It is the principle of the thing

Professionally no other phrase makes my blood run as cold as "it is the principle." once a client or potential client says that to me, i know that there will be no good outcome.

That being said, I am going to say that it is the principle. The clubhouse in my development has a gym with nice enough treadmills. Lately it has been way too cold to bother suiting up and heading outside at four thirty in the morning to get some miles in. I am only human. Plus, the Homeowner's Association at my development does an awful job of clearing snow, so the roads are all a thin sheet of ice.

So, with treadmills available why am I complaining about it being too cold to run. I don't even have to join a gym. It is all included in the outrageous common charges that Dori and I shell over every month for the privilege of residing amid the "resort like amenities" and "country club grounds."

The reason is that I refuse to pay the condo board the arbitrary and excessive amount they are charging over the regular common charges. They call them late penalties, I call it bullsh*t. Whether the payment may or may not have been late is not even an issue in my mind. I have become just like my unreasonable clients.

So, the gym privileges have been revoked. It is the principle of the thing. Plus, we have a stationary bike at the house. Don't tread on me.

UVR&SC needs a fourth for the 27th

More snow. Again. I won't even bother saying the last time I ran. It has been that long.

In related news, someone brought a box of dunkin donuts into the office. I am singlehandedly responsible for at least five of them being devoured.

The Joe Latino 4x2 Mile Winter Relay at sunken meadow is coming up on the 27th. This is a four person two mile leg relay at Sunken Meadow. As previously stated we had a team all set to go until Andrew withdrew. So in addition to having to live the rest of his days in shame, Andrew also does not get a t-shirt.

So we continue to look for a fourth. We would of course prefer a ringer, but anyone who can string two miles together at a somewhat urgent pace is invited. Perks include lunch and beer afterward.

upcoming events

3/13/09 - Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid Kings Park 15k - billed as a Tough course with rolling hills. Kevin is trying to get me to agree to this one. I should mention that Kevin is trying to get me to agree to this one because some woman from Argentina who he met at a race months and months ago has said she will be there. As long as I finish in front of Judge Lazer I think my pride will survive.

today i shovel

More snow. Awful stuff. Multiple shoveling attempts yesterday and this morning left me too disgusted to bother running. Also it left me to tired to properly clean off the roof of the car. The result was that halfway to work a drywall size sheet of ice flew off the top and smashed all over the LIE. To the person in the ford explorer behind me I apologize and commend you on your cat like reflexes.

The Joe Latino 4x2 Mile Winter Relay at sunken meadow is coming up on the 27th. A four person two mile leg relay at Sunken Meadow. We had a team all set to go until Andrew withdrew. So now we are looking for a fourth. We would of course prefer a ringer, but anyone who can string two miles together at a somewhat urgent pace is invited. Perks include lunch and beer afterward.

In other news, RunAmuck in August at MCB Quantico. Anticipated participants, John, Kevin, Sabby, Shinji and myself. Let's get stupid.

upcoming events

3/13/09 - Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid Kings Park 15k - billed as a Tough course with rolling hills. Kevin is trying to get me to agree to this one. My sense of self preservation is saying no.

end of the winter run series and time to get serious

On January 31st the Winter Run Series concluded with a 5K at Jones Beach State Park. I am not a weatherman, but I will say that this was probably the coldest race thus far. John laid the ground work early for missing this race by informing me on Wednesday that he felt a cold coming on. Team Results for the 5k.

Kevin - 22:22 (net)
Dan - 28:50 (net)

Seeing as I drank to stupidity on Friday night and ate like an idiot on Saturday night, I was just happy to cross the line in less than thirty. Oh, the days of being able to run a 20 minute 5k while hung over are long behind me. If we are being honest, the days of running a sober 20 minute 5k are probably also long behind me.

Six more weeks and I'll know whether or not I have a number for the 2010 ING New York City Marathon. Averaging about 12 to 15 miles per week at the moment. Time to start stepping up the mileage.

Upcoming Races

2/27/09 - Joe Latino 4x2 Mile Winter Relay - A four person two mile leg relay at Sunken Meadow. Looks like we are fielding a team of Kevin, John, Andrew and myself. In somewhat related news, team membership is now four.

3/13/09 - Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid Kings Park 15k - billed as a Tough course with rolling hills. Kevin is trying to get me to agree to this one. My sense of self preservation is saying no.

A new year and i am still sh*tty at updating my blog.

Running wise the new year is off to a promising start. Blog updating wise not so good.

