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Sunday, December 16, 2007

Just checkin' in

Hi Folks! Just realized I haven't written in a while. It's not that I don't care, it's just that I have been taken over by holiday madness! Not really...just looking for an excuse. Runs at Joe have been going very well! Lots of new runners as well as some consistent weekly turnouts by Chrissy, Erin, John(and Molly-Woof!), Elisabeth, Lori, etc..Weather's been cold and brisk and great for running!

Personally, I've been running about 4 times a week, as the weather permits. It makes me feel like a warrior out there in the cold battling the elements! Did they ever make warriors who stood 5' 1 3/4"? Yes, the 3/4 inch counts!

But life cannot be lived by runs alone. Let's talk movies. I saw some great ones lately and some less great, but still pretty entertaining ones.

Firstly, Great Ones: JUNO: Must see! Don't want to ruin the story, but you'll wish it was longer. DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY: Great, sad, beautiful, Julian Schnabel is a masterful director.

Secondly, less great: Darjeeling Express. I liked it better than his other films. Not a huge Wes Anderson fan, although I appreciate his style. I AM LEGEND: Scared the shit out of me! I didn't know it was about scary monsters! I was quaking in my $12 chair and alone! Yikes! Will Smith did a great job, though. If you like 'em scary, you'll love this film. I however must sleep alone, but that's another story all by itself!

Yadayadayada...does anybody read this blog anyway? IS ANYBODY THERE?????!!!!

OK, I'm signing off to go for a 10k run in central park on this fine foggy sunday. Just finishing digesting my organic buckwheat pancakes and my second cup of joe.

Over and out.


Sunday, December 2, 2007

Happy Hour Thursday December 6th

I thought it was Wednesday, but someone told me it was supposed to be Thursday...which is a little scary considering I am the one who chose Thursday. Age related or have I been shaking up my brain too much with running? Let's drink on it Thursday and discuss.

6:30-8-ish at Pete's Tavern (se above link)!

Hot Cocoa Race

Saturday's race was really great. Lots of freezing cold runners out..luckily they were blocking the icy cold wind for me. Lori, Jon(father of Molly the Wheaton Terrier), Julie, Chrissy, Pooja, etc...met at Joe, gulped down some coffee and ran uptown, getting to the race just as the horn went off! Pretty much immediately, we all lost each other in the madness. Lori and i finished together, found only Jon, and fled the scene for the relatively cozy subway. Skipped the hot chocolate for some joe downtown. Ah...I love it when life goes full circle.

All in all, a good time!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Thanks for stopping by...from Billings!

This is awesome! Dave came all the way from Billings, Montana to run with Joe! Couldn't get a free coffee anywhere else? Geez!

Check out the attached link to Run Montana. Maybe it's time for a field trip to Billings! Dave won't mind if we all crash on his floor...right, Dave?

Thanks, Dave! He's a super runner and he also does Triathlons! Dave is now my hero! Dave is the second person to run with us on his trip to the big bad city!

We also have some other nice new folks. Unfortunately I am poor with names, but I ran with a Chrissy, a Lori, and a Ole...sorry to the other new folk who's names escape me. It's not you, it's me and the aluminum in my deoderant.

The weather has been great for running! I say we start up once every other week evening runs from my apartment in midtown. If anyone's interested, write me on my e-mail.

As for Stone Barns, I think it isn't worth the trip in the end. It's a schlepp and then there's not as much to do and see and eat as I had hoped. I'll look into some other ideas. Anyone up for a Club Happy Hour?

Yes, my blog today is very ADHD.

Cheers!

Friday, November 9, 2007

2007 NYC Marathon - Our Runners

At least three known Joe Coffee Running Team members completed the New York City Marathon on November 4, 2007:

Riyad Maznavi 4:25:10
Ciara Pressler 4;22:20
Christopher Stephens 5:04:13

Friday, November 2, 2007

Hi from Tokyo!!

