Saturday, April 30, 2011

2011 law day 5k: race photos and results



this morning was a quick trip over to darien for the law day 5k (a/k/a fred weisberg memorial law day 5k). it's run over the same course as the bunny boogie 3 miler (last weekend), with the start line moved back a tenth of a mile. except for the heavy wind, it was a great day to run. but the turnout was pretty low (just under 50 finishers) for a race that normally reaches about a 100 runners!

i ran a 21:24, 6:54 pace. it was good enough for 3rd place in my age group. emmy, andie, and ronnie took first, second, and third, respectively, in their age group! roy and john took home age group awards as well. brad took second place overall, and first male finisher :D

here are the results from clubct.



Sunday, April 24, 2011

2011 easter marathon: race photos and results



today i ran the first loop of the easter marathon (just longer than a 10k at 6.55 miles). i would like to have done all 4 loops - and we had beautiful weather for it - but had to get home and put the leg of lamb in the oven and get our easter dinner ready! there was a great turnout for event; and it seems as if each succeeding holiday marathon draws even more runners than the previous one!

in a big surprise, one of today's runners was scott jurek! in the it's a small world column, i ran into him in boston last weekend, in front of the lennox hotel as i walked over to the convention center! other familiar faces at the race included, emmy, phil, grant, cherie, lucimar, tony, jeanette, and chris - to mention just a few.

i ran the 6.55 mile loop in 53:48 - not too bad coming off the nyrr 4 miler yesterday and the boston marathon last monday :D




Saturday, April 23, 2011

nyrr 4 miler: race photos and results



i don't know what possessed me to imagine we'd have a nice sunny spring day to run 4 miles in the park this morning?! instead, some bit of lunacy overtook me and i took the metronorth in to run 4 rain soaked miles in the park - all for another point on the road to nine (plus one)! despite the soggy conditions, i ran 29 minutes even, a 7:15 pace.

i wasn't the only looney one out there - well over 5,000 runners crossed the finish line today (5,144 to be exact). after i dropped my bag off, i ran into my fellow trrc teammates, bob and tom. but aside from that quick hello, because of the rain there wasn't much socializing, before or after the race.

here are the race results from nyrr.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

packet pick-up for the nyrr 4 miler


today i signed up for, and picked up my bib and shirt for, the nyrr 4 miler. it seemed strange to register for a nyrr race that doesn't bother with a "name" - so to speak. i'd been on the fence about this one all month, hence missing the online registration deadline tuesday.

i'd really prefer to run the bunny boogie 3 miler instead. but since katie isn't up for it, i'll use the opportunity to pick up another scored race for the 2012 nyc marathon 9 +1 requirement. it will be race number 3 for 2011, and i just satisfied the volunteer requirement last week at the city parks foundation run packet pickup.

this race, coming on the heels of the boston marathon, won't be much more than a fun run for me. my only goal is a sub-30 finish. the next day is the easter marathon in van cortlandt park. because of time constraints, i doubt i'll get in more than one loop. then it's back home to cook easter dinner :D

as always, if you're at either race - say hello :D

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

marshall ulrich's "running on empty" book launch at super runners shop



last night at the super runners shop in times square was the book launch for marshall ulrich's just released "running on empty" - the chonicle of his epic, record-setting 52 day run across the united states in the fall of 2008. that afternoon, as a lead-up to the book release, marshall led a 3+ mile group fun run in central park.

before he sat down to autograph copies of the book, marshall spoke about the run (and included slide presentation) and the various highs and lows that he encountered along the way. in the crowd was frank giannino (who was also at the steps of city hall when marshall completed the run in november 2008). giannino holds the trans-con speed record.

the nyc area running/ultrarunning community was well represented. in addition to some who were at the fun run earlier, here is a brief list of those in attendance: todd, tony, emmy, cherie, catherine, phil, admas, dave, and micah. afterwards, we headed down to bxl cafe to continue the socializing!










here are a few more pictures posted on facebook.

