last long run (and nasa)

So today I set out for my final long run before my 50 miler on May 12. I set out to run at least 20 miles. I left our apartment in Harlem and went west to the Hudson. I stopped to watch the space shuttle being flown over the Hudson. It was an amazing site.

I then ran through Riverside Park to Central Park at 96th St. I ran a Central Park loop, then a bridle path loop, then another Central Park loop when my watch, which I have neglected to recharge, pooped out around 14.7 miles. I ran another Central Park loop (6.3 miles), so I ended the day with about 21 miles.

I felt good and don't feel too sore tonight (we'll see how tomorrow looks when we get there), so I'm encouraged. 50 miles will be a beast, but I'm sure I can do it!

Keep running!!

cold & rainy

This morning I had some things to do for work and for our apartment application in Chicago. I wanted to get out early for a run, but it just didn't happen today.

So I left for a run early this afternoon and wanted to do around 20 miles. I got to 3.75 and hit the curb at 96th & Broadway oddly and felt the tightness in my right calf act up again. So annoying!!

I'm going to stretch it tomorrow and see how many miles I can do. Hopefully upwards of 10. I'll have to save my 20 miler until Friday since I'll be in Princeton on Wednesday for work.

Keep running!

a bit short

Today I was hoping to run at least 13.1 miles.

I ran from Harlem over to the Hudson to a new route through Riverside Park (a very nice find, which I will frequent from now on) down to 96th Street and then over to Central Park. During my second loop around Central Park at 10.75 miles into my run I felt a little twinge in my right calf (high on the muscle). I stopped immediately. I've only had one injury during my running career and it was my right calf (high on the muscle) about two years ago. It sidelined me for two weeks. I obviously didn't want a rerun of that situation.

So, today was a bit disappointing because I didn't get the mileage that I wanted, but I least I hit double digits. I'll see how I feel tomorrow. I don't want to take the day off because I know I will most likely have to take Friday off because I will be working in Princeton all day and probably won't get back home in time for a run. We'll see how it turns out. I guess two days of rest is better than pushing it with an injury when you are less than a month away from a 50 miler!

Keep running!!

long, short, long

To many people the life of an ultrarunner is the culmination of a lifetime of poor decisions...I can't say I disagree.

I submit into evidence yesterday's decision: an 80 degree day with zero cloud cover and I decided to go out for a 20 miler with only 2 carb gels and no sunscreen. Not the greatest decision I have ever made in my life, but I needed the mileage. Needless to say I slept well last night...save for the sunburn,

Today I went out for a 3.5 miler around the bridle path in Central Park. I wanted to do at least 3 miles just to stay loose.

Tomorrow I'm heading out early (before it gets too hot) to do at least 13.1. I'd like to do closer to 15, but we'll see how I'm feeling after my second loop around Central Park.

I leave you with Anton's reflections on injury, being patient, and moving into your truck.

Keep running!!

i'm back

Alright, enough time off. It's time to get back into the swing of blogging. Sorry for my absence, which I'm sure you've felt created a large void in your life. I apologize for any pain this may have caused you.


I'm ramping up my mileage lately because my 50 miler is less than a month away. I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done, but it will be worth it.


Today I ran 11.88 miles. I ran through Harlem, down Riverside Drive to 96th, and then to and around Central Park (once on the road loop and once on the bridle path loop). 


I've been running in the new New Balance MT110s (pictured), which were designed by Anton Krupicka for running in trail ultramarathons. He runs in the Minimus for shorter distances, but needs the support of the MT110s for ultras. I like them because they are minimalist, yet they have more padding than the MT00s (the new Minimus Zeros) or the MT20s in which I have been running. They also have a rock plate in the forefoot which is much appreciated. I've been wearing them without socks and haven't had any issues with blistering. They wick away moisture really well and don't have any problem areas. I found the MT20s to have a large stitch near the arch of the foot that would cause blisters on longer runs. The MT110s don't have that problem.


In other news, I'm down 20lbs since January 1 (from 196 to 176). I still want to break into the 160s before my ultra. I may have to resort to drastic measures and stop drinking beer until then. We'll see how it goes!


Keep running!