Running into Eve Pell

Tried to run last night - made it half a block - said not tonight - turned around and walked home - got up and was in Central Park by 6:30 - clocked 11 miles, half on dirt/gravel - half on road - I'm @ 27 Miles 24 hours into the new running week - that's okay - this morning I saw lots of friends running in the 18 Mile NYRR Tune-Up for the NYC Marathon race. Since I've been altering my running surfaces - there is no way I will ever again do something like race (pound) the street for 18 miles 5 weeks before a marathon race. Quite honestly I question the sense in that. I used to always race in that event - but now? I won't road race the 2 months before a road marathon. I expect to clock another 9 miles this afternoon - we'll see...and speaking of "seeing", I see earlier today in Berlin – just as I said would happen - Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, that guy on the right, set a world record for the marathon in 2:04:26. He's the greatest distance runner ever. Yesterday too locally was a fun event, the NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile, from 80th Street to 60th Street, straight down 5th Ave. The performance of the day might have been from that woman on the left, 70 Year old Eve Pell, she ran that road mile in 7:04. That's quite impressive. I never heard of this woman so I did a little digging and learned after turning 60 in 1997, she won the over-60 age group at the Boston Marathon, finishing in 3:25, a personal best, she broke the age-group world record for 10,000 meters on the track and at the end of the year was ranked #1 woman U.S. road racer in the 60-64 age group. She wrote a perspective, personal reflection on her career and life that you can read just by clicking that link. She closed her piece saying, "Some fortunate people are born knowing just what they want to do: They make hard choices, keep their goals in mind, work very hard, and succeed. Maybe one has to do that to succeed in important ways - like becoming Secretary of State, running a Fortune 500 company or winning gold medals in Olympic competition. But for those of us content with smaller triumphs, sometimes adventures come unbidden and unexpected. The only choices we must make are whether to let an opportunity go by, or to take it up and follow where it leads". I don't know Eve Pell, never met her, but just by knowing how passionate of a runner she is I sensed some wisdom to behold within her - so I dug - and I was right - it's s a great 1 page inspiring read, check it out & have a great. day.

Running to Aim High

Okay - Did not run Friday night - gave myself 20 hours of rest - was in Central Park at 5:45 A.M. this morning and clocked 16 miles at conversational pace. Solid start for 3rd week of 100 miles/week. Tomorrow is a big day in the marathoning world - the first major marathon of the season takes place in Berlin and that man on the left, Haile Gebrselassis is racing. He's the worlds greatest runner of '06 and '07. In that photo on the left he set the course record at the NYC Half Marathon last month. In regards to his race on Sunday he said, "I feel that I can achieve something outstanding in Berlin," said Gebrselassie, who increased his weekly mileage to 156 miles. “To become stronger in the last part of the marathon I increased my speed in the final part of my training runs." He stated in the press conference for the race he wanted to clock a 2:03. The world record ya'll is 2:04:55, breaking it by seconds would be incredible - by minutes? out of the world. Haile then explained: "Well, 2:04 would be okay as well. You always have to aim high." I love this - and this is the kind of attitude and swagger you need if you're in this to race - I'm talking about kicking some ass. Haile is looking beyond breaking 2:04:55, he's crazy enough to say 2:03, basically saying "I'm out to destroy the record by 2 whole f @&%#'ing minutes". I love this - that's exactly how you're supposed to frame your mindset - beyond the perceived limits, the sky and into the statosphere. It's called dreaming big. I've pushed up my mileage for the same reason Haile did, to become stronger in the last part of the marathon.." Let me tell ya'll something - it does not matter what your pace is - I don't care if you are a 5 or 6 hour marathoner. The basic fundamental mindset and approach is the same. Our varying bodies, shapes, sizes, ages, personal challenges and circumstances....distort the real achievement behind a marathon time. Superstar Meb Kefklezighi summed it up when he told me, "pick your goal, and when you hit your goal, you win, when you run, run to win". That's what it's about. Set your own goal - but aim high, that's what I'm doing and that's what Haile is doing for the Berlin Marathon on Sunday. I think he's going to break the world record in less than 24 hours from now. Break your won records and have a great day!

Running into Big Feet & an Ethnic / Race Shoe

Ran 6 tough miles through the unseasonably humid late September night - last night - got up - ran 10 this morning in Central Park - notching me 100 miles for the week with 24 hours to go and perhaps rest before I run again for a 3rd week of 100 miles. I feel I can sustain this injury free for the next 28 days - giving me 9 days to taper for the NYC Marathon. Okay, I saw this week Nike unveiled what it said is the first shoe designed specifically for a race & ethnicity, American Indians, in an effort to promote physical fitness in a population with high obesity rates. Nike says the Air Native N7 is designed with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of American Indians -that's it on the right. Nike said it is the first time it has designed a shoe for a specific race or ethnicity. Researchers consulted 70 U.S. tribes - Nike designers and researchers looked at the feet of more than 200 people from more than 70 tribes nationwide and found that the average shoe width of men and women measured was three width sizes larger than the standard Nike shoe. As a result, the Air Native is wider with a larger toe box. The N7 name is a reference to the seventh generation theory, used by some tribes to look to the three generations preceding them for wisdom and the three generations ahead for their legacy. My opinion on all this? Somewhere between joke, insult, embarrassing, exploitation, and racism. New Balance makes great running shoes and is known, and has been for decades, for offering running shoes in a varierty or widths - including several size widths above the average and norm. Nike is not breaking any ground here at all. Nike is also well known with runners for making shoes with a notoriously narrow width and toe box - very few passionate and or serious runners wear Nike shoes. What Nike is doing here kind of reminds me of urban folklore of Black people and how Black people have an extra bone in their foot or ankle (accounting for why Blacks are such great athletes, fast and all that). You think I'm kidding? - this is what's commonly said ya'll, Click here to see serious inquiry on this. Here's another guy talking about Black people having an extra bone in their ankles. People really say stuff like this, and some believe it! So this American Indian shoe strikes reminiscent of how these false notions, stereotypes, urban folklore and beliefs take root in contemporary culture - you design a shoe to accommodate a race? It's too funny to me - reminds me also of Harlem's Fats Waller - that's him on the left - he grew up on Lenox Avenue, the street I run down - Harlem, You know Fats Waller - Ain't Misbehavin' is his musical - and the song "Your Feets Too Big". "Say up in Harlem at a table for two, There were four of us,
me, your big feet and you
From your ankles up, I'd say you sure look sweet. From there down there's just too much feet, Yes, your feets too big". Gotta love it! C'mon ya'll show me a territorial cross section of Asians, Africans, Anglos, Latinos and I'll show you a complete cross section of widths of feet. Native Americans (American Indians) can run ya'll - in fact one of my top sources of inspiration to "do this", this running thing? Native American "Billy Mills", that's him above in the Tokyo '64 Olympics. Billy Mills took up running to get in shape at an Indian school for orphans - he was born on a reservation in Pine Ridge, S.D. his mother died when he was a baby and his father passed away when he was 12. Mills, who is part Sioux Indian, was placed in an orphanage home and stayed there until he entered the University of Kansas and went on to score one of Americaís greatest track triumphs. In the Olympics he beat 37 of the worldís top endurance racers for the Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meters (10K race). He was a complete "unknown" ya'll. He barely sneaked onto the United States squad in the last race of the qualifying trials at Chicago, he was about a 1,000-to-1 shot. "Still, I always felt I had an outside chance because I had been training well," he said. "I have been running 100 miles a week until the last two weeks. Then I settled down to long, easy running. I felt the spark and spring coming back to my legs." Billy Mills inspired me also to clock 100 miles/week and to celebrate myself with every run and race. That's what he's doing in that photo above on the right - that's what I do to - and there's proof ! Some friends have emailed me this week to tell me the New York Road Runners included a photo of me in the current issue of the Running / Runner Magazine - the section they reserve for all the local top team runners & fast runners, etc. I'm not on a team, I'm not really all that fast, but sure enough - wow - the gave me some love and included me in - wow I thought when I saw it. But note - if you get that magazine - and see that photo of me - you will note it's exactly that natural pose above of Billy Mills. When I race - at the start I have many personal reflections, but one of them is also to have what I call a "Billy Mills Moment". Just a moment, a race, where I rise to a level beyond all plausibility. That's what Billy Mills did, he believed in himself and shocked the world - have a great day!

Running Into Lenox Terrace - Harlem Circa 1958

Ran 8 miles last night in Central Park under a beautiful golden full moon, did you see it? Clocked 8 more this morning - leaving me @ 84 miles 5 and a half days into the week - looking forward to a second week of 100 miles running. 37 Days + some hours 'til the New York City Marathon - I will be ready. Okay, how about a little Harlem history? Right at the very place where I live? Let's roll back to the 1950's where in '52 Ted Corbitt [there on the right] represented the USA in the Marathon at the Helsinki Olympics, in '54 he won the Philadelphia Marathon - back then you might have seen Ted Corbitt, the first President & founding member of the New York Road Runners, running down Lenox Avenue to Central Park - much as I do today - these are the footsteps I run in - and this "throw back" video clip is where I live today - Harlem's Lenox Terrace - it's the 50th Anniversary of this place where many legendary Harlemites moved in and lived starting in 1958 - a few minutes & great throwback of Swingin' Harlem and how this apartment complex came to be - [created by Ken Sargent] - have a great day!

