AlterG is Going for the FourPeat! It’s Penn Relays Week!
April 27, 2016
Oh man. Can you feel the hype right now?! I’m telling you, the air at HQ is so thick with excitement, you could cut it with a butter knife.
Last year’s crew
Or maybe that’s just the sweat lingering in the air from our valiant Penn Relays team putting in their last workouts before the big day this Friday.
For those of you who don’t know, the Penn Relays is one of the biggest, most famous track meets put on every year, with a vast and storied history. We are privileged to be among the companies selected to participate in the Corporate Penn Relays Distance Medley. This event is a true smorgasbord of lactic-acid delight (yum!), consisting of legs of: 1200m, 400m, 800m, and 1600m, in that order. Last year, we took home the title for the THIRD straight year! That’s right, a three-peat, folks. But we are not satisfied with prime numbers. No, we are going for the fabled four-peat this Friday! It won’t be easy, and we certainly have a target on our gravity-defying backs, but luckily, we have a rough and tumble team of scrappers assembled to take on this task. Let’s meet the AlterG Relay Squad!
Our 1200m lead-off legend, Jesus Romo:
Zeus-Goose
- Who are you? What do you do at AlterG?
Jesus Romo. Account Manager at AlterG (Sales).
- What is your running background?
Somewhat successful California D4 high-school standout, Walk-on collegiate at USF, second male to make NCAA tournament at USF, then-school record holder in 3K steeple, 2x USA’s qualifier post-collegiately, 2014 Finalist (Sacramento). Currently supported by Brooks through Strava Track Club based out of Palo Alto.
- How has your training gone for Penn Relays/what did it consist of?
It’s been bumpy (see competing nationally and holding a full-timer). Wouldn’t’ say training is ideal while working but I’ve gotten in some good training. Chalk it up to transition, I’ve stayed mainly healthy and consistent.
- How did the Anti-Gravity Treadmill™ play into your training?
Mainly for injury and recovery. I’ve had off and on shin soreness this year, so I use the AlterG to take a bit of the strain off, on recovery days, during intense or high mileage weeks. Not gonna lie it’s pretty sweet that I have access to such a cool device at my convenience.
- Have you run the Penn Relays for AlterG before? What do you think of the event?
Yes, last year ran corporate DMR 1200. It’s a spectacular event! It would be equally cool to attend either the previous or the next day outside of the corporate DMR, since it’s so historic and competitive.
- What do you have to say to your competitors?
[insert cheesy taunt-line here]. But really though, this is a cool event and we’re honored to have the opportunity to compete here every year. Good luck to you!
Our 400m Cheetah, Jon Dewalt:
I don’t have a picture of Jon, so here is his spirit animal.
- Who are you? What do you do at AlterG?
Jon Dewalt, family man, 5th year at AlterG covering Sports and Military in the Southeast, 1x Penn Relays Champion of America. Running the 400m leg.
- What is your running background?
Ran Cross Country and Track for The University of Tennessee Volunteers.
- How has your training gone for Penn Relays/what did it consist of?
Lots of hide and seek with my kids, a few months of mileage, and a handful of track sessions.
- How did the AGT play into your training?
Spent easy days, recovery days and interval days in the Pro200. Always feel great after a run in the AlterG!
- Have you run the Penn Relays for AlterG before? What do you think of the event?
Ran for AlterG at Penn in 2014. Love the event, lots of pressure, lots of fun. The venue is magical.
- What do you have to say to your competitors?
Watch for great performances from Michael, Jesus, and Amy – they’re the real athletes!
Our 800m Stud-ette, Amy Varsell:
Game-Face On!
- Who are you? What do you do at AlterG?
I’m Amy Varsell, senior inside sales representative.
- What is your running background?
I’ve run in track meets since I was 8. I kept running through college and was a 7x DII All-American in track and cross country.
- How has your training gone for Penn Relays/what did it consist of?
Right after college, I really hurt my hamstring and it’s taken a long time to heal. I’ve slowly but surely rehabbed and have finally gotten to a place where I can train consistently.
- How did the Anti-Gravity Treadmill play into your training?
I would run on the Anti-Gravity Treadmill multiple times a week when my hamstring wasn’t quite 100%. I would do all my speedier sessions on it to protect myself from re-injury, which helped me better transition to workouts on the track.
- Have you run the Penn Relays for AlterG before? What do you think of the event?
Despite growing up and going to school in New England, I have never been to Penn. It’s been a lifelong running dream of mine.
- What do you have to say to your competitors?
See you at the finish line!
Our steadfast 1600m anchor, Michael Coe:
Kung-Fu Kicking!
- Who are you? What do you do at AlterG?
Michael Coe, Director of Inside Sales
- What is your running background?
I started competing in track meets when I was 8. I ran at Cabrillo HS, then Cal Berkeley. 1500m/mile specialty. 3:56 personal best in the mile, 3:40 in the 1500, 13:43 in the 5K. I was a 5 X NCAA Div 1 All American at Cal Berkeley.
- How has your training gone for Penn Relays/what did it consist of?
30-35 miles/week… Mostly strength and flexibility work at this point (tempo runs, Olympic weight routine, strides, dynamic flexibility drills, easy distance). Not a whole lot of speed work.
- How did the Anti-Gravity Treadmill play into your training?
I run on the Pro 200 about twice/week between 80 – 85% body weight, 20-30 min progressive build up sessions. I also have incorporate strengthening work on the AlterG (retro-walking with incline, lateral shuffle intervals) which I learned from Barry Heyden (aka Alter-Jesus).
- Have you run the Penn Relays for AlterG before? What do you think of the event?
Yes, all 3 years AlterG has competed. Great atmosphere, fun event.
- What do you have to say to your competitors?
Good luck, and have fun!
Wow, I must say, our team is looking pretty stacked. We certainly aren’t in the business of counting our chickens before they’ve hatched though, and we’re definitely going to let our legs do the talking this Friday. You can watch the meet live, on FloTrack.org, and we will be offering real-time updates as well on our social media outlets.
I hope you will join me in wishing our audacious harriers the best of luck, as they embark upon their journey to bring glory and prestige upon AlterG HQ. We’re go for launch! And it’s high-time for us to fly to victory.