The Manhattan 14.2 Mile Training Run - this Saturday, September 5th @ 7:30am.
Between Mile 1 and Mile 2 there’s a 150 foot climb within ¼ of a mile, but that’s not what makes the Manhattan 14.2 Training Run so interesting. If you like to run in Manhattan, and liked running down the west side during the NYC Half Marathon race, and are feeling listless from doing loops in Central Park, then this run is WAITING for you.
For a few years now, a lot of us have been running the World Trade Center Run To Remember (previously named “Bridge to Tunnel”). It’s a fun race, and a wonderful way to pay respects to the most horrific tragedy ever set upon our nation’s soil. However, this is the time of the year where many of us are needing to do long runs as well, and as much as I love the concept of the WTC run, it’s not concept that is going to make me perform well at the arsenal of marathons that are quickly approaching us this fall.
That’s why the Manhattan 14.2 mile training run may be just the thing you might be looking for. First of all, it starts alllllll the way at the TOP of Manhattan at 220th and Broadway. And yes, the race coordinator will even have you walk 500 feet behind you to touch the last steel girder on the Broadway Bridge that takes you into the Bronx.
Though it is just a “training run”, it is every bit like a race for all of its goodies. There are water stations along the way, and besides all the really nice goodies you get at the finish line, you also get a medal. And I will tell you that with even being that medal-whore that I am, these are really nice medals!
NYCRUNS Blogs
Please consider running in the 2nd Annual World Trade Center Run to Remember on Sunday, September 5, 2010. The run is on Governor's Island and is a 5K in memory of the victims of 9-11.
Check out the event website to see how each participant has the ability to personalize their running bib to identify which 9-11 victim they're running to remember. If you don't know a victim the organizers will assign you someone. This event is also a fund raiser for several 9-11 related organizations. Visit www.wtcruntoremember.com
Today was the New York Road Runner’s 2nd Long Training Run. Not a race, but rather a challenge to see how many miles one can endure before one says “Uncle” (or Aunt, depending on your preference). I had a tough time sleeping last night, partially because my new MP3 player took forever to sync all of the songs it had (and I’ll get to that later on), but as always any running event of significance to me, keeps me up.
When I started taking running seriously, about 15 years ago, I went to the Super Runner’s Shop and was properly fitted for shoes. I have flat feet and over-pronate. I run like a freak, legs flailing around everywhere. I tried on (and tried out) several pairs of “motion control” shoes, and eventually settled into Saucony Stabils, which I wore for about 13 years.
- Saucony Stabils
If you’ve ever worn a motion control shoe, you know they’re heavy (Stabils are 11.7 ounces!) bulky, and pretty rigid. They’re made to hold your feet in and to prevent you from moving around too much and pronating. I got really used to wearing them and in fact felt “too free” when I tried on other sneakers. I even wore prescription hard orthotics for a while! (I was saved from them by an orthopedic MD named Stuart Hershon, who told me I was crazy for running in them and advised me to wear Spenco arch support insoles, thankfully!)
One year recently I didn’t like the upgrade they did to the Stabils, and I tried out Brooks Addictions (10.6 oz.) They were fine, but I wasn’t crazy about the fit (if you've never seen a pair of these, click the link, they really look like "corrective footwear!" The I moved on to Asics Evolutions (11 oz.), not ideal either but much less bulky.
I had high hopes that Urban Athletics and The New York Harriers would deliver with the 2nd edition of this race but they dropped the ball in one crucial area - value. $25. for a neighborhood 5K is a lot of cabbage and I'm not sure that a pint glass and a few bud lights really delivers. Let's step back for a minute though.
First of all, unlike last year, the course was measured properly. If I'm not mistaken, the problem last year was that a loop was closed off shortening the distance to about 2.9 miles. I actually like the course quite a bit. It's a hilly little 1.5 looper in Riverside Park starting at about 105th St. There are a few races a year in Riverside and I'd like to do more.
