New York Marathon

NY was very nice. I stayed in Jersey City. Subways were a little confusing but on race day found 2 people who helped me get to the Staten Island ferry. The ride over was fun. We wait a short time for the bus and off to the park to wait for the race.
I met people from the UK, Denmark, Germany, and Italy. They made the announcements in about 20 different languages. That was really cool. I'm glad I had several plastic bags with me to keep warm. I got a space to lay down on the grass.
The race was a little frustrating; it took 18 minutes to get to the start and I ran past people the whole race. But it was FUN the entire way. The bands were awesome!!! The Verrazano-Narrows bridge was cool; a great start to the race.
Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx and then back to Manhattan to finish in the park. Running into the Bronx I talked to a guy from New Zealand. Very cool.
When I got to the Park I was running strong and ran past 100's of people. The picture is of me in Central Park. I finished in 3:48 which was a little slow but overall a great time. We ate at Virgil's after the race. Great food and reasonable prices. It was recommended by 2 friends.

Chicago Marathon

Chicago was great! Everyone was sooo nice. From the minute we met up at the airport. A women who worked for the MTA helped us buy a pass and wished us well in the race. We got into town and I was confused where to go to get to our hotel. My son realized we had to go down to the subway. I asked a young women directions and she gave us a map. She said she was flying to Miami and she helped us find our exit point. We came up from the subway and took the bus to our hotel. We arrived at the Marriott and was informed it was the wrong Marriott. There are at least 7 in Chicago. The young women who helped us said not to worry our hotel was just a few blocks away. She also wished us good luck in the marathon.
We got to our hotel and settled in out room. We went out to eat next door at a bar. Many TVs lots of sports and some good beers. The patrons were into the jukebox; a lot of good tunes. We told them we were running the marathon and I asked if they knew of any place we could get whole wheat pasta for dinner Saturday night. The waitress said you would like whole wheat? She came back a little while later and said they had ordered it and they would have it for us tomorrow. They had flyers made and several of the runners from our hotel were there to eat on Saturday night. That was so nice of them.

My son ran his first marathon here. It was extremely hot. It hit 91 by mile 13. My legs stared to cramp at mile 17 even though I took water/Gatorade at every stop. 1/2 of a banana 3x's too! The picture is of Chinatown. My legs were totally cramped by then, but I was having a great time. Finished in 3:42 with both legs cramped up to the waist. Fabulous metal.
Both my son and I had a great time running and a great time in the city.

Update.....

Since no one reads this I write it as a running log so... here is my update for the last month.
6/30 12 miles 1:10 at 8:45/mi. for 8 miles last 4 in 7:45/mi. Simone 1:11 8 miles 8:52.5/mi.
7/1 17.9 miles 2:43:10 9:06.9/mi. Steve 13.1 2:05:40 at 9:35.6/mi. Total for week 43 miles
Next week total 46 miles ending Saturday 7/7
Next week total 40 miles (on vacation in Virginia at Williamsburg GREAT time!!!)
7/2 20.1 miles 7:51.6/mi YEA!!!!!!!!! Gel Nimbus 7 Total for week 55 miles
7/3 10.4 1:31:00 at 8:45/mi. Steve 10.1 1:32:00 at 9:00.6/mi.
7/28 14 miles 1:54:00 at 8:08.6/mi. Total for the week 44 miles
7/29 10.5 miles 1:29:00 at 8:28.6/mi. Gel Fortitude 2 seem heavier than Gel Nimbus. The other shoe I'm running in right now is Asics 2100 (I kept a pair around) which seem to be the lightest of the 3. I will run the Kelly race in New London next Saturday. I have also decided to run both the Chicago and New York marathons this year since my company has sponsored me for both. Hopefully, Chicago will be fast (under 3:30) to keep me in the Boston and New York for a few years.
During the week at work I am running with several people and I run between 3 and 10 miles.

June is Getting Hot

I ran Sunday (11.5 mi.) and Monday (6.7 mi.) but I took the rest of the week off. I walked about 4 miles Tuesday and Wednesday and biked over 16 miles on Thursday. Took Friday off so I would be fresh for the weekend. Saturday ran 11 miles for just 29 miles for the week. But Sunday I ran 16 miles in 8:14/mi. I felt great!!! M-Th 6.26, 5.32, walked 4, and 3.15. Off on Friday. Saturday I ran 23.6 miles in 8:20/mi. 13.1 was in 1:50:00 and I actually got faster for the last 10 miles. No left calf cramping!!! I drank at 4mi, 7 mi. (Gu), 10 mi. 14mi. (Gu) 17 mi. (16oz. water) 19 mi.(Gu) and 22mi. This week it is really HOT, 85-90F at lunch. Sunday I ran 10 miles in 8:45/mi. great for me after running so much the day before. Monday 5 miles. Tuesday too hot, ran 6.2 miles but not enough to drink. Wednesday I walked 5.66 miles. Today I hope to run about 9. Stay tuned.

