Patient Persistent Preparation Pays (say that 3 times fast!)

This post serves a couple of purposes. First and foremost, it’s to congratulate my longtime friend/training partner, David Angell (who also happens to be one of the few readers of this blog), on a fine spring racing season. After struggling for much of the last couple years, Dave really put it together this spring, running as fast as 15:31 for 5k (a near PR) and collecting several wins in the process. He capped the season with an easy win at the Festival 5k this past Saturday in 15:53. This was made all the more impressive by the fact that he was hanging on for the last couple weeks, battling foot and hamstring problems. I think we were all a little concerned that he might snap something while racing this past Saturday, but he not only survived but looked good in the process. Time for a well-deserved break!

Dave’s story gives me some hope. I remember last August when he ran a 5k on a flat, fast course in Lynchburg in just under 16:40. I can’t remember if he said he almost threw up after that race or just felt like he was going to, but regardless it was ugly. He followed that up with a mid-28 min five miler a month or so later, after which I received an e-mail stating that he wasn’t so much worried about the time as the way it felt – all out! However, within a few more weeks, things were starting to turn around, and from there things obviously took off. I guess it goes to show that if you can string together some consistent training it will eventually pay off. I need to be sure to keep that in mind while I struggle over the next few months trying to get fit again.

The final point I’ll make is that in spite of all the compliments I’ve paid him so far, David Angell is a loser. Why, you ask? Well, the only reason he runs is to get fast times. What kind of reason is that? According to the Roanoke Times article about the race this past weekend, he was pretty much the only runner that wasn’t there for a “cause.” I guess that’s why they just threw in a few words about him at the end and left it at that. I told him he needed to go out and find some sick kids or something to run for. After all, just training to run fast is such a selfish, pointless endeavor – ha, ha.

Anyway, good job, Dave! Hope we can do some training and racing together this summer/fall, just like the old days. Until then, get some rest, heal up, and for goodness sakes, find something worthwhile to run for!