News Archive --2010
Kara Haas Sets Record at Philly Half
Linda Jennings Wins Division
Kara's 1:20:21 gave her 3rd place overall. She was 2nd American, 1st Master, and she set a masters course record.
Linda's 1:31:03 overwhelmed the senior women's divison. She won her 55-59 group by over 9 minutes and the younger 50-54 group by 7 minutes. It was a one-minute PR for Linda.
Cristina Winsor Rules Wakefield 5K
Jay Newton: Another 13 second PR
See results - link at right.
Nicole Parker and GTD
Nicole's 3:52:35 at the Mount Desert Island Marathon on October 17 was an 18-minute PR.
-- Was it Fernando's coaching that made the difference?
-- Was it Nicole's determination and strength that helped her conquer the steep and rolling course?
-- Was it the GTD singlet?
Perhaps it was all three.
Coaching by Fernando is available to all.
GTD singlets are available.
And GTD is USATF-NE club #324.
Highlights and Goals
Last Spring Track
While some ran Yankee Homecoming in Newburyport, others were at the track on July 27.
Here they are.
Amazing Amy Dalton
At the 14th Annual 24 Hour Around the Lake in Wakefield on Friday and Saturday, July 30 and 31, Amy ran 54 miles. She was 15th overall, 5th overall woman, and 3rd in her division.
Amy is a tough GTD runner and has trained with Fernando for a long time.
Linda Ford and friend
Helping Linda celebrate after her 35:50 (2nd master) at the May 30 Run to Remember 5M is Coach Bill Squires.
Linda Jennings 2nd Fastest Senior in US
On June 6th in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Linda Jennings ran 43:02 at the 2010 USA Masters 10 K Championships. Linda's 28 second PR earned her 2nd place in her group -- and ranks her 2nd fastest in the country.
Congratulations Linda!
Track, May 25, 2010
Have you ever thought you've done it all?
No workout can be any different than the one last week, or month, or year. I've done Fernando's workouts since 1992, and the one on May 25th was completely different from any other.
Yet it was perfect.
It was a hot night and many are racing on the upcoming holiday weekend, so what would make sense?
You had to be there to experience how perfect it was. Tough as always, yet rewarding -- physically and mentally.
Here are photos of some who were there.
Elisa, Robyn, Donna
Elisa Colella, Robyn Pringle, and Donna Phaneuf had a great winter training with Fernando for the Boston Marathon.
They followed the plan and then executed it on April 19th, from Hopkinton into Boston.
Congratulations from all of GTD.
Core/Strength Training
Coach Annie Starrett's very popular core/strength training program is available and recommended by Coach Braz.
Go to the core/strength page for more information.
Contact Annie by email or phone -- 978-407-6882.
Track, March 16, 2010
It was a perfect night. Crisp and clear, and we were "down below" in the Cove for this one.
Fernando, Gina Newton, Hank Wilder, Dan Frank
GTD Indoor Program
Tell me about the GTD indoor program . . .
"I loved Annie's class last night. It was great! It's such a relief to have this class. Core work and strength are so important.
This component is just a huge asset to the program. I know it took a lot to get it going
and I just wanted you know that it was worth all the work." [Kara Sotirakopoulos]
"I have to say that Coach Annie's Core Strengthening Class on Wednesday was much more difficult than the 50K race.
Thursday I was in a little pain, but Friday was excruciating pain.
I highly recommend the class, especially for people who want to locate muscles where they did not know they existed.
Basically everything hurt, total body ouch." [Amy Dalton]
Dan Vassallo Wins Philly Marathon
After July surgery followed by punishing track sessions in the fall, Dan Vassallo crushed the field at the Philadelphia Marathon, winning by over two minutes in 2:21:28. Affectionately named "Animal" by his Goon Squad Runners mates, Dan combined training, purpose, and talent to be 1st human in Philadelphia on November 21.
Dan also is the 2nd athlete coached by Fernando Braz to win Philly. The 1st was Seana Carmean on November 23, 2003, who "caught the leader at mile 25 and in front of a wildly cheering crowd outsprinted her in the last 100 yards to win in 2:45:05 and qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials."
