15.9 Miles - 2:36:00
"You can't go in the morning to that finish line with any doubts"
- Random Older Man Runner in Central Park
"Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."
-Yogi Berra
These quotes are both very wise, both applicable to marathon running, and both slightly ridiculous. The older man in Central Park was referring to the starting line and I have no idea what Yogi Berra was thinking. The Older Runner in Central Park was training for his 5th (or 6th, he wasn't quite sure) NYC Marathon. But he wasn't sure he could do it. He didn't want to start that morning unless he was totally sure he could run it.
There's a real mental aspect to running. Tuning out all thought can help get through tougher miles. Pushing yourself and thinking how much you don't want to give up can also help. But either way, once you get past around 15 miles, you're going to need something extra to get you through. Apparently, that something is "Race Magic."
A friend of mine introduced the concept to me. He says that something extra gives you a boost on race day that you don't have any other time. Some combination of adrenaline, training or mental toughness, he says, result in this "magic" that helps you run better than you ever could normally.
So maybe Yogi was right. Maybe we have 180% capacity on race day sitting in there somewhere. And that extra 80% is just a little bit of magic. And maybe the elimination of doubts prior to the "finish line" gives you that extra boost. Maybe these forgetful older men are wise after all, because a small part of me thinks I might need that "magic" in the end.
Or maybe they're just nuts. I have no idea.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Running In The 'Cane (Also why state switching is a good long run)
4.0 Miles -???
13.2 Miles - 1:57:21
Okay, technically it was a tropical storm I know. But it was a good title. I was thinking of "Running In The 'Rene" but that may have been to much of a stretch. The rain may not have shown up on Sunday here but the wind sure did. It was like running through an intangible wall of molasses at times. Add that to having to jump over and around scattered trees and greenery and I'm pretty glad that I didn't time the run. Thankfully, the storm was not as bad here as the media hyped it to be (shocker!) and the streets are already clear and dry. It wasn't going to disrupt my run anyway but with the wind what it was, I am happy I postponed my long run to Monday.
For that long run I decided to just go back and forth on the George Washington Bridge. I did four circuits between New York and New Jersey. I haven't done that much state switching since I traveled to the state line between Missouri and Kansas while visiting Kansas City so that I could add Kansas to my state list (because yes, I am that much of a dork sometimes). Pics below:
But the fact that I tagged up and turned around each 1.2 miles gave me visible goals and the flat ground provided an easy course, one similar to the one I'll face at the half-marathon in Jersey City http://www.newporthalfmarathon.com/ (Come out and say hi!). There's also a nice breeze coming off the water. Of course the wind was at my back when I was leaving NJ for NY. Even the wind wants to get out of that state...
School starts tomorrow. Back to hittin' the streets of the Village. We're getting into the home stretch!
13.2 Miles - 1:57:21
Okay, technically it was a tropical storm I know. But it was a good title. I was thinking of "Running In The 'Rene" but that may have been to much of a stretch. The rain may not have shown up on Sunday here but the wind sure did. It was like running through an intangible wall of molasses at times. Add that to having to jump over and around scattered trees and greenery and I'm pretty glad that I didn't time the run. Thankfully, the storm was not as bad here as the media hyped it to be (shocker!) and the streets are already clear and dry. It wasn't going to disrupt my run anyway but with the wind what it was, I am happy I postponed my long run to Monday.
For that long run I decided to just go back and forth on the George Washington Bridge. I did four circuits between New York and New Jersey. I haven't done that much state switching since I traveled to the state line between Missouri and Kansas while visiting Kansas City so that I could add Kansas to my state list (because yes, I am that much of a dork sometimes). Pics below:
But the fact that I tagged up and turned around each 1.2 miles gave me visible goals and the flat ground provided an easy course, one similar to the one I'll face at the half-marathon in Jersey City http://www.newporthalfmarathon.com/ (Come out and say hi!). There's also a nice breeze coming off the water. Of course the wind was at my back when I was leaving NJ for NY. Even the wind wants to get out of that state...
School starts tomorrow. Back to hittin' the streets of the Village. We're getting into the home stretch!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Recovery Run (Also, why not thinking is good)
4.45 miles - 43:02
Recovery Run is an oxymoron. Well, partially. I do run but I don't recover. I think it's mainly done to build endurance because supposedly you get stronger when you run completely exhausted. I think this applies to all areas of life. Food is much more filling after a fast. Sleep is much more deep after you've pulled an all-nighter. I am much funnier when you've been around extremely dull people for awhile I'm sure you can think of other examples as well...
Anyway, I started out my run really lethargic but I actually ran the latter half faster then the first. I attribute this to not thinking very much once I get going. I have made not thinking an art form and it's one of my real strengths as a runner. Half the battle is in your head and if you don't use your head you've only got a half to go.
