Had a great time in NYC, kids loved it and my daughter made me promise that I would take her back during the summer, and go to the Chelsea Flea Market. She even made me put it in writing. My wife held up her little finger and said "Hop on, Daddy."
Hey, when it's something you want to do anyway, it's really hard to say no.
Still no running, my foot is still giving me problems. I'm going to see about using a stationary bike for a few days.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
Going away
I'll be gone 'til Tuesday. I'm taking my family to NYC for the weekend tomorrow morning. My place on SI is still mine for a while, so we'll be staying there for a couple of days. I won't be doing any running while I'm there, but probably a lot of walking.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Day Off?
OK, so I can't really take more than a couple days off. I'm jogging very slowly, and less than a mile, every night with my daughter. I'm not aggravating the injury, and it's feeling better each day. Maybe by Monday or Tuesday I'll be up to a two or three miler again.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Post-race
I'm not going to run for a few days now, to see what happens with my foot. I need to take it easy while I'm recovering.
The Lilac 10K is a very well-conducted event, and I highly recommend it. Apparently, the upper-level runners who were scheduled to race (several Kenyans and some Ethiopians) were unable to make it to the race. Several were reported to have had the flu. The race had a field of around 1200 this year, with over 1100 finishers. There's also a 5K an hour before the race. The race is held as part of the Lilac Festival; Rochester's Highland Park has a huge collection of Lilacs, and you can smell them from over a quarter-mile away. If you're going to be in Upstate New York in May, you couldn't do much better for a race.
the Starting Line of the Lilac 10K
OK, commercial over. Back to my regularly scheduled injury.
The Lilac 10K is a very well-conducted event, and I highly recommend it. Apparently, the upper-level runners who were scheduled to race (several Kenyans and some Ethiopians) were unable to make it to the race. Several were reported to have had the flu. The race had a field of around 1200 this year, with over 1100 finishers. There's also a 5K an hour before the race. The race is held as part of the Lilac Festival; Rochester's Highland Park has a huge collection of Lilacs, and you can smell them from over a quarter-mile away. If you're going to be in Upstate New York in May, you couldn't do much better for a race.
the Starting Line of the Lilac 10K
OK, commercial over. Back to my regularly scheduled injury.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Race Day
I ran the Lilac 10K today. It's a great race, with a big field and runners ranging from international elites to recreational runners. One of the latter was wearing a t-shirt that said "I'm slow, I know, get over it." My 14-year old daughter, Electra, went with me to breakfast at 6:30 this morning, and then walked with me to the race.
I went out in about 7 minutes flat for the first mile. It took me almost 15 seconds to get to the start line, so officially, it was 7:15. The first mile was slightly uphill and very crowded. There's no system of staggering estimated finish times, so the racers were pretty well mixed; slow runners and fast runners as close to the start line as they wanted to be. I was not up with the elites, so I didn't see who was up there with them. Since I was expecting to be finishing in about 46:00, I started about midway back in the starting pack, figuring that would be about average, and I would be behind the fast people and in front of the slower ones.
I passed a lot of people during the first mile. In fact, I think I passed more in the first mile than in any other portion of the race. I zigged and zagged, jumping back and forth to get a good open lane in front of me.
The second mile started uphill, but only for a few hundred yards, then went into a long downhill. I continued passing people, but not as many as during the first mile. I didn't see the two-mile mark, so I have no idea what my 2-mile split was. The first water stop, which I skipped, was also in the second mile. I ran down the center of the road so as to avoid the slowing and stopping at the water tables, which were on both sides of the road.
It was during the third mile that my foot started giving me problems again. The pain was in the middle of my foot, right in the center of the arch. After just a few steps, it was gone and I was able to run normally. I got to the three mile point in 21:09 and the 5K a few seconds later. I accidentally cleared my watch (I'm still trying to operate it in the same way my old watch worked, and this one is very different), so I don't have any more of my splits.
