Jumping Rope Today

Way too busy Friday to get in any running - bummer - and this morning operating on about 2.5 hours sleep - I would be running on empty. I have to do something as I am going to be busy today as well. I think I'll pull out the 'ol jump rope and jump for 20 minutes or so. I always try and let people know TEN minutes of jumping rope is the approximate equivalence to running for THIRTY minutes. Every runner should have a jump rope - great training - and get a good quality rope ya'll - they are not all the same. Note runners can develop improved muscular strength and flexibility in their core and major muscle groups by jumping with the weighted rope. It is also a great way to train for hilly races because the nature of jumping trains the muscles eccentrically - and better prepares the muscles, tendons and ligaments for the extreme impact of downhill running. Now that 'brotha on the left is is Buddy Lee & supposedly the jump rope god of the world. He's great but ya know what - this is Harlem 26.2, emphasis on Harlem and I refuse to believe any big 'ol grown man can out jump these kids on the Harlem streets - no way - jumping rope is their thing. The other day I saw a girl doing the latest dances, sending a text form her Sidekick - all while jumping rope - or what historically is called "Double Dutch". If you've never seen - check out this documentary film trailer called "Doubletime," the highlights two teams preparing for the Double Dutch World Championship at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. But better yet - the original & 2 time jump rope documentary filmmaker to bring focus on Harlem's jump rope scene is my friend & Harlemite Nicole Franklin - you can see some jump rope Double Dutch clips on her film reel here. Have a lovely day.

The Smoker or the Runner?

Did a decent 4.5 morning miles yesterday – simply trotted through 3 in the evening – that’s it, very busy all week, so busy I missed and event where I was supposed to see that woman on the right, that’s Michelle Obama – who was in Harlem this week rallying support for her husband’s Presidential ambitions. One thing about Barak Obama that is a total disconnect of my positive impression of him is his chain smoking, the guy's known for going through 2 - 3 packs per day ya know. The man has children and a wife - makes you wonder their exposure to second hand smoke. He’s been chain smoking for a very long time and I am trying to imagine how he’s managed being a chain smoker, parent & husband. It's hard to believe his family is not exposed to this to some measure, if only in his home office for example.
Is it reasonable for me to ask, “Barak, when your first child was born, didn’t you feel a sense of responsibility to take care of yourself – in the interest of your family going forward?” – that was not sufficient grounds to make quitting smoking ASAP a front burner issue? I know the addictive component of nicotine and how hard it is to quit – but the bottom line is people do, people successfully quit smoking and I would like to think Barak has the capacity to have the same amount of will, strength, and dedication, etc. that these others do that successfully quit. I don't like measuring anyone on the faults but this smoking thing is not congruent with the person I think he is. This smoking thing and his inability to quit for all the right reasons for all these years is simply something I don’t understand. But you know what I do understand? Running. Obama’s got the Kenyan father – but John Edwards is the real runner ya’ll – did you know that? Edwards has been running since ’77 and has clocked 5 marathons, his PR is 3:30:18. He’s such a serious runner he does not want to be photographed running and prefers to run alone – they guy even refuses to be interviewed about his running – I kid you not - however he gave Runner’s World a break several years ago and said,

"He's just very private about his running," an Edwards aide said when I asked if I could go for a run with him after the Democratic convention. "Asking to run with him is like asking to take a shower with him." Claiming that he had never been interviewed about his "obsession" (Edwards's word), "At least 30 minutes, whenever we can fit it in." He prefers to run alone, but that is impossible now. He runs to recharge, clear his mind, and deal with hardship, including the loss of his son Wade, who was killed in a car accident in 1996, when he was 16. Edwards clocks 4 – 6 miles a day and says, “ It's one of the few times in any day that I get to be alone to myself and think”. He also said that in Runner’s World interview “ I also love running in Central Park”. Runner’s World Asked him “When you were doing marathons, did you follow a fairly strict training regimen, or did you just kind of make up your own? Edwards replay, “ It was strict in the sense that I always tried to run at least an hour a day. I never missed more than one day a week, usually none. As I got closer to the marathon date, I would try to do longer training runs, at least 2 or `3-hour` runs. I'm very much addicted to running. I think it's more than a mental thing; I think it's a physical thing. I mean I feel better after I run. I know people love to run in the morning. One of the reasons I like to run at like 5 or 6 o'clock is because it cuts my day in half. I can look forward to running, and then when I'm finished I feel good. It's like a new day has started”. Damn it Barak, now I have a delimma, the chain smoking 'brotha or the white guy with 5 marathons under his belt that runs 4 - 6 miles per day - loves running in Central Park and talks my talk. I'm not interested in having a cigarette with Barak - but me and Edwards can clock some miles together in Central Park Ya'll understand this is basically a crises for HARLEM 26.2, literally dividing Harlem 26.2 (Harlem the Black man & 26.2 the Runner). If Hillary got a tan and ran -might be a decent alternative - any chance of that? If you're interested in Edwards, check out his site. Have a wonderful day.

