Travel – Run

If you follow a bold pace, you probably know I’m not a runner. But, I truly enjoy finding ways to help Monica with her running (mainly thru music). As Monica’s last post mentioned, I recently had surgery to give my brother a kidney (it all went very well, we are both recovering quickly), which afforded me a trip back to Seattle (my hometown).   It was great to catch up with family and good friends. As you may know, Seattle is known for excellent coffee (Starbucks, Seattle’s Best…both founded here), awesome microbrewery beer (Redhook, Pyramid…my favs), and a great music scene (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Modest Mouse, Presidents of the United States of America, The Sonics, etc). It’s also a very eco-conscious and healthy/outdoorsy city. So it’s a perfect place to run with music (for Monica) or just enjoy the music, beer and/or coffee (for me).

On my last day there, one of my friends found (via Bing…she works for Microsoft) a great place to have breakfast together. Easy Street Records and Cafe is located in West Seattle. It turned out to be an awesome find.

fyi for tech geeks only…you might be interested to know that we probably would not have found Easy Street if we searched on Google. She typed in “Best breakfast places in Seattle”. The first search item in Bing brought her to a top 10 list in Yelp that listed “Easy Street Records and Cafe” as #6. If you typed the same thing into Google you will also find a Yelp listing, but it lists “downtown” restaurants. Not sure why Google would insert “downtown” into the Yelp search, but Easy Street doesn’t show up. And that would have been a real shame because this place (forgive me for this) ROCKED! It was enough to make me change my computer to Bing as the default browser.

At the West Seattle Easy Street (there is another East Street in downtown Seattle, but not w/ a cafe), the cafe is located right inside the record store. They have a great selection of reasonably priced new and used CDs as well as vinyl LPs. The vibe is very indie music oriented w/ lots of tattooed, pierced, colored-hair wait staff, but very friendly and fun. The food had names like “Beck Omelet”, “Gang of Four” (4 tacos for lunch), “New Wave O’s Rancheros” and even “Born to Run” (a “good to go” bfast sandwich). Of course, the music is always playing w/ interesting bands and it’s a casual diner-type place. The coffee is up to Seattle standards w/ some comments on Yelp staying that the baristas here are the “best kept secrets in the city”. We all tried different coffee drinks and I’d have to agree. Even the bathrooms made me smile. Only in Seattle at a place like this would you find reflective, eco-conscious, inspirational graffiti w/ lines like “Be Yourself–those who mind don’t matter, those who matter don’t mind” and “What r you doing? Why r u doing this? Is it a good thing? What’s it’s impact? What’s next?”. Easy Street Cafe bills itself on the web as “the best little record store, coffee bar, and diner in West Seattle”…I don’t know how many record store/cafe’s there are, but I’ll start the nomination process for the best little record store, coffee bar, and diner in the US!
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Before you run the New York Marathon, read Liz Robbin’s A Race Like No Other– 26.2 Miles through the streets of New York.  Actually, I think the book should be tucked into every swag bag with the t-shirt and race number.  Runners could fight pre-race jitters in bed the night before engrossed in these captivating stories.  Moreover, they could throw it in with their water and power bars the next morning and pass the dreaded hours of waiting time at the start with Paula Radcliff and Hendrick Ramaala.  Runners would appreciate the many volunteers they were about to pass in a whole new light (who may actually hand them their water).  They would become familiar with the sacrifices of the bold-hearted elite racers like those they will follow through the streets of NY. And how could they not be motivated by reading about the many individuals who overcame heart-wrenching adversity to make it to the starting line?  I would have loved that before I ran in 2008. This book had me at mile one.

We, at a bold pace, have devoured Liz Robbins’ astute and edifying articles about running and other sports in the New York Times and Well Blog. In fact, Liz’s article The Best Marathon Advice You’ll Ever Get (a favorite) will be sent to new marathoner friends in perpetuity. Are you sensing how delighted we are that Liz Robbins’ has agreed to answer our a bold pace questionnaire?

10 Questions for Liz Robbins:

1. Running skirt: friend or foe?

Foe. When I run, I want to wear shorts. When I play tennis, I wear skirts. When I played lacrosse and field hockey, I wore tartan plaid polyester skirts. Enough said.