central park group run with marshall ulrich



the decidedly unfriendly weather, a raw wet drizzle, didn't stop a dozen or so intrepid runners from joining marshall ulrich for a fun run in central park yesterday afternoon. the run, two times around the lower 1.7 mile loop of the park, was a prelude to the "running on empty" book launch at the times square super runner store that night. the book chronicles marshall's 2008 record setting run across america.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

2011 boston marathon: a few more photos and race results



my 2011 boston marathon was essential two races - a decent first half, and a terrible second half. i knew going in that my original 3:30 target would be a tough number. but even as late as the half, just off my 1:40 target with a 1:43 split, there was some hope. but at mile 18 i had to pull off for a bathroom stop and the last 3-4 miles were a real struggle. i finished with a 3:47:22 - not my slowest boston, but 10 minutes slower than 2009. even so, it was a great weekend - and another boston is in the books :D

here are the results from the baa.



Sunday, April 17, 2011

john harvard's brew house: another boston brewpub :D



in a repeat of last year, last night emmy, her son andrew, and i went over to cambridge for dinner at a brewpub. this time around, instead of the cambridge brewing company, we opted for john harvard's brew house. it was an excellent choice!

after driving up to boston with todd, and spending a good deal of the afternoon at the marathon expo w/him, i met up with emmy and andrew. last year we walked over to cambridge. this year we took the train there from andrew's apartment. it was a raw and windy trip - and it drizzled on the way back. not an auspicious sign for monday's weather.

beer-wise, they had brewed an execellent belgium style pale ale - which emmy tried. i opted for the pilgrim porter. another excellent beer. on the food side, we were surprised that the nacho starter was big enough to feed all three of us! did we really need more food after that dish ;O

Saturday, April 16, 2011

2011 boston marathon: pre-race and expo photos



just back from the boston marathon expo. todd and i drove up this morning and made great time on the drive to boston - then gave most of it back in the time we spent trying to park the car!

we ran into a few familiar faces, ronnie and jim, and saw bill rodgers, kathryn switzer, marshall ulrich, and roberta gibb, to mention a few of the legendary runners at the expo.










a few more photos posted on facebook.

Friday, April 15, 2011

volunteering at nyrr city parks foundation run packet pick-up



last year i did my volunteer requirment at the scotland run packet pick-up. this time around i ran the scotland run (last weekend) and volunteered, yesterday, at the pack pick-up for the city parks foundation 4 miler this weekend. like last year, i was assigned to hand out bibs during the first afternoon shift. despite the relatively quiet time - this wasn't a particulary prime time for runners to come in and collect their race stuff - i managed to see a pair of friends, steve and susan!

not sure if it'll become a trend, but having done course marshall duty and packet pick-ups, volunteering at the nyrr offices has the edge :D

with two races done this year, and the volunteer requirment fulfilled, only 7 more races (including the 2011 nyc marathon) to go for 2012 guaranteed entry :D

Thursday, April 14, 2011

2011 poem in your pocket day



it's that time - another "poem in your pocket day" has arrived!

here's the scoop:

Celebrate national Poem In Your Pocket Day on Thursday, April 14, 2011!

The idea is simple: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends.

every year i find a poem to carry around with me. in prior years it's been from allen ginsberg, gary snyder, and jack kerouac. this year, in honor of the 150th anniversary of the start of the civil war this week, it's a poem from walt whitman: "beat! beat! drums!"

BEAT! beat! drums! -- blow! bugles! blow!
Through the windows -- through doors -- burst like a ruthless force,
Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation,
Into the school where the scholar is studying;
Leave not the bridegroom quiet -- no happiness must he have now with his bride,
Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering his grain,
So fierce you whirr and pound you drums -- so shrill you bugles blow.

Beat! beat! drums! -- blow! bugles! blow!
Over the traffic of cities -- over the rumble of wheels in the streets;
Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses? no sleepers must sleep in those beds,
No bargainers' bargains by day -- no brokers or speculators -- would they continue?
Would the talkers be talking? would the singer attempt to sing?
Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the judge?
Then rattle quicker, heavier drums -- you bugles wilder blow.

