NYC Marathon Activities

On Saturday, October 30, The Prospect Park Track Club is sponsoring a group run of the last 10 miles of the NYC Marathon course.  We will meet under the 59^th Street Bridge at 1^st Avenue and be ready to run by 8 a.m...  As usual this run will be supported by a rolling aid station.  There will be Gatorade, cold water and energy food waiting for us before we cross the Willis Ave Bridge (1^st Avenue and 125^th Street) and as we enter Central Park (90^th Street at Engineers Gate).  At the “finish line” (the Tavern on the Green parking lot) there will be more goodies waiting for us.  This event is free and open to the public.  We just ask that you let us know if you are going to join us.

The importance of this run cannot be stressed enough.   Eight days later you will be running this same route after covering 16 miles.  You will have the memory of how easy and fun it was with fresh feet and how close the finish line is.  This is also a great run for someone who is not running the NYC Marathon:  It is a way to “have a taste” of the Marathon. 

On Marathon Sunday, we are happy to announce that JackRabbit Sports has joined us in transporting Brooklyn runners to the start.  Buses will be leaving from the front of their Brooklyn store, 151 7th Avenue between Garfield and Carroll (note new location this year) and will take you to Fort Wadsworth.  Buses will leave promptly at 6 AM and will not wait.  JackRabbit will be open starting at 5 AM on Marathon Sunday. They will be providing goodie bags, a bathroom, a place to be warm and dry, and the opportunity to purchase any last minute items.

The cost for bus transportation is $10 for PPTC members and $15 for “friends.”  All seats are prepaid and go quickly.  There are no walk-ons – reservations are required.  If you are taking the PPTC bus, you will need to be in front of Jack Rabbit Sports no later than 5:45 a.m. to be checked in.   Click here (or go to www.pptc.org if you are holding a piece of paper) for a link to our Google Checkout to reserve your place on the bus

*** THE MARATHON BUSES HAVE REACHED CAPACITY ***
           *** WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS *** 

After the race, we have our own Marathon reunion area.  You can meet your friends and family at PS 87, located on West 77^th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam. It is just 2 blocks from the finish line.  We will provide hot chocolate, fruit, cold soda, bagels an indoor restroom with a place to change.  This event is free and open to the public.  We just ask that you let us know if you are going to join us.  We will transport your bag of stuff from our bus to the reunion.

Questions:  Membership@pptc.org  or 718-595-2049

SEPTEMBER 2010 THE INSIDE LOOP TOM BYRNES and FRIENDS

SEPTEMBER 2010

THE INSIDE LOOP

TOM BYRNES and FRIENDS

Maggie DesChamps reports that after  checking the results of the NYRRC Club Team Champs in Central Park Saturday August 7th PPTC,  women placed 11th out of 30 in the open division. PPTC  also placed 11th in the masters women division . Congrats to our top 5 women: Helen, Rebecca, Maggie, Julia, and Danielle. Tom Tobin reports that PPTC Men's 50+ team took 14th.  Hey   beautiful weather for the race as well!

·                                 

                                          Team Championship 5 Miler Race

                                            

Jason Horowitz and family spending time kayaking and water sports stuff at the Gowanus Boat Club ‘s Coffee Pier location in Red Hook..  Whatever floats your boat Jason!

Tom Byrnes finished 4th in men’s 60-69 at the  Smith Point Inaugural Sprint Triathlon Sunday August 8th. Catching the sunrise coming up over the Atlantic was well worth getting up at 345am to dress, eat, and then drive to the race staging area by 530am . So too were the comments from athletes seeing  PPTC colors after seeing Tom in his PPTC summer lightweight jacket at the post race awards and gathering .

Sprint triathlons are lots of fun for those who can swim and bike in addition to run. The Smith Point race was 1/3 mile open water bay swim, 20 k -12.4 miles- on the bike, and a 5k run. The clock ticks from when you start the swim and ends when you cross the finish line at the end of the 5k. 

A one liner to remember from Michael Ring: “ Ya’ Can't have a bad day on Governors Island.”  How about Coney island?

 PPTC’s Deanna ran into Gary Greene second week of August  on crutches after a two-week hospital stay for an abscess in his foot.  Not sure when he will be back on the track. Here’s hoping that he has a swift recovery.

While out for four on the bike on the inside loop second week of August , whom do I see running barefoot up the zoo hill early evening but Tom Tobin. Almost didn’t recognize him without the running shoes.  ”The Sauconys are in the shop….” And, as Tobin  recommends ,  “It helps to run on the white line.”

Tom’s barefooting must’ve helped at the Battle of Brooklyn 10 miler on Sunday August 22nd , check the race results section to see how well PPTC fared.

Hooking up with Zoe Boswick Levine for her ‘’Stairs of Death’’ workout up Lookout ‘’Mountain” Wednesday mornings at 625am  at Bartel Pritchard makes mid week  running workouts  ‘interesting’. 

Bobby Fisher rode the two day Farm Ride at Amherst Massachusetts the weekend of August 21-22. 76 miles on Saturday and another 40 plus on Sunday, not a race just a fine ride with BBQs at rest stops and overnites at the UMASS dorms.He put the wraps on August with his 72 mile North Fork Farm Ride Sunday the 29th, starting and ending at Greenport High Sschool. Bobby is quickly becoming the Louie Rios of PPTC cyclists!

