Fun on Foot Running, Walking Blog » New York

New York City Marathon – How to Get In

Administrator — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:53:17 +0000

If you have even the remotest interest in running the New York City Marathon in the next couple of years now is the time to act. If you already qualify for 2012, go ahead and enter since applications just opened. If you do not qualify, go ahead and enter for the ballot, but do not hold your breath since the ballot win likelihood is shrinking every year. Another way you can get into 2012 is to become an active member of a NYC running club – clubs get some marathon slots and just might help you. Join now.

Most importantly though, and often overlooked, is that you can easily get a guaranteed entry into 2013 by simply running nine NYRR qualifying races in 2012 plus volunteering once. However, to use this path you MUST join NYRR before January 31, 2012. Act now to join NYRR at a modest fee if you have any possible interest in running in 2013 and you do not qualify otherwise.

New York City – Manhattan Hudson River to Van Cortlandt Park

Administrator — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:59:40 +0000

The popular Hudson River trail in Manhattan ends at the George Washington Bridge, with a continuation along the Henry Hudson Parkway to emerge near the west end of Dyckman Street. Not far away, in the Bronx, there are many excellent trails in or connecting to Van Cortlandt Park. We have been researching connections between these two trail systems and believe we have now nailed the best one. This trail will allow you to connect from the Manhattan Hudson River trail to the New York Botanical Garden, Pelham Bay Park, Yonkers and points further north in Westchester County.

The on-foot distance from Dyckman Street and Broadway to the Van Cortlandt Park Nature Center is 3.4 miles, of which 0.5 mile is on pedestrian/bike paths and the rest are on (mostly quiet and pedestrian-friendly) street sidewalks.

The Manhattan end of this trail connects to Fun on Foot routes MH3 (Upper Hudson River and the Cloisters) and MH8 (Harlem Parks Corridor). The Bronx end connects to routes BX1 (Van Cortlandt Park), BX2 (Van Cortlandt to Botanical Garden) and BX8 (Van Cortlandt to Yonkers). Both ends are convenient to subway stations and food-beverage establishments. Therefore, there are some good options here for creating longer routes with a pleasant wind-down place and/or a subway ride back to where you started.

This connecting route is described in our new article, available free at www.funonfoot.com/article1102.html. Enjoy and please provide your feedback!

New York City Marathon 2011

Administrator — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:37:30 +0000

It was a fantastic event, as always. Over 47,000 people this year, making their way from the Staten Island end of the Verrazano Bridge 26.2 miles through cheering crowds in the other four boroughs to the finish in Central Park. The weather was perfect this year, with no risk of precipitation and pleasant temperatures throughout.

I finished it, albeit with a very poor time (my worst ever). However, recalling that six months ago I could not run a step owing to an Achilles tear, my finish brought enormous satisfaction.

Nola was not so fortunate – a new injury forced her to not start. She deserves the most respect, having done all the hard work training but being denied the ultimate satisfaction.

My main memories are of the cheering squad of my team, the Reservoir Dogs, at the 19-mile mark and the fantastic celebratory party we had Sunday night despite seriously painful legs and a still-nonfunctional NYC taxi system.

Congratulations to all finishers, all supporters (especially the Reservoir Dogs and Mercury Masters squads), and all like Nola who deserved a start but had fate intervene.

New York City Marathon Countdown

Administrator — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:55:30 +0000

We are one week away from the New York City Marathon. For those of us running, it is time to virtually wrap up our training and enjoy that nice taper week where we can give more attention to resting and carb-loading than we do to pounding our feet. For those of us planning our last longish training run for yesterday (Saturday) we received a rude shock. We were treated to a vicious winter storm with strong winds, frigid temperatures, and, would you believe it – inches of snow.
I had been planning a ten-mile, marathon-pace run but, choosing discretion instead of valor, decided to do my gym workout Saturday instead and postpone the run. Good choice. Today Nola and I ran a pleasant 10 miles along the Hudson, in cold, but otherwise friendly conditions.
What looks particularly attractive, so far, is the weather forecast for marathon day, November 6 – no precipitation, a high of 64 degrees F and a low of 49. You cannot ask for any better than that. Life is so much easier when we don’t have to prepare for nasty environmental conditions at Ford Wadsworth. Of course, forecasts do not always follow through their promise but we can cross our fingers.
I wish all marathoners good luck and a memorable run in the amazing NYC Marathon, and thank all spectators in anticipation of their marvelous support.

New York – Staten Island Half Marathon

Administrator — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:12:53 +0000

The Staten Island Half Marathon was run on Sunday. The course takes the runners from the stadium near the St. George ferry terminal, along the streets to Fort Wadsworth, south about two miles to South Beach, and then turns around to return to the start mostly reversing the outbound route.
It is a quite tough route, with several hills and no shade. This year, the weather was a lot warmer than normal, with the temperature in the 70s throughout. I ran the race this year and, at the finish, felt zapped of energy and dissatisfied with my performance, thanks to the course and the weather. I heard of similar feelings from many runners. Nola was even less satisfied, struggling with a leg injury throughout the race.
One valuable aspect of this race for NYC Marathoners in training is that it helps condition runners to the logistics of the marathon, by having to get to Staten Island for the start. This race started at 8:30 am and the only Staten Island Ferries available were at 6:30 am and 7:30 am. I figured the 7:30 might be too tight time-wise so braved the early hours to catch the 6:30 and suffer the 1-1/2 hours of waiting around at the start. This turned out to be a good choice. There were way too many people at the Manhattan terminal for the 7:30 ferry and a good number were left behind. DOT was good enough to run a special, additional ferry but this did not arrive until the race was just starting. Nevertheless, it was a very successful race overall, made possible through the excellent planning skills of New York Road Runners and their volunteers.

