Philly to Philly - Rooning Around

#8/10 Harrisburg Marathon and Relay, Harrisburg, PA - Sunday, November 8th, 2009

2009-11-15T13:43:00.000-08:00

Making it more fun for all involved, the Harrisburg Marathon and Relay takes place just a town over from Hershey PA where my friend and roommate Eric Assini grew up. He and I headed over there Friday after work, just in time to see some of Hershey's last home game of the season. Assini is a Football team Alumni. If you've ever been out there, you know the High School Team plays in a big stadium right in the middle of the HersheyPark complex. It's an amazing stadium, Bruce and the Stones have recently appeared there, among others I'm sure...

Quite a venue for a high school team...

Glory Days.

After the game we headed back to Eric's folks house, where his mom treated us a to a delicious homemade dinner, followed by some drinks in their basement bar.

Saturday Eric's dad gave us a lift to packet pickup and then onward to Troegs Brewery in Harrisburg. It seems like The Trogner brothers are gaining more and more popularity each year with their tasty brews.

The sampler: Nut Brown and Troegenator were among my favorites.

We headed back to Assini's house where Melanie and Kodiak would soon join us. We had some wine and beer, and played some ping-pong, up until dinnertime.

Melanie and Assini in a heated battle.

Melanie and I at the Assini Bar.

Kodiak being nosy.

After Pizza Pie and peanut butter pie with Eric's parents and brother, Melanie, Kodiak, and I said our goodbyes and headed into Harrisburg. Kodiak claimed his spot at yet another Red Roof Inn, and we made sure he had his gorilla with him.

The logistics of the relay were tricky since we were just a team of two and there was no transportation to the relay exchanges.... so we rode Melanie's Fuji Crosstown 4.0 to get around while the other was running their leg.

Melanie and I at the start area on City Island, the pedestrian bridge behind us.

The race started at the foot of the Walnut Street Bridge on City Island.

Runners crossing the walnut street bridge at the start with the State Capital up ahead.

We ran on Front Street along the river for the first mile before looping through downtown Harrisburg.

And past the Capital Building...

Melanie got around on the crosstown, watching me run by at a few points along the course and snapping some pictures of me coming...

And going....

Coming up on the Relay Exchange....

And now it's Melanie's turn to run the rest...

The second half of the marathon goes through Wildwood Park.

And she's off...

Artwork along the East Shore of Harrisburg

Past Rendell's house.

The final stretch of the marathon comes back along the River and heads up to the Pedestrian Bridge, crossing the river back to the finish on City Island.

View of runners from the Bridge

Melanie as she crosses the finish.

The finish area at Metro Bank Park.

It was fun to have a teammate for this one... 2 more to go.

#7/10 - First Annual Spirit of Pittsburgh Half Marathon, Pittsburgh, PA - Sunday, November 1st, 2009

2009-11-06T06:57:00.000-08:00

The Inaugural Spirit of Pittsburgh Half Marathon and Two Person Relay. This run is the second part of the Spirit of America Race Series that started with Half Marathon in Columbus, Ohio, back in August.

I was really excited about the Pittsburgh Half for many reasons. Although I've only been out to Pittsburgh once (after the Buffalo Creek half marathon two falls ago oddly enough)... I had a great time and enjoyed how close everything was, and the great views and food the city has to offer. I was looking forward running through different neighborhoods of the city, over some of its bridges, and along the many views.

I was also looking forward to the nice long fall drive through PA, and especially excited about my road trip partner, pictured below....

If you've ever made the drive on the PA turnpike from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, you know that 4 tunnels take you through the Allegheny Mountains between Carlisle and Irwin, Pennsylvania. Kodiak and I drove through Blue, Kittatinny, Tuscarora, and Allegheny Mountains. And then just east of Pittsburgh, we went through one more, the Squirrel Hill Tunnel.

Back-seat driver.

Kody agreed to go with me to packet pick-up only we stopped at Riverside Park afterwards, home of the Allegheny Observatory.

Imprisonment KODY!!!

Kodiak decided on the Observatory Trail, a half mile loop through the woods.

Mister Mustard leads the way.

Water Stop.

