Nutley Kids Fun Run and 5k on May 3

Booming with confidence off a sub-30 minute 5k last weekend in Belmar, I had been spending the week carefully planning all activities and diet, in an effort to not sabotage any chance I had of breaking 30 minutes on a course far more challenging than the flat, treadmill-like route at Lake Como. Growing more eager to have his own share of fun was Max, who would be participating in the kids fun run for a 3rd year in a row.

The fun run, which started around 8:45, had only five participants, including Max. Obviously running against kids much older, the goal was to finish, not win. He did just that--woohoo! Adding to his finish, he amusingly took advantage of a photo opportunity by giving Lynn the 'thumbs up' as she took his picture.

The 5k started shortly afterward. Unlike Belmar, the Nutley 5k has several uphills and downhills to negotiate, another concern of mine. However, offsetting the grades of the course was the cool, misty weather--a plus! As the race started and the crowd exited the oval, I settled into a pace I thought was manageable. Little did I realize at the one mile mark that I was running close to 7 miles per hour, a pace I'm pretty sure I cannot sustain for a 5k. Maybe I shouldn't have seen the time, because shortly after I saw it, I felt signs of fatigue (power of suggestion, who knows). I slowed the pace significantly, and tried to bring my heart rate down a bit. At the two mile mark, I was just shy of 19 minutes, so I knew that a sub-30 minute 5k was in reach, if I could pick up the pace just a bit. I did, and found myself in the last half mile bunched up with about three other runners, all of which took turns vying for position. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it ratched up my pace. In the end, I crossed the finish line at exactly the same time as another runner in 29:20, another personal best! For icing on the cake, the post-race awards ceremony and raffle were rather profitable, as both Max and I won prizes enough to recoup the cost of registration!!

More races to come this year! Stay tuned!

Communions, Confirmation, a new cousin, and a Play

Hey everyone. This past weekend for my family and I had us bear witness to a number of celebrations. A battery of communions for cousins by marriage (in Lyndhurst and Highland Lakes) took place on this past Saturday. Having already committed to the party in Highland Lakes, we headed up in the early afternoon. The party at my cousin's house was enjoyable and low key. Aftward, Max, Lynn, and I headed to watch my cousin Sarah perform in a play called 'How To Succeed In Business Without Even Trying' at her high school. For the part of the play we could stay for, she did a marvelous job, as did her peers. On the way back 'down the mountain en route to Giants stadium, I did get wind (as my cellular service improved) via text and phone that my cousin Theresa gave birth a couple of weeks early to a 2nd baby boy! Woohoo! After picking up my stepdaughter at her all-day concert at the Meadowlands (Bamboozle), we finally got home--LONG day!

While Sunday morning had me in another 5k (along with my son Max for his fun run, that'll be it's own post), I spent the latter part of the day (after grocery shopping) with my extended family in Rutherford for my cousin Jackie's confirmation. After a few hours of enjoying catching up with family and celebrating Jackie's special day, Lynn, Max, and I finally got back to the house (though Lynn did have to go back out later to pick up my stepdaughter again from the concert's 2nd full day of performances). Though I dreaded this weekend as it approached, it was great to spend more time than I normally get with my wife and son.

It looks like this won't be the last we see of the full weekends! Stay tuned!

Lake Como 5k on April 25, 2009

Hey everyone. On an unseasonably hot day, I found myself starting my running season at the Jersey Shore in Belmar (or Lake Como, depending on how you see it). While I don't think I would have tried this run on my own, it was easier knowing there were five others in the race that would be joining (and supporting) me from work or other races.

On an unrelated note, I had been preparing quite deliberately in the off-season in hopes of achieving the sub-30 minute 5k, as I had the breakthrough kind of year in 2008 where 33-34 minute runs became 30-31 minute efforts. I did manage a number of times of breaking that 30 minute barrier on the treadmill at the gym; however, I needed that validation on a live course. Since I know I'm not as effective in hotter weather, you can expect that seeing the high for the day would be approaching 90 degrees, the cards would be stacked against me.

