New Year's Eve Day - nice starting long run (Seinfeld and bagels)

Had a really nice, scenic (shorter) long run. Ended up doing 10 miles at about 12 - a bit quicker than my recommended training. Some of those miles were in the low 11's on flats and then some really challenging hills that clocked me in the 12s. Anyway, felt really good - no stops, no walk breaks - and perhaps not so smartly, no hydration as there was no water to be had around Tibbetts or the trails so got by on 2 packs of gu at 45 minute intervals.

Anyway, was really glad to be out and starting the new year - or the day before on a very positive note and feeling good. For the Miami, I'm thinking of trying something of a hybrid particularly with this running streak. I may simply go for building long runs out by the hour so just go for three next week (should put me at 15) and then wrap at four the next and then taper from there.

Seinfeld Reference 3 - was originally going to post about pancakes as my wife was going to make them when I got back. Since she went shopping and was kind enough to come back with my favorite bagel - salt - had a nice breakfast. So, think back to the one known instance of Kramer's "career" at H&H Bagel - he'd been on strike for about 12 years before getting called back for the holiday. He was thrilled that he'd be getting $5.45 - as Elaine notes "Isn't that the minimum wage?". Here's a clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=gyL_ZbaVGfc&NR=1

By the way, it also features a reference to two face, the Batman Character (if that helps you)

nice and easy - and still with the Seinfeld thing

started the day with a nice and easy 5 mile run on the tmill at a light 5 mph (or 12 minute) mile; this is actually quicker than than the 12:35 Runners World recommended as part of their suggested training to prepare. As I've written - I think - I'm targeting running in the Miami Marathon on 1/29 so have a bit over a month to prepare. I'm actually thinking of using the exact plan that i used to train from the AC Marathon to the Philly. While it's a wider gap of time, it was a good mix that left me with plenty left in my legs by the time of the marathon- have to look further into it

And since I was actually watching Seinfeld while running and no other particular theme is emerging, I'll share that I was watching one of my favorites - the one featuring Mel Torme and "The Jimmmy" (Don't touch Jimmy) - here's a clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apa0nG1OfUc

Day 27 - cold - and something new with Seinfeld Stuff

hi - for those of you who are counting - and there are tons, I'm at day 27 towards running for 110 days straight. Today was fun and challenging as it was one of our first really cold days out there. The thermometer read 23 degrees when I started. Anyway, did 3 miles up Warburton in Yonkers and then back and finished up right along the pier. By the end, I felt warmed up but midway - mile 2 1/2 or so, my hands were just blisteringly cold. Anyway, felt great and was happy with my 11:00 easy pace throughout. If I do this Miami thing, to finally get under my 5 hour time, I'll have to do an 11:08 so that's what I'm working towards.

So, I decided that if only to Amuse myself, since I am since an avid Seinfeld fan, every day, I was going to try to think of a related joke, episode, or something that I thought of during or right after my run. And post it. Can't promise I'll do this every day - this is not a big goal of mine - but I'll give it a shot.

So for day 1 (of this part), since I went to renew my parking, I know there are a few episodes that have to do with parking. So here are a few great quotes from "The Parking Spot"

"I thought you said you were a good driver!"
"No no, I never said I was a good driver. I said I was a good parker."
- Jerry and George, in "The Parking Spot"

"All bald people look good in hats."
"You should have lived in the twenties and thirties, you know men wore hats all the time then."
"What a bald paradise that must have been. Nobody knew."
- George and Elaine, in "The Parking Spot"

Better late then never....

Not sure what happened here. Accidental delete or something. Anyway: in summary, brick workout including 2.30 miles of interval sprinting

a little treadmill and a movie never hurts

I've been trying to stay off the treadmill but felt like I've been proactive about getting outside so I treated myself. Also had been really eager to see "The Sheltering Sky" since we got home from Morocco - so it went. Actually utilized it well as today was sort of the first official or semi-official day of starting training to do the Miami Marathon. Have to be sure we can do that weekend (1/28 - 1/29) but pulled up a training schedule targeted to that date. That had me doing a 7 mile tempo run with the middle 5@11.08. Felt really good because I extended it to a warm up and cool down at 12 and then the middle six at 11.08. So, if I'm going to use it, at least i'm going to make it part of a true training schedule so at least it's more targeted use. The movie; however is really depressing - I knew this from reading the book. But I still enjoyed it since it's about Morocco and the desert.

day 24 (really this time)

nice breezy day - woke up to the wind howling and thought to myself what could be a better push than running against that wind. actually turned into a fun and nicely challenging run starting with van cortlandt in my neighborhood and then into Tibbetts Brook park through the back entrance. The challenge of the route is the few different terrains - street, pavement, grass, then some bumpy uphill trail and finally back in the street. That last bit is always a challenge but was able to make up some of the speed later once I was back on flat ground.

overall, did 5 in 57 minutes - some of that was working a ten minute mile while some of the trail stuff was much more stop and go

Day 23 - Christmas Day

First, a sincere apologies to the many of you following this as a member of the blog - that's exactly, 1,2, oh, actually zero at this point. Anyway, math was never my strong point and I decided I better double check my count. And I was wrong. This, Christmas Day, is day 23 of my ongoing focus of running for 110 days straight. So to those who have already reported out to the news services etc., I'm sorry if you're credibility has been shattered. Or something.

So anyway, woke up nice and early and just did 1/2 hour plus of speed work on the tmill to get my daily dose before our family settles down to a day of munching good stuff, listening to all those Christmas songs (at least once more) and of course exchanging gifts.

Wishing everyone that celebrates Christmas and/or Chanukah a great day and one filled with happiness, togetherness and all good stuff