10. The Boston Celtics have been my NBA team since the 60's. Yes, the 1960's. But...with Carmelo Anthony now a NY Knick I have a new second fav team. As an 18 year old frosh he won the NCAA title for Syracuse, now he could win a championship for NY. this is exciting!
9. The Ironman Kona lottery is closing soon. Pay your money ($40 for a chance at an entry-makes Lotto look like a bargain) and maybe your name will get drawn. Then all you have to do is finish at least a 1/2 IM before Kona (paying $225 or more for the entry), pay for the trip to Hawaii, and the entry fee ($650). A bargain.
8. The first NY State Snowshoe Championship is March 5 at Camp Gorham in the Adirondacks. Course designed and timed by Fleet Feet Sports and YellowJacket Racing of Rochester NY.
7. Do not take your sailing vessel or yacht in the seas off the coast of Somalia! This is a bad idea. Stay in the FingerLakes, as of now it is safe. Wait for summer though.
6. IMHO any ship in the waters infested by Somalian pirates should be fully armed and use deadly force immediately.
5. The CEO of Kodak just got named to a task force on jobs by President Obama! This should be part of a stand-up comedy routine, but unfortunately it's true. I don't know where to begin on the lunacy of this.
4. Losing weight is difficult. My muffin top is being stubborn.
3. I finally got on the bike this week. 12 miles. Whippee!
2. If you become a politician do not take off your shirt and post on Craig's List, do not have tickle fights with co-workers, do not hire prostitutes, do not steal our money.
1. This is the "Year of Running Well".
The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Just how many are doping for the weekend? Races struggle with weekend warriors’ use of drugs in their events.
This link is to an interesting story about age groupers in running and triathlon races possibly using drugs. Frank Shorter, who founded the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is, of course, heavily involved in this debate.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
New Boston Qualifying Standards
The qualifying times for the 2012 Boston Marathon won't change from recent years, but the new registration process will accommodate those who are the fastest qualifiers first.
Registration will occur on a “rolling admission” schedule, beginning with the fastest qualifiers. On the first day of registration for the 2012 Boston Marathon, those who are eligible for entry by having met the qualifying standards for their age and gender group by 20 minutes or more will be able to enter on the first day of registration (September 12). On the third day (September 14), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by 10 minutes or more. On the fifth day (September 16), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by five minutes or more. During this first week of registration, applicants will be notified as they are accepted and their qualifying performance verified.
Once the registration window is closed, the fastest runners in relation to the qualifying standard to their age/gender will be entered into the race once their times are verified.
So, people who try to qualify during races after 9/16 may be out of luck, if the field is already filled by faster racers. But, this actually seems fair to me, unless a large part of the field is filled with charity runners who only need money to enter and not a qualifying time.
If the field is not filled at the conclusion of the two weeks, then registration will remain open and qualifiers will be accepted on a first come, first served basis until the maximum field size is reached.
The 59 second bonus is in effect for 2012. So a 55-59 year old male could run a 3:45:59 and qualify.
2013 Boston Marathon
For the 2013 Boston Marathon, in addition to the new “rolling admission” process for registration which will be in effect for the 2012 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. will adjust the qualifying times by lowering them by five minutes from the times which have been in effect in recent past years. The adjusted qualifying times will go into effect on September 24, 2011, and are:
*Unlike previous years, an additional 59 seconds will NOT be accepted for each age group time standard.
2013 Qualifying Times (effective September 24, 2011)
AGE Men Women
18-34 3hrs 05min, 3hrs 35min
35-39 3hrs 10min, 3hrs 40min
40-44 3hrs 15min, 3hrs 45min
45-49 3hrs 25min, 3hrs 55min
50-54 3hrs 30min, 4hrs 00min
55-59 3hrs 40min, 4hrs 10min
60-64 3hrs 55min, 4hrs 25min
65-69 4hrs 10min, 4hrs 40min
70-74 4hrs 25min, 4hrs 55min
75-79 4hrs 40min, 5hrs 10min
80+ 4hrs 55min, 5hrs 25min
Registration for the 2013 Boston Marathon will begin on Monday, September 10, 2012.
Registration will occur on a “rolling admission” schedule, beginning with the fastest qualifiers. On the first day of registration for the 2012 Boston Marathon, those who are eligible for entry by having met the qualifying standards for their age and gender group by 20 minutes or more will be able to enter on the first day of registration (September 12). On the third day (September 14), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by 10 minutes or more. On the fifth day (September 16), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by five minutes or more. During this first week of registration, applicants will be notified as they are accepted and their qualifying performance verified.
