Distance Records, Temperatures Falling.

Hi Everybody!

It's been made evidently clear that I've created junkies out of all of you who read my blog. I was unaware of how many people actually read my inner-machinations until I went on a blog hiatus. Well, there's nothing to fear. I'm just resting up for what will be an even busier season for both running AND blogging. After all.....I am the BLOGRUNNER...

Since tomorrow's weather is going to suck, I headed out this morning to do my 2nd long run this week. After insanely running 15.5 miles 5a Mon, I figured today's run to be simple.

I ran with my gloves the whole way today, as the breath was visible to me. I did not see anyone else running today, so I guess I am indeed a "running ho" after all. I wasn't trying to run fast at all today, one because if I did, I would not reach my maximum distance capability, two, I needed to burn off the 1200+ calories I had at Wendy's yesterday (my weight sucks by the way-despite the mileage-I am still at around 161-162), and three, my tempo run at LA Fitness yesterday afternoon before my office Christmas party was painful, and I was still very sore - even after all the wine I downed (ugh all calories burned? recovered! boo). However, I feel better now after having run 12 miles .... go figure.

Not too much in the way of highlights about today's run iteself. I think there was some kind of football game about to be played over at St. John's, as I noticed a lot of kids with helmets and uniforms on near the campus. As I continued, making the left turn onto Franny Lew Blvd, was quite windy and chilly. There were a lot of chaotic xmas shoppers making things a mess for me as I ran along the Fresh Meadows Shopping Center, but clear sailing pretty much after that (I think I tore ass down Union ---and for those not in NY that haven't got a clue about what I just said...."tore ass" signifies running fast. lol!)

However, statistically there is a lot to cheer about. For one, I am on pace to breaking my all-time mileage record that I had achieved last month. I am also less than 100 miles now from completing my coveted goal of 1,500 miles this year, something that I thought I had no shot in achieving back in October. In fact, with today's dozen-spot, I now need only to average slightly less than 6 miles per day (or 42 miles) for the next 16 days to achieve my goal. I am actually looking to see if I can actually do it before Ileana and I leave for Florida on the 28th. This way I can rest and relax down there, something I sorely, sorely, sorely need.

And speaking of Florida.....

I am now about to enter Long Point Key. Long Point Key is the last "inhabited" key before getting to one of my favorite keys, which is get this, "Marathon Key". LOL. Marathon Key has an airport, which I am sure gets shut down like every other day during hurricane season. LOL.

Next year, If think I can muster it, I might just decide to virtually run all the way to California.
I better start planning now, for what the best routes might be. heehee.

TED CORBITT

Finally, I learned that Ted Corbitt passed away back on December 12th. Who is Ted Corbitt you asked? Please read this article which I scooped up from my club's website:

Ted Corbitt, 1919-2007: A Man Who Set the Standards
New York, December 12, 2007—Theodore (Ted) Corbitt, the founding president of New York Road Runners, a 1952 Olympian, a champion ultrarunner, and a pioneer in the field of course measurement and certification, died today at age 88. A longtime resident of Upper Manhattan, he had been ill with cancer, and he died peacefully, surrounded by loving friends and family members. NYRR mourns the loss of this extraordinary man and extends our condolences to Corbitt's family.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share that the first-ever president of NYRR and a 1952 Olympian passed away this morning," said NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg. "But it is also with added inspiration that we forge ahead with our important work at NYRR. Ted was a quiet yet tremendous force at NYRR and in our sport. As pioneer, leader, and our first president he set the tone and tempo of making a positive difference for so many that we continue to promote today."

Corbitt was born on a cotton farm in South Carolina, the grandson of slaves. In his early childhood, he spent many hours listening to stories of his grandfather's running
accomplishments. When Corbitt himself started running competitively in high
school, in Cincinnati, his mother warned him not to run in the streets. No
one—and especially no African-American man—ran through the streets in 1938. He
later ran track for the University of Cincinnati, but he was sometimes barred
from competing in track meets when white athletes refused to compete against a
black man. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Corbitt earned a
graduate degree in physical therapy from New York University.

Despite discrimination and segregation, Corbitt won multiple American and Canadian championships, set numerous American track records, and finished the Boston
Marathon in under three hours an incredible 21 times, a record that still
stands. He represented the United States in the marathon at the 1952 Olympic
Games in Helsinki. Through these and other accomplishments, he is considered to
have played a crucial role in breaking down race barriers in the
sport.

Ted Corbitt racing in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx in 1957.

Corbitt's greatest running achievements, though, were at ultramarathon
distances (beyond the 26.2 miles of the marathon). When training for ultras,
he sometimes ran up to 300 miles per week, including 62-mile double-loops
runs around Manhattan. When his body broke down, he took ice baths,
practiced self-massage, and used experimental taping methods—all unusual
practices at the time. Wherever he saw a need, he worked toward fulfilling
it. "I tested theories and techniques on myself," he said. "If they worked,
I'd pass them on to my friends. If they didn't, it was back to the drawing
board." His running life was one long experiment to see how far and how fast
the human body could go. He competed internationally in ultradistance events
into his 80s.

Corbitt made revolutionary contributions toward professionalizing road racing
as a sport, particularly by establishing standards for measuring and certifying
courses. Frustrated by courses that were either too long or too short, he
improved upon a calibration system that he imported from England that used a
bicycle, not a car, as the measurement tool. In 1964, Corbitt's enhanced
system was adopted by the national governing bodies of road racing and track
and field, and it is still used today to sanction courses.

In 1958 the newly formed Road Runners Club-New York Association, which
later became New York Road Runners, elected Corbitt as its first president. The
organization numbered 40-odd members and had its first meeting at Macombs Dam
Park in the Bronx. On the eve of its 50th anniversary, NYRR now has more than
45,000 members and is one of the world's foremost running organizations.

Despite his wide range of extraordinary accomplishments, Corbitt was a
humble, quiet man who seemed almost embarrassed to attract attention. To him,
his groundbreaking runs were something he did to see if they were possible. He
also expressed surprise that the sport of running grew to such popularity. "To
be honest, I was never that optimistic that running would grow the way it has to
become our nation's favorite pastime," he said.

Racing Right Around The Corner!

It's that time where I start to see what races I can and can't fit into my schedule.

Without knowing yet what weekend (either 18th or 25th) I am going to Cleveland next month, there is at least a 50% chance that I will not be able to participate in the Manhattan Half-Marathon Grand Prix. Darn!!!!

It looks like the Fred Lebow Classic will be my first "On Your Mark" for 2008. Stay Tuned.

However, it does appear that I will make it for the Half-Marathon in the Bronx on the 10th.

I remembered both times when I ran this one in the dead of summer. This should be a interesting change. I expect The Grand Concourse will be wickedly windy and cold, so I better be ready for Mr. Frosty.

The NYRR Gridiron Classic is always a stress-free race for me. My company never schedules any off-hours work on SuperBowl weekend.

Let's see....What else? Oh yes. The Empire State Run up is definitely NOT for me. I can run 20 miles in a day, but I cannot run up 20 steps without losing my breath. If there is a 'doctor' or 'NURSE' in the house that could explain to me why this is, I'd gladly appreciate your input now.

The other race that is always fun is the NYRR Al Gordon Snowflake. That's because it always seems that it actually snows when it is held !

Well, that's it for now. Waiting for my gal pal to get back here so that we can go watch Will the Thrill become a "Legend" at a theatre near us!