NYC Marathon 2020 - I'm In :D

I signed up for the NYC Marathon this morning - it will be, hopefully, my 17th NYC Marathon :D

With that entry, my semi-retirement from racing (not running) has come to an end.  The last time I entered a road race was way back in the Spring of 2019.  While my official training for the marathon won't kick off until the summer, I will certainly jump back into the local racing scene much sooner (probably by the Spring)!

2018 New Canaan Santa Run

It was a windy morning to run - but the 6th annual Santa Run went off without a hitch... except for a slight left (instead of a slight right) that lead to most of the field running the course backwards!  It made for an interesting experience, since I remembered that layout from last year!  Instead of a loop around the school - and heading down the right side of Waveny Park, with a return up the left side of Waveny ... we ran the other way (and encountered most of the course signage facing the "wrong" way)! 

But all's well that ends well - it was FUN and we were no worse for the wear!

Here are the result from ClubCt,

Merry Christmas!

not only race shirt - but Santa hats too!

2018 Taconic RR Predicted Time Race at FDR Park

Last night, for second Wednesday in a row, was in FDR Park for a race!  This one was our club's predicted time 2.5 miler - no technology of any kind allowed.  It was basically the same course we ran last week for the Masters Challenge 5K, but it excluded the loop around the lower parking lot.  Just like last week it was hot and humid :O


I'm not sure what possessed me to "predict" 18 minutes when I signed up for this one last week - a momentary lapse of thought?  My 19:59 finish was a solid 2 minutes off my prediction!  No matter, it was a good time.  And afterwards came the food and drink!


I took a photo of the official results (below), but will add a link when they've been posted on the website. 


Next Taconic race is the Peekskill Brewery Mile on the 19th - don't miss that one :D

August 2018 Race Schedule

August kicks off tonight with a trip to FDR Park for the annual Masters Challenge 5K (a great reason (excuse) for a bunch of masters runners to socialize, eat, and drink (maybe) adult beverages while the young(er) runners are elsewhere :D). This events alternates locations depending on the club that hosts it for the given year.  Taconic hosts it this year, hence the FDR Park location.

This weekend will be my first Norwalk Summer Series Race of the season - the 9 Miler.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to run the earlier races (but hopefully will make the 11 Miler later this month).  I will definitely be there for the Norwalk Half in September!

Also this weekend is Bob Tona's Annual Bridges Run.  It's a RVRR event, but I'm glad it's open to non-team members.  It'll be my 3rd year participating - and confronting my (unnatural) fear of bridges and heights!

Midweek will be a return to FDR Park for the Predicted Time Run.  This is another Taconic event, and it coincides with our monthly club meeting.  That means good chance of food and adult beverages after the race :D  That weekend is a return to Westport for the 6.85 Miler on Saturday.

The following Saturday is also another Westport Race (the 8.4 Miler) - followed by an afternoon road trip up to Peekskill for the Taconic Brewery Mile.  Like last year, Katie and Jimmy will participate.  The next day is a trip down to Queens for the B.U.S. Trail Mix-Up 50K.

That 50Kwill be a training run for me, as will the Self-Transcendence Marathon 4 days later (on its traditional Thursday), for the Pine Creek 100 Miler next month.  More on that one at a later date.  Suffice to say here that it's my effort at some redemption following last month's poor performance in Vermont :O

Last but not least for August is a dilemma.  The Percy Sutton 5K is a team race, but I won't be in any position to race it coming off the high mileage of the prior week.  Instead, I'd get better a better training run by doing the Norwalk Summer Series 11 Miler.  At this point I'm inclined to do the 11 Miler - unless my team needs one extra body for the 5K (regardless of speed/or lack thereof).

Here's how it looks so far:

8/1 - Master's Challenge 5K
8/4 - Norwalk 9 Miler
8/5 - Bridges Run
8/8 - Predicted Time Run
8/11 - Westport 6.85  Miler
8/18 - Westport 8.4 Miler
8/18 - Peekskill Brewery Mile
8/19 - BUS Trail Mix-Up 50K
8/23 - Self-Transcendence Marathon
8/25 - Norwalk 11 Miler

As always, if you're at any of these great events - say hello!  Oh, and I hope to get to a couple of Waveney and/or VCTC summer series race as well :D

July 2018 Race Schedule

July, as always, kicks off with the Taconic Road Runner's Putnam County Classic 8 Miler around Lake Mahopac!  It's a volunteer gig for me - I can't remember the last time I actually ran the race itself.  The very next day (evening, in fact) is a trip down to Van Cortlandt Park for the relay.  And the week will end with the Norwalk Summer Series 5 Miler!

