Month: October 2010

  • Party: Celebrating my 28th Birthday

    This past Saturday night I had a party celebrating my 28th Birthday.  Almost every month now I throw a party at my apartment.  I limit the guests to the first 30 that RSVP, though a few extras always find their way in.  This time around I had around 35 guests.  I love having these parties and having a great time with some of my closest friends, and some new ones as well.  This was my 21st party I’ve thrown and I’m looking forward to the next one that will probably take place sometime next month

  • Wolfe’s Pond Park 10K Trail Run Completed

    This past Saturday morning I completed the Wolfe’s Pond Park 10K Trail Run in Staten Island, NY.  The event was hosted by the New York Adventure Racing Association.  The race consisted of trail and beach running.  I completed the race in 1 hour, 20 minutes.  Running on the beach and through the trails was beautiful, but the run was extremely difficult, especially the beach portion.  We ran through large stretches of beach twice.  During the second time, a little before half way through the race, my right knee once again decided to give me problems.  I had to walk the entire stretch of the second beach segment which slowed down my time significantly.  Once I got done with the second beach segment I was able to run for large portions of the race, slowing down only when my knee was giving me trouble.  Overall I enjoyed the experience though my time needs much improvement, regardless of the bad knee. 

    Upcoming Events I’m Signed Up For:

    Sunday, November 21st: Tough Mudder 12 Miles – Englishtown, NJ

  • I Began Taking Bikram Yoga Classes

    I took my first Bikram Yoga class two Sundays ago.  I decided that since many of my hobbies involve serious physical exertion (e.g., Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Weight Training, Running) that I would supplement my physical regime with something a bit more focused on flexibility, balance, and focus.  I landed on Bikram Yoga.  I have taken Yoga classes in the past but thought that doing Yoga in a 105 degrees would be an interesting twist.  The first class was difficult but enjoyable.  I went again this past Saturday.  The temperature seemed to be significantly higher and I took several breaks because I was feeling light headed, but it was still fun and challenging.  I have posted a video below that gives a good overview of what Bikram Yoga is about.

  • Merrell Down & Dirty 5K Race Completed – Registered For 2 New Events

    This past Sunday I completed the Merrell Down & Dirty 5K Race.  This was the first “Mud Run” that I had signed up for and had no idea that I would have completed two Mud Runs before ever even getting to this one.  The organizers of this event had two courses, one a 5K and the other a 10K and if I had the ability to change my choice so close to the actual run, I would have chosen the 10K. 

    The actual course itself was awsome.  I have found that I love running through trails and there was plenty of it.  For the first time I was able to complete a 5K while running the entire time.  My knee did bother me somewhat but I pushed through it, completeing the course in 40 minutes and 55 seconds.  My best time so far.  Not bad for a guy with a shoddy knee. 

    My only complaint about the actual race was that they had only one start time.  The prior mud runs (The Spartan Race and The Warrior Dash) both had races on Saturday and Sunday with waves starting at thirty minute intervals.  Waves are merely a set number of people starting a certain time as to not crowd the course and create a hazard.  On both those races I decided to start midway through the day at the 1 p.m. wave.  However, with the Merrell Down & Dirty race, start time was 8 a.m. for everyone and they had the participants self organize into how fast they thought they could complete a mile. 

    I chose to head toward the back in a slower category knowing I was only racing against a time and it didn’t really matter it chunks of people were phycially ahead of me when starting.  The clock doesn’t begin to run until you cross the start line.  However, I didn’t realize they would wait about 5 or so minutes between each category of time and I didn’t actually get to start until almost 9 a.m., which was frustrating because it was very cold out and I could hardly feel my legs by the time we got to start. 

    I still feel I’m not even close to ready for the Tough Mudder 12 Mile race in November.  I decided to step things up a bit and signed up for a 10K trail run in Wolf’s Pond Park, Staten Island, NY this coming Saturday, October 9th to see how I fair with a 10K, which is only half of the Tough Mudder race.  If I can’t handle that then I might be up for a very upleasant exprience come mid november.

    Upcoming Events I’m Signed Up For:

    Saturday, October 9th: New York Adventure Racing Association’s Wolf’s Pond Park 10K Run – Staten Island, NY

    Sunday, November 21st: Tough Mudder 12 Miles – Englishtown, NJ

  • Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run – October 3rd – Orchard Beach, NY

    Tomorrow, Sunday, October 3rd I will be participating in the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run.  The event takes place in Orchard Beach, NY.  This race has both 5K and 10K courses available but when I signed up I signed up for the 5K.  I didn’t know at the time that when I would be doing this run I would have already done two other mud runs before it, otherwise I would have signed up for the 10K.    Below is a brief description of the event taken directly from their website along with a video preview of the event.

    “Attention all recruits! Have Fun – Get Dirty!! The Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run in New York features 5K and 10K off-road courses filled with: Military-style Obstacles; Commanding cargo climbs; Wild water crossings; Mud, mud, and More Mud!; Post-race BBQ and an awesome Tech Tee. Race alongside local Military personnel, Public Safety Officers and Police Academy trainees, all while supporting our troops through Operation Gratitude.”