 

Gil Torres’s father  passed away late Monday evening August 23rd after a progressive decline from Alzheimer's. Gil  reports that fortunately his dad was never in pain and transitioned peacefully to his rest. Gil was  with him during his final week and found that caring for him during his illness was a very intimate experience which he’ll  treasure forever. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gil, Irene, Christopher and Keith.

 

Ron Rice reports that Tommy Hart's Knee Surgery was performed ,

Friday Aug 27th   and that  he is rested comfortably at St Vincent's Hospital

on Bard Ave in Staten Island. Rehab next but at home or outpatient remains to be seen. It’s hard for Tommy to sit still to heal well so that’s another challenge. Tommy is the race director of the summer 5k  series at Fort Hamilton Army base which has provided many PPTCers the opportunity to strut their stuff on Tuesdays during July and August. Heal well Tommy. 

The Summer Speed Series was put to bed for the 2010 year but PPTC suggested to Race Director Mike Ring that it might be very interesting to tally overall stats as far as how many races there were this year, how many runners showed up, average temps, weather profile, repeat medal winners, the number of children conceived at post race get togethers, you know, the usual stuff…..

Thanks to Geoff Vincent for coordinating the PPTC events/race calendar and reminding us of all the fall Half Marathons that are looming on the horizon. Pick your pain!    

See you on the roads……………………….  

Half-Marathon Wrap Up by Geoffrey Vincent

Half-Marathon Wrap Up

It’s almost Labor Day, and as the temperatures retreat from their Summer highs many of you are probably  thinking of getting out there and lining up for a half-marathon.  Whether you’re doing it as part of your marathon training or just doing it because you like the distance, you should find something here that suits you.

This first one is a bit of a hike but if you feel like taking Jet Blue up to Rochester on Sunday, September 12 there’s a half-marathon option to the MVP Health Care Rochester Marathon.  The course is fairly flat and you can always carbo-load the night before one of Rochester’s infamous Garbage Plates (if you’ve got to ask you probably couldn’t handle it).

The following Sunday, September 19, head on down to Mount Vernon, VA for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon for the first-time-ever chance to run from Virginia to Maryland over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.  Or crank up the volume (make sure your amp goes to 11) and head on down to the City of Brotherly Love for the ING Rock’n’Roll Philadelphia ½ Marathon.  Closer to home take a ride up to Wappingers Falls for the Dutchess County Classic or head for the hills of Yonkers and run one loop of the Yonkers Marathon course.

This year’s race was unfortunately sold out at press time, so mark your calendar for next year for the half option at the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival in Schroon Lake, NY.  You can still hop the PATH train on Sunday, September 26 to the Newport Liberty Half Marathon over in Jersey City and enjoy the views of the other side of the Statue of Liberty.

Heading into October and on Saturday, 2^nd why not take a ride up North for the New Hampshire Half Marathon in Bristol, NH – it shares the course with the NH Marathon (billed as “The most beautiful marathon in New England”).  Another early sell-out was the Hamptons Half-Marathon in East Hampton, NY – maybe you’ll get lucky next year and stay at the Byrnes Family Compound on Dune Road.

There’s a full race card on Sunday, October 3 with no less than five half-marathons to choose from, including the Ridegefield Pamby Half Marathon in Ridgefield, CT, the Jersey Shore Half Marathon in Sandy Hook, NJ and the Putnam County Fall Classic ½ Marathon in Brewster, NY.  For those of you who like a little dirt in their lives you should check out the Paine to pain Half-Marathon Trail Race in New Rochelle, NY.  Finally, this one’s for the ladies – and only for the ladies – the Divas Half Marathon in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, NY.

With a new course for 2010, this year’s ING Hartford Half Marathon on October 9 follows the marathon route for the first mile then heads off to West Hartford before looping back to finish in Hartford, CT.

The last race in the NYRR Half Marathon Series is the Staten Island Half-Marathon on Sunday, October 10.  Elsewhere there’s the Westchester Medical Center Running Festival in White Plains, NY, the Harvest Half Marathon in Red Hook, NY (that’s the Upstate Red Hook – not Brooklyn), the Beaverkill Mountain Road Race in Lewbeach, NY.  Sadly the hugely popular Mohawk-Hudson River Half Marathon from Cohoes to Albany has also sold out for this year.

Sunday, October 17 it’s all about the Jersey Shore.  If you’re feeling lucky head down to Atlantic City for the half-marathon portion of the Atlantic City Marathon, or else check out the Seaside Half Marathon in Seaside Heights, NJ.

Finally, on Sunday, October 31 I’m giving a big shout-out to my Albany Running Exchange friends and their Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon up in Voorheesville, NY.  Don’t let the Halloween costumes fool you – this is a serious trail half with some very serious trail runners!

Details for any of the races can be found by clicking on them in the calendar.  Wherever you decide to run - run fast and run safe!

What you do not know because you are not me! Michael Ring The Spartan Race

What you do not know because you are not me! Michael Ring

The Spartan Race

As many of you may know I work part time for a race timing company.  I help out with the scoring of races.  Most of the races I time are just like the races I run.  In fact most of the participants are familiar to me and I often already know the race director.

Not last week.

