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Spring is Here (Almost)

Mar18
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     This past winter was an odd one — it never got cold.  This can be good or bad depending on the person.  It was a horrible winter for skiers, but an excellent one for runners.  In the tri-state area we only had one snowstorm (the one that cancelled the Manhattan Half) and there were no extended cold spells. 

     Daylight Savings Time began last Sunday, coincidentally the same day of my last blog post (I have to enter more posts), which is my first spring indicator.  My second was this morning, when Esther and I watched Peter Kirui and Firehiwot Dado challenge the course record for the NYC Half Marathon.  Spring racing season is about to begin. 

     Seeing familiar races like, the Colon Cancer Challenge, the Scotland Run, the More Half Marathon, the Hook Half Marathon, the Run as One four-miler on the race calendar are more indicative of spring to me than the fact that the first day of spring is March 20th (I Googled it).

     On Saturday, my spring race season begins with the Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon.  In only its second year this hilly half marathon has already gained a reputation for being the kind of challenging, kick in the butt type of race my training needs right now.  The Long Island Marathon is quickly approaching and I need two things, longer training runs and a challenging gut-check race.  I’m hoping for both next Saturday.

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Spring Forward

Mar11
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     For many this morning was met with dread.  It’s Daylight Savings Time — oh no we’re losing an hour of sleep!  Besides trying not to laugh when I hear someone make such a statement — it’s only one day — I’ve always looked forward to springing forward — the sun sets an hour later — an oh what could be done with that hour.

     I’ve always looked at Daylight Savings Time as the beginning of spring.  The days are longer, the weather is warmer, going for an early evening run or bike ride becomes that much easier.  Evening runs become twilight runs, three milers can become five milers. 

     Like many my race calendar has a few long races in the next few weeks, I’m looking forward to the extra daylight to prepare for them.  Today’s forecast calls for sunny weather with temperatures in the 50’s, (it’s not there yet but it will get there) the sun sets at 6:58pm.  Don’t waste a day like this, lace them up go.

 30 Minute Club – Day 70 – Yesterday I got in a quick 30 minutes running 3.52 miles in 31:05. The run felt good but I have to start increasing the distance.

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Old Friends New Passions

Mar10
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     A few weeks ago Esther and I, still licking our wounds from the Cherry Tree 10 miler earlier in the day, looked forward to catching up with friends we hadn’t seen since last summer. Although we’ve been in touch through phone calls, text messages and social media, but we weren’t prepared for the Rick and Marcie we met that night. 

     I met Rick and Marcie at work about six years ago — mentoring the newbies was one of my unofficial job tasks — they were mine to train.     I really can’t take too much credit because they really didn’t need much mentoring — just a big brother to nudge them from time to time like many twenty-something’s.  Back in 2006 the only running the three of us did was to Happy Hour at the end of workdays. 

     In January Rick mentioned he and Marcie signed up for the 13.1 Half Marathon.  Crunch, the gym where they workout, was offering training for half marathon, and they both wanted to cross running a half marathon off their Bucket Lists.  Sound familiar?

     Meeting in Bayside for dinner, we were surprised at what we saw.  The Rick we’ve always known was a stocky guy — not anymore — he’s lost about 70 pounds and looked amazing.  Marcie, always a petite and curvy blonde looked lean and fit as well.  Sitting down Esther and I looked at each other and nodded knowing what the evening’s dinner conversation would be.

     For the next two hours we talked running — training runs, races, gear, and so many subtleties new runners are so eager to learn.  I wish it were possible to bottle the passion of new runners who’ve been bitten by the bug — they reminded me of myself circa 2008 — only they were taught properly.  It also reminded of the long runs that I’ve been missing.

     The 13.1 Half Marathon is two weeks from today and sadly Esther and I won’t be there to see Rick and Marcie run.   Esther works on Saturdays and I’m running the Sleepy Hollow Half the same day, but hearing the passion in their voices, I know they won’t be one and done runners.  I look forward racing with my friends in near future and having their passion nudge me to push harder, they way I once nudged them at work.

30 Minute Club – Days 65 through 69- This was a tough training week, family obligations, sometimes make it hard to get out for a run — they also make it possible to make excuses to not squeeze in one more run.  Maintaining the 30 Minute Club, I went out for two-mile walks at 11pm both Monday and Tuesday. 

     Not wanting to waste Wednesday’s amazing weather Esther and I went to Central Park and dodged a few raccoons while we completed the six mile loop.  Thursday night, Esther and I took Chico for a 1.5 mile walk.  After a week of too many walks and not enough runs, I geared up and ran a 4.25 local loop.  Let’s hope I can build on that momentum.