I did my warm-ups and was surprised that in the morning about 90 minutes before the start of the race it was quite comfortable. That said, I had a boost of morale. This waned a bit as about 30 minutes before the start of the race the warmer temperatures kicked in. By the start of the race, it was beating down on the race participants. Fortunately, there was no humidity. Anyway, once the race began and the crowd started to stretch out over the first mile of the course, I was quite comfortable in my pace. The route snaked through neighborhoods, and was incredibly flat, giving me an excellent opportunity to experiment with optimal speeds. As the race wore on, I did begin to feel signs of fatigue as the sun kicked into overdrive, but knew that I was on a pace that, if I could hang on, could be enough to surpass my personal best of 30:29, possibly even close to 30 minutes flat. In the final stretch of the run and final corner, I was shocked to see the finish line in the distance and that the clock just passed 29 minutes. I got a kick and passed a runner, crossing the finish at 29:30, exceeding my expectations! To relish in the accomplishment, I stayed in town for a while for lunch and a few drinks, and while I was exhausted when I finally drove home, I was very happy with the effort, and have set the tone for what I hope promises to be an even stronger running season for 2009!

I Want To Ride My Bicycle!

Well, so much for New Year's Resolutions--while I said I was going to be more vigilant about updating this page, I let 5 weeks slide by without a peep--my bad!

Anyway, the past two weekends have really been exciting for me, as it was my chance to take my son Max out to get some fresh air and try out his new bike--well new in the sense it was his first time riding it (was a birthday gift but got it just when the fall's weather deteriorated quickly).

So the first day as expected was a bit rocky, in that the mechanics of pedalling were tougher than anticipated for Max. He frustrates easily (that apple doesn't fall far from the tree), but after some patience on both our parts (after a few crying jags), he got to a point where he pedalled fairly consistently, and eventually without issue--now using the brakes was a different story--not grasping that right away resulted in three wipeouts. While somewhat hurt, rather than get back on the bike and start up again right away, Mr. Max asked me to interview him to go over what happened during each incident (similar to how monster truck drivers get interviewed after a run). Classic!

Two more days of bike riding (with two more days of wipeouts, but fewer each time) at two different locations proved enough to get him hooked on bikeriding. Thus far, jaunts to Brookdale Park in Montclair, NJ, the Nutley Park system in Nutley, NJ, and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, have now been put into the rotation for future trips. I posted a handful of images (to the right) for viewing. No doubt this helps pave the way for bike riding up in Pennsylvania!

They're at the gate!

This past Saturday Max and I took an impromptu trip over to the Meadowlands racetrack to surprise my father, who routinely makes Saturday nights at the races a way of life. After some searching we did manage to locate him, and between the three of us, enjoyed some conversation and some laughs--no winners, though! Maybe next time.

Out and About

Hi folks. During a warmer evening the other week I took Max out for a LONG walk around Nutley. If for no other reason, to just get away from our computers, our TVs, our Video Games. In Kingsland Park there is a cozy area bordered by two streams. On this tract of land sits a relatively new gazebo constructed for special events--

Hopefully we'll have another opportunity really soon to take advantage of some warmer weather and pay another visit soon!

Monster Jam 2009!

Yesterday Lynn, Max, and I headed over to the Izod Arena for an afternoon showing of Monster Jam. Having gone last year and enjoying the action, we decided to treat Mr. Max to one of his current passions, anything monster trucks. Trucks featured during the afternoon included The Broker, Backdraft, Madusa (surprise appearance), Erradicator, Viper, Superman, El Toro Loco, and Gravedigger. Below is a clip of Gravedigger doing his thing--

Besides the mayhem caused by the monster trucks, we were treated to an exhibition by BMX bikers and motocross riders doing their acrobatics. Also, there was a showing of a handful of customized cars (low riders) that lead to a demonstration of 'car dancing', where one vehicle was outfitted with the ability to basically 'dance' using the custom hydraulics built in--pretty neat!

All in all, a very nice time, despite a FRIGID walk back to the truck!