="background-color: white; color: #59595b; font-family: "noto sans" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">°</span>and heavy rains. That didn't stop my eagerness to get out into the trails and see how I held up to the long foot race ahead. After the start I found myself in a pack of four runners, running in second place carefully watching my footing and convincing myself this was simply going to be a enjoyable easy experience. As we carefully avoided low limbs and turtles on the trail I found myself in a nice groove and easily clipping of low 8 minute miles on the sloppy wet trails. I was not able to get anything from the first aid-station at mile 7.5, so was forced to hold off until around mile 13 where I quickly grabbed a couple gu's and a water bottle at the next station, and made sure not to loose contact from the leader, Nathan Yanko, even though he was only running the 25K race.</div>
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As Nathan and I left the aid-station only after about 20 seconds, David Riddle quickly surged to get back with us as we made our way through miles 13-15 together. David made a quick pass around us at mile 14.5 as I was content of continue my enjoyable jog, Nathan went with him, as I thought those two were finishing up their 25K portion of their race. I lost sight of them as I continued on by myself after the split thinking I had a good size lead on second, and hoped this easy jogging feeling would stick around for a while. It wasn't until I headed down the hill around mile 19 that I saw David making his was up the hill looking strong. My ambition quickly diminished as I knew there would be no way I could run with him. Just around then I began hitting that foreseeable wall. I quickly crammed as much peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, peanut M&M's, licorice, and nuun water as I could at the aid-station. As I left and headed back out I knew I was in trouble. I had a 400ft. climb ahead, winning the race was out of my hands, and now I couldn't even run straight. I stopped for about two minutes at the bottom of the climb contemplating everything ahead. I knew it would be easy to walk away, jump in a car and get a ride to the finish, which I juggled around for a good bit, but I knew how upset I would be after. So I very slowly started walking to the top and tried shaking off this feeling of death. </div>
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After about 4-5 minutes I started lightly jogging back onto the trail heading into Sells Park and pushed forward. Around mile 21 Joe Stewart and another runner had caught up to me. I told Joe what was going on and he was quick to hand me as many gu's as he could and told me to start taking them and push through it, which I did. I tried hanging onto them, but still was struggling to hold 9 minute pace. I wished them luck and and let them pass, as I was left to fight my own battle.</div>
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It took a while to snap out of it, but I slowly started to come out of the hump and actually had times where I felt really good and tried picking it up to catch up with Joe, but they were long gone. At the next aid-station around mile 25 I again ate as much as I could, and took a bit longer making sure that I was feeling up to par and able to finish the next 6 miles alright. I also had my ipod shuffle with me so listening to some music really helped get back into the groove of things. I made sure to keep on taking gu's and drinking as much as I could and tried enjoying the last section of trail heading back into Strouds before making my way to the finish. The last mile was on the road and my stride felt great! My legs still having a good pop to them and a sense of great accomplishment came over me as I crossed the line in 4 hours, 23 minutes and 9 seconds.</div>
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This race was a very humbling experience, as I now have a great appreciation for people who are able to run such long distances and push past the point of complete depletion. I'm happy with the outcome, even though I really wanted the win, I learned a lot and I am eager to get back on the trails again soon to test my limits. </div>
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- BJW</div>
Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-25185341397338620562016-04-26T08:31:00.001-07:002016-04-27T07:18:28.499-07:00Seasons Beautiful Moments <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Summer</div>
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You are in the middle of the woods, surrounded by tall pines, you look up into the sun, and notice the bright yellow beams shining through the tall green limbs, and at once you are at peace and totally free. Happiness slides right under you and you cant help but appreciate everything in life. Summer warmth strikes down by 8 am, as you continue your way down the single-track pine needle trail. You take a deep breath of the forest air, and instantly feel at one with the trees, animals and dirt.<br />
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Spring</div>
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You awake by the drops of heavy rain hitting your window to remind you of the morning miles on schedule for today. The weather is calling for mid 60 degrees<span style="color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"> </span></span>and a slight drizzle. You grab your freshly broken-in trainers and slowly lace them to your feet ensuring total comfort. You take of down the gravel road and are drenched within minutes, but as you float on finding your rhythm of the day, you slowly realize that there is nothing you would rather be doing at that moment. You clip of mile after mile with a welcomed soul and a new reality of the world ahead of you.<br />
