The annual Urban Environmental Challenge is this Sunday at 10 a.m. in Van Cortlandt - always a challenging race. For a change, the weather conditions seem perfect (unlike the near hurricane it was run in a few years back). Online entries for this 10K race still available.
For those looking for other like-minded trail runners, check out the New York Trail & Ultrarunning Meetup page.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Random Thoughts on a Tuesday Evening
Is it me? No, it's not just me.
There's definitely some running excitement in the air.
I love this time of year, where we're on the cusp of shedding the cooler temperatures (I think I'm done with the tights, finally), and the prospect of singlets and shorts weather beckons.
I love going out for an early morning run and passing people of all shapes and sizes and speeds, some gearing up for their Boston Marathon blast, others just looking to shed some pounds (or give their dog a workout). On those runs, I don't *know* anyone, but I know them, such as the solitary runner on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade at 5:30 a.m., or the woman who runs in the Heights or on the Brooklyn Bridge in a long skirt.
I love the fact that running gives you a concrete goal. For some, it's simply to finish a race and a distance they've never done. For others, it's finishing a 8 x 400 with each one in 70 seconds or better. (Next stop, 16 x 400).
I was at Red Hook Track earlier this evening, desperately trying to reteach my legs how to run fast (it's always worse after I'm coming off an injury. I had a chance to watch some runners from Clara Barton High churning out some 400s, 200s, sprints - and it was pretty awesome.
There's definitely some running excitement in the air.
I love this time of year, where we're on the cusp of shedding the cooler temperatures (I think I'm done with the tights, finally), and the prospect of singlets and shorts weather beckons.
I love going out for an early morning run and passing people of all shapes and sizes and speeds, some gearing up for their Boston Marathon blast, others just looking to shed some pounds (or give their dog a workout). On those runs, I don't *know* anyone, but I know them, such as the solitary runner on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade at 5:30 a.m., or the woman who runs in the Heights or on the Brooklyn Bridge in a long skirt.
I love the fact that running gives you a concrete goal. For some, it's simply to finish a race and a distance they've never done. For others, it's finishing a 8 x 400 with each one in 70 seconds or better. (Next stop, 16 x 400).
I was at Red Hook Track earlier this evening, desperately trying to reteach my legs how to run fast (it's always worse after I'm coming off an injury. I had a chance to watch some runners from Clara Barton High churning out some 400s, 200s, sprints - and it was pretty awesome.
That's why I run. And ice.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
NBR Runners Take 2nd in Colon Cancer Races
Red Hook Park (and Track) May Get Spiffed Up
This article in the Brooklyn Paper over the weekend focuses on the changes to artificial turf (from grass) and school playing rights, though buried in the third paragraph:
"Xavier will also replace the field’s surrounding track — paving the way for the school’s runners to work out there, too."
The lights and bleachers may be upgraded as well. No idea on timing, or whether this is a done deal, though something to keep an eye on. While it's a far cry from Icahn Stadium, it'd be great if there were some widespread community meets that attracted the best in Brooklyn.
"Xavier will also replace the field’s surrounding track — paving the way for the school’s runners to work out there, too."
The lights and bleachers may be upgraded as well. No idea on timing, or whether this is a done deal, though something to keep an eye on. While it's a far cry from Icahn Stadium, it'd be great if there were some widespread community meets that attracted the best in Brooklyn.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Running Along the Waterfront
Sometimes you don't want to deal with any hills, yet get some miles in.
That was my thinking this AM as I did a very flat 6-miler, starting from the Promenade and heading north, then reversing direction and running out to Red Hook via Henry Street. Then back along Columbia (dodging the Battery Tunnel entrance), along the pathways that make up Brooklyn Bridge Park.
A few nice things about this run:
*It's flat (did I mention that?)
*You can cut it short in numerous ways (or go longer, obviously)
*There are also places you can do "time checks" and figure out your pace: For example: It goes right past the Red Hook Track (I did two laps there just to get my pace under control), there's a section between Pier 6 and Pier 1 that looks to be about 1/2 mile, and then there's the Promenade, which is about 1/3 mile.
That was my thinking this AM as I did a very flat 6-miler, starting from the Promenade and heading north, then reversing direction and running out to Red Hook via Henry Street. Then back along Columbia (dodging the Battery Tunnel entrance), along the pathways that make up Brooklyn Bridge Park.
A few nice things about this run:
*It's flat (did I mention that?)
*You can cut it short in numerous ways (or go longer, obviously)
*There are also places you can do "time checks" and figure out your pace: For example: It goes right past the Red Hook Track (I did two laps there just to get my pace under control), there's a section between Pier 6 and Pier 1 that looks to be about 1/2 mile, and then there's the Promenade, which is about 1/3 mile.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Brooklyn Half: Two Months To Go
A bit less than nine weeks from now, the Brooklyn Half is on the horizon - getting psyched?
If you didn't get stoked from watching any of today's NYC Half, whether it's from screaming at the front runners or cheering on comrades from your local group runs ... well, check this out and get in the mood.
