Yes, I know, I have been terrible about posting. Mostly this is because I am doing more weightlifting than running, and really, who wants to write about weightlifting? (Boring!) So, I am going to take a holiday break from the blog until I start training intensely again (January!) for my next marathon. BUT, not before I write about the Prospect Park Turkey Trot.
It's so funny. The Cincinnati Turkey Trot is a HUGE deal. I mean, they even have an entire website dedicated to the event. And this year they had 11,558 finishers. It's also cool because you kind of get to preview part of the Flying Pig course.
Well, Bill and I signed up for the Prospect Park Turkey Trot knowing it was going to be a lot smaller, but we had no idea how small. It was like a cute little neighborhood run. It was actually a LOT of fun. And there was no pressure at all.
It is put on by the Prospect Park Track Club, and is a 5-miler in Prospect Park (obviously), which is a very pretty park in Brooklyn designed by the same guys who did Central Park. They had 1290 finishers.
Because Bill and I don't get around to Brooklyn that often we were totally lost. We almost didn't make it to the start. We just started following people with race bibs, and it's a good thing we did, because I don't think we would have made it in time. The whole time I was talking strategy with Bill: "Do you want to run together? What do you think your pace will be? I'm taking it easy...maybe I'll start with a 9:30 and then if I'm feeling good I'll do a 9:00 pace, but I'm not going any faster than that..."
It turns out that it didn't really matter :)
This start was NOT the millisecond-precise, super-anal-retentive NYRR start that we are used to. In fact, I didn't even hear a gun, or a horn, or an announcer or anything. Bill and I just kind of noticed that the people in front of us were moving. So we ran about 20 feet, and then...we were suddenly walking about 10 feet. That's when I was like "FUN RUN!" Forget time, forget everything else, just have fun.
I did end up feeling pretty out of shape. It's not like I felt like I was running fast, just that it took a lot out of me.
The best part was that Santa was at the finish line (everyone kept yelling "Just around the corner and you'll see Santa!") and that at the end, instead of water, they had hot chocolate!!! Perfect!
Oh yeah, and we also got really nice bags from Jackrabbit instead of t-shirts.
All in all, it was a lot of fun, and I think I would definitely do it again!
Showing posts with label brooklyn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brooklyn. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Into Brooklyn
Saturday we had a really fun run. I was a little nervous to pick up the mileage again since I haven't really been running all that much. According to my schedule I was supposed to do my 19 miler, but I knew that this probably wasn't a very good idea since I really only ran 3 miles this week and 10 miles last week (btw, both of those were single runs). I decided to shoot for 14-15 but see how I felt along the way.
We started out way downtown in the Winter Gardens (right by the World Trade Center site). We had the option of staying in Manhattan for the entire run, or venturing into Brooklyn. I of course, wanted to venture into Brooklyn. I am always up for a change of scenery AND this would give me some hill work too.
I also decided that if my pace leader was pacing this week I was NOT going to be in her group. Luckily though, she wasn't there. And Ramon was making the coaches pace this week instead of the mentors. This was good because I was really afraid of getting lost in Brooklyn. Manhattan is pretty easy to navigate since it is all on a grid and most of the streets are numbered. But Brooklyn is another story.
What a difference it makes when you're going the right pace! I felt so much better through the entire run. And I truly COULD have added another 4 miles on without much problem (but I stopped anyway. I didn't want to push it too hard).
The run was also a lot of fun. We got to run over the Brooklyn Bridge, which is always great. It was super crowded with people though which was a little frustrating runningwise (I was running in a zigzag a lot of the time to avoid other people). I decided though that you can't get mad at people for wanting to walk/bike/rollerblade/run across the bridge. It is extremely cool and the view is amazing, plus the weather yesterday was great for outdoor activities. Some lady obviously didn't feel the same way. She was out for a leisurely stroll and was talking on her cellphone. I think she was overwhelmed by all of us even though we were being very good and only running one or two across and staying on the right side of the bridge. I was trying to avoid her completely and swerved to the right to do so (just as she swerved to her left) so we met face to face and she threw up her hands and screamed "F*CK!!" in my face, which I thought was a little humorous. I could tell it was her last straw. :)
Anyway, after crossing the bridge we ran through Brooklyn. I had no idea where exactly we were but found it commical how many other people in the group had never been to Brooklyn. We passed the Brooklyn TNT team and our coach yelled "Yeah! Go Brooklyn!" And they hollered back "YEEEEAH!" which made me laugh because it is sort of the stereotypical Brooklyn reaction to something like that (anyone ever see that movie "Newsies"?). Ramon was following the course on his bike because he was super afraid that we were all going to get lost and never find our way back to Manhattan.