Running To Sweat

I clocked 4.5 am miles Wednesday - did 5.5 in the evening - it was hot & humid but I enjoyed it and a couple of the "views". One of my "things" is women sweating - that's pretty sexy with me - I love everything about it - visually - the moisture & glisten - it works for me - it's so authentic and real - reflective of effort and pushing your body and on these warms days there is a whole lot of sweating going on and Central Park is a very sexy place to be these days. Lots of sexy views of women running in the heat - sweating - that's hot, literally. It's gotta be the pheromones - the brain's hypothalamus region (where sexual behavior ignites), becomes activated when men smell EST (the estrogen derivative) - physiological response to the same external stimulus - sweat. So I read The Smell Report & Sexual attraction and learned women are also highly sensitive to male pheromones, particularly around ovulation, - but to be clear - men who believe that their ‘macho’, sweaty body-odor is attractive to women got it wrong, unless they are constantly producing fresh sweat and either naked or changing their clothes every 20 minutes to remove any trace of the oxidised sweat (the funky stuff). In sum - fresh sweat = good - and wow I had no idea all sorts of smells can increase penile blood flow. I'm all for penile blood flow - who isn't? Even this is not very surprising, as any strong odor will have a stimulating effect, which will cause a general increase in blood flow to the extremities – inevitably including the penis. And then of course there is Research at the University of California at Berkeley that said women who sniffed a chemical found in male sweat experienced elevated levels of an important hormone, along with higher sexual arousal, faster heart rate and other effects. They said the study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, represents the first direct evidence that people secrete a scent that influences the hormones of the opposite sex. The study focused on androstadienone - the fresh sweat stuff and male chemical signal. Previous research had established that a whiff of it affected women's mood, sexual and physiological arousal and brain activation. What's it all mean? Just another one of my crazy mixed up views on life and running - ya see - when I am running with a woman - we're having pheromone sex - yup - and yes - I have slowed my pace to run adjacent to a complete stranger - a gorgeous complete stranger - call it the "one night stand" type of run / pheromone sex - now she may not know we're having sex - but her hypothalamus does. Have a fantastic day filled with pheromones - be safe.

Gettin' Hot

I did 4.5 am miles, 6 pm miles – I think the heat index hit 100 yesterday – this is the danger zone ya’ll for running – not to be taken lightly – know what you’re doing in running in these conditions. Running in the heat can be dangerous if the proper precautions and preparations are not followed. Avoid dehydration!!! You can lose between 6 and 12 oz. of fluid for every 20 minutes of running. Therefore it is important to pre-hydrate (10-15 oz. of fluid 10 to 15 minutes prior to running) and drink fluids every 20-30 minutes along your running route. To determine if you are hydrating properly, weigh yourself before and after running. You should have drunk one pint of fluid for every pound you're missing. There’s also something called Cardiac Creep - I am not aware of any research that shows exactly how much temperature and humidity can raise HR, but I believe your heart rate beats approxiamtely 10-15 bpm's above usual limits with a 70% running effort on these hot humid days - just note how you're stressing your body - I’m not into running with fuel belts like the one above – I strategically know ahead of time where drinking fountains are on my running route and I will indeed stop and hydrate – I will also sometimes carry a single bottle of water as I run. Of course I'm crazy and love running in extreme heat - it can't get too hot for me - I often on the weekends will run at the peak of the heat & sun - however I take it seriously - hydrate & prepare - all day long have a bottle of water at your side - seriously - hydrate hydrate hydrate all day long - If you're running even for 30 minutes - grab your favorite bottle of water - run with it - take it easy - enjoy the run! Have a great day!

Running with Harlem Gangsters

For some reason yesterday in my training a particularly high number of Harlemites shouted out to me - it's usually about 2 shouts / day, Monday it was like 7 or so. The usual shouts (Run Forest Run, Running Man, Go Baby Go, etc. however I gave one woman points for coming up with a new one - as I passed her she said, "Damn, I wish I could whistle" - as I am feeling fat and out of shape these days I appreciated that never heard before expression of Harlem love. Clocked 4.5 in the a.m., did 6 in the p.m. - looking to repeat that today. People stumble to this site from all over the world, sometimes they email me expressing pleasant surprise there are runners in Harlem - they're expecting Shaft to be walking down the streets, etc. and Harlem to live up to the stereotypical branding of Harlem. I know a complete cross section of Harlem and yes my Great Grandfather was a gangster (of sorts) in Harlem & the Catskills. He was Half-Jewish and basically the liaison of a "number running" racket between Harlem & Jewish syndicates. He had a night club in the Catskills and yes, I still have lots of the memorabilia of the Black stars (singers, actors, dancers) of the day that frequented his place. Most of my current gangster friends wear suits and work on Wall St. (Hey - they may work for an Investment Bank but believe me - they are nonetheless gangsters ya'll). But to not disappoint, yes I know the legacy and am personal friends of the real Harlem gangster lineage - in fact one lives in my building - her name is Margaret Johnson. She's 57, in a motorized wheelchair, nonetheless last Fall at 3pm in the afternoon right on Lenox Avenue 2 men tried to rob her in broad day light. Margaret simply pulled out her 357 Magnum and shot them both, yup - straight up. This was in the news, you can still read about it here for example. I'm not surprised this woman packed at 357 magnum (that's a major league gun ya'll). Why? The robbers did not know who they were robbing, ya see Margaret's father was a fellow by the name of Ellsworth Johnson, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson - Yup, the very Bumpy Johnson that battled the Mafia and there's a Hollywood film about her father called, "Hoodlum". Speaking of films, Harlem, and off-spring of real gangsters - Last Fall I had a chance to be in a movie made about another friend of mine, Frank, a film is being made about his father. As many know I run down Lenox Avenue twice a day and for a two week period in the Fall a film crew took over a 3 block section turning it into a movie set. That photo on the right is of Lenox Avenue & the movie set complete with old cars of the period, 1969-ish. Well the film crew got very pissed with me running on the street right through their set. "Their set" was also "My street" and I was in serious Marathon training mode - their security would try and block me but I would just veer away from them, they would chase me, I would out run them and soon be off the set and away from the camera shoot -lots of people on the set and Harlemites would applaud at my running talents ha ha ha! This got to be so routine they basically set up a team of 4 or 5 security people one day - had my schedule down and surrounded me. One of the film company people came over & was nice - told me it would be great if I could give them a break (ha ha ha) and then asked me if I wanted to be an extra in the movie. I said thanks but not interested - turned around ran into my running rival Todd Hinton at Starbucks @ 125th who I've blogged about here - Anyway I told him to go be an extra - he did it - he is in the movie in a scene with Cuba Gooding Jr. . My friend who's father was a real gangster is actually a rapper, you can visit his myspace site, his name is Frank, Frank Lucas Jr., his father is Frank Lucas, the film is being released 2 days before the NYC Marathon and is called American Gangster (check the trailer) - stars Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington who is playing his father. So for the curious, yes, I know the historic Harlem gangster scene rather well. Have a great day!

