Sunday, November 29, 2009

Turkey Trot Results: Update

The following notice was posted on the PPTC Web site Sunday:

Please note that we are aware of the inconsistencies in the posted results, we are working on making the corrections. Please check back in a few days, thank you for your patience.

The e-mail address to report issues is raceresults@pptc.org

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Upcoming Races

Next weekend (Dec. 5-6) has at least three local races to consider:

* The Bay Ridge Jingle Bell Run 2009 (or, the Valerie Piro Push to Walk 4 Mile Run) on Saturday, Dec. 5. The race is run in support of Valerie Piro, a Stuyvesant High School student who was hurt last year after the girls track team van flipped on the way to a track meet at Dartmouth College. The course is on the Shore Road Promenade.

* The Peter Rabbit 3-Mile Cross-Country Run in Prospect Park (also on Saturday)

* The Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis in Prospect Park on Sunday, Dec. 6. Among the amenities: jingle bells for your shoes. The run is 5K, the walk is 3K.

At this point, the NYRR race in Central Park, the Joe Kleinerman 10K, is sold out, so if you're looking to race and didn't sign up for that, there's plenty of options close to home.

Cider Time

One good thing is that, when it's the time of year when the water fountains start getting turned off, it's the time of year to make sure you bring an extra couple of bucks with you to get some hot cider at Grand Army Plaza once you've finished your run.

Today's run, in the blustery, 45-degree temperatures, was fairly straightforward. Grand Army Plaza, over the Brooklyn Bridge, back on the Manhattan Bridge, then thru Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights before heading back. No one was interested in running fast, so the group I was with kept it at an easy pace, and started taking some random turns as we headed back to Grand Army. If you head straight back after the Manhattan Bridge, it's probably closer to 9.5 miles ... but as I mentioned, we decided to stray.

Most fountains were turned off, though note the fountain by the entrance of the north side of the Promenade (near Orange Street) is still functioning ... for now. And the cider, albeit a bit expensive at $2, was well worth it, if only to warm the hands.

Turket Trot Results Posted

on the PPTC Web site. 1,494 listed finishers at this point..

UPDATE: I should add, these are preliminary results, as there are apparently a fair number of you who ran the race, with chips, who don't have results listed, so more will be forthcoming.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Turkey Trot Draws Close to 2,000 Runners

The number might be a bit high, but there were tons of runners out today in Prospect Park enjoying near perfect weather and burning off those calories before a feast later in the day. Results, reactions will appear later. Hope everyone who went out there had fun!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Turkey Trot Swag May be Gone

The first 1,200 entrants for this year's Turkey Trot get some free swag (not sure what it is). If you're procrastinating, or hoping to do race-day entry, you may be out of luck, according to this post on the PPTC blog.

Entries do remain available for Thursday's race, of course. With the brilliant weather forecast, can almost guarantee there will be a crush of last-minute entries (and the door slams shut at 8:30 on Thursday morning), so don't dawdle.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Course Changes?

The NYRR Holiday Run is now a 4 mile race, according to the NYRR Web site.

Thanks to reader IO, who pointed out that the NYRR has already changed its planned race on 12/12 from a 5K to a 4 mile run because of construction in Prospect Park.

Not sure yet what the Turkey Trot course will be next Thursday (that's still 5 miles) - if may be the planters that are causing the problem on one of the transverses in the park, or something else.

Weekend Races

A couple of races of note, including a X/C race I left off the earlier schedule:

The Manhattan Track Club is hosting their annual Bad Boy Cross Country meet at Van Cortlandt at 10:30 (women) or 11:15 (men) on Sunday.

Somewhat closer to home, out on Coney Island is the Boardwalk Turkey Trot.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Give Thanks For ...

Thanksgiving Day road races. And in this case, we've got one right next door. The annual Prospect Park Club Turkey Trot (5 miles) takes place a week from today.

While many of you are running - as I understand, applications are pouring in - there's also a huge need for volunteers for the race. So, if you're recovering from anyone of a number of fall marathons, sidelined temporarily by an injury, or are simply in a helping mood, by all means, join in the fun Thursday morning.

Interested volunteers should reach out to Richard (e-mail is rwe121776 (at) aol.com). Or, if last minute plans change, show up around 7 a.m. (hey, you're not eating turkey at that time) at the Wollman Skating Rink. All hands are welcome.

And yes, of course, you can also register - at this point, via active.com The first 1200 registrants are guaranteed some kind of race souvenir, though the slots are filling up fast.

Some Slots Open for Race to Deliver Sunday

Some slots are still available for the 4-mile Race to Deliver on Sunday in Central Park, according to the NYRR Web site (the race, unless I'm mistaken, had been closed out).

http://www.nyrr.org/races/2009/r1122x00.asp

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Some January, February NYRR Races Posted

Some January and February races have been posted on the NYRR Web site at http://www.nyrr.org/races/2010/calendar/january.asp

Monday, November 16, 2009

PPTC Women Take 2nd at NYRR X/C Race

See the award winners here,

NYC Marathon 2010 Notes

Couple of updates, as things have become a bit clearer:

-- The NYC 2010 application Web site has modified the language a bit about buses leaving from Brooklyn to the race start:

"Brooklyn and LaGuardia -- Transportation to the start will be provided for participants staying in select hotels booked through our travel partner, Anthony Travel, Inc."