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Fall</div>
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Mud coated leaves surround the bleak green grass, as you continue compulsively lacing up your Nike spikes in preparation for the battle ahead. It's cross country season, with a cloudy sky and a chilly breeze in the air, the smell of decomposing rich autumn soil is sparking up old memories. You take three or four strides on the well manicured golf course, and appreciate the comfort of the soft inch long wet grass. The gun goes off and everything changes.<br />
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Winter</div>
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Early winter mornings awoken by the suns reflection of the fresh powdery snow that blanketed the cabins landscape last night. You prepare for the cold harshness by layering up, as the kettle on the stove lets you know it is hot and ready for the mornings brew. You throw some beans into the grinder and instantly get hit by the rich smell of the dark-roast oily beans. Five minutes go by, and the french press is ready to deliver the harsh deep welcoming note that you both need and wanted. You take your first sip, with caution and an open mind, and get taken away by the possibilities of the day.<br />
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- BJWBlake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-63663665391233640502016-03-29T08:25:00.002-07:002016-04-07T05:21:37.224-07:00Original Content<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All of my life, I've been trying to fight the fight of staying original. True to my roots, and what I believe. It has been one of the hardest things I've ever done. Everyday you're tempted by society's tricks and gimmicks to make you buy a certain type of clothes, listen to specific artist, or buy this car or that house. Media and money run this world, and it is nearly impossible to avoid he bull shit and have you own real thoughts.<br />
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I have tried to live by the quote, "You were brown an original, don't die a copy", and there is nothing more beautiful and attractive than being committed to this and being real. The one thing that has helped me stay in touch with my beliefs is of course running As in every blog I write, I thank running as if it were my God. My bible, Once a Runner, touches upon a lot of things that are important to me. Being able to find meaning and beauty of a run, and how anything can be brought back to the simplicity of a choice. One quote in particular stands out to me, "My only real secret was, commitment to the task. A promise so simple, but so impossibly hard to honor. How they could be expected to understand that?..." I feel like sometimes its my job, my duty, to show people the beauty of a run, and how being committed to a task can be the best thing in your life.<br />
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The spring time itch has taken over again, and the hunger for long miles, trail runs and the discomfort of lactate threshold induced miles has risen. I am in no where close to where I want to be fitness wise, but I'm really enjoying the process, or as Quenton says, "the task". As of now, it looks like I will be ready to roll again in late May early June. I had to forgo my indoor/outdoor season due to a knee injury in late January, but it gave me enough time to enjoy the woods and welcome in the warm spring weather, and now my legs are hungry for what lies ahead.<br />
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These past four weeks I have been slowly building up my mileage while participating in a study done by a graduate student at Ohio University. He is comparing the benefits of running vs. EliptiGO training. After two VO2 Max tests and a couple 5K time trails, I am now free to train the way I want to, and I have set forth a hearty summer race schedule. <br />
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I will end with yet another quote that I find enjoyable to ponder upon.<br />
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"Isn't it true that you start your life a sweet child, believing in everything under your father's roof? Then comes the day of the Laodiceans, when you know you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, and with the visage of a gruesome, grieving ghost you go shuddering through nightmare life".<br />
- Jack Kerouac<br />
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Go and be real.<br />
- BJWBlake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-23065451254894011302016-03-09T07:35:00.000-08:002016-03-09T07:35:00.101-08:00Building Roots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Adult life is in full swing in southeast Ohio. Tucked in collard shirts, wrinkle free dress pants, and squeaky leather shoes have become my everyday norm. My title, Kitchen supervisor at Morrison Healthcare, has become a big part of who I am now. I am beyond lucky to have been offered this career, and I finally feel like everything about my life in Athens, Ohio has become complete.<br />
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After taking off more time than I could fathom for my injury to my knee, I have once again became a hobby jogger, slowly building my mileage after my work day is over. My routine is coming together nicely, and the opportunity to trash my body everyday in hopes of moving my legs fast over an extended period of time has become available and I don't plan to waste it.<br />
