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Upcoming Runs and Races

Jan30
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     For local runners wanting more than training run, here are a few of my local runs and races.

February 4th – NYCRUNS M-M-Manhattan Hot Chocolate 5K & 10K — Held in Riverside Park runners can opt for either a 5K distance (single loop) or 10K distance (double loop).  The 10am start time lets runners sleep in a little before the race.  Hot chocolate is offered to all runners before the race in the souvenir mug given to all participants.  More information on the NYC Runs M-M-Manhattan Hot Chocolate 5k & 10K races can be found here.  https://www.nycruns.com

February 5th –The Alley Bowl – Are you looking for Super Bowl Sunday fun run? NYRR’s Gridiron Classic has capped but the Alley Bowl may be for you.  Held in Alley Pond Park, this three-person relay is open to teams of runners, joggers and walkers over 10 years of age.  If you can put together a three-person team, signup anyway, they are accepting free agents and putting together teams with the stragglers.  Each runner runs a one-mile loop of the park tossing the football to the next runner who then runs the next mile loop. Each team gets to keep the football.  This is a no-frills race, so no t-shirts will be given to participants, but there is a post-race tailgate party.  More information on the Alley Bowl can be found here.  http://www.apstriders.org/Alley%20Bowl%20II%20Application_2012.pdf

February 11th – Cupid’s Chase 5K — Be part of the largest charity 5K race benefitting people with disabilities.  Cupid’s Chase is a 5K run taking place in 25 cities throughout 10 states on the same day at the same time.  Organized by Community Options Inc this 5K run is branded as a fundraiser developing community-based homes and employment supports for people with disabilities.  The race is being held at Hudson River Park, Charles Street Pier.  Same day registration starts at 8am and the starts at 10am.  For more information on this race can be found here. http://www.comop.org/cupidschase/index.html

February 12th — Valentine’s 5K — Held in Prospect Park by the Brooklyn Road Runner’s Club, this race is the second race in NYC Runs Freeze and Fugheddaboudit Series.  Runners can enter as individuals or as couples.  More information can be found here.  https://www.nycruns.com/index.php?option=com_dtregister&Itemid=361&eventId=59&controller=event&task=individualRegister

February 18th — Cold Feat 10K — This 10K trail race may be worth the trek to Staten Island.  Starting on the rolling hills of the LaTourette Golf Course and continuing along the Greenbelt’s trail this race course follows trails on uneven terrain.  Runners are advised this can be a little treacherous at times.  If winter conditions kick up a snow shoe and cross country ski category may be added.  More information can be found here.  http://www.nyara.org/nyara_races/annual/nyara-cold-feat-10k.php

February 19th — The Cherry Tree 10 Miler and Three Person Relay — Organized by the Prospect Park Track Club this is the 14th year for this “Race for the Hardcore.”  Having run this race twice, I can personally say the three loops of Prospect Park in February lives up to its billing.  It is an excellent training race for runners training for a spring marathon or triathlon.  If you’re not up for the 10 miler, try the three-person relay.  More information on this race can be found here http://www.pptc.org/pptc_cherry_tree_2009.php  or  https://www.nycruns.com/index.php?option=com_dtregister&Itemid=361&eventId=57&controller=event&task=individualRegister

 

Posted in General Information, Queens Running, Running, Upcoming Races

The Run to the Brewery

Jan29
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

My Bib

     Yesterday morning I trekked to Eastern Long Island for the Sayville Running Company 10 Mile Run to the Brewery Race.  When the Manhattan Half capped in mid December, I searched for training races, 10 miles or longer.  I found this race on the Greater Long Island Running Club, (GLIRC) website and NYC Runs, what a pleasant surprise this race turned out to be.

     The Run to the Brewery has been run for several years as a free race.  Last year the Sayville Running Company and Blue Point Brewing Company came onboard as sponsors for this 10 mile race, and many are happy they did.  The race is a great local race benefiting two great local causes, BULA, Better Life of Understanding in Africa supporting the efforts to improve educational opportunities of African children living in poverty and the Greater Sayville Food Pantry.

     Knowing very little about this race other distance and the causes, I was a little nervous about it, until a Facebook friend assured me it was a very flat, fast out and back 10 mile race through Patchogue, Bayville and Sayville.  The weather behaved it was 32 degrees and at race time, not as warm as Friday, but great conditions for a January race. 

     The race drew a diverse crowd of serious Suffolk County Runners looking for a great training race, middle of the packers like myself, as well sd runners from groups like the North Brooklyn Runners, making the trip to Patchogue for a 10-mile training race.  While taking pre-race pictures, I started worrying because the butterflies, my usual pre-race nerves, were not swirling.  Not a good sign, when I race without butterflies, I usually do poorly.

