Saturday, August 29, 2009
Ritz!
A rare dive into national running, but this got short shrift. Dathan Ritzenheim set the American record in the 5K yesterday! So compare this time (12:56) to your time in Prospect Park ... just simply, wow. Amazing.
Saturday's Run
Fresh with the knowledge that a) I was going to get wet this morning, b) I didn't win the MegaMillions jackpot and c) I had no idea if my increasingly fragile legs were going to let me complete the daily run, it's not surprisingly that I approached today's adventure with some trepidation.
Happily and surprisingly, the run itself was delightful, with the only problems coming from some fatigued legs (and an aggravating search for water fountains at one point). After a run up from Brooklyn Heights to Grand Army Plaza, we went down Eastern Parkway down to Bedford Street, then over the Williamsburg Bridge. I headed back from there, then went down along the water (Kent/Flatbush), while others stayed to do a longer run in Manhattan.
Overall, a decent run. It's the first time I've taken the shorter route over Williamsburg (if you're facing Manhattan, is the path on the left that leaves off of Bedford). I'm not a huge fan of the bridge - it's a concrete morass and I'm not particularly fond of the approach to Brooklyn (the hill just seems to stretch forever). But it's a great place to get in some decent training, and well worth it to incorporate as part of your longer run.
The route here is slightly longer than I did today - when feeling up to it, I love to drop down to Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo, and then finish along the Promenade, so I've included it here. (I'd normally embed the map in this post, but am having some mild technical problems).
Happily and surprisingly, the run itself was delightful, with the only problems coming from some fatigued legs (and an aggravating search for water fountains at one point). After a run up from Brooklyn Heights to Grand Army Plaza, we went down Eastern Parkway down to Bedford Street, then over the Williamsburg Bridge. I headed back from there, then went down along the water (Kent/Flatbush), while others stayed to do a longer run in Manhattan.
Overall, a decent run. It's the first time I've taken the shorter route over Williamsburg (if you're facing Manhattan, is the path on the left that leaves off of Bedford). I'm not a huge fan of the bridge - it's a concrete morass and I'm not particularly fond of the approach to Brooklyn (the hill just seems to stretch forever). But it's a great place to get in some decent training, and well worth it to incorporate as part of your longer run.
The route here is slightly longer than I did today - when feeling up to it, I love to drop down to Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo, and then finish along the Promenade, so I've included it here. (I'd normally embed the map in this post, but am having some mild technical problems).
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Help Greg Fight Cancer 5K
I wasn't there, but heard reports of hundreds of people at last night's 5K in Prospect Park, a race to help raise money for Greg Hamilton, who is battling cancer. Anyone go? Race reports appreciated. (I also heard the course - a deviation from the traditional 5K in the park - was very challenging and a lot of fun by running on a lot of the paths).
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Nike Human Race in Prospect Park 10/24
As Emily noted in one of the comments, the Nike Human Race 10K will be in Prospect Park on Oct. 24. Details are here. Logistics and course, to come ...
Friday, August 14, 2009
Couch Potato Sunday
It's a rare weekend where runners can become couch potatoes and stare at your computer/TV - and get some decent running coverage.
First off, let's go local. The NYC Half Marathon takes place Sunday. Not only can you view parts of it on TV or computer, but you also sign up for e-mail alerts to track your favorite runners. There are 300 runners from Brooklyn registered for the race (if my search through the database is accurate), so if you're not in Manhattan to cheer them on, give them some virtual support.
Then, of course, there's the IAAF Athletic Championships. I'm on vacation, but I guarantee that I'll be watching the 100 meters on Sunday afternoon at 3:35 p.m. (and plenty of other races in the coming days).
Watch ... and get inspired. Tons of races this fall to focus on and set your goals. (And go for a run Sunday morning before all of this stuff!)
First off, let's go local. The NYC Half Marathon takes place Sunday. Not only can you view parts of it on TV or computer, but you also sign up for e-mail alerts to track your favorite runners. There are 300 runners from Brooklyn registered for the race (if my search through the database is accurate), so if you're not in Manhattan to cheer them on, give them some virtual support.
Then, of course, there's the IAAF Athletic Championships. I'm on vacation, but I guarantee that I'll be watching the 100 meters on Sunday afternoon at 3:35 p.m. (and plenty of other races in the coming days).
