Week Four: West Side!!

Usually when I go from Brooklyn to the west river of Manhattan I take the A, C, or E trains, maybe the J, M, Z and occasionally a taxi, but now I can add running to that list, though I wouldn't classify myself as a means of mass transportation. In doing this I completed 9 miles, my first run that crossed into the "holy shit" distances that I plan to keep to myself instead of yelling in front of a mother and her two kids. (which I did) Though my weekday runs are still relatively low in mileage, my end of the week runs are getting bigger and full of more obstacles and preparation. In choosing my desired route I had to manage friday morning traffic and consume water. Since I didn't have a water bottle or water stations, I slipped into a corner store half way into my run to grab a water, though in my hastiness came out with the largest bottle of gatorade which made it awkward to run and scored a few looks when I missed my face completely, trying to drink and run at the same time. Like Hal Higdon says in Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide, "Walk through aid stations. You grab more fluids and drink more easily while walking." Thanks Hal, I'll take that advice more seriously next time.

My Route, out and back

(No, I was not riding one of those motorcycles from TRON)

I ran the 9 miles on friday versus saturday to make room for another summer wedding held in Long Island. It was Hannah's friend that was getting hitched and I was the poor mans VIP, or as it was referred on the placement card, "Plus One." The reception was a blast and all of Hannah's friends were hilarious, as I once again shamed my liver with an abundance of liquor.

Outside the Church with a sincere thirst

I have been getting better about the booze in relation to running, but even now as I right this, I am sipping on a Coors Light. (SILVER BULLET!) Finding that balance will be critical as I am Marshfield bound for a week with some friends and attempt to bring the mileage up to 10 miles. Anyone want a piggyback?

Holy Shit!

Week Three: Avoid Marshfield Zombies

This past week was pretty smooth on the running front. The weather was beautiful, the strides were easy, and the beer was cold. Yes all in all, a good week, culminating in a weekend at Marshfield Mass, where I relaxed on the south shore hugging the sun and slurping down cocktails solely designed for summer. Everything was clicking until I cracked the binding on a new book called "The Strain," about a virus threatening NYC, turning everyday civilians into blood sucking vampires which scared the summer right out of me. Why couldn't I have picked up The Devil Wears Prada, or The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants? Great beach reads, says Amazon.com Instead I went to bed the first night wondering how much force the human head can take before it cracks like an egg. (196 pounds) As I slept that night I dreamt about running at night along the Marshfield beaches enjoying the cool clean air until I noticed creatures in the dark appearing from the dunes and water around me. I ran more frantically and like all monster dreams the ground became deeper and more difficult to move in. The monsters geared for an attack smelling my fear, until looking down I saw a machete and a grenade launcher on the ground. I shot those demons right back to dream hell and laughed at my success before slowly transitioning into a dream involving Dan Rather eating a giant bowl of spaghetti.

Marshfield

Don't run at night!

I ran the next morning, with plenty of sun beating down on me, and no vampires in sight. Marshfield looked beautiful and the run came off better then I expected holding an 8 minute mile throughout, though I don't plan on keeping that speed as the miles get longer. That night, I played trivia with Hannah's family at the local bar. A: What did the erection of the Eiffel Tower replace as the tallest structure in the world? Answer below.

We also sung karaoke with the locals, I'm not sure if my version of Lisa Lobe's "Stay" will be remembered, though Mary, my 60 year old groupie might disagree. Hannah made Bono proud with "The Streets have no name," and although I awoke with a few marks on my neck the next morning, I think I survived the night.

Next weekend is 9 miles.

Answer A: The Washington Monument

Week Two: The Glory of Tom Jones

It's said to succeed in running you need to stay associated with the run, listening to your body and concentrating on your movements. I tried this concept this past weekend for my 7 mile run, and about 5 minutes in, I was done listening to my body and instead thinking about how Tom Jones is a living god. My soon to be full obsession with Tom Jones started over a year ago when I heard an interview with Mr. Jones on NPR about his newest album and his history as an artist. Knowing his over the top songs about love-making and admiring his charm with the ladies inspired me to make my personal ode to Tom Jones or as it's called,

THE GLORY OF TOM JONES

1. If you've never put a unicorn horn in your mouth, you've never gone down on Tom Jones
2. Tom Jones once seduced a mute and later wrote a song about her called "SEX SCREAM"
3. Tom Jones' voice can calm a crying baby, and impregnate a woman from 30 yards away
4. Barack Obama voted for Tom Jones in the 2008 Elections
5. Tom Jones is a lover, and a fighter
6. There are two types of people in the world, women and Tom Jones
7. If Aretha Franklin and Pavarotti had a boy, that boy would get coffee for Tom Jones
8. There can be only one Tom Jones, that's why Tom Jones carries around a sword

Check out this video on youtube showcasing some of the firepower of the master, Tom Jones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KUJE2xs-RE If I can save a few bucks I'm investing in the Tom Jones kit

Tom Jones Kit

With Tom Jones' help I ran the 7 miles and wasn't too exhausted though I need to start bringing water with me or at least a couple dollars to buy some water along the route. Summer is here and although passing out on the streets of Brooklyn is very common, I am trying to steer clear.

I drop down to 5 miles for this saturdays long run, so this next week should be smooth sailing.

Good night Tom Jones

Week One: 4th of July, RIP MJ, and some new kicks

So week one is in the books. (Sigh of relief) I travelled into Manhattan to pick up some real running shoes for the past couple weeks, something that I wish I had done from the start. I asked the woman at the running store whether it was embarrassing that I was previously running is my dad's hand me down tennis shoes. She said yes. She (her name also was Andy) put me on a tread mill and analyzed my running technique through video and after making a bad joke about my foot procrastinating to the left, I was fitted with my new running sneakers. My feet felt like they were being hugged by clouds and I thanked Andy, asking her how many people are saying goodbye with the phrase " I will see you at the finish line." She says she not running the Marathon and I leave. It's almost hard to say goodbye to my old shoes, but I get over it after smelling the inside sole.

Out with the old, yikes...

and in with the new.

My running was back on track and with my new racing clouds I was feeling lifted, though that was short lived once word reached me that Michael Jackson had passed away. I have always been a fan of MJ's past works and have been inspired by his singing and dancing since I was a kid fumbling over my feet, trying to perfect the moonwalk. In elementery school I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and while others were saying professions, I said Michael Jackson. Though as that story actually went, I didn't know how to spell Michael so I said Janet, Michael's easier to spell sister and completely confused the teacher. As shocked as I've been with this news, the week that followed has been one of celebration as "Thriller" "Bad" and "Off the Wall" songs have filled the New York City air and generations have come together in appreciation. But as they say in show business, "the marathon must go on! and I was back on the road practicing for my saturday run of 6 miles, my longest to date. The only thing in my way...4TH OF JULY!!!

The 4th has been a annual debacherous tradition here at 99 Graham for the past 5 years and this past 4th was no exception The treats were thick with 3 kegs, 6 handles of vodka and enough hot dogs to make Kobayashi wish he had another stomach. Throw in a couple pinatas, a balloon toss, and Beer Battleship, and you got yourself a recipe for destruction.

So did I Run my 6 miles? YES I did, way before the party ever began leaving me plenty of time to lose all the progress of running by abusing my body with alcohol... and dance a little to Michael Jackson.

Next week I run 7 miles. No partying for me this go around. Just a little Beat it and Billie Jean.