Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Tooth Fairy
Well, I had to put this out there, if only once. A sign my son is no longer a baby or toddler lies in the fact that he lost his first tooth this week. He was so good about it. He had been coached along the way why it happens, and how to help make it happen. He'd show me how he would wiggle it to make it looser and looser so when it comes out it would be practically painless. It was, and for that the Tooth Fairy made her first of many visits for him!
The Camper is Open!
Over the Memorial Day weekend (technically the Friday before), I gathered my belongings and tools and such and headed up to Lake Adventure for the maiden voyage of 2009. Expecting to see the property overgrown with grass and peppered with downed leaves, I brought along enough stuff to get through the afternoon. I spent about 4 hours working on clearing up the property, including the not-so-easy areas to clear. I did spend some time also trying to learn about things we haven't used yet in the camper, and got on the phone with a technician from Pleasant Acres to go over some basic things like using the water heater. In the end, it was a productive visit and expected that the next visits would be spent enjoying, rather than working.
The very next day was just that. Despite a cloudy day, it was just warm enough to take Max to the camper for swimming and setting up some new stuff in the camper for him to play with. Swimming lasted a tolerable 90 minutes, followed by playing some games we now have at the camper. When it was time to leave (which was about sunset), we did our typical stop at Yetter's Diner in Augusta on route 206--awesome place!
More to come on this season's trips to Pennsylvania!
The very next day was just that. Despite a cloudy day, it was just warm enough to take Max to the camper for swimming and setting up some new stuff in the camper for him to play with. Swimming lasted a tolerable 90 minutes, followed by playing some games we now have at the camper. When it was time to leave (which was about sunset), we did our typical stop at Yetter's Diner in Augusta on route 206--awesome place!
More to come on this season's trips to Pennsylvania!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Ridgewood 10k on May 25, 2009
For the first time in 2009, I turned my attention to some more competitive running--this time in the form of a 10 kilometer race rather than the 5k races already under my belt this calendar year.
I was introduced to an established run in Ridgewood, NJ by a co-worker, and thought I'd try it out. I drove to Ridgewood the week before and tried to navigate the course via car and from a map found online. Basically the run was flat--it was just a matter of trying to eyeball some landmarks and get a feel for mile markers.
On race day, I was met with humidity--not my ally for races. Despite that, there was job to do. I also had it in my head that since my best competitive 10k was clocked at a rather unimpressive 1:13:00 and my weight loss since my last 10k was considerable (almost 15 lbs), I would likely surpass that time, the question being by how much. Frankly, given the sticky weather in the morning and how humidity plays on my endurance, I thought even a three minute improvement (1:10:00) might still be worth celebrating.
There were over 1,300 runners booked for this race--quite a lot! For the first 3 miles of the run I had a pace going that was easily on track for not only crushing the 1:13:00 time from last year, but my target of 1:10:00. As the race wore on I started to feel the signs of fatigue with the heat increasing and could feel my pace weakening. However, unlike my previous 10k races where I found myself ultimately resorting to the occasional walking, I refused to let that happen, no matter how slow I became. In the end, I approached the finish line elated to have a gun time of 1:08:04. For those of you curious by the term, 'gun time' refers to the total time of race including the time I was working my way up to the starting line before I could actually start the race. I learned a few days later my 'chip time' (the time I actually spent running) was 1:07:15, way better than I thought I'd do! Well, I have the Montclair 10k in a couple of weeks, so we'll see if this record will have some legs and will hold on, or if I'm going to be reporting on yet another record at that time!
I was introduced to an established run in Ridgewood, NJ by a co-worker, and thought I'd try it out. I drove to Ridgewood the week before and tried to navigate the course via car and from a map found online. Basically the run was flat--it was just a matter of trying to eyeball some landmarks and get a feel for mile markers.
On race day, I was met with humidity--not my ally for races. Despite that, there was job to do. I also had it in my head that since my best competitive 10k was clocked at a rather unimpressive 1:13:00 and my weight loss since my last 10k was considerable (almost 15 lbs), I would likely surpass that time, the question being by how much. Frankly, given the sticky weather in the morning and how humidity plays on my endurance, I thought even a three minute improvement (1:10:00) might still be worth celebrating.
There were over 1,300 runners booked for this race--quite a lot! For the first 3 miles of the run I had a pace going that was easily on track for not only crushing the 1:13:00 time from last year, but my target of 1:10:00. As the race wore on I started to feel the signs of fatigue with the heat increasing and could feel my pace weakening. However, unlike my previous 10k races where I found myself ultimately resorting to the occasional walking, I refused to let that happen, no matter how slow I became. In the end, I approached the finish line elated to have a gun time of 1:08:04. For those of you curious by the term, 'gun time' refers to the total time of race including the time I was working my way up to the starting line before I could actually start the race. I learned a few days later my 'chip time' (the time I actually spent running) was 1:07:15, way better than I thought I'd do! Well, I have the Montclair 10k in a couple of weeks, so we'll see if this record will have some legs and will hold on, or if I'm going to be reporting on yet another record at that time!
Go Cobras!
For the past four weeks, my boy Max has been involved in a sort of T-Ball league, geared primarily for pre-school kids. With games running no longer tha 75 minutes or so, they are largely exercises in learning teamwork, skills, and of course, getting some exercise!
So far three games have been played out of the six week season. Max's team, "The Cobras", has competed against teams such as "The Dragons" and "The Sharks".
Over the past few weeks Max's has become increasingly proficient with catching, hitting, and fielding. Getting some additional help outside of games by his brothers, his cousins, and me, he's picking up on quite a lot in a hurry.
Way to go little man!
So far three games have been played out of the six week season. Max's team, "The Cobras", has competed against teams such as "The Dragons" and "The Sharks".
Over the past few weeks Max's has become increasingly proficient with catching, hitting, and fielding. Getting some additional help outside of games by his brothers, his cousins, and me, he's picking up on quite a lot in a hurry.
Way to go little man!
Monday, May 4, 2009
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!
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!
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!
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