But the highlight of July will be the Taconic Beer Mile next Wednesday night!  Last year I participated with non-alcoholic beer because I didn't have a designated driver (Hard Fast Rule for all beer milers).  If I can get someone to drive me home, will move up to real beer - haha!  Also that week is the NYRR Retro Run :D

The big event - in all respects - for July is a trip to Vermont for the 100 Miler.  It's a rubber match, so to speak, because I have 3 finishes and 3 DNF's so far.  This year I hope to notch finish #4 (finally) and get back to a positive posture!

The last weekend of the month begins on Thursday, with another evening race.  This time in Central Park for the NYRR Runs 5K.  Two days later (in a rare July appearance) are the NYRR Team Championships (normally run the first weekend of August).  Last but not least - it's a trip back to the Escarpment Trail Run - one of my all time favorite races!

Here's how it looks so far:

7/4 - Putnam County Classic, 8M
7/5 - VCTC Summer XC Series Relay
7/7 - Norwalk Summer Series 5M
7/11 - Taconic Beer Mile
7/14 - NYRR Retro Run 4M
7/21 - Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run
7/26 - NYRR Runs 5K
7/28 - NYRR Team Championships 5M
7/29 - Escarpment Trail Run 30K

Recapping the First Six Months of 2018

Just a quick recap of my running for the first six months of the year.  I've managed to rack up more than 1,500 training/racing miles so far this year (1,507.1 to be precise).  To put that in perspective, it's been more than a decade since I've run that much in the first half of a given year!  In another decades long first, I've managed to run more than 200 miles a month for the first six months (averaging 250 miles per month) - with a one month high of 300 miles in March.  Again, I haven't run a 300 mile month in maybe a decade?

As for races, I ran a total of 16 so far, ranging from 1 Mile up to 100K (last weekend, actually).  That total included one marathon, three 50K's and one 100K (it also included a 3 Hour Run, for a total of 23.6 miles).  The remainder, half marathon and shorter, included trails and one relay.  In a twist, only one of the 16 races was a NYRR event (the Italy Run).  Normally, at this point of the year I'd have run close to half a dozen NYRR races (going for my 9+1 goal).

Not sure what the second half of the year has in store for me, but doubt I will keep up a 200+ mile per month pace!  That would give me a 3,000 mile year - again, something I haven't racked up in more than a decade! But I will try to get in another hundred miler (next month in Vermont).  And definitely get in NYC Marathon #16 in November :D

Stay tuned!

Here is the monthly mileage recap:

Pair of Thieves Underwear Run at Central Park

Just got home from the Pair of Thieves Underwear Run in Central Park!  It's an annual kick-off event for the NYC Tri - though it's open to non-Tri participants (such as me).  Of all the races I've run - this is the first one I've run in my underwear (boxers to be precise)!  It was a lot of fun.


Tony was there and managed to get a shot of me during the race!  As for the event itself, the distance was billed as 1.7 miles (the lower loop of the park).  That was a bit short because my GPS came up with 1.9 miles (MapMyRun) - and even Strava gave it a solid 1.8 (which, for me, consistently registers shorter distances than MapMyRun).


Whatever the actual distance I managed to squeak in just under 13 minutes (12:55) - which given the 100K last weekend, I consider lightning fast - haha!


At the finish we were given Pair of Thieves fanny packs - which had a coupon for a free pair of underwear.  Sweet indeed - but unfortunately the code hasn't worked when I keyed it in and tried to secure that free pair :(


All in all, it was a great time - and I'll definitely go back next year!

Volunteering: North Face Endurance Runs - Bear Mountain

Put in a few volunteer hours at the North Face store in the Westchester Mall today.  The NF Endurance Run 50 Miler at Bear Mountain has been on my "to do" list for years!  Alas, I'm not running it this year - but enjoyed meeting some of the runners lining up for it tomorrow morning (at 5 AM). The 50K and marathon are also run tomorrow.  The Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K races are run on Sunday.

Most of the events had sold out.  NF had close to 500 runners signed up for the 50 Miler - and about 650 runners in the 50K!  That's well over a 1000 ultra runners taking over Bear Mountain.  Those numbers are on the scale of the turnout for JFK 50 Miler!

Good luck to all the runners - at any distance - lining up at Bear Mountain this weekend :D

May 2018 Race Schedule

 

May has arrived - and hopefully, with it, Winter impersonating Spring will finally give way to an actual Spring season!  Rumor has it that the 40+ degree start to the day will give way to temperatures in the 70's this afternoon -- let's see!

