Monday, June 28, 2010
A More Comprehensive Look at Area Races
is here, at NYC Runs, for those who haven't discovered this site yet.
Summer Runnin', Having Some Fun ...
As I'm sitting here desperately praying for the summer storm to hit, and bring relief for this gosh-awful humidity, my thoughts are also turning to what the summer holds. Here's a look at some of the events that you might want to put on your calendars if it works out. One caveat: This by all means is not a comprehensive list - I'm deliberately picking and choosing, and I welcome comments on the omissions. (And by all means, if you're traveling, make sure you take a look at some of the local running clubs or local races in your neck of the woods).
July 4: Pepper Martin Run. Five miles, including a kick-ass hill, and a great post-race feed, all a worthy excuse to visit Staten Island before your evening festivities.
July 10: Take Your Base 5K at MCU Park (that's where the Cyclones play now). It's a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society, and a perfect excuse to drag the family out to Coney Island.
July 11: Utica Boilermaker 15K. One of the state's great races.
July 23: Dan Kelley Twilight Mile. I know nothing about this Staten Island race; that said it's an opportunity to race a classic distance on a track (bring your spikes!). An aside: Something like this needs to happen more often: How about a Brooklyn Track Festival out at Red Hook?
July 24: Queens Half Marathon. Still waiting on the course description. I love the comments on how to get there on the NYRR Web site: "Take the 7 Train to Mets-Willets Point station. More details coming soon."
Aug. 7: NYRR Club Championships. It's one of those races that still pulls in most of the best of the city. And when you look at the NYRR race results, and realize how many top runners *aren't* on club teams ...
Aug. 8: Sgt. Ferguson 5K on the Brooklyn Bridge. Perhaps I need to check my vacation schedule next year. I spend way too much time of my running time on the Brooklyn Bridge - it's time I should race it.
Aug. 15: Bronx Half. Grand Concourse. Middle of the summer or the middle of winter. Which is worse?
Aug. 18: Al Goldstein PPTC Summer Series. This is the last race of several in Prospect Park, and a perfect way to round up the summer racing season.
Aug. 22: Battle of Brooklyn 10-Miler. Sponsored by JackRabbit, it's 3 loops in Prospect Park ... or, run a 3-person relay. (Wait, hasn't this been done ...). If I'm in a betting mood: What's the over-under for the temperature spread at the start between the Cherry Tree and the Battle of Brooklyn ... Let's start at 60 degrees (F)
Needless to say, there are plenty of other races, and I welcome some shout-outs.
July 4: Pepper Martin Run. Five miles, including a kick-ass hill, and a great post-race feed, all a worthy excuse to visit Staten Island before your evening festivities.
July 10: Take Your Base 5K at MCU Park (that's where the Cyclones play now). It's a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society, and a perfect excuse to drag the family out to Coney Island.
July 11: Utica Boilermaker 15K. One of the state's great races.
July 23: Dan Kelley Twilight Mile. I know nothing about this Staten Island race; that said it's an opportunity to race a classic distance on a track (bring your spikes!). An aside: Something like this needs to happen more often: How about a Brooklyn Track Festival out at Red Hook?
July 24: Queens Half Marathon. Still waiting on the course description. I love the comments on how to get there on the NYRR Web site: "Take the 7 Train to Mets-Willets Point station. More details coming soon."
Aug. 7: NYRR Club Championships. It's one of those races that still pulls in most of the best of the city. And when you look at the NYRR race results, and realize how many top runners *aren't* on club teams ...
Aug. 8: Sgt. Ferguson 5K on the Brooklyn Bridge. Perhaps I need to check my vacation schedule next year. I spend way too much time of my running time on the Brooklyn Bridge - it's time I should race it.
Aug. 15: Bronx Half. Grand Concourse. Middle of the summer or the middle of winter. Which is worse?
Aug. 18: Al Goldstein PPTC Summer Series. This is the last race of several in Prospect Park, and a perfect way to round up the summer racing season.
Aug. 22: Battle of Brooklyn 10-Miler. Sponsored by JackRabbit, it's 3 loops in Prospect Park ... or, run a 3-person relay. (Wait, hasn't this been done ...). If I'm in a betting mood: What's the over-under for the temperature spread at the start between the Cherry Tree and the Battle of Brooklyn ... Let's start at 60 degrees (F)
Needless to say, there are plenty of other races, and I welcome some shout-outs.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Cosme Coney Island Boardwalk 5K Tomorrow
Running in the Heat
There are reasons to run in hot, humid temperatures. Say, for example, you're training for the Queens or Bronx half marathons, and you're looking to mimic race-day conditions. Or you're looking at at a fall marathon and need to get the mileage in.
Then there are the reasons *not* to run in such conditions, or at least tailor your workout to accommodate the heat. Such as today's poor excuse: a 12+-mile run (should have been 15), which started with some promise and slowly dribbled away (like the water I vainly poured over my heat in an attempt to stay cool.) Note to self: a run around the Green-Wood cemetery sounds like a good idea (a little variety, little traffic ... and no water fountains. Yes, there a couple of bodegas, if I'd planned a bit more ahead).
I don't care that the Watchtower clock said it was 73 degrees when I crossed the Brooklyn Bridge later - the strength-zapping humidity more than made up for it. I'd also think my body had at least acclimatized, a little, to the temperatures given the weather over the last few weeks. Uh uh.
