not all addictions require treatment.

My obsession with sneakers being one.  I would not classify myself as a sneakerhead.  the dunks and jordans are not my thing at all.  I prefer ben shermans, old addidas, chuck taylors, purcells, pumas and sauconys.  For the record i wear my collection, rather than leaving them in the box.

You can guess how tempting it is to stock up on running sneakers.  I have really kept myself in check on this though.  Currently my arsenal only consists of three pairs; my personalized NikeID Zoom Airs; Asics Gel GT-2140; Asics Gel GT-2150.

The Nikes are the oldest pair I have.  To be honest, I brought them a few years ago during an aborted attempt to get back into running.  They sat in the closet unused and collecting dust.  Since they are Nike ID's I picked the colors and materials online.  I will never make that mistake again.  Actually getting properly fitted for a pair of running shoes makes a huge difference.  These don't fit all that well and they aren't really all that good for my overpronation issues.  Plus side is they are light as hell.  As a result I really only wear them on recovery days.  And yes, I am aware my color choices are just this side of obnoxious.  And yes, it does say "Used to be fast" across the tongues.  At least I am honest. 

Next up are my Asics Gel GT-2140's.  I got these at Sayville Running Company a year ago when I became serious about getting back on the road, trail and track.  I actually took the time to get properly fitted, however the only time I could make to do it was while I was on my way to the office from court one day.  So I went to the store, tried on shoes while wearing a suit, and did laps around the block to try them out.  So if you were in the Sayville area sometime last April and saw a guy in a suit doing loops around Main Street you now know it was me.  It was at that time that I learned I actually have a wide foot.  Taking note of that my collection of work shoes has become much more comfortable.  The GT-2140's are a great stability shoe and the amount of cushion packed in there was amazing.  I didn't keep track of my mileage for the first few months I had them.  Since I started keeping track I have put about 230 miles.  They were long overdue to be put out of their misery.

The newest additions are a pair of Asics Gel GT-2150's.  They are basically the 2010 model of the pair above.  Since I only got them over the weekend, I can only give my initial thoughts.  Ascis didn't really change much between last year and this year.  Great cushioning and support.  One thing I did notice is that the position of some of the lace eyelets seems to have changed.  IMHO the fit in the toebox seems more snug. Since I am upping my weekly mileage for my marathon attempt in November I don't think these will last as long as the 2140's.  And no, they do not come with the obnoxious orange laces. 

Training program for this week.

I am going to make an effort to post my training schedule for the upcoming week each sunday night. It will force me to update this blog with some sense of regularity and force me to live up to what I type.

Tuesday - 5 miles
Wednesday - 2 mile recovery

Thursday - 4 miles of hills
Saturday - 6 miles

Hold me to it. 

dying of shame mostly

For those who did not look outside all weekend, there was a monsoon here on the east coast.  My front lawn turned into a lake and I am pretty sure that the house sank a bit.  We did not lose power though.  While many would think that is a good thing I beg to differ.  If the power had gone out then Aidan would not have been able to watch Ponyo over and over and over.  Quick review of Ponyo - Disney produced anime about a fish who wants to be a girl featuring the voices of a Jonas brother, a Cyrus sibling and Matt Damon.  Enough said.

Back to my point. The Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid Kings Park 15k was held on Saturday.  I knew the race would not be canceled because runners by nature are stupid.  Did I run?  Hell no.  I will run in cold.  I will run in the rain.  But I drew the line at running in freezing rain that is falling sideways and aluminum siding blowing through the air.

I knew Kevin was planning on running the race, but after looking outside I thought he would also decide to take the day off.  In fact I banked on it.  I was wrong.  Kevin went out and ran the whole 9.3 miles of rolling mountains in about 76 minutes and change.

I am now sitting at work ten feet from Kevin's desk and dying of a mild case of shame.  At least he hasn't hung his race number up over his desk.  Wait, wtf, he just did.  Jerk.

Today is the last day to submit applications for the 2010 ING NYC Marathon.  Lottery will start on April 7th to see who gets in.  Aside from Meb that is.  I am pretty sure Meb doesn't have to go through the lottery process.  Fringe benefit of winning the damn thing last year I suppose.  

Upcoming events

4/24/10 - Sayville Running Company 4th Anniversary Prediction Run - Prediction Run means that before the start of the race you predict your finish time.  The person to finish closest to their actual predicted time is the winner. 

6/12/10 - Keith Nintzel Memorial 5k - Part of the Sayville Summer Series

6/19/10 - Schwachman Diamond Dash 5k - Second race of the Sayville Running Series.  Also marks one year since I dusted off my racing shoes.

8/14/10 - Run Amuck - road trip to Quantico with Shinji, John, Kevin and Sabby.  A four mile obstacle course through rolling hills.  

10/2/10 - Hamptons Half Marathon - 13.1 miles.  Because I am stupid.  

 

a 15K in how many days?

Nine days until the Kings Park 15k.  Seeing as the snow, a cold and laziness have kept me indoors for the better part of a month I am nowhere near ready for this.  However, I am too stupid to back down.
 

Due to ever changing work schedules, I am now stuck doing my miles in the early morning.  My body still has not adjusted to the change from late evening to early morning running.  I have never been a morning person.  But there is something to be said about being able to watch the sun rise.
 

 

A few more weeks until I know whether or not I have a race number for the NYC Marathon.   

 

upcoming events

3/13/10 - Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid Kings Park 15k - billed as a Tough course with rolling hills.  

4/24/10 - Sayville Running Company 4th Anniversary Prediction Run

8/14/10 - Run Amuck - road trip to Quantico with Shinji, John, Kevin and Sabby.  A four mile obstacle course through rolling hills. 

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.