How big can you get?
New York Marathon guru Mary Wittenberg has indicated she'd like to expand the current race size, and the wave start may be precursor.
Other marathons may grow as well as more and more people participate in the 26.2-mile event. But in some cases, the roads simply can't handle the size of the race.
An interesting discussion in this morning's NY Times.
P.S. Aren't you glad the race wasn't yesterday? Latest weather forecast for Sunday, high of 50, with that threat of showers seemingly dissipated
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Spectating Advice
Just got an e-mail from my friend J, who's running the marathon next weekend. In it, she mentions a few great spectating ideas, which I'm going to crib for this post, and add a couple of my own ...
-- Make sure your friends know what time you expect to run next Sunday, and just as important, *what time you start*. The wave start is going to wreak havoc on some planning (especially if you have people who are starting in separate waves.
-- Tell them what you're planning to wear. The more distinctive, the better. Give them some options (if it's cold, I'm wearing this, if it's pouring, I'm wearing this). Current weather forecast: showers, a high of 54, but that will change. If you've run the course before, and are comfortable with this concept, tell them what side of the street you're running on (this is especially important in Brooklyn, where the slightly different routes will have people running in different areas).
-- Give them some prime viewing locations. If you've got some really dedicated friends, get them up to the Bronx (the Bronx? They have a zoo there?) Getting that inspiration and support if you're hitting the wall around mile 20 is invaluable. Don't tell them to try to shout your name at mile 16 coming onto First Ave. It's a mob scene, lots of fun, but even if they can get a spot near the front, it'll be hard to see you.
-- Get some white tape and paste your name/nickname on your shirt. I've gotta say, I thought this was a stupid idea, until I realized that people were calling out the names of the people running next to me, and realized what kind of lift they were getting from hearing their names yelled by complete strangers.
-- Have your friends sign up for Athlete Alert, so they know when you've passed certain check points. Figuring most people have cell phones (including some of those running), so it's a good way to make sure folk are aware what's going on, especially if you're unexpectedly forced to stop.
-- Have a meeting point set near the finish; and then have a backup meeting point if it's a mob scene.
Anyone have other ideas?
-- Make sure your friends know what time you expect to run next Sunday, and just as important, *what time you start*. The wave start is going to wreak havoc on some planning (especially if you have people who are starting in separate waves.
-- Tell them what you're planning to wear. The more distinctive, the better. Give them some options (if it's cold, I'm wearing this, if it's pouring, I'm wearing this). Current weather forecast: showers, a high of 54, but that will change. If you've run the course before, and are comfortable with this concept, tell them what side of the street you're running on (this is especially important in Brooklyn, where the slightly different routes will have people running in different areas).
-- Give them some prime viewing locations. If you've got some really dedicated friends, get them up to the Bronx (the Bronx? They have a zoo there?) Getting that inspiration and support if you're hitting the wall around mile 20 is invaluable. Don't tell them to try to shout your name at mile 16 coming onto First Ave. It's a mob scene, lots of fun, but even if they can get a spot near the front, it'll be hard to see you.
-- Get some white tape and paste your name/nickname on your shirt. I've gotta say, I thought this was a stupid idea, until I realized that people were calling out the names of the people running next to me, and realized what kind of lift they were getting from hearing their names yelled by complete strangers.
-- Have your friends sign up for Athlete Alert, so they know when you've passed certain check points. Figuring most people have cell phones (including some of those running), so it's a good way to make sure folk are aware what's going on, especially if you're unexpectedly forced to stop.
-- Have a meeting point set near the finish; and then have a backup meeting point if it's a mob scene.
Anyone have other ideas?
In the News
Some random musings from my survey of the news this morning ...
- Strange question in the FYI column this morning in the New York Times:
Will I lose more calories if I walk the 6.1-mile Central Park loop clockwise or counterclockwise?
The answer, according to NYRR is no difference. But somehow I think the question begs another couple: Which way is easier? And does it matter where you start?
Most of the time, if it's not a race, I start in the southern end of the park on the East Side, though I've started multiple different places and I'd be hard pressed to say which direction I've run more frequently. But mentally, I think running counter-clockwise is probably a tiny bit harder. It may have to do with Cat Hill (the steep hill coming up from the boathouse).
Anyone have a preference?
- The New York Observed column this morning is kind of quirky, about the nicknames one gives to familiar, yet unknown faces, one sees while running in Prospect Park.
- Strange question in the FYI column this morning in the New York Times:
Will I lose more calories if I walk the 6.1-mile Central Park loop clockwise or counterclockwise?
The answer, according to NYRR is no difference. But somehow I think the question begs another couple: Which way is easier? And does it matter where you start?
Most of the time, if it's not a race, I start in the southern end of the park on the East Side, though I've started multiple different places and I'd be hard pressed to say which direction I've run more frequently. But mentally, I think running counter-clockwise is probably a tiny bit harder. It may have to do with Cat Hill (the steep hill coming up from the boathouse).
Anyone have a preference?
- The New York Observed column this morning is kind of quirky, about the nicknames one gives to familiar, yet unknown faces, one sees while running in Prospect Park.
Favorite 10 Mile (Plus) Runs
What a beautiful morning. If only New York was this weekend (OK, it would have been a little bit chilly at the start).
One of the laments I've heard from my running friends and colleagues is the difficulty in finding new routes. I've posted a few of them over time, but will readily admit this has been lacking.