Running Into Your Intestine & The Porta-Potty

I had a strong 8 miler last night - got up and pushed through 8.5 this morning- hence I am @ 68 miles 4 & a half days into my running week - felt good - spiked my morning coffee with a Caramel Power Gel - not bad, in fact kind of yummy. Okay ya'll - I gotta talk about it - it's not pretty - it ain't sexy, but it's real - if you've never ran into this topic - you've never really ran much - happens to all runners - let me just put it out there. Yesterday I was reading an article by the "Dietitian Magician" Lynda Murry, it went like this: Runner's trots, carbo unloading, toilet trots or "pulling a Dave" are all terms used to describe the urge to find a portable toilet – and find it fast! According to Bill Rodgers, multi-marathon champion, "more marathons are won or lost in the porta potties than at the dinner table." I know numerous athletes who suffer the same fate. "Diarrhea is very common among athletes," said Nancy Clark, MS, RD, sports dietitian from Chestnut Hill, Mass. "I work with many runners who claim they run regularly with toilet paper." More than 50 percent of distance runners experience intestinal problems during training or competitions. Runners are the athletes most often plagued by gastrointestinal symptoms and commonly moan about lower stomach problems. Lower gastrointestinal symptoms are reported more often than upper ones. Chief complaints include abdominal cramping, fecal urgency and diarrhea. Upper gastrointestinal symptoms reported include reflux, nausea, belching and pain. Overall, dieters report more problems. And the fact that the majority of dieters are women further exacerbates the problem. Recent studies report that diarrhea or fecal urgency occurs in half of marathon runners. Symptoms tend to peak during or immediately after a strenuous workout. What is the behind the undenying urge to find the nearest bathroom? There isn't a good explanation, as the underlying mechanism appears to be multifactorial pointing to shifts in intestinal fluids, hormones or bacteria. In a nutshell, the body can either provide blood flow to the gut or the legs. It can do both functions simultaneously, but not well. Clark counsels athletes in her own private practice. She regularly finds herself discussing tricks athletes can employ to help alleviate a somewhat stinky situation. First of all, she has them examine their diet, particularly looking at the fiber content. "Many athletes are very health conscious and eat a lot of fiber (oatmeal, fruits, vegetables) and struggle with diarrhea," she said. She urges them to practice reducing the amount of fiber in their diet and monitor symptoms. Just as a runner trains his or her legs and lungs for performance, an athlete needs to train his or her gut. "Part of their training should be to train their intestine," Clark said. What can an athlete with transit time issues do? Before you take out stock in toilet paper, try some of these suggestions listed below. Stop at the canning and baking aisle of your favorite store and pick up a package of Certo of Sure-Gel. These are pectins used to thicken homemade jellies and jams. Thirty minutes before your scheduled run that triggers the "trots," down a "cocktail." RUNNER'S COCKTAIL
-1 tablespoon Certo or Sure-Gel
-1/4 cup water
-Splenda sweetener, to taste
-1 teaspoon bottled lemon juice (optional for flavor)
- Mix well.
I have used this recipe with athletes who report that symptoms did subside, allowing them to enter back into running competitively. Clark notes that those with severe problems, turn to over-the-counter aids such as Imodium-D at the pharmacy. "It has specific dosage instructions, which are helpful," she said. Another thing to look into is caffeine. Caffeine's effect on an athlete is like a fingerprint. It is different for each person. Do not automatically assume that you will perform better with a caffeine kick. You might end up nauseated, anxiety-ridden, irritable or sidelined with diarrhea. Clark warns that "while a morning cup of coffee can offer a slight laxative effect, a pre-competition mug might lead to transit troubles." Athletes have to learn through trial and error what dose of caffeine works best for them – if any at all. "More sleep could be the better energizer for some low-energy athletes," Clark said. Clark is the author of numerous books on foods for sport, including "Sports Nutrition Guidebook" and "Marathoners Food Guide." [End] So there you have it. Solutions, books, guidance to solve all the stomach problems we all have from time to time as runners. I hope this blog entry was helpful or insightful - for local runners - the best thing about running around Central Park's Reservoir and or the bridal path is that the restrooms @ the tennis courts are open as early as 6:30 AM! Make it a great day.

Running Into Harlem 26.2

Last night I clocked 4.5 good run, pushed through 8 this morning, puts me at 51.5 miles since Saturday - feel good...but I am eating a lot of protein - tons of salmon and talapia to sustain this training - yet I am beat dead tired at night - I read this article stating Researchers said that the reason behind this sleepiness is poorly understood, mostly because there are no large-scale studies of endurance runners. President of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Alex Chidiak said that to his knowledge there is not a study of a long-distance runner's sleep pattern after exercising. One school of thought, as to why runners sleep so much, is that cytokines - hormones that signal the immune system - are making these athletes sleep so often. Dr. Chediak explained that exercise prompts the muscles to release two kinds of cytokines, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, that make people drowsy and prolong the amount of time spent sleeping. Well - that explains things a bit more.... Funny thing happened last night - I saw a computer I wanted to buy on craigslist - it was local - so I told the person to reach me and we can do the deal tonight - that was at 4pm. The person contacted me at 9:30pm - I was tired nonetheless figured I had more time to do the transaction then - than today sometime - so I agreed the meet the seller of this computer at 117th & 5th Ave @ 10pm. I go there - I am looking at the new development under construction 5th on The Park just a couple blocks away as the guy shows up - we do the transaction and we're looking at the development and I said, "I read today where Chandra Wilson/Gray's Anatomy Actress - that woman on the left - just closed on an apartment there (5th on the Park)". He said, "yeah I read that on one of the blogs" - He then said it might have been "Harlem Fur" and asked me if I ever heard of that. I said "sure, very familiar with it". The guy knew I walked to 117th from 135th so he offered to give me a ride back to 135th - it was about 10:30 pm or so. So as we get in his car he's talking about "Harlem Fur" and some of the topical content therein. He then says to me as he's driving, "There's even a Harlem blog about running by some marathon running guy". He went on to comment on how it's kind of funny - and told me a couple of the different things he's seen on that site (I am not kidding ya'll, this happened last night just like this) -... .... I just replied with a nod and said, "really?".... So he pulls up to my building - short ride - I thank him for the ride and the deal on the computer and before I close the car door I said, "by the way - I am that guy - the runner blog guy" and he looked at me, snapped his fingers and said, "I knew you looked familiar! - you are that guy aren't you". I know this sounds unreal - but this is exactly what happened - everything on this blog is real ya'll - I don't mention it on this blog but every single day I get all sorts of "Harlem love" from people - but this one tale was just too crazy not to share - and you can meet this guy and ask him about this funny encounter we had last night - this person I bought this computer from last night is Michael Drake, he's the co-producer of a new film soon to be released called, "365 Days of Marching" (The Amadou Diallo Story) - I'm sure he'll have events around the film, etc. And oh brother - I just read the ING NYC Marathon (NYCM) on Nov. 4 has sponsorship support from 30 companies - and one of the official sponsors is " Dunkin' Donuts". C'mon ya'll. You can't have Dunkin' Donuts coupled with marathon running, can you? You know who's the official spokesman of donuts....that guy on the right. That's right and you know damn well he ain't runnin' no marathon. Certain things just don't mix, can we agree on that? Look, there is something called NAAFA or "The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance". I'm serious ya'll, they're serious too. They are not interested in any health bars, protein drinks, they want none of it. In fact they want what the NYCM's got, "Dunkin' Donuts". Hell ya'll, I want to rescue people from the NAAFA and get them in the NYCM, now that's what I'm talkin' bout! Have a wonderful day!

Running into a Battle, the Marathon, & an Iranian

Went out to run last night - took about 50 steps - stopped - walked home and went to bed. Sometimes it's like that. Woke up with a major headache - slugged 2 miles, got warm, felt better - saw the sun rise as I ran in Central Park and how wonderful it is to be able to run in New York City - invigorated with the promise of a new day I found my running groove, flow, and started some major "in the zone" running - clocked 10 miles and rocked my final mile @ a 6:40 pace. Very cool. It' s Monday and all of NYC is in an uproar - Why? That guy on the right Iranian President Ahmadinejad is in town and coming up Harlem's way (Columbia University). For those that don't know, Iran is Persia...and as it goes. In 490 B.C. an army from Persia (today’s Iran) landed in Greece in the town of Marathon, about twenty-five miles from Athens, with the intention of capturing and enslaving Athens. While the massive Persian army landed, the Athenians sent a messenger named Pheidippides (immortalized in that statue below in Greece) to Sparta to enlist the aid of the Spartans in the upcoming battle. He covered the distance of about 150 miles in less than two days, a remarkable accomplishment by any standard. Back at Marathon however the decision was made not to wait for the Spartans. The Athenian army surprise attacked the Persian forces in Marathon while they were still preparing for battle. Against great odds, the Greeks (Athenians) prevailed. Though historians writing close to the time of the battle make no mention of the event, writers some 600 years later claim that a runner was dispatched from the battle grounds in Marathon to Athens (that approx 25 + miles) to carry the news of the great victory. According to legend the runner reached the city, said, "Rejoice, we conquer," and fell to the ground dead. Though one source gives the runner's name as Pheidippides, historians say it is highly unlikely that he would have made such a run after having just run to Sparta (that 2 day 150 mile run). In fact whether any messenger at all was sent to Athens with the news of victory is a matter of some doubt. Still, in the centuries that followed, the legend of Pheidippides and the legend of a runner who died to bring news of victory to the Athenians merged, and many years later writers gave the name Pheidippides to the ill-fated runner - and out of that legend grew the modern marathon race. Meanwhile here in New York City while there is major uproar over Iranian President Ahmadinejad - I'm going to give some love to Iran. That's right - I said it, love for & to Iran - just as I told you all with my 9/11 blog entry and Marvin Gaye's What's Going On lyrics, We don't need to escalate You see, war is not the answer For only love can conquer hate You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today. I'm trying to find that way through the lens of running. Here we go, today in New York City nobody's ever heard of Iranian Hossein Fazeli.....have you? That guy on the left in the front in the green is Iranian Marathon Runner Hossein Fazeli, who just 24 hours ago - on Sunday, won this year's Berlin half marathon in the over 45-year old category in a record-breaking time of 1:14:18. He said afterward "I am very proud of having won the cup as I was Iran's only representative at the 26th Berlin half marathon. I dedicate this cup and medal to all my compatriots," "My overall ranking at the Berlin half marathon was 28th which I view as a major achievement considering that the fact that I was competing with over 17,000 athletes from 67 countries," added the Iranian runner. I wish I could run like Hossein Fazeli - and you know what - I think I can...every new day holds promise - make yours a great one!