     My pre-race goal was to run 1:30:00, meaning I had to run 9 minute splits — I wasn’t sure I had it in me considering my uneven training.  Right away I got off to a bad start, getting caught in the initial bottleneck and then almost dropping my iPod.  I was able to reclip (is that a word) my iPod to my shirt, but was only able get one earbud in.  “Stop whining and keep moving Frank,” I said to myself.

 

This 50 year old mother of four shows off one of her reasons for running.

    Starting out with 8:46 and 8:33 splits for the first two miles I was running the pace I wanted.  Then the voices started.  By voices, I’m not talking about the singing competition on NBC, I’m mean the annoying voice swirling in your head, questioning your conditioning or the logic of running a 10 miler or raising doubt on that day’s race — the voices and I battled for 8 miles yesterday.Finding a pack running the pace I wanted to keep, between 8:30 and 8:45, I stayed with them, as long as I could.  Running splits of 8:34, 8:39 and 8:43 bringing me to the turnaround at the halfway point.  Hold it together Frank. 

     The second half was spent holding pace and battling the voices.  Although my legs felt good, I kept telling myself, “Don’t you dare walk Frank.” Running splits of 8:45, 8:55 and 8:51 for miles 6, 7 and 8, I was slowing down, but still on pace to run at the 1:30 I wanted.

Runners checking their final results

     With two miles left, my mantra became, “Don’t walk Frank.”  I got an energy boost, cheering fading runners on.  “We’ve got this, I told them,” and let’s finish up and grab a cold one,” while giving them a thumbs up. 

 

Enjoying some of Blue Point's Finest after the race

    Checking my watch at the 9-mile marker, it said 1:19:25.  “Hold it together you’re almost there,” I took the final turn on River Avenue and kept moving, one foot in front of the other, like I’ve told so many others.  Seeing the finish line, I glanced at my watch and thought — I can finish in under 1:28 and took off.  I was greeted at race’s end by the flashes of two photographer’s cameras and a group of runners holding cups of beer, finishing in 1:27:50.

     Changing out of my sweaty race gear, I headed to the post-race festivities. A heated tent was set up offering the usual post-race fare of bagels, and other carby sweets as well as trays of pasta plenty of free Blue Point beer for those preferring liquid carbs.  Many enjoyed the mild weather and lively atmosphere.  All in all it was a good day.

 

 

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30 Minute Club – Day 28

Jan28
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

  30 Minute Club – Day 28 — This morning I was in Patchogue for the Sayville Running Company 10 Mile Run to the Brewery Race.  It was 32 degrees and sunny and almost no wind — great weather for a run — especially in January.   I’m posting a race report tomorrow morning, but I wanted to enter a quick post to thank the Blue Point Brewing Company, the Sayville Running Company and all of today’s volunteers, many of them runners themselves for putting on a great race.  I hope to return next year.  For the 30 Minute Club, I ran a 10 mile race in 1:27:50.  What you done?  It’s a beautiful Saturday, try to get in a quick 30 minutes of something.

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Are You A Runner?

Jan28
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

Originally posted on July 21st 2010.  Time to repost an oldie but goodie.

    Splash and Dash was another humid July 10K qualifying race.  We’ve all run them, and will run more of them.  Standing in line waiting to take our Brightroom picture, Esther said, “This was my 100thrace, finally I’m a runner.”

     In the two and half years we’ve been together Esther has always said things like,” I’m not a runner you are,” or “If I can run a marathon anyone can.”  Esther has the shape of the proud Puerto Rican woman she is, more J-Lo than Lolo Jones, but make no mistake she is a runner although she does not always believe it.

     For those of you not sure whether or not you are a runner, check out the following list I put together.  Do you see if you see anything familiar?

Do you have more running shoes than dress shoes?

Is half your wardrobe made up Dry-Fit clothes?

Do you have a 30-day supply of race t-shirts?

Do you plan vacations around destination races?

Have you taken your kids to Disney so you could run the Disney Marathon?

Does your running watch double as a dress watch?

Have you wanted to get in a quick run before the blizzard hits?

Do you have at least six pairs of retired running shoes in your closet?

Have you thought about giving your old running shoes and race t-shirts as wedding favors?

Have you used old race bibs as wallpaper?

Do you have at least one book by Hal Higdon or John Bingham?

Have you posted a picture of yourself and Bart Yasso or Dean Karnazes on your Facebook page?

Have you read Born to Run and ordered Pinole online and started thinking about signing up for an ultra marathon?

Have you posted the proof from the past weekend’s race as your Facebook profile?

Have you ever thought running 52 marathons in 52 weeks like Dana Casanave or Dane Rauschenberg is a cool idea?

