For Basch, a 10K race is his favorite distance to run. “I have found
that distance to be one of the most challenging distances, since it is
long enough that you can’t go at an anaerobic pace for the whole race,
but short enough that you can run right on the edge of an anaerobic
pace.”
Article updated: 1/26/2010 4:48:57 PM
And Tony Basch is once again leading the group as head coach. So how did Basch get into coaching? “I started running in 2000, when I was about 70 pounds heavier than I am now,” says Basch. “After running a few marathons and getting to know people who were involved in the program, I volunteered to help out with the YMCA 10k Training Team. From there, then head coach Chris Calfee asked if I would be a coach on the Advanced 10K training program. I did that for 3 years and then agreed to be the head coach of the program last year when Ed Carmines asked.”
Of course runners of all levels participate in the 10K and creating a challenging training program helps athletes push themselves year after year. Because this team is designed to get results, the regime is intense and challenging. It’s for runners who want to improve last year’s race results. “The program begins in January and runs through race day,” Basch says. “[It] consists of weekly group runs that are between 6 and 9 miles, with a portion in the middle at a relatively quick pace (which increases in distance each week); track sessions that train both aerobic and anaerobic speed; individual recovery and other runs.”
For Basch, a 10K race is his favorite distance to run. “I have found that distance to be one of the most challenging distances, since it is long enough that you can’t go at an anaerobic pace for the whole race, but short enough that you can run right on the edge of an anaerobic pace.” Like many others, he has a history with the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K. “I love it. It’s the first race I ran in Richmond, and it’s still one of my favorites. Because it is so flat (with a few subtle exceptions), it makes a tremendous test for a 10K. You can really test your ability to push to your limits.”
Aside from racing, Basch is an attorney specializing in securities law and dabbles in a couple of quirky hobbies. He runs the Virginia state yo-yo contest, and is an award-winning Scrabble player. “Ellie and I have been married since 1997 and have a dog named Biscuit, 5 bikes and at least 10 pairs of running shoes between us.”
The program is open to members and non-members of RRRC, and there is a discount for RRRC members. Runners should have a race goal of 55 minutes or faster. For more information, email monument10K@gmail.com.
Article first appeared in SBQ Issue #11, November/December | November, 2009