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There is something about healthy routines that make things in life more enjoyable and more rewarding. I guess you could say that's part of growing up and becoming mature. The tricky part about life is finding the balance. Finding a routine that both is both efficiently productive, and mentally rewarding. This past year has been a roller coaster ride for me. I struggled to find the balance in my life, and it has ruined a lot of things. But, at the same time I refused to settle for a life where there was limitations to life and I was no where close to true happiness.<br />
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It has taken me a lot of time to realize that the balance in life is not necessarily where you work, or the stability of your everyday routines, but more of how you simply stop and appreciate the minutes. You must take advantage of that simplicity of time. True happiness comes within, and no matter how hard you work, you will never appreciate life if you settle down and accept these limitations.<br />
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Here is to the balance of my everyday real routines of true happiness.Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-50693593824875352202016-02-02T09:51:00.002-08:002016-02-02T10:12:41.653-08:00Keeping Faith In The Simplicity of Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To a runner, being injured is one of the hardest things to overcome. Anger, doubt, depression are all stages and symptoms of a runners copping methods. Mentally, it's a daily battle between the positives and negatives trying to take control. Physically, it's usually out of your control.<br />
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Most of the time it's the mental battle that takes control and creates this "Monster". The only cure to defeating this monster and becoming that runner you once knew, is simply getting healthy and overcome the injury. So, you take a couple days off, ibuprofen becomes your daily vitamin, and icing at night is as important as "Netflix and chill"; But yet that monster is becoming more and more prevalent in your life. You thought this would be a quick fix, a minor hiccup in what seems to be your best build-up of you running career. You start to become anxious, worried for what lies ahead. At this point, you are willing to do just about anything to get back out on the roads and get that feeling of accomplishment back.<br />
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So, without much improvement or signs of healing you do just that. You become the bigger monster. You don't have time to wait around for something to tell you when to run. But, without much surprise, that injury and monster you thought you defeated, shows up with vengeance. It quickly reminds you who decides your fate. It is at this crucial point when a runner realizes everything is out of their control, depression hits like a tun of bricks. The choice to continue the battle or let fate have its turn must be decided. So, it's back to the drawing board. Stubbornness didn't defeat it, perhaps more rest and treatment will do the trick. And the cycle continues to repeat itself until one of two things happen. The positive outcome of a runner getting their life back and continue on the path of self righteousness, or the monster wins and you are a nobody.<br />
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Most of you can't comprehend what any of this means or feels like, but if you are one of the select few who are blessed by the curse of the miles of trials, you'll know that times like these are of the darkest times. Since moving to Athens and making my training a priority in my life again, things have been absolutely beautiful up until a couple weeks. I was getting in great shape, running 80-85 miles a week, lifting five times a week, 6 mile tempos ending in sub 5 minute pace, 15 milers at 6:10-20's. Paradise is being in the thick of the grind, healthy and hungry for the time where you finally are able to cash in your hard work on the track and run something fast, and that's what this spring was looking like for me.<br />
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After a hard hill session and 18 mile day, I decided to run a trail race at my friend Reece Browns cabin. My competitiveness got the best of me and I ran hard from the start to the finish even though my legs were screaming at me the entire time. The trails were drenched in thick mud, not to mention the aggressiveness of the terrain and elevation. The run left me in really bad shape, and the following day I noticed the outside of my right knee flare up pretty bad when attempting to get in my long run. I had to stop after 4 miles and that's when the monster and the above scenario started to take control. I believe their might be a slight tear in my lateral collateral ligament. It's been 16 days since that trail race, and I haven't been able to run pain free since. All I've managed to do is 4-5 mile runs, with a couple workouts that's left me limping on the cool-down. Hope is at a all time low.<br />
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I have always been drawn to running when times are tough, and now that I don't have that escape, it has been very difficult not to loose my shit. There are days when I have no pain and the joy comes quickly again down my spine, and everything seems right in the world, but soon after the realization of something that is not healed overtakes everything positive and drowns it with sorrow. So, the monster seems to be winning right now. As I continue treating the injury as best as I know, all I can do is try to hold onto any fitness gains I had leading into the injury, and hope I can still come back and do what I want to do on the track this spring.<br />
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Here's to defeating your own monster and keeping faith in the simplicity of hope.<br />