Of course the whole not thinking thing doesn't help much in school or life, but who am I to quibble...
Recovery Run is an oxymoron. Well, partially. I do run but I don't recover. I think it's mainly done to build endurance because supposedly you get stronger when you run completely exhausted. I think this applies to all areas of life. Food is much more filling after a fast. Sleep is much more deep after you've pulled an all-nighter. I am much funnier when you've been around extremely dull people for awhile I'm sure you can think of other examples as well...
Anyway, I started out my run really lethargic but I actually ran the latter half faster then the first. I attribute this to not thinking very much once I get going. I have made not thinking an art form and it's one of my real strengths as a runner. Half the battle is in your head and if you don't use your head you've only got a half to go.
Of course the whole not thinking thing doesn't help much in school or life, but who am I to quibble...
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Manhattan Top to Bottom (Also free kayaks and hunting!)
12.21 Miles -???
Veeery close to a personal best - so much so that I'm not even sure. I decided to do my length of Manhattan run this morning and it worked really well. I took the Hudson River Greenway all the way down until I cut back in to get to a subway station. The breeze is nice but the wind tends to be against you more. It was a gorgeous morning and I had a good pace though I didn't quite know what it was. I went without a watch because my runs tend to be more relaxing and long runs aren't about speed anyway. But somehow my competitive nature still comes out in Runner Hunting.
This is not some sick stalker game that could be turned into a bad horror movie. It's just what I call it when I come up behind a runner and keep pace with in up until the time where he slows and I go right by him. It's a really good feeling. You simply have to match his pace and then outlast. Sometimes I hunt runners for two or three miles and sometimes they pull away quickly but today was a good hunt. I kept chasing people down and outlasting them. I especially like chasing down the shirtless people. Nobody likes to see that. I'm faster than you and I'm wearing a shirt. Try it out.
Also, I was sorely tempted by the free kayaking on the Hudson that was taking place on 96th Street. I'm totally stopping for that next Sunday. Who's in? They have doubles and it looked crazy fun...
Veeery close to a personal best - so much so that I'm not even sure. I decided to do my length of Manhattan run this morning and it worked really well. I took the Hudson River Greenway all the way down until I cut back in to get to a subway station. The breeze is nice but the wind tends to be against you more. It was a gorgeous morning and I had a good pace though I didn't quite know what it was. I went without a watch because my runs tend to be more relaxing and long runs aren't about speed anyway. But somehow my competitive nature still comes out in Runner Hunting.
This is not some sick stalker game that could be turned into a bad horror movie. It's just what I call it when I come up behind a runner and keep pace with in up until the time where he slows and I go right by him. It's a really good feeling. You simply have to match his pace and then outlast. Sometimes I hunt runners for two or three miles and sometimes they pull away quickly but today was a good hunt. I kept chasing people down and outlasting them. I especially like chasing down the shirtless people. Nobody likes to see that. I'm faster than you and I'm wearing a shirt. Try it out.
Also, I was sorely tempted by the free kayaking on the Hudson that was taking place on 96th Street. I'm totally stopping for that next Sunday. Who's in? They have doubles and it looked crazy fun...
Monday, August 15, 2011
In The Rain Again (Also, why I mind read while I run)
6 Miles and change - 1:01:52
"When it gets really nasty out here, that's when you know who the real runners are."
- A random runner named Steve
Why am I quoting a random runner named Steve? Is it because he's a good runner who helps on long runs? Is it because he reads my blog and I want to give him a shout-out? Is it because he's a lawyer who may or may not help me get a job?
No. It's because it's a good quote.
You see, running through the mess and muck, Central Park is a lot emptier than normal. But among the runners out there everyone knows, you're either crazy or a real runner. I'm finally ready to define myself as the latter...and the former but that one we already knew. I can run 6 miles and not be tired at the end. I can run up a nasty hill without calling it mean names (even though they usually deserve it). I can run double-digit mile lengths with consistency. I'm getting better. It's a nice thing.
I also tend to pass the time better. This is valuable because it makes time go by faster somehow. One of my favorite techniques is to mind read everyone I pass. Without further ado, I'll go through some of the people I passed on my run today and what they were thinking.
Police Officer: "Why is here in this weather? Is he really gonna run? Crazy kids...mmm donut"'
Lady Who Passes Me: "You're new to this aren't you? Don't worry, it's not like I'm 30 years older than you and breezing right by you - oh wait yes I am."
Guy Who I Pass: "Why does he have his tongue out? Is he trying to drink the rain? There's a water fountain right there!"
Hawk In The Bushes: "Stop staring at me"
Nate Robinson: "He's staring. He must recognize me. But he's wondering why I would be in New York. Oh why not - I'll nod, smile and wink so he knows he's right."
Group of Three Fast Bikers: "GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!" (Actually, this one wasn't that hard to tell. They kinda yelled it too...)