Running into Voodoo

My weekend as far as running is concerned was minimal really - I've been very busy with business stuff for the last 4 days, I gotta get back on track today! I generally run with a cell phone. I love Blackberrys because they're the most reliable (data wise) and though I don't always answer my Cell when I'm running - I do hear it and have designated separated ring tones for txt, calls, emails, IM's - and can make judgments accordingly if I want to respond on the spot. I don't wear one of those strap on holders like in that photo - I don't like wearing anything on my arms - I used a basic holster on my hip - not case of any kind - a simple exposed holster ( I also hate cases/skins/rubberized crap, etc.) Downside is I've awkwardly knocked off my phone once or twice 0 or how about 20 times truth be told. I have used that Blackberry on the right - the 8700 - awesome phone it's withstood crashing to the road with no protective case time and time again - and has never died! The only problem is that it's so damn big & bulky and I want to run with something sleeker - So this weekend I have broken down and bought the Blackberry 8100 "Pearl", there on the left. Boy I hope it survives when I inevitably cause it to crash on the road. Unlike the 8700, it has a camera - which I don't want - but perhaps now I can take photos of things I see from time to time running in Central Park (and Harlem). Like the Giant Raccoons in the Harlem Hills or the Giant Snapping Turtles by the lake (they are really huge). You might see anything when you're in Central Park - not that I would photograph it but I've seen just about every combination of sex you can imagine in Central Park (W/W, W/M, M/M) at all times of day and night. The thing that shook me the most though is when I once had to pee - ran up into a random secluded region of the Harlem Hills about 6am. - well discrete from anyone or path - pee'ed against a tree - then noted a rock formation at the base of the tree that looked strategically arranged - then noted the dried flowers also on the ground layed out in a ceremonial fashion - finished pee'ing - glanced around the other side of the tree and saw 3 candles STILL BURNING and a chicken with its head cut off layed at the base of the tree, its head about 1 foot higher pinned to the tree - a few ribbons, blood everywhere - This scared the shit out of me - I immediately knew I stumbled into a Santeria sacrifice ceremony or shrine - I could not believe it -a million friggen trees in Central Park and I pick the one that's cursed and spooked out - I felt I was not alone at this spot and someone could be watching me - they could be in the trees, behind trees - who the hell knows - this was straight up a "The Blair Witch Project" type of thing - here I am pee'ing on the damn crazy ass Afro-Caribbean Voodoo (Santeria) shrine - I figured now they gotta kill me and I'm going to be right next to that damn chicken! I ran the F#@% out of that area freaked out! Believe me ya'll - anything can happen in Central Park - perhaps now I'll be able to photograph some of the crazier stuff I see - have a great day!

"The Fastest Thing On No Legs"

Was busy all Saturday but did manage to find the time to sneak in a decent 6 miler - for decent running since Wednesday. Got up this morning & ran to Central Park to volunteer as a guide in Achilles race By the time I got there most of the sight impaired runners had a guide - so I stood at an area designated "Stand By Guide" capable of supporting a 6:30 pace runner - I just wanted to make sure the visually impaired runners had a guide that can run with them - I've heard that can be a problem from time to time - so the Achilles Track Club made sure all the runners were sufficiently supported. I ended up escorting an athlete from the reg. tents to the race line up - he said he did not need a guide for the race - however he did need a guide to get to the race starting line (about 1500' of walkway up and over varying hills and paths). Michael is his name, he had on an '06 Marathon Shirt - we had an excellent conversation about the '06 NYC Marathon. He told me he used his racing handcycle in the Marathon, however for this race did not feel like bringing it out all the way from Brooklyn. I asked him what it was like having to go up and over the 59th St. bridge (1 mile up on the Marathon route) using only your arms - he replied that it was tough and had to stop several times - he then said, "but then you see people with 1 or 2 prosthetic legs doing it and it motivates you". Some context, Michael seemed to have a slight measure of CP (Cerebral Palsy), he was limping with a brace of some sort on his foot extending to his shin, he choose to enter this race on his legs knowing it was going to take him 1 hour, 30 minutes plus to finish. He assured me he did not need a guide once he got on the course ( I sensed a fierce independence streak in him). I brought him to the start and wished him luck - off he walked - an inspiring 5 minute meeting-escorting. Wow. I watched and cheered runners on for a while and then headed home - never saw Michael again - but I am confident he finished. I saw lots of great runners with prosthetic legs, handcycle athletes, you name it. Let me share with you the story of Oscar Pistorious - there on the left. That below in the starting blocks are the prosthetic legs/feet of the South African Spinter a Paralympic runner known as “The Fastest Thing on No Legs”. Oscar is sponsored by Ossur (maker of the legs/feet) and with the aid of their Cheetah Flex-Foot prosthetics, Oscar has ran his his way to multiple Paralympic gold medals - Pistorius has clocked times of 10.91 seconds in the 100 meters, 21.58 in the 200 and 46.56 in the 400 — world-record times for disabled athletes. He finished second in the 400 at the South African Championships, an able-bodied meet, in March. Pistorius is close to the Olympic qualifying standard in the 400. He needs to run a 46.3 before the July 2008 qualifying deadline. Oscar plans on becoming the first amputee to ever qualify for the able-bodied Olympics. However, even if Oscar is able to run a qualifying time, he could still sadly be denied the opportunity to compete in the Olympics because he has attracted a number of critics who believe his prosthetics provide him with an unfair advantage. Some believe that the "blades" he uses are longer than is necessary, allowing him to cover more ground in each stride. Pistorius has ambitions to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China but was barred from the Olympics by the IAAF until last week when International track officials changed their stance on Oscar Pistorius, will allow him to compete against able-bodied runners while researchers try to determine whether his prosthetics give him an advantage. But Nick Davies, spokesman for the International Association of Athletics Federations, said discussion of Pistorius, 20, competing in the Olympics was premature, noting that he had not yet reached qualifying standards. Have a great day !