Dear Gabby
Thanks always for the emails.
I ran with you once...and went back home to Tokyo, where I am writing from. I miss nyc!
However, my fiancee is still in nyc and running the marathon on Sunday, and I would appreciate if you could include his name on the signs.
I would have loved to join you make the signs but...can't make the weekend trip from Tokyo! Sorry, but I respect your efforts very much!
His name is DAITARO SATO, but just DAITARO will do.
Hoping for a good run-weather,
best wishes,

Yuki Akehi

Thursday, November 1, 2007

San Francisco

I've really been remiss in keeping up this blog. Lately, I thought the ten plagues were hitting me, and that's kept me away from my computer (plague 8: destruction of all electrical devices).. Alright, I really only have 1 plague, but it was enough(Dayenu)! I got pink eye...pretty embarrassing. I was waiting for lice next and my 4th grade teacher to send me out into the hall for misbehaving.. I didn't think anyone over 10 could get pink eye. It's a dirty little secret, but once it's out there, everyone admits to having had it!

But, back to running..I went to San Fran with my brother to see the sights, check out the coffee world out there, and to run! I did one great big jaunt. I kind of got lost (even toting a map), and ended up running for 1 1/2 hours up hills, down hills, up more hills! Wow that city is hilly! I ran right through downtown, up to the Presidio, across Nob Hill (wow! those are some nice mansions with a view!).

That was the only run I did in 4 days..Now I've got to catch up, so I'll be signing off now to run in the Park. G-d! I missed New York! Nothing like it!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Hump Day in the Rain..Catching Up!

It wasn't supposed to rain today, however, when you gotta run, you gotta run, so I ran. And you know what? Running in the rain can be a beautiful experience! Mist coated my skin, landscape was romantic and soft. I pretended I was in Ireland. I thought about a pint of Guiness and a man with a lilt in his speech...ahhh!!

Anyway, I think November 11th is our best bet for Stone Barns. If anyone still is dying to go on the 20th of October, I'll be glad to make 2 trips..

What else? Fall may finally be here! Sleeping in on Saturdays is great! Marathon is right around the corner...

Which brings me to say that I'd love to form a group to stand in a spot in Brooklyn and cheer on our fellows who has the guts, stick-to-itive-ness, and incredible stubbornness to run 26.2 miles..IN A ROW!

Anyone who wants to join me in making signs, figure out a spot to hang...we can meet at JOE, grab some coffee, bagels, take the L train over to Bklyn.. Let's also get a list together of everyone we know who is running it.


Just throwing some ideas out there.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Feet Don’t Fail Me Now (Think Mind Over Matter)

Saw this article today and started to wonder -- how much do our minds stop our bodies from pushing forward? According to coach Matt Fitzgerald, "If you can change the way your brain interprets the signals your body sends, such as the all-too-familiar “My quads are killing me,” then you will not slow down, Mr. Fitzgerald said. Instead, you’ll soldier on." What do you think?

Holy Fast!

Haile Gebrselassie of Addis Ababa set a new world record for the marathon at Berlin: 2:04:26. The last race he won was our own New York City Half-marathon in August!

Click the link to read the article - also includes interesting stuff about the World Marathon Majors, which concludes with NYC on November 4.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/sports/othersports/01marathon.html?em&ex=1191470400&en=eea88f7249593d55&ei=5087%0A

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Stone Barns trip

Here's the story: They serve a casual cafe lunch on Saturdays. All the other times are formal only. They'd be happy to give us a private dining area outdoors, I think. It's all produce from their farm and very inexpensive!

They can accomodate us October 20th or November 10, both are Saturdays. Let me know if you are interested. We'll have a beautiful run and dine a fresco!

Monday, October 1, 2007

Field Trip!

If you didn't get the memo: I want to organize a day trip to the Rockefeller Estates in the Hudson Valley. We'd have a gorgeous run and then dine at Blue Hill @ Stone Barns. Blue Hill is one of America's top restaurants. They harvest and cook the local bounty and I think it's the perfect way to celebrate fall! And as New Yorkers, when's the last time you got to pet a goat? Really?

