Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Running in the Humidity
Phew, this has been one tough week to run.
I've done my best to dodge the humidity, running in the early mornings, late evenings where the temperature has been great. Not really all that successful, I've found, with sweat dripping off my brow within a mile, and regularly coming back from runs having dropped 3-4 pounds despite efforts to stay hydrated.
But if you're training for a late summer/early fall race, you've got to do it. Need I remind the Boston Marathon wannabes (me! me!) who are looking for a last-minute qualifying time for 2012, the entries open on Sept. 12, which pretty much rules out most of the great fall marathons in the area.
I've done my best to dodge the humidity, running in the early mornings, late evenings where the temperature has been great. Not really all that successful, I've found, with sweat dripping off my brow within a mile, and regularly coming back from runs having dropped 3-4 pounds despite efforts to stay hydrated.
But if you're training for a late summer/early fall race, you've got to do it. Need I remind the Boston Marathon wannabes (me! me!) who are looking for a last-minute qualifying time for 2012, the entries open on Sept. 12, which pretty much rules out most of the great fall marathons in the area.
As I was reminded earlier after whining to folk about today's run, which was cut short ... again ... by the humidity: You set a goal, you go after it, you do what you have to do.
Today's run: Prospect Park, over the Brooklyn Bridge, a loop around the southern tip of Manhattan, back up to the Williamsburg Bridge, over and then along Kent and Flushing before finally collapsing near the Brooklyn Bridge Park. 4 miles short of the planned 20.
So, you pick yourself up, and do it again. :-) Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Today's run: Prospect Park, over the Brooklyn Bridge, a loop around the southern tip of Manhattan, back up to the Williamsburg Bridge, over and then along Kent and Flushing before finally collapsing near the Brooklyn Bridge Park. 4 miles short of the planned 20.
So, you pick yourself up, and do it again. :-) Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Cosme 5K June 26
For those looking for an excuse to get out to Coney Island tomorrow, a reminder about the Cosme 5K. Weather looks awesome, and you can jump in the ocean afterward.
For those who ran the Kenny Dolan 5K a few weeks ago, it's also the second leg in the Brooklyn Triple Crown race series.
For those who ran the Kenny Dolan 5K a few weeks ago, it's also the second leg in the Brooklyn Triple Crown race series.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Random Thoughts on a Tuesday Evening
The Brooklyn Bridge stinks ... literally ... at various points because of the painting. And we're in the midst of the summer tourism-hell season (with bikers who continue to ride over during rush hour). And yet we continue to go up there.
*Actually, the best time, paint smell not withstanding, I've found is the early morning. With the summer solstice upon us, you can actually capture the rising sun as part of your run - one of the prettiest sights here in NYC.
*Interesting article in the NYTimes on the 10% cap rule (i.e. you should only increase your mileage by 10 percent each week). I'm firmly of the belief that a) you train as to how your body lets you and b) rules are made to be broken. I have a colleague who jumps up mileage on one week, and then holds it for 3-4 weeks, breaks it down a week to recover, and then does it again.
*With the summer heat and humidity upon us, it's time to get creative. Rather than pounding out 15 miles, think about a two-a-day (breaking it up 7 in the AM, 8 in the PM) or run in the evening and then in the morning.
Some race updates:
*The NYRR Front Runners 5m on June 25 is now closed. The Achilles Hope & Possibility 5m on June 26 still has slots open.
*NYCRuns has links to both a Bad Ass Bay Ridge 5K and a Bad Ass Bay Ridge Challenge (with an an obstacle course) on June 25
*This is the on week for both the PPTC 5K in Prospect Park (on Wednesday) and the VCTC X-C race on Thursday.
*The Governor's Island 10K, however, is also closed at this point.
Get out there and run. And plan your summer vacations around some great running experiences, whether it be races or simply running in places you wouldn't normally.
*Actually, the best time, paint smell not withstanding, I've found is the early morning. With the summer solstice upon us, you can actually capture the rising sun as part of your run - one of the prettiest sights here in NYC.
*Interesting article in the NYTimes on the 10% cap rule (i.e. you should only increase your mileage by 10 percent each week). I'm firmly of the belief that a) you train as to how your body lets you and b) rules are made to be broken. I have a colleague who jumps up mileage on one week, and then holds it for 3-4 weeks, breaks it down a week to recover, and then does it again.
*With the summer heat and humidity upon us, it's time to get creative. Rather than pounding out 15 miles, think about a two-a-day (breaking it up 7 in the AM, 8 in the PM) or run in the evening and then in the morning.
Some race updates:
*The NYRR Front Runners 5m on June 25 is now closed. The Achilles Hope & Possibility 5m on June 26 still has slots open.