Cherry Picking & Needing To Win

Life got in the way of my Thursday - no running at all, Friday was not much better a quick morning 3 miler - Friday’s Wall St. Journal featured an article by a writer, Reed Albergotti, titled d titled, “How To Win A Marathon” (well, at least how to nab a trophy – as races dole out more prizes, and the web makes it easier to scope out the competition, more amateurs are perfecting the art of finding the easy win). That article went on to say "As competitive amateur athletics explode, a new form of gamesmanship is emerging. In the past, that hasn't been easy for weekend warriors who work long hours at the office and lack six-pack abs. Now, some are trying to gain an edge by finding where the fast racers aren't. Instead of training harder, they're spending hours online to scout out the field, and they're driving hundreds of miles to race against thin competition in out-of-the-way places. New Web sites closely track results of thousands of races, down to local 5-kilometer charity runs. Athletes are using this information to find out how tough the competition is likely to be in a race based on previous years. The sites also keep tabs on amateur athletes in ever-greater detail, from the names of racers and their past performances to the fastest people of a certain age in a particular ZIP Code. This makes it easier than ever to find out how you stack up against your neighbors. James Longhurst drove 50 miles to compete in the Buckeye Lake Triathlon in Millersport, Ohio, last year. He had scoped it out and determined it had only about 100 participants, compared to the nearly 1,000 people who usually compete in the Wendy's International Triathlon race just outside Columbus. He finished third out of seven in his 30-to-34 age group, earning him a spot at the postrace medal ceremony. "I screamed out loud," he says. "I just don't tell anyone there were only seven people." Mike Halovitch, a cycling buddy of mine, chose another route to the top. In November, he entered and won an "ironman" triathlon in the Bahamas. The Ironman is an elite, long-distance triathlon that only a handful of people can claim to have won. What Mr. Halovitch doesn't tell a lot of people is that the Bahamian race, while modeled after official Ironman races, was not sanctioned by the World Triathlon Corp. -- and only seven other people participated. To find a race where the odds of a win are high, start with a little Internet sleuthing. Sites like Coolrunning.com and Running in the USA ist results for thousands of obscure races and triathlons around the country. Results are generally good indicators of what to expect the next time around, especially since some athletes return to the same race year after year. If you're looking to gauge the toughness of a race, it's also a good idea to use these sites to research your competitors. You can find more information about racers by looking them up online or searching the databases of sites that track them. Athlinks.com, for example, has information on more than nine million athletes and 35,000 races. Also, look for whether the race results are divided up by age group (the more age groups, the better chance you have at taking home a trophy) and see what the winning time was in your category. For years, amateurs didn't get much notice beyond praise from their friends or families. Even when race results began appearing on the Internet, sites weren't always updated frequently, or they listed only a small number of races. Now, these sites are turning amateur athletes into local celebrities. Chris Bennett, a columnist on track-and-field site Milesplit.com, says many serious runners who couldn't name the fastest American runner in the 100 meters right now (Tyson Gay) could name several people who dominate races in their area. "The stars of the sport are people around them when they finish at their local road race," says Mr. Bennett, a runner and financial advisor in Apex, N.C. Wendy Abma says entering a race is like being a bridesmaid; winning one is being the bride. Ms. Abma's home in Ridgewood, N.J., is decorated with a half-dozen plaques and trophies "where everyone can see them." Sometimes, she'll finish a race and set a personal best, but she says coming in first is "more impressive." As an employee of a company that keeps track of times during races, Ms. Abma says she's more familiar with many of the courses than other runners and has a leg up in scouting the easier ones. Her favorite medal is one for a 5K race she entered because a friend was having trouble finding enough participants. After checking the course online to make sure it was flat, she registered and later cruised to victory. When friends ask about the plaque, she doesn't usually mention the skill level of the other racers. "You don't always have to mention how you got there," Ms. Abma says" [END, full article may still be accessible online here.]. Out of curiosity I went to athlinks.com and sure enough, there I was - and if you race......so are you. My opinion on all this? That's Narcissus there on the left - Freud believed that some narcissism is an essential part of all of us from birth - there is such a thing as "healthy narcissism" . Having said that - this above - the lengths these people go to - to see themselves (and have others see them) as a "winner"? Going to these measures and extent to obtain some seemingly "stamp of approval" branding of winner- entirely driven by the interest to construct an impression of yourself - to yourself and others? Strikes with me this rises to the level of psychological dysfunction(s) revolving around esteem, insecurity , & ego. I may never win a race - but am no less a champion than those that do. These races we do are "snap shots", just a moment in time - a wonderful, challenging, enriching & fulfilling moment - but they're just a moment. I enjoy them for what they are in that moment - but no matter my results - quickly turn the page with little interest in living on laurels or despairing over a crash & burn. Just showing up - literally lining up at the start of a race, any race, is sufficiently distinguishing in the context of society & culture and merits a "thumb's up". Have a great day!