Dan barber, the chef extraordinaire, is a customer at Joe and a great guy! I've been dying to eat there, myself!

Let me know if you're interested. I'm looking into October 21st, a Sunday.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Tune Your Run...

First, let me say that I'm so very honored to be invited to contribute to Gabby's Joe blog. This will in fact be the first time I haven't blogged anonymously, under a pseudonym, or with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

A delightful number of our number are professional singers... I'm producing an "emo rock musical"... Mariana and I went to the Met the other night... which got me thinking: when you're not running with Joe, what's your favorite running music?


According to a cool quiz in Runner's World last year, I'm a running "Purist." I'd have doubted that, but as last year's iPod outage inpsired me to train for the marathon entirely without music, no exceptions (not to mention my "no headphones in races" rant that my running buddies repeatedly put up with), I can see where being a purist comes into play.

And speaking of play (groan), the launch of the Nike+ system brought music back as this year's #1 training partner. Well, okay - a close second after all of you.

My favorite running songs are usually hip hop, maybe some kickass Yeah Yeah Yeahs or fast-paces Kylie thrown in. And yes, I have Hillary Duff and the theme song from Legally Blonde on there too.

A study suggested Vivaldi made for good runs. The NYRR insists on playing old rock songs at most races, though that changed a bit with Diddy running the city in '03. Rock n Roll marathons are in San Diego, Texas, and other cities. Our own marathon has bands almost every mile in Brooklyn and Nike races like Run Hit Wonder brought out Joan Jett, Mos Def, Everclear, and Devo. Which could be good or bad, depending.

So how about you? What songs/artists/genres make you run faster, further, with more rhythm? Add it to the comments below...

Gotta go - Justin Timberlake wants to know if he can join me for my hill workout.

To the limit,
Ciara

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Keeping Up With the Pack (and Keeping Our Secrets)

This recent article in the Times, Keeping Up With The Pack, talks not only about running groups, but the fact that people often share information with their running partners that they might not ordinarily share with non-running friends. I'd have to agree -- running with someone is a way to get to know them very quickly, and it also makes the miles go by much faster!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Concert of French Music

The Music Salon of Winnaretta Singer, Princesse Edmond de Polignac
Next Thursday, October 4th, 1-2 pm
Elebash Recital Hall
CUNY Graduate Center
365 Fifth Avenue (at 34th Street)

I'm singing on a concert of beautiful French music on the Music in Midtown series next Thursday. If you work in midtown, spend your lunch at Elebash Recital Hall. I'll be singing songs by Fauré, Poulenc, and a New York premiere chamber work by Edmond de Polignac.

Also on the program: Pavane pour une infante défunte for piano — Maurice Ravel,
Eclogue I from Duo Concertant for violin and piano — Igor Stravinsky, and Quartet No. 1 for piano and strings in C Minor, Op. 15 — Gabriel Fauré.

Sylvia Kahan, narrator and piano; Mary Thorne, soprano; Ronald Arron, viola; Olivier Fluchaire, violin; Edward Arron, cello

Adding a few new voices (feet)

I've decided to open up the blog to some of you, my runners. I've added the diehards, but if you, too, want to be able to write on here, please let me know and you will be added.

Meanwhile, Ciara's show was great fun! Violence, Nudity, Fake Blood! They looked like runners (once naked..). And, as a special surprise, Amanda Byron's(Waverly Manager) boyfriend was the drummer! Good times!

Thanks to all you who showed up or will, for supporting each other!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Mighty Hamptons Triathlon

So the Tri in Sag was pretty awesome! I went out there with my Mom, who is a great sport! I showed up at the beach on Sunday a.m. at 5:30. It was pitch dark and freezing cold! I put on my wetsuit - backwards - then put it on right and made my way to the water. The water was a good 15 degrees warmer than the air, and my numb feet started to thaw. I was in the second wave of people, and we swam into deep water and waited for the horn to begin. I've been told that there was lots of wind which slowed us down and the water was pretty choppy. Hands and feet kicked and splashed in every direction, making it hard to swim in a straight line, but eventually I made it to the end. My legs felt pretty good as I ran to my bike, pulling my wetsuit off on my way. There was major wetsuit rub on my neck which leaves a reminder of the good times for a week or two.