*NYCRuns has links to both a Bad Ass Bay Ridge 5K and a Bad Ass Bay Ridge Challenge (with an an obstacle course) on June 25
*This is the on week for both the PPTC 5K in Prospect Park (on Wednesday) and the VCTC X-C race on Thursday.
*The Governor's Island 10K, however, is also closed at this point.
Get out there and run. And plan your summer vacations around some great running experiences, whether it be races or simply running in places you wouldn't normally.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Summer Race Series Results
Adidas Grand Prix Race Today at Icahn
For those looking to come up with last-minute plans, tickets look like they are still available for today's Grand Prix race over at Icahn Stadium, though I would call ahead to be sure. Phone number from the site is: 1-877-849-8722. The meet starts at 1 p.m.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Fun Workout in Prospect Park: Hydrants
I was doing a workout in Prospect Park the other night and a guy passing by asked "Are you doing hydrants? Cool."
Well, at the time, I was leaning over gasping for air, heading for one of the working water fountains in the park, so I didn't really appreciate the comment. But it was nice to get an acknowledgment of one of the quirkiest workouts the park has to offer.
It's very simply, a fartlek ... a "fun" workout where you alternate running fast and slow over a wide variety of distances. Put another way: It's speedplay.
Well, at the time, I was leaning over gasping for air, heading for one of the working water fountains in the park, so I didn't really appreciate the comment. But it was nice to get an acknowledgment of one of the quirkiest workouts the park has to offer.
It's very simply, a fartlek ... a "fun" workout where you alternate running fast and slow over a wide variety of distances. Put another way: It's speedplay.
There are a number of ways to do this - we chose to do it by using the hydrants on the inner loop of the park as the determining factor. After warming up, start at the first hydrant you see. Run fast until you see the next hydrant. Run slower, until the next hydrant. Run fast. And so on.
It gets you running fast over a wide variety of distances - in the southern half of the park, the hydrants can be spread out over 100-200 meters, in the northern half of the park (between GAP and 15th Street), you get some 800 meter distances. It's equally fun if you do it at dusk or at night (hey, is that a hydrant? Or a stump?).
You decide how fast you run. And especially during the first loop of the park, if you don't remember where the hydrants are, or can't see them ... it's a different workout every time. Do it with friends - and it doesn't matter if you end up doing the fast parts at different paces - just have the faster runners circle back and pick the slower runners up.
It gets you running fast over a wide variety of distances - in the southern half of the park, the hydrants can be spread out over 100-200 meters, in the northern half of the park (between GAP and 15th Street), you get some 800 meter distances. It's equally fun if you do it at dusk or at night (hey, is that a hydrant? Or a stump?).
You decide how fast you run. And especially during the first loop of the park, if you don't remember where the hydrants are, or can't see them ... it's a different workout every time. Do it with friends - and it doesn't matter if you end up doing the fast parts at different paces - just have the faster runners circle back and pick the slower runners up.
Races This Weekend
There are some *great* local races this weekend, and if you don't have any plans, you should check them out:
*The Major Eugene McCarthy 5K, held in Marine Park, takes place Saturday.
*The Dashing Whippets are hosting a track!! meet at the East River Park (FDR Drive, East 6th) on Saturday. Events include a 2-mile run and a distance medley relay. Festivities start at 9 a.m.
*The always popular, always hilly Riverdale Ramble 10K, held Sunday at 9 a.m. I'm a huge fan of good-sized local races (no offense NYRR), and is this one of the top ones.
*Closer to home is the Kenny Dolan 5K (yep, it's a loop in Prospect Park with several hundred of your closest friends). It starts on the (down)hill near Bartel Pritchard (15th/Prospect Park West). It's also part of the Brooklyn Triple Crown series, which continues June 26 with the Cosme 5K (and is missing the third leg at this point.)
*The Major Eugene McCarthy 5K, held in Marine Park, takes place Saturday.
*The Dashing Whippets are hosting a track!! meet at the East River Park (FDR Drive, East 6th) on Saturday. Events include a 2-mile run and a distance medley relay. Festivities start at 9 a.m.
*The always popular, always hilly Riverdale Ramble 10K, held Sunday at 9 a.m. I'm a huge fan of good-sized local races (no offense NYRR), and is this one of the top ones.
*Closer to home is the Kenny Dolan 5K (yep, it's a loop in Prospect Park with several hundred of your closest friends). It starts on the (down)hill near Bartel Pritchard (15th/Prospect Park West). It's also part of the Brooklyn Triple Crown series, which continues June 26 with the Cosme 5K (and is missing the third leg at this point.)
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