Once the registration window is closed, the fastest runners in relation to the qualifying standard to their age/gender will be entered into the race once their times are verified.
So, people who try to qualify during races after 9/16 may be out of luck, if the field is already filled by faster racers. But, this actually seems fair to me, unless a large part of the field is filled with charity runners who only need money to enter and not a qualifying time.
If the field is not filled at the conclusion of the two weeks, then registration will remain open and qualifiers will be accepted on a first come, first served basis until the maximum field size is reached.
The 59 second bonus is in effect for 2012. So a 55-59 year old male could run a 3:45:59 and qualify.
2013 Boston Marathon
For the 2013 Boston Marathon, in addition to the new “rolling admission” process for registration which will be in effect for the 2012 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. will adjust the qualifying times by lowering them by five minutes from the times which have been in effect in recent past years. The adjusted qualifying times will go into effect on September 24, 2011, and are:
*Unlike previous years, an additional 59 seconds will NOT be accepted for each age group time standard.
2013 Qualifying Times (effective September 24, 2011)
AGE Men Women
18-34 3hrs 05min, 3hrs 35min
35-39 3hrs 10min, 3hrs 40min
40-44 3hrs 15min, 3hrs 45min
45-49 3hrs 25min, 3hrs 55min
50-54 3hrs 30min, 4hrs 00min
55-59 3hrs 40min, 4hrs 10min
60-64 3hrs 55min, 4hrs 25min
65-69 4hrs 10min, 4hrs 40min
70-74 4hrs 25min, 4hrs 55min
75-79 4hrs 40min, 5hrs 10min
80+ 4hrs 55min, 5hrs 25min
Registration for the 2013 Boston Marathon will begin on Monday, September 10, 2012.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Crazy Race Times
In the "PSD Meet" held in Dusseldorf on February 11, an indoor meet, Isiah Koech, a 17-year-old Kenyan, ran 12:53.29 for 5,000m. Second place was Eliud Kipchoge with a 12:55.72, second best in the world so far this year. All six of the six best times in the world so far came from this race. Paul Koech of Kenya was third in 13:15.64, while American Galen Rupp was a distant fourth in a solid 13:21.
I guess finishing 28 seconds behind the winner in a 5k is distant, but still, Galen averaged around 4:17 per mile. That seems fast to me. It's only been a few years where breaking 13 minutes for the 5k has become the standard for winning international races (at least non-championship races, those seem to have more strategy to them and the times can be a bit slower). If you can't hold a 4:10.7 pace for three straight miles, you will not win.
The world records are 12:49 (set outdoors) and 12:50.38 indoors.
I guess finishing 28 seconds behind the winner in a 5k is distant, but still, Galen averaged around 4:17 per mile. That seems fast to me. It's only been a few years where breaking 13 minutes for the 5k has become the standard for winning international races (at least non-championship races, those seem to have more strategy to them and the times can be a bit slower). If you can't hold a 4:10.7 pace for three straight miles, you will not win.
The world records are 12:49 (set outdoors) and 12:50.38 indoors.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Internet, TV and Cable
As anyone who has had the "pleasure" of running with Sal's, particularly on a long Saturday morning run, knows, we like to discuss a myriad of topics. We have solved many a local, national and even world problem. If only the political leaders would come to the west side of Monroe County and run with us the world would be a much calmer, peaceful place.
There are times when some of our more frugal members discuss the ever rising costs of home entertainment. MW only gets cable during baseball season so that he can follow the NY Yankees on the YES channel and the other three stations that seem to carry their games. Rick doesn't get cable at all, but then he also only wears cotton running clothes from the 1970's, saving on money for the high tech gear now available.
Lou gets cable, but Joanne keeps the remote control, so what's the point? Mark built his own remote control out of soft pine, stained and epoxy sealed, with mahogany for the buttons. Father Time (Pete) and Handyman Bernie use satellite dishes. This would not be unusual, but they built the dishes and wired their respective houses. Using sheet metal from the factory Pete works in and electronic parts found while scavenging buildings blown up at Kodak Park, the two of them managed to create quite an elaborate, albeit illegal, television reception device.
Jan and I recently cut our cable bill in half! I'd like to say how much I miss the QVC options, religious and foreign language stations that used to cost me $35 a month extra, but that would be a lie. I do miss the History channel and A&E. Three of my favorite shows are on those two channels; Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and American Pickers.