The bike portion of the race was pretty smooth. Unfortunately, I realized pretty quickly that my brakes were pressing in on my tires, slowing me down. I stopped to try and fix the problem, but had no idea what to do. I biked 25 miles riding my brakes and cursing the poor guys at SBR who tightened them for me.

Returning to the beach, I happily ditched the bike, sucked down a Vanilla Gu and took off on my best of all 3 sports: The Run! I passed people like crazy..people who had whizzed past me on their non-braking bikes. My legs felt fresh and bouncy! Maybe they were looking forward to Clam Sauce Spaghetti at Felice's in Amagansett (I know I was)!

I finished in 3:15:10. I finished NYC Tri in the same time, but with a 15 minute current induced shorter swim! I was pretty happy about the race.

Next time, with brakes worlds away from tires, I will kick some Long Island Ass!

Friday, September 14, 2007

How to get tix to Ciara's show!

Here it is guys and dolls! Enjoy! I think I'll go Tuesday so I can party like a rock star afterwards!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Ciara Produced a Show!

Ciara not only runs like the wind, but is producing a new rock musical! In her own words,

"Hi everyone,

I'm an associate producer on LOVE KILLS, a hot new rock musical by my friend Kyle Jarrow. It opens next Tuesday as part of NYMF - "the Sundance of musical theatre," where producers are scouting the next big thing. Just like Entourage! With singing!!

No matter what, plan to be at the FABULOUS opening night party Sept 18!"

I think we should go! Anyone want to get first row tickets with me? -Gab

Monday, September 10, 2007

Free Yoga!

Kathleen gave me this info on Saturday's run. It's a website about yoga in which you can download yoga classes free every day! Yoga is a great complementary exercise to running. Any of you runners do yoga? Any special stretches you think help your running? Runners notoriously don't stretch enough. It hurts. Thanks Kathleen

Friday, September 7, 2007

Race For The Kids!

I've recently become a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters(aka BBBS)! I've thought about it for years and finally got my act together! I now am Big Sister to a lovely girl named Katherine! We spent out first afternoon together at the Bronx Zoo! We saw every inch of that place(and lots of cute baby animals!) and must have walked a 10k at least!

Speaking of 10ks (lousy segue, but it's the best I can muster today..), BBBS is having a race on September 29th to celebrate mentoring and to raise money. All are welcome to race and celebrate!

Also, if you are feeling particularly giving, you can donate $$ in my name with the above link.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

I stand corrected!

I love when information falls out of the sky when you need it!

Lee, who owns Jackrabbit Sports, has a program that collects shoes and sends them to Africa!!!! Just what I have been looking for! You can drop them off at Jackrabbit on 14th street between 6th and 7th or bring them to Joe 13th street and I'll bring them in.

Another Drop Off Point for Shoes

Here's an addition to my rant about donating used running shoes to Nike. There is a Nike Runners Station right on the Hudson River Park at 16th street. you can also donate your used shoes there, but will be welcome to bring them to Joe Waverly as well.

Women Improve With Age

Ciara sent me this article. It states that women get faster as they get older(the opposite from men). The reason they state is that young women have less confidence when it comes to being competitive, and so they don't really push themselves to be really fast. As women mature, they gain confidence and, thus push themselves to get faster. It's an interesting and short read. Something to look forward to with age, ladies..well, that and crow's feet.

Reuse Your Shoes with Nike

I started doing some research online trying to figure out where I could donate my old running shoes. I go through 3-4 a year and hate creating more trash. I found a few orgs that send their shoes to Africa, however, they've recently had problems with customs ans shipping..later in the year, I'd like to do a fund raiser for one of those groups...

Meanwhile, I searched and searched and found a reasonable thing to do which is to bring them all in to Niketown, where they grind up old runners(no cleats, no metal) and make floors for gyms and such. It seems like a great thing all around.