Keep You Posted

I have been running outside near work for 2 weeks. LOTS OF HILLS!!! I bought a pair of Asic Gel Nimbus awhile ago and found they were too bouncy for the treadmill. BUT the are perfect on the road. I continue to get 2 massages a week and I am feeling good. Here is a summary of my last few weeks with highlights:
5/20 - 5/26 44 miles (7 mi. in 8:31, 8 mi. in 8:27, 11.6 mi. in 8:37)
5/27 - 6/2 43 miles (6.2 in 7:48, 5 mi in 8:36)
6/3 - 6/9 47 miles (8.3 in 8:26, 9.56 in 8:44, 11 in 8:43.2/mi., 1:35:55)
One hill is just over 1.8 miles but it rolls up and up and up and up so it helps my overall fitness.
I'm still running with my 2 friends; Steve has run 8:58.7/mi. for over 8 miles and Simone has run 7.2 mile in 9:16.9/mi. Both are doing a great job getting ready for the Hartford 1/2 marathon.

Update Since Boston

I took the week off after Boston. I now take a week off after each marathon. I usually gain a little weight too. I think it's good for me. I run in Asics Gel Fortitude 2 outside. It gives my toes more room than the Ascis 2100 or the 2120. I have been getting 2 one hour massages each week also.
Here is a summary of my weekly miles since Boston:

4/22 - 4/28 24 miles
4/29 - 5/5 33 miles
5/6 - 5/12 44 miles (hilly 7 miler on 5/13 in 8:31.7/mi.)
5/13 - 5/19 41 miles (10 miles on 5/19 in 7:46.0/mi.)

This is the first time since last July I was able to run consistently under 8:00 minutes per mile.
My first mile was 7:56, second 15:51. It was drizzling and 48 degrees F when I left. I really do run well in the rain. I felt great, strong and able to go the speed I wanted to run.
Today I'm taking off. My legs are a little tired and I don't want to keep pushing and then have to take a few days off in a row.

Boston Marathon

Wow what a day! I was dropped off in Hopkinton around 8:30. I stood in line awhile and finally got on the bus to take me to the runners village. They took a different route this year and I finally got to the village by 9:38. I ran to the bus to drop off my bag and raced down to the porta -potties near the start. I made it into the corral as the announcer said 1 minute to the race. Off we went 5 minutes later (my #7771).
On the bus I met Helmut from Vienna Austria. He told me about some of his 25 marathons. This was his first Boston. He is running Stockholm in June and said Italy (Rome, Florence) was a great place to run marathons.
The race went well through 25K then my left leg was hurting. My left calf cramped at the top of heartbreak and then from mile 25 to 25.5. It went away at the top of a small hill. When I saw the finish I just told myself to keep going and it would be over soon. I was really at my end. I glad it wasn't another mile I'm not sure if I could have kept running.
My legs hurt a lot standing in line after finishing, more than any of my last 4 marathons. This was much harder than Boston last year.
On reflection it felt good to finish in 3:39:08 although I was looking to finish faster.

Update!!!!!!!!!

It's been a long time since I added to this blog. January I ran a total of 165 miles including the ING Miami Marathon. I ran a 3:50:46. I was 425 overall. It poured at the start and I was standing in 2 inches of water at the beginning. Temperature 76 degrees and 76% humidity. Not ideal conditions. Miami may not be the best place to run for a PR. I drank too much beer (my son and I stayed next door to the Gordon Biersch brewpub) and felt full the next morning when I got up at 4:30. I was 13th in my age group just like in Vermont in 2006 where I ran a 3:18. BUT Miami was great!!!
In February I ran 138 miles total not as much as I had hoped to run but Connecticut can be a tricky place to run in the winter.
March was a good month I just broke in a new pair of orthotics which help me recover unlike my old orthotics which seemed to drain my legs of energy. Total miles for the month of March: 181.
April Boston Marathon in 9 days. I can not describe how great it is to run Boston. I hope everyone who runs marathons gets the opportunity to qualify and run. I hope I finally got my speed back; I ran 53:46 for 7 miles this morning (7:40.9/mi.) I have been tapering for 2 weeks and will take it easy for the next week.

