Category Archives: Training: Running

The Doughnut Run!

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To cap off the year I decided to join the crew for the 1st Annual Doughnut Run, organized by Elyssa!

Until the emails flying around about the run I had been spelling doughnut, donut… thank you very much Dunkin Donuts for making me dumb.


We me at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge at 10:30 AM which was just fine by me. All this early running stuff gets outta hand sometimes. Role Call: Elyssa, Eissa, Amy, Matt6, Steph, Samantha, Sharon, Maura, and Maria! The concept was, run a 6 mile loop over the Brooklyn Bridge, through Brooklyn to the Williamsburg Bridge and back over into Mighty Manhattan, ending at The Doughnut Plant!

We all took off over the Brooklyn Bridge, dodging the tourists that were starting to surface.


Looping around into Dumbo we encountered an unforeseen problem… un shoveled snow! We made the best of it climbing, jumping and navigating the streets, keeping our pace. It was more of an obstacle course workout than a run and my abs are actually killing me! (I hope that’s from the run and I don’t have an Alien ready to berth itself. Gross.)

One of the cool things about a group run like this is what I call ‘leapfrog effect’ and yes I just coined it. Meaning, during the run you move around so you can chat and catch up with everyone.

Before we arrived at the Williamsburg Bridge we had a snowball fight while we were running! It was very fun but very tiring.


Ending our 6 miler at The Doughnut Plant was funny. There were groups of regular pedestrians eating outside and we, The Runner Army (another new catch phrase I have coined) arrived with a bang and everyone was like “Whaaaaaaat?”

As we entered the store it smelled good, so I chimed in, “Smells good, doughnut?” Yes, I have a bit of Dad Humor instilled in me and I have been learning to cope with it. On Matt 6’s advice I chose the Creme Brule and Tres Leches doughnuts. They did not disappoint and might be some of the best doughnuts I have ever had. I mean, I’m still a sucker for a Krispy Kreme but…

We all said goodbye to each other and 2010, departing for our various subway lines. It was an awesome time and I wont miss it next year (or at the end of every month as Maura suggested.)

Happy New Year Runner Army!

Christmas on Ice. and Snow.

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This Christmas I was invited to go to New Jersey to stay with my Aunt Marge, Uncle John, cousin Gillian and cousin Cat. My father is waiting to get a bone marrow transplant and can’t have any visitors due to his immune system, so I accepted.

They live on Lake Shawnee in a small town called Jefferson out in NW Jersey. I always have a blast whenever I hang out with them.

Friday night was spent at a neighbors holiday party socializing and making Christmas cheer.

On Christmas Day we followed normal protocol… presents, silliness and coffee, lots of coffee. Something you athletic types out there might get a kick out of is that my Aunt and Uncle’s household is a running household. That’s right, the whole family is obsessive about running! What better place for me to stay right? 50% of teh gifts exchanged were running gear or running related. Very cool.

After a fantastic breakfast dished up by Uncle John, Gillian, Cat and I headed out to do some trail running. We went to a place called Saffons Park. It was great! Gravel paths with occasional ice patches. We even had to double back one time as some hikers told us there was a growling bear ahead on the path!

Both my cousins run track so we were all cookin. We started the 6.5 mile run with 9:30’s and sped up consistently, finishing at a 7:30 pace. What a great way to spend Christmas Day!

Back at the house we made sandwiches with the fresh bread I baked the day before, hit the showers and got dressed for Christmas: Stage 2.

I mentioned that they live on a lake? Did I mention it was frozen solid? We laced up our skates and headed out the back door, jumping on the lake ready to rock. SIDENOTE: I LOVE ice skating, always have. During the winter I often go first thing in the morning at Wollman in Central Park to beat the tourists.

As we began to skate I have to admit I was nervous for our safety. Laughing at their oldest cousin and assuring me, “We grew up here and this is totally safe.” We also brought their favorite beverages, 4 Locos, out on the ice to sip on. I had never had one and they insisted I try it, especially after all the controversy surrounding it. It tasted like liquid Smartees to be honest, and it kinda grew on me.

