(12/4-12/10): Tracksters Open Up at Monmouth; GSTC Awards Night Announced

GSTC Opens Indoor Track Season

Garcia Wins 600m to Lead Sprinters at Monmouth Invite

West Long Branch--Ricky Garcia, a 400m man converted half miler coming off his first cross country season this fall, ran away with the 600m race Saturday in 1:24.24 at the Monmouth Invitational yesterday-- a full two seconds ahead of runner-up Chris Rutherford from Monmouth (1:26.21).  See Garcia explode in the final 150m here.   The GSTC half mile crew had a field day yesterday, indeed.  In the 600m second heat, Tyler Foss ran a strategically perfect race, dominating it in 1:26.30--which was third overall (see it here).  Jaris Rousseau was fifth overall in 1:26.95, paying the heavy price for an opening 400m of 53.8.  Mark Parisen, who once again got stuck in the back of his race, finished 7th overall in 1:27.58.  

Tony Harris, in his final tune-up for club nats next weekend, closed in 30 but finished 2nd in the 3,000m at 8:45.57--losing to 4:06 Monmouth miler Ford Palmer.  Zak Martins also had a huge day in the mile, running 4:34.18--a nine second PR.  All results are here.

In the rarely run 300m, the Black and Gold put six athletes in the top eleven.  These were Mike Brito (36.92), Samuel Julius (37.24/GSTC debut), Kaseem Jackson (37.29), Amr Gharseldin (37.67/GSTC debut), Joseph Lafleur (37.67/GSTC debut), and Jason Romsak (37.76/GSTC debut).

Forty minutes later, the Gold grabbed a disappointing 2nd in the 4x400 relay.  Mired with a slow lead-off from Garcia (52.73), the team played catch up for the final three legs.  Brito (52.10) inched them closer, Lafleur (52.06) handed off just two steps behind, and Harris (50.22) fought hard to close the remaining gap, but ultimately settled for silver (3:27.31).  The b team ran 3:38.15 but got DQ'ed (grrr....wtf!!), while the C team (3:38.68), D team (3:44.22), and E team (3:55.20) all got in some serious rust-busting work.  See the second heat here.

BIG CHILL: Register ASAP

Our final team race is this Saturday: Rutgers' BIG CHILL!  Register here http://bigchill.rutgers.edu/Registration.html, and be sure to sign up as a team member of the GSTC!

Here's the plan: team meeting inside gym annex at 8:00am.  Look for the group in one of the corners.  Drop your bag, do a team warm up, and enjoy!

Rutgers Fall Ending Party

Heck yeah! December 17th, Mike's Courtside from 6:00pm-8:00pm.  The Rutgers crew is gonna celebrate an awesome fall with free food, drinks (water, of course), and awards.  Clear aside your schedule!!

Save the Dates

Friday, January 25: GSTC Banquet/Awards Night & Fund Raiser @ Road Runner Sports (North Brunswick)

Sunday, February 3: Super Sunday Four Miler (our friend Heather is the race director @ Morristown!)

Sunday, February 24: Road Relays III (you better get your partner soon!!!  www.roadrelays.org)

Big Week for the TMA

Okay, so first Mike Anis and Tim Morgan show up at the wrong place for today's long run--ehhh, par for the course.  Then Mennitt's phone dies, hence his alarm doesn't go off, so he misses the long run as well--ehhh, par for the course.  Somehow our *****ing 4x400 B-Team manages a way to run poorly AND get disqualified.  And then, we are told Morgan is picking up unopened prophylactics off the streets of NYC, and sees this as a "sign of a good night" (see quote of the week below).

BUT, this week's TMA Winner is actually from.....the women's team.  Yes, a sign of the apocalypse, indeed.    Regardless, Liz Bissel goes out to eat with some of here GSTC teammates Saturday night.  Once done, she returns to car to realize....she left her lights on and, low and behold, her car now doesn't start.  Sonofa! If only we had some footage of her using Chelsea Callan's car for a jump.  Next time, Chelsea, YOU will also get a nomination for not providing key footage!

Quotes of the Week

"I plan to apply for your membership....I am 62 years old. I won 100M dash silver medal for 2011 NJ Senior Olympic Games."  -Jia P.Mei, via email, in introductory email on Wednesday.  

"Your team's reputation is a primary reason I think she needs to be attached to the club....I enjoy being a part of a team and will do whatever I can to spread the good name of the Garden State Track Club"  -Jonathan Hill, West Point jumps coach, via email regarding his athlete joining the GSTC

"i recruit good runners. you're supposed to be the people person to hold onto them."  -Jeff Perrella, via email, in response to an email that points out of his "gstc recruits" is racing for another team at club nationals next weekend.

"Amazing what some real training can do! Owe a ton to the club for getting me over that hump."  -TJ Zablocki, two weeks ago via FB message, regarding his HUGE personal best at Philly this month

"Not only am I parked three cars away, but I found this on the ground (note: holding an unopened condom).  Tonight is going to be a good night."  -Tim Morgan, to Jeff Perrella, in NYC Saturday night

"Me too...gun goes off and natural instincts kick in.  It's built inside me and I love it. Just like other guys on the team.  It's going to be a good year dude." -Mike Brito, via text, night before first meet

"I just can't take this.  I miss running so much.  And everyone KILLED it on Thanksgiving...I wanted to be there, killing it too, so badly."  -masters runner Kenny Huryk, Friday discussion, as he rehabs an injury

"What's the workout today, coach?  I just need to know if it's gonna be a two-bagger or three-bagger tonight."  -Perryn Lord, text before practice, referring to his post-workout ice-bag ritual 

"I am writing to you with interest in your track club in the Masters age group...I would be looking to compete in the 400 and 4x4."  -Wally Hernandez, via email (editor's note: two masters sprinters in one week...awesome)

Team Runs

Tuesday- 6:00 @ Rutgers Student Center

Thursday- 5:30 @ Rutgers Student Center

Saturday- 9:00am BIG CHILL RACE

This Week in Training

Here we go!  Nothing major to get done this week - the fitness is there.  For months, we've been paying out, paying out, paying out.  

It's time to collect.

Monday - comfortable run and strides - about 75% of your usual Monday run

Tuesday - 5k runners, go 8x400 at race pace, starting a new rep every 2:30.  If your intervals are longer than 80 seconds, start them every 3 minutes.  You want to have slightly longer recovery than rep.  10k runners, go 3x600 at 5k pace, 4x400 at 3k pace, 4x200 at mile pace.  Take equal or longer recovery - your call.  Just get the legs rolling.  Feel fast!

Wednesday - similar run to Monday but get a few 1:00-1:30 pickups in there at race pace.

Thursday - super easy 40-60 mins

Friday - shakeout.  

Saturday - RACE!  GSTC!

Eat, sleep, hydrate properly and on a regular schedule!  You are ready.