birdw0rds

Updating my ever-expanding training file, I just realised that I’ve qualified for the 2010 NYC Marathon already & it’s only the beginning of June. Can’t be bad.  My 9 completed NYRR races:

1. Fred Lebow 5 miler
2. Grid Iron 4 miler
3. Bronx Half Marathon
4. Al Gordon 3 miler
5. Run for the Parks 4 miler
6. Scotland Run 10K
7. Healthy Kidney 10K
8. Brooklyn Half Marathon
9. Japan Day 4 miler

plus volunteering at the More Half Marathon.

Raising $$ for Fred’s Team will hopefully go smoothly to get me in this year too, and will be fab to run NYC 3 years in a row.

Am currently sore from Brooklyn Half, Japan Day & 6 mile loop of Central Park over past 3 days, but (touching a large trunk of oak) the ITB etc. continue to improve.  Despite the post-weekend weariness, the final couple of miles last night up the infamous Cat Hill felt as comfortable as running has since Feb.  Fingers (not legs) crossed re. continued improvement.

Share on Facebook

A reasonable birdleg rennaisance this weekend: the Brooklyn Half Marathon in a sluggish, but comfortable 2:08:56 followed by the Japan Day 4 miler next morning coming in at 34:28 – a slow 9 min start there, but finished strongly once the previous day’s stiffness was worked out. Still some jip in the ITBs and left knee now, but the ice n’ stretch routine seems to be minimising the knackeration. Quite happy with the half overall given that I’ve not jogged further than an 8 miler since the Austin Marathon in Feb.

The reverse-directioned Brooklyn route was mixed – a bit dull to circle Prospect Park twice, some low-water hydration stations because of it, only a short trot on the Coney boardwalk (which can be dangerous with loose boards, I’ll grant, but it’s somewhat iconic), and a pretty tight congestion squeeze at the finish. Although ’twas warm out, Ocean Blvd was shaded better than last year (more foliage on the trees a little bit later in the year?) and was most excellent to be able to cool the limbs off in the sea post-race.

Injury recovery & prevention aside, just looking over race times over the past year (first 10 K in March 08; first half marathon in May 08), the birdpins do seem to trot more quickly in the cool.  Personal bests have come between December and April, looks like.

Share on Facebook