We checked in the Red Roof, and Kodiak quickly claims his sleeping spot.

He also decided that we should share my Gorilla Finisher Medal from the Albany Half (see previous blog).

So on to the half... It started in the SouthSide Works, the newer shopping and dining section of the city. We were stuck with the kind of annoying chilly morning where you know you will warm up two miles into the run, and overheat with too many layers, so you just stand there shivering waiting for it to start.

SouthSide Works Movie Theater.

Start of the race.

We headed west on Carson Street through the South Side.

Past Primanti Brothers of Course. Let me give you a hint about this place, the food is great, obviously, but the menu boasts a "Second Best Selling Sandwich" (Pitts Burger Cheese Steak) but no Best Selling One. Don't ask them what the best selling one it, its a trick, and they will laugh at you if you do.

The race continues along the water, past the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines.

Monongahela Incline.

View of Heinz Field from the South Shore. We will be running past it in a few miles after we cross the Ohio River.

View of Downtown Pittsburgh as we get farther and farther away...

A view of the West End Bridge up ahead, we will leave the South Shore and cross the river.

View of the City from the West End Bridge.

View of Heinz Field from the West End Bridge, heading over to the North Shore.

Duquesne Incline and Mount Washington from the North Shore.

Running past Heinz Field

The BUS - His Grille.

Our McFadden's is better.

The Andy Warhol Museum - America's Largest Single Artist Collection.

PNC Park.

The North Shore turned into River Avenue and took us North Along the Allegheny River this time, before we crossed it over the 31st street Bridge.

Crossing the Allegheny over the 31st first street bridge.

View of downtown Pittsburgh, where we headed next to run through the Strip District and the Downtown Financial District, before heading back East along the Monongahela river.

Crossing the Monongahela River on the Hot Metal Bridge.

Hot Metal Bridge.

One last view of the city.

And.....the finish.

#6/10 Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon and Squirelly Six Miler - Thacher State Park, Albany, NY

2009-11-03T05:37:00.000-08:00

So I don't mean to dive too early into the week for these blog entries, but I have to tell you that I was at Game of the 4 NLCS, I saw Jimmy do it, and it was awesome..... Bruce didn't put on a bad show either the following night.....it was quite a week.

It's not every day you see a pile up at 3rd Base.

The Phillies have won the ballgame. Rollins has won it. This game is over.

Friday night Me, the Big Yellow Monster, Jule, and Marshi headed to NJ for a Halloween Movie Night at Chucky and Sarah's Place. Chuck had a projector set up to show Pycho on the side of his garage which is always pretty cool, plus a some great food, a few good people, and a costume here and there.

Chuck, Me, and Dan Taylor. We're good looking enough that we don't need costumes.

Hooper in his dog costume.

Me and Hooper.

Sarah and her customized vampire teeth.

Our hosts, Chuck and Sarah!

Big Yellow Monster (ok, fine, Melanie) , Jule, and Marshi.

Saturday - Todd, Melanie, K, and I piled in the car and then onward to Albany for the Hairy Gorilla Half and Squirelly Six. But first we needed to head to Phillipsburg NJ, so Melanie could pay a visit to her 91 year old grandmother, Mommy Jo! She's very sweet and very strong and tough all at the same time, I know where Melanie gets it from. Our thoughts and prayers are with her.

In the meantime Todd, K, and I had a delicious, greasy, NJ diner breakfast at the Key City Diner in Phillipsburg.

We swung back to pick up Melanie and headed up the New York Thruway through some amazing fall colors up to New York.

Due to the rain forecast for the night, we had to cancel the fall camping trip and instead we stayed with Todd's Uncle Skip, Aunt Nancy, and Cousin Steve. We had a great meal, a few laughs and sports trivia over dinner, a bottle of wine or two, and the most ridiculously good apple pie I've ever had.

We woke up bright and early and drove over to John Boyd Thacher State Park in Vorheesville, New York, just west of Albany. Most of the park is up along the Helderberg Escarpment, and provides great views of the Hudson Valley and you can even see the Green Mountains in Vermont.