The fourth mile turned into my neighborhood. The people of the neighborhood had a water table out and were cheering the runners on. I heard one small group call out "Go, daddy!" but it wasn't for me...yet.
The four mile point was right in front of my house. My wife and my son were standing in front of the house cheering for me. The had written "Go, Dad!" and "Go, Bren!" in chalk on the street. As I passed, I high-fived my son and wife. My four mile split was somewhere around 28:00, but I can't be sure.
After the four-mile point was where I fell apart. The fifth mile was a slight uphill, and it was there that I began to die. I don't remember my 5-mile split at all, and it's probably just as well, since I felt like that mile was my worst. I'm pretty sure that I ran the sixth mile faster than the fifth.
The announcer at the finish line called out my name and identified me as "Former McQuaid Star..." which is, I think, a bit of an exaggeration, but lifted me a bit. My overall time was around 45:00 and change. I checked my time and place on the official results, but didn't have anything to write with.
I know I was 39th in my age group, and 189th overall. Not bad for a first showing. My foot started giving me some trouble after the race was over, and walking back home was somewhat uncomfortable. I'll have to rest a few days, to see what the problem is, and how fast it will clear up.
I don't know what my next race will be, but I'm definitely going to try to race the Fairport Firecracker 5 on July 3rd.
Update: My time was 44:32. Better than the time of 46:00 I predicted some time ago.
I went out in about 7 minutes flat for the first mile. It took me almost 15 seconds to get to the start line, so officially, it was 7:15. The first mile was slightly uphill and very crowded. There's no system of staggering estimated finish times, so the racers were pretty well mixed; slow runners and fast runners as close to the start line as they wanted to be. I was not up with the elites, so I didn't see who was up there with them. Since I was expecting to be finishing in about 46:00, I started about midway back in the starting pack, figuring that would be about average, and I would be behind the fast people and in front of the slower ones.
I passed a lot of people during the first mile. In fact, I think I passed more in the first mile than in any other portion of the race. I zigged and zagged, jumping back and forth to get a good open lane in front of me.
The second mile started uphill, but only for a few hundred yards, then went into a long downhill. I continued passing people, but not as many as during the first mile. I didn't see the two-mile mark, so I have no idea what my 2-mile split was. The first water stop, which I skipped, was also in the second mile. I ran down the center of the road so as to avoid the slowing and stopping at the water tables, which were on both sides of the road.
It was during the third mile that my foot started giving me problems again. The pain was in the middle of my foot, right in the center of the arch. After just a few steps, it was gone and I was able to run normally. I got to the three mile point in 21:09 and the 5K a few seconds later. I accidentally cleared my watch (I'm still trying to operate it in the same way my old watch worked, and this one is very different), so I don't have any more of my splits.
The fourth mile turned into my neighborhood. The people of the neighborhood had a water table out and were cheering the runners on. I heard one small group call out "Go, daddy!" but it wasn't for me...yet.
The four mile point was right in front of my house. My wife and my son were standing in front of the house cheering for me. The had written "Go, Dad!" and "Go, Bren!" in chalk on the street. As I passed, I high-fived my son and wife. My four mile split was somewhere around 28:00, but I can't be sure.
After the four-mile point was where I fell apart. The fifth mile was a slight uphill, and it was there that I began to die. I don't remember my 5-mile split at all, and it's probably just as well, since I felt like that mile was my worst. I'm pretty sure that I ran the sixth mile faster than the fifth.
The announcer at the finish line called out my name and identified me as "Former McQuaid Star..." which is, I think, a bit of an exaggeration, but lifted me a bit. My overall time was around 45:00 and change. I checked my time and place on the official results, but didn't have anything to write with.
I know I was 39th in my age group, and 189th overall. Not bad for a first showing. My foot started giving me some trouble after the race was over, and walking back home was somewhat uncomfortable. I'll have to rest a few days, to see what the problem is, and how fast it will clear up.
I don't know what my next race will be, but I'm definitely going to try to race the Fairport Firecracker 5 on July 3rd.
Update: My time was 44:32. Better than the time of 46:00 I predicted some time ago.