The lake is pretty big so we cruised around exploring the different coves. By this point I was warmed up and flying all over! There are no walls to hold you in so you can really blast off! We headed in as the sun was going down and dinner was approaching. Back at the house my cousin Cat got in trouble as she left an empty can on a dock out on the lake. To solve the issue I volunteered to skate back out and find it! Adventure! It was actually pretty scary as it was nighttime now. I think I may have been going like 20 MPH too.

After retrieving the can we sat down to an amazing dinner. Some neighbors came over after for dessert and to join us as we wrapped up the night with a movie.

Our huge family party that was supposed to happen Sunday was postponed until Tuesday because of the impending blizzard. I, therefore, headed out on a train for the Mighty Manhattan. I leave you with some images of the snow! Enjoy! (some are before/after shots)


The infamous Cat Hill!


Only in New York? I think so.


3rd Avenue looking South from 83rd.


The block I live on.


My head shot from when I tried out for Empire Strikes Back.

2010 in a nutshell…

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Around this time of year I think all of us like to look back on what our year entailed, then look to see what may be in store for the future.

SIDENOTE: This may be long winded, sorry. It’s more of an exercise in reflection for me, to see it written out.

THE PAST

2010 was set off with a bang for me with the Disney Marathon (my second) on January 10th. My time was 3:13:13 which was a PR by 2 minutes but I was in no way happy with this time. My mom got to watch me run a race for the first time which made for an exciting day.

February was kind of a wash as far as racing went. I did participate in the Run for Haiti charity event but set up in the back and just ran with friends.

As March rolled around I was ready for some action. The Coogan’s 5K up in Washington Heights was the start. I set a new NYRR 5K PR by running a 5:53 per mile race. This was important to me (and yet trivial) as I wanted my time under the NYRR umbrella to reflect a sub 6 mile average. Like I said, trivial, but it’s these little details that excite me at times. I ran the NYRR 8000 and the Colon Cancer Challenge as well.

The New York City Half Marathon was a milestone race as I was able to PR by 5 minutes at 1:20:48! I also qualified for the NYC Marathon with this time. More memorable then that was just how many of my new running friends I saw before, during and after the race! Such a great group of people.

In April I ran the Scotland 10K, Run for the Parks and the Lincoln Tunnel 5K.

May hit hard with the New Jersey Marathon starting it off. It was the hottest marathon I had run in with temps in the high 80’s. It was a battle field. My time of 3:15:27 was worse then Disney but I didn’t come down on myself too hard based on the crazy weather. I hate making excuses, but when people were strewn out on the sidelines like wounded soldiers I made an exception. For those of you who aren’t aware, I was and had been going for a Boston Qualifier this whole time and missing my mark by 3-5 minutes overtime.

PR’d the Healthy Kidney 10K with a 37:11 and swam the Great Hudson River 1.3 mile race. I did not PR in the swim, in fact I think I was almost last place as usual in swim events.

June was monumental as I raced my first ever Half Ironman! I got to race with all the pro triathletes I admire and even brushed elbows with a personal hero, Natascha Badmann.

I ran the Wall Street 3 Miler which is always fun in a ‘utter chaos’ kinda way. How could I forget the Lavaman Sprint Triathlon? Jim, Ed (from ‘Dad Posse’) and I stayed up till 2AM drinking beer, woke up at 5AM on 3 hours of sleep and raced. I even won 3rd in my age group so Hmmf to you ‘sleep’.

July brought us the Aquathlon Swim/Run event followed by the NYC Triathlon which was awesome! If I thought the NYC Tri was hot I was definitely not ready for the sauna that was the Queens Half Marathon! It was brutal!

In August I ran the fun, but also sweltering hot, Fire Island 5K and tried to uphold my 1st Place ranking. I failed and came in 2nd but still had a hell of a time! Then ‘Dad Posse’ and I raced in the Harriman Sprint Triathlon, always a fun event.


As Autumn arrived there was excitement in the air as marathon season was upon us! I ran the NYCM Tune-up 18 Miler and was able to maintain the marathon pace I had set. One goal I had set for myself all year was to run a Sub5 Mile in the 5th Avenue Mile race. I accomplished this by 1 second at 4:59. This was a big goal for me.

