Joe Kleinerman Near Capacity/Other Marathon Qualifiers

If you're waking up and saying - hey, I need to get started on my New York City Marathon qualifying races, here's a quick look at what's upcoming for January thru March:

*Jan. 9: Joe Kleinerman 10K is near capacity, so sign up now!

*Jan. 24: Manhattan Half is sold out

*Feb. 7: NYRR Gridiron 4M

*Feb. 20: Al Gordon 4M is a marathon qualifier this year (though still held in Prospect Park)

*March 7: Washington Heights Salsa, Blues and Shamrock 5K is the first club points race of the season

*March 20: United Airlines NYC Half has charity spots open

That's it for the first three months of the year. A couple of other things to note:

*Jan. 28 is when the entries for the May 21 Brooklyn Half open (and quite possibly close)

*March 26: Central Park Spring Classic is *not* a marathon qualifier.  However, the Scotland Run being held the following weekend is (entries are not open yet)

Upcoming NYRR Races

Some quick notes if you're looking to get the qualifying races in for next year's NYC Marathon

*Applications open Dec. 2, though it's not imperative you start - if you're in the lottery, you're in the lottery. Details here. (Yes, you save $6 on processing fee, and maybe you get selected in a special lottery.)

*Jingle Bell Jog in Brooklyn's Prospect Park is Dec. 7.  It is a marathon qualifier *but* it's also $50 at this point (extra funds go to support youth running in the city. Needless to say, this race is available.

*Ted Corbitt 15K, which is the last club points race of the year, is nearing capacity. Race is Dec. 14.

2012 Brooklyn Half: Qualifier for NYC Marathon

Passing along a reference in the fine print to this year's qualifying standards (note they change in 2013):

"You must have met the appropriate qualifying time between January 1, 2011 and January 31, 2012 (2012 NYC Half, Boston Marathon, and NYRR Brooklyn Half-Marathon times will also be accepted). Include the race name and date with your application."

Something to keep in mind if you don't get in via lottery.

$216 for NY Marathon?

Sigh, it's true (and more if you're not a member). Reminder, however, that the NYC Half was on the high end, so we shouldn't be surprised. NYC is hurting, and it's passing along fee increases - and the NYC Marathon is passing it along to us as well.

Given the demand to get into the race, this is definitely a sustainable price (think about the prices for Broadway productions), so don't expect a reduction.

One request for NYRR: Disclose how much you are paying for appearance fees, and how that has changed over the years. To keep the elite athletes coming here is a deliberate (and defensible) decision. However, if that's the reason why the fees are being boosted, then tell the running community that.

I'm pretty sure there are more expensive marathons in the U.S. (My readers will confirm - and I will research!) But this certainly is one of the highest.

On that note: Happy New Year! My apologies for the scarcity of posts over the past few months - ironically, an increased focus on running contributed. 2012, I'm hoping to get back to a regular posting, including race results and a renewed focus on local runners.

PPTC Marathon Bus

Prospect Park Track Club still has space on its marathon bus fleet (or it did as of yesterday afternoon). For those of you racing next Sunday and still don't have a way to get to the Staten Island start, the buses leave from 7th Ave. and Garfield (by JackRabbit Store). Details are here.

Plot Strategy for Your NYC Marathon Qualifiers

UPDATED this post to correct and reflect that the Club Championships is a marathon qualifier!)

As of now, all the summer qualifiers are closed until Aug. 27 (except for the Club Championships ... and you have to be a club member to race that)

The way things have been going, qualifying races have been closing out 2 weeks to 2 months ahead of time, so be alert.

Based on the NYRR event calendar, here's the number of remaining qualifiers that are still open (and remember, you need a volunteer entry as well):

*July: 0
*August: 3
*September: 3
*October: 3 (details on Grete's aren't up yet - both races that day may be qualifiers)
*November: 2
*December: 4

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.

Odds for NYC Marathon Entry

NYRR has disclosed some data about how tough it is to get into the marathon on a non-guaranteed entry

Reminder: If you're seeking to do the 9+1 route in 2012, you *must* be a NYRR member as of Jan. 31. Otherwise, won't happen.