And let me explain a few things about this race.... there is a 6 mile run and a Half Marathon, costumes are encouraged and awarded. Both the 6 mile and the half start at the same time, and the half shares the first part of the course with the 6 mile run and runners. Runners are encouraged to bring bananas to registration, which will be planted along the last mile of the Half Marathon course, and the finisher carrying the most bananas across the finish wins a prize. There is also a Gorilla on the course who will try to get in your way, but you throw one of the bananas at him and he will leave you along. There is also a prize for the best gorilla impersonation while crossing the finish line....

Melanie and K signing up.

Hudson Valley and the Green Mountains.

The Albany Running Exchange, the organizers of the race, went all out. They created a customized graveyard with words of caution and even some names of pre-registered runners on the gravestones. Don't eat the Bananas.

Bury your nuts here. K agrees.

The Gorilla is friendly before the race starts. Or maybe its just to cute girls.

Team Phillies running in New York State. Great idea Todd...

Team Superstar minus one.

The, er, race director/master of ceremonies/phantom of the opera singing a song of warning to us about the race, the mud, the tough trails, and of course, the Gorilla.

The sun came out just in time to warm us up for the start. Do you see K and Melanie anywhere in the field of runners at the start? I don't. hmm...

Zombie hiding the woods as we ran by...

Running through a customized graveyard.

Melanie!

Melanie's off to make her way to the front.

Along the Escarpment trail....

crossing a stream....

Most of the costumed runners were in the 6 miler, but a few braves souls ran the entire trail half in costume.

over a wooden bridge.

even the volunteers at the water stop were in costume.

through the woods.

and down and around to the trail below.

each mile marker had a different Gorilla and Squirrel sign

the ridge along the escarpment

6 miles into the run we came to the decision.... turn right to finish the 6 mile run, turn left to keep on going.... Melanie and K had planned for the 6 so they were done. Todd was well ahead of me on the trails of the second portion of the half. Melanie was waiting for me, I tossed her the camera so she could take over with the pictures.... and I could get on my way.

6 miles in.

Troublemakers with Aunt Nancy as the leader.

Heading into the Finish....

My Gorilla impression at the finish. I got 3rd place I think.

Melanie and a white Golden Retreiver!

And of course, the Official 2009 Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon Finisher's Medal. Thanks to Todd's Family for putting us up, to Todd K and Melanie for coming along on a great trip, and to the Albany Running Exchange for putting on such a great and fun event.

#5/10 Seaside Heights Half Marathon - Jersey Shore, Sunday, October 18th, 2009

2009-10-30T05:35:00.000-07:00

We started the weekend with Roy's wedding on Saturday Night. It was at the Westin where the Dodgers were staying, so we saw Thome and some of the other less likeable Dodgers (sorry, no pics) since they were in town for the NLCS. The band played Rosalita which was tons of fun, and overall it was a great wedding. Congrats to Roy and Jenn.

Roy, Melanie, Me during cocktail hour.

My Fancy Date.

So I woke up to a rainy Sunday morning (do you remember it?? it poured all weekend!!!) and hit the turnpike to Seaside Heights for thier 32nd annual Half Marathon. The rain slowed me down, a wrong turn sure didn't help, and I found myself searching for a parking spot as close to Sumner Ave and the Boardwalk as I could manage. I found a spot at 9:59, the race was supposed to start at 10:00, so I expected I was in trouble but hoped the gun would go off a few minutes late because of the weather. As I jogged to the boardwalk I was soon disapointed when I saw the field of runners pass by up ahead. (Yes, I was late to the start of a race that started at 10:00) I figured I would skip race number pickup and when I made it to the Boardwalk I hung a right and just kept on going.....

The tail end of the field of runners up ahead running by....

There they are up ahead.... I have some catching up to do. Maybe I should stop taking pictures and start chasing them??

I caught up to some of them at the booths (closed for the winter) of Funtown Pier.

The race heads South on the boardwalk to the end of the Seaside Heights section, then goes out to Route 35 and into Island Beach State Park.

Once in the park, the majority of the race runs along the access road through the State Park. Despite the rainy weather, I was warm and running at a decent clip. Years of running at the beach told me to expect a much different experience coming back to other way. A cold headwind was coming...

I love small hometown races. The lead vehicle was a guy from the Ocean Running Club on his mountain bike.

