Monthly Archives: June 2017

June 2017 Mileage

JUNE 12 DAYS 170.4 MILES

May 26 Days 206.4 Miles
April 26 Days 233.4 Miles
March 24 Days 183.8 Miles
February 24 Days 196.6 Miles
January 27 Days 251.8 Miles

Total 2017 139 Days 1242.4 Miles

Training June 24th – 30th

This week 34.4 Miles, 7 hours 2 minutes 4 seconds, Pace average 12:16.  4148 calories

Saturday June 24th – Visiting Family

Sunday June 25th – 8 miles in 1:37:46 Pace average 12:13.

Monday June 26th – 4.8 miles in 59:05 pace average 12:19. 4 sets of 6 chin-ups.

Tuesday June 27th – 4.8 miles in 58:21 pace average 12:09. 5 sets of 65 push-ups, 15 minutes of Planks

Wednesday June 28th – 12.0 Miles in 2:28:26 pace average 12:22. 3 sets of 20 squats.

Thursday June 29th – 4.8 miles in 58:26 pace average 12:10. 4 sets of 6 chin-ups. 3 rounds boxing the heavy bag.

Friday June 30th – Date night with my Wife!

I am happiest when I am in my regular workout regiment. It is going to take me a few weeks to get back into form and increase distance. No reason to push it. July to get up to speed. August to train. September to polish. October Race. Perfect.

Training June 17th – 23rd

This week 17.6 Miles, 3 hours 30 minutes  24 seconds. Pace average 11.58.  2234 calories

Saturday June 17th – 4.8 miles in 57:12 pace average 11:55.  5 sets of 65 push-ups, 15 minutes of Planks

Sunday June 18th – 8 miles in 1:35:54 pace average 11:59.  3 sets of 20 squats.

Monday June 19th – 4.8 miles in 57:17 pace average 11:56. 4 sets of 6 chin-ups. 3 rounds boxing the heavy bag.

Tuesday June 20th – Visiting Family

Wednesday June 21st – Visiting Family

Thursday June 22nd – Visiting Family

Friday June 23rd – Visiting Family

I have been in a fog since my race in The Netherlands. I did this same thing after my race in Africa. I was mentally tired. I have plenty of time to prepare for my next race. Just over 15 weeks. I have to be mentally ready also. My recovery is now complete. I am re energized. All systems are go. Now I am ready to train. About to push that BIG button below.

 

Training June 10th – 16th

This week 14.4 Miles, 2 hours 54 minutes 49 seconds, Pace average 12:09.  1750 calories

Saturday June 10th – Day Off

Sunday June 11th – Day Off

Monday June 12th – Day Off

Tuesday June 13th – 4.8 miles in 58:31 pace average 12:12.  5 sets of 65 push-ups, 15 minutes of Planks

Wednesday June 14th – 4.8 Miles in 58:51 pace average 12:16.  3 sets of 20 squats.

Thursday June 15th – 4.8 miles in 57:26 pace average 11:58. 4 sets of 6 chin-ups.

Friday June 16th – Date night with my Wife!

Back to work this week. One more easy week coming up. Then 15 weeks of real training to prepare for New Zealand. It is summer time here now. The good thing about training for three months of Summer is, That first cool fall race you get a nice boost. A boost in New Zealand would suit me to a tee.

 

The Final Goal

My quest to join every Centurion Club in the World is winding down. Only New Zealand stands between me the finish line. While New Zealand is last on my list, New Zealand has NOT been last on my mind. I wanted to try New Zealand in 2015 after my successful United States Centurion Qualifier. I just could not wrap my mind around the idea of international travel for a race. My how times have changed. Now I want to travel around the world and race EVERY Centurion Qualifier. When I can’t make a race I feel disappointed. I have signed up for the 20th Sri Chinmoy 24 hour track Race in Auckland this October.  Just over 17 weeks away. A couple of weeks to catch my breath. Start training on the track near home. I am already excited.

The quest to Walk 100 miles in 24 Hours in New Zealand!

Going to be Fun!