We finally got to the Williamsburg bridge and I looked forward. It went STRAIGHT UP. I was like "Oh yeah, this is nice." And the coach said it was good practice for San Francisco (which I am so glad I am not running.) I just tried to enjoy the beautiful view and read all of the graffiti instead of concentrating on the hill.
Crossing Manhattan again through the Lower East Side was NOT pleasant because it smelled like garbage baking in the sun.
But we finally made it to Lafayette to run up Park Avenue for the last time (boo! I hope they do Summer Streets again). I really had time to enjoy it this week since I was on pace instead of flying through the streets tiring myself out. I remembered to stop at the church that everyone was talking about (because they gave out freshly squeezed lemonade...delicious!). By this point though, most of our group had split up. Hardly anyone was running all the way up to 72nd street because most people were not doing 19 miles. I ran all the way up to 63rd with Kelly though and then caught up with some other people from the group to cut across the 72nd Street Transverse.
The rest of the run was on my own since I just decided to head uptown for the last two miles and head home. It was nice to be able to finish right in front of my apartment building.
I had to double check Ramon's mileage count on mapmyrun.com, because I figured there was no way that he could be right (according to my watch). But he was! I did 15 miles in 2:18 which means that I was doing a 9:19 mile the whole way. I was so ecstatic!
I, of course, plugged that into one of those calculators that can predict your marathon times based on your long runs. It says that I can do a 4:14 based on that time. That would be awesome!
So, what did I learn from this? Take it out easy and you will do better than you thought. Yes, every coach I have ever had has told me this, but I am one of those people who has to experience it for myself before I believe it ;)
We started out way downtown in the Winter Gardens (right by the World Trade Center site). We had the option of staying in Manhattan for the entire run, or venturing into Brooklyn. I of course, wanted to venture into Brooklyn. I am always up for a change of scenery AND this would give me some hill work too.
I also decided that if my pace leader was pacing this week I was NOT going to be in her group. Luckily though, she wasn't there. And Ramon was making the coaches pace this week instead of the mentors. This was good because I was really afraid of getting lost in Brooklyn. Manhattan is pretty easy to navigate since it is all on a grid and most of the streets are numbered. But Brooklyn is another story.
What a difference it makes when you're going the right pace! I felt so much better through the entire run. And I truly COULD have added another 4 miles on without much problem (but I stopped anyway. I didn't want to push it too hard).
The run was also a lot of fun. We got to run over the Brooklyn Bridge, which is always great. It was super crowded with people though which was a little frustrating runningwise (I was running in a zigzag a lot of the time to avoid other people). I decided though that you can't get mad at people for wanting to walk/bike/rollerblade/run across the bridge. It is extremely cool and the view is amazing, plus the weather yesterday was great for outdoor activities. Some lady obviously didn't feel the same way. She was out for a leisurely stroll and was talking on her cellphone. I think she was overwhelmed by all of us even though we were being very good and only running one or two across and staying on the right side of the bridge. I was trying to avoid her completely and swerved to the right to do so (just as she swerved to her left) so we met face to face and she threw up her hands and screamed "F*CK!!" in my face, which I thought was a little humorous. I could tell it was her last straw. :)
Anyway, after crossing the bridge we ran through Brooklyn. I had no idea where exactly we were but found it commical how many other people in the group had never been to Brooklyn. We passed the Brooklyn TNT team and our coach yelled "Yeah! Go Brooklyn!" And they hollered back "YEEEEAH!" which made me laugh because it is sort of the stereotypical Brooklyn reaction to something like that (anyone ever see that movie "Newsies"?). Ramon was following the course on his bike because he was super afraid that we were all going to get lost and never find our way back to Manhattan.
We finally got to the Williamsburg bridge and I looked forward. It went STRAIGHT UP. I was like "Oh yeah, this is nice." And the coach said it was good practice for San Francisco (which I am so glad I am not running.) I just tried to enjoy the beautiful view and read all of the graffiti instead of concentrating on the hill.
Crossing Manhattan again through the Lower East Side was NOT pleasant because it smelled like garbage baking in the sun.
But we finally made it to Lafayette to run up Park Avenue for the last time (boo! I hope they do Summer Streets again). I really had time to enjoy it this week since I was on pace instead of flying through the streets tiring myself out. I remembered to stop at the church that everyone was talking about (because they gave out freshly squeezed lemonade...delicious!). By this point though, most of our group had split up. Hardly anyone was running all the way up to 72nd street because most people were not doing 19 miles. I ran all the way up to 63rd with Kelly though and then caught up with some other people from the group to cut across the 72nd Street Transverse.