Running into a Giant Snapping Turtle

Okay – clocked 4.5 miles last night - got up early, 5:00 AM, by 5:30 AM I was in Central Park –surprised some raccoons, nothing new - no sooner had I started my first incline up behind Lasker Pool/Rink in the Harlem hills that I chanced upon what looked like a slightly moving “rock” from the distance –in the road - as I approached I thought, “wow”, a giant alligator snapping turtle – that’s literally what they are called. Central Park has turtles, in fact there’s a body of water called “Turtle Pond”. But this turtle was no little “isn’t he cute” turtle. No no no. This looked like a prehistoric "thing" and was slightly larger but the same exact breed/look as that turtle there in the photo. Size? the shell alone was about 20” long, 15 – 16 “ wide. I did not have my blackberry with me (darn it) – I stopped and tried to figure out if I had any role or responsibility to act in this situation. Act? I don't know - heck, this is Manhattan, it's gotta be an endangered animal here right? I kind of felt like this was a City-Urban version of a whale or dolphin beaching itself and I wanted to shove it back to sea (or the North Woods in this case, in the ravine where that waterfall is...that seemed to be where the turtle was heading)...plus I knew there was a bike race in about 20 minutes – and the cyclist were in the park – I was concerned someone is going to turn one of these winding blind turns in the Harlem hills and smack right into this turtle – which I don’t think would hurt the turtle but totally crash the cyclist. I stood at a distance thinking "what to do - if anything at all"? After just under 10 minutes a cyclist organization vehicle drove by - I flagged them down, they had some wood signs – that we used to scoop up the turtle and lift - shove him out of the road and into the ravine towards the water in the North Woods. I read this article about Giant Snapping Turtles Nesting in Central Park. This was not the largest turtle I’ve seen in the park – nonetheless you would be shocked if you actually saw one of these animals - it's amazing to think creatures this prehistoric-like and huge are in Central Park. Anyway I continued my run – saw the sun rise – noted a few of the trees are starting to “turn”, the autumn colors are coming! Clocked 13 miles – that gives me 29.5 miles within a 24 hour time cycle – and boy today’s final miles felt very much like the final miles of a marathon. I may or may not run tonight…depends. But I feel confident that I am going to be in decent racing shape come the NYC Marathon. Some shoe follow up: Last week I received my Adidas AdiStar Cushion shoes, the $100+ shoe I got for $32…@ Eastbay.com? I bought 2 pair – clocked about 40 miles in one and determined the toe box is narrow and you really need to size up 1 full size in these shoes – wrote a 1 paragraphs review, pro/con – and sent them back to Eastbay for replacement in a size ½ larger. I have no problem buying shoes on-line ya’ll - clocking miles– and if they don’t’ work out – send them back. If I did not like them I would get a refund - they are decent though - just decent. This Adidas shoe? It’s “okay” – I’ll give it an “7.5” – and characterize it as serviceable. I would never race in them – but okay for training. The Shoe that’s been coming through for me in flying colors is the Nimbus 7 shoe. This shoe excels in traction, ventilation, comfort, toe box, it’s just maybe half-a-notch down from a pair of Asics Kayano shoes, really one of the best overall training shoes made. Now I see EastBay has discounted the Asics Nimbus 8 (there on the left) shoe down to $70 and wow, the New Balance 901 (on the right) is down to $50 (they have both of these shoes in all sizes). Let me tell you about the 901, it’s what’s called a “light weight trainer” meaning more built up than a racing flat – however shy of a cushion or stability shoe. I see a lot of walkers in light weight trainers lately. Racing flats are demanding – fatiguing and training daily in them will wear you out – hence lots of passionate runners train in light weight trainers – which are a tad more forgiving. I’ve owned 4 pairs of incarnations of this 901 shoe. It’s a very nice shoe – if you want to see what a light weight trainer is like, grab a pair of these (your heel nest in a slightly lower position in this shoe, the arch support is not that of a stability or cushion shoe – but it’s a nice lighter shoe). Unfortunately I did not see the women's versions on sale - however I know a lot of women bu the men's model - and replace the stock insole with a custom sports insole like a Sof Sole and the shoes fit just fine and often craft a better ride. History could be made on today at the Fox Cities Marathon- Appleton, WI. Janet Weisse of Oshkosh will have 13 sons and daughters in the event and if they all finish, they’ll break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of siblings to complete a marathon. They youngest is 33 I think - and they go up to 54 (in age) and one of the siblings put it in a nice perspective, he said, "My individual accomplishment is minor. As a family, we will be running over 340 miles that morning, and over 500 miles if you count our spouses and children who are running with us." Good luck to them! Make it a great day!

Running into Bill O'Reilly....more WTF

With 24 hours rest I got up Saturday morning, the start of a new running week and pushed 12 miles in Central Park, felt Okay - solid start to the week, cool. Dayum - is that freaking Bill OReilly?....on Harlem 26.2? How did that happen? I'll tell you how - on my way to Central Park and back I pass a famous Harlem eatery called "Sylvia's". On his September 19, edition of his syndicated talk show, that jackass on the right, the far far right, Bill O'Reilly was surprised "there was no difference" between a Harlem restaurant and other New York restaurants. Discussing his recent dinner with Rev. Al Sharpton at the Harlem restaurant Sylvia's, Bill O'Reilly reported that he "couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship." Later, during a discussion with National Public Radio senior correspondent and Fox News contributor Juan Williams (on the left there - but really on the right too...) O'Reilly asserted: "There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'Mother F'er, I want more iced tea.' You know, I mean, everybody was -- it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn't any kind of craziness at all." O'Reilly also stated: "I think black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves. They're getting away from the Sharptons and the [Rev. Jesse] Jacksons and the people trying to lead them into a race-based culture". Click here to hear this foolishness . This ish is just too funny to me, O'Reilly waxing poetic about Harlem. For those of you reading this blog that are not familiar with Harlem or Black culture (like O'Reilly) it's not one big rap video here, sorry. For your entertainment pleasure I shall now dissect this nonsense and bring it "to the real", buckle up. Well for starters do I really need to put in any work to argue O'Reilly is a dope? Thanks, I did not think so. (1) I run past Sylvia's 4 times a day, I know lots of people in Harlem, I know no one, zero, not a single person who goes to Sylvia's - the menu for the most part is quite unhealthy and will clog your arteries and shorten your life, Sylvia's is a tourist spot and nothing more. I've not been to Sylvia's in 10 years - her niece, "Melba" of "Melba's Restaurant in Harlem which I do go to - Yes, most of Melba's menu will too clog your arteries, however at least the atmosphere is upscale urban cool and you can clog your arteries in style. (2) Juan Williams? The guy on the upper left? My neighbor, Miss Terry Lane's late husband is famed Harlem photographer Cecil Lane - he took many historic photos of Black Harlemites in the '30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, etc. He had some photos of late Thurgood Marshall (and first Black person on the Supreme Court) that Juan Williams wanted for his book on Thurgood Marshall - and Juan summarily tried to swindle Miss Lane and get the photos for free. Of course Juan was going to make money with them, etc. as he's making money with his book. Miss Lane sought my counsel and briefed me on the whole thing - behind the scenes Juan's comfortable exploiting little old ladies, literally - he did not - but i had to roll up my sleeves and negotiate out a decent deal for her - suffice it to say, "total jerk" guy. (3) Jesse Jackson? Tons of good deeds...but he's comfortable exploiting young ladies - enough said. I've dated 2 women that have shall we say, "have been involved" with Jesse (...a different kind of "Operation Push" you might say, lol). What are the odds of that ya'll? Actually - if you know Jesse, they're pretty good odds (4) Al Sharpton? I've had conversations with Al - and I will say this...it's not impossible that I might be shot by the NYPD or something as I am running in Harlem. The NYPD has shot people simply standing in doorways - In the mid-90's I was pulled over, searched, the whole bit for basically being Black and driving a big BMW at 3AM. The point? If something were to happen to me - other than my immediate family - the only person I know for a fact that will also demand an investigation and justice?....Al Sharpton. I told Al that.....and that counts for something with me ya'll. So let's review. Nobody in Harlem goes to Sylvia's - At most visitors from out-of-town drag Harlemites to the place. Four men - all with varying degrees of bozo factor - but who would have guessed the best of the bunch would be Al Sharpton, dayum! Say what you want about Brother Al....from what I know - it's true. Have a great day.

Running into Inspiration

Had a strong 8 miler last night in Central Park, followed it up by 10 solid this morning - putting me at 100 miles actually within 6 days - as there is a 24 hour cycle still left before I started this serious Marathon training regime last Saturday. I actually might rest my body for 24 hours before I run again - I think I will. Let me tell you about 2 neat people & a neat TV show, Francine Ward, that lady on the left is a former drug addict and prostitute - not cool.....but is now a life coach, an attorney, author, motivational speaker and a marathon runner - very cool! Great for her! If you know anyone in a tough spot and personal struggle - point them to that runner's site & book! And meet Mike Peoples there on the right, and on the left side in the photo with one of his students, Mike is a calculus teacher in California and distance runner who uses his ultra-marathon exploits to teach and motivate students, he also encourages them to reach higher in all aspects of their lives, to be better, to push beyond their perceived limits. Running helps him get that message across. "It's contagious. All I have to do is be a role model." he said. "I'm 44 years old, and I'm in the best shape of my life." In addition to calculus homework, Mike doles out a "weekend challenge" every Friday. He'll ask students to do push-ups or squats or give up soft drinks for a couple of days, all on a voluntary basis. "I tell the students, if I can run 20 miles before work, you can get to school on time," he said. "One of my passions," said Mike, "is to get the kids to think at a higher level to explore the possibilities of life." "I am a husband, a teacher and a father. Running makes everything I do significantly better". Wow! Alright Mike, that's what I like to hear! And while I am on a roll at introducing you to some great people, how about a great show? This Fall PBS - NOVA will be premiering "Marathon Challenge," an inside look at what it takes to run the Boston Marathon. In cooperation with the Boston Athletic Association and Tufts University, NOVA was granted unprecedented access to the Boston Marathon course. In the summer of 2006, they began following 13 hopeful novices as they took the first step toward completing the 26.2-mile race in April 2007. The participants come from diverse backgrounds - a young woman running in memory of her mother, who died in a tragic car accident; a working single mom; even a former NFL linebacker. The one unifying element is that none of them is currently a runner. Over the nine-month training period, exercise and nutrition scientists and doctors at Tufts University use sophisticated technology to monitor the physical transformations that the participants have undergone. The experience demands a transformation of mind and body, and NOVA cameras are there, following every step of the way. Who was able to finish the race and what type of changes did the runners experience? Tune in to find out. "Marathon Challenge" will premiere Tuesday, October 30 at 8:00 pm on most PBS stations. You can also view a short promo of the show on Youtube , just click here. And who's their coach? None other than that superstar of the early 90's on the left who won the Boston Marathon 3 years in a row, and Berlin, and NYC, and on and on - Germany's Ute Pippig. Have a fantastic Friday!