Some strongly worded suggestions:
*Get those loops of Prospect Park in, and own those hills
*Make sure your training plan is up to date and you're on track: The weather now is delightful, so no more of those "it's cold and wet and wintry outside." C'mon, it was in the 70s on Friday.
*Get signed up for those target races (note the Scotland Run 10K is almost full, so move quickly).
*Address those nagging injuries. If you have to be derailed and take some time off to heal, do it now, not in early May
If you didn't get stoked from watching any of today's NYC Half, whether it's from screaming at the front runners or cheering on comrades from your local group runs ... well, check this out and get in the mood.
Some strongly worded suggestions:
*Get those loops of Prospect Park in, and own those hills
*Make sure your training plan is up to date and you're on track: The weather now is delightful, so no more of those "it's cold and wet and wintry outside." C'mon, it was in the 70s on Friday.
*Get signed up for those target races (note the Scotland Run 10K is almost full, so move quickly).
*Address those nagging injuries. If you have to be derailed and take some time off to heal, do it now, not in early May
Eddie Owens: 1:07:34
So, it was pretty awesome being able to scope out some of the world's top distance talent (at least, those who weren't running in Spain today). Watching Galen Rupp battle it out with Mo Farah near the 13 mile point was cool, and watching Meb, Ryan and Kara come in after was also special (even if they weren't in the front). Be interesting to see the take on how people thought they performed.
The thing that bowled me over: Some guy started screaming "Go Eddie, go Eddie" with about 0.1K to go, and I saw this guy who kind of looked like Eddie Owens sprinting past. Sure enough, it was. He finished 37th.
Wow. (Actually, what I said isn't printable, since I was completely bowled over).
(Eddie was the first Brooklyn finisher, BTW, nudging out Jorge E. Real, who's a common borough winner.).
On the women's side, Kelly Chin finished in a whopping 1:19:17, good enough for 27th overall.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
NYC Half vs World X/C
Meb, Adbi, Ryan, Galen ... they are all here.
Meanwhile, there's this thing called the WORLD Cross Country Championships that's being run tomorrow as well. (Cross country continues to get no love, sigh).
Thankfully, Shalene, Lewy Boulet and Huddle are out there to represent the women (and it should be noted that Kara Goucher, one of the headliners for the NYC Half, ran the U.S. championships earlier as part of her comeback from the birth of her first child last year).
For those interested, Letsrun.com has a ton of stuff on tomorrow's race.
Meanwhile, there's this thing called the WORLD Cross Country Championships that's being run tomorrow as well. (Cross country continues to get no love, sigh).
Thankfully, Shalene, Lewy Boulet and Huddle are out there to represent the women (and it should be noted that Kara Goucher, one of the headliners for the NYC Half, ran the U.S. championships earlier as part of her comeback from the birth of her first child last year).
For those interested, Letsrun.com has a ton of stuff on tomorrow's race.
NYC Half Tomorrow
And it's probably going to be a cool race, especially with the talent that's supposed to show - including Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher. Men profiles and women profiles here.
You don't have to give up your Sunday run to watch either - head over one of the bridges and aim to get to the finish at West Street (just north of Chambers Street.) by 8:15. The weather should be awesome.
Meanwhile, don't forget to track your favorite runners, info is here on how to do it.
You don't have to give up your Sunday run to watch either - head over one of the bridges and aim to get to the finish at West Street (just north of Chambers Street.) by 8:15. The weather should be awesome.
Meanwhile, don't forget to track your favorite runners, info is here on how to do it.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Apologies
Ahh, rough couple of weeks, between work and battling some injuries (I find I don't post as much when I'm hurt, probably because I'm trying to tune out the fact that I can't run like I want to.)
That said, will get some posts out over the next few days, especially important given that the all-important Brooklyn Half is a bit more than 2 months away.
That said, will get some posts out over the next few days, especially important given that the all-important Brooklyn Half is a bit more than 2 months away.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Guaranteed Entry E-Mails for NY Marathon
They went out today (or at least, I got mine). Reminder, if you're going to race this year, sign up by April 19. NYRR also gives you a helpful option by which you can shell out the money for this year's race, cancel, and keep your guaranteed entry for another year.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Heading to Boston and Not Running the Marathon?
Sign up tomorrow for the BAA 5K, held Sunday of Marathon weekend.
Entries are limited to 5,000 - I suspect that you won't see a lot of local entries, but a ton of national entries as "running tourists" (I'm one this year) converge.
It won't close out as fast as the marathon, but will probably get filled quickly. Entries start at 10 a.m. The course is relatively flat (there's one short, steep hill).
Entries are limited to 5,000 - I suspect that you won't see a lot of local entries, but a ton of national entries as "running tourists" (I'm one this year) converge.
It won't close out as fast as the marathon, but will probably get filled quickly. Entries start at 10 a.m. The course is relatively flat (there's one short, steep hill).
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