Running (Achievment Unlocked)

"Maybe a 10k or half-marathon?" he asked himself sheepishly.

Granted it was on a treadmill with 0% incline at a slow pace, but I ran my first 10k. It was a long time coming but it feels like I've broken through a wall. Hopefully 2012 will bring other positive running related developments.

Adventures in Running: Governor's Island 10k

I absolutely love Governor's Island in New York Harbor. I've been 4 or 5 times for festivals, riding bikes and to just hang out. They offer free ferries from Brooklyn and Manhattan during the on season.

I just read that they are holding a Northface sponsored 10k called Get Outside on the island on June 26th, 2011. The problem? That's in only 24 days. At most I've done around 4 miles. Due to slacking for the last month or so I've back down to 3 miles or so. Is this enough time to train up to 6.2? It's cutting it close but it sounds like a fun opportunity with great scenery. One advantage: the terrain is pretty flat.

My strategy will be as follows:
I'll run alternating days.
1) 1st week: 3.5-4.5 mile runs.
2) 2nd week: 4-5 mile runs
3) 3rd week: 5-6.2 mile runs
4) I'll give myself off a couple days before the run itself.

Wish me luck dearest reader. I will reward myself with something tasty to be determined.

JFK Runway 5K Completed!

Late last year I was looking for unique 5k opportunities in the New York Area. Via Active.com I came across the JFK Runway 5k. A 5k on a busy airport runway? This sounded fantastic. So I kept up and registered a month or so prior.

I woke up at 5:30am for the run - as I don't have a car, I utilized New York's various public transportation methods. First: the R to Atlantic Avenue. From Atlantic Avenue I switched to the LIRR and took it 3 stops to Jamaica Station. From there I walked to the Aitrain and took it exactly one stop to Federal Circle where a free bus that circles the perimeter dropped us off at building 14 for check-in. (Including a wait for the first and second train, the ride took an hour and 10 minutes. Not bad. The return was nearly half that since we didn't have to wait for anything). I walked in at 7:23 - 7 minutes before check-in began.

The race benefited the local rotary club which provides scholarships and as such there were high school age kids who did the bag check etc. It was nice to see this pocket of a community in a part of New York I seldom make it out to. After checkin it was a short bus ride to the airport runway. The temperature was perfect for running (in the high 40s to early 50s). The run started right at 9am. We were grouped by estimate mile averages. We moved up to 9 minute. I did want to beat my result from a previous 5k.

And then we were off. The runway felt so long that you couldn't see the end at first. The first mile was hardest but the most exciting. Running on adrenaline the first mile I did in 9:45. As we got further on the runway you could see the lighting the planes use to guide them on the ground. As we looped around to head back a stomach cramp kept threatening to manifest but never quite did. Hitting mile two I was still making good time at around 20:45 minutes. As we made the final stretch you veer left at the giant X light (not clear what the purpose was - probably to tell the pilot the plane is going the wrong way?). At this point I turned around for a moment. Seeing all the people running all along the runway was an awesome site.There was a security vehicle. You could hear the CB from inside mentioning what runways planes could land on.
Periodically we'd see planes take off from nearby runways providing a dramatic backdrop.
I overpaced myself and ran on an empty stomach which wasn't my smartest idea. Still I achieved my two goals, which were to beat my time from my the last 5k several years ago and to not be the last person to finish. (Previously, I did around 35 or 36 minutes. This one I did 10:15 pace / 31:50). Certainly not something to brag about but an improvement for me.  In total there were just over 600 runners.
At the end of it we got bagels, bananas, juice and water. On a silly note, in another bag there were flyers for a golf tournament, a free gym pass and for some strange reason, a fly swatter.

  The JFK run reflected a small community because people seemed to know each other. And yet their was the type of diversity you see around the New York area. A small contingent was even raising money for the recent quake in Japan. I would definitely do this run again.

No Running Today

I'm excused for not running today as I walked to Grand Army Plaza (in front of Prospect Park) and back for the farmer's market (4.5 miles roughly). This post in no way implies a sense of guilt.

Asha Run

Last year I participated in my first 5k with Asha, a charity to benefit underpriviledged children in India (basic education help). I just learned that the 2009 one is coming up on June 6th. As I haven't really kept my jogging in practice, I'm not sure that gives me enough time to train. (I realize the double negative in the last sentence)

A few other options I could use:
-Maybe I'll show up on a bike, painting it black and no one will notice?
-Maybe I'll show up on stilts and just appear to have an unnaturally long gait?
-Maybe I'll get those weird sneakers which are really skates?

Methinks I jetpack will be cost prohibitive and perhaps illegal.

First 5k

Yesterday's weather was quite cloudy and cool with the clouds occasionally spitting at us. We left pretty early since its a bit of a hike from Brooklyn to Harlem (Riverside Park). Arriving right on time for registration (though haven't take a wrong turn or two) we waited about an hour for the official start time of 9am. Turnout was strong with a total of close to 300 registered. Thankfully it didn't rain at all during the run itself.