Running into Eye Contact

Last night I had a strong 9 miles followed up by 8 more this morning at 80%. That leaves me with 81 miles in the last 6 and a half days -. I have a day and half left to clock 19 miles & hit 100 miles over a 7 day period, the goal. I've had some interesting lack of eye contact encounters in my last 2 runs. Last night I saw a friend approaching, I waved and said "hey" and she 100% ignored me and did a terrible job in doing so - it was the purposeful & fully intended entirely controlled straight look ahead. I thought, "that was weird", - and on the other side of the park we were approaching again and I made sure she would see me by saying her name followed up by a "looking good" as she approached and zoomed by. I got the same response - and it was so transparent I could only laugh - then I noted the same cyclist riding adjacent to her as I saw earlier, put 2 and 2 together and figured out - that's her new guy (good for her). But she could not even say "hey" with a chance encounter in Central Park? This woman has seen me in the park running with women, and I always said "hey" to her with chance encounters - she always returned the greeting - she reads this blog in fact - this was so silly - the whole context of it - I could only laugh. That's what I do ya'll, I laugh at the silly life of being single in NYC. This woman who refused to acknowledge me? First of all if the guy she was with has a clue of any kind - she herself made it very apparent we have a "past" based on the effort she made to ignore my greeting. 9 months ago I was in the woman's bed, this women was baking cookies and cakes and bringing them to my doorman and leaving them for me (no, the way to my heart is not through my stomach), she wanted to take me skiing in Whistler, to Maui to a friend's wedding, she would call me from her job and ask me if I wanted to meet her at her place and have sex (to be blunt). That was just 9 months ago - however last night she might as well have said "I hate you MF'er - I don't see you, you are not there" LOL Dating in NYC 2007. If it's a thin line between love and hate, I guess I crossed it. Wow - what a turn-around - and why? I said "no" to the sex & the relationship? I cut things completely - but was always cordial in running into her in Central Park with a obligatory "hey" when passing while running - simple basic human recognition and courtesy to me. But yes I ended it the second I sensed incongruent interest going forward - just not being on the same page. The extent and measure this woman took to act as if she does not see me? Ridiculous - a simple glance and a "hey" no biggie. But she could not make eye contact with me and or acknowledge me (I imagine because she was with this guy riding a bike next to her) - fine whatever - too funny. Then this morning - another woman - a friend which I have no past - basically the same thing - zero eye contact, and I was looking for and trying to make eye contact with her - I actually stopped for a moment, a brief good morning, good to see you - but she would not make eye contact with me. I thought the same thing, "fine, whatever" - continued my run. Okay, I understand all this, when we look at each other and make eye contact something very personal happens. It is as if we can see inside each other and see what they are thinking – or at least imagine if not fantasize & hope. Generally eye contact is made for the briefest instant and is followed by looking away. However sometimes glances are held longer and this is then followed by a courtesy smile. Then of course we have the physiological aspects to eye contact, specifically pupil dilation and the following of the eyes. Diameter of the pupil is highly dependent on hormonal balance. On a date which is going well watch the eyes of your date carefully, that’s what I do. If they’re attracted to you, their eyes will dilate (get bigger) and they will hold your gaze as long as possible. I was out with my neighbor the other night, just my neighbor - casual – and oh my god – midway through dinner she removed her glasses on me and I'll be damn if her eyes were not dilated ! That's one of the things that makes me kind of nerdy - most men are looking at a woman's ass or breast while I am looking at pupils and noting any dilation, lol. Ya know Aristotle explained the potential power in a glance by asserting some substance emanates from the eye and settles on the seen object. Eye contact is serious - the first eye-to-eye contact appears to be an important facet of the complex interaction between mother and newborn in our species. Physiologically, the fetus must protect itself during the fetus ejection reflex by releasing noradrenaline. One of the many effects of this hormone is that the baby is born with dilated pupils. These large pupils obviously signal to the mother ‘look at my eyes!’ at a time when the behaviour of the mother is more instinctive than ever, since she remains in both a special hormonal state and particular state of consciousness. Check it out at the Eye to Eye Contact from a Primal Health Research Perspective. But when I think of "eye contact" I reflect on that famous National Geographic cover of that young woman above. Photographer Steve McCurry immortalized the haunted eyes of a 12-year-old refugee in a camp on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Soviet helicopters destroyed her village and family, forcing her to make a two-week trek out of the perilous mountains of Afghanistan. The photo became a National Geographic icon after it was published on the cover in June 1985. Since then, this raw, untouched image has been used on rugs and tattoos, making it one of the most widely reproduced photos in the world. Make it a great day!

Running into Bear, Horse & Fish

Last night I had an amazing 6 mile run late @ a 7:00 min/mile pace, 8:00pm-ish in the dark in Central Park & lots of people were still out running. This morning I clocked 8 more which brings me to 64 miles in the last 4 and a half days. I've got 2 and a half days left to clock 36 miles and notch a 100 mile week. I feel strong & mechanically solid - no pains of any kind. The NYC Marathon is in 45 days + some hours. I do want to average about 14 - 15 miles / day for the next 35 - 38 days with a 10 to 7 day taper. Okay, I see yesteray Suz noted as I stated in the blog - my pattern of profiling women. What I try to do is highlight inspiration. As I said it's women that far and away are providing the most compelling illustrations of the passion and will to run. I'll do it again here and now- meet Cindy Weaver - that lady in the photo running below on the left. She's described as a "naturally gray-locked, makeup-free 50-year-old" who seeks to run Montana's 50-mile Le Grizz ultra-marathon next month. Get this ya'll, the race starts in a town called "Spotted Bear" and ends in a town called "Hungry Horse" - love those names. Cindy aims to finish her 50 miles in 10 hours. Background on her that I read : When her 11-year-old daughter Rebekah was one year old, Weaver, saddled with diaper duty, gazed into the future. “I could look down the road and see the possibility of running Le Grizz, 50 miles when I’m 50!” To get there, however, requires training – especially for a runner who had done only one marathon 30 years ago. Through raising four kids, now 11 to 21 years old, she ran. “I never stopped running,” she says. “But I kept getting slower and slower, so I had to go longer and longer.” She ran through her pregnancies and pushed tots in strollers. She learned to train early in the morning before the family woke. “If I wait, it doesn’t happen,” she says. “Women often have to work around more people’s schedules. Are lunches ready? Who needs picked up? Who’s fixing supper? Is the wash done?” Now get this ya'll, In 2006 her neighbor who had never run more than a few miles, talked Cindy into entering the town of Whitefish, Montana's Two Bear Marathon. Gotta love that name too. The pair trained together and used books and the Internet, they gleaned training tips, deciphering the difference between distance running and marathoning. While running five days per week gets Weaver’s muscles firing right, marathoning also requires mental preparation. “Oh, you have to play huge games with yourself,” she sighs. “You have to break everything up and avoid thinking in the big picture.” Contrary to many marathoners, she opts to runs sans iPod, choosing instead to sing songs, calculate pacing, count steps to reach points on the horizon, and run in five-mile chunks. On race day, Weaver won’t eat solid food until after she’s finished. While training combats injury, dehydration, and hitting the wall, she bolsters calorie burning with a total liquid Hammer Nutrition diet – before and during the race. “Using a fueling strategy of all this high tech stuff makes a really big difference for me,” she confesses, dreading like most marathoners, not finishing the race [ end]. I'm man and smart enough to know, and pass along inspiring stories when I read them - the preponderance of them happen to be about women like this runner - with a busy life yet nonetheless finds a way to make her goal(s) happen! That's what Harlem 26.2 is all about. Have a great day!

Running 2 Major Marathons 5 Weeks Apart

Had a great 6 miler last night in Central Park - rocked 9 more this morning, if I can clock a 90+ mile week I'll be happy. Central Park is in full swing marathon mode with runners galore seriously training. In fact that woman below on the right will soon be in Central Park - that's Gete Wami of Ethiopia - I just read in the NY Times that she's planning a very rare feat. She is running the Berlin Marathon on Sept. 30, then the New York City Marathon five weeks later. That is unheard of my friends at the professional competitive level. Most professional marathon runners can really only manage running 2 races a year, spread apart by numerous months. At the very most you'll hear of a runner racing 3 times a year - but even in that case the races will be several months apart. Such a turnaround is mostly unheard of in distance running. But with the World Marathon Majors series (Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City) concluding its first points race from the 2006-7 season, Wami, the 33-year-old reigning Berlin Marathon champion (that's her below winning in Berlin), has a new incentive ($500,000 to be precise). New York Road Runners, the organizer of the New York City Marathon, plans to announce her entry today. The announcement will include two other big names. Tegla Loroupe of Kenya, the New York City winner in 1994 and 1995, will return to run. The reigning Boston Marathon champion, Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia, will also join a field that includes the two-time defending champion, Jelena Prokopcuka. Prokopcuka is the current World Marathon Majors series series leader with 55 points; Wami has 40. The winner of a major marathon gets 25 points, the runner-up 15, with a sliding scale to follow. A victory in Berlin would give Wami 65 points and put her and Prokopcuka in direct competition in New York. The last woman to win two major marathon championships relatively close together was Grete Waitz, the nine-time New York City champion. In 1983, she won the world championships, then won 11 weeks later in New York. But there is a huge difference between 5 weeks and 11 weeks (for recovery, some training & prep, etc.) There is a reason you've not seen such a feat in 25 years - because it's pretty much implausible that one can possibly do this. But note the last runner to do this was Grete Waitz, and Gete Wami is "going for it" now. Okay, maybe there is some weird G.W. initial-letter magic that might play out. And if that happens, I will be the first one to say Golly Wow! and change my name from Lance Smith to Gance With! But more of key note - these are women trying this. Have you all noticed a pattern in my silly blog ? More times than not it's women runners I end up profiling, heralding, noting, putting a spotlight on. Just skim through my blog and you'll see that clear pattern at the pro, weekend warrior, and casual runner level. That's not by chance or a random pattern. In running, there are not a lot of men out there doing distinguishing stuff (to be blunt & plain). It's true I don't think this dominating skill set of strength, determination, focus, endurance, and dedication by the people that bring all into this world is limited to roadrunning - Here's a study showing women are much stronger than men in coping with the aftermath of the tsunami aftermath in South East Asia. Here women have stronger leadership qualities than men. No matter in what context - women come out on top, which is fine with me (literally, lol). Seriously, it makes no damn sense that men run the world, board rooms, the Supreme Court, any of it.....well, have a terrific day!