Kristin Murray: I am a runner
My name is Kristin Murray. I am 40 years old. I am a wife and mother. I was a competitive swimmer since childhood, and I swam for four years in college. I was never a runner. That has changed. My youngest son Jack has Mitochondrial Disease. It is a chronic, progressive disease for which there is no cure. Mitochondrial Disease can affect any system of the body at any time. When Jack was diagnosed, I was scared, sad, anxious and angry. I started to run. I had never run more than 3 miles consistently. This was in 2006. I was trying to finish a 1/2 marathon in March of that year. In February, a charity organization raising funds for Mitochondrial Disease offered me the opportunity to run Boston. I had never gone farther than 10 miles. I raised thousands of dollars, and finished in well over 5 hours.
I continued to run, mainly as an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication. Running cleared my head. Some of my darkest moments happened during runs, but as I slowly plugged along, it became therapeutic for me. I met my current running partner, Ron DeVoe. He has taught me more about running and attitude than I could ever explain. I once again had the opportunity to raise funds for my son in Boston 2008, which I finished in just under 5 hours.
In July of 2008, at 37 years old, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I decided to have a double mastectomy. My cancer was found early enough that I am "cured". There is no cure for Mitochondrial Disease. My final surgery was in late November 2008. In January 2009, I started running again. I ran the Vermont City Marathon in May, and then continued to the BayState Marathon in October. During this time, I began to feel stronger than I had before. I decided to set some goals. I wanted to break 4 hours in a marathon. Ron introduced me to Fernando.
When I started Fernando's program, my best marathon time was a 4:11. I began training in July. I never missed a workout. Fernando always seemed to be watching. He knew what I could do, I just had to figure it out myself. Ron and I went to Lowell and finished in a 3:56. I had comfortably reached my goal of going under 4 hours! When I started running 4 short years ago, I told myself and everyone else that I would never be one of those people who qualifies for the Boston Marathon. Now I know it's not a matter of if I am going to qualify, it's a matter of when. I was only 5 1/2 minutes off.
I run because I can. I run with Ron because he is an amazing human being. I run under Fernando, because he guides me to succeed and has been beside me every step of the way.
My name is Kristin Murray and I am a runner.
BayState Marathon: Caroline Bjune, Janos Mako, Sarah Prescott, Amy Dalton, Cherie Monahan, and more
Caroline was 1st woman in 2:49:01.
Janos in his 1st marathon in 7 years, ran 3:04:26 to rip 10 minutes off his PR at the age of 50.
Sarah continued her stunning PR year with a 5 minute marathon PR of 3:22:06.
Amy ran a well-trained and perfectly-planned 14-minute PR of 4:18:48.
In her 1st marathon, Cherie's 4:31:59 was 9 minutes faster than her goal, and she sums it up perfectly: "I'd say Fernando's plan works and works well! :)"
More great results from Kelly LeCours, Rich Conrad, Tom Fleming, Alberto Saynes, Deb Johnson, and Carol Blanchard -- see link at right.
Running Boston? Get a place in Fernando's Boston Marathon training program -- coming soon.
Newtons Spectacular
Jay Newton ran 3:09:47 and Gina Newton won her age group in 3:11:40 at the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon on October 10th.
Train - Focus - Execute.
Jay and Gina did.
Great performances.
Tom Kinneman Qualifies for Nationals
At the USA Triathlon Long Course Nationals on Oct 2, Tom Kinneman was 5th out of 36 finishers in the 55-59 age group to qualify for the ITU Long Course World Championship in November, 2011. in Nevada.
Tom reports: "I had a solid bike leg (21.5 mph average) but the competition was very strong so I only ranked around the middle of my age group. I did have a good run, placing second in my age group with a half marathon time of just under 1:38 (7:29/mile). Not my best but a strong head wind on the bike took a lot out my legs. I guess the results still show that your program has paid off for me even when I don't have my best day. Give or take a few, I moved up about 10 places during the run!"
Francine Jones / Renee Clark
It's all about setting goals and then working to meet them.
Francine Jones (1:49:14) and Renee Clark (1:49:43) wanted to break 1:50 at the Smuttynose Half-Marathon on October 3. They set the goal and then worked on the track and on their runs during each week to meet that goal.
It was a 2 minute PR for Francine and a 20 minute PR for Renee.
Congratulations!
