NYC Half Marathon

Today I ran what must be my first half marathon in nearly a year, the NYC half marathon.  It is one of my favourite half courses, taking in a loop of Central Park, followed by a run down 7th Avenue and into Times Square, along 42nd Street, and then down to the very south of Manhattan, via the West Side Highway.  The route was changed this year to run less in CP and to end up in the South Street Seaport area.

It was perfect weather for it; a cool misty morning.  My two guides for today, Amanda and Mark, made for a great running team.  The run felt good; we went at a steady pace, and the only thing that really bothered me was my old shoe, which started to give me a blister around mile 6.

We finished in 2.11; I was surprised how quickly we'd done it, considering I'm just getting back into running after a few months taking it very easy.  After a pleasant brunch and a loong cab ride back home, I took a mammoth 1hr 30 mins map, and then went out and demolished a large plate of sushi.

Perfect way to spend a spring day in NYC!

Grrrrrrrrrrr

Just finished my last run before Sunday's New York half marathon, an evening jog in Central Park with my running partner for the race, Amanda.  Was feeling a little sluggish on the way round, but wasn't sure if it was the running leg to blame, or me for having too many cream eclairs for lunch.

Anyways, cycling back home, thought I detected the faint whiff of oil; put my hand down left, and felt the brown stuff dripping down the prosthetic.  I've blown the hydraulics on my knee joint.

On balance I wouldn't say having one leg has been a bad thing; it has certain advantages (half price metrocard anyone?), and has made for an interesting life (not many people can crack walnuts in their knee joint), but one huge disadvantage is the unexpected leg malfunction.  I have had a few of these, and they always seem to happen at the worst time.

Still, in this case I can get the leg fixed tomorrow so everything is OK for Sunday.  It could have been worse and happened on Saturday evening.  And, unlike anyone else who gets bad knees, I can just get mine swapped out in about 20 minutes, and I'm as good as new..so its really not all that bad..

Spring Bike Ride

It's a beautiful, bright spring day today..went for a 30 mile bike road with Matt Malina up the Hudson, over the GW Bridge, and then along a wooded road in the Palisades Park, right by the water.  Lots of other cyclists also out of winter hibernation, taking advantage of a lovely Sunday morning.  Some steep climbs, but feeling good.    I have a new tri bike which I'm slowly getting used to..the aero bars take a while to feel comfortable, but you can definitely notice the difference when cycling into a headwind.

One thing I've always wanted to do is Lands End to John O'Groats in England.  My brother and sister did it about 10 years ago and had a great time.   The scenery in Scotland in particular sounds amazing.  Now I'm inspired to do that...maybe next year.

Next Sunday is the NYC half marathon.  I've run up to 10 miles to train for it.  I don't think it will be my fastest, but looking forward to it.  I'm swimming at least once a week, and running 2-3 times a week, and trying to bike as well, so slowly getting back into shape after the winter break.