Bonus Swag

My sister apprised me of the opportunity to get some swag by heading over to the ASICS store and showing my New York Road Runners' membership card. I got a sweet pair of Kayano II Low Cut Running Socks that retail for $14. The buildup to the New York City marathon has started...unfortunately I will be in Boston and miss watching the marathon this year. Can I actually run the marathon next year?

iPod nano 2006-2009

Before the second of my back-to-back races, my beloved and faithful running partner for the last 3 years, my 2nd generation black iPod nano refused to start up and passed away today. Although I admit that my ears felt a little better headphone-free, I found it very challenging to concentrate at times, perhaps from all of the heavy grunting and breathing around me. Fortunately after yesterday's monsoon, the weather was initially a bit nippy but it was gorgeous fall weather. The sublime scenery and cool weather helped me get a personal best for the 5M.

Race: 8:30AM Sunday 10/25/2009 Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff
Weather: Sunny in the 50s
Performance: 42:07
Post-Race Gorging - Bagel and One Bottle of Water

The take-home haul:

1 Gray Poland Springs NYRR T-Shirt
7 Bottles Poland Spring Water
1 Apple

Swag Chapter 2 - Human Race

I awoke at 5am, beating my alarm set to WCBS 880 at 5:30 AM. How annoying. I promptly curled up in the fetal position, ignored the alarm at 5:30, snoozed until 5:45. After a quick shower, I went through my game day ritual of putting on contacts, t-shirt with the built in bib (236203), shorts, running belt, watch, Live Strong band, socks, Air Max Moto 4 with the chip attached, and sunglasses, I consumed my Oatmeal Raisin "Performance Energy" PowerBar and a cup of Orange Juice, supplemented by Tylenol, Triple Flex, and Centrum. I was good to go! Took the train downtown and met my former co-worker and race virgin Prerak at 34th St, and we headed downtown to Parkside Avenue on the outskirts of Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

The race itself was very fun. A few rolling hills - it featured 2 loops within the park - including a tough uphill 2nd mile, and then we were lucky enough to repeat it for mile 5. I fell short of my PR and personal goal unfortunately, but my friend Prerak did very well for his first race, clocking in at 1 hour 5 minutes and 15 seconds, estimated chip time.

The recent physical therapy helped immensely. I did not feel any lower back pains or other discomfort afterwards. Perhaps it was because I was still sore from all that tortur, er, stretching yesterday at the clinic.

Race: 8:00AM Saturday 10/24/2009 Nike Human Race 10k Prospect Park
Weather: Unseasonably Warm, Humid
Performance: 56:59 Chip Time

Immediately after race completion, I wolfed down a banana, a bag of pretzels, and a coconut water.

The take-home haul:

1 Red Nike Dri-Fit Shirt
1 20oz Multi-V Vitamin Water
1 12oz Energy 10 Cal Vitamin Water
1 Grape Powerade Zero
1 Nature Valley Oats & Honey Granola Bar
1 Zico Coconut Water
1 Rold Gold Tiny Twists
1 Banana
1 Apple
1 Nike+ Member ID (Purpose Unknown)

Stuff We All Get Chapter 1

This blog is not really about some cocky demeanor but instead about the Stuff We All Get - aka swag. As I was headed toward the start of the very easy Norway run. While I was plodding along during the Norway run this morning, I was struck by the idea to just mark down what I get at races I do going forward. I use the word race loosely here, as there was a half marathon that I had the option to do, but I was a wimp. No real excuses, other than lack of motivated training and an excruciating lower left leg cramp that woke me up in the middle of the night which still felt tender right at race time.

Race: 8:15AM Saturday 10/3/2009 Norway Run 1.7m Central Park Lower Loop
Weather: Balmy for this time of year 67 degrees, 93% Humidity
Performance: 12:40 (7:27 / mi)

The haul:

1 Nice Long Sleeve Norwegian Festival T-Shirt
3 Bottles of ISBRE - Norwegian Spring Water
1 Smoked Salmon Bagel
1 Serving Gravlax courtesy of Smorgas Chef
1 Fun Norway Tattoo
1 Plum