Friday, May 20, 2005
memories
This brings back memories. Most races looked like this back in the 70s.
This is a picture of the entire field at the start line.
This is a picture of the entire field at the start line.
Another easy day
I got out last night for an easy jog with Electra last night. Working on building up that endurance. She did an extra lap around the block after I was done, as well.
Here's something I hadn't seen before: Master's runner caught cheating (last paragraph). His final time in the SunTrust Richmond Marathon was 2:45:12. His half marathon split was 1:59, meaning he would have to have run the last 13.1 miles in approximately 46 minutes.
Is $250.00 really that much money that someone would cheat to win it? Is it worth getting a trophy/medal for first place that you didn't really win? I wouldn't want a trophy for winning a race that I didn't even run.
Here's something I hadn't seen before: Master's runner caught cheating (last paragraph). His final time in the SunTrust Richmond Marathon was 2:45:12. His half marathon split was 1:59, meaning he would have to have run the last 13.1 miles in approximately 46 minutes.
Is $250.00 really that much money that someone would cheat to win it? Is it worth getting a trophy/medal for first place that you didn't really win? I wouldn't want a trophy for winning a race that I didn't even run.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Day Off
I'm taking the day off to make sure nothing is going on with my foot. I got out for a light jog around the block with Electra last night. First time that she's jogged the whole way. I'm going to start jogging every night with her. She wants to join the cross-country team next year. Her favorite teacher is the coach of the girls' cross team. I'll do everything I can to help her get ready for the team.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Easy mile
I got out for an easy mile this morning. Felt pretty good, no pain in the foot. The race is Sunday--whether I run any before then depends on how I feel through the week. I may do another mile, maybe two or, if this is the best of all possible worlds, I will be fine tomorrow, with no pain and I will go out for 4 or 5. Yeah.
I'll probably take at least one day off between runs, may or may not get to race Sunday.
I'll probably take at least one day off between runs, may or may not get to race Sunday.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
somewhat better
Feeling better, the IB/ice/rest seems to be working. I'm gong to try to get out for a mile tomorrow. Take it easy, relax and recover.
I've been reading these "You might be a runner if..." items, and these are a few I thought were good:
You might be a runner if:
you use "10 miles" and "easy" in the same breath
Gatorade is your drug of choice
You can eat your weight in spaghetti
You own spandex in more than 1 color
You run around in the shower to get wet
People tell you how sick you look, even though you've never felt better
You get offended when people say how healthy you look
You've used the phrase "It's not really a hill..."
You get back at your ex by dating someone faster than him/her
National collegiate "powerhouses" are Colorado, Stanford, and Arkansas....not Florida State, Miami, and Oklahoma
Your watch costs more than your car
Your email address contains a distance or time
I've been reading these "You might be a runner if..." items, and these are a few I thought were good:
You might be a runner if:
you use "10 miles" and "easy" in the same breath
Gatorade is your drug of choice
You can eat your weight in spaghetti
You own spandex in more than 1 color
You run around in the shower to get wet
People tell you how sick you look, even though you've never felt better
You get offended when people say how healthy you look
You've used the phrase "It's not really a hill..."
You get back at your ex by dating someone faster than him/her
National collegiate "powerhouses" are Colorado, Stanford, and Arkansas....not Florida State, Miami, and Oklahoma
Your watch costs more than your car
Your email address contains a distance or time
Monday, May 16, 2005
Still here.
I didn't have much computer access over the weekend. When my wife's got work, that's first priority on the computer, and everyone else takes a back seat.
I got out for a few miles on Saturday afternoon. My arch started giving me some pain after I finished. I've applied ice and ibuprofen to the problem, and it seems to help. I may get a heel support tonight and see if that helps.
I hope I will be OK for the race this Sunday...
I got out for a few miles on Saturday afternoon. My arch started giving me some pain after I finished. I've applied ice and ibuprofen to the problem, and it seems to help. I may get a heel support tonight and see if that helps.