 

As for the race schedule, it kicks off on Friday with a packet pick-up for the North Face Endurance runs this weekend. I'm volunteering at the White Plains Mall location.  But, instead of the Bear Mountain event, this weekend has the 3rd GNY 100 Miler training run penciled in for Sunday.  It starts at the Unisphere and finishes at the Parachute Jump in Coney Island (roughly 24 miles).  Since I missed the first 2 training runs, making every effort to do this one!

 

The following weekend is the Long Island Greenbelt 50K - the third race in the B.U.S Grand Prix series.  I haven't run this one in a few years, so looking forward to revisiting the tough double out and back course.  In the past, I've always managed to accumulate a few bonus miles over those trails - keeping my fingers crossed that my boy scout navigation skills haven't atrophied :D

 

As for the rest of the month, haven't really settled on a plan.  I had wanted to run the 24 hour race at 3 Days at the Fair.  But since Richie has just added the Ted Corbitt 24 Hour Run to the B.U.S. calendar - a mere two weeks later (6/1-2) - this may be pushing things.  Will see how I feel in a few days (when the soreness from Sybil wears off - haha).

 

Last but not least, the only thing penciled in for Memorial Day weekend - so far - is the Jim Fixx 5 Miler.  Have run it many times, and it's one of my favorite 5 Milers.  Haven't decided about any other races that weekend.

 

Here's how it looks so far:

 

5/6 - GNY 100 Training Run #3

5/12 - Long Island Greenbelt 50K

5/19 - 3 Days at the Fair/24 Hour Run - tentative

5/28 - Jim Fixx 5 Miler

 

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

April 2018 Race Schedule

It's hard to believe April (and/or Spring) has arrived with a forecast for snow tomorrow morning (seriously) on the horizon!  Be that as it may, Happy Easter - which is today (as I write this)!


As for races, this month is mostly about trails - with the Urban Environmental Challenge 10K kicking things off next weekend.  I love this event - and the Van Cortlandt Track Club really makes it fun (with carrot cake AG awards as well).  This year it conflicts with the second TGNY 100 training run, which is also tough to pass up.  Since I've already registered for the 10K... looks like the conflict has been resolved :D


The following week is a return to 50 miles!  I haven't done a stand alone 50 mile race in a while, so really looking forward to this one!  It's a multiple loop set-up, with runners covering various distances up to 100 miles.  I had originally thought about entering the 100 miler, but think it's too early in the season for that distance :O


After recovering from the NJ trails, the following weekend I'll head up to Wards Pound Ridge for the Leatherman's Loop!  That's easily in my top 5 favorite trail races (only Escarpment and NipMuck ahead of it) :D


Finally,  the month ends with the Sybil Ludington 50K, a joint Taconic RR and Broadway Ultra Society event (in fact, race #2 in the 2018 B.U.S. Grand Prix).  This will be year one of the redesigned course - now a double 25K loop, instead of the original one loop configuration.  Hopefully the reconfigured course will eliminate a few of the hills ;D


Here's how it looks so far:


4/8 - VCTC Urban Environmental Challenge 10K
4/14 - NJ Ultra Festival 50 Miler
4/22 - Leatherman's Loop 10K
4/28 - Sybil Ludington 50K


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

March 2018 Race Schedule

March is here!  While I'm not sorry to see February recede into history, it may have been one of the warmest Februarys in recent history (albeit a very wet one).  As I write this post (Friday morning), the rain is coming down in buckets, with a chance it switches over to snow(!), as it washes over the Northeast!  A somewhat fickle start to the month :D


As for races, despite today's weather, this weekend should be dry (and maybe a little sun) for the Caumsett Park 50K on Sunday.  I haven't run this one in a while (maybe 8 years?!) and when I looked at the course map it seems as if the direction of the loop has been reversed.  Maybe that's just my imagination - haha. One reason I haven't run it lately, it conflicts with the Boston Buildup 25K - perhaps my favorite of the 4 race series.  This year I'll miss it in exchange for the longer distance.


Keeping with the longer distance motif, the following weekend is the first training run for The Great New York Running Exposition (TGNY) 100 miler this June.  I thought it would be 20-25 miles - but turns out it's 35!  A bit of an eye opener for me (to put it mildly).  I'm planning for the entire distance, yet 50K of it will make me happy :D


Mid-month will be something of a breather, with Taconic's St. Patrick's Day races.  I'm not sure if about running or volunteering for this one.  I'm leaning toward volunteering.