I've heard that many men will watch porn or look for half-naked women on the internet when their wives aren't home. At least that's what morning radio seems to talk about a lot. Last night Jan went to her college class for three hours. A perfect opportunity for my escapade to the dark side. I ran five miles in our basement on the treadmill, showered, made steak subs for dinner (yes, that's plural) and sat at the computer.
Oh the anticipation was barely tolerable. I even watched in full-screen mode on our new monitor! American Pickers, a new-to-me episode! What was even better, the normal 60 minute show with commercials was only 45 minutes on Hulu.tv! Just 3-4 minutes of a commercial for M&M's was it. Beautiful, and it was all free! Life is sweet sometimes.
There are times when some of our more frugal members discuss the ever rising costs of home entertainment. MW only gets cable during baseball season so that he can follow the NY Yankees on the YES channel and the other three stations that seem to carry their games. Rick doesn't get cable at all, but then he also only wears cotton running clothes from the 1970's, saving on money for the high tech gear now available.
Lou gets cable, but Joanne keeps the remote control, so what's the point? Mark built his own remote control out of soft pine, stained and epoxy sealed, with mahogany for the buttons. Father Time (Pete) and Handyman Bernie use satellite dishes. This would not be unusual, but they built the dishes and wired their respective houses. Using sheet metal from the factory Pete works in and electronic parts found while scavenging buildings blown up at Kodak Park, the two of them managed to create quite an elaborate, albeit illegal, television reception device.
Jan and I recently cut our cable bill in half! I'd like to say how much I miss the QVC options, religious and foreign language stations that used to cost me $35 a month extra, but that would be a lie. I do miss the History channel and A&E. Three of my favorite shows are on those two channels; Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and American Pickers.
I've heard that many men will watch porn or look for half-naked women on the internet when their wives aren't home. At least that's what morning radio seems to talk about a lot. Last night Jan went to her college class for three hours. A perfect opportunity for my escapade to the dark side. I ran five miles in our basement on the treadmill, showered, made steak subs for dinner (yes, that's plural) and sat at the computer.
Oh the anticipation was barely tolerable. I even watched in full-screen mode on our new monitor! American Pickers, a new-to-me episode! What was even better, the normal 60 minute show with commercials was only 45 minutes on Hulu.tv! Just 3-4 minutes of a commercial for M&M's was it. Beautiful, and it was all free! Life is sweet sometimes.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
As the World Turns
Funny how things work out. A few years ago Eileen and Jan decided to do their first triathlon. Lou joined in, because, well, he's Lou and will try anything we tell him to.
Mike, who happens to be married to Eileen, wanted nothing to do with a triathlon, except he whole-heartedly, well, half-heartedly, supported Eileen in this new endeavor.
After a couple of years Mike decided he would learn to swim too. A year later he bought a new bike so he could ride with Eileen.
Now Mike is the driving force behind three Sals members participating in an indoor tri this Sunday. Super Bowl Sunday, when most guys are prepping their deep fryers for the chicken wings, smathering steaks with home-made sauce and tasting beer and scotch by the big-screen tv. Mike, Al and Lou (as I said, Lou will do anything) will be swimming indoors, biking on a stationary bike and running on a 150meter banked track at the Rochester Downtown Y tri. How Mike ever got Al to do this is beyond comprehension. My image of Al as the commonsense leader among Sals is blown. This one small step may eventually lead to 1/2 IM's (ask Eileen and Jan) and full blown IM's (ask Jan).
Fortunately I will be home on Super Sunday, loading up my nachos with peppers and salsa. Go Pittsburgh! Or Green Bay! (really, I don't care too much who wins this year).
Mike, who happens to be married to Eileen, wanted nothing to do with a triathlon, except he whole-heartedly, well, half-heartedly, supported Eileen in this new endeavor.
After a couple of years Mike decided he would learn to swim too. A year later he bought a new bike so he could ride with Eileen.
Now Mike is the driving force behind three Sals members participating in an indoor tri this Sunday. Super Bowl Sunday, when most guys are prepping their deep fryers for the chicken wings, smathering steaks with home-made sauce and tasting beer and scotch by the big-screen tv. Mike, Al and Lou (as I said, Lou will do anything) will be swimming indoors, biking on a stationary bike and running on a 150meter banked track at the Rochester Downtown Y tri. How Mike ever got Al to do this is beyond comprehension. My image of Al as the commonsense leader among Sals is blown. This one small step may eventually lead to 1/2 IM's (ask Eileen and Jan) and full blown IM's (ask Jan).
Fortunately I will be home on Super Sunday, loading up my nachos with peppers and salsa. Go Pittsburgh! Or Green Bay! (really, I don't care too much who wins this year).
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