Fifth Avenue Mile

I love running the Fifth Avenue Mile. It is set up in a series of heats, designated by age and gender, so you're running with a fairly small group and it's easy to see the different abilities (unlike most NYRR races, where the faster runners are placed up front). This provides a fun challenge - because we're all together and because the distance is so short (so there isn't as much of a need to set a slower pace), everyone starts relatively fast. I've heard from other runners how deceiving that can be - as with any run, if you start too fast you can really feel the energy depletion later on - but experienced it for the first time on Saturday. I made amazing time in the first 1/4 mile, but then felt awful and had to pull back so much that I ran considerably slower than my overall pace 2 years ago. Something to work on, I guess...

Short and Fast

This week I've been doing less mileage but trying to run at a faster pace than usual. The Fifth Avenue Mile race, one of my favorites, is tomorrow, and while I have no illusions about winning, I'd like to beat my previous times. I can feel the change in my legs already!

Fall Running

Autumn is such a pleasant time to run. The weather is generally cooler, the park is quieter and more serene, the leaves are turning beautiful colors, and with all the fall races coming up, there is a sense of urgency to my training. Plus, there is always the spectre of wintry weather ahead - which makes today's sunshine all the brighter and warmer.

No run today...

... which is a shame, because it was gorgeous out. Sadly, I just had too many other things to do.

Feeling Fit

I haven't been running as much as I'd like, but I had a good 4-miler today, followed by a 45 minute walk several hours later. It all felt great.

Qualifying Runs

I have run five of the nine NYRR races required to qualify for next year's NY Marathon, and have done the required volunteer time. Today, I signed up for five more races -- one extra in case I need some wiggle room:

1. Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff
2. Race to Deliver 4M
3. NYRR Holiday 5K
4. NYRR Ted Corbitt 15K
5. Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile

New Playlist Tunes

My three new favorite songs to run by are:

1. Boom Boom Pow (Black Eyed Peas)
2. Fire Burning (Sean Kingston)
3. I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas)

National Run @ Work Day

I've been running, but not really blogging about it. For example, I had an especially nice run on Wednesday -- it felt so good to be back in Central Park!

Today, though, I'm thinking about September 18th, which will mark the 4th Annual National Run at Work Day. The objective is to promote the idea of physical activity by encouraging everyone to run or walk for at least 35 minutes - either before work, during lunch, or right after work. I'll be out there next Friday -- I hope lots of other folks will be, too!