The following weekend is the Broadway Ultra Society 4 Hour Run - to precede the Annual Awards Brunch.  Saturday, the day before, is Savin Rock Marathon in New Haven.  I'm tempted to run that because it would be a new race for me.  Looking at the course map (a double loop), it seems to include a good portion of the New Haven 20K route.  Maybe it's time to squeeze in a weekend double?


But the real open question for March is the last day.  I'm very tempted (aside from what comes to pass the weekend before), to sign up for the Naked Prussian 50 Miler.  I haven't run a stand alone 50 Mile race in a while, so this is under serious consideration.  Will decide mid-month (probably right after the TGNY training run).


Here's how it looks so far:


3/4 - Caumsett Park 50K
3/11 - TGNY Training Run #1, 35M
3/18 - Taconic St. Patrick Day Races (volunteer?)
3/24 - Savin Rock Marathon?
3/25 - B.U.S. 4 Hour Run
3/25 - B.U.S. Awards Brunch
3/31 - Naked Prussian 50M?


As always, if you're at any of these great events, say Hello!

February 2018 Race Schedule

February has seems to have snuck up on me.  My race schedule for this month is still something of a work in progress.  The only definite item so far is the running the 3rd Boston Buildup race (20K) next weekend.  There are a couple probable ones as well - including the "Looper" bowl (a/k/a Leatherman's loop) this weekend - instead of the NYRR's Gridiron 4 Miler and the Stratford's "Last Chance for Romance" 3 Miler (a/k/a the "Sweetheart").  The Stratford race is a bit late in the month, hence the "Last Chance" :D


That one also conflicts with the Colchester Half - one of my favorite events!  But I'll go with the shorter distance because I seriously thinking of running the Hyannis Marathon the next day.  That one is all about the logistics.  If the travel to and from gets worked out, count me in!


Another race that's in the probable category is the VCTC "Tough Love" 2 x 2M Relay in Van Cortland Park next weekend.  It's the day before the Buildup 20K, but if I can line up a partner to run it with me - again, count me in!


Finally, the major question mark for this month is what to do the weekend of 17/18?  There are a couple of options I'm looking at right now, but nothing definite at this point. 


Caveats as above, here's how it looks so far:


2/4 - Looper Bowl 10K
2/10 - VCTC Tough Love 2x2M Relay
2/11 - Boston Buildup 20K
2/17-18 - ???
2/24 - Stratford "Last Chance for Romance" 3M
2/25 - Hyannis Marathon?

"Bomb Cyclone" Freezes out Weekend Races!

Before last week I had never heard the term "bomb cyclone" - and suspect it was newly minted to describe the seemingly never ending deep freeze that's settled in - and won't leave!  As I write that (Monday morning), the temperature has just inched above 20 degrees.  It's been a long time since the thermometer has gotten that high.

Last week the brutal cold led to the cancellation of most local road races.  The NYRR kicked it off on Thursday night with the cancellation the Kleinerman 10K (Saturday).  The next day the Boston Buildup 10K (Sunday) was postponed until next weekend.  The same day (Friday) the MHRRC announced its cancellation of the "Recover from the Holidays" FA 50K (Saturday).  And, to complete the picture, on Saturday NYCRUNS cancelled the Hot Cocoa 5 Miler (Sunday).  Intended or not, the bomb cyclone wiped out 4 races this chilly weekend!

As for just plain running mileage - I managed to log a solid 50 miles for the first week of 2018 - in those ridiculously frigid conditions.  I hate to admit it, but by yesterday a run in 7 degrees was old news.  It was almost "easy" relative to the previous string single digit runs - because the wind had died down enough that the "real feel" was actually 7 degrees, instead of the sub-zero wind chills of all the previous miles!

In any event, I'm so over winter right now!  Hopefully the days of double digit temperature aren't too far off - haha!

January 2018 Race Schedule

Frigid start to the new year!  Here on the east coast we've been stuck in an icebox of cold temperatures and even more brutal wind chills.  Hopefully, things will warm up soon and we can look forward to running races in balmy 20 degree weather - haha.

It's strange now having to get used to the idea of 2018 - when even 2017 still seemed a bit alien as recently as last month!  But January 2018 (the new racing year proper) will kick off this weekend with Boston Buildup 10K - a perennial on my race calendar.  It may be, weather conditions permitting, be preceded by the Mid Hudson Road Runners "Recover from the Holidays" FA 50K.  I'm keen to do it, but the hour and a half drive is only doable (for me) with decent (e.g. dry) road conditions.

