NYC Marathon Pint Glass to kick off Marathon Week!

What a great way to kick-off the countdown to the 2016 NYC Marathon - with a great pint glass courtesy of the NYRR!  I headed up to the Marathon Pavilion in Central Park this afternoon for the free pint glass giveaway.  Thank you NYRR!

Next up, the trip to Javits Center for the Expo on Thursday :D

2016 Weston Reservoir Run Half Marathon: Race Photos & Results

What a perfect weather day to run!  It was easily 10 degrees warmer than yesterday (and 20 degrees warmer than Friday)!  This was the 5th edition of the Weston Reservoir Run (and the third and final race of the Fairfield County Half  Marathon series).  I ran the original course back in 2012 - a week before the actual race - with Don and Emmy (I think it conflicted with the NYC Marathon that year).  Today was my first time running the actual race.

The slightly reconfigured layout lost none of its hilly character.  Of the three races in the Half Marathon Series, this was my slowest at 1:45:05 (8:03 pace).  I was almost 4 minutes off my times at the Norwalk and Ridgefield Half Marathons.  Even if I hadn't walked a bit during mile 10, I doubt that I would have finished under 1:43.  Still the course was fantastic - one BIG scenic loop (especially the stretch along the reservoir proper)!

I may put together a brief summary of all three races in the Half Marathon Series (and post a picture of the commemorative shirt when I get it).  But this one was perhaps the most challenging of the three courses :O

Next up, the NYC Marathon!

Here are the official race results.

2016 Ridgefield Half Marathon: Race Photos & Results

It was a dreary morning to run the 40th anniversary edition of the Ridgefield Half Marathon (not just gray skies, but a light mist/drizzle as we waited for the race to start).  Some might find those bordering on optimal running conditions - maybe in my glory days (haha) - but I could have stood for a little sunlight :D

As it worked out, I actually ran my fastest Ridgefield Half!  My 1:41:25 was almost a minute faster than my 2011 finish (1:42:15) and a solid 2 minutes faster than my 2012 finish (1:43:24)!  So the last thing I should do is pan the weather!

Ridgefield was also the second race in the trio that makes up the "Fairfield County Half Marathon Series" - which concluded with the Reservoir Run at the end of the month.  Speaking of trios, this was my 3rd straight weekend of Half Marathons - Norwalk and Paine to Pain preceded this one.  It will also be my last until the end of the month :D

Here are the official race results.  And thanks to Tony for letting me swipe a couple of his photos!

October 2016 Race Schedule

October kicks off tomorrow with a half marathon in Ridgefield and the month ends with a half marathon in Weston.  I've run the Ridgefield half a few times over the years, but this will be my first official Reservoir Half (although I've run that actual course once before).  Together with the Norwalk half last month, this trio of half marathons make up the Connecticut Distance Challenge!

As for the rest of the month, I still haven't filled in the details.  Next week will be a return to the Great Train Race, now run unofficially as a fun run!  The 6.8 mile point to point course is not only scenic, but when run back to the start is a great medium distance training run :D

The week after is a return to New York races with the Harry Chapin 10K in Westchester.  Haven't run that one in a few years.  In additional the challenging course, it always delivers a pretty artsy tee shirt design!

That's probably the only New York race for this month because the following week is back to Connecticut for the Great Pumpkin 5K - which will also be the shortest distance of the month.  That is, unless I have a little gas left in the tank for the Pumpkin Chase 5K the afternoon of the Reservoir Half at the end of the month!

Here's how it looks so far:

10/2 - Ridgefield Half Marathon
10/9 - Great Train Run, 6.8 Miles
10/16 - Harry Chapin 10K
10/23 - Great Pumpkin Run 5K
10/30 - Reservoir Run Half Marathon
10/30 - Pumpkin Chase 5k

As always, if you're at any of these races - say hello!