“Race” Report: Freezing Cold Hash Run - Edison, NJ 5.43 mi My first hash run…yikes..where to begin?!? An amazing time with lots of members of our running club and a fun group of hashers. Open bar started at 7AM with drink machines and jello shots replacing the usual pre-race carbo loading. We set off into the great unknown after a rousing version of the Star Spangled Banner by trumpet. Lots of confusion, pricker bushes, trampolines, mud, stream crossings, shot/beer hydration stations, sledding, more mud, hills, jungle gym/swings, rocks, roads, backyards, business parking lots, highways, mud, more shots, and general mayhem was had by all. A little over 5 miles and two hours later we emerged out of the woods and back to a nice spread of food and more open bar. The event concluded with a post-race party at a local watering hole, complete with rousing songs, interesting awards, free draft beer, and flamingo chugging. NOT the usual race report :)
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“Race” Report: Freezing Cold Hash Run - Edison, NJ 5.43 mi

My first hash run…yikes..where to begin?!? An amazing time with lots of members of our running club and a fun group of hashers. Open bar started at 7AM with drink machines and jello shots replacing the usual pre-race carbo loading. We set off into the great unknown after a rousing version of the Star Spangled Banner by trumpet. Lots of confusion, pricker bushes, trampolines, mud, stream crossings, shot/beer hydration stations, sledding, more mud, hills, jungle gym/swings, rocks, roads, backyards, business parking lots, highways, mud, more shots, and general mayhem was had by all. A little over 5 miles and two hours later we emerged out of the woods and back to a nice spread of food and more open bar.

The event concluded with a post-race party at a local watering hole, complete with rousing songs, interesting awards, free draft beer, and flamingo chugging. NOT the usual race report :)

Race Report - USATF-NJ Grand Finale 10-mile Championships 10.08 mi / 01:19 / 07:49 paceMy first 10-mile race and the last race of the year for team championships. A bit chilly to start with mid 40s and constant cold rain. You realize once you start that those are miserable surrounding to start any race and once you finish you’re freezing and wet, BUT pretty good conditions to race in (just don’t stop!)I didn’t know what to expect for time going in since I hadn’t done the distance and was still 3 weeks removed from the Philly Marathon. All the usual calculators had my predicted time around 1:18 to 1:20 and ended up running 1:18:58, so pretty much in line with my other race efforts. My goal was to be around there and stay near an 8:00 pace for most of the race and then maybe kick it into a faster gear in the last mile or two.I went out too fast since this championship race had a WHOLE field of fast club runners and posted 7:40 or avg after two miles. I reeled it back in and got back to the 8:00 avg from miles 4-7 or so. I picked it up a tiny bit from 7-8 and then dropped to another gear in the last two miles, doing them both in exactly 7:21. I kicked to the finish with the last 45 seconds at a 6:15 pace. I guess I could have pushed it a little sooner, but a learning experience and think I ran a pretty smart race considering.The club team cleaned up with the men’s individual winner, lots of winning and placing open and age group teams, and the overall club championship was clinched for the year. A fun BYOB and lots of food post race party was the perfect ending to the club/team racing year.
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Race Report - USATF-NJ Grand Finale 10-mile Championships 10.08 mi / 01:19 / 07:49 pace

My first 10-mile race and the last race of the year for team championships. A bit chilly to start with mid 40s and constant cold rain. You realize once you start that those are miserable surrounding to start any race and once you finish you’re freezing and wet, BUT pretty good conditions to race in (just don’t stop!)

I didn’t know what to expect for time going in since I hadn’t done the distance and was still 3 weeks removed from the Philly Marathon. All the usual calculators had my predicted time around 1:18 to 1:20 and ended up running 1:18:58, so pretty much in line with my other race efforts. My goal was to be around there and stay near an 8:00 pace for most of the race and then maybe kick it into a faster gear in the last mile or two.

I went out too fast since this championship race had a WHOLE field of fast club runners and posted 7:40 or avg after two miles. I reeled it back in and got back to the 8:00 avg from miles 4-7 or so. I picked it up a tiny bit from 7-8 and then dropped to another gear in the last two miles, doing them both in exactly 7:21. I kicked to the finish with the last 45 seconds at a 6:15 pace. I guess I could have pushed it a little sooner, but a learning experience and think I ran a pretty smart race considering.

The club team cleaned up with the men’s individual winner, lots of winning and placing open and age group teams, and the overall club championship was clinched for the year. A fun BYOB and lots of food post race party was the perfect ending to the club/team racing year.

2012 NYC Run Anyway Marathon - 11/4/2012 - 6.5 miles - Week: 29 miles The NYC Run Anyway marathon was EASILY one of the coolest events I’ve ever taken part in. There were probably 10,000 runners (maybe more!) out on a beautiful sunny day in Central Park and the spirit and enthusiasm was just incredible. Most donation bins were overfull and the supplies and clothes were piling up. Spectators came out to cheer and set up their own water stations. I MAYBE saw 2-3 police officers and they seemed to be on their regular beat….so not needed after all. Many runners not doing the full four laps now headed to Staten Island to distribute door to door. I hear there was a crowd of hundreds at t at the Staten Island Ferry terminal ready to do just that. Another huge group went off to home depot with donated funds to buy supplies and them running them to city shelters. This is what it’s all about folks. What an inspiring day!I limited my own participation to one loop of 6.5 miles ending at the NYCM finish line. I did 12 yesterday and this was enough today since….drumroll….I’m still tapering for a marathon in 14 days! I won’t talk anymore about it today and not jinx it, but should have confirmation sometime tomorrow :-) I stayed and cheered other runners for a few hours and donated to the group going to Home Depot for supplies. Off to fall onto a pillow and nap in my heated hotel room for now, but still no heat at home. Tomorrow will mark a full week without power, heat, hot water, phones, internet and spotty cell service…but the training AND FUNDRAISING continues! :-)
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2012 NYC Run Anyway Marathon - 11/4/2012 - 6.5 miles - Week: 29 miles

The NYC Run Anyway marathon was EASILY one of the coolest events I’ve ever taken part in. There were probably 10,000 runners (maybe more!) out on a beautiful sunny day in Central Park and the spirit and enthusiasm was just incredible. Most

donation bins were overfull and the supplies and clothes were piling up. Spectators came out to cheer and set up their own water stations. I MAYBE saw 2-3 police officers and they seemed to be on their regular beat….so not needed after all. Many runners not doing the full four laps now headed to Staten Island to distribute door to door. I hear there was a crowd of hundreds at t at the Staten Island Ferry terminal ready to do just that. Another huge group went off to home depot with donated funds to buy supplies and them running them to city shelters. This is what it’s all about folks. What an inspiring day!

I limited my own participation to one loop of 6.5 miles ending at the NYCM finish line. I did 12 yesterday and this was enough today since….drumroll….I’m still tapering for a marathon in 14 days! I won’t talk anymore about it today and not jinx it, but should have confirmation sometime tomorrow :-) I stayed and cheered other runners for a few hours and donated to the group going to Home Depot for supplies. Off to fall onto a pillow and nap in my heated hotel room for now, but still no heat at home. Tomorrow will mark a full week without power, heat, hot water, phones, internet and spotty cell service…but the training AND FUNDRAISING continues! :-)