on the shore of the ultimate sea

Runs, with a little bit of drama

7/18: Slow, distance. 6 miles in 68 minutes, 11′15″ miles, AM

Brooklyn teammate Angela and I cruised around the park a few times on a Saturday morning and realized it’s getting hotter. By 10am the sun was in full effect and we were dripping. Despite stopping at Prospect Park’s many fountains I picked up a neat little fanny pack-type device that holds a water bottle. I now wear it everywhere, including the office, and when people ask why I simply say ‘It’s very important to stay hydrated.’

7/21: Hills, half-mile fast-recover repeats up Prospect Park’s south hill, 4 in total, plus 2 miles warm up/cool down, PM

This was a fun workout. I enjoy hills, and it was a wet, humid evening where my lungs really opened up and I pushed it on the effort front.  Jackson Browne was playing that night at the amphitheatre, so we were treated to his music floating around the park and a rendition of “Take it Easy” as we rested and stretched (which Browne, as he said in the song’s intrduction, co-wrote with Glen Frey).

7/25: Slow, distance. Warm up plus 4 trips around the Central Park reservoir, ~7 miles, 70ish minutes, AM

Wow. Bummer run. Fun companions, but kind of boring scenery, the cramped reservoir track, morning heat–plus, the worst bit, pain. Knee pain. The left one. I had to limp down the subway stairs to get home, then back up my stairs to get into an icebath in the tub. I alternated ice and heat for the rest of the day Saturday and into Sunday, cancelling plans that entailed leg work and doing some light stretching. What do you think, runners? Too many left turns? A cosmic conspiracy? Overpronation?

The helpful folks at Jackrabbit in Park Slope thought the second when I hauled my gimpy self there the next day. Runner’s knee, they say. Turns out my years-old Brooks Glycerin were too neutral, and after a video analysis of several models of shoe we settled on the Saucony Hurricane for more stability.

So, where does that leave me a few days later? Resting. Stretching. Icing. Heating. Taking it easy, a la Browne and Frey. Not letting the sound of my own wheels drive me crazy. It feels better already. Better enough for a couple of light days before a week of run-free vacation in the woods, after which the final push is on. And next time in Central Park, I’ll make sure to run the big loop.

FUNDRAISING UPDATE:

A lot of fantastic people have come through big to help this effort to continue. Bigtime shout-outs go to Kunur, Megan, Sam B, Kenna, Katie, Sam M, Jess, Juno, Colin, Mom & Dad, Kat, Marissa, Chico & Sue, Annie–you’re all stars, thank you so much.

The rest of you, I’m not out there enduring joint injury, heat stroke or the demoralizing psychological impediments that cause a grown man to wear a fanny pack-like device in public for no reason. If you need a reminder, it’s here. There’s a point to this whole thing, and a big part of it involves you. So throw me some dough, it’s really easy, and will make you feel good. And it might help find a cure for cancer.  Click the link below, or any of the banners on the page (now featuring my vintage retired Brooks kicks) to make a donation.

Want to help? You should sponsor me here!