I hope I will be OK for the race this Sunday...
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Uh-oh.
I started having a pain in the sole of my foot yesterday which makes me limp just a little bit. I'm going to take a couple of days off, rest it, and it WILL BE OK!. I'm not going to mention the P-F word because I DON'T HAVE IT. It's just a little bit of soreness. The soreness will go away by the end of the day tomorrow at the latest.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
2 days' worth
I took Monday off--I actually got out onto the road, but only went about 500 feet before my right knee started giving me a bit of pain. I stopped right away and walked back hame, taking the day off.
Yesterday, I got out early and ran about 3 miles without any pain, almost all on roads surrounding the house. This morning, I got out for about 4 miles. I was about a quarter-mile from my start when I looked over into the park and saw about 6 deer standing in the field. It's been a long time since I've been that close to deer--I never saw any in Georgia, and certainly not in NYC. I don't think there are any deer within 30 miles of Staten Island. I also triggered a standard poodle in someone's backyard; barking at me as I went by.
Unfortunately, I will be moving again(!) at the end of June. The lease on this house is up June 30th (we asked for a lease at least until the end of the school year) and the landlords (who are not professional landlords, but are very nice people), want to sell the house. We're trying to get a house in the same neighborhood, since both Electra and Oedipus have friends in the neighborhood, but it looks like we'll be moving about two or three miles away.
Yesterday, I got out early and ran about 3 miles without any pain, almost all on roads surrounding the house. This morning, I got out for about 4 miles. I was about a quarter-mile from my start when I looked over into the park and saw about 6 deer standing in the field. It's been a long time since I've been that close to deer--I never saw any in Georgia, and certainly not in NYC. I don't think there are any deer within 30 miles of Staten Island. I also triggered a standard poodle in someone's backyard; barking at me as I went by.
Unfortunately, I will be moving again(!) at the end of June. The lease on this house is up June 30th (we asked for a lease at least until the end of the school year) and the landlords (who are not professional landlords, but are very nice people), want to sell the house. We're trying to get a house in the same neighborhood, since both Electra and Oedipus have friends in the neighborhood, but it looks like we'll be moving about two or three miles away.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Great Day
I got out for a 4.5 mile run this morning. I was nearly to the end when I saw someone running up ahead. I couldn't tell which way they were running--they were that far away--but I decided to race them. When I got closer, I'd decide what the finish line was. The whole distance I ran after this person was a little bit over a half mile. They were moving away from me, and when I noticed that, I made the race to the major intersection at the end of my run. I fell just a little bit short--I was only about 50 feet behind this person when they finished at the last intersection. Not bad, considering that the other person had more than a quarter-mile head start on me.
I'm going to start speed work soon--I'll have to do the speed work on weekends, since no track will be available to me on weekdays.
Starting the new job in the morining. I'm going to get up at 5:00-5:30 to get a run in before work.
I'm going to start speed work soon--I'll have to do the speed work on weekends, since no track will be available to me on weekdays.
Starting the new job in the morining. I'm going to get up at 5:00-5:30 to get a run in before work.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Beautiful Spring Morning
I got out for about 5.5 miles this morning. The weather was beautiful--58 degrees, sunny with no wind whatsoever. The hills are a little bit bigger in Rochester than on SI. I couldn't get out yesterday--family commitments, the DMV, etc. I also have to go out and but a suit. After 10+ years in a business casual work environment, I'm back into a more formal one.
I was in a discussion last night about this subject: What's the dumbest thing anyone has ever said to you about or while you were running? Mine was "Running is bad for your heart." This was shortly after Jim Fixx died. So, what's the dumbest thing anyone has ever said to you about running? And what's the best thing anyone has ever said to you about/while you were running?
I was in a discussion last night about this subject: What's the dumbest thing anyone has ever said to you about or while you were running? Mine was "Running is bad for your heart." This was shortly after Jim Fixx died. So, what's the dumbest thing anyone has ever said to you about running? And what's the best thing anyone has ever said to you about/while you were running?