Catching Up

Well where do I start? First we didn't go to Las Vegas for our 30th anniversary celebration because my wife had to go to the Emergency at a local hospital the day we were leaving. We spent most of the day there and she has been to the doctors and will have more tests in 2007. But my running has gotten better just like I know my wife will too!!! a summary of my latest running follows:
10 miles 12/2 1:25:00 8:30/mi.
7 miles 12/3 56:31 8:04.4/mi.
5 miles 12/4 43:49 8:45.8/mi.
5 miles 12/6`
3 miles 12/7 26:15 8:45/mi.
15 miles 12/9 2:06:12 8:24.8/mi.
10 miles 12/10 8:24/mi.
10 miles 12/11 1:25:24 8:32.4/mi.
7 miles 12/13 58:54 8:24.9/mi.
5 miles 12/14 46:23 9:16.6/mi.
10 miles 12/16 1:20:46 8:04.6/mi.
11 miles 12/17 1:29:05 8:05.9/mi.
6 miles 12/18 53:13 8:52.2/mi.
7 miles 12/20 59:46 8:32.3/mi.
7 miles 12/21 59:52 8:33.1/mi.

On Tuesdays I swim and on Fridays I have taken the day off. The slower times are on the treadmill. I'm thrilled that I ran 8:04 and 8:05 last weekend for 10 and 11 miles. AND I had no pain in my legs at all since the 14th.
I'm going to Miami to run the marathon in January. I signed up and was accepted to run Boston. So 2006 did not end on a great note but I'm always hopeful that the best is yet to come.

Update

On Wednesday I ran 7 miles (TM 59:09, 8:27/mi.) I have found that my 6 inch foam roller is really helping my legs get out soreness and knots. Trigger points seemed to be released. Also I sit in a bath of cold water for about 10 minutes when my legs feel sore. Today I ran 4 miles (33:39, 8:24/mi.). Tomorrow no running , my wife and I are going to a Christmas party. I will get an hour massage around noon.

A New Week

On Sunday I ran 7 milles in 56 minutes. 8:00/mi. AND my legs didn't hurt at all!!! This is the first time since July I can say this. Monday I ran 7 miles (TM1:00:07) in 8:35.3/mi. I was a little tired but I felt great for the last 4 miles. Today I swam 50 laps and took it easy. Only 26 miles for the week.

Manchester Road Race 2006

Thanksgiving 2006. I started out from home with plenty of time to drive to Manchester and warm up. The road was free of traffic. 10 minutes from home I realized I had everything BUT the card to get me into the 30-35 minute corral. I exited the highway and flew back home. This time I didn't have plenty of time. Of course now the road was clogged with people on there way to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and relatives. I finally arrived 20 minutes before the race. I parked and jumped out of my car and raced over to the start. So much for my planned 10 minute warm up. Waiting I talked to some of the runners near me. We noticed the banner over the start with the record for 90+ male and female. Just over an hour for the male and just under an hour for the female record. Amazing!!! The start. My left leg hurt at first and several people passed me in the first two tenths of a mile. I kept my pace which I thought was fast enough. It was COLD and raining. I wore a knit hat at first which I threw onto a lawn pass the mile mark, 6:52. I thought it was too fast although last year when I felt better I hit it at 6:46. I slowed up some. The next mile and a half are up hill. It started raining harder. I past several runner going up hill but at the top I slowed some and several runners passed me. My glasses were steaming up from mile 1 on and I had to wipe inside and out with my soaked cotton gloves in order to see. But I enjoyed seeing so many people in front of me run so fast. I felt OK and I was running strong. Near the end the road goes down a slight hill then on to the finish. A young women passed me and was running so strong it was fantastic! I pushed to the finished but it was the first time in years that I wasn't out of breath. The results were posted today. I was 593 out of 8285 (signed up to run). I was 45th out of 894 in my age group 6:59/mi. It had taken me only 8 seconds to hit the start line. It was raining so hard after I finished I didn't see anyone I knew and I just walked straight back to my car, changed into dry clothes, and left. I worn a long sleeve red shirt that my company, NERAC, bought for me. The race will be televised on NESN. I hope that the "Nerac" on my back will be seen. My trainer's husband came in 36th, Aaron Flamino was 5th in his age group 5/882 25:09 5:18/mi. Friends who ran were Brett Stoeffler, 85th 8/882 27:14 5:45/mi., Dick Stoeffler (who is 73) 14/37 50:07 10:34/mi., Brian Nelson was 145th 77/834 28:46 6:04/mi., his wife Laura was 1348th 77/821 37:16, 7:51/mi., my trainer Linda, who was recovering from a stress fracture and easily beat me last year, came in 728 38/821 33:49 in 7:08/mi. and Gerri Potash 3627 186/669, 45:25 9:34/mi. This is only a race for the runners in the corrals and right behind the corrals. Otherwise there are a number of people who are not runners but take part in the "run." Some stop as early as 1 mile and walk some with no mind to anyone behind them. So the times for some will be higher than they would be if they were able to run with fewer runners. The last runner, Mary Haines is 92. She was first in her age group in 2:16:38, 28:47/mi.

