Nice piece on the NYTimes website about the Central Park Reservoir.
I realized the other day that I probably have run the actual reservoir loop once - and the carriage trail (a bit more unstable footing, but a lot more room) dozens of times. Either are a nice change of pace from the six-mile road loop in the park.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Brooklyn Half Course Analysis
A friend of mine ran the first part of the Brooklyn Half course last weekend: Her verdict? "It's a fast course."
I did the same thing this morning and have to agree. It's not the most exciting course in the world (though the alternative was running two loops in Prospect Park, instead of one). But the fact is, you don't have to pay attention to the undulating parts of the park, you get three serious downhills (including two in the first three miles of the race) and only one bout with Zoo hill.
Yeah, it's definitely a PR course if the weather cooperates. (And right now it looks like probably low 60s with very mild wind from the East.)
Let me break the race into three components: Pre-Prospect Park, the Park loop, and Ocean Parkway/Coney Island.
*Pre Prospect Park - about 3.75 miles. Starting on Washington, you get a nice downhill for the first half mile-plus. The turn back up Flatbush is steadily uphill - but it's an easy uphill. Running Union Street to the Park, or running the Brooklyn/Manhattan/Williamsburgh bridges are a lot tougher. And then you get to run it downhill., before it turns into a flat route heading into the park. I gotta say - I was definitely able to zone out on these parts. One part of the course is in the shade pretty much the whole time -- I can actually see folk running this part too fast.
*Prospect Park - about 3.3 miles. You've done the loop before, you'll do it again. Don't kill yourself on Zoo Hill, remember to run the tangents (especially on the hills - both up and down). Use the 1/4 mile marks spread out at various parts in the park to keep your pacing under control - in my run today, the mile that included Zoo Hill was 23 seconds slower than the second mile (which included the downhill) - and I thought my effort for both miles was about the same.
*Ocean Parkway/Coney Island. It's about 5.5 miles to the Coney Island boardwalk, there won't be much shade, and it's boring as heck. And these are the good things I have to say. I hate training on this stretch anyway, but it's a necessary evil. So keep focused on the fact that it's be a good day to take a dip in the water afterward/fixate on your favorite fantasy/start giving yourself Harry Potter quizzes. Oh, and if it's windy, find someone tall to run behind.
The last time I was on the boardwalk (about 6 weeks ago), the boards were in the usual terrible condition. It may have improved, but something to watch out for. At that point, you've got tired legs, but your adrenaline pumping and you can see the finish. Just don't think about Nathan's Hot Dogs at this point.
And then you're done!
I did the same thing this morning and have to agree. It's not the most exciting course in the world (though the alternative was running two loops in Prospect Park, instead of one). But the fact is, you don't have to pay attention to the undulating parts of the park, you get three serious downhills (including two in the first three miles of the race) and only one bout with Zoo hill.
Yeah, it's definitely a PR course if the weather cooperates. (And right now it looks like probably low 60s with very mild wind from the East.)
Let me break the race into three components: Pre-Prospect Park, the Park loop, and Ocean Parkway/Coney Island.
*Pre Prospect Park - about 3.75 miles. Starting on Washington, you get a nice downhill for the first half mile-plus. The turn back up Flatbush is steadily uphill - but it's an easy uphill. Running Union Street to the Park, or running the Brooklyn/Manhattan/Williamsburgh bridges are a lot tougher. And then you get to run it downhill., before it turns into a flat route heading into the park. I gotta say - I was definitely able to zone out on these parts. One part of the course is in the shade pretty much the whole time -- I can actually see folk running this part too fast.
*Prospect Park - about 3.3 miles. You've done the loop before, you'll do it again. Don't kill yourself on Zoo Hill, remember to run the tangents (especially on the hills - both up and down). Use the 1/4 mile marks spread out at various parts in the park to keep your pacing under control - in my run today, the mile that included Zoo Hill was 23 seconds slower than the second mile (which included the downhill) - and I thought my effort for both miles was about the same.
*Ocean Parkway/Coney Island. It's about 5.5 miles to the Coney Island boardwalk, there won't be much shade, and it's boring as heck. And these are the good things I have to say. I hate training on this stretch anyway, but it's a necessary evil. So keep focused on the fact that it's be a good day to take a dip in the water afterward/fixate on your favorite fantasy/start giving yourself Harry Potter quizzes. Oh, and if it's windy, find someone tall to run behind.
The last time I was on the boardwalk (about 6 weeks ago), the boards were in the usual terrible condition. It may have improved, but something to watch out for. At that point, you've got tired legs, but your adrenaline pumping and you can see the finish. Just don't think about Nathan's Hot Dogs at this point.
And then you're done!
Monday, March 26, 2012
NYRR Says Brooklyn Half Nearing Capacity
Think there's any pent-up demand for this race? Posting is on main home page - if you haven't registered, do it soon.
Brooklyn Half Is Open for Registration
The site is sluggish, but people are able to get through and register, so be patient. With 15,000 entries available, it's not likely to fill up as quickly as last year - though if you're going to run it, I'd register this afternoon to be sure.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Initial Thoughts on Brooklyn Half (and the Course)
I'm looking at the course map, posted here (download the .pdf). And I've read the New York Times article. My initial thoughts are - what a cluster (my second thoughts aren't printable):
Running back and forth, in and around the park before the Coney Island route, suggests a whole bunch of things:
*NYRR didn't get permission to start the race in the park because of Googa Mooga, if they even attempted to do so.