Completion Trumps Time, Everytime

Let me share with you another reflection on and of “life” I learned whilst running and in fact racing in the NYC Marathon. In the ’04 race I took a calculated risk, wore special type of racing flat, did not factor in the friction & heat generated with flat foot striking 1 mile uphill on road on the 59^th St. bridge leaving Queens & entering Manhattan. At mile 17 I had major blisters, stopped at an aid station and had them lacerated so I could run. At mile 21 I had more blisters and swelling I simply could not wear shoes – the burning sensation was extreme but I did not not want to DNF (Did Not Finish), so I took off my shoes and ran the final 5 miles of the race in my socks – on my heels – minimizing my toes touching the ground – there I am in that photo carrying my shoes in my right hand in the race. ’05? I had no business entering the race as I injured myself 3 weeks prior. I had a minor meniscus tear – well once in the race that minor tear expanded – my knee was killing me and I absolutely truly had no business in this race. That’s me on the left bent over in pain at Mile 23 on 5^th Ave. just before Central Park. This is the first time I ever after hundreds of races actually had to stop in a race on the course due to pain. I should have DNF'ed in this race at mile 18 or so – but struggled on – I finished but it was very dumb & foolish. I should have listened to my body. I was sidelined from running for the next 8 months for ligament recovery. But what did I learn out of these two experiences? When you’re athletic, fit, able bodied, etc. you can lose appreciation for what comes manageable - if not easy for you. You can live just about your whole life without really being physically challenged. These were my slowest races ever – but they were my most memorable races & moments because in them I had doubt where I never before had. I entered these races with PR (Personal Record) time goals – I was racing against the clock all out - however at some point and hours later the race became not about the clock, not about time, but about just completion, I simply wanted to finish, time meant nothing - completion everything. This was a new place to be - for me. I've been fortunate & athletically blessed my whole life. I simply never had to deal with physical peril or challenge before. I’m a better person after these experiences because never far away from me as I run and see other runners is an awareness that we all have our own unique personal struggles, obstacles, etc – and you never really know what it took for a person to get across that finish line – and thus you can’t really discern much about athleticism, personal will and strength based on a time. I know I harp on this sub 3 stuff but in truth, a marathoner can have a time of 5 hours and 30 minutes and that could be the races greatest victory and the end result of a person who’s overcome physical injury and years of physical therapy for example. When an athlete crosses the finish line – you just don’t know their personal journey – that 5:30 finish can be the culmination of a host of personal challenges and battles – you simply don’t know, it can be physical, emotional, mental, who knows - and as you don't know every finish should be celebrated as it's a victory, maybe the greatest in the field, it is possible. This weekend in Central Park you can see some athletes whose personal challenges tower over any challenge life's ever presented me - in fact I am humbled by them. The Achilles Track Club race is Sunday in Central Park. Achilles is a worldwide organization, represented in sixty countries. Their mission is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, to promote personal achievement, enhanced self esteem, and the lowering of barriers between people. I know this 'Brotha in the photo with one leg crossing that finishing mat. He does not just run this middle distance stuff, I've seen him in several Half-Marathons and in the NYC Marathon, he's a hell of an athlete. I will be there - not racing - I'm going as a fan to cheer & high five the athletes - I have a feeling they're going to inspire me in many ways - I have a neighbor with a disability who I've been trying to get into the wheel chair class racing and I am going to try and get them out there too - have a great day!

Lost Dutchman Marathon - Set The Date!

Softly trained Wednesday - two 3 Milers, was busy with work but even when I am busy I take time for me and a run - though short. Yesterday a commenter asked about any possible stats on African-American participation in Marathons. I've never seen a number published - or even a study, a poll, nothing. Since the largest ethnicity in Harlem is Latino - let me speak to that (since I can). Cuban-born American Alberto Salazar became the trailblazer for the Latino community in the marathon. Salazar won the New York City Marathon in '80 in 2:09:41 the fastest American debut and the second-fastest time ever recorded by a US runner. The following year he broke his own record with a 2:08:13 (he then won again the next year). This article asserts 3000 "Latinos" ran the '06 New York City Marathon (that's 8% of the entire field). The New York Road Runners have 3 different Latino culture affinity running clubs (along with a Polish & Korean Running Club). I also note weekly I see a Latino based youth running organization in Central Park, a great thing. I'm not quite sure why even a small equivalent to this does not exist in New York City within the African-American community. In a nutshell I suspect it's a reflection of how we African-Americans (in general) appreciably lag in taking care of ourselves (health care - nutrition, etc.). I 'll spare you the laundry list of how and where African-Americans are failing health-wise but you can find it all at BlackHealthCare.com. But note the link I provided wherein Latino media is reporting on Latinos & marathoning. Where is the Black equivalent story? I'm sure that perfect "3000" number that's published is an approximation guided by the NYRR. But someone in the Latino community cared enough to bring that story forward - that's my point - someone in that community was interested enough to find out how many Latinos were marathoning in that NYC race. In my race last Sunday here in NYC I'm guessing somewhere between 1% and 1.5% of the field was Black. There were 5,000 runners, I guess I saw 50 - 75 Black folks. I'm guessing the NYC Marathon possibly had a similar percentage of runners or 370 - 500 African Americans. But zero media coverage - oh well, that's okay, I'm trying to set it off with this blog - and on that note let me tell you some more about the top African-American in the game. Who, what, and where is that 'brotha in that photo above? That's Tony Reed, founder & Executive Director of the National Black Marathon Association and in that photo he's in Antarctica - why? Why else, the Antarctica Marathon. That's what I like about Tony, people think I'm into this running thing?....they've not met Tony! There he is below, running a marathon in Antarctica, a 'Brotha! Dayum! It was a the Black Data Processing Associates national conference in Chicago six years ago, the health issue topic spawned the NBMA and Tony is doing the damn thing. I am no where near Tony ya'll - I've ran the Great Wall in China, he actually did it in a Marathon. The NBMA holds an annual national event, this year it was in Cleveland next year's NBMA event will take place in Arizona on Feb. 17, 2008, the 7th annual Lost Dutchman Marathon, 1 of the 12 best little marathons in the USA by Runner's World. Grady McEachern, the Lost Dutchman's Race Director, says, "We are very excited about the prospect of having hundreds of Black American runners converging on Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, and the east valley from all over the country to participate in our events. The National Black Marathoner's Association is the largest organization to commit to our race in the 7 years of our existence. We will be making every effort to ensure a pleasant and exciting experience for the NBMA members during their stay here. We are grateful NBMA has chosen our event and will work hard to produce quality races that will exceed their expectations." Uh-oh, I might have to check my calender ya'll - Harlem 26.2 would not mind leaving frigid New York City for a weekend in February to push 26.2 in Apache Junction, AZ! You know if we do this right we can build up and promote this event and bring some media shine on African Americans and marathoning. Sounds like a plan! FYI, today is the Summer Solstice - the lengthiest day of sunlight all year - tonight I think I'll push 10 @ 80% in Central Park! Have a great day!

