Here is my best run up the Auto Road in the Sentra… 7:32! This was done during the Saturday practice run in 2000. The next day I won the class!!
This car was about 2500 lbs and 130 hp and as you will hear the stock transmission…
This year the car will have a 2 liter super charged 300+hp motor with a close ratio dog engagement gear box….. That with an extra mile of pavement should make for a VERY fast run up the hill…..
It’s funny how “most” folks I meet that run, just run. Over the years I have run but I also have done functional strength, track work outs etc, all to improve my running.
I guess you could call me an average runner. I have been lucky enough to qualify and run the Boston Marathon and have posted a few strong sub 5 hour half Ironman races. Yesterday’s visit to the Pursuit Athletic Performance Gait Lab opened a whole new world for improvement in my running.
I really enjoy finding weaknesses within myself!!! There is always room for improvement, and the opportunity to go faster and stay injury free!! The Gait Lab provides both. So as my title says, “If you are a runner a visit to Pursuit Athletic Performance is a must!!!!”
This is where some of it happens 🙂
First Kurt Strecker, DC, CCSP gives a full-body biomechanical assessment of joint and muscle flexibility / strength (I had a lot of issues here 🙂 )
Then a Functional Movement Screen (I did a little better here)
Hip thrust is my new mantra, lucky Sas 😉
And finally… running. Video analysis from multiple angles at various speeds
All clients will receive their video footage with analysis and recommendations for a stretching and strengthening program to increase flexibility and strength in specific areas of need.
A very informative consultation follows and now the real work begins. I am lucky to get this in so early in the season. My run up Mt Washington is in June, I will be stronger and faster!!!!
Stay tuned for more…..
After a fun weekend up north, my plan was to get together with Coach Al for our weekly Bluff mtb ride. However with 24+ inches of fresh snow and 15 degree weather I decided not to drive an hour each way to see how the riding was. Al did go and got in a tough snow ride (crazy man!)
I decided later in the day after it warmed up to 18 degrees to break in the new Nokin studded tires Lee hooked me up with at Central Wheel. They say to ride on the road for a bit to allow the tires to heat cycle for the studs to have the best life. So all suited up out I went. Adding 8 speeds to the single speed was the best thing I could have done to the 29er for winter riding. I enjoyed a nice and hard 1.5 hour ride on the roads around Marlborough and Hebron. A good workout on the 29er with the 2.1 studded tires!! I did feel the work I had done on Saturday with my attempt to skate ski!!
No this is not about Coach Al riding in the snow :-)… and yes this is really not about training, but it is about Mt Washington Auto Road!
This past weekend Sas and I headed north to enjoy a Bed and Breakfast wedding gift. While we were up in NH we decided to spend the day at the Auto Road. I am been there many time over the years but never in winter.
After reconnecting with some old friends Sas got her first ride on the Auto Road. Of course you could not see the road!!! It was covered in snow! Our Stage Driver Richard was an old friend who has been driving the hill for many many years. We had blue bird skies and a great tour just above tree line.
It was an amazing day!!
After some lunch it was time to try out the skate skis! I decided to try the rental gear that was part of the nice “Trails Total Ticket” which included the Snow Coach ride access to all the trails and rental equipment. Skating was tough but fun!! Trouble is there is no way I am skating up the Auto Road for 2200′! So looks like we are back to classic style for the race. As suggested I will also be taking a skate ski lesson or two in the future :-). Sas was able to get out and enjoy some snow shoeing.
I really enjoy being up in the Mt Washington Valley! I have been going up there since the early 90’s. It is always great to see the same faces at the road. I am really looking forward to spending a lot of time on the hill this year.
Another great weekend in my life!!!
The 2011 Mt. Washington Hillclimb cannot happen without the help of a dedicated group of volunteers.
If you’d like to help us with the 2011 Mt. Washington Hillclimb and serve as one of our amazing Volunteers, please send an E-mail to Paul Giblin at paul@vtcar.com to let us know which position(s) you’d be interested in and when you’ll be available. You can also give Paul a call at (802) 861-2277. For most positions, experience is not required.
Benefits to Mt. Washington Hillclimb Volunteers will include a free lunch each day you serve as a Volunteer, two (2) free event T-shirts, a collectible “Climb to the Clouds” pin and a few other goodies – not to mention that you’ll be part of the Team!
Volunteer opportunities for the upcoming 2011 Mt. Washington Hillclimb include the following positions:
Media Assistants
http://www.climbtotheclouds.com/competitors/entry-application/
The long awaiting applications are up. After reading about the application process, this is going to be a very special event.
I am working on mine now. 🙂
Climb to the Clouds event officials will consider the following criteria to evaluate all submitted Entry Applications. Drivers who meet one or more of the following criteria will be strongly considered. Acceptance of all competitors will be at the sole discretion of Climb to the Clouds officials.
With some nice new snowfall it was time to dust off the x country skis. It has been at least 5 years since I have been on skis 😮 Since the race is coming up quick I figured I needed to get some training in….
Wow, I am really out of ski shape!! I only have cheap traditional skis and boots, turns out skate skiing requires unique skis and boots. Looks like I need to find a ski sponsor!
Anyway Sas and I headed over to Winding Trails in Farmington, CT. While Sas got in some snow shoeing, I headed out on my skis. I started with 10k to see how I felt… my hip flexors were singing!! After meeting up with Sas I ran into some friends and headed back out for a bit more.
Over all I loved being out there!! I cannot imagine 6k of racing before heading up the Auto Road, 4k and 2200′ of climbing…. oh boy!!
It was a early morning ride (8am) but great to be out with great friends on fresh snow fall!
For those of you who love to rack up bike miles, I would not recommend snow mtb riding!!
I have been doing most of my runs on the treadmill, it was great to get outside and run!
