Day: July 16, 2013

July 11th – What Have We Learned?

Today I learned several key facts:

1) Never…EVER…order the chicken kabob from that food cart on 42nd and 8th. Ever. Just trust me on this one. No more color commentary required. Let’s just move on…

2) Check the tire pressure on your bike BEFORE you get 5 miles into your ride. It’s just some good ol’ fashioned horse sense. (I never understood that term – but I hadn’t used it before in anything I’ve written…so there you go)

3) For some odd reason, Central Park squirrels have adopted a real New Yorker attitude. It’s fantastic to watch as one of these bushy-tailed animals gets into a stare-down contest with a golden retriever. However, it’s not-so-fantastic when said squirrel decides to get into a stare-down contest with you….as you are coasting down Harlem Hill….on your bike….and you take the small animal’s lack of fear as a sign that you yourself have lost your aura of alpha male muy-machoness. Bottom line: playing chicken with a Central Park squirrel while on a bike is NOT a bright move.

4) It is indeed possible to get a slight high from the air near Strawberry Fields. Mr. Lennon….I now understand the genesis for I Am The Walrus. Coo Coo CaChoo.

On a serious note, however, I am beginning to get nervous about my level of preparation for the upcoming 2013 Aquafor NYC Triathlon. Putting all three disciplines together (swim – bike – run) will be an adventure….

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BY setting some pretty challenging goals for myself, I am trying to generate interest in / donations to The Dream Team Project. This charity’s mission is to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, helping to grant the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. Being s former wish-granter for the New York City Chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, I can tell you first-hand just how much of an impact this organization makes in the lives of children.

If you’d like some information on The Dream Team Project or would like to make a donation to their amazing cause, please stop by the website: http://www.wdwradio.com/the-dream-team-project I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I really believe in what The Dream Team Project stands for. Please consider donating to this worthy cause. Thanks!

…and if you’d like a bit more information on the WDW Radio Running Team, please check out the Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/WDW-Radio-Running-Team/163606410344409

In addition, I am running the 2013 Chicago Marathon in order to raise money to fight cancer. I am running with Team in Training, and if anyone would like any information on this fantastic charity’s work please go to: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/chicago13/jrkolinsky

I am also, once again, running the 2013 ING New York City Marathon in order to raise money to benefit the New York Road Runners Team for Kids (“TFK”). If you’d like to read more about this fantastic charity, please check TFK out at: http://www.runwithtfk.org/Page/About

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July 10th – What Have We Learned?

Today I learned that I need to begin balancing out my levels of effort during the week as it pertains to my workouts. I run out of my apartment each morning and I just start running at my normal pace. It’s my 5k pace, my 10k pace, and my half and full marathon pace (until I cannot hold it any longer – at which time I fold like a cheap suit). Now I know that a runner is NOT supposed to run at the exact same pace for each workout. By changing pace throughout the week it allows the body to recover a bit, while still putting in the miles you need to get stronger and quicker. I’ve read these coaching points many times. My coaches have reminded me of this important training point…A LOT. Do I listen? Yes. Am I successful in adhering to that rule? Not at all.

Every single time I get out into Central Park, I get this energy exuded from the running path and the runners that are flying in every direction. I pick up on it, and I go faster than I should on days where I should let my body recover. I know I’m making a mistake – yet I do it anyway. I actually know I’m screwing my workout up AS I AM DOING IT. Yet off I go, not taking my foot off the gas until the tank is empty (and – by the way – I get the same gas mileage as a Hummer2). Steve Prefontaine once said that he “…only had one pace – and that was suicide pace. And today is a good day to die”. Well maybe he could get away with pushing himself to the limit daily – but I know I can’t. I need to stick to my training plan. Do not deviate.

I know the rules. Why can’t I ever follow them? I’m as sharp as a bowling ball.

__________________________

BY setting some pretty challenging goals for myself, I am trying to generate interest in / donations to The Dream Team Project. This charity’s mission is to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, helping to grant the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. Being s former wish-granter for the New York City Chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, I can tell you first-hand just how much of an impact this organization makes in the lives of children.

If you’d like some information on The Dream Team Project or would like to make a donation to their amazing cause, please stop by the website: http://www.wdwradio.com/the-dream-team-project I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I really believe in what The Dream Team Project stands for. Please consider donating to this worthy cause. Thanks!

…and if you’d like a bit more information on the WDW Radio Running Team, please check out the Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/WDW-Radio-Running-Team/163606410344409

In addition, I am running the 2013 Chicago Marathon in order to raise money to fight cancer. I am running with Team in Training, and if anyone would like any information on this fantastic charity’s work please go to: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/chicago13/jrkolinsky

I am also, once again, running the 2013 ING New York City Marathon in order to raise money to benefit the New York Road Runners Team for Kids (“TFK”). If you’d like to read more about this fantastic charity, please check TFK out at: http://www.runwithtfk.org/Page/About

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