Zoiks... It's Almost Go Time

The New Jersey Marathon is almost here! You're going to do great!!!

The New Jersey Marathon is almost here! You're going to fall apart!

You've trained so well -- almost 600 miles since you signed up for the marathon on December 31st!

You didn't do much speed work... Did you???

Four long runs of over 20 miles. Now that is dedication!

It would have been a good idea to do a test run at marathon goal pace.

You've lost over 10 lbs and have rediscovered you abdominal muscles! You'll run a personal best for sure!

Abs, huh? Last I heard you needed legs to run a marathon and yours are wicked sore.

Just a few easy runs this week. You'll toe the line feeling fit, fresh and fast!

Weather.com is calling for heavy rain.

Accuweather.com is predicting cool weather with overcast skies -- perfect marathon weather!!!

"Man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe"
-Euripides

Over Golden Gate

At the suggestion of 13akbal, I headed out for my first run in San Francisco along Market Street, to the Embarcadero and the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was a great run through San Francisco, along the Embarcadaro, the Piers, Fisherman's Wharf and to the Golden Gate Bridge approach. 8 miles out was a little more than I had anticipated and there was no way I was doing a 16 mile out-and-back. But I couldn't stop.

Something compelled me over that bridge... At one point I actually said aloud to myself:

"Oh to hell with it. You'll figure out how to get back to the hotel. Just go for it."

The views were amazing. I'm very glad I kept going.

Here's my route. I ran over the bridge and back but then took a taxi back to the hotel.

These photos don't do it justice but...

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire."
-Aristotle

San Francisco Treat

Rudyard Kipling once said that the only drawback to San Francisco is that "Tis hard to leave."

I shall soon have the opportunity to see for myself. And I am rather looking forward to it.

I'll be in 49er country on business for the better part of next week. While there I am hoping to take in a few of the sites, a few good meals and explore the city by running through it.

Any suggestions on running routes and tasty restaurants?

"Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
Bible, Daniel 12:4

A Run through New York City in Photos

Inspired by Phil, I decided to document a run in photos. The course takes me from Midtown Manhattan, across 34th Street, up 1st Avenue, Over the 59th Street Bridge and finally ending at the Triborough Bridge.

It was more of an exercise in exercise than an exercise in creativity so please forgive the poor composition and quality of the photos - they were taken with my Blackberry.

I enjoyed doing this... Hope you do as well!

The Empire State Building as seen from 34th Street.

A taxi goes by...

Looking up Park Avenue at the Met Life Building.

$5.00 to go to Queens... A great deal at any price!

The United Nations Building.

Looking up 1st Avenue from the 59th Street Bridge.

Queens in all it's glorious splendor!

View of Midtown Manhattan from under the 59th Street Bridge.

Looking back on Manhattan from across the East River in Astoria.

A tired Josh under the Triborough Bridge.

"To the complaint, 'There are no people in these photographs,' I respond, 'There are always two people: the photographer and the viewer."
Ansel Adams

None of That Mattered

I had a blog post half written about how hard my 22 miler was last Sunday. About how I fatigued physically and mentally 19 miles into it. About how frustrating it was getting caught behind slower, more casual runners for those last few miles.

I had a blog post half written about how difficult it is to strike a sustainable balance between family, work and training (not to mention blogging). About how little sleep you get with a 6-month old baby in the house...

And then I went out for a 8.5 mile tempo run and none of that mattered.

It was an awesome run - right at sunset, as the tide was rushing in along the East River, the city lights were coming on and the air was cool and fresh.

Amazing what an endorphin high can do for your state of mind.

"Happiness depends upon ourselves"
-Aristotle

Pure rapture

On Sunday night I had the supreme, life altering joy of consuming Marc's vegetarian lasagna. Pure rapture.

The deaf hear! The mute speak! The blind see!

So it was for me as I gluttonously masticated on mound after glorious mound of his messy, hot, cheesy, saucy brilliance.

I stand in awe of your culinary greatness.

Thanks for cooking.

“It's so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone's fingers have been all over it.”
-Julia Child