Super event . . . and World record attempt at Half Marathon

This past weekend, I ran the SuperHero Half Marathon in Morristown, NJ.  I learned about it last year and registered as a last minute impulse when my plans for another half got changed. Fortunately, it worked out well, since the half I planned (Rutgers Unite) ended up shortening the course due to torrential rains during the week prior to just a 9 mile course.

When I ran last year's event, I thought costumes we're optional. I was surprised to see so many others dressed up in everything from superhero tees to fully-decked out costumes, capes and shields!

So this year, I've learned my lesson and tried to plan ahead.
While my costume was nothing fabulous (Green Lantern shirt and mask) - it was still a far better attempt than last year's 11th hour fiasco of a costume!

This year, the race organizers make a concerted effort to try to beat the world record for the most superheroes in one location. As of the writing of this blog entry

Trail fever...

Over the last few weeks, I've been looking for new ways to invigorate my running. My training was progressing, but wanted to keep up the motivation to increase my miles. So I thought I would pick up a good 'running read' to keep me inspired, which is when I finally picked up "Born to Run".

Then a couple things happened --

-Runner's World sent a TRAIL supplement with their monthly RW which had great articles on Myths of Trail Running and some great events to try out;

-I've seen been inspired to go out and run, thanks to the chatter online in the twitterverse and blogsphere about North Face Endurance Run, Comrades and WS100 (all events I'd like to compete in!) WS100 announced their participant list - which is billed as the oldest trail ultra marathon and certainly one of the most challenging; Comrades substitutions were happening over the last 30 days and the North Face challenge was happening in May (this weekend in fact!)

Now, as I look forward the Half Marathon I'm running later this month; I'm looking to keep that momentum and inspiration from Born to Run; and what we learn from Caballo Blanco about running "light and easy" so that we float over the trails and mountains.

After I run the Superhero Half later this month -- I am already looking forward to my next challenge, what ever that might be. Possibly another half? Or a marathon?? - but would like to get some trail running in....maybe will have to connect with Dave and run that trail again!?

Experiment in mileage calibration

Whenever possible, I try to avoid the treadmill. Sometimes, due to a winter storm advisory -- or pure laziness, it cannot be helped.

I've always suspected that my treadmill wasn't totally accurate and resolved myself to the notion that I just think that I always seem to run faster outside because running inside seems to take the wind out of your sails. But I felt like I was SO much faster outside.

This morning during my run, I decided to use different music, which happened to on the iTouch. So I lauched the NIKE + GPS app and played the music through the app while running.

Does 3 wrongs, make a Right Run?

It was a glorious day to run outdoors again today, in the northeast. One of those few, but increasingly common opportunities, where the temperature reached over 60 degrees in early April.

As I prepared for my run this afternoon, I could see the wind blowing hard outside my window. I thought, that given how cold it's been -- it would be best to wear at least some cover to stay warm in the wind. So I dressed in a long-sleeve T.
That was MISTAKE #1

Since it was a nice afternoon, I thought I would try a different route and mix it up a bit. I've driven a parallel route to where I've run plenty of times to bring the kids to school. I figured it might be another 0.5 mile give or take, since it's basically parallel, right?
Well, not only did I miscalculate the distance, by over a mile, the course I ran was a LOT more hilly than I thought it would be.
That was MISTAKE #2

Coffee and Running

Many a morning I've wanted to chug a cup of coffee before my run, just to wake up before I go out the door. And sometimes, I do - but wondered if it really does help or hinder running?

I've tried drinking coffee a bunch of times during training and fewer times before races (I've even drank a Red Bull in the parking lot before a 5K) And to be honest, it didn't work out so well. It was especially nice to have a (small) hot cup of coffee before marathons (like Disney) that start at 6am in the dark, during January. Although temps are nice and warm when you finish Disney (70-80 degrees) it was about 30 degrees at the start.

Now granted, I think most people reading this are not Olympic-caliber athletes; but suppose we were? What is the impact? So I looked for the science to support this notion.