The race was capped at 250, though only 149 runners entered. In part, this was due to what seems to be uneven promotion. UA and The Harriers did not reach out to any of the Running Groups I am affiliated with, nor did they place a listing on the NYCRUNS calendar (sniff!). I'm told by uninformed sources that this may be due to a desire to try to keep it running club oriented - and more specifically make sure as many Harriers and UA runners can sign up. In all honesty, I'm not sure about that though. That said 149/250 does not seem like a rousing success. This race could have sold through with a little more effort. This is important since my main issue relates to value and the field size has an impact on the economics.
Many times in one’s own life we wonder if we’re ever good enough to aspire to the level for which we seek. One of the great side effects of running is that if you put the effort in you usually get rewarded. Usually, but not always. And that’s what makes running an often-suspenseful relationship. “Do I get rewarded for all that I’ve sacrificed?”
Long Distance Running, particularly, is not a hobby that is conquerable right away. Instant gratification could take years. It is not a slice of bread that can be toasted in a matter of minutes thus achieving the desired result. No, it is more like a pot roast you put in a crock pot in the morning before you go to work, and you pray by some miracle that when you get home ten or so hours later, that you have a worthy feast awaiting you.
I didn't have a running related injury until quite a while after I ran my first marathon and I think that was pretty lucky. My first injuries came in 2005, and 5 years later I'm still running through injuries, I should shut it down for. So, take from this little recap what you will, but my advice is to do what I say, not what I've done.
What I Say
1. Research your condition online. Base your conclusions on the words of trained professionals, not unqualified anecdotes.
It It all starts out this morning (Aug 21, 2010) at 6:16am. Karen and I were waking up to the sounds of NPR radio. Before long we realized that there was no way we were going to get to Brooklyn in time. In time for what?
In time to run over the Brooklyn Bridge and to meet up with NYCRUNS over at the corner of Chambers and Warren.
So we took a cab. Mad cabman he was too. In only 15 minutes I was already following Karen into a diner on the corner of Adams & Tillary. It had been awhile since the last time I was in Brooklyn. And for Karen, this would be the first time she would ever cross the historic bridge on foot.
This will be my first "simul-blog" since I normally have my own website at http:run-race.blogspot.com.
What is it with people that have to win...even when it's just a training run?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am such a nut job.
I signed up for the NYC Marathon NYRR training camp. What did I hope to learn? After all, I've done the NYC Marathon 8 times already.
So far I can say is that I am finally running with an MP3 player for at least 2 nights a week.
And I'm running like crazy. These training runs are broken into groups based on individual pace for a 5k. Though I've cracked the 7 minute barrier a few times, I decided to play it safe and stick to the Advanced Competitor with the 7-8 minute folks.
Tonight was a fartlek run, and while I spare you all the gassy references, I will tell you that I really hate running on the sidewalk up and down 5th Avenue on the Central Park side. However as bad as the road is, at least it forces you to focus on where one's landing. Also, it was pretty cool to run right alongside none other than the author of the Competitive Runner's Book, Mr. Bob Glover
We started "fartleking" once we entered into Central Park at Engineer's Gate at 90th. The first speed burst, I beat everyone. Great. Uhhhh, except this ISN'T A RACE, MORON!!!
The next speed burst we did, I fell back, and the third fell back even more. I reacted well as we started to approach the exit ramp to Central Park South, and won again. Central Park South was also hectic to navigate around everyone, so coach Dan made us take it easy.
I was getting pumped as the last big surge was an all-out assault pace for the last 3/10ths of a mile to where the finish line of the NYC Marathon is. I started out behind 2 people, and eventually overtook them. I was all alone....until coach Dan ( a 2hr 38min marathoner) ran past me as if I were walking. Ahem, my pace over that entire distance was 5:37 and even faster when he obliterated me.
So for anyone who thinks something is deeply wrong with themselves for feeling competitive during a training run, hear this: "Something is deeply wrong with you." Also hear this; "It's so much more fun this way, ain't it?"