Marathon Trends & Numbers

I really felt the humidity last night but nontheless got in my standard 3 flat - 3 hill repeat (1/2 up - 1/2 down). I have to lose 6 - 7 .lbs by August 4th to go 1:26:xx that day. Huge numbers of runners last night in Central Park - makes sense - Running USA's Road Running Information Center monitors running trends. The organization's annual marathon report and overview 2006 was just released and I thought I'd share some of the stats. In 1976, 25,000 individuals finished a marathon. By 2000, that number jumped to 353,000, and in 2006 a record 410,000 people crossed the finish line of a marathon (world wide) Last year in the U.S., a record 61 marathons had at least 1,000 finishers. During the first running boom, circa 1980 or so, only 12 U.S. marathons had 1,000 finishers or more. In 1980, only 10.5 percent of marathoners were women; 89.5 percent were men. In 2006, women have hit the 40 percent level; men 60 percent. In 1980, 26 percent of marathon runners were masters (ages 40-over); 69 percent for open (ages 20-39); and a mere 5 percent for juniors (ages 20-under). Masters of both genders now account for 46 percent; open, 52 percent; and juniors, 2 percent. The median age in 1980 for male marathoners was 34; 31.3 for females. In 2006, the median age for men is 40; 35 for females and overall for both genders, 38. In 1980 the median finishing time for men was 3:32:17; 4:03 for women. In 2006, the median time has slowed to 4:15:34 for men, and 4:46:40 for women. More inclusiveness means a bit slower times overall - no biggie and participation is a good thing! The number of sub-4 hour marathoners doubled at both Boston and Chicago in the past decade. Roughly, 30 percent of all marathoners can break 4 hours, and of that statistic, 76 percent were male. The ING New York Marathon draws the most female and male masters, and males ages 30-39. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has the most for males and females ages 20-29 and 30-39. The Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco has the highest percentage of women runners 94 percent _ makes sense_ , fyi by law in San Francisco you cannot exlcude a sex from an event - accounting for the 6% male runners. Next for women in highest perentage are marathons in Portland (Ore.) and Rock 'n Roll in San Diego. The Steamtown marathon has the most males as a % at 69 percent. Rite Aid Cleveland and New York City also rank high among male marathoners. Masters runners of both gender pick Boston, Steamtown and Chevron Houston as their most popular. A record five marathon had over 30,000 finishers last year. The ING New York City Marathon is tops with a record 37,866 finishers remaining four were Chicago (37,866, a record), Flora London (33,237), Paris (30,739) and Berlin (30,118). The largest U.S. marathons in 2006 were New York City, Chicago, Honolulu, Marine Corps and City of Los Angeles. In fact, the U.S. is home to seven out of 15 of the world's largest marathons. You can visit their site and see all sorts of obscure data on running trends by clicking here. You'll see random data like below - Have a great day!

RUNNING MERCHANDISE
More Running/Jogging Shoes sold: 40,274,000 (up 4%) - NSGA (2)
More Dollars spent for those shoes: $2,156,733,000 (up 8%) - NSGA (2)
More Female Users of Shoes: 49.2% in '05, 48.1% in '03, 38.4% in '93 - NSGA (2)
More Running Clothing purchased: $656,200,000 (up 2%) - NSGA (2)
More Track Running Shoes sold: 815,000 (up 4%); $40,071,000 (up 7%) - NSGA (2)
More Trail Running Shoes sold: 528,000 (up 5%); $27,324,000 (up 5%) - NSGA (2)
More Running Shoes sold in Specialty Athletic Footwear Stores: 24.5% of dollars - NSGA (2)

Backwards Running

Got in my standard flat 3 miles + 1.5 up + 1.5 down (hill repeats) last night. 3rd run since my Sunday morning race and I am still sore from the effort/exertion which tells me I ran all out in that race. I'm just out of racing shape & I want to have my race game on lock come August 4 & the Big Nike Half Marathon where I am going for a 1:26:xx PR. My next race will be July 14, Naples-New York Park to Park, the new name/sponsor for the Splash & Dash race. It's been about 2 weeks since I did any training with woman runner - something I enjoy. At one time running with a woman (generally shy of my level of a runner) was very conflicting for me in that I did not want to have compromised training run (not a tough enough of a work out) - but I did want to enjoy a run with a woman. The resolution for me was Running Backwards! Yup every now and then you'll catch me in Central Park running backwards and I want to encourage you all to try it. On initial glance, the woman on the left may look like she's running forward - but she's not - take a look at her legs/toe strikes, her biomechanics - she's going backwards in that photo. The benefits? From a training perspective, benefits of backward running include: Back rehabilitation (due to differences in trunk posture), Recovery and strengthening from hip joint injuries, recovery from groin & hamstring injuries, knee joint surgical rehab, alleviation from shin splints, it goes on and on and there is a lot of detailed research & study on this. There's even research claiming running backwards can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and possibly lead to positive body composition changes in young women. For a quick read on the History of Running Backwards, check that - however note they're crazy about running backwards in Japan & Europe - yes folks this is a worldwide movement I kid you not - they're trying to get running backwards, also known as "retro-running" into the 2012 London Olympics. Take a look at how organized this movement is world wide, the photos are kind of funny in fact to take in. And then there's Henry Thomas and yes - if your know your Black culture - you know that name has high Black person potential behind it. Wouldn't you know it, I find another Black man runner and this guy does nothing but run backwards! Big healthy strong brotha too and all he does is run backwards - dayum, check the link he's on youtube in a news report & running backswards for a cause - however it's kind of funny to see this big 'ol brotha running backwards. The backwards thing for me is strictly to run with a woman - whom I could possibly go forward with! Have a great day!