In October I ran a trifecta of 5K’s! The Montgomery River Run 5K where I took 1st Place overall, The Hoboken 5K where I PR’d at 17:37 and took 3rd overall and the Little Silver 5K where I took 11th overall.

My favorite race is and has been the NYC Marathon. This year I ran a 3:01:59 which qualifies me for Boston, another goal I had set!

The exclamation point on the year was running the Tough Mudder obstacle course with ‘Dad Posse’ and Ronny. It was hard, scary, grueling and totally awesome!

Looking back I’m very happy with my racing. Although I am very competitive, I’m still having fun out there.

What stands out most to me, as I evolve deeper into the sport, is all the friends have made! You all know who you are, from my Tuesday Night Speed Group, to the ‘Dad Posse’, random speedsters, competitors I have met during races, bikers on the road to Nyack and many others. This running/triathlon community continues to amazing me and I am very thankful to be a part of it.

THE FUTURE

Im registered for a number of races already, The Goofy Challenge, NYC Half Marathon, Alcatraz Shark Swim, NYC Tri, Rev3 Half Ironman South Carolina and Ironman Arizona. I really need to get my swimming up to par this year and try and get a bit faster. There is work to be done!

How was your year? What races will you race in 2011?

Making Leg Jello

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One of the things I have learned about runners and triathletes in the last 2 years is that they are crazy, myself included. Why is it that after waking up and having some coffee on a 35 degree Saturday that I have the need to go run? I mean, my apartment is awesome! I have tons of coffee, music is playing, it’s got lots of light and guess what, it doesn’t have a wind chill factor.

Without delay I threw on shorts, Zenah calf sleeves, a dry fit top and a zip up top to take off were it to get ‘hot’. I decided on a Saturday run as I wasn’t able to sign up for the Joe Kleinerman 10K on Sunday as it sold out. Once again, 4,000 crazy runners paying for this stuff.

Once I was moving it wasn’t too cold. I was really surprised at how warm the Zensah sleeves kept my legs. I’m a really big fan now.

Entering the Park at 84th Street I switched on my Garmin and took off, my goal to run 12 miles. I also decided I WOULD NOT look at my Garmin until my run was over to see if my internal mechanisms would keep me in check.

At the top of the Park I ran by my friend Kevin Masse (who was running but in the opposite direction). It was a pretty good day for a run after all and I started to get hot, taking off my zip up. I didn’t know what my pace was, but I was having fun.

As I rounded the loop and arrived where I had started I decided to call that the end of my run. I wasn’t feeling the distance at that moment.

Total Miles: 6.03
Time: 37:35
Pace: 6:14

The following morning I happened to be crossing the Park right as the Kleinerman 10K had started! Exciting! I was able to catch the leaders as they hit Mile 5.

They were flying! In fact the two lead guys pictured had a 1 minute lead on the rest of the pack.

Above in white is my friend Sebastian. He was really confused as I cheered at him because I don’t think he has ever seen me in ‘pedestrian garments.’ He was crushing it.

Once home I couldn’t sit still. After watching all my fellow local runners I needed to do something exercisy. (yes, that’s a new word.) My new favorite toy is my Kurt Kinetic Fluid Trainer. It essentially turns your Tri Bike (or Road Bike or whatever bike) into a stationary spin bike.

I know some of you are saying “Man, I hate the bike trainer, it’s not the same, etc. etc.” True, all very true, but one of the plus sides to the trainer is sweating. SIDENOTE: I love to sweat. Seriously, I hate biking in the winter and not even sweating. I don’t feel like I’ve put in any work. The same goes for running, although it’s pretty easy to get hot during just about any run.

I rigged up the trainer and did around 35 minutes of intensity intervals. It was awesome and 10 minutes in I was drenched.

I don’t know if you can really tell with that picture. Any of you that run with me in the warmer months know that I get really red faced.

For the rest of the weekend (which was spent at Dave and Buster’s in Times Square for Erika’s birthday… awesome!) my legs were totally jello.

Beer Run

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Sunday was willrunforbeer’s inaugural ‘Beer Run’ around Central Park and the Upper West Side.