There was a race out in Floyd Bennett Field called the Spartan Race.  I had to Google it to find out what it was some sort of obstacle course event and was a qualifier for the “The Death Race".  When I got there I was shocked to find out they had over 1,500 people already signed up.  I was shocked because I did not even know anyone who knew anything about it.   (I was also a little upset because the race was started in waves of 250 people each, so that meant I had to be there all day)

I congratulated the race director in getting such a large field (?) to come out.  I told her I was a little surprised because I was a runner and a race director myself and that I did not even know the event was going to happen.  She told me that that makes since because they don’t market their events to the running community, “We get a lot of cops, firefighters, army guys, and we also put out a lot of flyers in bars….”  That worked!

Theses were things I observed.  No exaggerations.…

·         The course marshals were US Marines.  They were there to supervise the climbing wall. “If they can’t get over the wall, make them do 50 push ups.  If they can’t do 50 push ups, kick them for every one they can’t do.”  “We are Marines, Sir.  We follow orders, they will sue YOU”  “Fine that’s what they paid for.”

·         The race was started by a guy in a toga.  He was holding a plastic sward and plastic shield.

·         The staff assigned to help me retrieve the timing chips were (and I hope I am not offending any of my readers, because they would have taken this as a compliment) hired as “eye candy”.  They were wearing bikini styled loin cloths.

·         90% of the finishers were so dirty that I would have thrown out my clothes.

·         50% of the finishers were bleeding.  I thought about 10 of the finishers needed medical attention.  All but 2 of them ignored me.

·         I had to stop about 5 people from throwing up in the buckets I was using to collect the chips.  (This was a 5K!)

·         Many of the finishers were so pumped up from battling the “Spartans” along the course they cursed me out when I asked them to turn in their chip.

If you reading this in print, go to you computer and Google “Spartan Race Brooklyn” and click on Video.  If you are reading a digital copy just click on the blue words, you will see that I am not making this up.

I just figure out why none of my Prospect Park Track Club teammates ever heard of this event.  Because we are in it for the long haul, the lifetime health benefits, not the rush of crossing the finish line and spitting PowerAid all over your compotators.  

you can see a little of me at 8:18

Runners for the Ages

Runners for the Ages
Jim Israel, PPTC member
www.mistergripes.com

Abebe Bikila, Marathon, Rome, 1960…
For this writer, the concept of a ‘marathon’ took hold during the Olympic Games in Rome, 1960. Before that event, a marathon competition seemed to this observer a sport for crazies – who on Earth could possibly run 26 miles, or, for that matter, who the hell would want to? No one sane, that’s for sure. Yeah, I knew the story of a Greek warrior running that distance to forewarn his Athenian countrymen of an impending attack by marauders, dropping dead after reaching his destination. I didn’t believe that tale for a minute; in fact, I’ve always wondered why didn’t Pheidippides saunter over  to a rental counter at one of Ben Hur’s franchise-stores, Rent-a-Chariot, yoke the vehicle to a couple of speedy steeds, and hightail it back home much more quickly, with no threat to life and limb? The story doesn’t add up.
But enough of my musings.
In 1960, an Ethiopian unheralded and unknown, with no history whatsoever on the track-and-field international circuit, not only ran away from all his competition, winning easily, he completed the entire course in bare feet, in a race that occurred at night to avoid the intense summer heat of Rome.
We’ll start at the beginning:  born a shepherd’s son in the hills outside of Addis Ababa, Abebe Bikila did not take up marathon training until the age of 24 [four years prior to the Rome Games]. No one in the track-and-field community had any inkling as to Mr. Bikila’s prowess prior to the marathon start. One European coach months earlier had read in a running magazine of a marathoner who ran a 2:24 race in Eithiopia, but he dismissed the report: no one can run that fast in the desert, he reasoned.
Mr. Bikila, in fact, was a last-minute replacement when the originally selected Ethiopian marathoner broke his ankle in a soccer match. He arrived in Rome without a suitable pair of running shoes. Adidas, the shoe sponsor for the Games, had only a few pairs left, none of which fit Mr. Bikila comfortably. No big deal: Abebe Bikila decided, on the spot, to run barefoot.
Gordon MacKenzie, an American in the race, recalled looking down the starting line at Mr. Bikila [The race began and ended at The Arch of Constantine, just outside the Coliseum.], and saying to himself, “He’s barefoot? That’s one guy I don’t have to worry about.”
The race, begun at dusk as nightfall beckoned, was compelling, indeed. Not so much for the nature of the competition: Mr. Bikila led virtually from the start, never relinquishing his lead, and finished in 2:15:16, a new Olympic record at the time. Dramatic, though, was the scene: a half-moon aglow, soldiers holding torches 10 yards apart from each other, block after block, strobe lights used in filming the race highlighted Mr. Bikila’s relentless pounding along the route and his indomitable will to win, running over the centuries-old streets of ancient Rome in darkness. Mr. MacKenzie, himself despairing of the potholes and cobblestones, remembered hearing the ‘pat-pat-pat-pat’ staccato sound of someone’s bare feet hitting the streets.
There’s an iconic image of Mr. Bikila approaching the finish line, a thousand photo flash bulbs going off, the Arch of Constantine lit up, and the huge Coliseum as a backdrop. It’s breathtaking.
Abebe Bikila’s heroics did not cease with Rome. Four years later, 40 days after suffering an attack of acute appendicitis and having his appendix removed, he won the Olympics marathon again, this time in Tokyo. And, he set a world record, 2:12:11. For that race, alas, he weakened, and ran in running shoes [Pumas, in fact].
Lest we forget, too, Abebe Bikila was the first African to win a gold medal in an Olympian track event. Every one of the African runners who has competed and won in subsequent years – including all those Kenyans – must have been inspired by the diminutive, barefoot marathoner from Ethiopia who, emerging from essentially a desolate butt end of the earth, defeated all those high-and-mighty European colonialists in the capital of what once was the most powerful empire in history.
Comments? They’re always welcome, pro or con…. jamesisrael77@yahoo.com:

