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!