So, no. At this point, Brooklyn residents still would have to use local travel from running clubs, head into Manhattan for travel, or take the ferry over. (Or swim, but it'll be cold.).

-- For those looking to use the qualifying time option to get into New York, note the races have to be run by Jan. 31, 2010, with the exceptions of the NYC Half (no sense yet on how entries will be handled) or Boston (already closed). If last year's half marathon schedule is any indication, that means the Manhattan Half could be a final chance ... but not Bronx. Naples anyone?

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Boston 2010 Entries Closed

Folk, if you didn't register, or were banking on some of the later fall/winter races to use as a qualifying time: you're hosed.

Boston Marathon 2010 entries are closed for 2010, according to a posting on the Web site.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Songs in Your Head

Have to confess, with young children, I'm more apt to be hearing Laurie Berkner or Barnie in my head as I go out for a long run.

But recently, my Central Park runs have been stuck with this. ... I'm sure there could be worse (and it is kind of catchy). So much for the need for an iPod. :-)

Winter Training

As the weather gets cooler, and the races dry up, it gets tempting to give in to cut back on the winter workouts.

After all, as this NYT article spells out, it's harder to run when it's wet and cold.

Umm. No. Don't give in.

Yes, it's not always pleasant when it's snowing and cold out. But prepare beforehand, and the running is simply balmy.

Think about it: Can you imagine a snowy run on the usually heavily populated Brooklyn Bridge or Prospect Park? I've done both, and it's absolutely beautiful, especially with much, much fewer people.

Admittedly, it's harder to get motivated when it's frigid outside, and you don't have races in mind to spur you on. But now's the perfect time to start planning the races for early 2010 and next spring.

Now, it's possible that we might have a place indoors to train (instead of just a treadmill) this winter. But it's definitely worth it to a) keep the training going and b) keep yourself motivated as December and January approach. Build a base, and get ready for spring.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Crankin' on Cross Country

OK, enuf of the post-NYC marathon blahs - let's get cranking on some cross-country races, especially since the weather is so cooperative.

Perhaps not today, I'll admit I love 60 degree days, but it's a little warm for the crisp, cutting edge of the air you need (and the breath you can see) before the start of a good, old-fashioned X/C clash. But what about last weekend?

While it's creeping into the middle of November, and your race season is winding down, there's still at least three races you want to put on your schedule:

Nov. 15: NYRR X/C Championships (5K), Van Cortlandt

The traditional 5K course at Van Cortlandt in the Bronx. A great race.

Dec. 5: Peter Rabbit 3 Mile (Prospect Park)

Great local race. It's two loops of the main lawn in Prospect Park, and deceptively difficult (try running it on your own some time). Last year, frost had set in.

Dec. 13: NYRR Pete McArdle X/C Classic (15K), Van Cortlandt

Three loops. Use some of that marathon training to pound out a solid time.

Lace up the flats or the X/C spikes and get out there - what are you waiting for?

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Meb, Ryan et al at press conference

Completely non-Brooklyn related, but worth a read: a transcript from some of the top Americans, including Meb (he gets one-word name status) and Ryan Hall at the press conference after the race.

NYC Marathon Results Update

Searchable results will be posted by 7 p.m., according to the Web site. Until then, you can probably finagle some numbers using the Race Day tracker.

Foot Locker Challenge

Results below from this year's 5-borough challenge

1Allyson Hentel (Manhattan) 03:43:01
2Angela Gonzalez (Queens) 03:50:31
3Lisa Defillipo (Staten Island) 03:52:30
4Jessica Lebron (Bronx) 03:54:35
5Dorothy Mcphee (Brooklyn) 03:54:36

NYC Marathon Race Day Tracker Now Live

Track runners in today's race, using the race-day tracker, which is now active.

Boston 2010

Speaking of races in 2010: Many of you have eyes on Boston (including some running in today's race). Note the notice on the BAA Web site:

"If you have met the qualifying standards and intend to enter the race, the B.A.A. urges you to register now and not wait as registration is on pace to reach its maximum field size earlier than ever before. "

It wouldn't be a good thing to run one of the late fall marathons (hello, Philadelphia), hit the qualifying time, only to discover the 2010 race had been closed out.

NYC 2010 Half Is ...

March 21, according to the ING NY Marathon site. NYRR had indicated that its crown-jewel half would be marketed as a lead-in to the Boston and London marathons the next month. At the time, NYRR had also hinted they wanted to keep Brooklyn around a fixed date - meaning late May - though at this point that's just a guess.