Harlem 26.2 Loves a White Woman

Raced yesterday morning, did a speed 3 miler in the PM, going out this morning for 4.5 miles. Okay, I'm a total running geek - guilty - and I read a lot about runners and running. Sometimes I come across something so amazing that it just sums up the spirit of what this is all about and I want to share this below story with you about that woman on the right: Things haven't come easily for Susan Graham-Gray, but the 39-year-old runner has qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the women's marathon despite having a degenerative eye disease known as Stargardt's Disease, which causes progressive vision loss. “I just try not to use it as an excuse,” she says. “Sometimes, it's played to my advantage, to never give up on things". Gray qualified May 6 at the Poconos Run for the Red Marathon in Stroudsburg, Pa., where she ran a time of 2:45:32 to win the women's division and finish eighth overall. Running under the qualifying time of 2:47:00 booked her trip to Boston for the April 20, 2008 trials. The top three finishers at the Olympic trials will make the U.S. Olympic team and travel to Beijing for the 2008 games. And while that would be some very sweet icing on the cake, Gray has already accomplished what she initially set out to do. “Mike (husband) and I talked about this and he said that at this point, I've reached the epitome of my main goal, which was to make it to the trials,” she says. “But I've still got to be the best I can be once I get there. I hope to set a PR (personal record). Some people will go there and just think, ‘I'm happy and I'm done.' I want to go there and improve.” The drive to improve can be a steep mountain to climb for long-distance runner. “The hardest thing is needing constant motivation and intensity day in and day out,” says Gray, who also ran at Hampton High School near Pittsburgh and West Virginia Wesleyan College. “I don't think it's just the race day itself - it's the preparation to get to that race day. Day in and day out, it can get a little grueling.” “The biggest hurdle to overcome is that she can't do trails by herself,” says Spinnler. “It's hard for a world-class runner to be confined to running 12-15 miles on the treadmill in the basement. It takes a great deal of motivation. On the track, Susan will tilt her head and use her peripheral vision, which she claims is her best vision, to help guide her. Coaches and teammates will help her along the way and warn her of obstacles such as ditches and ruts. “Mike usually bikes with me on the course, or I have a guide,” she says. “I don't really know what's going to happen that day (of the trials), but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Stargardt's presents difficulties for Susan off the track, as well. She relies on teammates and family members for transportation while juggling her running schedule with raising a seven-year-old and two six-year-old twins with her husband Bob. The rare disease has had its impact on her at times. “It lets you know that life is not always going to go your way,” she says. “I realized that running became an outlet, and that I could sit there and feel sorry for myself or I could make this happen.” And while she could have easily used her misfortune as an excuse to not challenge herself, she refuses to do so. “I can't go that route, she says.” It's one route she doesn't need a guide for. [end]

I don't know this woman - but I just love her. How can you not love this woman? This is it ya'll - this is what it's all about. I read this and think "what's my friggen excuse?" Seriously - I can go sub 3:00, rebuild my company & actually celebrate Father's Day '08 as an actual Father! I can make this happen! We all can be like Susan Graham-Gray - if we try. Have a wonderful day - and try!

Do The Damn Thing!

"I got through it": My initial personal thoughts after crossing the finish line today in the 5 mile Fight Against Prostate Cancer Race in Central Park. I run for personal enjoyment / fulfillment. I race for competitive reasons, challenging "self" and others - just being real ya'll. Generally I end races with one syllable word summations: "Cool", "Sweet", "Sucked", "Crap", & "Fugh" ( "effing ugly"). The idea is to be even keeled here, never too high, never too low, it is what it is in that moment and no more or less, once it's done it's done and you must move on & go forward. Todays results? FinishTime: 32:48 (Not sure of my net time), however my pace was 6:33 min/mile & my AG% was 70.9%. My personal decency base is a 70% AG rating floor - so I had a decent race for me through my lens on my return to racing. I felt somewhat bloated at the start - last meal was Saturday at 5pm, 1 cup of brown rice & some Egg Drop Soup. That was about 3 -4 hours later than I normally like to have a final meal however I felt I could still race well - I just did not feel empty like I prefer at the start . Absolutely gorgeous morning in Central Park _ great to be racing again after a 3 month layoff - saw lots of friends - it was great to be in the atmosphere again. Race starts with all the hype and hoopla, I get into my cruise mode just fine for the first 2 miles, felt warm but okay and in control. I hit mile 3 at 19:00 even and felt good about that all things considered, a 6:20 pace - however at about 3.5 miles into the race I felt I had no more gears to switch into - it was at this point the pack I was pacing with pulled away from me and I was starting to feel the first signs of being "done" (having no more upside racing-running game and at best this race was about maintenance and getting through with it short of total breakdown). Total breakdown would be to simply fall back to a training pace in a race and fore go all sensibility and awareness of racing. I was running on empty at mile 3.5 basically - nothing left in the tank to "floor it, put the pedal to the metal, just no more gas, I was spent". So in the race I made resolve with myself to cruise this puppy home - finish healthy & injury free and return to race another day. I had no desire to challenge anyone in the final 1.5 miles, I had no interest in putting on a sprint kick to the finish - there was simply nothing to prove or gain by showing the pack I was in that I have some jets - so I just cruised it on in maintaining my positioning within the race. How do I feel about my race today? My initial thought was "Glad that's over" - that was harder than I thought, it was not one word and syllable I know but the race was not "sweet" or "cool" but did not totally "suck" either. What can I say, I'm a rusty nail. I have to get my race game together - racing is very different than just training and there is no replacement or substitute to racing other than actually racing - you have to throw yourself into the fray and be willing to be scored and ranked with your peers. It's kind of like dating and engaging with a woman - I might be rusty their too. Having not raced in 3 months I feel just like a rusty nail. I don't have that edge that comes from frequent racing, my competitive tenacity is shy of where it needs to be to "do the damn thing"....and I race to "do the damn thing" ya'll - straight up. It's gorgeous in NYC today and wherever you are I hope it's gorgeous too - have a great day and like I did today, immerse yourself in whatever it is you're into or aspire - and whatever that is - just do the damn thing!