Training June 3rd – 9th

This week 104.0 Miles  23 hours 56 minutes 49 seconds. Pace average 13:49.  12326 calories 

Saturday June 3rd – Noon start of the Continental Centurion Qualifier

Sunday June 4th – 104 Miles in 23:56:49

Monday June 5th – Day Off in Amsterdam. Canal cruise Dinner.

Tuesday June 6th – Travel Day back to the United States

Wednesday June 7th – Day Off

Thursday June 8th – Day Off

Friday June 9th – Dinner to finish Date WEEK with my Wife!

Wow what a Race in The Netherlands. Took the rest of the week off. By Thursday all my foot blisters were drying out nicely. Except for blisters, ankle and foot bruising nothing else sore or hurt. Enjoying my down time and some ice cream. Starting to miss my walking and training regiment.

2017 Continental Centurion Qualifier

June 3rd – 4th The OLAT 28th International Walking Event in Weert, Netherlands. I can’t start to describe how excited I was to race in The Netherlands. The Dutch Centurions and Dutch people in support of the races I have met, all over the World, has been VERY positive. It is not just  walking events for the Dutch. It is a way of Life. Healthy people with a healthy way of life.

How many Centurions will come to a Qualifier in the Netherlands? A Bunch. Sandra Brown, Antoine Hunting, Sandra de Graaff, Bertus van Ginkel. Frans Leijtens, Frank van der Gulik, Jauntinus Meints, Jack Bertrums, Jimmy Millard, Marco Bloemerts, Gino Masto, Boetje Huliselan, Chris van Cauwenberghe, Bert Timmermans, Wim van Cappelle, Guido Vermeir, Peter Asselman, Ilona Klinkendon, Mathijs Timmermans, Gertrude Achterberg, Arie Kandelarrs, David Vandercoilden, Jannie Bos, Appie Bos, Con Bollmann,  Arie Pieter Klootwijk, Martin Vos, Hans de Vries, Hanny Klumpkens, Wilma Driessen, Dwight Kluijver, Vincent Yeung, Daniel Lhoest, Anne van Andel, Remy van den Brand, Jenny Bergs, Hans Pranger, Eric Geudens, Dirk-jan Nieuwenhuizen, Ernie Dorré, Dwight Kluijver, Jos Wyngaert,  Adrie Ros,  Gerrit de Jong, Fred Rohner and Ap van Gelderen.   I know I have left several out. I will add their names as I remember. I was overwhelmed by the number of Centurions present to say the least.

I had the pleasure to meet Centurion David Vandercoilden the day before the race. Him French. Me American. Our being centurion brothers we had a bond even if all the words did not. David would try to earn a Honderdman Pin. 100 km in under 11 hour and 30 minutes. Before I watched David I thought that would be a worthy goal to try for me. After watching David earn that pin. I can forget about that for me. I have never seen anything like it. Congratulations David.

This years race was on a different Two mile loop road course in Weert that incorporated part of a 400 meter track. My favorite Centurion layout is the two mile loop. Makes it Very easy to track your splits. The drink and food tables right on the track for easy access. Early in the race a second water table was set up at mile one. This was a very well supported race. Thanks to everyone that kept me fed and hydrated.

The weather was warmer than I would have guessed this far north. Seems I brought rain with me also. About 75 for the high. 55 over night. The night up here in June is only about five hours. Good thing it is short. It rained for most of the night.

Every one walked out to the start line. Introductions and rules were all given in Dutch. It is so sad that I only speak English. Most Europeans speak two to five languages. This worked for me because I was going to follow everyone anyway. I did have several barriers as a result. Once I asked for a ham sandwich. When I got to the pick up table. Everyone was looking at each other. What is a ham sandwich? About 600 meters of each lap of the race was on the rubberized sports track. Two thirds of the rest on well groomed asphalt. One third on cement paving stone.  During the first hour something was wrong. I was mentally and physically prepared. For some reason I did not feel right but was walking well. Then the top of both feet started to hurt. This spread to my right hip. Then both knees. Three demons rearing their ugly heads. I just walked thru the pain. Not to be deterred two more demons showed up. The paving stones hurt the bottom of my feet. Then the most evil of them all my digestive track was not happy. All of this in the first six hours. Was I going to have to be a Centurion and an exorcist? I stayed mentally strong and walked thru the pain. Finding some relief by eating different foods. Only to have each demon return many times later. Then came the overnight rain. Not heavy rain. Just a cool rain after a hot day and warm night. The next demon, wet socks. This one brought his ugly brother foot blisters. By stopping, changing socks, patching at mile 76 I was able to get another 14 miles. My sweet wife earned her pay this weekend. I needed a lot of help. Food, feet and encouragement. I kept her running, she got a blister. Thanks Bren. By mile 90 both feet were  blistered. Toes and fore foot pads. Those uneven paving stones. With only 10 miles to go I just gritted my teeth and kept going.