So, without further ado, let's get going.
This morning's adventure is elegant in its simplicity, has a bathroom about 4 miles into the route and one at the end. Essentially, start on the southern end of the Brooklyn Promenade, make your way over the Brooklyn Bridge, head down to the East River and run along the path there until you reach the Williamsburg Bridge (if you go about 200 yards past it, there's a bathroom - albeit one that's a bit skeevy - and water fountain), head back over the bridge, and then hug the water as you return back to your starting point. (The second bathroom, which isn't labeled on this map, is at the Pierrepont playground, about 100 yards from the starting point).
Why I like it: the Williamsburg Bridge isn't crowded, and you have a steady 1.5 miles uphill (not steep), meaning you have to work it as you approach from the East River. It's also a fairly scenic route, with views from the bridges, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and runs through Williamsburg, Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights.
One of the laments I've heard from my running friends and colleagues is the difficulty in finding new routes. I've posted a few of them over time, but will readily admit this has been lacking.
So, without further ado, let's get going.
This morning's adventure is elegant in its simplicity, has a bathroom about 4 miles into the route and one at the end. Essentially, start on the southern end of the Brooklyn Promenade, make your way over the Brooklyn Bridge, head down to the East River and run along the path there until you reach the Williamsburg Bridge (if you go about 200 yards past it, there's a bathroom - albeit one that's a bit skeevy - and water fountain), head back over the bridge, and then hug the water as you return back to your starting point. (The second bathroom, which isn't labeled on this map, is at the Pierrepont playground, about 100 yards from the starting point).
Why I like it: the Williamsburg Bridge isn't crowded, and you have a steady 1.5 miles uphill (not steep), meaning you have to work it as you approach from the East River. It's also a fairly scenic route, with views from the bridges, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and runs through Williamsburg, Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Run For Your Life
"Run For Your Life," the Fred Lebow movie, comes out on DVD on Oct. 28, and will be appearing at the Village East on Oct. 29. Info follows (from an e-mail I just got):
*** NYC Premiere & Theatrical Run begins this Wednesday, October 29th at the Village East Cinema (12th St. & 2nd Ave.)
*** DVD Release (with nearly an hour of extras) from Universal Home Video & Screen Media Films on Tuesday, October 28th
More info here ...
(I just got "Spirit of the Marathon" from Netflix, so will be using that for running inspiration, just as soon as I can get my kids to stop watching "Sleeping Beauty")
*** NYC Premiere & Theatrical Run begins this Wednesday, October 29th at the Village East Cinema (12th St. & 2nd Ave.)
*** DVD Release (with nearly an hour of extras) from Universal Home Video & Screen Media Films on Tuesday, October 28th
More info here ...
(I just got "Spirit of the Marathon" from Netflix, so will be using that for running inspiration, just as soon as I can get my kids to stop watching "Sleeping Beauty")
Daylight Savings Time
And if you didn't have enough to worry about: Daylight Savings Time ends on ... Nov. 2.
The good thing about it: You get an extra hour to sleep (spring ahead, fall back ...)
The bad thing about it: I feel bad for the runners who don't realize this and show up at their transportation an hour ahead of schedule.
The good thing about it: You get an extra hour to sleep (spring ahead, fall back ...)
The bad thing about it: I feel bad for the runners who don't realize this and show up at their transportation an hour ahead of schedule.
This Year's Lance Armstrong?
Two years ago, when Lance ran for the first time, the running community (OK, my small subsection of the running community) was outraged at the amount of attention being focused on some cycling guy, who wasn't even training properly.
Would be break 3 hours? I remember entering a pool, missing his time by at least 6 minutes (on the slower side).
It reminds me of the year that P Diddy ran (and in fact, I think I almost crossed paths with him that year ...). You get so focused on someone else, or maybe the media does, and then it snowballs. Ulimately, it comes down to the fact: the marathon is a goal distance and a goal race for a lot of people, and New York is one of those must-do races.
Last year, Katie Holmes was the focus. (err, maybe my focus.). This year ...
I'm not sensing any outrage or massive support for the "celebrity" racers this year. Brandi Chastain? Kerri Strug? Hope they do well.
As for the pros, you can pick how they do in this pool being run by the NYRR, with the winner getting a Toyota Prius. (An aside: Running? Betting? Maybe it'll make people pay enough attention to the best runners in the world). If Paula hadn't run Beijing, I'd like her to win again, but I'm wondering if she'll be recovered enough.
Would be break 3 hours? I remember entering a pool, missing his time by at least 6 minutes (on the slower side).
It reminds me of the year that P Diddy ran (and in fact, I think I almost crossed paths with him that year ...). You get so focused on someone else, or maybe the media does, and then it snowballs. Ulimately, it comes down to the fact: the marathon is a goal distance and a goal race for a lot of people, and New York is one of those must-do races.
Last year, Katie Holmes was the focus. (err, maybe my focus.). This year ...
I'm not sensing any outrage or massive support for the "celebrity" racers this year. Brandi Chastain? Kerri Strug? Hope they do well.
As for the pros, you can pick how they do in this pool being run by the NYRR, with the winner getting a Toyota Prius. (An aside: Running? Betting? Maybe it'll make people pay enough attention to the best runners in the world). If Paula hadn't run Beijing, I'd like her to win again, but I'm wondering if she'll be recovered enough.
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