My Music on Race Day

I did a slow 6 miles last night, today I will not run since I'm racing tomorrow on the 5 mile clockwise course in NYC's Central Park. The first part unfolds subtly and soothingly that soon develops into complex & numerous climaxes - it flattens out and charms once more compassionately and by the time you're two-thirds through the idea is to end with dramatic power. I'm not talking about the course, I'm talking about The Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 by Rachmaninoff. Today I will be very aware of all liquid & food I put in my body - will have my last meal at about 2pm. I like to race on an empty stomach - yet glycogen'ed to the max. Hence today I will eat tofu, rice noodles, protein bars & or shakes and spike my CarboForce with a Gel. Stomach empty - energy stores topped off. Day to day I wake up to NPR on the radio. Not race day. My morning race day routine is to rock Rachmaninoff & the very best Concerto No. 3 for me is Martha Argerich, that's her on the right. It's very difficult to perform Russian Composers music. They're generally all men with big strong hands and some have had an expansive reach across the keys - so they composed with this advantage - hence it's not a level playing field for most women pianist as they're generally physically disadvantaged for task at hand. Other than an interpretation by Leif Ove Andsnes, Argerich's Rach No. 3 is probably the best recording in the world - I love how she does not let her physical disadvantage deny her from being amazing. So with my bigger body and BMI, I have to be the same way when I line up to race against people more suited for the task (thin men). If Central Park's course was a piece of music, it would be the Rach #3, and so as I wake, roam around and shower it'll be Rach No. 3. But that's only for about 30 minutes - I will flip the script at some point and crank up the other "Roc", Jay-Z's "The BluePrint". Why? I gotta get my Black man swagger on of course, this is Harlem 26.2 after all. I will draft my own mental blueprint of the topology of the course as I take in this hard lyrical ghetto bravado which essentially breaks down to self-confidence, perseverance, determination, focus, total goal orientation. Now I am ready to walk out the door and to Central Park tuned up! I am assuming everyone knows about the power of music? The"Mozart Effect", etc. and so forth. If not, check this page out. Have a wonderful Saturday and listen to some music that moves you (hopefully real fast!).

Sex The Night Before a Race

Was busy on Thusday - limited my AM run to a flat-speed 3 miler - I did get in my PM 6 miler though, just got back from a Friday morning speed 2 miler - however I felt heavy in these last 3 runs. It's Friday and I should be lining up a date - it's hard to date in NYC when your trying to bring rise to a loving friendship and not just have sex. Will sex win out over love? We'll see - I've been celibate for just about all of '07 and that's a damn shame - it really is. Don't feel sorry for me......... I get offered sex - I just want something more. I don't miss having sex, I miss making love - that's for sure. A woman asked me out this week, I did not say no, I just put it in context and this is how the sharpest of women end up "man sharing" - I responded by saying "are you ready to have a baby"? (knowing she was not) - she said she loved children but just didn't want to have her own, then proceed to tell me how perhaps we can still date (dinner-outings-sex) until that right woman comes along. I told her it would not be fair to her - but that's how a woman gets into a situation wherein she willingly and knowingly dates a man who is looking to meet/date a future woman (to have a baby with). I long to love again - as everything in the world is better when you're loving - including your running! Meet on the upper right Pliny the Elder - the Roman historian writing in Natural History in AD 77 was probably the first to address this crucial issue. “Athletes when sluggish are revitalized by love-making", he went on to say, "sexual intercourse cures pain in the lower regions, impaired vision, unsoundness of mind, and depression.” No argument from me there! Harlem 26.2 is down with Pliny the Elder for sure! Abstain from sex the night before a race? Are you crazy? What a waste! Here's serious research & study that examines the relationship between a marathon runners' performance and sexual activity 48 hours prior to a marathon race among non-elite runners (that's you and me ya'll). Basically it dispells the many myths about abstaining from sexual activity prior to competition for adult recreational athletes. Newsflash: Running can make you a Sex God. One time there were claims published in Runner's World that women stand to gain an athletic advantage from having sex before running. "What we discovered was that women do benefit from having sex the night before a race," says the article recalling the finding of Israeli physician Alexander Olshanietzky that "women compete better after orgasm." " We believe that a woman gets better results in sports competition after orgasm," he said in 1996, before the Atlanta games. "Generally, it's true of high jumpers and runners. The more orgasms, the more chances of winning a medal." - I like this Olshanietzky fellow - now if he could just lecture the New York Road Runners women between 34 - 44, I might have a date this weekend (there is a big race on Sunday ya'll). Aaahh yes, that on the right is American running superstar Lynn Jennings and why is she so happy? First some background - in the 1992 Olympics at Barcelona Jennings set an American record in the Olympic 10,000 meters and holds the only Olympic distance medal on the track won by a US woman. She’s a three-time Olympian and the nine-time National Cross-Country Champion. Overall, Jennings has set 10 American records and is the three-time World Cross-Country champion. On sex & running? Lynn Jennings once remarked that "sex the night before a race solidifies my core feeling of happiness." Oh, that's why she's so elated - who can argue with that? Have a loving day!