August 2010 THE INSIDE LOOP TOM BYRNES and FRIENDS

August 2010

THE INSIDE LOOP

TOM BYRNES and FRIENDS

PPTC had six finishers at the Pepper Martin 5 on Staten Island July 4th. PPTC took third place women’s masters team and third place men’s masters team. Hoorahs to Maggie Deschamps, Danielle Hansen, Charlene Kohler-Britton, and Frank DeLeo, Tom Tobin, Arthur Gonzalez. Check out the race results section for the best of times!

Lots of PPTC Group conversation on the PPTC Open Forum in July about our club’s efforts with printing and distributing Park User Safety Cards, using PPTC funds, for at least the past two years but few police and Park Personnel seem to deal with the enforcement of the rules. To many of us, this is similar to the issue with the law about using cell phones while driving. Paul Soskind put it not so mildly when he wrote that without teeth so to speak there will always be accidents in our park because most people do not possess a strong enough sense of justice to obey rules unless fear of consequences hangs like the Sword of Demosceles over their "it's about ME" heads! Biking in the park requires one to be hyper vigilant. Heads up out there!

Sad news. James J. BUCKLEY passed away on July 16, 2010. James was the proprietor of Buckley's Restaurant on Nostrand Ave. and Ave. S as well as Kennedy's Restaurant of Breezy Point. In addition to the pasta party, Jimmy sponsored the Buckley’s Shamrock Running Club and the infamous Buckley's to Kennedy's Run Buckley’s to Kennedy’s Run. This race was once one of the great local runs, a 10K from Brooklyn to Queens with a huge post race party on the beach. Jimmy was always there to start the race and celebrate with us at the post race barbecue. Let’s keep Jimmy and family in our thoughts and prayers.

David R Chen psyched to compete in the 2011 Finger Lakes International Dragon Boat Festival. Sure hope that David and teammates delayed the Finger Lake winery visits until after the competition!

PPTC’s Patti Perlo along with other animal activists and local residents attended the vigil condemning the gassing death of over 250 Canadian Geese in Prospect Park lake area. There apparently was no other way to deal with these geese other than to kill them on July 8th. Sure…..

The NYRRC Queens Half Marathon sure seemed to be a ‘’hot’ race, pun intended. Congrats to PPTC runners who gave the 13.1 miles their best shot on such a hot day!. PPTC times in the Race Results section. Great to read Robert Elkin‘s piece on PPTC’s Will Abrahms after his performance. Abrams covered the 13.1 mile course in 1:28.17 for second place in the 50-54 age bracket and overall placed 46th in a field of 4996 entrants. As Elkin indicated, Will trains in Prospect Park twice a day - 10 miles in the morning and 10 miles in the afternoon. One of Will’s favorite mantras is “It’s all in your mind ….” Talk with him about it.

Bobby Fisher and Team Doherty, Clair and Danny, all biked the Harlem Valley River Ride the end of July. With the heat and the hills, an admirable feat!

On July 31, 2010, the Central Park Track Club hosted a 5k race in our very own Prospect Park. Forget the details of the race, what’s more important is that all attendees had the special honor of meeting Dave and Carolyn’s granddaughter, Blythe Lansner, who is coming up on three months old.

Great to learn that Michael Ring is back. “1,250 horizontal miles and 1.25 vertical,” he says. Now for ten points, the first question on the pop quiz is "where did he go?" Just in time to direct another 5k summer speed race too!

A sign of the times as summer passes. Rosemary and Piet Bezuidenhout’s daughter Nikolien pondering her choice of school uniforms and would seem to prefer colors of her own choosing. Now if you ask Lady Ga Ga what she wore when she went to school.

Check out the glorious changes to the PPTC.ORG site if you haven’t been there lately. New pics of some of the usual suspects and the opportunity to order PPTC garb on- line ! Get thee to the website if you haven’t been there in a while.

Congrats to Geoff Vincent on his qualifying for the XTERRA Trail Running USA National Championship in Bend, Oregon on September 18th. To qualify Geoff placed 1st in his age group (55-59) at all 4 races in the XTERRA Long Island Trail Run Series between March and July in Syossett. Bethpage, and Montauk. I can't seem to remember a PPTC athlete qualifying for a National Championship event of any sort, even back in the day. Refresh my memory oh yee of more memory bits, if it comes to your mind.

"Yes, Virginia,” the sun really is setting earlier and earlier each day. Get out there and enjoy summer 2010! See you on the roads.

Yea! Group Runs! (Update)

Three bloggers blogged about our group run on Saturday July 31.

Over and Accross liked the breezes.

Hills are my Friends enjoyed a post run smoothly with a teammate. That is the best part of a group run

and

Brooklyn Running posted a map....

So did Admiralpegleg.

Check out our own Will Abrams in Caribbean Life

Abrams looks ahead to marathon

By Robert Elkin

Published:

Friday, July 30, 2010 5:06 PM EDT

William Abrams at 53 years of age is still going strong and turned in a decent performance during the Queens Half Marathon held on Saturday, July 24 at a new site, Flushing Meadow Corona Park.