*NYRR was trying to do another, more glamorous route (maybe Brooklyn Bridge?), and got turned down.
*NYRR still doesn't have all the permits (note the Community Board meeting next week). This could be an issue given the number of street requested to be closed down.
*This line in the NYT article doesn't quite make sense because it doesn't really matter how many people are running.: "Last year, 5,921 runners finished. Road Runners could not increase the field and include two 3.35-mile loops because the faster runners would lap the slower runners. "
*This 2012 course will never be run again. I can't even imagine running it as a training route.
*The $45 price for NYRR members isn't surprising given all the costs at hand, just disappointing at this late date.
*15,000 runners allowed in *should* help the entry crunch on Monday.
I suspect there were a lot of attempts to get the course set, get permits made, etc. etc.
Here's my main issue (among many): As much as the NYC Marathon and the NYC Half are high profile races, the Brooklyn Half is one of the city's top local races - if not the top local race. Over the years, runners have been jerked around by date changes, course changes, lack of information. People make it a destination race for the spring. There's a reason why the NYRR Facebook page has been overrun with complaints about the lack of registration details.
Because people care.
So, one simple request: Start planning now for 2013, 2014, 2015. Lock the dates in place. Lock the course in place. NOW.
And stop messing with us.
Running back and forth, in and around the park before the Coney Island route, suggests a whole bunch of things:
*NYRR didn't get permission to start the race in the park because of Googa Mooga, if they even attempted to do so.
*NYRR was trying to do another, more glamorous route (maybe Brooklyn Bridge?), and got turned down.
*NYRR still doesn't have all the permits (note the Community Board meeting next week). This could be an issue given the number of street requested to be closed down.
*This line in the NYT article doesn't quite make sense because it doesn't really matter how many people are running.: "Last year, 5,921 runners finished. Road Runners could not increase the field and include two 3.35-mile loops because the faster runners would lap the slower runners. "
*This 2012 course will never be run again. I can't even imagine running it as a training route.
*The $45 price for NYRR members isn't surprising given all the costs at hand, just disappointing at this late date.
*15,000 runners allowed in *should* help the entry crunch on Monday.
I suspect there were a lot of attempts to get the course set, get permits made, etc. etc.
Here's my main issue (among many): As much as the NYC Marathon and the NYC Half are high profile races, the Brooklyn Half is one of the city's top local races - if not the top local race. Over the years, runners have been jerked around by date changes, course changes, lack of information. People make it a destination race for the spring. There's a reason why the NYRR Facebook page has been overrun with complaints about the lack of registration details.
Because people care.
So, one simple request: Start planning now for 2013, 2014, 2015. Lock the dates in place. Lock the course in place. NOW.
And stop messing with us.
Brooklyn Half Opens Monday (3/26) at Noon
Race fee is $45 if you're a NYRR member and sign up by April 9, though it will be closed by then.
Of course, it hasn't yet been approved, but here's the course posted on the NYRR site:
You’ll start on Washington Avenue, just south of Eastern Parkway, and head south to Empire Boulevard, where you’ll turn right. You’ll take another right onto Flatbush Avenue, run to Grand Army Plaza, and do a complete counter-clockwise lap of the plaza’s outer circle. You’ll turn right onto Flatbush Avenue again and take that to Ocean Avenue, then turn right onto Parkside Avenue and enter Prospect Park at Prospect Park Circle, just past the 3.5-mile point. You’ll run one full counter-clockwise loop of Prospect Park (3.35 miles) and leave the park (just past the race’s halfway point) via the main exit near Prospect Park Circle. Continue straight through to Park Circle, run around the north quarter of the circle, and turn right onto the Ocean Parkway/Fort Hamilton Parkway entrance ramp. Bear left onto the Ocean Parkway entrance ramp and merge onto Ocean Parkway, on which you’ll run five very straight, flat, and fast miles to Surf Avenue. You’ll bear right and run in Surf Avenue’s eastbound traffic lanes (keep the traffic median on your right), then turn left (south) onto West 10th Street and continue to the end of the street, where you’ll be directed up ramps onto the Boardwalk. You’ll turn right and head to the finish, which is on the Boardwalk near Henderson Walk/Stillwell Avenue.
Of course, it hasn't yet been approved, but here's the course posted on the NYRR site:
You’ll start on Washington Avenue, just south of Eastern Parkway, and head south to Empire Boulevard, where you’ll turn right. You’ll take another right onto Flatbush Avenue, run to Grand Army Plaza, and do a complete counter-clockwise lap of the plaza’s outer circle. You’ll turn right onto Flatbush Avenue again and take that to Ocean Avenue, then turn right onto Parkside Avenue and enter Prospect Park at Prospect Park Circle, just past the 3.5-mile point. You’ll run one full counter-clockwise loop of Prospect Park (3.35 miles) and leave the park (just past the race’s halfway point) via the main exit near Prospect Park Circle. Continue straight through to Park Circle, run around the north quarter of the circle, and turn right onto the Ocean Parkway/Fort Hamilton Parkway entrance ramp. Bear left onto the Ocean Parkway entrance ramp and merge onto Ocean Parkway, on which you’ll run five very straight, flat, and fast miles to Surf Avenue. You’ll bear right and run in Surf Avenue’s eastbound traffic lanes (keep the traffic median on your right), then turn left (south) onto West 10th Street and continue to the end of the street, where you’ll be directed up ramps onto the Boardwalk. You’ll turn right and head to the finish, which is on the Boardwalk near Henderson Walk/Stillwell Avenue.
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