PRs:
400: 53
800: 1:57
1500: 4:04
3k: 8:37
5k: 15:08
8k: 25:45
10k: 32:07
15k: 49:54
Half marathon: 1:09:09
Marathon: 2:33
Sub-15:
There are two central theses to sub15minutes.com 1) You don't need a specific training plan to run PRs. What you need is to consistently run fast workouts and to believe that those workouts will make you better. 2) Teammates, friends, and training partners largely define one's running potential (through motivation, criticism, and helpful feedback). Keeping this principle in mind, I'll share a little about my running career by telling you about the people who have shared in the journey.
High School:
I have a handful of colorful coaches and teammates to thank for a memorable high school career. First and foremost is my father, who gave up his state ranked varsity team to coach my modified team when our school threatened to cut the program. He taught me to "never look back" and "if you can't beat 'em, cheat 'em". My HS coach, Raff, taught me more about life then running. It took me some years to realize the life lessons were more valuable. Tommy Bradway helped make me part of the "best one-two punch in the MHAL". More importantly he taught me how to be cool. These encounters amounted to a handful of league/sectonal titles in XC and track (3200 & 1600), with 17th and 5th place performances at the state meet in 2000-2001.
College
I spent 2 years at Central Connecticut State and 2 years at Marist.
CCSU: Tim Longacre introduced me to high mileage and taught me much of what I know about training. Matt Kalinski helped me believe that running is more about how hard you work than how much talent you have. Mat Cote provided synergy and Zak Tembi taught me how to rap. I also learned how to run the steeple (9:39).
Marist: Pete Colaizzo taught me to train within myself (perhaps the hardest lesson for a college runner to learn). Sean Hopkins and Geoff Decker let me live in their closet when no one else would take me in. You may notice that a generous portion of our blog workouts are submitted by Marist runners. They are my extended family. Most of my PRs were at Marist and I have all my teammates to thank for helping along the way.
Med School:
Kirk Dornton was instrumental in helping me continue my post-collegiate running career, creating imaginative workouts such as "Vanny-Sim". During med school I've managed to train consistently, running PR's from 15k up to the marathon. My wife, Christine, has been my most valuable training partner and supporter through it all. As I graduate in May and move on to residency an even more daunting schedule looms. I would like to break 15:00 before 60 hour work weeks become 80 hour work weeks (and I turn 30).
Thanks
I have to thank 3 sets of people for helping with this project:
1) My family, who has always supported my addiction to running.
2) Sam, for agreeing to accompany me on this crazy journey.
3) Friends and blog viewers, without whose participation we would have no workouts to run.
Thanks for reading/watching.
-S