After my first Centurion in 2015. I thought the more races I did the easier it would become. It has mentally. Physically these races are never easy. A hundred things can go wrong. At this race for me they all went wrong. Over and over again. I never felt like I would not be able to finish. Mentally I was above all of it. It all boils down to one simple question. How bad do you want it?

65 racers started the 24 hour. 24 made it to the 100 mile mark. 11 New Continental Centurions including Gertrude Achterberg and myself. Nine first time Centurions. Rene Wakkee, Paul Jansen, Ignace Matthys, Corina Riezebos, Peter Duijst, Dick Stoevelaar, Wilko Koster, Arjan Lukken and Larissa Droogendijk. I finished with 22 hours 55 minutes 52 seconds. I stayed out and walked another 4 miles with a Friend for His first Centurion. I Became Continental Centurion C454.

 

 

Yea the finish.

My wife Brenda in support watching for me.

Photo by Jannie Bos

This race transcended into something else. What it turned into was the highlight of the weekend for me. With six laps to go I caught up with Centurion Sandra De Graaff. She was walking with Arjan Lukken. After visiting with Sandra I found out Arjan needed eight laps. A quick look at my watch told the story. Arjan was going to be very close to the cut off. Sandra was committed to helping him make it. She could only pace him every other lap. I told them I would stay with Arjan to the finish. When Arjan hit 92 miles he had just over two hour to go. After walking 92 miles needing 8 miles sounds easy but our minds don’t work that way.  In a Centurion race what 8 miles means is, on tired legs, mentally drained,  you need two more hours of all out effort. Arjan said he couldn’t do it. Sandra and I convince him other wise. All he needed was four laps with no more than 30 minutes per lap. Sandra would pace a lap. I would call out split times at the mile and two mile marks. Then he only had me calling out times for a lap. Helping Arjan took all my attention off my own pain. Sandra wanted to know what would happen when I hit 100 miles two laps before Arjan. I reassured both of them I was with Arjan to the end. My own 100 miles plus four extra miles. We stayed just under our splits. Like all Centurion attempts late in the race Arjan had to reach deep down inside. Watching Arjan cross the line as a Centurion was more emotional for me than my own crossing earlier. The highlight of my weekend.

Sandra, Arjan and I. The Dutch Train.

 Photo by Jannie Bos

Training May 27th – June 2nd

This week 27.2 Miles, 5 hours 21 minutes 24 seconds, Pace average  11:49.  3484 calories

Saturday May 27th – 4.8 Miles in 57:17 pace average 11:57.  5 sets of 75 push-ups. 21 minutes of Planks.

Sunday May 28th – 8.0 Miles in 1:32:52 pace average 11:37.  3 sets of 30 squats.

Monday May 29th – 4.8 Miles in 56:02 pace average 11:40. 4 sets of 8 chin-ups, 3 rounds boxing the heavy bag.

Tuesday May 30th – 4.8 Miles in 57:25 pace average 11:58.

Wednesday May 31st – 4.8 Miles in 57:45 pace average 12:02. Early walk before going to the airport.

Thursday June 1st – Day off in Amsterdam.

Friday June 2nd – Train ride to Weert, Netherlands

Can’t believe we are in the Netherlands. Like I have said before. I planned this trip seven months ago. Now I am here. Where did the last seven months go? The only thing any of us can control of any race is “our training”. We can’t  control time. Can’t control the weather. Can’t control a fussy sports watch. All we can control is the training. Set yourself up in the best possible position for success. Don’t let the things you can’t control influence your race. Train hard. Trust your training. Have a successful race.