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In the Heights

Mar04
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     This morning Esther and I were Washington Heights for the Coogan’s Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K race.  It was my first time running this legendary 5K race, although Esther and our friends, Leo and Linda ran this race once before.  When I asked Esther about the course she told me two things, the course has intense hills and she didn’t see the salsa band.  Yesterday I posted on Facebook asking if anyone knew where the salsa band was or were they describing the condiment.

     Music was everywhere this morning, in addition to salsa and blues, there was rock, folk, meringue, mariachi, as well as bag pipers — so much I could hardly hear the music on my iPod.  Despite the festive atmosphere and deceptively short 5K distance, this race will kick your ass.  I know this because it kicked mine this morning.

     Having never run Coogan’s, I looked forward to running this 5K race through the streets of Washington Heights.  I was looking for a redemption race since I’ve done so poorly in the few 5K races I’ve run.  I must have forgotten how hilly Washington Heights was.  In 2010 Esther, Leo and I rode for the Tour de Cure and we struggled in the heights.

     Having run 3.5 miles at an 8:28 pace pretty effortlessly yesterday I was a tad overconfident this morning.  Of course seeing the elite runners headed to the end of the race before I finished the first mile brought my back to reality.  Despite the rolling uphill I ran mile one in 8:09 still smiling from passing an amazing salsa band that wanted me the show some moves that would make Victor Cruz proud.    

     My euphoria died as my calves burned on Fort Tryon Park’s steep hills.  I’ve always loved visiting the park and the Cloisters but today I wasn’t feeling the love as I struggled to a second mile 9:02 split — thankfully the race the two-thirds over.  Unfortunately another uphill remained before I could ride the downhill.

     The last mile was a blur of live music, cheering supporters as I headed downhill to the armory.  My pre-race goal of finishing in less than 26 minutes was gone — breaking 27 was now my focus as I slalomed in and out of racers who were ahead of me.  Glancing at my watch at the third mile, it said I ran an 8:53.  I pushed it a bit for the last tenth of a mile salvaging my day finishing in 26:47.

     Despite my poor showing I want to return next year to run Coogan’s next year.  I didn’t bring my A Game and now I know what to expect.  I just hope today was a learning experience to build on.

30 Minute Club – Days 63 and 64 – Yesterday I ran 3.68 miles in 31:09.  For Day 64 I ran a 26:47 in the Coogan’s Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K race + a 3:15 post race walk.

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Tales of a Recovering Blogger

Mar03
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     Hi my name is Frank, and I’ve been a lazy blogger.  That’s the best way to reintroduce myself to all of my readers, especially when half of them mentioned the lack of new posts.  The kicker came Thursday night, Esther and I were walking in Central Park after picking up our bibs for Sunday’s race we saw Rick, a friend of ours on a training run, who told me, I’ve been lazy about posting.   I got the hint, I have to post more.

     At least I have run more than I’ve written.  I’ve been out four times a week, taking advantage of the mild winter weather.  March is here — hopefully the weather will stay consistently warm.  Next weekend, it’s Daylight Savings Time, so it should be easier to go for evening runs. 

     Spring is right around the corner and so are the half marathon and marathon I’ve signed for in December.  It’s time to log training miles on the road and time at the keyboard telling my stories and sharing my thoughts about it.  Don’t be afraid to get on my case the next time I get lazy either on the road or the keyboard.

 30 Minute Club Update – Two Months in the Books – Yesterday was Day 62.  Consistency was my goal when I started the 30 Minute Club on New Year’s Day and for the last 62 days I’ve run, used the Elliptical Machine at the gym andChico was benefitted from extra long walks.  Some nights I’ve reached for my coat and iPod at 10 or 11 at night realizing I haven’t gotten in my 30 minutes.

     I’m happy I’ve been consistent and even motivated a few friends to join the 30 Minute Club — I know I can do more.  Yesterday’s windy conditions caused me to wimp out — I opted for a two-mile walk instead of a 3.5 mile run.  I’ve taken the easy way out more than once when I should have put on running gear instead my coat and gone for a 30 Minute run. 

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The Cherry Tree 10 Miler — A Lesson to Remember

Feb20
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     I wrote how I was looking forward to yesterday’s race and needing a challenging race to kick my butt in my last post. Yesterday Morning, that’s exactly what I got when Esther and I returned to Prospect Park for the Cherry Tree 10 miler. 