See, it can be fun....
"When it gets really nasty out here, that's when you know who the real runners are."
- A random runner named Steve
Why am I quoting a random runner named Steve? Is it because he's a good runner who helps on long runs? Is it because he reads my blog and I want to give him a shout-out? Is it because he's a lawyer who may or may not help me get a job?
No. It's because it's a good quote.
You see, running through the mess and muck, Central Park is a lot emptier than normal. But among the runners out there everyone knows, you're either crazy or a real runner. I'm finally ready to define myself as the latter...and the former but that one we already knew. I can run 6 miles and not be tired at the end. I can run up a nasty hill without calling it mean names (even though they usually deserve it). I can run double-digit mile lengths with consistency. I'm getting better. It's a nice thing.
I also tend to pass the time better. This is valuable because it makes time go by faster somehow. One of my favorite techniques is to mind read everyone I pass. Without further ado, I'll go through some of the people I passed on my run today and what they were thinking.
Police Officer: "Why is here in this weather? Is he really gonna run? Crazy kids...mmm donut"'
Lady Who Passes Me: "You're new to this aren't you? Don't worry, it's not like I'm 30 years older than you and breezing right by you - oh wait yes I am."
Guy Who I Pass: "Why does he have his tongue out? Is he trying to drink the rain? There's a water fountain right there!"
Hawk In The Bushes: "Stop staring at me"
Nate Robinson: "He's staring. He must recognize me. But he's wondering why I would be in New York. Oh why not - I'll nod, smile and wink so he knows he's right."
Group of Three Fast Bikers: "GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!" (Actually, this one wasn't that hard to tell. They kinda yelled it too...)
See, it can be fun....
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Racing the Sunlight (Also, Why You Should Always Pay Attention When You're Running))
6.8 Miles - ???
4.0 Miles - 37:00
On Sunday I found myself in downtown NYC at 7:20, about 150 blocks from my home in upper Manhattan. I, being the brilliant nut that I am, had the ingenious idea of racing the sunlight home and making it my long run for the week. I wanted a challenge and watching the sun set as you run, knowing that you might find yourself stuck in the dark is a good, if not somewhat insane, motivation. I didn't know if I could do it. Having no time to warm up I was struggling as I made my way uptown and I didn't know if I could make it. But lo and behold, at 8:30, just before the sun went down I found myself somewhere very familiar.
Yankee Stadium....In the Bronx.
Oops.
Okay, so I may not be really good with directions. I didn't beat the sunlight, but hey, I did run from lower Manhattan to Yankee Stadium in an hour and a quarter without meaning to. So I'm going to call that a challenge conquered and save racing the sunlight for another day. After all, this training is all about beating a set of challenges all wrapped up in one huge challenge that I'm setting for myself.
4.0 Miles - 37:00
On Sunday I found myself in downtown NYC at 7:20, about 150 blocks from my home in upper Manhattan. I, being the brilliant nut that I am, had the ingenious idea of racing the sunlight home and making it my long run for the week. I wanted a challenge and watching the sun set as you run, knowing that you might find yourself stuck in the dark is a good, if not somewhat insane, motivation. I didn't know if I could do it. Having no time to warm up I was struggling as I made my way uptown and I didn't know if I could make it. But lo and behold, at 8:30, just before the sun went down I found myself somewhere very familiar.
Yankee Stadium....In the Bronx.
Oops.
Okay, so I may not be really good with directions. I didn't beat the sunlight, but hey, I did run from lower Manhattan to Yankee Stadium in an hour and a quarter without meaning to. So I'm going to call that a challenge conquered and save racing the sunlight for another day. After all, this training is all about beating a set of challenges all wrapped up in one huge challenge that I'm setting for myself.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
10 Miles (Also, why I will run Manhattan)
10.4 Miles - 1:39:40
This morning was my first on pace 10 miles of training (and only my second ever 10 miler). Distance seems to take on a new meaning when you're running. 10 miles doesn't seem that long when you're running in circles in Central Park but in the grand scheme of things, that's a pretty long run. From Baker Field at the Northern tip of Manhattan to South Ferry at the lower tip is 13.2 miles. Sometime in my training I'll have to knock that out. Just so I can say I ran the length of Manhattan. Just one more goal to reach. Running these distances make some crazy things seem distinctly possible....
This morning was my first on pace 10 miles of training (and only my second ever 10 miler). Distance seems to take on a new meaning when you're running. 10 miles doesn't seem that long when you're running in circles in Central Park but in the grand scheme of things, that's a pretty long run. From Baker Field at the Northern tip of Manhattan to South Ferry at the lower tip is 13.2 miles. Sometime in my training I'll have to knock that out. Just so I can say I ran the length of Manhattan. Just one more goal to reach. Running these distances make some crazy things seem distinctly possible....
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