The rest of the run was on my own since I just decided to head uptown for the last two miles and head home. It was nice to be able to finish right in front of my apartment building.
I had to double check Ramon's mileage count on mapmyrun.com, because I figured there was no way that he could be right (according to my watch). But he was! I did 15 miles in 2:18 which means that I was doing a 9:19 mile the whole way. I was so ecstatic!
I, of course, plugged that into one of those calculators that can predict your marathon times based on your long runs. It says that I can do a 4:14 based on that time. That would be awesome!
So, what did I learn from this? Take it out easy and you will do better than you thought. Yes, every coach I have ever had has told me this, but I am one of those people who has to experience it for myself before I believe it ;)
Monday, August 13, 2007
Memory Run
First of all, I have to apologize for being so lax with my blog. This past week has been hell at work, and the last thing I want to do when I get home is turn on a computer :)
Allright, anyway, this weekend was a long run starting from the University of Cincinnati. We started at the new rec center which was so funny, because the last time I was at UC, this was a parking lot. Even though the campus has changed so much, I was flooded with memories as soon as we began our run. We ran through the stadium, where I had run up and down all of the steps (this kind of workout is called something, but I forget what) for rowing practice. We ran by my old dorm which everyone thought was crappy at the time, but now with all the new dorms it REALLY is crappy. We ran by Edwards, where my now husband worked. The park where I saw my first dead body. OK. Ha ha. That of course, wasn't a good memory. But anyway. Running all around in Clifton was fun and made me think happy thoughts (minus the dead body). It kind of reminded me of this article I read in this month's Runner's World about a guy who ran his own New York Marathon through all the neighborhoods where he used to live. It made me realize that these good memories keep us going. And the cool thing is, that as I run, I am also creating memories. Like, I can't run that little stretch from East McMillan to Madison without thinking of rounding the corner at the Flying Pig Marathon, feeling great, and seeing the half-marathoners break off. I was definitely experiencing a runner's high at that point. And I can't run in Eden Park without thinking of one of my great runs at the beginning of my Flying Pig Training. These things are what keep me going as I run.
A little funny aside: I also had another memory as I was running that turned out to be not so good. The running team was supposed to be able to get $5 brunch buffet after our run on Saturday. I slipped $10 and my parking ticket in my running shorts before we left for our workout. I used to do this all the time when I lived in Brooklyn and would go for a run. On the way home I could stop at this great little Mexican place to pick up dinner. One time, I put a 20 in my pocket and I guess the back and forth of my running rubbed a hole in the pocket and the money fell out. Yep. Same thing happened. Its those stupid jersey shorts I was wearing instead of my technical gear because I was too lazy to do laundry this week. Whoops. No brunch. Just stupid cheerios at home. :(
Allright, anyway, this weekend was a long run starting from the University of Cincinnati. We started at the new rec center which was so funny, because the last time I was at UC, this was a parking lot. Even though the campus has changed so much, I was flooded with memories as soon as we began our run. We ran through the stadium, where I had run up and down all of the steps (this kind of workout is called something, but I forget what) for rowing practice. We ran by my old dorm which everyone thought was crappy at the time, but now with all the new dorms it REALLY is crappy. We ran by Edwards, where my now husband worked. The park where I saw my first dead body. OK. Ha ha. That of course, wasn't a good memory. But anyway. Running all around in Clifton was fun and made me think happy thoughts (minus the dead body). It kind of reminded me of this article I read in this month's Runner's World about a guy who ran his own New York Marathon through all the neighborhoods where he used to live. It made me realize that these good memories keep us going. And the cool thing is, that as I run, I am also creating memories. Like, I can't run that little stretch from East McMillan to Madison without thinking of rounding the corner at the Flying Pig Marathon, feeling great, and seeing the half-marathoners break off. I was definitely experiencing a runner's high at that point. And I can't run in Eden Park without thinking of one of my great runs at the beginning of my Flying Pig Training. These things are what keep me going as I run.
A little funny aside: I also had another memory as I was running that turned out to be not so good. The running team was supposed to be able to get $5 brunch buffet after our run on Saturday. I slipped $10 and my parking ticket in my running shorts before we left for our workout. I used to do this all the time when I lived in Brooklyn and would go for a run. On the way home I could stop at this great little Mexican place to pick up dinner. One time, I put a 20 in my pocket and I guess the back and forth of my running rubbed a hole in the pocket and the money fell out. Yep. Same thing happened. Its those stupid jersey shorts I was wearing instead of my technical gear because I was too lazy to do laundry this week. Whoops. No brunch. Just stupid cheerios at home. :(
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