Kara Haas Wins Ryan's Cup
At the Run for Ryan's Cup / Chelmsford Police 5k on Sep 19, Kara Haas was 1st woman (and 4th overall) in 17:20 (5:35 pace). David Dargie was 1st senior in 20:23. Cathy Kobler ran 31:40 and Robyn Pringle 37:05.
Nate Krah Wins Chicago Half
On September 12 Nate Krah won the Chicago Half-Marathon in 1:07:11. That's a 5:07 pace.
There were over 13,000 finishers.
Linda Jennings: Dominant
At the 2010 USA Masters 15K Championships in Buffalo on Sep 6th, Linda was 2nd in the 55-59 age group in 1:04:59. Her time would have placed her 1st in the 50-54 division and 2nd in the 45-49 division.
Linda is one of a very small group of women in the country at the top in her age group. She is competitive. Very competitive.
When you see Linda at the track each Tuesday doing her work or consulting with Fernando, know that you are running on the track with one of the very top runners in the country.
Kara Haas at Carson 2 Miler
[photo courtesy of Lars Bjune]
Hot and Fast
It's true. You race fast by running fast.
You get fit by running as if it meant something.
We're not joggin'
June 29th track photos.
GTD at Scholastic Nationals
Eleven student athletes from Peabody (running under GTD) went to the New Balance Scholastic Nationals from June 16th to the 19th. The team participated in seven different events -- 3 open and 4 relay. The 3-day event of intense competition brought out the best and brightest track & field high school athletes in the nation.
Thanks to the generosity of their supporters, these athletes were able to perform with relentless will and pride.
On behalf of GTD and 11 student athletes - THANK YOU!!
The results included four top 10 performances and four school records.
Results:
800 Meter Emerging Elite Relay (100, 100, 200, and 400) -- The team of Nate Gaye, Jonathan Acquaviva, Jamal Abu-Hijleh, and David Richardson finished 9th overall with a time of 1:37.48, establishing a new school record.
1600 Meter Emerging Elite Relay (200, 200, 400, and 800) -- The team of Jonathan Acquaviva (22.8), Jamal Abu-Hijleh (22.1), Jake Pimenta (51.7), and Shawn Cronin (1:57.7) finished 4th overall with a time of 3:34.45, establishing a new school record by 8 seconds.
Distance Medley Championship Relay (1200, 400, 800, and mile) -- The team of Evan Braz (3:13.3), Jake Pimenta (52.1), Shawn Cronin (1:59.8), and Nick Christensen (4:27.9) finished 17th overall with a time of 10:32.95, establishing a new school record by 9 seconds.
4 x 200 Meter Emerging Elite Relay (200, 200, 200, and 200) -- The team of Nate Gaye (23.6), Jake Pimenta (23.2), Jonathan Acquaviva (22.8), and Jamal Abu-Hijleh (22.1) finished 10th overall with a time of 1:32.38, establishing a new school record.
4 x 100 Meter Emerging Elite Relay (100, 100, 100, 100) -- The team of Nate Gaye, Jonathan Acquaviva, Josh Czerepica. and Jamal Abu-Hijleh finished 13th overall with a time of 44.48.
Zachary Grube (sophomore) was 7th overall in the Emerging Elite High Jump - 6-00.50. He was the only sophomore in the event.
Nicholas Christensen (sophomore) was 24th overall in the Championship 5000 Meters with a time of 16.11.4. He was in the top 3 sophomores in the event.
For some photos, go here.
GTD Spring Track, June 22 Photos
This is what we came for. And it was good.
See what the coach does while you run. He's not judging. He's timing.
One of the little things -- the watch is what you did.
GTD Youth Program -- Photos
The GTD Youth Speed and Conditioning program finished its 2nd session on June 21st.
Here are some photos.
Check the Youth page for details about the program. Signup is still available.
Martha's Vineyard 20M
Yes, we did have snow this winter.
Here are some GTDers at the Martha's Vineyard 20 Miler on Feb 13. Check the results here.
Photos courtesy of Deb Johnson.
Gina Newton
Karen DeRoma
Hank Wilder
Dan Frank
Glenn Simm
Ella Francesca Braz
We are overjoyed to announce the birth of Ella Francesca Braz, who arrived at 3:11pm on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Ella weighed 6.2 pounds and was 19 inches at birth.
She has her brother Shane's nose and lips, much to his delight.
Pam, Fernando, Shane, and Ella are all very fine.
