TargeTraining Runners Sweep Top Spots at BB 15K

“That was more difficult than any half marathon,” proclaimed Ric Nadel upon billy-goating up the final ascent at the finish, Sunday, of the Boston Buildup 15K. 

Pound for pound the 15K is regarded as the most difficult of the Boston Buildup's 4 races, a truism discovered by Brad Hardy somewhere on the rolling and slightly muddy dirt roads of Ridgefield.  “Most of the race seems like it’s uphill because the downhills are too steep to  relax and recover on,” said Hardy.  He was relatively pleased with his 7:47 per mile pace over the 9.3 mile out and back course, which treats runners to an excellent view of everyone behind and in front of them.

Running coach Timothy Milenkevich did not experience the latter, as he controlled a 3 minute lead at the turnaround, then extended it to a victory margin of 5:19.  It was a personal best for Timothy by nearly a minute, and his first time winning over the distance in 8 tries.  His time on Sunday, and performance 2 weeks ago in the 10K, all but seals his position as #1 for the 2013 Boston Buildup Winter Series.

Similarly, Tri-Team member, and winner of the 2012 TargeTraining Sherwood Island Triathlon, Florence Chretien steamrolled to the winner’s circle by 47 seconds.

Stalwart TargeTraining performances included Leadville 100 finisher Blake Benke dropping down in distance to finish 4th overall.  

Christine Vincent notched a 2nd place age-group finish, and echoed Mr. Nadel’s sentiments regarding the severity of the course.  “The whole thing is uphill,” she exhaustively grinned at the end.

Aili DiBonaventura concurred with her teammate Christine as they sat around a table discussing the race afterward.  Aili’s 8:05 pace was good enough for 3rd in her age-group, and marks steady progress in her preparations for the Boston Marathon.

Roger Harper clocked a steady 7:20 pace, returning to the form that saw him compete in the 2011 Duathlon World Championships.

Max Veiga rolled in at 7:05 pace, continuing his winter campaign of run fitness.

The Boston Buildup continues February 10th with the 20K in Fairfield.

Meet Master Mechanic Doug "Bones" Vail

In 1975 Bones moved to the Motorsports field working as a suspension tech for legendary Husqvarna Motorcycles of Sweden.  There he contributed to the development of the first upside down motocross fork in 1978, nearly 10 years before the design was introduced by the major manufactures.  Bones went on to work for AMF Harley Davidson in an R&D capacity developing an automatic motorcycle transmission.  In 1979 Bones helped build a motorcycle for Michael Baldwin (5X National Champion) that was used for Wide World of Sports Super Bikers competition. 

At that point Bones was an active motocross racer and got involved in bicycle racing for fitness. Bones has worked for top bike shops in the region since the mid 1980’s including New Haven Bike, Jack’s Cycle, Suburban Cycle, Class Cycle and was a partner at Cycles Atomic. 

When Bones is not wrenching he enjoys bike racing as a Masters Cat 3, racing motocross and skiing XC in the winter.  We are excited to have Bones join our staff and look forward to utilizing his many years of experience. 

Take advantage of Bones' expertise with our "Complete Overhaul" bike repair special at $200 (normally $300).  Special pricing ends January 31st, 2013.  Schedule an appointment by calling 203-227-6177.

TARGETRAINING Runners Storm to Personal Bests at 2013 Boston Buildup 10K

Sunday, on a clear but raw winter morning, a handful of TARGETRAINING athletes took to the roads at the first race in the 35th Boston Buildup Winter Series.  The annual competition features 4 races of increasing distance at various locations in Fairfield County throughout the winter months.  The Boston Buildup is renowned in Connecticut running circles for inclement weather, difficult courses, and quality competition of serious runners looking to get strong for April's Boston Marathon.  Starting at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, the 10K descends to the shoreline in the first half of the race before rising up a series of hills that culminate with a 600 meter 5% climb during the final mile.

Without a doubt, every runner experiences a measure of despair upon viewing the long slope up Flax Mill Hill so late in the race, including TargeTraining's Aili DiBonaventura who admitted slowing significantly on the hill's final up-tick.  You'd never know it from her result, Aili finished in 49:20 for 3rd in her age group.  When asked later about her result Aili couldn't recall running a faster 10K in about 20 years.

Bracketing Aili's finish was Target's Bruce Turner who dashed to a 49:08, and Kim Driscoll finishing an outstanding 4th of 30 in her age group.

Brad Hardy, returning from injury, improved on his 2012 time over the course by 1:14, and likewise Carolyne Hynes, preparing for the London Marathon in April, knocked 1:13 off her previous year's time.

