Mike Bosch

Team Running Free Alumni

Member Since: 2008

Occupation: Registered Massage Therapist (@ Running Free Ajax)

Home: Pickering

About Me: <br> I have always been a very competitive person in track, cycling, tennis, etc. During several of my adult years, as I tried to forge out a career, it came at the cost of my health. About 6 years and 90 pounds ago I realized that this path I was on needed to change.

Sports: <br> Mostly running. At the moment I'm really focusing on training specificity. That doesn't mean I won't go out for the occasional bike ride.

Athletic Goals: <br> To have fun while attempting a perfect race. You know when everything comes together; the training, body health, race day weather and race day execution of strategy. For 2011 I'm looking to go sub-2:45 for the full, sub-1:17 for the half, and sub-17:00 5km.

My most catastrophic racing experience was: <br> The 2004 Around the Bay race. This was 3 months back into running and 3 months into a marathon program targeting the Ottawa marathon. I was running too fast for someone who had been so inactive for such a long period of time. My calves were becoming increasingly tight with each long run and hill workout. It got to the point that the day of the Bay race, going down the very steep hill that leads to the Valley Inn Road uphill, I felt something was wrong. It wasn't until after the uphill when I was running the last 3.5km to the finish that I felt the excrutiating pain that would turn out to be a tibial stress fracture. It left me deep water pool running 4 days a week for almost 4 months.

My most memorable racing experience was: <br> The 2009 Good Life Toronto Marathon has to be my most memorable. You always hear coaches telling you to not go out too hard in the first half (21.1km) but most of us never listen. Well, this fall, after a rough finish in the Buffalo marathon (May 2009), I decided to listen to my coach and pace PROPERLY. I did and had a great 2nd half and finished in 2:56 which was a 12 and a half minute personal best. Even better was the fact that I felt great at the finish.

Favourite Racing Gear: <br> Shoes: Mizuno Wave Precision and Mizuno Wave Rider for training <br> Racing Flat for 5 to 15k: Mizuno Wave Universe (3.6 oz a pair; the box actually weighs more than this flat!) <br> Racing flats for the half and full: Mizuno Wave Ronin 3 wicked fast flat!)

Favourite Race: Around the Bay

Favourite Race Food: <br> Training: Vega products including gels <br> Racing: Vega gel and Saltsticks <br> Topical for Pre and Post-race: Zannagen Ignite and Xcelerate. This stuff is awesome to wake the legs up, cool them down, and prevent inflammation!