Fall Running Season at Last

Administrator — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:33:43 +0000

In the northeast, summer has been very hot and humid this year and not conducive to comfortable running. However, that long-anticipated change has arrived. As of last weekend, the temperature and humidity both dropped to respectable levels and running started to feel easy again.
In New York, last Saturday brought the running of Grete’s Great Gallop, the early fall traditional half marathon conducted within Central Park. It was a particularly touching event since it memorialized the passing of Grete Waitz, famed and beloved nine-time winner of the NYC Marathon, who succumbed to a lengthy battle with cancer early this year. The race was run in refreshingly pleasant conditions, although still a touch warmer than some of us prefer.
I have been struggling all summer recovering from an injury and the weather has contributed to keeping my performance level down. I ran Grete’s and was delighted to see my performance getting back near where it should be. Nola leapt out into the park Monday and ran a 23-mile long training run without a second thought. Welcome fall running conditions!
We runners now have a busy calendar for a few weeks. There are forthcoming marathons in Chicago, Washington DC, New York City, and Philadelphia, to mention a few. Nola and I are looking forward to the Staten Island Half next weekend and then the NYC Marathon on November 6. It is a busy schedule but very enjoyable training conditions, thanks to the arrival of the fall weather.
Best wishes to all runners preparing for the great fall races! Arrive fit at the start line and let the routine play out…

Labor Day NYC Running Event

Administrator — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:06:23 +0000

Goodnight Irene and good riddance – thanks for ruining our weekend and wiping out the Bronx Half and the Harlem 5K. Now it is time to think about Labor Day weekend. The event I really enjoy is the 14.2-mile training run from the top to the bottom of Manhattan conducted by Finest Sports on Sunday September 4. I did this last year and it was a very pleasant event which, despite being low key, was well organized and well supported by volunteers and, of course, our finest. It starts at 7:30 am at 220th Street and Broadway and ends at Battery Park, employing Riverside Park and the Hudson Trail for much of the route. It is for a good cause and is good fun, involving many NYC club members. Details are at the finestsports.net website.
I hope Irene did not cause severe hardship for any of you…
Warwick Ford

New York Running Races August 27-28

Administrator — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:03:59 +0000

There are two NYRR events this weekend – the Percy E Sutton Harlem 5K on Saturday August 27 and the Bronx Half Marathon on Sunday August 28. The Bronx Half has a new course this year, starting and finishing near Yankee Stadium.
Here are some important logistical issues pointed out to us by Krista Hartman of Mercury Masters. Bib pickup for both events on Thursday and Friday is not at the usual place but at Adam Clayton Powell, Jr State Office Building, 163 W 125th St (at 7th Ave) from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Saturday pick-up for the Half is at NYRR 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. Also note that following NYRR events are near capacity: Sep 17 FITNESS 4M, Sep 24 Fifth Avenue Mile, Sep 25 18M Marathon Tuneup.
Enjoy your event or events this weekend!

Summer Streets in NYC

Administrator — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:21:59 +0000

On three August Saturdays the city closes the Park Avenue corridor (Park Avenue-4th Avenue-Lafayette Street) from East 72nd Street to the Brooklyn Bridge for use by pedestrians and bikes only. What a great idea! Nola and I ran it this morning. There is another opportunity on Saturday August 20.
The closure is from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. What makes it particularly good is that the majority of cross-streets are also closed. Only the major cross-town corridors are kept open to traffic on their usual traffic-light cycles. Therefore we found we could have quite a good run.
There is a big crowd, especially of cyclists, but they are mostly courteous to runners and keep to their side. At times, though, one needs to use a little patience.
We ran from home to E 72nd Street and then the 3.8 miles to Houston Street for a nice brunch at our favorite Soho Irish Pub. However, it was an ideal opportunity to continue on into Brooklyn and get some solid mileage under you before hitting the restaurant or bar.
This event is highly recommended because there is so much happening around you the time passes enormously quickly. A great way to enjoyably keep fit!

Queens Half Marathon

Administrator — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:41:18 +0000

The NYRR Queens Half Marathon was run on Saturday July 30 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It brought back memories of last year’s Queens Half which, with the temperature in the 90s, was a totally brutal event. This year it was hot and humid again but not as bad as last year. The temperature was in the mid-80s with a good breeze to help provide some cooling.
As is always the case with this race, one of the most challenging aspects is getting there for the 7:00 am start. This year the challenge was increased by the closure of the 7-train service from Manhattan to Queensboro Plaza. That meant it would take a sequence of three subway trains to get to the race from the Upper West Side or Upper East Side. Knowing the frequency and reliability of the subway service in the early hours of a weekend morning, Nola and I concluded that the subway was not a realistic option and we forked out for a taxi which did get us to the start successfully.
The course this year was a new one, contained entirely within Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It involved many twists and turns but the main elements were two loops of Meadow Lake and one out-and-back leg to the north end of the Citi Field parking area. A memorable part of the course was the circle around the Unisphere, which was negotiated three times with the spray from the fountains drifting over we hot runners. It was really a very pleasant course. It was very flat and there was shade in parts. Were it not for the heat and humidity, it would be remembered fondly as a very scenic and enjoyable event.
It was my first half marathon since my winter injury so I felt very pleased about finishing it, albeit at a pace slower than my best. I look forward to this event again next year.