Abrams covered the 13.1 mile course in 1:28.17 for second place in his 50-54 age bracket, received a trophy, and overall placed 46th in a field of 4996 entrants, Some of the original entrants did not show up because of the humidity and heat, which slowed the times down. His best time for a half marathon was 1:07 in Guyana in 1987.

A member of the Prospect Park Track Club and a resident of Brooklyn’s Bedford Stuyvesant area, Abrams originally came from Guyana. He is believed to be the first Caribbean to cross the finish line in the huge field of the Queens event last week.

“I’m happy to represent the Caribbean,” he said after the race that was held along the streets of nearby College Point. “It’s very humid.”

Abrams and the rest of the entrants ran on what he considered a ‘nice’ but ‘tricky’ course.

“Tricky because of the hot humid weather,” said Abrams, who ran on this course for his first time. “And because it’s new, we didn’t know where we were going. We had to be cautious because we didn’t know what else we were going to catch up into.”

Abrams trains to enjoy life and to do such a thing one has to be in be healthy.

“I chose to run to be fit,” added Abrams, who trains in Prospect Park twice a day - 10 miles in the morning and 10 miles in the afternoon.

Abrams will be competing in the Bronx Half Marathon in mid-August, followed by the Staten Island Half, and then the New York City Marathon in November. His best New York City marathon clocking is 2:54.

“It’s very joyful to compete in a marathon,” he said. “My goal is to run a 2:45 for the New York City Marathon.”

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Michael Dixon of Fanwood, New Jersey, captured the Queens Half Marathon in 1:14.0.Most of the entrants came from the tri-state area.

The race was conducted by the New York Road Runners Club, headquartered in Manhattan. The College Point Road Runners Club also helped to make this 13.1 mile event a tremendous success.

“We had a great crowd and the runners competed in hot weather,” said a spokesman for the race committee. “Last year there were 65 turns in College Point.Every thing here in Flushing Meadow Park was just great.”

Only one required that I go to a doctor to get some peace of mind

I am VERY lucky because I have had very few injuries. Only one required that I go to a doctor to get some peace of mind. I run one rural roads in Pa with very severe slants on them for drainage. As a result my right hip started to hurt. I went to my usual running injury books and tried different shoes, less milage, heat, ice and advil. It was much better but not perfect so I ran on the other side of the roads. That did work but was not safe up on these roads. This was about a 3 month trail and error exploration.

So I decided to see a doctor to be sure I was not doing myself more damage and I also decided that running was the most important thing. So if I had to cut down on milage and not do marathons I was prepared to do that. The doctor found nothing wrong and suggested that I run on roads that were not slanted at all.

So that meant that I would be always doing hills up here. The only flat roads were in the middle on the rural routes ( difinitely not safe) or run on the side roads. All side roads up in our village are up the side of a mountain. Now I know why they call where our house is the FLATS. So for about a year I have been on hills, but flat, and I am doing fine. Once in a while the hip hurts but it is very managable.

MARGO LONG _ NEWFOUNDLAND , PA

Book Review: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

By Kate George


Perhaps his writing style is too conversational for my taste and his "metaphors" are certainly too literal. Nevertheless, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, is a wonderful book! It's helter-skelter sequencing and repetitive passages are like running itself. Isn't running always the same and always different? Don't runs always seem to meld together yet feel distinctive? I don't think Murakami is deep enough to have intended the book's structure to so closely parallel the experience of running but he accomplished it. It is a book that only a runner could understand.

Murakami's memoir made me reflect on my own running history. When I started seriously running in January of 2009 I wasn't registered for a race or on a team. I had no special clothing and very old shoes. Why did I hit the icy roads morning after morning before dawn? The streets called to me. They did! I would head out and one foot after another I would just lose myself. But at the same time I became more fully aware of myself than ever before- every muscle, every tendon, every heart beat, every breath. My mind emptied but when I returned home that awareness lingered. Sure, I was aware of sore muscles throughout the day especially after a particularly long or hard run. But it was more than that. As I learned to strengthen my muscles and control my breath, things that seemed impossible, like running ten miles, became easy. I was teaching myself control and the courage to press on through difficulties. This idea began to permeate other aspects of my life and things that I'd never noticed began to come into focus. Running taught me to see possibilities I'd never considered.

Murakami spends quite a bit of time talking about what running taught him about writing. It is of special interest to me because I am a runner who enjoys writing, though I am not a writer. The role of talent in an endeavor like writing is a subject that has always intrigued me. How much talent do you need? The question is difficult to answer because talent can't be measured, doled out as we please, saved, or multiplied. Murakami argues that although talent is important it is useless without FOCUS and ENDURANCE. Running taught him both things and made it possible for him to continue a long career as a writer. I agree with the assessment because running has helped me develop my own focus and endurance in writing, reading, problem-solving, and quilting. None of these things are accomplished easily or quickly. Writers have a saying, "Push through the hard parts...and they're all hard parts". Running long distances is the just the same: You run until you can't anymore...and then you run some more.

What I talk about When I talk about Running is a quick read for the season but it will stay with you long after the Summer turns to Fall.