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- BJW<br />
<br />Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-21884416457089696822015-12-21T10:20:00.003-08:002015-12-21T10:27:15.295-08:00Life Thoughts: One cup of coffee at a time<br />
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What determines how successful you are in life? The square footage of your house? The dollar signs behind that new car in your driveway? To me life is not measured in numbers, or possesions. It is simply a short period of time in which you must do everything and anything in your power to take advantage of the beauty of the worlds offerings.</div>
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Many people in today's society can't seem to understand or comprehend what I just said.<br />
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Success is a word created by those trying to fill a void of emptiness in their long boring planned out lives. Is money important? Yes. Does it have to determine everything in your life? Absolutely not. What is important? Friends, Family, Heath, Nature, and being as present as possible while experiencing beautiful moments that cannot be repeated.<br />
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I can not tell you the number of times my family, or friends have tried to stamp their shallow opinions into me about how I should live my life. I refuse to be un-happy. Period. Therefor when I'm in a situation that I feel I am not my true self, I simply remove myself from whatever it is. Rather that'd be to change jobs, move away, or simply take time to myself to get back to my roots of happiness.<br />
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I am a big believer in making the most out of every single day. Living in the moment is very important to me, but in a world of tweets and fast moving things, it can be nearly impossible to stop and, "Smell the Roses". People can spend their entire life searching for something or someone that brings them happiness, when it can be easily obtainable. By simply putting down your phone, and having a conversation with someone, or heading out for a hike. Real experiences that are influenced by absolutely nothing are what we should strive for everyday.<br />
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For me, the ideal situation where I feel the most alive and in the moment can be mapped out by these simple things. Mid 60's with a light drizzle, coasting down a soft pine-needle bedded single track trail, healthy as a bear, surrounded by nothing but dense forest. Nature will, and has always been, my roots. A kind of reminder of the importance of being alive and in the moment. There is nothing more real then putting on a pair of running shoes and heading out into the woods.<br />
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Find something that reminds you of how important it is to have these real experiences, no matter what that is. Something that makes you feel alive and appreciative of the short or long life you may have. Something that makes you say, "How beautiful it is to breath in this air and live my life to the fullest".<br />
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- BJW<br />
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Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-4645664828241914972015-11-04T19:19:00.000-08:002015-11-04T19:19:19.878-08:00Southeast Ohio DreamsOne year, two months and twenty six days later...<br />
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And once again a lot has changed. I've moved three times in the past year. I was a professional runner in Greenville, South Carolina, then I was a Chipotle manager in Dayton, Ohio. I was engaged to a beautiful women, now I live with my best friend and former college teammate Jeremy Anderson. I had a great job with opportunity and a bright future, now I make subs. I ran away from all of my problems in Miamisburg and moved east into an 18th century wooden house in the middle of Southeast Ohio.<br />
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Now I'm not sure who I am or what the future holds, but like usual I find myself slowly throwing my mangled beaten up body down the road again and again, day after day, to get in my miles. Running is the only thing that makes sense to me in this world. I am eternally thankful for the countless times it has picked me up from my lowest points in life to remind me that there are brighter days ahead. In a world full of hypocrites, smart phones and fast moving fake things, running is the last beautiful thing in life that no one can take from you.<br />
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I've accepted the fact I'm never going to be the best. I've accepted the fact that I'm never going to even come close to being noticed, but none of that matters to me. Running has been there when no one else has, and for that I owe it my life.<br />
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I've been training full-time now for over two months, and its been a hard but rewarding task. It has been over a year since I put any thought and effort back into my training, and now that I'm slowly making a comeback I feel alive once again. The world is brighter, my food tastes better, and my body aches of satisfaction from the days effort. There is nothing in this world more real and honest than putting on a pair of running shoes and hammering away on a autumn day.<br />
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I've got a long way to go, but the demons are still screaming not to give up. I've got a couple things I want to do still on that 400 meter circle before I'm content with becoming a hobby jogger, and I intend to go after that full fucking throttle ahead.<br />