2. What is your idea of the perfect run (when, where)?

When I covered the N.B.A. for the New York Times, I had my favorite runs on the road.

Venice Beach (not all the way to Santa Monica Pier) – a nice 5-miler watching the ocean

Dallas – Katy Trail (I always seemed to do that run when it was 92 degrees)

Miami – South Beach boardwalk/trail

But, my favorite quick run is in my backyard. A few blocks to Central Park, one loop on the upper bridle path, one loop on the reservoir.

3.  What do you most value in a running friend (or do you prefer music/sweet solitude)?

Encouragement. I run faster with a friend.

4.  What is your present state of running mind? How are those knees…will you ever run the NY Marathon?

My present state of running mind is…incredibly frustrated. I haven’t had a run longer than 30 minutes for months, and I’m spending most of my time on the elliptical right now. My doctor wants me to have arthroscopic surgery. My doctor thinks it’s essential because cartilage is roaming free in my right knee. I knew the pain and the clicking noises were not good signs. Any advice?

5.  Who is your favorite runner to watch (or to cover) and why?

Hendrick Ramaala.

Because he is so genuine and so wise. When I did research for my book, I stayed with him and his family for five days in Johannesburg, and they couldn’t have been more hospitable. Hendrick, the 2004 NYC champion, has time for everyone, young runners, recreational runners, he loves to impart his wisdom. Plus, at age 38, he goes for broke and always thinks he can win. He is an inspiration!

A close second would be Paula Radcliffe. Even though it’s very difficult to watch her as she bobs her head and always looks in pain (since she is), a race is never boring when she is entered.

6.  We think runners are tough (especially women runners!). How do they compare to the basketball players or tennis players you have written about?
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An excellent start; the 2009 Philadelphia Marathon swag is the best ever. A smart Kick Asphalt technical shirt, runners’ gloves and a (zippered) mesh bag.

Sunday, 11/22, 5:10 am. It’s finally time…Kim and Kerry are running their first marathon. The mood in the car is optimistic and light.

The day is made for marathon running, cool, bright and cheery. We choose the facilities at the Starbucks on Callowhill and 20th. The line of ardent runners recount tales of race bibs purchased on Craig’s List and compare favorite marathons (it’s NY by a mile.)  We women get a bad rap when it comes to time in the loo…those Starbucks men sure took their time!

The new wave start is touted. With roughly 7,500 marathoners, 7,200 half marathoners and 1,575 8K runners, the streets are mobbed for the first mile or 2.

Kim and Kerry (the K’s) are low key, savoring the architecture (the Beaux-Arts Memorial Hall in Fairmont Park is a midpoint standout), the sparkly rivers and the quirky marathoners along the way. Kim discovers her mantra at mile 4…..never say never. The ever vivacious Kerry chats with fellow runners, collecting their stories.

I’ve run Philadelphia twice. This time, I am doing the half.  I’ve read of runners who purchased a half marathon bib and then proceeded to run the full marathon. Those are not my people. The leisurely half is great fun. And so is the finish line.  But the day is all about the marathon; we half-runners are merely poseurs. I forgo my Mylar blanket, medal and banana.

I cheer the runners at Lloyd Hall (after mile 25.) This year, runner’s first names are boldly printed on their bibs. We yell out their names as runners grit their teeth, limp, cry or (happily) accept candy from the crowd. A group of young women are singing the Black Eyed Peas’ latest. The entire song. At mile 25.5. I don’t like them one bit. A bystander is obsessively playing the Rocky theme—a runner requests Sinatra. A middle aged man, with his entourage, is running his 100th Marathon. The crowd goes wild. A young couple run by, the man’s shirt says, “I love my marathoner”, pointing to the woman.

LDF’s, Ann and Jill, jump in at mile 23, with stories to tell, just what the K’s are craving.

Kim and Kerry run past. They seem calm, classy and jubilant. They did it.

Monday finds the K’s with the inevitable sore and unsightly toes and that painful stair walking.  Talk quickly turns to their chances of getting into the New York Marathon next fall. The glorious conversation continues….

kimkerryphilly

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{race report} Chicago Marathon 09

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by Jamie on October 15, 2009

The last time I ran a marathon, I took the Boltbus. This time, I am flying to Chicago…with some trepidation. The week before the race finds me frantically combing through my running log and training plans with that sinking feeling. It finally dawns on me that, thanks to my so called life (and sore knee), I have completed fewer long runs and less total mileage than ever before. Some of my long runs were dire.  I worry, is a dark running cloud following me?