The next event is the Boston Buildup 15K on January 21st.  Nothing penciled in yet for the weekend of 13-14th because there really aren't too many local running options available.  The other possibility for the 21st was the NYRR Manhattan Half - but it closed out early, at the end of November/first week of December.

The last weekend of the month is a bonanza of options (3)!  In a first, Taconic has moved the Freezer 5k into January (it's typically a 1st week of February race).  And the GLIRC has added an "International Marathon" (run in Eisenhower Park) that weekend.  But my choice for the 28th will most likely be the small and informal "Run Around Manhattan" 50K in honor of Ted Corbitt!

Here's how it looks so far:

1/6 - MHRRC "Recover from the Holidays" 50K
1/7 - Boston Buildup 10K
1/21 - Boston Buildup 15K
1/28 - "Run Around Manhattan" 50K

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

December 2017 Race Scheddule

Year end has arrived!  Still hard to believe the entire year has flown by so quickly.  In arddition to holiday related stuff, this month will be tough because I have finals exams and grades to deal with before bring the Fall semester to an official close.


While I probably won't get in that many races, I will put in some decent race mileage.  December kicks off this weekend with the BUS Trail Mix-up 50K in Alley Pond Park.  While I plan on doing the full 50K, this event lets you drop down to the 30K without penalty (to which I availed myself to one yea


The following weekend is the Ted Corbitt 15K - my final NYRR race of the year.  As has become a tradition, following the race we'll have our annual Taconic post-race get together at the Rambling House!  And, in keeping with the Club themed weekend, will join the Van Cortandt Track Club for their annual Santa Run the next morning!


I'll try out a new (for me) holiday race on the 23rd, the New Canaan Santa Run - to work up a Christmas appetite :D


Here's how it looks so far:


12/3 - BUS Trail Mix-up 50K
12/9 - NYRR Ted Corbitt 15K
12/10 - VCTC Santa Run
12/23 - New Canaan Santa Run 5K


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


MERRY CHRISTMAS

November 2017 Race Schedule

If it's November, then the NYC Marathon kicks off the month!  This weekend will be my 15th consecutive NYC Marathon (and my ninth race for the 9+1 guaranteed entry for 2018).  I've said it many times over the years, but this is my all time favorite running event :D

While it may tend to overshadow the rest of the month, there are plenty of other good races out there.  In fact, I plan to revisit the Knickerbocker 60K (now called the NYC 60K) later this month.  Then, on Thanksgiving Day, another blast from the past - the Beachfront Bushwack!  This 5 Mile cross county race at Tods Point in Greenwich disappeared from the running scene a few year ago.  Now it's back as a Thanksgiving Day race.  Two days later, on Saturday, it's back to Greenwich for the annual Turkey Trot 5k (on behalf of the Alliance for Education). 

I may try to squeeze in another race or two this month, but nothing definite yet.

Here's how it looks so far:

11/5 - NYC Marathon
11/18 - NYRR NYC 60K
11/23 - Beachfront Bushwack 5 Miler
11/25 - Greenwich Turkey Trot 5K

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

October 2017 Race Schedule

Hard to believe October is here already!  Seems like I write a variation of that sentence as the intro to almost every month, but time just flies by these days.  It's flown by so quickly that I haven't really been able to decide on any races for the second half of the month.  The only two on the schedule so far are Pain to Paine Half Marathon next week and the Long Island 6-Hour Run the following week. 

I love the Paine to Paine Trail Half - which pretty much covers a good chunk of my weekend running routes.  The 6-Hour is a different story: more of a way for me to confront getting a final (decent) long run before the NYC Marathon next month!  While I will be happy w/at least 20+ miles (26.2 for that matter), my goal for it will to reach 50K and get in 31 miles.

As mentioned, not sure what's on deck for second half of the month.  But I do hope to run some of my favorite Halloween races during the last weekend :D

Here's how it looks so far:

10/8 - Pain to Paine Trail Half Marathon
10/15 - Long Island 6 Hour Run

10/22 - short distance Halloween Race?
10/29 - short distance Halloween Race?

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

September 2017 Race Schedule

Hard to believe Summer is ending and Fall begins just 3 weeks!  Given the "cold" spell (if 50s and 60s fit that bill) of the last few days, it seems as if Fall has gotten a jump on its official return (9/22).  But this weather would be ideal for the Westport 10 Miler tomorrow :D

Aside from Westport to kick off the Labor Day weekend, I'm still on the fence about heading up to New Haven for the 20K on Labor Day proper.  I've done that double many times, but won't really decide until after the 10 Miler.