     Like last weekend our drive to Brooklyn was quick and uneventful.  For a second time in two weeks we found a parking spot on Prospect Park West and Third Street.  We didn’t have to turn laps through Park Slope looking for parking!  I could get used to this. 

     Having run this race before, we knew there was a bag check, but not wanting a repeat of last weekend’s Valentine’s Day 5K, we stripped to race gear and left our bags in the car.  Walking into the park and acclimating to the 36 degree weather we soon found ourselves among a long line of runners trekking from Bishop Ford High School’s Cafeteria, many with bags slung over their shoulders.  We were surrounded by North Brooklyn Runners, Reservoir Dogs, Frontrunners, Renegade Runners and Alley Pond Striders.  The Prospect Park Track Club’s red and white was seen everywhere.

     Racing with such diverse group of runners gives me a good feeling — however good feelings were a rarity yesterday — my ‘A Game’ stayed in Queens.  My training has been uneven the past few weeks, I’ve been running, but haven’t been running long distances.  I paid for it yesterday.

     Setting an ambitious goal time of 1:30, I was pulled out with faster runners running 8:26 split for the first mile.  Slowing down a little I ran 9:08 and 9:01 splits for miles two and three.  Not bad for the first loop, but the first loop is always the easiest, after that you have to dig down.  When I dug down on the second loop yesterday, all I found were “the voices.”

     What is it aboutProspectPark’s hill?  It’s only about 165 feet high, I’ve run bigger hills in Alley Pond Park, but those 165 feet were in my head yesterday weren’t going away.   Racing is more mental than physical, and without a solid base or training miles the voices took — and beat me to submission.  Running splits of 9:10, 10:24 and 10:45 for the second loop I struggled up the big hill and dreading the third loop?   

     Treating the third loop as a training run, I rode the downhill for a 9:20 split for the seventh mile, before running 11:19 and 11:50 splits for miles eight and nine.  Riding the downhill for the last mile I and doing some mental math and glancing at my watch, I decided to salvage the day I wanted to finish in under 1:40, make that 1:38.  With a final goal in place and gravity as an ally I headed down the last hill, moving steadily I ran an 8:28 split for the last mile.

     The great thing about running is you get what you put into it.  Yesterday when I reached into my bag of tricks it was empty because I haven’t done the work.  We all need a butt-kicking every now and then — yesterday was mine.  My next big race is the Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon next month.  I know what’s needed to be ready — the rest is up to me.

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Prospect Park Welcomes the Hardcore Once Again

Feb18
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     It’s President’s Day Weekend, meaning a return to Prospect Park for the Cherry Tree 10 Miler.  Billed as a Race for the Hardcore, this 10-mile race held by the Prospect Park Track Club is one of the more challenging races on the winter race calendar.

     Like many longer winter races, most of the racers are runners and triathletes training for races later in the season.  The Cherry Tree is the little race that could.  This small race, (capping at 1500) draws runners from many of the major running clubs in the Tri-State Area, as well others from as far asVirginia and Florida.  I did a quick check of the blogosphere this afternoon and it was buzzing with enthusiasm for this race. 

     The three loops of Prospect Park’s rolling hills are exactly what my training needs right now — although I doubt I’ll that enthused as I’m climbing the big hill tomorrow morning — especially the third time.  I signed up a training race that will kick my butt.  Tomorrow morning I think I’ll get what I wanted.

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Making the Best of It

Feb16
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     This past Sunday, Esther and I were in Prospect Park for the BRRC Valentine’s 5K race.  We signed up for a chance to run a lap in Prospect Park before this weekend’s Cherry Tree 10 Miler and we’ve never run a couples race before so we thought it would be fun.

     The morning started off well enough, our drive to Prospect Park was quick and uneventful.  We found a parking spot across from the park — without turning laps around Park Slope — if you’ve driven to Prospect Park for a race you know what I’m talking about.  With bags slung over our shoulders we started our slow walk into the park looking at fellow racers as we went along.  The longer we walked, we noticed something, we were the only ones wearing coats and carrying bags in the brisk 22 degree weather.

     “Is there a bag check,” Esther asked me.  We soon found out it was not in the park.  I goofed, assuming there was a bag check, I didn’t read the race instructions closely.  We started a slow run back to the car — we had about ten minutes until the race started.  Would we make it? 

     Glancing at my watch as we dropped our bags and coats, it said 10am.  The race had just started.  We took off for the start line at an easy pace, not sure if we would make it in time.  Running the downhill, we saw the race volunteers carrying the start mat, we had our answer — at least we’d get a Prospect Park training run.