SO...what I'd like to propose is a shoe drive at Joe on Waverly. Let's see how this goes. Bring your old shoes by starting the Saturday after Labor Day and I'll collect them for a month and donate them. If that works, I might make Joe a dropoff point for the future.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

When good runners go bad

And we thought we were badasses...sort of. Check out this NYTimes article about the Hash House Harriers.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Ultramarathon Iron Man Inspiration!

This guy, Christopher Bergland, is a customer at Joe 13th street. Ever since we started the running team, Christopher has being a great support and friend. He manages Jackrabbit on 14th street, which is a Tri store (although he's soon leaving), but his career has been Ultramarathoner and Triathlete as well as trainer, writer, force to be reckoned with!

Well, Christopher just published an amazing book (I have a copy already) about his journey, a meditation on why exercise is life-affirming, transformative, brain-growing and fun! He gives advice on how to train, stretch, eat, and live life to its very fullest..to overflowing!

Check out his website with this link and enjoy! This book is totally awesome!

Laren Finished Her First Tri-athlon

One of our own finished the West Point Tri on Sunday! I couldn't be prouder (even though I had nada to do with it)! There's a link with her blog with the full playback!

Congrats Laren!

Monday, August 13, 2007

My Run With SBR Club

I tried my first workout with SBR(swim/bike/run) clun which I joined to get discounts on all my tri gear. From the website, one would think there were all levels of runner(like JOE).. Icouldn't keep up with the leisurely pace of ANY of the runners, although my dull excuse is that i went for an hourlong bike ride beforehand... Luckily, one kindhearted woman took pity on me. It turned out that she'd already knocked out 14 and was looking for a cool down pace (which, incidentally winded me nonetheless).

Anna is a 26 year old diabetic Ultramarathon runner and Iron (wo)man! She won the knickerbocker 60k in Central Park last year. She is a goddess!

Lessons learned: I am not the badass I thought I was and need to have my ass kicked more often by better athletes, and that food tastes better after 2 hours of exercise than after 1 hour.

Friday, August 10, 2007

went for a run, Take 2!

Yeah! I went for my first run (other than NYC Tri) last night, and guess what? No pain! Unfortunately, I'm a few weeks too late to start training (again) for the Marathon...will defer.

Here's a pic of hottie Little Miss Lysa running the half marathon..Whew! Smokin'!

I'll be running tomorrow with y'all!

Gabby

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

NYC Half-Marathon

Here's the good news...Lysa, Steve B., Ciara, Anthony

Steve: http://web5.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/4135.3.673014612110007309 (just over 2 hrs)

Lysa: http://web5.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/4135.3.673014612110007309(just about 2 1/2)

Anthony: http://web2.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.exe/82705.2.610464186500003089(just over 2 hrs)

Ciara: http://web2.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.exe/82705.7.612518692500003089(just over 2 hrs)

You guys did great! Steve, Anthony and Ciara were neck and neck! Lysa kicked some butt as well!

This was Anthony and Lysa's longest race/run yet! Hats off to you both. I'm a proud Momma!

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Mighty Hamptons TRI!!

I'm really doing it. No, I don't really know why...but I bought so much new gear, i just have to get my money's worth..by spending another $175 for the event, plus transportation and accommodations.

Boy, I really know how to sell stuff. Come with! I'll buy you a coffee. We'll eat oysters and lobster rolls and drink beer(yes, after..)

(please.)

Gab

NYC Half-Marathon

Good luck to all of you who are running! Give me your names (if you didn't sign up as a Team Joe member)and I'll post your results next week!

Saturday's run is as usual...we're using the buddy system.. which means I'm still not running but want you to.

Hamptons Triathlon

I want so badly to do this tri! It's a great first Olympic distance because it's small, safe, clean and with me!!!! Please let me know if you can join m e and we can go out together! ASAP...