Stellar race preparation and speed training yielded a 6:58 mile pace for Christine Vincent, which amounted to a 4 minute 10K Personal Best, and 5th place age group finish.

Yet, as often, the stars of the race were TT Coaches Eneas Freyre and Timothy Milenkevich.  Beginning in the first mile, they opened a massive lead over the field of 400 runners and ran stride for stride for six kilometers before Timothy began pushing on alone.  The race proved to be one of Tim's finest, as he crossed the line in 33:10, obliterating 39 seconds from his 10K personal best.  Consequently, winning the Boston Buildup 10K has become a triennial tradition for Timothy, having also won in 2007 and 2010. Following moments later, Eneas cruised in at a smooth 5:28 per mile clip, an astonishing 2:14 over the third place runner.  Eneas' final time marked a 1:19 improvement from his 2011 Buildup time, when he stood on top of the podium for the entire series.

Congratulations to all of TT's runners!  Here's to success in 2013!

Set Attainable Goals for Exercise - MinuteMan News Article

Coaches Eneas and Timothy share their thoughts on New Year resolutions and setting attainable fitness goals in this article from the Minuteman News.

TT Member Rabbi Daniel Price had a nice follow up to this article that we wanted to share with everyone:

As I left Targetraining I was thinking about some of the things fitness really brings and I thought about many of the different people we know at TT. And it led me to thinking about some of the more subtle yet for me the most beneficial aspects of our fitness work.

I have seen many people come to TT for many reasons... general health, life transitions (including me), competition, socializing, etc. But the thing that I notice is how excited I get when I see people grow through the process... both male and female. 

For some it is just getting their overweight bodies back into shape for others it may making their way through life transitions like divorce or a death of a spouse or family member. For some who may or may not even fall into the aforementioned categories, it is really an awakening, a finding of their inner selves and their inner strength...their ability to persevere even when they don't want to go on, finding self confidence and a new self awareness, and for some even learning to like themselves. It is often hard to see these transitions in ourselves but it is often very easy to spot it in others. I know when I do see these changes in others I get very excited for them. We all work very hard and we are all trying in our own ways to achieve something from our fitness, so it makes it that much more exciting because one can understand through ones own experience how hard others have been working. And perhaps unlike other venues, when someone pays you a compliment it doesn't necessarily mean they have deeper motives... it often means they just really appreciate the work that they see you have done and the great results.

So I think this is an aspect of training that is not always foremost in peoples mind, but to me it is very real... And that is the ability to celebrate not only your own accomplishments, but perhaps even more so, the growth and accomplishments you see in others.

Announcing In-House Physical Therapy at TT

TARGETRAINING would like to announce the latest addition to TT’s services: in-house Physical Therapy. 

Abigail Smith, Doctor of Physical Therapy, is joining the team of TARGETRAINING staff to provide you with one-stop training and rehabilitation - keeping you on target with your training goals.

Dr. Abigail Smith specializes in treating endurance athletes, from the beginner to the elite athlete. She is able to take her own experience as an endurance athlete, combined with her extensive clinical expertise, to offer patients knowledgeable and effective care. 

Dr. Abigail Smith understands your needs as an endurance athlete and will work with you and your coach/trainer in order to provide you with the highest quality of care.  From consulting with bike mechanics on your individual bike fit to offering informative injury prevention lectures for members, Dr. Abigail Smith will play an integral role in keeping you healthy and training safely according to your specific needs.

Why Physical Therapy at TARGETRAINING?

Specialized care and convenience: we take your training seriously.  We are aware of the time it takes to log those miles you need to reach your goals and want to ensure that you are able to stay on target.  Having Dr. Abigail Smith in-house, you will receive specialized care to fulfill all your training and physical therapy needs in one convenient location. 

Having an in-house Physical Therapist available for direct access to all clients means no waiting to get into your physician, nor waiting for a diagnosis or treatment plan of care, as Dr. Abigail Smith is available directly to you. Physical Therapists are skilled clinicians able to give diagnosis and treatment patients without a referral or prescription.

Dr. Smith has had an array of experience with treatment right on the side lines of major endurance events such as the NYC marathon and other various triathlons. She is also certified in many techniques such as joint manipulation to instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation such as the Graston technique. Forward Motion Physical Therapy at TARGETRAINING will have the latest electrical modalities in rehabilitative sport medicine care on-site for tissue healing and repair, including low level lasers.

Clients will soon be able to make appointments with Dr. Abigail Smith via our website, but for now, please contact Eneas for pricing options and to schedule an appointment. So if you’re in pain, aching, sore, and compensating or maybe your bike or shoes just don’t feel right, please see Dr. Abigail Smith to ensure you are training safely and correctly.