Central Park Reservoir

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.

Brooklyn Marathon in WSJ

Nice piece about Sunday's Brooklyn Marathon in the Wall Street Journal. If you're out in the park Sunday doing your own stuff, make sure to cheer on the runners as they pass on by ...

MRIs: Worth It?

New York Times this morning has a front-page article questioning the widespread use of MRIs as a diagnostic tool, citing many doctors who say the value is overstated and can lead to unnecessary surgery.

Ironically, the only MRI I've had for a running related injury (I had twisted my knee) helped rule out surgery by doctor who was eager to put me under the knife.

Boards or Concrete at Coney Island?

The New York Times offers an update on the ongoing debate about whether the boardwalk at Coney Island will be replaced with something other than boards.

The article quotes schoolteacher Robert Burstein, who runs on the boardwalk daily:

Robert Burstein, 56, a schoolteacher who daily takes five-mile runs on the Boardwalk, said people flocked to it because they “want respite from concrete; we have concrete all around us.”

Red Hook Park (and Track) May Get Spiffed Up

This article in the Brooklyn Paper over the weekend focuses on the changes to artificial turf (from grass) and school playing rights, though buried in the third paragraph:

"Xavier will also replace the field’s surrounding track — paving the way for the school’s runners to work out there, too."

The lights and bleachers may be upgraded as well. No idea on timing, or whether this is a done deal, though something to keep an eye on. While it's a far cry from Icahn Stadium, it'd be great if there were some widespread community meets that attracted the best in Brooklyn.

NYT Investigates Running in Williamsburg

Umm ... I think folk from North Brooklyn Runners probably have things to say about this article, particularly these paragraphs:

"Among the first things I noticed when I started running was how few other runners I saw. That’s probably because of how cold it is, how dark it is (I often run at night) and how much ice and snow mar the route. But it may also have something to do with Williamsburg being the ZIP code of choice for hipsters these days. Whatever else running may be, hip it is not.

Which ultimately could be one reason I like it so much. Of course it’s also possible that I’m simply hooked, or maybe even addicted to suffering (see: 12-degree days), no matter where running falls on the axis of cool."

Race Fees and Meb

This article in the New York Times was being passed around the office today as folk got a chance to face the bleak reality of race budgets. Police budgets are being squeezed, they may have to charge full freight, and that's going to mean higher race fees and/or more races being run in Central and Prospect parks.

Somewhat embedded in the article is the sense that we won't see the fees increase tremendously in 2011 - but 2012 could be brutal.

Contrast this with the commentary on Let's Run about Meb and the Boston Marathon (he didn't get offered a slot in Boston, with the obvious speculation that it's about the race fee that he might command.). If Boston paid him $100,000 appearance fee (I should say, I have no idea if this is close), where would it come from? Higher race fees? His blog is linked here.

Think It's Cold Here?

Check this out. And no whining about the road conditions.

Numbers Game in Boston

Interesting article here on the BAA and the Boston Marathon and the challenges it faces in terms of fairly granting entry to everyone who wants to run Boston (sound familiar?). My two cents, for what it's worth:

*Lower the qualifying times and provide guaranteed entries (total, 10,000)
*Lottery for others using existing qualifying times (total 6,000)
*Charity et al (total 5,000)

Also out recently, a two-part article (part 1, part 2) over at Runners World with an interview of Mary Wittenberg

And finally, a very funny look at what Prospect Park West (and other streets with bike lanes) are destined to become

Using GPS for Course Measurement

Great article here detailing the details behind measuring courses, and the issues with GPS devices on accuracy

Why I Run

To live up to standards set by the coach and the runner, as detailed in today's New York Times

WSJ Weighs in on Boston Qualifying

Just noticed this: The WSJ has an article in today's paper examining whether the female qualifying standards for Boston are "too soft". The online version is behind a paywall, though it may be freely available - search for the title "It's Time for Women to Run Faster"

Why I Run

Actually, it's why Justin Gimelstob runs, though it reminded me of the various running bets/dares I and my friends have taken on over the years. (And he does have two NYC Marathon entries still available at the time of this article).