Beat! beat! drums! -- blow! bugles! blow!
Make no parley -- stop for no expostulation,
Mind not the timid -- mind not the weeper or prayer,
Mind not the old man beseeching the young man,
Let not the child's voice be heard, nor the mother's entreaties,
Make even the trestles to shake the dead where they lie awaiting the hearses,
So strong you thump O terrible drums -- so loud you bugles blow.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

scotland run 10k: race photos and results



today's race was big - in the 8,400+ finisher level big! the scotland run sold out a few weeks ago (no doubt aided a bit as a team challenge race). the course began on west drive and ran clockwise around the park. i'm not sure if this direction is easier, but cat hill didn't seem as daunting this way around.

i had a pretty straightforward sub-45 goal. despite a couple of drinks last night, and a nagging head cold, i hit that target with a 45:45, 7:13 pace. aside from emmy, i only spotted one trrc teammate, tom, the entire morning. after the race, ran into yuki, who has the traprock 50k in ct on deck for next weekend and the massanutten mountain 100 next month!

here are the race results from nyrr.





Saturday, April 9, 2011

a birthday dinner at malatesta trattoria :D



katie celebrated her birthday with a group of her friends at a great italian restaurant in the west village, malatesta trattoria. malatesta sometimes translates into "crazy" - which may or may not be appropriate :D

it was her second celebration of turning 16 - pat and i took her out to dinner at the cheesecake factory on her actual birthday. and katie has one more to go, on easter, when her family joins us in celebrating her :D

oh, and then start the dreaded driving lessons :O

Friday, April 8, 2011

packet pick-up at nyrr for scotland run 10k



today i picked up my bid and tee shirt for the scotland run 10k on sunday. it's only my second nyrr club race of the year. typically, i'd have run about 4-5 by this time of the year. i'm also scheduled to volunteer at packet pick-up for the run for the parks race next week.

i'm not sure what the weather forecast is for sunday, but the nyrr included a poncho among the goodies in the canvas bag that was handed out with the tee shirts. in addition to the poncho, a wool cap was tucked in there. the cynic in me would think they were preparing us for wet and cold conditions! that's not too much of a stretch given the weather we've had these last few days.

interestingly, the course runs clockwise around the park. it's one of the few races that does the loop in that direction (the healthy kidney 10k, mini 10k, and first half of the nyc marathon also run clockwise). should make for an interesting change of pace (excuse the pun) :D

as always, if you're at this one - say hello!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

happy sweet 16 katie :D



we just got back from the cheesecake factory - where we celebrated katie's birthday with some cheesecake. it's a big day for katie - her 16th birthday! all the talk around here has been about a learner's permit, driving lessons, and driving the car!

life is going to get a lot more stressful for me :D

Sunday, April 3, 2011

2011 urban enviornmental challenge 10k: race photos and results



this was my first time at the vctc urban enviornmental challenge. it was actually my second straight weekend at a new trail race, on the heels of the mudders & grunters 5 mile trail run at fdr state park last sunday. the urban challenge was fantastic. it was just over 10k (maybe 6.3 miles) and not quite a double loop course. each of the two loops, while sharing some distance, incorporated two different trail systems. it was a challenging course - and a blast to run!

i ran a 55:20 and saw a few familiar faces from yesterday's b.u.s. event! but the biggest surprise was one of yesterday's lap counters was a volunteer course marshall - and yelled out "hey 62" as i crested a hill! that was my bib number at the 6 hour run - which i wore on the wrong side (to the minor annoyance of the lap counters)! also on the course was hiroshi - taking pictures!

i'll add a link to the results once they're posted.







2010 new york ultrarunning grand prix awards brunch



yesterday, following the b.u.s. 6 hour run at henrickson park in valley stream, long island, awards were presented to the new york ultrarunning grand prix winners at the annual brunch. phil mccarthy (who also won the 6 hour run that preceded the ceremony) and jodi kartes heino were the overall winners! i took first place in my age group for the 4th consecutive year!

while i'm proudly holding 3 awards in the above photo - only one belongs to me. the other two are first place age group awards for emmy and noonie. they were both down in raleigh, north carolina, at the umstead 100 miler! other winners pictured here include; elaine, lucimar and al.

the 2010 final standings and complete list of 2010 winners is posted at the ny ultrarunning site.