I resumed training (judiciously) in the spring of 2009

After a 10+ year hiatus from running, I resumed training (judiciously) in the spring of 2009. By July I was feeling confident enough to enter the last two Al Goldstein 5Ks and was overjoyed to finish the first at a sub 10 minute pace and knock another 45 seconds per mile off the second race. It was such a great feeling to rejoin the running community that I immediately sent in my dues to both the PPTC and the NYRRC. Besides, I thought I could serve as a role model for slightly younger running fathers (and mothers) of twins who had attended PS 321 in Park Slope!

I kept going and was approaching 10K by Thanksgiving. Then my right knee started to hurt, a lot, more and more, and not just when I ran. I got a fancy knee brace and started icing regularly but soon I was spending more time treating the pain than actually running. I finally dragged myself to an orthopedist who delivered the bad news: torn cartilage. I could do physical therapy, stop running and probably walk around relatively pain free. Or, if I wanted to resume running, it was time to get my knee "scoped" and clean out the gunk. I might lose the summer, but I could be running again by the fall.

So that's why I'm sitting here today, July 14, six hours after the procedure, with my leg up, wrapped in an ice pack, hurting like hell but expecting that, after 4 to 6 weeks of rehab, I'm be back doing my laps of Prospect Park just in time for some beautiful fall running. And I'll still be able to beat my 16-year-old twins! Lucky for me, their 19-year-old brother will be back at college because I don't stand a chance against him anymore.

Murray Rosenblith

More of What You Do Not Know Because You Are Not Me! By Michael Ring

More of What You Do Not Know Because You Are Not Me! By Michael Ring

On a Friday morning I woke up early and did the run I often do on a Saturday morning. Starting at Grand Army Plaza, I ran down Union to 4th Ave, and then headed over to 3rd Street to cross the Gowanus Canal. Then I took Smith and Court over to the Brooklyn Bridge. I crossed into Manhattan at Chambers St and made a left at the Hudson, hugged the water till I got back to the Brooklyn Bridge and came home via the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. I do this run (or a variation of it) about 2 or 3 weekends a month. It is the "usual run" of the Prospect Park Track Club.

Since I left the house at 6 am instead of the usual 8 am I did not think automobile traffic would be an issue. I was wrong about that; rush hour was starting when I was running home.

The one major obstacle faced on my run was the people. Just as I was running towards the Battery, the Staten Island Ferry was arriving. The hoard of commuters turned my run into a stop. As I fought my way against the minions, a guy giving out free newspapers said to me, "Hey, you look like a jogger. Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, but then I have to tell you that I am not a jogger." He wanted to know why he can run for 45 minutes on a treadmill but he can't really run outdoors for 5 minutes. So, I explained that on a treadmill you are just spinning your legs, you are not making the effort to move your body forward, that running on a treadmill is like running down stairs. The treadmill is softer than any outdoor running surface and it is probably in a nice air conditioned gym. I told him that unless you set the treadmill at a serious incline, it is mostly a waste of time.

I saw the light bulb go off in his head. In under a minute I was able to teach this man something, "So why can't I call you a jogger?"

"My grandmother was a jogger; it was about the jogging suit and running in circles. Runners are training for events; events where someone says "GO!" and there is a clock at the end. I am a runner. Joggers jog, runners train."

The commuters had all gotten on the subway so he wished me luck on my next race

Club Team Championship August 7!

Club Team Championship August 7!

Where does the time go? Here it is, time to make plans to flaunt your colors and be a part of the NYRR Club Team Championships in Central Park on Saturday, August 7^tht, the annual five miler where local teams show off their team pride. The start time for men is 8 a.m. and for women, 9 a.m. It is a double points race in the competition for a position on the leader board among local clubs throughout the five boroughs.

A word of caution, especially for new members who are unfamiliar with the Club Team Championships: this race is for everyone. As an inclusive Club, our strength and pride is in our numbers and we want to have lots of members showing up to run, to cheer, to smile for the team picture. There will be the PPTC after-race buffet of light refreshments and a chance to talk running. Look for the banner. We are usually on the left side of the 102^nd St. transverse on the east side of the park. However, the course has not been announced so we are keeping our options open. More information as it becomes available.

If you are driving to the race and have room in your back seat or trunk for food or supplies, please call the Club phone or send an email to contact@pptc.org. You know the old saw – many hands. . .etc., etc.

Here are some more details from the NYRR website:

Only members of established and NYRR-recognized running teams (that’s us!) may enter this race; NYRR membership by itself is not enough to qualify. In addition, entrants must have completed at least one NYRR scored/qualifying race between January 1 and August 7, 2010 for the team for which they will be scoring. Furthermore, if they have competed for another team, you may not have competed for that team until 90 days have lapsed,

Teams for the NYRR Team Championships are comprised of:
• Open: 10 men/5 women (scored by time)
• 40+: 5 men/3 women (scored by time)
• 50+: 3 men/3 women (scored by time)
• 60+: 3 men/3 women (scored by time)

Note: there are no shirts or other souvenirs for this race.

Post Race

Awards will be given in team categories (see above). The only individual award will be the “Nacho” award in memory of José Ignacio Ramirez, given to the first male and female masters finishers.

JULY 2010 THE INSIDE LOOP TOM BYRNES AND FRIENDS

JULY 2010 THE INSIDE LOOP TOM BYRNES AND FRIENDS

Let’s keep Carole Rondinelli and family in our prayers upon the recent death of her dad Anthony. He had a good run and we hope that the fond memories of times past will be a comfort for Carole and Ron Rice.