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Runner's World Article

It's out! September's issue of Runner's World is out with a full page article about us (meaning me and you and Team Joe). It's a cute article! Unfortunately, it's not online as yet, but as soon as it's available, I'll post it. OR, you can run out and buy it! Either way...

Thanks for making Team Joe a wonderful reality guys and gals!

Love,

Gabby

Bummer!

So, I was feeling pretty sure of myself after spending 5 days biking and swimming in Sag Harbor. I felt that it was time for me to go out for a run since it's been a whole month since I found out about my stress fracture. I figured there was still a chance for me to train for the Marathon if I started now. So, I got home from Joe today at 6 and put on my shoes and went outside and took a few hops, and OUCH! Not ready...

Here's an interesting page of facts about what stress fractures. Read it and learn from my mistakes. And feel very sorry for me.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Donate Shoes!

Ciara's cousin Greg, who finished Badwater Death Valley's extreme 155 mile ultra-marathon (in 32 hours!) says this is a worthy cause to donate to, and I agree!

More about Java and jogging

How many times have you all waited for me to finish my cup of joe before we can start running?

In the constant back and forth about the effects of caffeine on exercise, it's still looking good for joe...not that I'm taking sides..

This article's in September's Runner's World.

Monday, July 23, 2007

OMG! Ciara's cousin!

It must "run" in the family. Ciara's cousin is running the 135 mile race through Death Valley. I'm actually speechless and have linked up the article she sent me for your, um..enjoyment...and we thought 6 flat miles down and back and a skinny latte was a hard workout!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Mary,Anthony and Steve kicked some Park's butt!

Here are the results for Park to Park race that was last week. Go Team Joe!

And here's the result of Steve Bookman, although he raced under a different team...we all know Steve's really our own.

http://web2.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.exe/34469.1.658074892400002061

Did I miss anyone else? Give me a shout out if I did!

Also, I forgot to mention in my earlier blog that I wore the team shirt today for the running portion of the tri..and got recognized by some ladies who've joined us for runs! Also saw Doug from Jackrabbit who made up the delightful eye-catching shirts! And my own Mother saw me coming because of the shirt! Moral to the story: don't leave home for a race without one!

NYC Triathlon, July 22, 2007

Here are the stats from today's race:


139 Gabrielle Rubinstein 34 New York NY
overall rank;name;........................age....yadayada...

139 24:39 /9:35
swim rank & time/transition

161 1:42:10/ 3:34
bike rank&time/transition

88 / 54:54
run rank&time

3:14:49
overall time

Ouch. That's 139th out of about 220...not my PR...although I have to say that at least my run was better than the rest.

Details: I woke at 4:30 this morning. I set two alarms but was still restless with excitement (really fear..). I took the free bus they provide to be closer to my competition..ok, these people are generally superfit and heavily armed (muscles, that is). I chatted with a Tri wife - kind of like an army wife. She follows her hubby of 39 years all over the world to watch and support while getting to pick the locales and not do any competing herself..not so bad. Lovely woman.

When I got to the transition area - the place you run back to between swimming, biking and running- I had half an hour to get organized, which includes setting biking and running stuff in little piles by ones bike so as not to forget anything when in great haste later.

I had met a lovely young Israeli woman on Friday at the expo, who was competing to raise money for One Family, an organization for victims of terrorism in Israel. Orli. It was her first Olympic distance tri, so I used my calming skills to, well, calm her fears. We walked the roughly mile and a half from 72nd to 100th street for the start of the swim. N.B. always bring your own toilet paper for the vile port-a-potties.

My swim start was 6:40 a.m. The current was swift, and yet the swim felt interminable, perhaps because I was weaving all over the place. It's easy to get kind of lost in the action of the race..especially when swallowing the city's waste.

When i finally made it out of the water, I decided to take off my wetsuit before the half mile run to transition. That was a good idea. As the salesperson who sold me the wetsuit said to me yesterday, the wetsuit was engineered for swimming, not running.