Running into a Kanguru

Yesterday I clocked 10 morning miles - later that afternoon took a quick nap at about 3pm - woke up from my nap at 9pm - a 6 hour nap? I then realized I ran 29 miles in a 24 hour time cycle, was no longer 22 years old & needed some rest. Got up this monday morning and clocked another 6.5 miles - will do some training tonight. The latest nonsense to come down the runner's pipeline? Let me tell you about a running shoe I will not ever own - The Kangoo Running shoe(made in Switzerland) - those people on the left are training in them now. Rule #1 when something new is presented tot he public - and the people demonstrating this new breathrough look like models? Be very suspect! On the right above are basically models straight out of central casting ya'll - they don't look like real runners to me - do they to you? And where the hell are they exactly running? In those shoes? They look like they are in the middle of no where - hundreds of miles from civilization in the Andes mountains in Chile - am I wrong here? Are they not heading toward Patagonia? According to the Swiss manufacturers of Kangoo Jumps the shoes provide a high-intensity workout, which utilizes more muscle groups than running alone, but reduces impact shock on joints by up to 80 percentt. The funny thing is on their web site, they have a formal study, a A comparison between conventional running shoes and Kangoo Jumps by the Swiss Federation Institute of Technology In conjunction with the Clinical Department of Orthopedic & Traumatology, Division of Sports Medicine complete with Abstract, Methods, Results & Discussion, graphs, charts, and a Conclusion, etc. the whole bit. I read this nonsense and had one conclusion of my own, The Swiss should stick to watches, cheese, and army knifes and stay out of running. This is silly, pogo sticks are fun - but it's nothing close to jumping rope. You know when you go on vacation and you can rent a scooter or parasail, or engage with some other wacky crazy gizmo...that's what this is. In the 'hood this is what would be characterized as "foolywag" material (to running). If you doubt that & have 5 minutes to blow & want to laugh your ass off? - watch this video on YOUTUBE of a woman & her Kangoo running shoes. Have a great day and stay away from these gadgets!

Running into Autism

Well I followed up yesterday's morning 16 miler with an evening 3 miler just to feel how if any sore I was - none at all - so I am not that out of shape - it looks and feels like a great morning to go running - which I am about to do - another 15 or 16 miles - why not? Last night I had a conversation with a friend and she was telling me about her brother who has autism and she gave me an insight of what it's like to have a sibling with this disease. Did you know a 2007 Centers for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in America today have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 1.5 million Americans and their families are now affected....with that framed - and in the interest of my friend's brother "Ismael" (or Ishmael perhaps) - let me share with you an endearing film I know of about autism and running. The South Korean Movie "Marathon" (that's the movie poster on the left) , based on a true story, shows how one family overcomes a difficulty in the issue of a handicap. It focused on the deep love between the 20-year old young man suffering from autism and his mother. The autistic young man, Cho-won, finds his release only in running. As a child, Cho-won would throw tantrums, bite himself, and would refuse to communicate with anyone. His mother never gave up on him and was determined to prove to the world that her child can be normal. As Cho-won gets older he begins to find a passion for running and his mother is right there to encourage him. He takes third place in a 10km running contest, which causes his mother to set another goal for her son: to run a full marathon in under four hours. This is not an easy task, however, as Cho-won wants to win and doesn’t know how to pace himself. Therefore, his mother finds a former marathon runner, who must perform 200 hours of community service for a drunk driving arrest, as Cho-won’s coach. The movie shows the emotional struggles of a Mother who is not sure if she is forcing her son to run or if it truly is his passion. The movie further explores and shows the deep love and genuine purity that shows through Cho-won. You might be able to find this at a Korean Video store nearby.....and There's another great site called, "Autism Speaks" to learn how to be informed, get involved, & help with a cure. Have a great day!

Running Into Junk Miles & A Wise Woman

Friday my running was limited to a morning 4.5 miles - then that evening I read about that woman on the left, Ethiopia's Meseret Defar and how earlier that same day at the Van Damme Memorial track meet in Brussels, Belgium, Friday, she set her fourth world-record of the season, obliterating her own two-mile best by twelve seconds. Unbeaten on the track this season, the world and Olympic 5000m champion became the first woman to dip under the nine-minute barrier, clocking a scorching 8:58.58. Defar’s splits stand at 4:33.07 (mile 1) and 4:25.51 (Mile 2) – the latter good enough for seventh in the individual mile. That kind of got me jazzed to get up and realize my own goals too. Hence I got up at 5am -was in Central Park by 5:30am - saw some Superstar already in blazing through the Harlem Hills - I then pushed those same hills with about a dozen raccoons looking at me - I clocked a 16 mile run this morning - all good miles - no Junk! (No Junk Miles). Perhaps I should not say that, do you all know what "Junk Miles" refers to? “Miles run at an easy pace, added to a training program only to reach a certain weekly or monthly mileage total rather than to achieve any specific training benefit". Sometimes runners call these "Vanity Miles" as well. A running writer and very wise woman named Jennifer Bostwick took a close look at the term "Junk Miles" and notion of rating runs and miles. She said, "I am a recreational runner who runs for fun, fitness, challenge and happiness. When not training for a race, my running consists of one-hour runs that meet my need for alone time, relaxation, sweat and fresh air. I can’t imagine my life, my sanity, myself without these “junk miles”. Not only do I problem solve, analyze and daydream during this hour, I also enjoy the rhythmic sensation of my feet hitting the ground, the cool morning air and the warm semi-strained feeling in my muscles. I thrive during this hour. The miles I run save me from becoming overwhelmed with life and allow me to feel proud for being disciplined enough to maintain a regular running routine. During these miles, I am able to revisit yesterday, ready myself for the day ahead and look forward to tomorrow. I rarely feel overtired from running. I am rarely injured. I handle long runs well and feel strong and challenged at races. My junk miles also help me to succeed in my life. I am a more patient mother and a wiser woman. I am grateful everyday for the ability to run and the life I lead. I have solved my most complex life-problems during runs. I have written articles, planned the remodel of my bathrooms and refocused on the important aspects of my life during junk mile runs. Maybe we should judge the time spent running by our own personal rating system. Do you feel fulfilled when you run? Do you feel better after you run? Does it benefit your life to be a runner? Because the joy I feel when running provides me with infinitely more than just "training benefits," I will continue to define all my running miles as valuable, rewarding miles. They do more for me than a quicker finishing time ever could". [end]. It's never been said better - I'm going for more miles tonight I've got about 45 more days to train before this NYC Marathon - it's time to get down for real, that's why I clocked 16 this morning - have a great day.

Running into Hermes Scarves

Very busy yesterday - only a morning 4.5 Miler, no evening run, my PM run got canceled as I had to meet up with my friend Bryonn Bain who I've mentioned on Harlem 26.2 before. Columbia University hired Bryonn as a Professor to teach a class on "Hip Hop" a little over a year ago. Ivy League School teaching "Hip Hop" - no kidding. Well NYC's New School University wanted him, doubled his package & budget, etc. and hired him away from Columbia..... to yes teach Hip Hop. If you missed that Blog Entry Running, Race, DNA, & Bryonn - click here to check it out, it's kind of funny & deals with the Kenyan runners, etc. And since I'm on the ethnic tip - "Running into Hermes Scarves & Assorted Hair Tips"..? Just letting an email I received be the guest blogger today and kind of takeover, I received an email from a Central Park runner who I shall call the Hermes Runner and reminded me of the late Flo Jo - there on the left - why? All that hair - Flo Jo wanted more hair and was fully weaved-out to the max, as you can see - and she raced like this....wild crazy hair blowing in the wind as she zipped around that track. Well Hermes Runner said the following, "A lot of women of color (me included) are reluctant to run and/or work out for fear of messing up the hair. Here’s a suggestion (put it on your blog, I want women of color to benefit from regular exercise) for all of my sisters out there who want to get their workout on in the AM, but still want their ‘do to look good when they stroll into the Boardroom: 1. The Wrap (aka the doobie)- they’ll know what I’m talking about. Put a scarf on over it (Hermes is always good) before heading out to the Harlem Hills and you will be stylin’. The perspiration is actually good for your hair- it will open your hair follicles and stimulate growth. 2. The Ponytail- For those of you with longer hair (myself included) The Ponytail is the best hair styling tip EVER. Put your hair in a high ponytail (way high, like on the top of your head, close to the forehead) before heading out to the park. The perspiration will work as a natural setting lotion. When you return home, take the ponytail down and marvel at how much body your hair has. The best thing about Harlem is that there are always Dominican salons that can hook your hair up any day of the week (including Sunday), for less than $25. The best place is probably Mirror Image, on Columbus at 110^th. I go to Tata’s, on 2^nd Avenue between 110^th and 111^th. One last beauty tip- NEVER work out in makeup. Your pores open when you perspire, and your makeup will enter these pores. Your pores will close when you start to cool down, and the makeup will get trapped underneath the skin, eventually resulting in blackheads. And while I’m giving beauty tips, ALWAYS wear SPF of at least 45 when you go outside, regardless of what month it is, how dark your complexion is, and whether or not the sun is shining. Wow! I'm impressed - good job - I'll make sure this gets passed along to the many women's health & beauty - fitness mags & blogs. But I'm a clever guy - and nothing flys by me unnoticed - those on the right are Hermes scarves - I went to the Hermes website to possibly buy a scarf, $325 ? WTF? Then I got smart, know I am in upscale territory and can go to BlueFly.com for a discount, - it got worse! $765 !!!! Now this is funny - several hundreds of dollars for a scarf - but when it comes to the salon, does she go to Quidad ? Nope - there frugality and sanity kicks in and she's dropping $25 at the Dominican Salon. What have I learned? When I see a woman running in Central Park - wearing a scarf - the first question I'm asking is , "would that be an Hermes?" (..if she says "yes"... in my mind I'll say, "damn damn damn damn"...possibly check her out again - and make another valuation if I want to proceed.....I just kind of like to know what I am getting into, ya know...Alicia Keys said it best, "A Woman's Worth" - I know it when I see it ya'll) Oh yes, The Harlem Renaissance 5 Mile Classic is on Saturday, you can read all about this local race and register if you like here. This is the race former Tuskeegee Airman Roscoe Brown used to be the race director of and they pride themselves on having the promotion of the event kept as quiet as a church mouse. When I first ran this race in '01 and '02, arguments used to break out at the finish line -award ceremony ya'll. People would argue, fight, and fuss over who won (the various age classes and finishing places) - if you were there you know I am speaking the truth, it was quite a scene - post race ceremony awards turned into name calling disputes, people would take sides - fight it out verbally - oh it got ugly. That was the best thing about this race - you got a running event and a verbal brawl boxing match for the price of admission. It really looked like a Jerry Springer Show - seriously - if you were there, you know! I noted these events with how many stormed off after angry and mad. However a couple years ago they started Champion-Chip'ing (timing) the runners - which in one fell swoop ended the disputes and the fun of the annual post race fights (darn it!). PS - you might even see a Hermes Scarf at this race - and I will be there to root & cheer on my people - got to! Have a great day - it's back to hardcore serious miles on Saturday & serious running talk - right now I'm out for a "wake up 6 miler".