Relaxing and Tuning Up

Yesterday I ran 4 miles slow and easy. My legs felt a little tired. I lifted weights after that. Today I warmed up on a stationay bike and lifted and stretched. I'll take it easy tomorrow the day before the race. Last year was my best race. I came in 429th in 32:08 (6:46/mi.). But I am expecting I will come in closer to the year before when I was 983rd in 34:47 (7:20/mi.). I'm going to enjoy it because I am starting near the front where everyone runs well the whole race. I think last year I enjoyed it the most just for that reason. The temperature should be about 46 degrees F and partly cloudy.

A Great November Weekend

Saturday I ran 15 miles in 2:01:22 (8:05.5/mi.). My left leg hurts most of the time now from the bunion. But I'm running better and faster. Average HR was 153 and the temperature was 34-51 degrees F. Today (Sunday) I ran 7 miles in 57:05 (8:09.3/mi.). I was hoping for a little faster time today but I feel OK. Thursday I will run my 16th Manchester Road Race. It's a fun way to start Thanksgiving. Last year I set a PR but I don't expect to be as fast this year. Still it's great to run with 10,000+ people in Manchester CT. I ran 35 miles for the week.

A New Week

On Monday I ran 6 miles in 52:20 (TM 8:43.3/mi). I felt tired still from the 20 miler on Saturday.
Tuesday I swam 82 laps. My back hurt. I probably swam too fast. Ice on my back made it feel better. Wednesday I ran 7 miles ; I was trying to run faster than the previous Wednesdays. My time was 58:05 (TM 8:17.9/mi.). This beat last week by 47 seconds. Today I was really tired but I felt I should see what I could do. I ran 7 miles in 1:00:52 (TM 8:41.7/mi.). I was happy just to be able to run 7 miles. Tomorrow I'm off and then 15 0n Saturday.

Longest Run Before Vegas

I ran 20 miles today. This will be my longest run before the New Las Vegas Marathon. My left leg hurt for every step for the first 10 miles not like I was running hurt or I would hurt myself but the bunion seems to almost pinch something so that other parts of my leg besides my toe hurt. I thought of stopping at mile 4 but I needed to run 20 so I took it easy. From mile 10 -20 only mile 16 hurt and my HR for 1-10 was 140-148 not too bad but 11-20 HR was 146-154 really where I want to be on this kind of training run. I ran 20 miles in 2:56:10 for 8:48.5/mile. This is about 25 second slower than I would have liked but the first 10 miles were painful and the next 10 were beautiful. The temperature range was 34-54 degrees F. I was cool most of the time with a long sleeve over a short sleeve HiTech shirt, tights, gloves, and my fuel belt. Gatorade and apple juice (in separate bottles). Chocolate Gu at mile 6 and mile 12. 41 total miles for the week.

A Little Tired

I ran 7 miles yesterday in 58:52 (TM). Today I ran just 3 miles in 26:15 (TM). Saturday I hope to run about 20 miles for my long run before the marathon.

Feeling Good

I ran a recovery run yesterday of 5 miles (TM 45:44). 26 miles in 3 days. NICE!!!
Today I went swimming. 72 laps. My groin muscles are a little tight. I'm using a ball chair more today to stretch my legs.

Updates

On Thursday I ran 5 miles in 42:32 (TM 8:30.4/mi.). I felt good. On Friday I took the day off but I went to a Physical Therapist who was amazing. She checked my orthotics out of the shoes and said they were well made. She said I was too tense and had been for a long time and helped me to relax for the first time in years. Then I got a massage. I felt veerry relaxed.
Saturday I ran 15 miles in 2:05:07 (8:20.5/mi.). The temperature was 28-36 degrees F and my HR was 143-157. I ran 32 miles for the week. One mile further and a little faster. NOT where I was but each week I'm improving.
Today I ran 6 miles in 49:02 (8:10.3/mi.). The temperature was between 46-49 degrees F (out at 11:37AM). A little tight but better than I have been and the first time I could run what I planned to run on the weekend.
I had a friend run the NY Marathon. Brian came in 413th overall in 2:51:08. CONGRATULATIONS Brian!!! He is 26 and placed 96th in his age group.

Times Going Down Miles Going Up

I swam 64 laps yesterday. My legs were a little tired. But today I ran 7 miles in 58:42(TM 8:23.1/mi.). This is the fastest time I've recorded on the treadmill since July. Right now I feel great. My PT said that my Manchester RR time will be my best. Now I feel at least I will be able to give it a good shot at a PR.