     Stopping where the start was, I started my watch as we took off.  Running the rolling hills enjoying the park and the fellow runners, we asked each other why don’t trek to Prospect Park more often?  We come to Prospect Park twice a year — for the Cherry Tree 10 miler and the Brooklyn Half Marathon spending the rest of the day in Park Slope and enjoying it immensely. 

     Riding the downhill, after the park’s “hill” we saw the race’s finish line, and looking closer we saw the race hadn’t finished.  Nodding heads we headed for it.  Waiting for us were flowers for Esther and a full gallon of water for me.  My watch said we ran a 34:08, our official time considerably different.  Since we didn’t cross a start matt we had to settle for the overall time — 48:57.  It could have been worse, spotting the field 17 minutes, Esther finished 183 out of 189 and I finished 150 out of 152.  We’ve joked that we are back of the pack runners, on Sunday we were and enjoyed the experience.

30 Minute Club, Days 43, 44, 45 and 46 – Day 43, Esther and I ran a 5K in 34:08 in Prospect Park.  Day 44, Esther and I navigated the hills of Alley Pond Park’s Bike Path running 4.5 miles in 49:27.  Day 45, I stayed local running four miles on Jamaica Estates and Fresh Meadows hills in 37:33.  Day 46, I decided to give my legs a break riding the Lifecycle for 45 Minutes. 

 

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True Motivation

Feb12
2012 1 Comment Written by Frank

Originally posted on September 17th 2010.  Time to repost an oldie but goodie.  Warning you this one is a tearjerker.    

     When I started this blog in January, my goal was to motivate others to be more active. Maybe a race recap post would motivate someone to sign up for a race. Maybe posting about an event like the Tour de Brooklyn or Tour de Cure might get someone to take their dry cleaning of their bike’s handlebars and take their bike out for a ride — they might even enjoy the experience. Maybe reading about how my 84-year old father walks between two and three miles a day might convince someone to put down the remote and go for a walk from time to time.

     We all need motivation from time to time. For me reading Dean Karnazes running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, or a friend of mine, Dana Casanave’s attempting to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks to support South African AIDS orphans for the charity 25:40 is inspirational. Recently a Facebook friend posted a video about Ben Comen.

     Ben is a young athlete running on his high school cross country team. While on the surface this does not seem to be to remarkable, let me add that Ben has Cerebral Palsy because his aliment the stiffness in his legs makes it hard for him to pick up his feet. While it takes Ben twice as long to finish the 5K course, he is a true competitor. He races against himself, trying to beat his best time every time he runs. Like all athletes his fights the doubt that we all have, and shows a heart of a champion.

     For those of you, who keep putting of that run, ride or walk until tomorrow until tomorrow seems to never arrive please watch the following video. It is very easy to take things for granted, until you see someone who does something extraordinary.

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Hitting a Training Wall

Feb11
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     A few times a year, my training hits a wall.  Does it happen to you?  You feel ok physically, but the training falls off — this was one of those weeks.  Like the wall runners hit at about the 20 mile mark, it’s as much mental, as it is physical.  The Cherry Tree Ten Miler with its three laps of Prospect Park might be in my head a little bit.

     My legs felt heavy during Sunday’s Gridiron Classic and Tuesday’s training run.  Mixing things up, Esther and I hit the gym Wednesday night. I lost momentum the last two nights — and it’s my own fault.  I didn’t get out for my 30 minutes until after 10:30 both nights and as I was walked Jamaica Estates’ hilly streets last night, one thing crossed my mind — I should have been running.

     The only way past this, is keep moving, much like I’ve done when I hit the wall (hard a few times) before.  Taking the first step, I was out this afternoon for a lazy run, keeping an easy pace, not too fast and enjoying it.  Building momentum over the next few days is now up to me.

30 Minute Club – Days 40, 41 and 42- Thursday and Friday got away from me, a case of coulda, woulda, shoulda — but I didn’t.  I pushed off the day’s activity and before I knew it was almost 11pm and I still had to get my 30 minutes in. 

     Thursday night was Day 40 and I went out for a 33 minute walk covering just over two miles.  Last night was the 30 Minute Club’s 41st Day and I spent it looking for new streets to add to future training runs for upcoming races.  I’ve got to do more hill work for the upcoming Cherry Tree 10 miler, the Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon and the Hook Half Marathon.  I spent last night’s 37 minute 2.37 mile walk scouting new hills.

     After two straight walks, I was determined to hit the ground running (ok it’s a cliché) for Day 42.  Keeping things simple and running a light, easy smooth 3.5 miler on a familiar path, I spent just under 33 minutes getting my legs and head right, one step at a time.

 

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