My NYC Running Store Suggestion: Urban Athletics

Okay, Suz (commenter) has said to me, "Now that you just ripped Gary & Super Runenrs Shop a new ***hole, where can a runner go for a walk-in retail experience locally?" I'll answer that question, The New York Running Company is fun to visit at the Time Warner Center - but I would not want to buy gear there. I would say Urban Athletics has the best reputation within the hardcore local running community. Urban Athletics is owned and operated by Jerry Macari and his wife Cara (on the left running) . Jerry is a well known top runner in NYC, former New York Road Runners Club "Master Runner of the Year" and US Track and Field Certified Coach. Urban Athletics has become a home to runners for cameraderie, gear and advice. Urban Athletics was named Shecky's "Best Running Shoe Store in NYC." Take a look at their events schedule too! I would say this company is where I would go with first if I wanted to speak to a running pro & have a retail store experience. However before you go, bring with you 2 or 3 pairs of shoes that you've put miles on, hundreds of miles. Let the running pro see the shoes. There is information, data, etc. the story of how you run can be easily seen by your shoes. Then the next issue is your arch. Also, ask to speak with Jerry himself - go in when he's in there, show him your shoes. Don't assume the person you're speaking to is qualified - sorry to say - to assess your style and match you to a shoe. Also, don't be shy on returning a shoe that does not work out for you. Realistically you can have a bad experience at any store - however there are things you can do to make sure you get their best running pro's insight, advice, and direction. You're not automatically in "good hands" - I see no problem with asking to speak with a sales person that's worked at the store for more than 1 year, or that that runs 40 - 60 miles / week, or that's your size and weight. They should know what surfaces your run on, etc. Buying a running shoe is serious, can have all sorts of health implications, etc. So if I had to go to a retail store, I would go to Urban Athletics - however I would probably pre-arrange to be serviced by Jerry himself or another extremely experienced sales person with lots of running cred. Thanks Suz for asking, hope this helps, good luck!

Super Runners NOT Shops

Basic 4.5 morning & 4.5 evening mile day, total of 9, not loving this low mileage - I gotta pick it up - real soon ya'll! On this day, Sept 13, 1970, 126 runners started and 55 of them finished the first New York City Marathon, with Gary Muhrcke (on the left) winning in 2 hours, 31 minutes, 38.2 seconds. In 1976 Gary decided to start selling running shoes from the back of a van. Traveling to high school and college track meets as well as road races all over Long Island and Manhattan, he quickly built a following and became the preferred provider of footwear for the New York City area runner. Today Muhrcke *on the right, New Yorkers might recognize him on the scene) and his wife, Jane, have 90 employees and own five Super Runners Shops, four New Balance Stores, one Super Runners Pro Shop at the Armory on 168th Street (where there is a New Balance Track and Field center). Good for Gary, however I'm not crazy about his stores and have not had many good experiences in them. In interviews Gary has said, "Our inventory is very narrow and very deep. We don’t have a selection of a hundred different models of shoes. We carry what I think are the best running shoes in New York and I keep the selection small". You gotta admire anyone who builds a business, but brick and mortar retail sales model is bad for the consumer. "Narrow & Deep" = Limited Options but those limited options are in every size imaginable. This is like going into a singles bar and seeing the same 3 types of people you don't want to meet or date - in every height imaginable. You want options ya'll, choices, it's a "racket" and the retailer is a link in the chain. When you walk into a running shoe store, you are sold what's in inventory - that's their job and that might not at all be the best shoe for you. The retail model is about real estate - shelf space real estate. Manufacturers have agreements with stores like Super Runners Shop to dedicate "x" amount of space to their product line to the exclusion of their competitor(s). Asics has been very aggressive in this regard locally hence if you walked into a NYC runner shop, odds are you would walk out with a pair of Asics. There is a grand machine in the works driving this outcome and small great shoe makers like Mizuno & Brooks can't play at this level hence you often will not even see a Mizuno shoe on the shelf - even though they make great great shoes. Remember these companies change the shoe model every 6 months to drive sales, that's all - to fleece you, the runner, and make you think last season's model is "so yesterday" - it's "fashion, business, and pushing product"...often they F @#% Up your once great shoe. Don't be part of that BS business model, do not be a slave to fashion. You can buy all your gear on-line. Are you are familiar with the Wet Foot Test? (where you can determine your arch type in a snap, takes seconds, that's all). Then with that one of the best Perfect Fit Guide can be found at RoadRunner's Sports on-line. Finding a great shoe is just like trying to find a spouse, it's hit and miss....and takes time to discern if you have a perfect shoe - for you. EastBay just sent me another 20% OFF Coupon if I spend $100 EMEB7299 (Coupon Code, 20% off @ EastBay). Example, the Asics Gel Kayano 12 has been replaced by the Kayano 13. Now Gary & his stores are in the business of pushing the Kayano 13 on you at all cost for $135 a pop. Keep in mind it might not be as good of a shoe as the Kayano 12. Friends, you can buy the Kayano12 for $99 @ EastBay, apply the Coupon & it's $80. New models are "unknown", the model of 6 months ago has a track record, reviews, etc. Now Gary is a nice guy, he's just part of the evil empire shoes business out to get top dollar from you every 6 months.. Note in 6 months Gary & his company will be telling you the Kayano 13 is no longer suitable, you must by the Kayano 14 ! Yes, I think most of his employees know jack about shoes and running - but I will spare you the stories I can whip out in a nano second, suffice it to say I've been "profiled" a few times in his stores - for real ya'll. So let's review: 1) Gary won the NYC Marathon - Hoo-Ray!, 2) His stores suck ! 3) He will never advertise on Harlem 26.2, 4) I spend over $1,000/year on running shoes & gear of which not 1 penny will be at his stores! Have a great day!

Running with Jews in Harlem

Yesterday I got in 4.5 morning miles - only did 3 miles late last night - just too tired, hope I have a better day today, going to head out for 4.5 at 80%, let's see if my body is on the same page. Running with Jews, oh Snap! You're not going to "go there" Lance, are you? Yes I am going to "go there....and why? Well that's how I flow - I "go there", besides my "GrandPap" was Jewish - yup for real ya'll. I was 13 years old and saw the movie “Marathon Man” (1976) the story of Babe Levy (Dustin Hoffman), a Jewish graduate student at Columbia University and long distance runner. He is at odds with an ex-Nazi death camp doctor named Christian Szell (Laurence Olivier). Szell, also a former SS Nazi dentist, tortures Babe with a dentist’s drill, mistakenly assuming he knows where a fortune in diamonds is hidden in New York City. In the end, Babe manages to literally outrun his tormentors and he eventually turns the tables on Szell in a climactic scene at the Central Park reservoir. Being a marathon runner, Babe is driven and focused. A film critic stated “In the end, it is Babe’s ability to withstand pain and his endurance - products of his running as well as his heritage - that allow him to triumph over his Nazi persecutor.” Great film & must see, How about some real life? In the 1930's there was an AAU (amateur athletic union) running club called the German-American Athletic Club where Jewish marathon coach Max Silver guided the squad to the 1935 AAU national marathon championship. However later that year it was revealed that much of the leadership of that squad was comprised of Nazi-sympathizers - the club thus disbanded. Many Jewish runners entering competition had few choices in finding a welcoming running club - many NYC running clubs did not want Jews in their clubs. However Harlem's New York Pioneer Club (NYPC) , that's right my man Ted Corbitt's club, welcomed Jewish runners and many Jewish runners found a running club home affiliation with the NYPC during and after World War II - they were very successful in the Marathon, winning the team title in the AAU championships in 1954, 1955 and winning the Boston Marathon team trophy in 1955. And yes, Jewish Runners like Nat Cirulnick who were running with Ted Corbitt in the Pioneer Club like Ted Corbitt later became President of the New York Road Runners. That's exactly how it went down ya'll, in Harlem back in the day. Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown today. Those practicing will blow the shofar trumpet made from a ram's horn and have meals including apples & honey symbolize a "sweet new year". Happy New year to those of the Jewish faith & everyone! Have a great day!

Running into 9/11

Okay - had a decent 4.5 morning miles Monday morning followed up by a solid 6 miles last night, 10+ has got to be my daily base at this point - going to try and cut 6 miles this morning in the rain. It's September 11 - I live on the 14th floor here in Manhattan, have a terrace with a great view - I can recall standing on it and looking at the plume of smoke at the WTC site - as U.S. Jet Fighters circled Manhattan. The enormity of it all was draining and distressing as the hours went by - I had to turn everything off by the afternoon just to not plunge in despair myself. By 5pm I was able to let all my loved ones in California know I was fine - after that - I went running ya'll - just to cope, de-stress - I ran straight down Lenox Ave in Harlem, with it's dead center alignment in Manhattan and a straight view of the plume of smoke from the site. I entered Central Park and people were gathering in small and large numbers, a very sombering day indeed. Here we are 6 years later and Giuliani, known for his brash style and hot temper when he was mayor, is leading all Republican polls? Where does "Government by Testosterone & Oil" get you at the end of the day? I know where, it gets you to as of this morning 3,774, dead U.S. Servicemen and women, over 100,000 non-mortal casualties, and 122 military suicides - God only knows how many Iraqi people have been killed, check it, iraq coalition casualty count. The real Prophet? Marvin Gaye, 36 years later - 1971, "What's Goin' On"? Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, brother, brother There's far too many of you dying You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today - Ya Father, father We don't need to escalate You see, war is not the answer For only love can conquer hate You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today". Designed with a somber - jazz inspired tone, "What's Going On" addressed the political and social troubles of the world and black on black crime in a soulful, introspective way. Isn't it about time the White House got some Soul? Obama '08. Have a loving day!