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Here is to the long cold winter of training ahead.<br />
- BJWBlake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-25827776202941473342014-08-08T13:18:00.001-07:002014-08-08T13:23:39.028-07:00Falling In Love With The Grind<div style="text-align: center;">
"If you desire long term success, fall in love with the grind </div>
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and the process of your passion -- not the end result" </div>
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- Josh Cox</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusz_c6ce5IkpA60CcxcSi_Odz_f6x6Y8ZHSfDtd_BxVwxMP5kiJapLOn8o6WmlZZcu4wGVlSTDL6NyePvuv4YHvTpZU1tUN26VBn05ZGeTydnE7eJ18A6WkKUQlokzPIbnILdJoHWNKU/s1600/10458985_284002288455312_7034654948641003191_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusz_c6ce5IkpA60CcxcSi_Odz_f6x6Y8ZHSfDtd_BxVwxMP5kiJapLOn8o6WmlZZcu4wGVlSTDL6NyePvuv4YHvTpZU1tUN26VBn05ZGeTydnE7eJ18A6WkKUQlokzPIbnILdJoHWNKU/s1600/10458985_284002288455312_7034654948641003191_o.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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After what seemed to be an eternity, I am back healthy, and hungry and training full time with my team after spending a majority of my first couple months in Greenville dealing with an injury. Many hours were spent in the pool aqua jogging and working out, attempting to hold onto any gained fitness I had, and now that my hip is 100% pain free, I can finally start to enjoy the day-to-day process of training again! Thanks to Brad and the staff at Performance Therapy, and my coaches, Mike and Laura Caldwell, the slow painstaking process of easing back into things is finally behind me, and I can look forward to the fall season!</div>
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The big focus for GTC Elite this fall will be put on the 2014 USATF Club Cross-Country Championships December 13th, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The race will host some of the very best runners and clubs in the United States, going after each other for ten-thousand meters in hopes of making the USA team for the World Cross Country Championships which will be held in Guiyang, China in 2015. </div>
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As I'm getting back into the routine of things here in Greenville, I am very focused and determined on the future and the task ahead. I have never ran a 10k Cross-Country race before, and to be with the very best doing so for the first time every this December is going to take a lot of hard work and effort to get there. You've got to appreciate the painstaking task of training full-time. With every ache and pain, is just another muscle or cell getting acclimated to the stress. After acclimation, follows adaption, and with adaption becomes results. Fall in love with the grind, and embrace the task, and results will come. </div>
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- BJW</div>
Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-62431720199997271532014-06-04T14:59:00.003-07:002014-06-04T15:20:14.179-07:00Don't Pinch Me, I Don't Want To Wake UpI thought it would be appropirate to update this old thing since it's national running day!<br />
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Over the course of the past two months, a lot has changed in my life. I graduated college from Shawnee State University, ran some of my last workouts with the Bears as they headed south to Alabama for the NAIA Track and Field National Championships, Said goodbye to my friends and family and moved to Greenville, South Carolina in pursuit of a professional running career.<br />
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This past semester has came and gown in a flash, and now that I have some free time to reflect, I can take the time to appreciate
everything that has happened to me. Leaving Shawnee State, Eric Putnam,
and my Bears was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make. They
have become like family to me, and without the guidance and support from
my college coach Eric Putnam, the other coaching staff, and my team, I
wouldn't be where I am today. I know that the program is in great hands, and will continue to dominate on the national level.<br />
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Mike and Laura Caldwell, coaches of the Asics sponsored team <a href="http://www.gtc-elite.org/" target="_blank">Greenville Track Club Elite</a>, gave me a shot, and May 15th I packed up my belongings and headed South to join the very prestigious GTC Elite. I am truly blessed and grateful to be given the opportunity to chase my dreams and persue my running potential. This has been something I've been dreaming about for years, and I don't plan on wasting a single moment. Since moving to Greenville, I have been slowly getting into the daily
routine of waking up, going out and breaking down the body, each muscular fiber at a
time, and following that up by refueling and recovering, only to wake up the next day
and do it all over again hopping that my body will adapt and something
beautiful will happen in the near future. Or, as Quenton Cassidy calls