Thursday, May 05, 2005
My first run back home
I got out for a 4.4 mile run this morning at around 10. I'm in the enviable position of not having to go to work for a few days. I don't start the new job until Monday.
I'm thinking of joining the informal running group at Fleet Feet tomorrow. Every Friday, they go about 4 miles; the newsletter says that the group includes all paces. I could probably find someone at my level.
I ran past my teenage daughter's school. Fortunately for her, nobody saw me out there. When I told her that I went past her school in my running shorts, she was mortified and told me never to do that again. I couldn't promise anything like that, since the Fleet Feet is about a mile from the house, and I would have to go past her school to get there.
I'm missing the walking I did in NYC. This place is much more a car-oriented city than NY was, although not nearly as much as ATL. The supermarket is only about ten minutes walk from here, and there's a Starbucks about 10 minutes in the other direction. Maybe I can get in some walks late in the day.
I'm thinking of joining the informal running group at Fleet Feet tomorrow. Every Friday, they go about 4 miles; the newsletter says that the group includes all paces. I could probably find someone at my level.
I ran past my teenage daughter's school. Fortunately for her, nobody saw me out there. When I told her that I went past her school in my running shorts, she was mortified and told me never to do that again. I couldn't promise anything like that, since the Fleet Feet is about a mile from the house, and I would have to go past her school to get there.
I'm missing the walking I did in NYC. This place is much more a car-oriented city than NY was, although not nearly as much as ATL. The supermarket is only about ten minutes walk from here, and there's a Starbucks about 10 minutes in the other direction. Maybe I can get in some walks late in the day.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
I'm in.
I got to Rochester last night. I didn't have any chances to run yesterday--too busy celebrating with my family. Today, I was unloading my truck and helping my 7-year-old ride the bike he got for his birthday, today. I'll get back into the running tomorrow.
The weather here is a bit colder than I had in NYC--the highs are in the 40s and the lows in the 30s. So, I'm back into the long-sleeved shirts after running in t-shirts.
The weather here is a bit colder than I had in NYC--the highs are in the 40s and the lows in the 30s. So, I'm back into the long-sleeved shirts after running in t-shirts.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Oops.
Didn't get a chance to post yesterday, what with being busy packing and everything.
I got out for a 5.5 mile run, nice and easy yesterday morning. I got soaked, since there was a gentle, steady rain falling. It made everything quiet, which is unusual anywhere in NYC, even Staten Island. I decided to go by the Rooster's house one last time, but even he was being quiet.
Then I spent the day packing up my belongings. There are a few more things to be boxed up; in particular I will have to pack my computer. There were some clothes I was going to get rid of, but instead I will be using them as cushioning for my monitor, since I no longer have any of the styrofoam packing. The CPU will also take a few shirts as packing. Monday night, I will pick up the truck at the U-Haul in Chelsea. I'll spend the rest of the evening Monday packing the truck, and finish packing Tuesday morning. The drive will take about six to eight hours if I miss rush hours, so I'm hoping thatI can get out in the late morning. I do NOT want to drive a truck on the New Jersey Turnpike during Rush Hour.
I got out for a 5.5 mile run, nice and easy yesterday morning. I got soaked, since there was a gentle, steady rain falling. It made everything quiet, which is unusual anywhere in NYC, even Staten Island. I decided to go by the Rooster's house one last time, but even he was being quiet.
Then I spent the day packing up my belongings. There are a few more things to be boxed up; in particular I will have to pack my computer. There were some clothes I was going to get rid of, but instead I will be using them as cushioning for my monitor, since I no longer have any of the styrofoam packing. The CPU will also take a few shirts as packing. Monday night, I will pick up the truck at the U-Haul in Chelsea. I'll spend the rest of the evening Monday packing the truck, and finish packing Tuesday morning. The drive will take about six to eight hours if I miss rush hours, so I'm hoping thatI can get out in the late morning. I do NOT want to drive a truck on the New Jersey Turnpike during Rush Hour.
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