How To Get Kicked Out of Central Park - Running

Sunday was okay - did an aggressive 6 morning, and 6 more later afternoon miles - decent, however I have gotta pick it up and get serious -get some 13+ mile runs under my belt - however to do that I am going to have to get out in Central Park early - like 5am early. Last time I was in the park early-early - I got a police escort out of the Park. Technically I believe Central Park closes at like 1am to 6am I think - the cops will let you in at 5am and not bother you - It was about 2.5 years ago - I had the urge to run in Central Park - it was 3am. I geared up in all my reflective running wear, went running down Lenox Ave & into Central Park at about 2:45 am - this was the same time of that thing on the left, that "art installation" as they say, Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Gates project - which drew four million visitors to Central Park, remember that....in that photo a winter runner is clocking some miled under a section of the Gates - the saffron banners catching the low, slanting rays of sunshine over a snowy urban park. Well there were tons of cops in the park - it was during the construction - the art installation was not complete - as I ran up the Harlem Hill incline a NYPD squad car passed me.....I did not think of it - however the cop made a U Turn - got behind me with all their Squad Car Lights Flashing Red and Blue and White, it was pitch black but this lit up my surroundings....the cops cruised next to me, I kept running, they rolled down there window and started talking to me driving adjacent to me at my trainingg pace - Cop said, "My man - you can't be in here, we've seen you running, we would let you run, but our bosses are out here monitoring this thing (Christo) tight....". The cop was very cool, I kept running and said to him, "Okay, I'll turn around at the 102nd St. Transverse and head out the North Exit at 110th and Lenox"". Cop's rolled up their window - let me get about 1.5 more training miles in - I did exactly what I said however the cops did follow about 15 feet behind me in their car, headlight and gumball emergency lights flashing all 1.5 Miles - I literally had a Police Escort for the final 1.5 miles of my run - it was great & thrilling as I imagined this is what it's like to be the leader and winner of the NYC Marathon! So yes, I've been kicked out of Central Park at 3am, however I've ran in Central Park at midnight, 2am, etc. all sorts of crazy times. Anyway I just read they're at it again, Christo and the crazy wife with the orange hair, and this time it's called, Over the River, Christo and Jeanne-Claude and they plan to suspend a canopy of silvery fabric panels above a 40-mile stretch of the Arkansas river in Colorado. Using six miles of fabric, there will be breaks for bridges. – or simply for the look. Whatever. Have a great day!

Running into a Spouse

Yesterday was not too bad - clocked 11 morning miles and followed it up with a speed 3 miles later that evening. 14 Total? I'll take it - but I am heading out for a 15 miler this morning - as the case with yesterday, let's actually see if I do it. Marathoning is in the air in Central Park - I am seeing hundreds of runners geared up with waterbottles doing serious miles - I have to get my act together and back to 2-a-days! I did do some quality running though yesterday - thanks to a woman I have mentioned on this blog before, Nikelola, former Tulane University 400m track star. Coincidentally ran into Nikelola, we clocked & talked about 4 miles together - she's seriously fast and had me going at about a just under a sub 7:00 min/mile pace just training - the crazy things is she was able to maintain this pace and be completely conversational - no loss of breath. I am assuming you all know that's what is supposed to be your base training pace - a 60% - 70% effort- the pace at which you can sustain a conversation without loss of breath. Speaking of track stars, I saw last Monday was the USA 20K Championships in New Haven, Conn. won by that woman on the left, Alicia Craig in the women's event in 1:06:56, while that guy on the right, Ryan Shay took 5th place in the men's event in1:01:21 - guess what, they're married and met at the 2005 NYC Marathon. They're also both Olympic hopefuls for the 2008 Games: Ryan for the men's marathon, Alicia for the women's 10,000 meters. Ryan will be running in New York's Central Park. on Nov. 3 in the Men's Olympic Trials. I gotta a feeling some way, some how, at the end of the day I too am going to be getting married to a runner sooner or later.....hummmmm? Should I consult my Magic 8 Ball again? Hey, don't laugh - jogging did come in at #6 in the top 10 ways to connect to your spouse! Have a wonderful day!

Running into Baby Formula

Friday, another easy day - just 4.5 miles - this will be ending as I have to get serious about this NYC Marathon, going for 15 morning miles today, we'll see if I actually do it. That cutie on the left, and that Superstar Ultra Marathon runner on the right have something in common, it's in her hand! Read in the NYT the latest trend for runners & hydration, Pedialyte. Yup, the baby stuff that is meant to rehydrate toddlers experiencing diarrhea. The neon-tinted fluid that comes in grape and other child-friendly flavors contains electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and glucose, which happen to be the basic ingredients in most sports drinks - and has developed a small and devoted following among professional and amateur athletes, a trend that long-distance runners seem to have started sometime in the 1980s. People are dumping Gatorade and going with Pedialyte, to maintain a better electrolyte balance. Pedialyte has more than twice the sodium per ounce and half the carbohydrates, and it sells for more than double the price. Athletes often praise Pedialyte for possessing a sugar content lower than original Gatorade. It has 24 calories per eight ounces. I was actually first tipped off to this years ago by a guy I've met many times now, that guy up top Superstar Ultra-Marathon Runner Dean Karnazes, who calls Pedialyte the “secret sauce of electrolyte-replacement beverages”. By the way Dean beat me in the NYC Marathon last year by 11 miutes. Moving on I see this person on Craigslist is willing to pay $650 for a male bib for NYC....add another zero and you can have mine! lol. Have a great day.

Run, FatBoy Run.....WTF?

Another easy day - just 4.5 evening miles - very busy hope to get 2 runs in today, Friday & atleast 9 miles. Run, Fatboy, Run ? The story? "Five years ago Dennis (Actor Pegg from Shaun of the Dead - hilarious) was at the altar about to marry Libby (Thandie Newton), his pregnant fiancée. He got cold feet and ran for the hills and he’s been going in circles ever since. When Dennis discovers Libby’s hooked up with high-flying-go-getter Whit (Azaria), he realizes it’s now or never. He enters a marathon to show he’s more than a quitter but then finds out just how much sweat, strain and tears it takes to run for 26 miles. Nobody gives him a chance...." Hold up and time the F@&% OUT! Sorry ya'll - I gotta run this through the strong proud Black man Mandingo Warrior filter. As a Black Man real runner who wants to get to the friggen altar with someone very much like Thandie Newton - I gotta watch this White guy who left Thandie Newtwon hanging at the alter try and step up his game to do what I do?......on the regular? That's the plot? Let me just shut up and let the movie be a movie. Dayum, White guys have been ''puttin it down" in the movies & real life. Thandie's real life man is White, Halle Berry's pregnant with her White man and the last movie I saw was "Something New" with a Black woman I am crazy about, Sanaa Lathan is crazy over a White man! It's the latest craze - who knew? Where is the love for the Black man? Can I get some "turnabout"? How's this for a plot " A Black Man is running through Harlem, he's spotted by that woman on the right, Queen Raina of Jordan, she asks him to train her for the NYC Marathon, he does, they fall in love, she leaves the King, marries Harlem Runner 26.2, Raina of Jordan brings the Harlem runner to Jordan and the Harlem runner ends the war in Iraq and brings peace to the Middle East all in one fell swoop!" Can you say Oscar? Have a great day and check out that Run, FatBoy Run trailer - just some Friday fun ya'll.

Runner Upgraded ! ( But Please, No Gay Eyebrow )

Woke up Wednesday - looked in the mirror - saw one scraggily looking fellow- had a sluggish morning 3 mile run and thought "this ain't cuttin' it". Running & life is not all that complex and you often simply take a personal inventory of your world and discern things as either part of the solution, or part of the problem. Good running & marathoning prep includes trimming your toenails - but yesterday I did not stop there yesterday - nope, I looked in the mirror and said, "you can use a makeover" Lance. Let me "Upgrade Me" you might say. With no further delay I snatched a canceled appointment with my dentist for quick cleaning and then it was on to the Upper East Side of Manhattan and a visit to Brite Smile. I had never been to one of these teeth whitening spas before - very nice, the whole process is an hour and a half or so - after the treatment 54% of all cases reached the top of the scale as measured immediately post-treatment, 85% of patients achieved B2 or better (two shades from the top of the scale - they tell me with the continued use of their gel pens I can get 1 shade from the top scale - cool), which is where I ended up, dayum, they did hook a 'brotha up. It's not cheap - $400 but if you're interested in a BriteSmile treament - email me with your address, I'll send you a $50 discount coupon - they gave me 3 coupons to give to whoever, they're good anywhere I imagine and they are nationwide. Part 2 of the Upgrade? Today I've got an appointment @ Harlem's B. Braxton Men's Grooming Salon to further the upgrade with not just the hair cut but a manicure, deep cleansing facial, a real razor shave, the works and I only really have one concern about this. When they trim my eyebrows - I have to politely and in a political correct manner tell them DO NOT give me the "Gay eyebrow". No offense to my gay friends intended - I love everybody - but you know damn well there is that line in a man's appearance of where crossing it, or being too well groomed and too damn pretty to where you migrate over to declaring "gay" and the tipping point is the eyebrow. I don't dig the look nor do I want to send unintended signals - comunication. Now there are variations of the Gay Eyebrow and ya see that guy on the left?....well he's groomed up with one, gee, I wonder why? Hey I'm a serious runner ya'll and I wear professional distance running shorts - they're pretty short & speed suits and in Harlem that alone = gay to a lot of people. Without commenting on the intelligence level of some of my beloved Harlemites - let it be known I have never compromised my running apparel due to a perception a portion of the demographic connects it to (being gay). I'm quite secure with self - now having said that I am all for gay men, but even gay men don't need to be getting the gay eyebrow - it's not a good look. Hey, I have light eyes and curly hair and society is so f @#%'ed up that that alone makes a 'brotha suspect from jump, couple that with my world class & revealing running apparel....well....that's more fuel to the suspect fire. When I get groomed up later today if they give me the gay eyebrow.....great, people will then for sure lump me in as the 4th Top with Star's Al Reynold's, Oprah's Steadman, and Terry McMillan's Jonathan Plummer. I don't need that ya'll - so today I am heading our for a 4.5 mile morning run and then to my appointment at the Men's salon. Have a great day!