Have you bought three or four pairs of the same running shoe in different colors to make it easier to rotate them?

Have you asked the manager at your local running store if they had a bridal registry?

Have you had the debate with other runners about treadmill running vs. outdoor running?

Have you gone on a run for a date?

Have you seen neighbors coming in from a night out as you were heading out for an early morning run?

Have you done the cold foot-to-foot hop while waiting for your Garmin watch to synch up?

Do you call your race medals Marathon Bling?

Do you get race withdrawal symptoms if you are not signed up for a race for two straight weekends?

Have you created a profile on Athlinks and looked to see if you could spot any of your “rivals” on race day?

Have you used Active.com or NYC Runs as your race calendar?

Is your idea of designer clothing Under Armour, Nike and New Balance?

Have you run a half marathon in the morning, showered quickly and headed into work?

Do you have so much running gear you had to buy an extra dresser just to hold it?

     Esther, I guess it’s up to me let you in on something.  After 100 races, 9 marathons and 24 half marathons you are a runner, accept it.  You’ve been a runner since 2006. It’s not about how fast you go, but that you get out and go.  You have motivated countless people to go out for an easy after-work run or to sign up for a weekend race.  Some of them even liked it so much they signed up for another one, this I know firsthand, because I am one of them.

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Time for a Redemption Race

Jan27
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

Running the 2010 Long Island Marathon © Island Photography 2010

     When I finished the New York City Marathon last fall, I’ve been thinking about the next one. Wanting to keep my spring marathon local my decision came down to two races, New Jersey or Long Island.  Running New Jersey last year was an incredible experience, one I’d love to repeat, but not this year because I have unsettled business on Long Island.

    I ran Long Island in 2010 six weeks after running the National Marathon.  My p.r. in D.C. was a running highlight — unfortunately I didn’t train as hard forLong Island and paid for it. 

     Very few times have I showed up for a race not wanting to run it —Long Island was one of them.  Showing up on race day under grey skies and humid temperatures, I knew I could cover the distance in the six-hour limit — but my head wasn’t in it.  This is my chance for redemption.

 

In the Med Tent with my Bling

    The Long Island Marathon is a good local race.  It’s reasonably priced, has a decent expo and offers a nice goody bag.  Upon finishing the race one volunteer puts the race medal around your neck and another gives you a hoody.  The course is flat and fast, good for those looking to BQ, (not a concern for me) it’s run on a course many consider boring.

     About half the race is an out and back on the Wantagh Parkway — long lonely miles with little fan support.  So in additional to logging miles, I have to figure a way to train for those lonely miles.  I have a little over three months to combat the boredom of the Wantagh and to better the 4:43:10 in ran last time.

30 Minute Club – Day 27– With a 10 mile race tomorrow morning, Chico and I were out for a 2.2 mile walk, we were out for almost 50 minutes.

 

 

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Running into the Unknown

Jan26
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     Saturday morning I’ll be on Long Island running my second training race of the year.  The Run to the Brewery Race is a 10 miler through the Patchogue, Blue Point, Bayport and  Sayville starting and ending at the Blue Point Brewery.  Wanting to add an element to my training I signed up for the race shortly after the Manhattan Half capped. 

     Like I do before a new race I did my research searching blog posts, race reports and local newspaper articles.  Using these resources I barely know more about this small local race than I’ve written in the first paragraph.  OK, I’m kidding, kind of. 

     The Run to the Brewery was run informally for several years last year the Greater Long Island Running Club organized the event which was sponsored by the Sayville Running Company and the Blue Point Brewery.  Proceeds for the race benefit the Greater Sayville Food Pantry to help provide food and support services to families in the community. 

     Although I still know little about the course other than the race description saying the course is flat (how of us have heard that before).  Runners run, so I’m looking forward to toeing the line and testing myself on a course I’ve never run before.  Of course the sampling some of the Blue Point Brewery’s finest brews after the race is also good incentive.

30 Minute Club – Day 26 – Waking up with rubbery slightly rubbery legs after last night’s run, I didn’t want to push it too hard this morning — maybe in the future but not today.  With a steady rain, I put on the rain gear and went for a walk — I was out for 37:11 covering 2.35 miles.

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30 Minute Club – Days 24 and 25

Jan25
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     Yesterday was the kind lazy days that hit us all from time to time.  During Chico’s walk, I noticed the conditions were perfect for a quick run.  I even grabbed my gear, but for some reason — still unknown to me, I passed.  I figured the weather would hold and I could get in a quick evening run. 