Tommy Hart is trying to get his timing down. He’s waiting until after his Fort Hamilton Summer 5ks are over late August, the Utica Boilermaker races are history, and his stock of running magazines are all lined up before he gets his knee replacement op late summer. Good luck Tommy!

PPTC scrambles, sets up the clock, and manages to make it happen grass roots style. Not that large of a turnout the very wet nite of the second Summer Speed Series 5k thanks to the rain but those who came, ran, and conquered. When the going gets tough, the tough get up and go home? Those who stay, run and race.

Glad to read that Jason Horowitz is shaking things up a bit, changing his approach to training as well as tweaking his carb and protein intakes. The proof for Jason will be down the road when he finishes that fall half marathon he’s planning to race.

Lovely to hear that Irene Torres’s family reunion went so very well. With over 110 Tiernans turning out at Holy Name’s Shepherd’s Hall on a Saturday mid-June, the best of times were had by all.

Need a new couch because you slammed the armrest so hard during the USA-Slovenia Wolrd Cup Soccer game that it broke? Happens to many of us. Hey, put it on Craigs List along with the used running shoes that you have stored away in your closet.

Bobby Fisher’s completed his 10th Century on the Ride To Montauk Saturday June 19th. He’s ’s also completed a recent tour through northern New England that left him saving his pesos for his next big trip. Biking 50-75 miles a day, a support van in case bikes need repairs, camping in tents, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks provided, hey, what a life!

Speaking of PPTCers who bike , both Gillant Phillips and Doug Olney have had recent up close and personal experiences with the pavement. Both are on the mend but both realize that while biking one has to be hyper vigilant about the condition of the roadway surface and drivers who aren’t paying attention to sharing the road .

PPTC was all over the roads at the NYRRC’s Mini with Maggie DesChamps leading the fast feet. Check the race results for the glorious details! Many thanks to PPTC’s Maria K Green and PPTC friends Asteria Howard and Maria Arias for volunteering with USADA and drug testing at this NYRRC in Central Park as well.

Geoffrey Vincent’s first place finish in age at the XTERRA LI Trail Series race in Montauk was the clincher - now he can start planning his trip to the National Championships in Oregon in September. Way to go Geoff!

Following extensive research and consideration, USA Triathlon announced today that beginning in 2013 the use of wetsuits exceeding five millimeters in thickness will not be permitted at USAT-sanctioned events. Anyone with a 5mm thick wetsuit still interested in still looking like characters from the “Pillsbury Dough Boy Meets The Teletubbies” can still do so but not in a USAT sanctioned triathlon.

PPTC’s David Chen bringing home the hardware from Dragon Boat races in July . Way to go David!

Big congratulations to Sarah Scott for winning the Kona, Hawaii Half Marathon Sunday, July 27th!

The photo of Sarah wearing a PPTC singlet holding her hardware on the awards podium with the race director and USA 70’s Olympian Frank Shorter was a classic ! PPTC rocks!

Sure it’s hot and yah, it’s humid too. Now stop complaining and get out there and run some. See you on the roads.

It Took 30 Years, But It Was Worth It! By Tom Meany

It Took 30 Years, But It Was Worth It!

By Tom Meany

PPTC has been engaged in dialogue with the Prospect Park administration around safety issues in the Park for 30 years, even before there was an Alliance.

Our premise has always been that if Park users do not perceive their experience as being safe, then it’s not a good experience.

On Wednesday evening June 23^rd, PPTC was asked to present the main agenda item at the Prospect Park Alliance Community Committee meeting; “Development of a Master Plan for Education and Enforcement of Park Rules.”

This was the first time all uniformed Park service personnel (Parks Enforcement Personnel: PEPs, NYPD: 78^th & 71^st. Pct.’s) were asked to be part of a team in developing a Park safety plan.

All of us have had the experience of witnessing the results of cyclists and/or runners/pedestrians not being aware of or just not complying with Park rules. I’ve been hit three times by cyclists; my wife has been hit twice.

To not address these issues would have been immoral and unethical. We have been knocking on this door for 30 years and now it appears we have a foothold.

An Alliance Community Committee Operations Committee meeting is being scheduled this month to include the uniformed Parks personnel, representatives of the cycling community; Transportation Alternatives (TA), plus representation from the running community; PPTC, to develop a Master Plan.

The preliminary discussion at the 6/23 meeting indicated a need for an ongoing, long term civic educational approach, starting with elementary school children, regarding the rules of the road. It was also agreed that after a period of education and warnings, that enforcement, in the form of ticketing needs to take place.

We all know why the pooper scooper law, as well as the smoking ban in public buildings, has been so effective: violators are ticketed & fined.

I envision the main thrust of our role as one of educating the public and not seeking to punish cyclists or runners/pedestrians. At a fairly recent Club Board meeting, one of our Board members suggested I ask the Alliance about the option of runners invoking” citizens arrest” procedure for cycling violators We have all been frustrated by the daily abuses we witness. The new bike lane on PPW already has its challenges.

I believe our patience and perseverance will pay off in the long run.

We have a great Club that only gets better when you step up and volunteer. I promise your membership will be a more enriching experience when you respond to that arm reaching around you that says; “You’re very special and we need your help? Share your special gifts: The Summer Speed Series, The Club Championship, Marathon activities, The Turkey Trot, The Cherry Tree, Clothing Committee, Technical Committee, Communications Committee, etc.