After Saturday’s Tough Mudder debacle (report and crazy pics to come) I didn’t think I had it in me. Then I thought to myself, “What’s one of the motto’s of Tough Mudder? No whining, kids whine.” Since I was now a Tough Mudder, I had no excuse to skip out. I also really like beer and socializing so…

I met up with the gang of 18 or so people at the Engineer’s Gate, then, after a quick speech by Claire we were off!

Running north, and around the 102 transverse we were all having fun conversations and enjoying the fall weather. Our first stop was Dive Bar. We made a group decision that 1 beer be consumed at each bar before moving on.

Next we went to Firehouse, followed by Amsterdam Ale House. It got pretty wild, running with a bunch of buzzed people! We were yelling and dodging innocent pedestrians!

The final stretch was a 1.5 mile segment ending at PJ Clarkes. I only stayed for one last beer as I was making Erika a lasagna for dinner which takes like 3 hours!

Congrats to Claire for a fantastic first ‘Beer Run!’ I look forward to them in the future. It was also awesome catching up with my runner pals. ROLE CALL: (sorry if I missed anyone) Claire, Monte, Maura, Joe, Evelyn, Neal, Susan, Maura and Brian, Michelle, and Carlos.

Run, Bike… Rock Climb?

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You would think that after running a marathon, someone would take the month off from running? Well, any crazy runner out there (and you know who you are) will tell you no way. In fact, we are just WAITING until we can go out for that first successful post-marathon run and it’s such a test of patience.

Saturday was that moment for me. (I ran 3 miles on Wednesday but that didn’t count as I was just running to get somewhere fast, not workout.)

Aside from it being gorgeous out, 63 and sunny, I was itching for some speed. I set out for Central Park with no set goal, I just wanted to test out my body to see where it was post-marathon.

I jumped in at 84th Street on the East Side (my local entrance) and took off. I felt great and had zero issues with any residual pain or soreness. I ran mile 1 in 5:59 and 2 in 6:16 but it felt like I was going at a slower pace. Rather than question it, I just kept going, basking in the sun. Erika took this photo from her office which I am now appropriating so you have an idea how gorgeous that Park is in the Fall.

I ran 4.5 miles at a 6:09 pace and had really enjoyed myself. I think the marathon might have upped my speed?

On Sunday I rode my bike up to Brandon’s apartment in Inwood. It’s 7 miles, but (for any of you who have yet to bike the northern part of the island) it has crazy hills! My legs were burning something fierce when I landed at Brandon’s. I chose to ride my track bike Athena as I had been neglecting her all season in lieu of my TT Bike. It cannot coast nor does it have brakes, so hills become quite a challenge.

Our mission was to rock climb around Inwood Park, Manhattan’s most natural park with its untouched primordial forests.

Brandon was on point for this mission since it was his neighborhood and I was new to the park. As we entered I was immediately blown away by it’s natural beauty.

SIDENOTE: I am an avid NYC history buff (go ahead, call me nerd, I stand by my obsessions) and had always wanted to explore Inwood Park so I was ecstatic! Our first stop was the famous rock where the Native Americans sold the island to Dutch settler Peter Minuit in 1626! Just so you know, that rock was not there at the time. In fact, a huge tulip tree (native to the island) was on that spot. It died in 1933 so they put the rock there in it’s place.

Soon after we confronted our first set of cliffs. They were massive rock outcroppings with natural caves (that’s right, caves) where the Indian’s used to take shelter. These were no joke. We made a few attempts and got half way up before deciding we needed better gear… like rope and harnesses. Oh right, I forgot to mention we were free climbing. After ascending the cliff from it’s sides we went on to hike and explore the rest of the park.

We really couldn’t have picked a better day. The leaves were a rustic array of yellow to red for as far as you could see.

The highlight for me, was navigating to a small beach at the island’s most northern tip. I never thought I would ever get to this spot after seeing it n passing on an Amtrak Train, but we managed to find it.

We spend around 2 hours hiking the hills and paths before heading back.

I then biked the 7 miles back down to my neck of the woods which was extremely difficult as I was wiped out. I kept thinking of it as some weird Triathlon or something. Bike, Rock Climb, Hike.