Thursday, August 4, 2011

so close but yet...

I woke up this morning at my usual 4:15, and went through the routine as usual. Today was my double run day, so I got my things together and headed out the door at 5:00 am for work. I got to running and felt a little sluggish for the first mile, so figured I would take it easy, especially seeing that I had another 7 miles this afternoon to run.
I made the turn onto the Brooklyn Bridge (roughly 1.5 miles from my door), and as I headed up the "hill" I realized that the sluggish feeling had been replaced by a nice smooth stride, easy breathing, I felt light on my feet, and my pace seemed to be a bit quicker than usual. I decided to go with it and see how the run developed, so over the bridge and into Manhattan I went.
About 4 miles in I still felt great (the ever elusive runners high had set in), and I checked my watch... I was well ahead of my usual pace! I usually get to work in about 1:06-1:10. I kept my mind clear, enjoyed the music and the feel of the road under me.
At 1.5 miles to go, it was obvious to me that I was right at the edge of breaking the 1 hour mark for my run. This motivated me like nothing has recently. I haven't felt that push against the clock in a VERY long time, and it felt incredible!
With half a mile to go, I was now at 57 minutes and change, and breathing hard. I was really pushing the pace and running as hard as I could.
I hit the corner of 47th and Broadway (my endpoint) and stopped the clock. Out of breath, hot, sweaty, and feeling better than I had in many morning runs, I looked at my watch.
1:00:13
13 seconds. Less than 2 seconds per mile. Less than one traffic signal that I waited for. 13 measly seconds stood between me and 59 minutes, but...
6 minutes.
6 minutes was the time between today's run and my best to date for this route. I pushed myself, and ran almost a full minute per mile faster than my previous best!
Those 13 seconds will be mine, just not today.

This afternoons run was rough. It was hot, I was tired, and I was SLOW.
1:18.
At the end of it all, 2 runs, 14 miles, 1 PR, and I am off tomorrow, so the weekend begins :)

Monday, August 1, 2011

knickerbocker 60k

Well sitting on a fence for long enough, and a few dogfish head 90 min ipa's will get me places :)
Earlier this year I applied for the NYC Marathon and did not get in. I was offered a spot through a friend that runs a non-profit agency (thanks Adriana), but I was not confident that I could raise the money, and did not want to take the spot of someone who could.
Well, fast forward to a few minutes ago...
I have known that the marathon would only be a stepping stone on my way to bigger goals, so when I saw that the registration had opened for the Knickerbocker 60K, I knew deep down inside that I would toe that line. What I didn't know, up until about 5 minutes ago that is, was that I would commit to it tonight.
Like I stated earlier... a fence and some dogfish, and I am now officially entered into a 60K (37.2 mile) run, one week after my Tough Mudder double :)
Time to finish my beer and get some sleep.... I have some training to get to tomorrow :)

Sunday, July 31, 2011

wine country

Well, after a long week of work, the four of us went out to the North Fork of Long Island for the weekend. A special thanks to my wife's mentor for loaning us the wonderful house we stayed in the past 2 days. It was a short vacation, but it was relaxing and nothing short of amazing!
We stayed at the end of a street that lead to a beach on the bay, and the house was across from a marina with a view of a lighthouse.
This is the house we stayed in.

On the way into town we saw a banner for "Lobsterfest" that was scheduled for that very night! What we did not know, but soon found out was it would be at the beach at the end of the street (about 100 yards away).
We hung out at the beach for a few hours and then went to get some sandwiches for lunch, which we brought with us to one of the local wineries.
Our beach at the end of the street, and Madeleine in her "gear".


Me and Max chillin' in the shade.

Lunch at the Duckwalk Vineyards.

Madeleine working the fields.

Ending the night in style... LOBSTERFEST!!!

Today we spent the morning at the beach, swimming and napping (depending on who you asked). We went to The North Fork Table & Inn's Lunch Truck and got a lobster roll and pulled pork sandwich to go, and brought it to.... you guessed, a winery :)
We spent about 2 hours and 2 tasting flights of great wine at Corey Creek Vineyards. The wine was very good, and we brought a few bottles back with us to enjoy later. The grounds were beautiful, and the staff there was very nice to us.
The sandwiches were amazing, possibly the best lobster roll I have ever eaten! 

A view from the rear deck at Corey Creek.

That was about it for the weekend, the rest was getting ready to go home, and the drive back to Brooklyn. We are home now and I am getting ready to make dinner.
Great weekend with the family, no work, just fun :)

Thursday, July 28, 2011

early wake up

So I usually wake up between 4:00 and 4:15 to get ready and be able to run or ride my bike to work. This morning however, I woke up at a nice ripe 3:30 to my almost 3 year old daughter screeching from bed. Little girl must have had a nightmare, so up I went to soothe her back to sleep.
3:50, and she is ok for me to leave her for the day (middle of the night), and I am now up for the day, 30 minutes earlier than usual. Funny thing is, it was only a few years back when 3:30 was my bedtime, and here I am getting up for the day... and smiling about it!
Well, on schedule for today is 7.5 mile run to work, a few hours of work, 7.5 mile run home, and spend some good quality time with the family. Nothing crazy today, maybe a few burpees along the route to work :)
Here is a picture of my favorite part of my daily commute (taken from a different angle of course).


Gotta run, have a great day :)

UPDATE:
Arrived in 1:04 and felt terrific the whole run :) Snapped a sunrise picture from the bridge on the way in.

Time to get to working :P

UPDATE #2:

Run home in 1:10, felt a bit tired, but have now logged 30 miles in the past 3 days :)
Here is a picture of the bridge traffic on my run home.






If I can log another 20 by Sunday night, I will have 50 for the week!
Now I need to find a widget that keeps a running tally of these things for me...

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

getting started

I am starting this blog to get my "adventures" down on paper... or in this case, a screen.
A little bit about myself to begin. I was born here in Brooklyn 36 years ago. I am a product of the public school system, and more recently, many NYC kitchens. Fast forward through many years and travels (which I may or may not get around to later), I am now a chef in Manhattan, and I live here, in Brooklyn, with my family, my wonderful wife and two children.
I have recently developed an insatiable appetite for mud runs, endurance racing, and other physical/mental challenges.
In a few weeks, on September 9, I will be participating in The GORUCK Challenge. Then on both Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13, I will be participating in my 3rd and 4th Tough Mudder events.
There will be many other fun times to come, and I will be posting all about my training and other related bits and pieces.
For now I will take my little girl upstairs and give her a bath, then read her some stories, and put her off to sleep.
Goodnight.