it, "The Trial of Miles; Miles of Trials".<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdx_CRk_nujy4rBAQl8soZbVNY74evJnoyxtJSdU-2GXHWmaTcbaV3Hlbhy63div72ECfMVxtoV9RU0iV9XHETvQNQR6Q0fSvL2bKwPyg_219BOvzyl-ImgW1eApydqCN7y7p8Teo9aLY/s1600/10277011_10202018360527175_7635525119598576746_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdx_CRk_nujy4rBAQl8soZbVNY74evJnoyxtJSdU-2GXHWmaTcbaV3Hlbhy63div72ECfMVxtoV9RU0iV9XHETvQNQR6Q0fSvL2bKwPyg_219BOvzyl-ImgW1eApydqCN7y7p8Teo9aLY/s1600/10277011_10202018360527175_7635525119598576746_n.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new team, the GTC-Elite </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Greenville has a very warm family-type feel to the town, with an amazing downtown area that has a wide varity of restaurents and eatieries that can satisfy any food craving. The nearby Appalachian foothills makes for a lush green environment, with a variety of nearby trails that makes for any runners dream. I've been here for almost three weeks now, and still have so much more to explore and discover about this town, but so far it already feels like home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLOLYyheXxnhxibSPrpZrfHGiwnh16lncL0RKb9zWGm9T5TBcokDuHP7zcxNeDzppbMzwgocuWi1rvv6W_a_2Qk7yVUn6UFhZb8JHI7vv45bYfNIRkGSbuoOd2AwxPo9cssUrSuLcOwI/s1600/IMG_1950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLOLYyheXxnhxibSPrpZrfHGiwnh16lncL0RKb9zWGm9T5TBcokDuHP7zcxNeDzppbMzwgocuWi1rvv6W_a_2Qk7yVUn6UFhZb8JHI7vv45bYfNIRkGSbuoOd2AwxPo9cssUrSuLcOwI/s1600/IMG_1950.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Greenville</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I will make up my GTC-Elite debut at this Saturdays <a href="http://www.runmcdc.org/" target="_blank">Music City Distance Carnival</a> in Nashville, Tennessee where I hope to improve on my 5k PR. You can follow me on twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeWysocki" target="_blank">@BlakeWysocki</a> and instagram at <a href="http://instagram.com/blakewysocki" target="_blank">BlakeWysocki</a> where I will probably be tweeting something running related, or posting a picture of a nearby forest.<br />
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Now get out there and enjoy the freedom and beauty to put one foot infront of the other and run!<br />
- BJWBlake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-33438543656936550582014-02-18T09:46:00.001-08:002014-02-18T09:57:33.851-08:00OptygenHP Review<br />
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This past month I've had the opportunity to test out a new and improved product by <a href="https://firstendurance.com/" target="_blank">First Endurance Sports</a> called OptygenHP. This formula was developed by one of the leading sports nutritional companies in the United States. Based out of Salt Lake City, Utah First Endurance is an innovative sports nutrition company that has made tremendous breakthroughs in the endurance sport world.<br />
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OpygenHP was developed to reduce cortisol levels, and by controlling the athletes cortisol levels, the athlete will decrease their recovery period time, improve their oxygen utilization, increase their VO2, improve their glycogen re-synthesis, and have an overall better endurance performance. OptygenHP has shown to also increase an athletes endurance capacity by 23%, by delivering 50% more beta-alanine which increases an athletes VO2, delays exhaustion, and lactate concentrations.<br />
<br />
Since I've been taking OptygenHP, I have noticed a significant increase in my aerobic fitness, especially during long duration, moderate-to-high intensity workouts, like tempo or progression runs. I have also been surprised to wake up the next day after a hard workout, and not get that familiar "dead leg" tired feeling that usually comes after a hard session. I plan to continue using OptygenHP throughout my spring track season, because I know this amazing formula will help me reach new and faster times.<br />
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- Blake Wysocki Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-7111821417465803162013-12-15T18:58:00.003-08:002013-12-15T20:22:02.681-08:00The Hardness of a Northern Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7cPVkLF3iX78iw-X7b6a0QrKZwiI-prlTHAUKG-wPjFy4AEc1bFE2AHHZ6vPsi6niLjrPo3aCNd63k964nNIxuLYZgjvcpajE4vh_QxzmdHWpL4Dwz6mJV3HSBxEZ1Q77TKyTRqczQE/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7cPVkLF3iX78iw-X7b6a0QrKZwiI-prlTHAUKG-wPjFy4AEc1bFE2AHHZ6vPsi6niLjrPo3aCNd63k964nNIxuLYZgjvcpajE4vh_QxzmdHWpL4Dwz6mJV3HSBxEZ1Q77TKyTRqczQE/s400/download.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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With the fall semester coming to a end earlier this week, I drove north to Toledo, Ohio to spend the winter break at home. I was quickly greeted with temperatures in the teens, and about 6 inches of snow. Unfortunately, I was forced to utilize the runners most hated machine, the treadmill, yesterday for my run. Luckily, I was about to get out on the trails today, since Toledo does not mess around with their plowing system.<br />
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This past couple months have flown by, with a trip to Kansas for the NAIA National Cross Country Championships, Thanksgiving break, then finals, I haven't had much time to really focus on my training. Which is what I'm hooping a change of scenery up north will allow me to get back on track and prepare for a huge spring. <br />
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I've quickly adapted to the routine, and the simplicity of full-time training. Waking up, eating breakfast, going out for a run, heading the the gym to workout, then come back home and make a home cooked meal has become the norm. The only problem with this routine is the amount of free-time I have to sit and ponder about my future. Sometimes I just want to put all my time and effort into my running.<br />
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Recently with my position as a volunteer assistant coach, I'm able to sit back and look at running from a different prospective. I'm able really understand and listen to my body and know when to push and when to back off. Without the added stress or pressure on myself to preform on a certain day, or race, has allowed me to excel both mentally, and physically. As I live by the clock, and have my daily battles with mother nature, I'll be keeping my head in the clouds dreaming of the time and day where I'll be screaming by on that oval on a warm, North Carolina evening.<br />