What You Do Not Know Because You Are Not Me!

What You Do Not Know Because You Are Not Me!

By Michael Ring

There are two things you don’t know, and both of them have to do with the PPTC Picnic/Relay Race. The first you might know if you are a member of the PPTC Board. We had to make a quick “executive decision”.

It turns out that the Oriental Pavilion was double booked for the morning of the Relay Race and that when I arrived Tom had already negotiated a sharing of the space with the Best Man and the Maid of Honor. But as a Board we realized this would not work, their wedding was to be at 11am, just when the relay was to end. We decided we would move our Picnic; we would move it to the shady area of grass that was a little closer to the ice rink. Not because the reprehensive from alliance was begging us to, not because we were gonna get our $25.00 permit fee back, but because a bride and groom were involved. They should not have deal with a bunch of sweaty runners, chugging down Gatorade and beers. We just moved because it was the right thing to do.

It is nice not to be selfish. Years from now we might look back and say “Oh, do you remember the picnic in 2010; we had to move because there was a wedding in our spot. That is much better that some couple looking at their wedding pictures in 20 years and seeing us in the background.

Anyway… They moved, they moved to are really nice spot near the statue of Abraham Lincoln. That turned out great because just as the Bride was walking down the aisle the Brazilian Dancers/Kick boxers were doing their tambourine dance right next to the Oriental Pavilion.

The other thing you might not know because you are not me is what it is like to get beat by your 10 year old daughter. It is a combination of enormous pride and nauseating embarrassment. I am so proud of her, but this was not supposed to happen for a few more years. I was not mentally prepared. I guess one never is.

Interview with Irva: Niles by Paul Soskind

Interview with Irva: Niles

P.S:.You've been PPTC member for about three years: were we your intro to running?

Irva: Actually, I've been running since high school in Grenada, but began to compete again when I joined PPTC. I joined after watching my cousin Veronica Antoine participates in a Summer Speed race.

P.S:. So what kind of running did you do in high school?

Irva: I ran the 200 mostly: after that I didn't do sprinting' I ran for fitness.

P.S:. What have you accomplished by joining PPTC?

Irva: I have gone much further than I could have imagined; from 5k to 5 miles; from that to half marathons and finally the NYC Marathon last fall.

P.S:. Has being a PPTCer had something to do with this?

Irva: From the day I joined, I've found people to train with, gotten encouragement and advice, help and support.

P.S:. How do feel our club could improve?

Irva: One thing would be to expand the scope of the coached sessions so that the slower runners could avail themselves of the workouts, attention and evaluation of a coach who would help them with their form and training so they could bring their running up to the next level.

P.S:. We appreciate and value your experiences and insights; many thanks.

Unforgettable Long-Distance Performances…by Jim Israel

Unforgettable Long-Distance Performances…by Jim Israel

My website: http://www.mistergripes.com

For this writer, my favorite events in track-and-field are the long-distance racing. The sprints are invariably flashes of thighs, legs, and arms crossing a tape, over in the snap-of-a-finger, and a bore. It’s all physiognomy – the best short muscle fibers win; learned skills are not a factor. Shot Putt? Discus? Drug-addled behemoths spin ‘round-and-‘round, eventually throwing some piece of metal way out past Saturn’s moons – big deal.

Yep, the long-distance competitions [800-, 1,500-, 5,000-, 10,000-meters and marathons] are what I crave during every Olympic extravaganza. Why? Multiple reasons: the length of the races tends to build drama; long-distance runners often possess outsized, interesting personalities; fatigue becomes an overwhelming factor, and stellar qualities such as fortitude and perseverance emerge, and, finally, the races are not precious, ‘don’t touch,’ wimpy contests. Swinging elbows, shoving competitors, kicking: they’re all part of the contest. This writer, who played rugby for 25 years, loves the rough stuff.

In upcoming columns, I’ll be recalling historic long-distance competitions and delve into some of the complicated, interesting personalities of long-distance racing.

I’ll start with the race that, for me, a boy of 17, was the most exciting track event he has ever witnessed:

Billy Mills Olympic 1964 10,000m Finals from Athletes for a Cure on Vimeo.

Coming into the final lap, the race had come down to three competitors: 1. Australian Ron Clarke, the #1 distance runner in the world at the time, 2. Mohammed Gammoudi, Tunisia, and 3. Billy Mills, 26, U.S. Marine, Sioux Indian, and, prior to the race, not considered a potential medal winner in the competition.

We’ll pick it up on that last lap, with approximately 400 meters to go:

‘It’s Clarke, Gammoudi and the American Billy Mills neck-and-neck coming down the back stretch. They’re stride-for-stride, all three running next to each other. Clarke becomes boxed in by the other two, and pushes in between Mills and Clarke, throwing Mills off stride, falling off to the side.

‘On the last turn, the three are close together again. Now, it’s Gammoudi’s turn to push his way through the other two, and he takes the lead as they round the final turn. Mills is simply too far back in the pack now. The three are lapping other runners, leading to more confusion.

‘But wait a minute! From the middle of a second pack, with 30 yards to go, Mills surges forward with a great finishing kick, sprints past both Clarke and Gammoudi, and crosses the finish line 5 yards in front. The unheralded Billy Mills, from a Pine Ridge, South Dakota Indian reservation, has beaten the great Ron Clarke, and takes home the gold medal in the 10,000 meter race.’

No American has won the 10,000 meters event before or since.