My First Road Runner Race

Yesterday, I signed up for the Coogan's Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks 5k. I'm told it is lots o'fun. It starts off in Washington Heights near the armory, a.k.a. the New Balance track where I used to run indoor track as a kid, and goes up Fort Tryon Avenue up to Fort Tryon Park. I'm told that the course is lined with dozens of bands playing blues, salsa and Irish music.

It is an official NYRRC qualifying run for guaranteed entry into next year's marathon but since I didn't join the club in January, it doesn't count for me. Thanks to Danny F. again for the inspiration. I wouldn't have known about this race or even considered it if it wasn't for his comment. Unfortunately, I didn't take him up on the challenge early enough to get the early bird special but now that I know, I'm going to start looking ahead in the calendar for other races to register for.

Wish me luck, I think its all uphill.

Ready to Train

The first of two training schedules that I would like to follow requires that I start running at least four miles/run. So for the past week I have been trying to get my mileage up from zero to four so that I could start my training schedule the first week of March. Well I'm happy to report that I am now ready to train.

This morning I broke the four mile barrier and I must say it went down pretty easily. I don't want to get to cocky but I am beginning to believe that this marathon is really doable. I found a nice route in my neighborhood using USATF's Route Mapper and had a wonderful run.

Since I'm not starting my schedule until Monday I think I'll run the same route a few more times to pick up my pace. My splits today were: 10:21.5, 10:26.0, 11:51.5, 09:41.6. The whole run was at an average pace of 10:35/mile. I'm getting really excited!

So far So Good

So, after a succesful and invigorating two mile run on Wednesday morning, I decided to take Thursday off. I had gone from dropping dead on Monday to loving running on Wednesday, so I figured the damage was done. I took off this morning on a new route, a three mile route. No prob.

My time was slower than usual but I never ran out of breath. I intentionally kept my pace slow, but since it was a new route and I didn't know where my first mile marker was I think I messed up. No worries, the point is that I made a 3 mile run with a 10:30 pace. I wanted to get it up there by today since I promised my brother-in-law Steve that we would run Forest Park tomorrow and I would hate to have to slow him down. I'm very excited about my first week. I think I'll sign up for a 5k race soon.

Running Music

I've been wondering about the challenge of creating an i-pod playlist for the marathon that would be there when I need it. At that moment when I need to place my mind elsewhere, what would I play? Maybe a good audiobook? When I have to overcome pain, obviously something inspirational? I don't think the Chariots of Fire theme will work for me though. How about when I need that final kick. What will be the perfect track for my perfect finish? After all, I plan on having a lot of people waiting at the finish line, I can't allow myself to just hobble in. Eye of the Tiger, B-52s, or something from The Cults' Love album? Well, I come across a pretty cool post of running music. Keep in mind that the list certainly doubles as a list of workout music as well.

The author posted his favorites, which reminded me that I definitely need to download some Rage Against the Machine, but the cool part is that the post has 50 comments with others offering their fav five, or more, on their ipods.

Check it out at:
The Derek Rose Blog

Pre-Training Assessment

Well, I started running on Monday. From here on out its nothing but running and hydrating until November. I ran two miles on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday I ran my first mile in 6:44 and my second mile in 8:54. I was very dissapointed in myself because I ran out of breath after the first mile and had to take a break for a minute in between. Worst yet I cramped up on my way back and had to walk parts of the second half. In total I ran 2 miles in 16:48 mins and hurting.

I told my buddy Nick about it and he was fairly supportive. He made me realize that I shouldn't be doing any mile under 8 mins on my first run. So yesterday I ran the same route at a deliberately slow pace. I ran the first leg at 8:50 mins and the second at 8:39 mins. I took a 26 sec. break to take my pulse but I didn't really need it, maybe tomorrow I'll take it while I'm running. Near the end I felt so good I sprinted the last three blocks. My heart rate hardly went up.

I feel a little better now than I did after Tuesday's run. Now I just have to get into shape to start a training schedule. I've looked up a few online and realize that most of them start with 4 mile days. So that's where I need to be by the beginning of March. If I can do two miles on my second day without collapsing I think I can get it up to 4 miles within a week. From there is when it gets hard.

Ralphie's a Road Runner

I have finally joined the prestigous, world famous New York Road Runners. I first wanted to join decades ago, when I found out that my track coach in highschool belonged to the organization. But since then, I stopped taking running seriously. Well, that has obviously changed and I am going to need all the help I can get.

I am looking forward to getting the most I can out of my membership and am excited about the prospects of racing competitively as a Road Runner. Their Online Interactive Trainer seems like a great resource and I hope it helps me yield results. The truth is that just being part of the crew makes me feel as if I've taken another step closer to the finish line.

Now I just have to get running.

The Course - First Person View

New York City Marathon Inspirational Video

Danny's Marathon

I just read a great account of the marathon from a runner's point of view. It's weird that what I find most appealing about this race is how difficult and excruciating it is. The more I read about it the more excited I get.

Huge thanks to Danny for his blog Training For My First Next Marathon

I'm Finally Doing It!

For over a decade I have wanted to run the NYC Marathon. Every November I would be inspired to do so when I saw all the runners lining up at the start. Watching them finish is an even greater inspiration. After the race I promise myself I would train for the next year so that I could be part of that crowd of champions. Those incredible people that perservere through all types of obstacles; heat, wind, rain, pain, dehydration, weakness, suffering, doubt - to overcome all adversity and cross that line. Then, I forget. Next November comes around, I slap my palm on my forehead and start the cycle all over again.

Well this year my ADHD won't be getting the better of me. This year I have been reminded of this quest with ample time left to train. My colleague and temporary roomate Nick shared his intent with me a couple of nights ago to run the marathon this year. I paused for a while and thought 'jeez, I have more than enough time to train.' That was Feb. 13th. Yesterday, during Valentine Day dinner I told my lovely baby and gained her support. I know my family is always behind me and I beleive that The New York Road Runners Club can take me the rest of the way.

All of that, of course, relies on my ability to stay focused throughout the year. Focus is a skill that I forget often. But, I know that to finish this race it is the main attribute necessary. I know that to get to the race, it is the only thing. So, I'm posting my journey for all to see. Making this public record so that I can't lose focus. Not just so that I can reread my thoughts like a journal but to set my intetions off and running ahead of me on their own marathon. That way I can follow them to help me keep my pace.

Anyone that reads this, please feel free to comment. All comments are welcomed because at least I know my posts are being read. Wish me luck.