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- BJW<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5_MgnVlEJ2M" width="560"></iframe><br />Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-65385274921458478002013-10-22T06:43:00.001-07:002013-10-22T07:13:30.959-07:00Fall 2013<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: small;">"Start everyday with new hope; leave bad </span><span style="font-size: small;">memories </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">behind and have faith for a better tomorrow".</span></div>
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Yet again, it's been a long time since I've written in this silly thing. Wanted to give you an update, and tell you about the many changes that has happened in my life, yet again...<br />
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I've decided to move back down to Portsmouth, Ohio to finish out my bachelors degree at Shawnee State University. My major, Exercise Science and minor, Sport Coaching, should be completed by fall of 2014. I have also been helping out with the Cross Country team as a volunteer assistant coach. We have big goals in November, and I'm in a great position to learn from the team as a coach, and to help them out with their success in anyway I can.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.running2win.com/">Running2Win</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/TEAMrunning2win">Team R2W Twitter</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">As far as personal ambitions, I've recently been selected for a new team started by Peyton Hoyal and Mike Stahr called Team Running2Win. It's a new group that started this fall, with big ambitions, and lots of interest. I have been an active user to the online running log Running2Win (</span><a href="http://www.running2win.com/community/view-member-profile.asp?member=" style="font-size: medium;">My Log</a><span style="font-size: small;">) since the beginning of my senior year at St. John's Jesuit High School (August 2007). It has been a great tool that I have used for years to document my runs, and to look back to compare workouts or re-read some of my races. The team also has some major sponsors backing it up, from a fairly new "Run-Real" minimalist running shoe company out of Portland, Oregon called Skora Running (<a href="http://skorarunning.com/">Skora Running</a>), to an endurance sports supplement company out of Salt Lake City, Utah called First Endurance (<a href="http://www.firstendurance.com/">First Endurance</a>). The team, sponsors and the coordinators have big plans for the future, and to say I'm enthusiastic about my where Team R2W and my running is headed is an understatement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.skorarunning.com/">Skora Running</a> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/skorarunning"><span style="font-size: small;">Skora Running Twitter</span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.firstendurance.com/">First Endurance</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/FirstEndurance">First Endurance Twitter</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As I continue building up my training volume, and getting the Shawnee State Cross Country team prepared for Nationals, I will focus on the task at hand. I came off a minor foot injury that set me back over three weeks in September, but have since then been training with the team, running workouts and slowly building back up. I raced this past weekend at Wilmington College running the "Jenna Strong" Cross Country Fall Classic Invite, where I ran an all-time best of 25:19 in the 8k off of only three weeks of training. With the addition of orthotics, a very expensive altitude tent, and a new support system, Team R2W, I can't help but catch myself daydreaming about what the future holds for my running. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Until next time, Miles of Trials.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">- BJW</span></div>
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<br />Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-38898543312620020932013-04-10T10:44:00.001-07:002013-04-10T10:44:50.534-07:00Indoor Rowing Machine<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN78HyjFYzA59vJo66rO6JEaLolWgPwjkRgjZxnHKBeLmsal79LFHJMWEswfSsFkecUrcvU4Fimn5uNBBch9m9o2C7hBMIRKzxv6cLgou90eOuL7OGrvqq7DrnZVzkdHNqSQ9GpBAO6C4/s1600/Concept2-Model-D-Indoor-Rowing-Machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN78HyjFYzA59vJo66rO6JEaLolWgPwjkRgjZxnHKBeLmsal79LFHJMWEswfSsFkecUrcvU4Fimn5uNBBch9m9o2C7hBMIRKzxv6cLgou90eOuL7OGrvqq7DrnZVzkdHNqSQ9GpBAO6C4/s320/Concept2-Model-D-Indoor-Rowing-Machine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What is an Indoor Rowing Machine:<br />
An indoor rowing machine is a stationary device used as an alternative exercise for individuals seeking an aerobic workout, or a strength workout depending on the type of exercise they choose on the device. The machine has different options for you to choose from, like a treadmil or eliptical, you can choose the intensity and duration of the workout.<br />
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Proper Use of an Indoor Rowing Machine:<br />
Setting up the machine is essential to ensure no injuries occur during your workout. Strap in your feet properly and study to correct form and posture used to eliminate any minor injuries that may occure to inproper use.<br />
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Workout:<br />