A new running club has been formed from the ashes of the long dead Deer Park Road Runners Club. The Unlicensed Villains Running and Social Club has been making some appearances at races around the Island since November. You will know us by our distinct Jolly Rodger / Venture Brother inspired shirts.


The State Parks winter Run Series has seen 100% of our membership show up at every race. It is less impressive than it sounds. There are only three of us.

On January 10th the kick off to the Winter Run Series was held at Hecksher State Park. It was as cold as you would think a run on the Great South Bay would be in the Middle of January. Team Results for the 5k.

Kevin - 22:57 (net)
Dan - 29:36 (net)
John - 29:37 (net)

On January 17th the Winter Run Series continued with a 5K at Robert Moses State Park. Also cold. Team Results for the 5k.

Kevin - 22:03 (net)
John - 29:36 (net)
Dan - 30:11 (net)

On January 24th the third race of the series was held at Camusett State Park. Cold with a chance of hills and more hills. Team results for the 5k.

Kevin - 21:18 (net)
Dan - 27:47 (net)
John - 29:42 (net)

Final race is Sunday the 31st at Jones Beach. While it is pretty certain that Kevin shall sweep for the honor of being fastest team member, the race is close for second.

I continue to train for 26.2 in November. Averaging about 15 miles a week currently and working my way up.

Upcoming Races.

1/31/09 - State Parks Winter Run Series Jones Beach - a 5k to finish off the series of four.

2/27/09 - Joe Latino 4x2 Mile Winter Relay - A four person two mile leg relay at Sunken Meadow. Snake and Cardiac Hill are calling to me and I am letting it go to voicemail.

3/13/09 - Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid Kings Park 15k - billed as a Tough course with rolling hills. Kevin is trying to get me to agree to this one. My sense of self preservation is saying no.

an ambitious goal and a barrier falls

I am not a fan of winter unless there is snow on the ground. However, once there is snow on the ground I only want it to stick around long enough for me to appreciate it. It gets dark way too early. With Dori and I both trying to get out to run, we have to coordinate who goes when. It is way too cold to pack Aidan up in the jog stroller so we can go together. So currently Dori goes out in the mornings and I get my miles in during the late evening.

With all the reflective gear and cold weather gear I tend to look like a space age baked potato when I am out there. But I am still out there. I am out there every other day, and on the exercise bike or eliptical on the days I am not.

The progress report. I am down twenty five pounds from when I came out of retirement in March 2009. I no longer live on a diet of fast food and soda. I finished my first 5k back in June with a time of 36:45. Last night I did a 3.1 out and back from the house in 29:35. The 30 minute barrier that I had been struggling with all summer has been smashed. Or at least beaten.

Ten years ago my running hobby came to an abrupt end when I shredded my MCL at MCB Quantico. At the time I was attending OCS and getting ready to run the Marine Corps Marathon. A decade of laziness and desk bound jobs followed.

I have always found that I need a challenge in order to motivate myself. I need to have that voice in my ear telling me that I need to go that extra mile. So , I have decided to throw my hat in the ring and attempt to finish what I was training for back when I hurt myself ten years ago. I am going to run a marathon by the end of this year.

I have submitted my application to run the 2010 NYC Marathon. I will find out in March whether or not I get in. If I get in I plan on running the Hampton's Half in October to gauge where I stand. If I don't get in then I am going to make the marathon attempt a little earlier than planned and run the full Hampton's Marathon instead.

The goal was deferred for ten years. I think it is time.

I have to get better at updating this blog

Health issues conspired to keep me off the road for the bulk of the time since my last update. Luckily I am back on my feet again and feeling better than I have in a long time. Even so, I was considering sitting out the Blue Point Smiles Change Lives Turkey Trot. Having run about five miles since the Republic Airport 5K I knew I was going to be in for a bad day.

Thanksgiving morning I rolled out of bed and decided that I would regret not getting out there. Dori and I dropped Aidan off with Pappa and Grandma for the morning and we got lost on our way to Cory Beach.

My goal continues to be the sub thirty minute 5k. Having not been out on the road I knew that the chances of me doing it on Thanksgiving morning were slim to none. But I told myself that today was the day. I lined up in in the middle of the pack at the starting line. I learned later that there were over seven hundred people running the race. Based upon how packed in we all were I think that may be a low number.

Long story short. The Thirty minute barrier remains. I crossed the finish line in 32:11.

Upcoming Events:

12/5 - Sayville Running Company’s 4th Annual Toys for Tots Prediction Run