A nice and simple turnaround. Out and back runs can be a bit disheartening when you hit the halfway point, simply turn around, and still have to do it all over again.

Check out this fox up ahead....

There he is.

Back on the boardwalk along the dunes.

And back to and past Funtown Pier.

We finished on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean.

Quite a different outfit than the t-shirt and shorts I wore just 7 days earlier in Staten Island.

Following the race I headed to South Jersey to meet up with Melanie and my family for my neice's birthday party for roller skating, pizza pie, and cookie cake. Not a bad finish to the weekend.

Looking foward to a camping trip to Albany with K, Todd, and the Big Yellow Monster for the Hairy Gorilla Half and Squirrelly Six Miler.

# 4/10 Staten Island Half Marathon - Sunday, October 11th, 2009

2009-10-20T13:23:00.000-07:00

For my 4th race, I drove up to Seacaucus, NJ, to pay a long overdue visit with Ronc and Christine. I arrived Saturday Morning, we caught up for a few minutes, and then Christine dropped Ronc and I off at the train station and we headed into the city for packet pick-up and some catching up.....

Ronc and Christine at thier place in Secaucus, NJ

Just an 8 minute train ride to Penn Station, right under the Garden.

Subway Uptown.....

to packet pick up at the New York Road Runners Building on East 89th street just a block away from Central Park.

The Met. Ronc and I are big fans of post modern art, but unfortunately we had a busy afternoon ahead of us and didn't have a chance to stop in.

One of the Upper East Side's finest establishments.

Stuffed Burger. Delicious.

Beer Pong on Saturday = Slow Half Marathon Time on Sundee.

Brother Jimmy's BBQ. This place was awesome.

They had a Ski-Ball Machine.

I couldn't believe Mister Softee was driving around the middle of New York City.

Empire State Building....

We took the trains back to NJ, where Christine picked us up, and we went out for a delicous pasta dinner at Lorenzo's.

I had to wake up bright and early in order to catch the train from NJ to Penn Station once again... and took the subway to South Ferry Avenue in order to get the 7:30 Ferry to Staten Island.

A good view of the Statue of Liberty from the Ferry. I know my camera doesnt take the best landscape pictures... but if you look really hard in the background, you can see Liberty State Park and the bridge I ran over in the Liberty Half just 14 days before I took this picture. Check out the blog entry from that race to see the picture I took from the other side of this view.

Wait, what I am doing in New York Again? That's right, the Staten Island Half. The run was well organized and we had great weather. It starts at the Richmond County Minor League ballpark... and is nice and flat as it goes along the water and heads toward the Verrazano Bridge, where the hills start to sneak up on you a bit. It loops around through the neighborhoods of Staten Island before heading back to the ballpark.

A view of the Verrazono bridge from Mile 3. We still need to run all the way to this bridge, a few miles past, and then all the way back. BYM was going to run over it this November for the NYC Marathon but that's ok she'll be back for it next year....

I told you we had to run all the way to this thing... here's a view right before we run under it and head back to the Stadium.

Almost home... a view of the finish area from the walkway above.

The Staten Island September 11th Memorial with the NYC skyline behind it.

Check out this Police Dog working at the Ferry Station! BYM says we can't pet dogs while they are on the clock so I didnt stop to say hi I just waved and took a quick picture.

A view of the bridges on the Ferry ride back...

Thanks to Ronc and Christine for a great weekend. Although its been a ton of fun so far, I'm Looking foward to my first non-overnight weekend in a few weeks with the Seaside Half this Sunday.

# 3/10 Hands on House Half Marathon, Lancaster, PA - Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

2009-10-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

I don't mean to start diving into earlier in the week for these blog entries, but I have to tell you that me and the Big Yellow Monster went to Phillies Game on Wednesday, and we saw them clinch the NL East (we've seen it twice now out of three years), and it was awesome.

So Moving onto the Half, I took the 4:45 Keystoner from 30th street to Lancaster, where Todd picked me up and took me to a great pasta dinner thanks to his friends Andy and Sandy. We made a quick stop at the Lancaster Brewing Company for a pint before heading to his folks house to stay the night.