WSJ Article on Marathon Course Change Speculation

Interesting piece of speculation about any possible changes (some radical, most unlikely) to the course of the NYC Marathon in the Wall Street Journal (registration may be required).

One restriction to adding more people (do you really need more?) has been the start and the finish (an alternate start could be in Brooklyn ...). The Olympic marathon, if it were in NYC, would have started in Coney Island and gone across the Brooklyn Bridge - not realistic for the annual footrace.

The WSJ had an article last week about attempts to add a second New York City marathon, this one run solely in the Bronx.

Why I Run

'Nuf said. This is a family blog, so I won't even describe the reactions this sign got.

Now What?

As you're sitting somewhere inside, hopefully warm, thinking about:

*How glad you are the marathon was run *yesterday* instead of *today* (it just stayed raw, didn't it? And the sleet in the AM probably wouldn't have been appreciated to those of you who ran in shorts and a singlet)

*Rethinking your past desires to live in a third-floor Brownstone walkup (at least not too many people will see you walking backward when you go downstairs)

The next big question is: What Now? (Deep tissue massage for both your legs.).

Happily, I have some other thoughts. (Beer. Well, beyond that.)

*Thinking about next year's race? Well, NYRR has helpfully provided an application already: It will only cost $167 next year (if you're a NYRR member), and $207 if you're not. That includes a non-refundable $11 processing fee, though you won't get charged the full amount until you're accepted. I need to go through the fine print to see what changes have been made. You can apply until April 30.

*Didn't have a great race, but don't want all the distance training to go to waste? Now's the time to check out Marathon Guide and see what other marathons and halfs are in the near future (create a short vacation! Somewhere warm!)

*Do the paperwork - if you need more Q races, or have to volunteer (you can fork over $1,000 to get rid of that last issue), make sure you take advantage of the remaining Q races. Walk 'em if you have to

*Stay close to home, and hone in on a couple of key races: For Brooklynites, obviously the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day is a tasty option (how can I get me a pie?). But check out a couple of the NYRR races in December, and some PRs may be in the offing. Me, I'm looking at the Joe Kleinerman 10K on Dec. 5

*Start thinking indoor track, and go from one extreme to another. I know, I know - the last time to ran an indoor mile was high school - now's the time. NYRR doesn't have the races posted yet for January, though the Armory has a list of races in January and February, and maybe you can figure out a way to sneak into the Park Slope Y and train there (though I have some good treadmill workouts).

*Chill out for a few days, relax, consider this an effort well done. Anyway, most of you can barely walk down the stairs without little yelps (it'll get worse tomorrow, trust me. Oh, and the walking backward isn't a joke - do it; you'll be happier).

Searchable Results Available by 8 p.m.

The New York marathon site, which has been frustrating me to no end throughout the day, says searchable results will be available by then. Look for this, as well as tons of snippets of information, throughout the next few days. Congrats everyone who ran!

Book Signing at Expo

At the expo on Friday and Saturday, Brooklyn native Matt Long, a New York City firefighter and New York marathoner will be signing books and talking about his experience about becoming an athlete again after being crushed by a 20-ton bus. Book details are through the link.

Friday, 11/5
11am-12pm - I WILL RUN seminar, Matt Long + Charlie Butler ING Booth #318
12pm - 1pm - Matt Long and Charlie Butler signing copies at the Runner's World Booth

Saturday, 11/6
11am-12pm - Matt Long and Charlie Butler signing copies at Runner's World Booth

For Those of Us Who Aren't Obsessed With the Marathon

Note that the marathon expo over at the Javitz opens at 10 a.m. tomorrow (and continues Friday and Saturday). Even if you're not running in the race, it's always fun to wander over, soak in the atmosphere, see what kinds of bargains you can find (and freebee stuff).

And if you are running ... get pysched!