Chicago is my kind of town. A stroll through Millennium Park reveals flowered landscapes reminiscent of London’s Green Park, Grant Park (the setting of Obama’s election night speech) and the Jay Pritzker pavilion, an outdoor concert site designed by Frank Gehry. Its steel ribbons adorn the cityscape (once referred to as the City of the Big Shoulders.) We pass the Cloud Gate, an elliptical sculpture reflecting the skyline and the Crown Fountain, glass block towers that project video images of Chicagoans amidst jets of water. The Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern building is airy, light filled and uncrowded. We contemplate the mastery of a Magritte sunset. While passing the Gold Coast (Oprahland), overlooking Lake Michigan, we glimpse a beach with palm trees!  We recall The Spirit of the Marathon documentary, wondering, “is this where they trained?”

The food is terrific. At Mercat a La Planxa, we savor Barcelona tapas and pineapple mojitos. The flavors are bold and vivid.  Andrea discovers a night-before-the- race gem, Fianco-a neighborhood trattoria; new wave, yet hearty Italian fare. Jane and Ralph, married, veteran marathoners (and doctors!) bring a lighthearted air to dinner, reminding us to enjoy the ride.

We taunt the marathon gods by running in customary but new sneakers (Andrea), a brand new Chicago Marathon shirt (Jean) and a 2007 Vermont Marathon shirt (my own brand of lunacy.)

The race is huge, yet every detail is impeccably orchestrated (lightening quick check in at the expo, plentiful porta potties, Gatorade and water.) Waiting for the race, it is so very cold. By mid race, the temperature reaches the 50’s and it is sunny.
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{race report} The Philadelphia Distance Run

Thumbnail image for {race report} The Philadelphia Distance Run September 28, 2009

Running in Philadelphia is great fun; eating there, even better. A perennial favorite, The Philadelphia Distance Run, took place on Sunday, 9/20. Next year, the race will be “rebranded” as the ING Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon. Even road races are beginning to resemble suburban malls……  The Race Expo takes place at the Philadelphia [...]

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a favorite run — Amsterdam

Thumbnail image for a favorite run — Amsterdam August 21, 2009

Could it be the coffee shops? The bike riding lifestyle? Or the brick roads of the city center? No one was running on the streets of Amsterdam. My 3 guide books say nothing on the subject of running. Our smashing hotel staff suggest running in Vondelpark, the largest park in Amsterdam. I take an easy-to-manage [...]

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NY Marathon Long Training Run #1: Twelfth Night (and day) of July

Thumbnail image for NY Marathon Long Training Run #1: Twelfth Night (and day) of July July 14, 2009

I’m becoming restless. Time to break up the drudgery of distance training by running somewhere new. I choose the NY Marathon Long Training Run #1 in Central Park. The run costs $15.00 if entered ahead of time and a little more to pay on the spot. The run is billed as a “noncompetitive” 6-20 miler. [...]

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a favorite run — Cape Cod

Thumbnail image for a favorite run — Cape Cod May 31, 2009

Dennis, Massachusetts, a sylvan mid-Cape town, has less name recognition than its glitzy cousins, Provincetown and Hyannis. Its charms are singular; exquisite light and color, understated, yet elegant New England architecture (think old shingles reminiscent of grey cashmere) and a small town vibe. Dennis boasts the Cape Playhouse, the oldest professional summer theater in the [...]

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a favorite run – Washington DC

April 14, 2009

Spring in Washington DC is magical.  Cherry blossoms, magnolias, and rows  of tulips sit at attention among beautifully manicured lawns.  I spent a fabulous weekend there for Easter with family and friends (visited the must see Newseum and spent my injured early mornings hours engrossed in The Help by Kathryn Stockett-a great read).  And although I was unable to [...]

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a favorite run — Philadelphia

April 7, 2009

When it’s time for a long run, my long distance friends and I head out to Philadelphia: Kelly Drive and the Wissahickon Park. We start out at Lloyd Hall on Kelly Drive. At 6:20 am, there is usually free parking nearby. Lloyd Hall is located on the east side of the Schuylkill River, next to [...]

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