The following week is the NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile (race #8 of my 9+1).  Looking forward to it, as running down a car-less 5th Avenue is always fun!  But I gave serious thought to the South Nyack 10 Miler before signing up for the 1 Miler.

The Norwalk Half is on the 16th.  While not the official end to the Summer Series, it does bring it to a close for the 2017 season.  Looking forward to it (but can't say the same for the double loop course - haha).  The open question for me, again, is the next day.  Should I run the NYRR 18 Mile training run, or the Fall Frolic 30K.  Will definitely do one, just not sure which at this point.

As of now, haven't penciled in a race for the last weekend.  The Bronx 10 Miler is on the front burner.  It would be a nice bookend to the month (starting and ending with a 10 miler) :D

Here's how it looks so far:

9/2 - Westport 10 Miler
9/10 - Fifth Avenue Mile
9/16 - Norwalk Half Marathon
9/17 - NYRR Marathon Tune-up 18M, or
        - Fall Frolic 30K

As always, if you're at any of them - say Hello!

August 2017 Race Schedule

It's a bit sad that August has arrived, now that 2/3's of Summer is behind us.  But still one more month of sun before the Fall semester!

This weekend kicks off with the NYRR Club Team Races - with a 7:30 AM start for the men.  This is one of my favorite NYRR races because of the purely social component - hanging out with team mates is always fun!  And the very next day is the Fifth Annual NYC Bridges Run sponsored by the RVRR (Raritan Valley Road Runners).  The half marathon distance kicks off on the City Hall side of the Brooklyn Bridge and finishes just below the Bridge, at Jeremy's Ale House.  I'll post about this one on Sunday, but suffice to mention that I spent many hours at Jeremy's during my college days :O

The following weekend is the 5th (and, nominally final) race in the Norwalk Summer Series - the 11 Miler.  While not official, the half marathon in September is the typical end of the Norwalk Summer season.  As always, I'm looking forward to both races.  The next day, Sunday, I may head back to Central Park for the second long training run (and make up the extra distance cut off by the high heat/humidity during the first one).

The remaining two weekends will probably be Westport Summer Series races.  I haven't run in Westport yet this summer, so looking forward to at least one (if not both).  The last weekend is still up in air because we need to drive Katie back to Ann Arbor at some point.

Here's how it looks so far:

8/5 - NYRR Team Championships, 5M
8/6 - Fifth Annual NYC Bridge Run, 13.1M
8/12 - Norwalk Summer Series 11 Miler
8/13 - NYRR Long Training Run #2
8/19 - Westport Summer Series, 8.4 Miles
8/26 - Westport Summer Series, 9.3 Miles

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

July 2017 Race Schedule

July kicked off yesterday - with the second race in the Norwalk Summer Series, the 5 Miler!  It was a soupy morning to run any distance - but typical July weather :O

The 4th of July is the Putnam County Classic 8 Miler.  It's a Taconic RR race, which like most years, I will be volunteering at (especially food prep) - instead of running :D

The other races on this month's schedule that I'm registered for include two more Summer Series races in Norwalk.  The 7 Miler on 7/15 and the 9 Miler on 7/29.  I'm a bit concerned about doing the 9 Miler because it's the day before the Escarpment Trail Run!  I've done that combo once before (maybe a decade ago) - and it made running the Escarpment a wee bit tougher than it needed to be!  So I'm, reluctantly, on the fence about the 9 Miler this year.

A pair of Central Park races are on deck this month as well.  For fun is the silly Underwear Run, a 1.7 mile loop of the lower park, on Friday night 7/14.  It's actually part of the kickoff for the 2017 edition of the NYC Tri (which I'm not doing).  The second Central Park race is also at night, the NYRR R-U-N 5K (also an unusual distance for NYRR/Central Park).

Aside from those races, I'm also hoping to run (finally) the B.U.S. PJ Run on Saturday night 7/22.  I've wanted to participate in this one for years - but I wasn't able to swing it.  This year it looks doable! 

Here's how it looks so far:

7/1 - Norwalk 5 Miler
7/4 - Putnam County Classic [volunteer]
7/14 - Underwear Run, 1.7M
7/15 - Norwalk 7 Miler
7/22 - B.U.S. PJ Run (6 Hour)
7/29 - Norwalk 9 Miler
7/30 - Escarpment Trail Run, 30K

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