30th street station, Philadelphia

Just a 75 mile train ride to Lancaster Brewing Company

Milk Stout and Octoberfest

Despite warnings of rain, the morning cleared up and by the time we arrived at the race it was sunny and clear. The race helps raise money for the Hands on House Children's Museum, "a not-for-profit educational center whose mission is to create and provide interactive learning opportunities for all children and their families".

We meet up with Andy and Sandy once again since Andy was also running, got loose, and went to the start.

The gun went off and before long I was pleasantly surprised that I was moving along at a decent clip without too much effort, despite the fact that I was slowing down to take pictures of other runners, scenery, cows, horses, and a dog who also ran the half. The scenery is great, but let me tell you, its miles of rolling farmland with very little distraction. Its a mentally challenging run. The other challenge came after the turnaround when I realized i was moving along so well on the way out because I was in fact going downhill. The uphills are steep at times, but really just long slow gradual climbs. This is a tough race, but well worth the effort. I'm hoping it helped to put some strength into my legs for the halfs ahead... Congrats to Andy for placing 2nd in his age group and to Todd for finishing 4th and crushing his time goal despite all the hills on his comeback race after fighting a tough battle of his own over the past year.

Tood and I headed back to Philly in the Canyonero and moved some stuff from his old place to his new house, before meeting up with BYM, K, and Mikey for some food and pints at St. Stephen on the Green in Fairmount.

Me, Todd, and Andy

Running past Lancaster PA cornfields

and Cows.

Check out this guy.

Dog running the half. He beat me.

Lancaster Farmhouse. Check out the runners in the foreground.

Me, BYM, K, Todd and Mikey at St Stephens in Fairmount.

BYM and I didn't stay out too late, she had the Bassman Triathlon and me and Kodiak Superstar had pre-race support duties, so the 3 of us got up at 4:30 AM and drove through the fog to Bass River State Park in NJ Sunday morning. We all had a great morning, and then Kody took a long nap while Melanie and I finished up the weekend right where we started... at the Ballpark, for Fan Appreciation day and the final regular season game of the 2008 World Series, 2009 NL East, champs.

The Big Yellow Monster. My amazing, strong, resilient girlfriend Melanie who took 24th overall, was the 7th female, and placed 3rd in an extremely competitive age group in the BassMan Triathlon. By the way, this was despite a tough recovery from a serious bike accident involving numerous bone, rib, and skull fractures, some brain injury rehab, and collarbone surgery among other things just 3 months prior.

Team Superstar

Trolly to Subway.

Subway to the Ballpark

CBP. Man... what a weekend.

How come the poor Phanatic always loses his clothes on fan appreciation day???

#2/10 Newport Liberty Half Marathon, Jersey City. Sunday, September 27th, 2009

2009-09-30T12:19:00.001-07:00

The weekend started with my Pre-Race Support Team (PRST) taking me camping Friday Night at Hickory Run State Park about 30 miles west of Stroudsburg. Kodiak wanted to take me before the fall weather got too chilly for his 12 year old bones. Ironically the temp dropped quite a bit, but we still managed to have some hot dogs and smores by the fire.

Kody's supposed to supervise the marshmallow roasting but he gets distracted.

Saturday morning we headed west to Cherry Valley Vineyards in Saylorsburg, PA, for a wine tasting fundraiser for Melanie's sister-in-law Amy Glenn who is participating in the 3 day breast cancer walk this October. We enjoyed some Music played by Melanie's Dad, and then I parted ways with my PRST and headed across the Delaware Water Gap to meet up with Rick in Hoboken.

Rainy Day in Hoboken

Rick's ferocious Guard Dog Harry.

Rick and I grabbed some Mexican at Charritos and then moved on to Maxwells for a drink.

Despite the fact that I had a half marathon less than 8 hours away, Rick and I watched the Penn State implosion and the Notre Dame comeback at Clinton Social at the corner of 7th and Clinton. The weather in Hoboken matched the rain we saw on TV at the Penn State game, and carried over into Sunday because I woke up to a miserable rainy morning.The run itself was great, it starts on the Newport waterfront in Jersey City and works its way to Liberty State Park where the majority of the miles are, before heading back to Newport. LSP provides winding tree lined paths and great views of New York City, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.