     As the day went on I stiffened up and was limping a little, it also got colder.  I settled in with Esther watching the State of the Union Address and at 10:30 realized, I still have to get my 30 minutes in.  Grabbing my coat and synching my Garmin, I took off on a hilly two-mile walk, and thought running this loop twice would be good hill work. For Day 24 I did a 2.18 mile walk in 33:39.

     Tonight, I worked on curing a mental block — I haven’t been running outdoors.  The words of my friend Morrison have been haunting me, “you better get used to running in the cold, because we have a few months of winter ahead of us.”  He was right, so tonight I went out for a 30 minute run — it felt great. It wasn’t cold or windy, and with just enough chill to keep me fresh I completed Day 25 by covering 3.63 miles in 31:58 for 8:48 pace.  The words of Dean Karnazes ran true, I rarely feel worse after a run than before one.

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Looking for an Alternative? How About a Mud Run.

Jan25
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     The past decade has seen an explosion of obstacle course mud races.  While the intensity from 5K to 10K races like the Warrior Dash or Down and Dirty Mud Run differs from Tough Mudder’s 10 to 12 mile ordeal the common theme is navigating through a series of obstacles and of course the mud.

     Per Outside Magazine, the appeal of these races has exploded with about a million people signing up for them annually.  These events attract a diverse crowd, appealing able-bodied types to the weekend warrior wanting a cool alternative to try with their buddies, road racers wanting to do more than run in a straight line and extreme athletes looking to stir up their competitive juices in ways a marathon or triathlon can’t.

     Running the Down and Dirty Mud Run, was a chance for me to set my cross training on its ear.  The climbing, crawling and running is a full-body workout not found in an exercise class in a gym or during a road race.  At the same time, I used the strength gained from weight workouts and the explosiveness gained from spin classes and speed work.

    Unlike races which are primarily solitary activities, mud runs offer more of a social component.  Groups of friends sign up for them together sometimes dressed in goofy costumes.  Where else could you crawl through a mud pit next to Elvis or a team of Smurfs? 

     Teamwork is required to survive the 25 obstacles on the 10 to 12 mile Tough Mudder courses — maybe the most challenging of the mud runs. Helping hand are sometimes needed navigating over 12-foot walls, crawling through underground pits.

     Having run one mud run and with another planned this year I liked the alternative.  The race reminded me of the Superstars TV show in the late 70’s and early 80’s (did I date myself) where athletes in major sports competed in different events.  I enjoyed the physical challenge as well as the social element.  Some call these events insanity and others say they’re a challenge, but isn’t that what they say about marathons and triathlons?

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Keep on Moving

Jan23
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     After yesterday’s lazy day I was determined to get out early run for my morning run.  Layering lightly and armed with a new playlist on my iPod today’s goal was a 4 miler.  Starting slow and steady my pace determined more by heavy legs than choice as I started out.

     We’ve all been there, you plan a certain type of, but your body doesn’t behave.  You have two options — quit or push on, through the hills and past the obstacles, both the physical and mental ones.  Today the hills run was at the start of the run a quick rolling one followed by a downhill leading into a sharp uphill. Slowing my pace and shuffling my feet I worked up the hill a satisfied smile on my lips upon reaching the top.

     The route rolled during the second mile and third miles, where I picked up the pace only to beat the traffic lights turning yellow avoiding oncoming Union Turnpike traffic before heading home.  My legs perked up during the last half mile, which was mostly downhill as I picked up the pace and ran my fastest split.  I finished with a 4.14 mile run in 38:16, a 9:15 pace. Not bad for a run started with heavy legs.

30 Minute Club – Day 23 – 4.14 mile run in 38:16.

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2012 Manhattan Half –The Epilogue

Jan22
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Frank

     By now, most people know yesterday’s Manhattan Half was cancelled and it became a fun run.  Due to the weather the decision was a no-brainer.  I was surprised at how many people showed up to run in a snowy Central Park, but when a race caps as quickly as yesterdays did, I should have been surprised.

     My hat’s off to anyone who was out in the park yesterday.  A few friends told me the accumulating snow and slick conditions made climbing Harlem Hill a bigger challenge than it usually is.  If you have not logged into the NYRR website today click the link below to check out the incredible images of yesterday’s conditions and the runners who were in Central Park conquering them.

http://www.nyrr.org/resources/photos/2012/manhattan_half/gallery.asp   

 30 Minute Club – Day 22 – Today was lazy day, I just wasn’t feeling it, so there was not training run or stair workout.  Esther and I went out for a 30 minute walk this afternoon before going to church.  Sometimes you have to listen to your body and today mine was telling me not to push it, but I got my 30 minutes in.  The beauty of the 30 Minute Club is if you aren’t feeling up to a 5 mile training run or can’t make it to the gym, you can still take a walk and get your 30 minutes in.

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