Inaugural Long Run: Utopia-75-Jewel

Course: Utopia-75-Jewel
Towns: Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Jamaica, Flushing, Forest Hills
Distance: 11.5 Miles
Date: Sunday, September 2, 2007
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Weather: 72%, 40% Humidity,
Bright Sunshine, Low Humidity
Course Path: (see map, left)
Elevations: (see graph, left)

Even though I did very poor this week in running, I chose today to shorten my long run and not take any chances. I had run 7 miles yesterday, and wanted to see if I could handle a long run (typically I either do 3 miles or less the day before a long hike).

The weather was absolutely gorgeous today and there was a nice breeze blowing around. I wore a visor to keep the glare out. I still think of Jerry of last Sunday, and although he was sixty, I could not help but to think that people who run outdoors for many years have a tendency to wrinkle quickly. I'm contemplating using a moisturizer for my face every night. Noxema perhaps?

Today's run was without much fanfare. To be honest, the length of time is becoming less of an issue to me. I ran for nearly 2 hours, and I was completely unfazed. Distance is also becoming less of an issue too. 19 miles in 2 days, and right now I'm just walking with a slight limp and not even too sore.

Perhaps the highlight of today's run however, was not even my own. Perhaps it was the teenagers in the car parked on Jewel Avenue between Parsons and 164th Street that were going at it, as I ran past them. The boy was in the drivers seat, but he was not driving. Let me put it to you this way...if I had been running through London and would have seen this, I would have assumed that the girl was driving stick shift. I won't go any further since I have no control of who might be reading these blogs, but I think you get the idea.

The week after next I will be away to Spain on a much deserved vacation (God Bless). I know I will be tempted to load up on mileage. I was 12 miles under track for the week, and I know running in a foreign country will be a challenge for sure. I will see how I feel. So far though, I am feeling well.