Will he break 4:45? I bet he'll have a lot of fan support along the way (and I would be surprised if Andy Roddick jumped in near the end if he's close).

Will Abrams

Nice piece here on PPTC's Will Abrams, who finished 2nd in M50-54 at Queens last month. Tip of the hat to Chicken Underwear for pointing it out

Quirky 5Ks

The Wall Street Journal has this story about some of the quirkier 5Ks in the U.S. (and hey, anyone can run one).

NYC Triathlon

Not a specific running post, though you've got to give kudos to everyone who was out in the sweltering heat for the NYC Tri. A NYT article points out that there were less hospitalizations than expected, though that in itself is a worrisome event. (Folk, 99% of us do this for fun, so please, please take precautions and run/race smart given the conditions).

Searchable results are here.

UPDATE: I confess I'm confused by the various categories that NYC Triathlon is offering (there's an Elite category that I didn't take into account) so ...

Top Brooklyn finishers include:

Chris Johnson (2:04:54)
Arthur Moore (2:09:53)

Here's part of my earlier post:

"(I think, if I didn't mess up my search criteria) was Dmitriy Kourtchikov, who finished in 2:12:36. Top Brooklyn female was Lauren Dewey in 2:26:06"

At this point ... not absolutely sure I've even got the top finishers. So, regardless - Brooklyn has got some great tri-competitors out there (thanks Jonathan for pointing out the earlier inconsistency)

Pickle Pickle Pickle Juice

Interesting article here from the NYT on whether pickle juice might help resolve muscle cramps.

P.S. As for the title of the blog ... a favorite item by Patty Wolcott when I was a kid

Bittman's Take on Scott Jurek

Mark Bittman is one of my favorite NY Times writers, so I love the fact that he did a piece looking at Scott Jurek's 5,000-8,000 calorie a day diet ... with no meat.

The meal they shared? "... a lemony Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, loads of olives and seaweed; a stir-fry of vegetables with tofu and an impressive miso and cashew sauce; and a mound of quinoa."

Explains Jurek: “I need five to eight thousand calories a day, and I get that all from plant sources. It’s not hard, either. I like to eat, and I don’t have to worry about weight management. All I need is a high-carbohydrate diet with enough protein and fat.”

A decidedly different take comes from the April issue of Runner's World

Marathon & Beyond: Weekend Reading

There's a nice piece in Marathon & Beyond this month about the NYC Marathon - and then spending time touring Brooklyn during your trip. Unfortunately, it's not online.

But these articles are: From each issue (published 6 times a year), the editors select one article to post online. It's a great representation, and a lot of fun.

Barnes & Noble stocks single copies (the one on Court Street in Brooklyn Heights always has a few) if you want to get a sense of what it's all about. It's also a great running gift: $36.95 a year, and well worth it.

Random Thoughts Before the Super Bowl

-- Here's a look at the Armory schedule for the indoor track in Prospect Park. Right now, while there's a discount if you're a Park Slope Y member, it doesn't look there are any other deals. From the folk I've spoken to, the track looks pretty sweet. Anyone been there? What are your thoughts?

-- New York Times has an article on one of the finishers at last Tuesday's Empire State Building Stair Climb. It's definitely one of those events runners have to do once.

-- Here's a great link for those considering trail races in the coming year. Greater New York, New England and some Pennsylvania events are covered, and, based on the races I'm aware of, it's fairly comprehensive. Thanks Chris!

-- Internet registration for the Prospect Park Track Club's Cherry Tree 10 Mile Run/3-Person Relay ends Feb. 17. (And, of course you can do race-day stuff, though note it's capped at 900). I've done the 10-mile race in year's past (not a fan of racing three loops in the park, but so be it), this year I'm doing the relay, with a bunch of friends from past running experiences. It's a lot of fun, racers have received technical, long-sleeve T-shirt in past years, and is a great way to judge your winter training in a low-key, fun experience. Oh yeah, and then there's this: "Enjoy a post-race massage courtesy of the Swedish Institute massage therapist interns!"