A rainy view of Lady Liberty from mile 6.

Check out the runners crossing the bridge ahead of me in Liberty State park.

The day cleared up a bit for us, and Rick and I went over to the Lucky 7 Tavern in Jersey City to watch the Eagles. The place serves great wings, and is covered with Pictures and Stickers... one sticker in particular from the Grove Street Bicycle Shop caught my eye. Rick's iPhone told us it was only 3 blocks away, so at halftime we headed over. It's a great little shop with pretty cool looking Green T-Shirts. http://www.grovestreetbicycles.com/

It appeared that the Eagles had things under control, so after Grove Street I made the trip back to Philadelphia to give my report to PRST.

Lucky 7 Tavern. That's not Harry that's someone else.

Grove Street Bicycles.

Looking foward to a busy upcoming weekend involving train rides, a Lancaster half with some hills, a BBQ with Todd's hometown friends, some possible race support duties of my own, and the last home game of the season at the Ballpark....

# 1/10 Philadelphia Distance Run - Sunday Sep 20th, 2009

2009-09-24T13:05:00.001-07:00

It was a beautiful day for a race. I had breakfast and stretched with my normal pre-race support team, walked Kodiak as a warm-up, and then walked down to the start to meet up with Melanie who got a quick run out of the way before volunteering to help with the race. I had celebrated my 31st birthday the day before with a delicious ravioli dinner from Talluto's (provided by my pre-race team - our Philly area run tradition) so I was just about as ready as I could be. I ran this race 10 years ago on my 21st bday and found I added just under 2 minutes per mile to my finishing time for each year that had passed. I wasn't too concerned, however, as this was the first time I logged 13 miles in one day since last fall and got through the race without too much trouble.

It was nice to run into my cousin Kevin at the start, there to support Robin who completed her first half that day. I also received some encouragement from Kacy just before I took off to begin.

The PDR takes a quick tour of Center City before heading out on West River Drive and then Back on Kelly Drive. I got some cheers right before the Finish from Mom and Dad, wearing their matching Phillies shirts as usual... and thanks to Dad for treating us all to a well deserved breakfast at Little Pete's in Fairmount.

Thanks to Todd for coming up with the afternoon solution of enjoying some incredible Sunday weather, and keeping an eye on both the Phillies and Eagles, by suggesting the deck at the Brew Pub in Manayunk.

I now realize I need to take many more pictures during my upcoming runs and the time that follows. Looking forward to visiting Rick in Hoboken and running with Meg this Sunday.

My Pre-Race Support Team. Notice Kodiak in the background supervising.

Philly Distance Run

Ryan Hall: He Beat me.

At the finish.

Philly to Philly - 10 Half Marathons in 10 Weeks

2009-09-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

This summer Life threw me an unexpected curveball, and I found myself too far behind in my running to get ready for the Philadelphia Marathon. When I realized I wouldn't be able to get my act together in time to run a full in a respectable finish without potential injury, I decided instead to enjoy the fall season (my favorite time of year) running halfs of all sorts, while visiting, running with, traveling with, and even camping with any friends who would put me up, put up with me, and come along for the ride.

I love a good fall distance run. Below you will find a combination of big city and home town races, each offering a different experience. I look forward to joining all that are running with me and hope that more will come along. Be sure to check back each week to view reports, updates, and pictures from each run.

Philly to Philly - 10 Half Marathons in 10 weeks between the Philadelphia Distance Run and the Philadelphia Marathon and Half.

Philadelphia Distance Run - Philadelphia 9/20
Newport Liberty Half Marathon - Jersey City, NJ 9/27
Hand on House Half Marathon - Lancaster, PA 10/3
Staten Island Half - Staten Island, NY 10/11
Seaside Heights Half - Seaside Heights, NJ 10/18
Hairy Gorilla Half and Squirrelly Six Miler - Vorheesville, NY 10/25
Spirit of Pittsburgh Half Marathon - Pittsburgh, PA 11/01
Harrisburg Marathon Relay - Harrisburg, PA 11/08
Atlantic City Running Festival - 11/15
Philadelphia Marathon and Half - 11/22