Run for Central Park, July 18, 2009, 4M

I did it! Another run, and I still feel great. Awesome! Engage your core!

This time, I tried for a PR, and I got it. Suh-weet!

It was a little bit hotter on the day of the run than the first one. It also was a scored race, meaning that it counted toward the 10 or so races NYRR members need to run in a calendar year in order to qualify for next year's NYC Marathon. Since my first race was not a scored qualifier, I think the atmosphere was a little more relaxed, a little less serious.

This race had more intensity in the air, as the runners seemed to be a little more focused. The first race also gave out medals to everyone; this race gave out pretzels. I like the medals better. : )

My bud SLG and I took our place around the 10min pace. I quickly discovered that the bibs were number and color coded by your mile pace time. (The first race just had signs that said what mile pace time was). When we ran, I did feel good ad not as sluggish as I originally thought I was going to be. SLG started at a faster pace this time, around 9:30 for the first mile. By the second mile, I needed water, and I did my slow motion water thing. Splash! Into the third mile, I started to push it and kept up the same pace. The hills seemed more hilly this time, and I was feeling it a little bit. I almost felt a stomach cramp come on, but I was able to fight it down. (Does that make sense?)

Anyway, I didn't have as much gas at the end as I did my first race, but I did try and sprint for the finish line. I ended up with an average mile pace of 9:21, meaning I must have gotten stronger and faster as the run unfolded? That made me feel pretty good.

The race was awesome, and I was pleased I got a PR. I want to continue to improve, and I've already registered for my next race: Harlem run on 8/22. After the race, SLG and I met up and we proceeded to take pictures and also get our customary bagels at Pick-a-Bagel on E.77th St. Nice!

I was looking for another friend that was running the same race. We had a mini-competition of who would beat eachother. Considering I'm kind of a big deal, I told her that I would be waiting for her at the finish line. LOL. We didn't end up connecting (next time, we'll have to have a designated meeting spot), and in this bizarro world, she ended up beating me. Hey, I only started running a couple months ago, and she's been running triathalons and half-marathons for about three years now! Anyway, she's been encouraging me, and now I want to do triathalons too. Of course, one run at a time though. This is exciting!

Thanks to SLG for inspiring me to run. It's awesome having a running buddy because we encourage eachother and commit to running together. Because of that, we end up running on days even when we don't feel like rolling out of bed. I only really run 1x a week, which turns out to be enough for now. Imagine what it will be like when I can run 2 or (gasp) even 3x a week! For now, I exercise in other ways and just run 1x a week.

On this day, I also had a drumming performance in the Hamptons after the run. Why do I keep running and drumming on the same day? It makes for a long day, but you know what? I actually get more energy by running, so it was a great day for a run, and for a drum!

Here are my results:


Run for Central Park
List by Name: peter han

Distance: 4.0 Miles, 6.4 Kilometers
Date/Time: July 18, 2009, 9:00 am
Location: Central Park, NYC
Weather: 70 Degrees, 94% Humidity, Wind 8 mph

Bib Finish Time Pace/Mile AG Time AG Gender Place AG %
6293 37:25 9:21 36:59 2241 45.5 %

A few tips, #1

Here are a few tips for running that I have picked up along the way, from magazines, from my running buddy SLG, and from natural spontaneous brilliance.

1. Keep toenails trim, not too short, not too long.
2. Wear the right socks, preferably nylon. 100% cotton is not good for long runs.
3. When running, make sure to keep hands loose. If you find yourself making fists, then shake it out. Practice running with the the thumb and second or third finger touching, as if holding a piece of paper.
4. When being chased by giraffes, realize all they want is the best leaves from the top of the best trees. Just share, buddy, just share.

Keep those tips coming! A do-run-run-run, a-do-run-RUN!

My next race!

Told you this was addicting. Here's my next race:

Run for Central Park / Kids' Races - Saturday, July 18 / 4M • 9:00 a.m., Kids Races • 10:00 a.m. / Central Park, New York / S, Q, C, + (M/W)



I hope I'm up for it. I already feel the sluggishness hitting. Yes, I know my body that well, that I can feel how I'm going to feel one week in advance. Whatever.

Go go gadget legs!

SLG and I ran yesterday to prep for the race. The best part? Murray's bagels after the run. Yum!

Minnesota Running

So, today, Friday, July 3rd, I ran with my 21yo brother, who is in much better shape than I am. I'm visiting him over the July 4th weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while he interns for a summer job for an unnamed American corporation.

It was a great morning for a run. Blue skies and balmy weather. Too bad, it was a wee bit hard for me to keep up. Nonetheless, it was a good run around the mighty Mississippi River from the East bank to the West bank campus of University of Minnesota. Afterwards, I stopped at Brueggers Bagels for the necessary bagel (everything bagel, asiago parmesan bagel and a cinnamon raisin bagel) to be shared among the three brothers.

It was my first run since last week's epic Sunday of running and drumming, and I didn't feel too sore. However, there was this one hill that kicked my butt. It was long with a steady incline that never seem to crest. I attacked it like the other hills in my life, but started to sputter midway. Of course, my brother caught up to me and ran ahead. Sheesh. I used to be 21 too, you know.

Anyway, toward the last part of the run, my brother took off, but before he did, he said something like, "We're almost there, now finish strong!" My gut reaction was to kick him in the shins, because I was breathing pretty heavily, but I decided against it. (Never mind that I would never be able to catch up to him to kick him in the shins anyway). But, my brother's heart is in the right place, but can't I get a little more encouraging words, like, "You're doing great!" or "You can do it! Almost there!"

Ah, whatever. I'm just glad I got to run with my littlest bro in 'Sota! You betcha!