It Keeps You Runnin'

Another Dash-and-Splash

We are definitely into the lazy, hazy days of summer now.

Freddie has been valiant in his efforts to stay on schedule with his training...but sometimes the weather does not cooperate!  He has to get up quite early to beat the heat!  And the humidity makes it feels like there is always the threat of a colossal downpour at any minute!

Last Saturday, we headed back to Central Park for this year's Dash-and-Splash.

It was a park-to-park race in which the New York Road Runners teamed up with the Napoli Road Runners -- from Italy!  There was a race in Naples earlier this summer and many of the top runners in NYC and Italy ran both races.

The race started about an hour later than it should have, in my opinion.  It was already HOT at 7:30am when Freddie collected his "chip" and started warming up!

The race started at 8am.  Freddie did a respectable job with the run -- considering that his training schedule has been thwarted by the weather in recent weeks.  Also, when it is quite hot, you have to be sure to drink a lot of water.  However, that means you might have to stop in the middle of a long run to use the facilities...which is exactly what happened to Fred.  He came in a few minutes later than the last race, but he also had to take a break in the middle of the race to use the restroom.  So there you go.  

He still did a pretty good job!  In this picture, he's just 100 yards from the finish line.

Go, Freddie, GO!!

After the race, We went to Lasker Pool.  The staff opened the pool 2 hours early just for the racers.  It was great to have the pool to ourselves without the regular municipal "rules" that apply when the pool is open to the public.  However -- as hot as it was outside?

The water in the pool was FREEZING!!

We've Got Options

When I first launched this site a few months ago, I received a bunch of inquiries from people who wanted to help out with a one-time gift.  At the time, it wasn't an option with World Vision.  However, I expressed the desire to our marathon liaison and an account has been set up with our church wherein one can give to off-set the cost of the runners going to Chicago (flight and hotel, etc.).  

I can't remember all of the folks that were interested in that option.  

If you are, let me know and I will help you set it up.

Thanks!!

Dash-n-Splash

As you know, the summer can get pretty oppressive here in New York City.

What is a runner to do?

Participate in a Dash-n-Splash!

It's only 7:30am and it's HOT already...

The runners register and queue up for the race.

(Freddie is in this picture somewhere around the "8"...)

These Central Park races are so exciting!  There are so many people both running and watching.  

I'm always really surprised when I actually catch Freddie running across the finish line!

Aw, he has such a cute face!  He's so proud.

(...and in case you haven't seen Freddie in awhile and are wondering -- no, he's not going bald.  He still has a full head of beautiful reddish-blond curls.  However, he tends to wear his hair very short for his military service and general comfort during the hot summer months!)

After the race, there were volunteers at the ready with fire hoses.  They were spraying anything and everything.  It felt GREAT!

...Well, it felt great unless you walked right in front of the high pressure hoses -- then it hurt!

He had a great DASH.  Now it's time to SPLASH.

Lasker Pool was opened up to just the runners and their families after the race for a few hours.

A well-deserved dip after a very hot morning run!!

New Shoes!!

Freddie is quickly becoming the Imelda Marcos of marathon running.

His shoe of choice?  Asics.

He rotates between these two pairs of shoes.  Why does he need two pairs?  Well, it's good to mix it up, depending on the length of the run and type of training (interval sprints vs a steady jog, for example).  It seems to me, as an observer, that the red ones have a stronger support for pronation.  The blue ones seem to be a bit more flexible.  I guess you have to rely more on your own ankle strength and placement in those!  Freddie changes it up to keep his feet from getting too used to one or the other.  

As a dancer, I certainly understand that!  I have one pair of dance heels that are very supple for pointing my feet if I am doing lot of showgirl walking or something light and lyrical.  I have another pair with a T-strap and braced heel for my aggressive styles of dance - I did several years of can-can dancing in those and never had an injury. (those shoes are stiff and I can't point well in them, however!) 

Running shoes can be pretty expensive, but I can't really complain...all Freddie has to do is open the bottom drawer of my bureau and regard the many styles of dance shoes that I own!  I'm definitely the pot calling the kettle black!

10k Kidney Run

Last Saturday, Freddie ran a 10k.  The "cause" this time was Healthy Kidneys. 

 

Freddie usually gets a free shirt with each race.  I like to model them during the race.  This picture was taken about 5 minutes before the start time.  Freddie was standing inside the corral and had just handed me his warm up pants.  I slung them over my shoulders.  I look very official, no?  I always wear my leopard print hat so Freddie can spot (ha! get it? SPOT!?) me standing near the finish line.  I carry my cell so I know when to start looking for him in earnest.  With so many runners passing in front of you, your eyes cn get tired really fast!  He usually sends a quick text  when he is a mile away from the end.  Then I know he's about 8 - 10 minutes away.





I almost missed him this time!  He's laughing at me.

6.2 miles in 57 minutes.  Another fantastic improvement!