Watch ... and get inspired. Tons of races this fall to focus on and set your goals. (And go for a run Sunday morning before all of this stuff!)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Upcoming Races
Here’s a list of some of the upcoming races in the Greater New York area over the next several weeks – and, lo and behold, not everything is in
Aug. 13, VCTC 5K X/C Series, Van Cortlandt Park
Aug. 15, Great Urban Run, New York City
Aug. 22, Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run, Harlem
Aug. 25, Help Greg Fight Cancer 5K, Prospect Park
Aug. 26, PPTC Al Gordon 5K, Prospect Park
Aug. 30, Henry Isola X/C Classic (4M), Van Cortlandt Park
Sept. 7, New Haven Road Race (5K, 20K), New Haven, CT
Sept. 7, Long Beach 5 Mile, Long Beach, Long Island
Sept. 12, Fitness Mind, Body, Spirit Games (4M), Central Park
Sept. 13, Komen Race for a Cure, Central Park
Sept. 20, Queens Half Marathon, Queens
Sept. 20, Yonkers Marathon and Half Marathon, Yonkers, NY
Sept. 20, Chris Hoban 5 Mile Run, Bay Ridge
Sept. 26, Fifth Avenue Mile, Manhattan
Sept. 27, NYC Marathon Tuneup (18M), Central Park
Sept. 27, Tunnel to Towers 5K, Red Hook
Sept. 27, Newport Liberty Half, Jersey City, NJ
*** and for some longer range planning ***
Oct. 3, Miles for Midwives, Prospect Park
Oct. 4, Liz Padilla 5K, Prospect Park
To go beyond the city … lot of options:
For Long Island races, check out this calendar
For New Jersey races, check out this calendar
For Connecticut races, check out this calendar
NYRR Team Championships Results
Felipe Garcia was the top Brooklyn man at yesterday's NYRR Team Championships - Men, clocking 25:11 for the five-mile distance. On the women's side, Kelly Chin from Running Divas had the fastest time among Brooklyn residents with a speedy 29:28.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Quick NYRR Hits
- Tomorrow's race in Central Park is the club championships (I'm linking to a race preview to show why you should care), and you must be a member of a local running club (among other restrictions) to participate).
- The NYRR race in Brooklyn on Dec. 12 is a 5K. One e-mailer told me the course would follow the same route as the Al Gordon 5K in February, which is definitely possible.
- Race registration is open for the remaining 2009 races - it's a good opportunity to take stock of the number of qualifying races that you've done for next year's New York Marathon, and figure out which ones you need to do (and need to volunteer for).
- Nice profile piece of the Prospect Park Track Club in the latest New York Runner magazine. And a nice cover shot of a runner on the Brooklyn Bridge. (I might add, it's somewhat unrealistic to see the bridge *that empty* during summer daylight hours, but perhaps the tourist horde is just around the bend.)
- The NYRR race in Brooklyn on Dec. 12 is a 5K. One e-mailer told me the course would follow the same route as the Al Gordon 5K in February, which is definitely possible.
- Race registration is open for the remaining 2009 races - it's a good opportunity to take stock of the number of qualifying races that you've done for next year's New York Marathon, and figure out which ones you need to do (and need to volunteer for).
- Nice profile piece of the Prospect Park Track Club in the latest New York Runner magazine. And a nice cover shot of a runner on the Brooklyn Bridge. (I might add, it's somewhat unrealistic to see the bridge *that empty* during summer daylight hours, but perhaps the tourist horde is just around the bend.)
Summer Streets is Back! Aug. 8, 15, 22
Apologies for being somewhat infrequent in the blogposts over the past several weeks - other priorities have caught up to me (I've even neglected my fantasy baseball team - and am paying for it).
So, will catch up this weekend. Most importantly: A great running route has opened up for a short time only: Summer Streets is back in Manhattan. Starting tomorrow, and continuing for the next two weekends, you can run from the Brooklyn Bridge to the 72nd St. entrance in Central Park -- on a car-free boulevard! (OK, if you run in the middle of the day, you'll have to deal with the dreaded tourist pedestrian, but it's *probably* easier than trying to battle cars and trucks).
Most of this is an opportunity to run down Park Avenue -- and we should take advantage!
So, will catch up this weekend. Most importantly: A great running route has opened up for a short time only: Summer Streets is back in Manhattan. Starting tomorrow, and continuing for the next two weekends, you can run from the Brooklyn Bridge to the 72nd St. entrance in Central Park -- on a car-free boulevard! (OK, if you run in the middle of the day, you'll have to deal with the dreaded tourist pedestrian, but it's *probably* easier than trying to battle cars and trucks).
Most of this is an opportunity to run down Park Avenue -- and we should take advantage!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Brooklyn Bridge Race
What happens when several hundred runners thunder back and forth across the Brooklyn Bridge? If you're standing in the central span, you get to watch the light posts sway (a not-so-encouraging sign). Nevertheless, despite the early morning showers, there were plenty of people out for the Sgt. Keith A. Ferguson 5K, which went from City Hall to the end of the bridge (near Tillary) and back again.
Another NYRR Race in Brooklyn?
Seems New York Road Runners will be putting on another race in Brooklyn on Dec. 12 in Prospect Park.
It could be a 5K (see the race page), it could be 4 miles (see the NYRR race calendar), and it could be a typo. But something to keep an eye out for.
This would ostensibly replace the NYRR Holiday 4 Mile that takes place in Central Park (results from 2008 here). It could also be a great opportunity for you procrastinators to get the volunteer requirement done, without having to leave Brooklyn.
It could be a 5K (see the race page), it could be 4 miles (see the NYRR race calendar), and it could be a typo. But something to keep an eye out for.
This would ostensibly replace the NYRR Holiday 4 Mile that takes place in Central Park (results from 2008 here). It could also be a great opportunity for you procrastinators to get the volunteer requirement done, without having to leave Brooklyn.
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