I know others feel my pain. And probably some of my dehydration (despite drinking Gatorade, water and lemonade for several hours, it wasn't until mid-afternoon before the need to use the bathroom arose). It seems a lot more humid sooner in the year (could just be me).
So, to actually add some value to this vent, let me steal a line from when of the better cop shows: "Let's be careful out there." Don't overdo it. Make sure you're hydrated. And run smart (i.e. modify your workout to take into account the temperatures.)
Then there are the reasons *not* to run in such conditions, or at least tailor your workout to accommodate the heat. Such as today's poor excuse: a 12+-mile run (should have been 15), which started with some promise and slowly dribbled away (like the water I vainly poured over my heat in an attempt to stay cool.) Note to self: a run around the Green-Wood cemetery sounds like a good idea (a little variety, little traffic ... and no water fountains. Yes, there a couple of bodegas, if I'd planned a bit more ahead).
I don't care that the Watchtower clock said it was 73 degrees when I crossed the Brooklyn Bridge later - the strength-zapping humidity more than made up for it. I'd also think my body had at least acclimatized, a little, to the temperatures given the weather over the last few weeks. Uh uh.
I know others feel my pain. And probably some of my dehydration (despite drinking Gatorade, water and lemonade for several hours, it wasn't until mid-afternoon before the need to use the bathroom arose). It seems a lot more humid sooner in the year (could just be me).
So, to actually add some value to this vent, let me steal a line from when of the better cop shows: "Let's be careful out there." Don't overdo it. Make sure you're hydrated. And run smart (i.e. modify your workout to take into account the temperatures.)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Running and Pianos
I'm seeing a running route in this (or multiple trips) ... with the installation of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" piano exhibit, there are 10 pianos in Brooklyn (and 60 throughout the city) just waiting to have your sweat-dripping fingers making some beautiful music. (Does Vanessa Carlton run?)
I passed the one in City Hall Park this morning - very colorful under its plastic wrap. The exhibit starts tomorrow and runs for two weeks. Grand Army Plaza, Coney Island, McCarren Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park all have one, and there are more ...
I passed the one in City Hall Park this morning - very colorful under its plastic wrap. The exhibit starts tomorrow and runs for two weeks. Grand Army Plaza, Coney Island, McCarren Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park all have one, and there are more ...
Father's Day Race Results
Nothing I like better on Father's Day than being reminded about the risks of prostate cancer (yes, I know, good cause and all that, but still ...). Remarkably blechhy day - I did an hour run about 10 a.m. and found myself stopping at water fountains every chance I got (great sprinkler section in Battery Park if you haven't seen it).
Oh, yeah, the results. 5,203 people finished. The weather part is ... blank (it was hot, humid, messy).
Jon Phillips was the first Brooklyn finisher, clocking a 24:42 (nothing in there about whether the 26-year-old is a dad).
Oh, yeah, the results. 5,203 people finished. The weather part is ... blank (it was hot, humid, messy).
Jon Phillips was the first Brooklyn finisher, clocking a 24:42 (nothing in there about whether the 26-year-old is a dad).
Friday, June 11, 2010
Running This Weekend
After being put in my place by two 5Ks (Sunday, Thursday), and facing a bunch of schedule conflicts this weekend, I ain't happy. Still, there's running to be done:
*Both Saturday and Sunday mornings look perfect for long runs (with rain possible both weekend evenings). Should be in the 6os tomorrow morning, which is a nice change.
*On Saturday, many are running the NYRR Mini 10K (featuring 11 Olympians). It's also being Webcast on the NYRR site. Women only. Closer to home is the Race for Auto Music 5K! at 9 a.m. Other events are on the PPTC Web site.
And then of course there's the U.S.-England World Cup game *and* the Diamond League meet on Randall's Island in the PM (not happy about this). Lagat will be running in the 1500 with about 15-20 minutes to go in the game ... blech - wouldn't be a problem, if I didn't have tickets to the track meet. (Yes, I know, a better smart phone would save me).
*Sunday, please note, the Michael Hanly run has been canceled, according to the Web site. Cool race icon, though. Thunderstorms later in the day, indicating some levels of humidity, in case you run in the evening. Then you have the choice of watching Celtics-Lakers game 5, or running early in the AM Monday (again, not happy).
Good luck, everyone who's racing!
*Both Saturday and Sunday mornings look perfect for long runs (with rain possible both weekend evenings). Should be in the 6os tomorrow morning, which is a nice change.
*On Saturday, many are running the NYRR Mini 10K (featuring 11 Olympians). It's also being Webcast on the NYRR site. Women only. Closer to home is the Race for Auto Music 5K! at 9 a.m. Other events are on the PPTC Web site.
And then of course there's the U.S.-England World Cup game *and* the Diamond League meet on Randall's Island in the PM (not happy about this). Lagat will be running in the 1500 with about 15-20 minutes to go in the game ... blech - wouldn't be a problem, if I didn't have tickets to the track meet. (Yes, I know, a better smart phone would save me).
*Sunday, please note, the Michael Hanly run has been canceled, according to the Web site. Cool race icon, though. Thunderstorms later in the day, indicating some levels of humidity, in case you run in the evening. Then you have the choice of watching Celtics-Lakers game 5, or running early in the AM Monday (again, not happy).
Good luck, everyone who's racing!
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