This was my first 5k mind you, so I'd set the expectation low. I'd hoped that there would be a good showing of portly folks who would surely be slower than I. Sadly, few if any of these people showed up. In fact, 99% of the people were in great shape. I was even more disconcerted by the various runners club jerseys. It was clear we were to be outclassed and outranked - and we where. While the dust the other runners left behind was indeed eaten and enjoyed by yours truly I definitely picked up the pace myself versus past attempts. I ended up finishing out at 35:15 which is an improvement from my loops in prospect park (generally 10 minutes longer on average).

Overall, I loved the event and am planning on taking part of several more 5k in the next few month. The point afterall is to better yourself - so it's not worth beating yourself up over not being in first place (at least not yet?)

Pre Run Foods: Banana, Coffee and home. Maplet Nut Clif Bar (in transit)

Skinny Legs and All: Old Man Raj Edition

This year since taking up the running goal, I've jogged more in the park than ever before. The weather in the last few weeks has been fantastic <--that's the upshot. The bad part is that plants and trees are blooming and my allergies are bugging out. A passerby might see the tears in my eyes and think I had a transcendent meal of white castles just prior. If it only were so...

Additionally, as the regiment has gone on, my knees have started to bother me. I'm now wearing a knee brace for support. Why I'm falling apart like an old guy!

Feeling (and being) and old guy ain't so bad. If you're old, no one questions you. If I wanted to wear an eyepatch, I'd wear an eyepatch. If I wanted purely cosmetic monocle, I could do that too.

I think being the only runner wearing a monocle would give me a competitive advantage in a marathon because everyone would underestimate me. Like 'Hey squinty! Couldn't afford a whole pair of eyeglasses?' I would reply by saying 'no' then giving them the saddest face they'd ever seen. Then they'd feel bad and the joke would be on them. They won't be laughing when I use the rays of the sun and angle my monocle to burn holes into their lycra shorts!

Latest Running Route: Riverside Park on down..

USATR Route: http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=207984

We were lucky enough to have fantastic weather for a jog on Saturday so we made the most of it. In anticipation of an upcoming 5k in Riverside Park, and based on a friend's recommendation, we decided to give it a try (and to take advantage of park in additional to Prospect).

We got off the 1 line on 125th and walked a few blocks West. Our path technically started on St. Clair Place. The path itself is narrow, but as is customary, people are good about following the standard pass to the left, then move to the right procedures. Additionally, we got there maybe around 10am and it wasn't extremely populated.

Running alongside the river means we got great views of the water, the GW Bridge and Jersey. The first 3 miles or so the view was fantastic. There was a slight detour where the promenade was closed for construction so you're re-routed into I believe Hudson River Park which features paths closed off nicely from the street. After rejoining the river path we quickly hit around 76th. I started to lose energy around that point. Whenever the energy lull hits, I tell myself that there is nothing wrong with jogging just above a walk (probably an equivalent of a 4.5 on the treadmill) - as long as I keep my heart rate up. Going at the slow steady clip proved helpful. I didn't feel the pain much more until the 40s. Along the way it should be mentioned, the riverside has welcome interruptions from the 70s down with some interesting sites. Anything from decaying docks and terminals to thriving ports for Cruiseliners. The most boring portion was probably from the 60s - 30ths where the riverview is somewhat obscured.

We finally finished our slow jog (slog?) just past 14th for a stretch in one of the nice westside piers. By the way, the public restroom was oddly clean. In total the slog was just over 6 miles. Not a bad way to spend the morning/early afternoon.

And as is becoming traditional, we made our way to Thai on Two for a celebration lunch.

New York Awesome: Day 1

Saturday was the best day ever on several levels.

-The evil weathermen consortium predicted rain but it ended up a gorgeous day. It's well known that movies are attended much more or rented more often when it rains so perhaps they're being bribed by the MPAA? (You heard it here first).

-We had planned an outside jog for the weekend so we used Saturday's weather windfall (pun intended) to do it. Our route was basically a run across the beautiful brooklyn bridge, alongside the westside walking path up to 14th street.

Our first time running across the bridge was well worth it, tourists notwithstanding. We then made our way westward through lower manhattan. I've never been a fan of the area except the few times we were around to do tourist stuff such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For locals though I assumed it was more or less to be passed over. I was too quick to judge however. Running along the lower part of the city, I got to take in fantastic views of the water and the piers. As we inched our way up (5 miles is a lot of jogging/walking for novices) up we also took in the westside piers and views of the jersey water front). Because of the heavy breeze, you couldn't break a sweat if you tried. An unexpected surprise was that our run ended with Chelsea market - a great place for snacking.

First Goal Hit

I'm happy to say that I hit the monthly goal of 42 miles for the month. I thought about doing a victory lap but I don't suppose anyone would notice what with me running on a treadmill and all.

Hitting the 42 mark, despite being a small goal, feels great. To prove to myself that I'm not messing around, I bought some gel inserts for my sneakers. That's right gel inserts.

All the jogging is making me appreciate my sneakers. I got another pair of New Balance which I'm pleased with. They're moderately priced but also fairly durable. For years I swore by generic shoes believing that the higher price for name brands was unwarranted. I was very wrong. Not only is it worth it for the mod-priced ones like New Balance, but you're doing your feet a favor too.

I think psychologically, the next hump will be hitting 50 because that will be 10% of goal. I know I can do it, but it still feels overwhelming. There will definitely be a celebration of a new pair of inserts and a cupcake when I hit 100.