I took my time at the transition area(as you can plainly see above) and started my bike ride, forgetting to take a Gu (can I blame that for my slow time? I sure can-it's MY blog!). The ride was beautiful, but seemingly endless and with some nasty hills. There were several dazed and bloody people on the side of the road as a cautionary reminder of the fact that we are speeding down hills on nothing more than 2 wheels, some chain and some very tight bicycle shorts. The end of the ride goes down to 56th street and turns around, and at that point I almost lost the will to live. Really, it was that painful.

Then, the part I'd been longing for: The Run! My strong suit! usually... My legs felt like lead, my will alone pushed me along for 54 minutes. I tried to pass as many disspirited runners as I could to make up for the other portions of my tri.

All that said (and that's already too much), I had a blast and can't wait for the next one! My competitive spirit has awoken, and I am sure that with enough training and expensive gear, I'll be able to beat this year's time and maybe...even last year's time!

Am now signing off to enjoy a well earned beer and a large meal. Cheers!

Monday, July 16, 2007

Drink from the tap!

Interesting article today in the NY Times about the trend of drinking bottled water. As athletes, we tend to drink a lot of water and should make the decision as outdoor sports enthusiasts, who need and respect nature, to not buy that bottle. Bring your own and fill it up! not only will you save hundreds of your own dollars a year, but you will not be contributing to plastic waste and greenhouse gases from shipping. Not only that, but tap water has flouride, which helps you to keep your teeth..bottled water doesn't have that. From what I've read, there is a rise of tooth decay in first world countries that parallels the rise of drinking bottled water(see article in link below).

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0DE4DB1238F935A25754C0A961958260

Yes, Joe sells bottled water. But you don't have to buy it! Our tap water is tasty tasty! And, we'll soon be selling personal bottles to cart around in your purses and backpacks!

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Caffeine helps your workout!

Here is a concise article on how and why coffee is good for your workouts...not that I'm trying to get you to buy more coffee at joe or anything...but you might want to start taking me up on the offer of a small drip before our runs sometime and just see if you notice a difference in your performance.

My Marathon Goals

So, I thought I'd post my last Marathon results (4:16:52)up on this blog. Why not. I'll use it as a signpost that I want to pass. My goal has been to break 4 hours. Now with this stress fracture, I'll be 3-4 weeks behind schedule with my mileage and long runs. No matter. With teammates like you, I am sure I will reach my goal. Feel free to share your marathon results! When I can access today's race, I'll post those as well.

Today's Run

Today was beautiful outside! We had a lovely bunch of runners, new and "old"! Congrats to those who ran the 10k today and got to splash in Lasker Pool!

So, as I was riding my 23 year old steel bike today, wistfully remembering all the good runs we've had together, a funny thing happened...well, it probably wasn't so funny to the kid. Is this my fault? I'll let you decide. I was trying to pass a father and son, son aged about 5-7. I gently but audibly called out "on your left" seemingly causing the kid to get nervous and start veering all over the road, riding into a pedestrian. The pedestrian started yelling at the kid, by which time I was making a run for it, so to speak. I felt kind of guilty, knowing that this will not only ruin the kid's day, but probably be a memory that gives the kid fodder for a lifetime of therapy. Sorry kid.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Article yesterday

If anyone didn't catch yesterday's Fitness article in the NY Times, it talks about how dangerous running by highways because of the smog. It also says to run earlier in the day before all the smog builds up. Our run being by the West Side highway gave me pause. However, the earlier in the day, the less harmful the environment. Maybe it's time to have a Joe run in Central Park? At lease once in a while.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

How to race for joe coffee

It's slightly complicated because the Road Runner website doesn't list Team Joe under the regular lists. When you are signing up for a race online, you first choose the races you want, then the next page they show you has all your personal info and there is a scroll down list of teams. It's under Joe Coffee Team. Go Team! And don't forget to wear you team shirt!

First blog of my life!

Hi runners! Welcome to Team Joe's blog. This will be a good way for you all to communicate with each other, so I've been told. You can post races you want to do, shows you're performing, happy hours you're hosting, etc. Cheers! -Gabby