Using the machines programmer, Row for 1 minute at a hard-moderate intensity, followed by a minute easy-recovery intensity for a total of ten minutes.<br />
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Informational Links:<br />
http://www.indorow.com/Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-91247655235777598372013-04-10T10:38:00.001-07:002013-04-10T10:38:28.795-07:00Nutrition App<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gAcg0VIxBNmQw7kmR-axiBqwhX4zoJyeGhnF5Xm7jBtld49ZzXCXutL13E-J43jgsimB3glJdG4QomzIlCCGcH4LGJLcUuamIkX90YbX4CI9ZyIl76khcroeENABQEEPwIvnlUN-g98/s1600/AppADay_titleimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gAcg0VIxBNmQw7kmR-axiBqwhX4zoJyeGhnF5Xm7jBtld49ZzXCXutL13E-J43jgsimB3glJdG4QomzIlCCGcH4LGJLcUuamIkX90YbX4CI9ZyIl76khcroeENABQEEPwIvnlUN-g98/s320/AppADay_titleimage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What are Nutrition Apps:<br />
Nutrition apps are applications downloaded on your smart phones, or devices used to keep track of your daily caloric intake, and exercises to help you stay active and loose weight.<br />
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How do I Use Nutrition Apps:<br />
Nutrition apps can be downloaded for free on whatever device you are using. Different apps offer differnt tools to help suggest workouts, motivate you, and suggest a certain diet for your needs.<br />
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Workout:<br />
Download "My Fitness Pal" and use the app for a week to see where you may not be getting enough adequate nutritional foods and where you can improve your diet. <br />
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Informational Links:<br />
Top 10 Best Iphone Nutrition Apps. http://www.coreperformance.com/daily/nutrition/the-10-best-iphone-nutrition-apps.htmlBlake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-25130439923206144862013-04-10T10:33:00.000-07:002013-04-10T10:33:20.321-07:00Pedometer Training<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
What Is a Pedometer:<br />
A pedometer is a small device that can measure the steps you take throughout a given time. The device can be used to measure how far you walked, how many calories your burned, and your average stride length.<br />
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Proper Use of a Pedometer:<br />
A pedometer should be worn on the waist band or somewhere where the device will not be accidentily hit or fall off your body as you walk.<br />
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Workout:<br />
Walk for 10 minutes HARD, followed by 5 minutes EASY<br />
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Informational Links:<br />
http://www.pedometer.com/Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-60338800444464908752013-04-10T10:27:00.003-07:002013-04-10T10:27:34.185-07:00Heart Rate Training<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
What Is Heart Rate Training:<br />
Heart Rate Training is exercising on different levels of intensity that are bassed on your average heart rate beets per minute. <br />
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What you need:<br />
You are going to need a way to measure your heart rate. Major companies sell heart rate monitor watches that come with a strap that is worn on your chest that will give you a measure of you heart rate beets per minute.<br />
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Basic Workout:<br />
Run one minute HARD (70% MAX HR), Run one minute EASY (50% MAX HR - or whatever feels easy). Repeat 3 times.<br />
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Informational Links:<br />
Calculate Your Training Heart Rate Zones: http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/Calculate_your_training_heart_rate_zones<br />
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<br />Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536580072086734441.post-16939933044626816412013-02-24T08:28:00.000-08:002013-02-24T08:55:45.610-08:00Winter Solstice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been over three months since I blogged last, and again there has been some major changes in my life, but at the same time nothing has changed. It has been below 30 degrees with some snow on the ground for almost three months straight now in Toledo. Training has been going up and up with the increase of volume and the continues strength routines I finally feel like I'm officially back.<br />
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I'm currently enrolled at a local community college taking classes towards my exercise science degree. I finally am in an environment that is healthy both academically and athletically.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyux0swR6158iSUpTa6VQrBLq33r-QaEIxPF3qnDUuQ73bTTjDIEdSgZQMYNTrDfwDM7tPj1Ml4Bd3C_q1gfVoRY7Y07CLpPYq_PSXchyphenhyphenTHRI172CpA67ceKTOaaFiGobMVt_sKV5tmUc/s1600/owenscolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyux0swR6158iSUpTa6VQrBLq33r-QaEIxPF3qnDUuQ73bTTjDIEdSgZQMYNTrDfwDM7tPj1Ml4Bd3C_q1gfVoRY7Y07CLpPYq_PSXchyphenhyphenTHRI172CpA67ceKTOaaFiGobMVt_sKV5tmUc/s320/owenscolor.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
April 28th will be my first race since I dropped out of a 5k on August 31st, 2012 at Bowling Green. I've got two months and three days to get in as much volume and aerobic power in before I hit the pavement for 13.1 miles. <br />
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That's it for now, I'll leave you with a quote that's been in my head these days when I run...<br />
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"Pray as though everything depended on God, but work as though everything depended on you".Blake Wysockihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696332311719751210noreply@blogger.com1