Running into Big Numbers

Took it easy Tuesday - a lone 4.5 miler, just did a fast 3 miles at 90%, will likely run 6 tonight. I just read last year The Bolder Boulder 10K was the largest race in the nation — and third in the world. That's according to the just-released "State of Running" report done by the Road Racing Information Center, the keeper of all things statistically in the sport of road running. The report includes the following: "So what was the largest road race in the U.S. for 2006?

1	43635	Celestial Seasonings Bolder Boulder 10K	5/29/06
2	40750	Lilac Bloomsday Run 12K	5/7/06
3	37866	ING New York City Marathon	11/5/06
4	34560	Revlon Run for Women: LA 5K	5/13/06
5	33635	LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon	10/22/06
6	33604	Cooper River Bridge Run 10K	4/1/06
7	27644	OneAmerica 500 Festival Hmar	5/6/06
8	24727	Albertsons Bay to Breakers 12K	5/14/06
9	24573	Honolulu Marathon	12/10/06
10	20910	Marine Corps Marathon	10/29/06
11	20407	LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K	4/2/06
12	20333	City of Los Angeles Marathon	3/19/06
13	19682	Boston Marathon	4/17/06
14	18572	P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Hmar	1/15/06
15	16460	Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K	4/1/06
16	16141	Rock 'n' Roll Hmar	9/3/06
17	15759	Rock 'n' Roll Marathon	6/4/06
18	15645	Army Ten-Miler 10 Mile	10/8/06
19	14641	Country Music Hmar	4/29/06
20	13725	Great Aloha Run 8.15M	2/22/06

And, the report continues, the three largest timed road races in the world in 2006 were: the 53,694-entrant Sun-Herald City to Surf 14K in Sydney, Australia; the 49,805-entrant Cursa El Corte Ingles 11K in Barcelona, Spain and the Bolder Boulder. Of course in 2007 the 100,000+ strong Bay to Breakers 12K in San Francisco was timed (for the first time) so that will be the top race easily next year. Of that list - the only thing I have an interest to possibly run other than NYC is Honolulu. I'd also like to one day run ING Miami - and the World's Best 10K in Puerto Rico which ironically I note in 2008 will be on my birthday! Very much thinking about making an escape from New York and heading down to Puerto Rico for some sun, fun, & a run, with a woman - dang I'm a poet & didn't even know it! Have a great day!

Running Lighter than Air

I took it easy on Monday - a morning and evening 4.5 miler - that's it - loved the cooler September weather - going out for a morning 6 miles right now. I've been speaking with some of my hardcore running friends and all the topical rage to try out is that on the left Alter-G, Inc.'s new anti-gravity $75,000 treadmill which is changing the training approach to distance training. The G-Trainer uses air pressure to support your body weight while you run. The only additional gear required was special shorts that "zip in" to the air chamber. You then dial in your desired lighter weight (80%, 60% - of your body weight) and presto, instantly you are treadmill running with less gravity (and weight on your body / muscles / joints, etc.). With every step, it's Air Pressure Differential technology takes 100 measurements per second and keeping the weightlessness consistent. How fast do you think you could run if you weighed half as much as you do? Well with this machine you can double your speed for example and if you normally run 3 miles in 30 minutes on a treadmill, you can now run those 3 miles in 15 minutes, or if you like 30 minute runs cover twice the miles. Alberto Salazar In fact, famed Nike running coach swears by this for his Nike runners and has said "By reducing my athletes' effective body weight using the G-Trainer, they have increased their training volume by up to 25 percent without any increased risk of injury. This has enabled our runners to compete at their highest level ever." Dathan Ritzenhein told Runner's World MAgazine that he had been recovering from a metatarsal hot spot by running up to 130 miles a week on the Alter-G treadmill. Dathan Ritzenhein was able to train with a near stress-fracture because he dialed his weight down to just 65 percent of normal, reducing the impact force that produces many running injuries. He then went on to on May 19 race in the NYRR Healthy Kidney 10-K where he set a course record [28:08] for the Central Park 10K loop - wow! Have a great day!

Running into a Recycler

Sunday was great - cruised 8 miles in this new pair of Asics Nimbus VII shoes that I really like as a trainer. However breaking out a new pair of shoes reminds me of all the shoes I own that look like that on the left - worn - out. With the intention of trying to be part of the solution and not the problem I learned about these various "shoe recovery" programs. The USA is incredibly far behind Europe in this regard - it's really too bad. Okay - generally I have about 7 active pairs of shoes that I could possibly wear on any given day - I have waiting in the wings at all times about 4 or 5 pairs, brand new, boxed - then I have about 7 or 8 that I really need to toss, get rid of etc. But it's not always easy to part with something like a pair of shoes - especially if that shoe got you through a marathon or 500 miles of great training, shoes can easily almost seemingly create a personal attachment with a runner. I know people that just can't part with a shoe, period - even if it's just sitting in the floor of the closet. Well when you get here it's time to"snap out of it", it's just a shoe. That shoe did not get you through that marathon, you got you through that marathon - toss the damn worn out old shoe. If you must, for the memories, take a photo of the shoe for your scrap book or something, yes, I know people that do this, photograph all their running shoes, for the record I DO NOT. However I have had terrible races in a pair of shoes and literally to shed the memory of a total crash and burn race I've junked (retired) the shoe. But I never actually "throw away" in the garbage my running shoes - I try and be part of the solution by taking them over to Niketown in Manhattan for recycling. I usually let about 6 - 7 pairs of worn shoes build up before I drop'em off over for recycle. Material from the sneakers can be reused to build new running tracks, playgrounds, and athletic surfaces - etc. There's a Nike re-use a shoe program (click that link to find a local drop off location & or an address to mail your old shoes to). Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program will take your old shoes (even if you didn't buy Nike), grind them up and turn them into a solid, high tech surface for these playgrounds, gym floors, indoor tracks and even soccer fields and so forth. The collected sneakers are donated to Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program, which has already built over 170 athletic surfaces (tracks, tennis courts and playground surfaces). The surfaces, all donated by Nike, were built from over 16 million donated pairs of sneakers since the program began in 1993, according to nikereuseashoe.com. The recycled material from the sneakers cuts waste in landfills. For an overview on how Nike recyles a running shoe click here. My shoes are generally too worn out for these programs like "Shoes for Africa", etc. but I do recycle! Consider it. Have a great day.

Alternative Running & Adding Some Spice

Saturday started frustratingly as I did not get a chance to break away and run until 2pm - but did get in a 7.5 miler. Later that day some runner friends called me & persuaded me to meet them @ Central Park for an evening run - which amounted to 7.5 more miles, hence I got 15 miles in on Saturday. I credit the great second run with only 5 hours of recover time to the new shoe I broke out, the Asics Nimbus VII shoe, that's it on the left. Great stability shoe, excellent ventilation, superb ride - often a new shoe is a great way to spice up your run. Do you runners alternate shoes (running in different shoes every other day)? I should do that more, alternating shoes on runs will make your shoes last over a longer period of time and their running characteristics will change more slowly. If you can't purchase two pairs of shoes at one time, expert runners suggest buying a new pair of shoes halfway through the life of your current pair. Alternating your running shoes gives the cushioning foam a more time to “recover” between uses, and theoretically increases the life expectancy of the shoes. The cushioning material actually is like that of a sofa or pillow - there's a time frame in which after depressed - it "springs" back to original form. Speaking of spice - and alternating or more accurately, an alternative from the mundane or routine - I recently went out on a date - and though I may not always appeal to or click with a woman - I am going to be fun, we're going to have a good time. I am one to be provoking, unveiled, all while trying to be disarming. Let me share with you a fun place to visit- recently a woman asked me out - and I always give props to a woman when she takes the lead to create her own fulfillment - and so I said, "hey, would you like to go to the Museum?" She said, "Great" - let's do it, Okay - "let's Go". I took her to the Museum and it was not the Guggenheim or MoMa - that's it on the right, The Museum of Sex, or MoSex. Yes, Manhattan has a Museum of sex and it's anything but dull and it has serious exhibitions, the whole thing, it is very much a Manhattan caliber legit museum. Married, single, dating it does not matter - it's a fun outing and a great way to induce conversation on matters....sex. Have a great day!

Running by the Ultimate Harlem Apartment Building

Oh last I was too tired from work to run - headed out - after 0.5 miles - turned around & crashed. Hello September! I am about to head out down Lenox Ave to Central Park fora noontime 9 miler - hopefully, we'll see, there is a nice Fall breeze in the air. I wish I was out of town this weekend - no such luck - too busy. That on the left is a wonderful view of the Harlem Meer, a small lake within Central Park at the edge of 110th St. in Halrem. In that photo you are viewing basically the Upper East Side of Manhattan - on the right side of the photo is also a good shot of Lasker Pool (summer) / Rink (winter). The Harlem Meer makes an excellent flat running path - Every morning you can find runners circling the 1.2K circumference. This view is from the soon to be opened condo building called 111 Central Park North (below on the right, aka 111CPN). This is one of the landmarks you might say I see as I enter and exit Central Park - sometimes I look at it and think - If I try - not only can I go Sub 3:00 in a Marathon, I can buy a place there and live across the street from Central Park! (in 5 years and AFTER the sub 3, wife, business, & baby). That's a tall order ya'll so let me get this Blog Entry in, my run on, and back to work on this Saturday holiday weekend. 111 CPN is opening this Fall - 48 new condominiums at the 19-story building at 111 Central Park North. More than 80% of the units have been sold at the building at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue across from Central Park. Units have sold for record prices in Harlem, ranging between $1,200 and $1,700 a square foot. The senior partner at Massey Knakal Realty Services, Shimon Shkury, said, "when the site for 111 Central Park North was originally purchased for $200 per buildable square foot in 2005, everyone thought that the price was way too expensive for the market. Even the developer originally expected to achieve sales of the units ranging from $850 to $1,100 per square foot. These expectations were shattered by the tremendous success, with units selling for nearly a 30% to 50% premium for a typical North Manhattan development. The 4,000-square foot penthouse in the building has an $8.5 million price tag, Three-bedroom apartments on lower floors, where the views are also pretty amazing, are on the market for $2.5 million. Welcome to Harlem 2007 & have a great first day of September!