Carbo Loading at Park Slope Food Co-op

Saw this on the Prospect Park Track Club blog, passing along an opportunity for carbo loading the Saturday before the race:

"On Saturday November 6, 2010, all are welcome, runners and non-runners alike to come share the carbo-loading pasta party at the Park Slope Food Coop located at 782 Union Street on the Second floor. The party begins at 1 p.m. Come fuel up for the biggest race in New York City with carbohydrates, healthy drinks with electrolytes while enjoying running films about marathon running. "

Marathon Weather Outlook

Right now, you'll be waking up to weather around 40 degrees, with a high for the day projected to be 51 degrees. Chilly weather to be sitting out at Staten Island for a few hours, but almost perfect conditions to run a long race, depending on when the high is reached.

New York Marathon Clock Ticks Down

And now starts the blitz of local coverage, a bit more than 7 days (tick tick tick) before the start time for many of you. (Good luck everyone!!)

The NYRR has a wealth of information. Doubtless you're aware of it, but in case you're not ...

*Week events are here: Tons of stuff worth looking at

The NYRR 5, next Friday morning, now has an additional incentive: 5 runners who enter will be guaranteed entry in the NYC Marathon in 2011 - the first 5 official entrants. I'm looking to see if this is just a guaranteed entry, or if the entry fees, whatever they may be, will be paid. (Note the $40 fee for members, the $50 fee for non-members)

Remember: Don't get messed up by Daylight savings time (back an hour that night, which of course means an extra hour you don't sleep)

Meb vs Geb

New Yorkers know about Meb. They don't know as much about Geb, i.e. Haile Gebrselassie, one of the greatest marathoners in the world. He's the fastest ever ... is he the best competitor? Interesting NYTimes article today about the upcoming race.

My thoughts: If it becomes a strategic race, Gebrselassie may be at a disadvantage (he's obviously got the speed, though NYC isn't always to the fastest). A faster pace in the beginning benefits him as the competition will slough off. But who knows! From a spectator point, this oughta be one of the best.

PPTC/JackRabbit Marathon Bus Nearly Full

Only 33 spots remain for the buses that will head to the marathon start, so sign up now (and don't expect to show up on marathon morning with cash in hand and expect to be able to get on board).

Details are here (scroll down) and sign-up info is here

A Tale of Two Saturdays

Last Saturday, I went for a run, like I typically do. I'd been thinking about doing as many as 15 miles, though a scheduling problem meant I'd probably be able to do 12 at most. I ended up doing 8 after my legs inexplicably gave out on me. Nothing dramatic - I just reached a point in the run about 4 miles in, where they suddenly became increasingly heavy and fatigued. I staggered back the final two miles, wondering what the heck was going on. This past week of running, as I struggled with a minor injury, was also mentally tough.

Today, I went for a run, like I typically do (yes, there is a point). I was planning to run four miles easy, using a route from the Promenade over the Brooklyn Bridge and back, since I'm racing tomorrow. For those of you out there today: You know it was blustery (all the more fun). I was expecting an easy run, perhaps even tougher than usual. So I was surprised when I reached the top of the bridge and was running 30 seconds faster than I normally do on an easy day. And in fact, the whole route was done a good 1:30 faster - and I wasn't trying.

Obviously, I didn't ingest steroids or speed pills overnight. What did happen? One was a bad day, and one was a good day (I love it when the good days also occur when I'm racing: Those become "great days"). For all the training and prep work we do, I'm a firm believer that some days just suck, and some days are the absolute best.

The point: Today, many of you probably finished your last big workout before the New York Marathon, three weeks hence. For some of you, it was a brilliant 20-22 mile jaunt, for others it was a struggle and you felt like crap, and you're wondering if you're ready for the big race.

The answer: If you've done the right work, and keep yourself in check for the next three weeks, you'll probably be fine. At this point, there's not a lot you can do to suddenly improve your performance - if anything, you can hurt it.

Believe in yourself, believe that you've sweated out the miles over the past 15-20+ weeks to get ready for the race. One or two bad days during the cycle is typical; don't pysch yourself out or over worry. Get into the three-week taper mode, do what your plan calls, and start getting mentally ready.

And, if you're feeling awesome after today's long run -- feel the power and milk it. But don't get overconfident and suddenly start planning for 30 secs/mile faster pace. Look at your training and make a smart decision about what you can do.

WHOOOOH! Good luck everyone.