March 16, 2012
March 07, 2012
March 04, 2012
March 02, 2012
Caption Contest - NRA Edition
It's been a while since our last caption contest, so here goes. Enter your caption in the comment section. Our team of judge will determine the winner next week. Entry deadline is 3/8.
Photo stolen courtesy of Slowtwitch
March 01, 2012
Proposed Changes for Prospect Park
As most local runners and riders have probably heard by now, there are plans for major changes in Prospect Park. Under the proposed reconfiguration, cars will be restricted to one lane during the time in the park. Bikes will be restricted to one lane at all times, and pedestrians will have use of the former recreation lanes shared by cyclists and runners.
Even when cars are not allowed in the park, cyclists will be restricted to the single lane, with the outer lane only for official vehicles "temporary passing" by cyclists. Overall, this is a major step in the right direction. It limits the space used by cars, which is an improvement. It has consistent use of each lane, and the ability for clearer markings and less confusion. Certainly it would be better to get cars out entirely, but I understand that it's a political hot potato, and that the Borough President is a buffoon who champions the use of cars.
Still, I have some concerns. Reducing the bike lane from 23 feet to 10 feet during times that cars are out will effectively eliminate pack riding in the park. Perhaps that's not a bad thing, but it's noteworthy. I also worry about the lack of a "buffer" between the cars and bikes. There's one in place between the bikes and runners, which is understandable. But the car lane has been narrowed, and I worry about the safety of riders. (There is a 3-foot shoulder to the right of the cars. That could be used as a buffer if it were placed on the cars' left, but there are concerns about cars swerving to avoid drains which are on the right of the road.)
And apparently there has been no mention of the dangerous and illegal speeds that cars routinely drive in the park. Though the NY Daily News found it appropriate to do a full page story about some cyclists exceeding the speed limit, they have not seemed as interested in the habits of drivers. One would think that if cyclists on 20 pound bikes occasionally speeding by a few MPH is newsworthy, that the 99% of drivers speeding would also merit a full page story, complete with absurd and inflammatory headline. One would be wrong, but here's what the Park Slope Neighbors radar study found:
Fielded Thursday, February 23, 2012, 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Conditions: Partly cloudy, dusk, 50 degrees fahrenheit
Park Drive Speed Limit: 25 MPH
Average speed: 38.7 MPH
Median speed: 39 MPH
% Above 25 MPH Speed Limit: 99%
% Above 30 MPH: 94.9%
% Above 40 MPH: 45.6%
Top Recorded Speed: 53 MPH
Sample size: 195 vehicles
Certainly there's more to be done in terms of changing policy, perception and enforcement, but this proposal is clearly a step in the right direction.
February 28, 2012
Disney Princess Half Marathon Race Results
not entirely because of my absence.)
February 24, 2012
February 23, 2012
Mr. Manners Says
Those of you who know me, realize that I am lazy and that I value proper manners. As such, I'm recycling an article that I wrote several years ago for Metro Sports Magazine. In it, I examined proper athletic etiquette. Of all the things I've written, this article generated the most emails, and I've also seen it posted in a couple of gyms. Go figure.
I'll follow up with a few "Dear Mr. Manners" submissions in the near future as well.
IN THE CLUB
In the fitness world, you’d be surprised how many basics that go without saying actually do need to be said. Jeff Glowatz, Fitness Manager for a major metropolitan Police Department has seen it all. “Nothing surprises me anymore. You can’t take anything for granted. I’ve actually had to tell people that they need to wash their clothes before they work out.” In a gym, sweat is acceptable. Fermented, day-old sweat is not, so never re-wear soiled workout clothes. And while you’re at it, make sure to wear deodorant - especially if you’re sporting a sleeveless top to show off those buffed arms you’ve been working on. Lastly, take it easy with the perfume and cologne. If you slap on the Aqua Velva, the poor slob who’s breathing heavily on the treadmill next to you will be overwhelmed by the scent. Plus, even if you spring for the good stuff, the combination of a previously nice, subtle scent mixed with sweat often results in an offensive blend.
A few other “common courtesy” items that aren’t so common after all can really infuriate the staff and other members at the gym. An old adage in the weight room is “strong enough to lift it, strong enough to put it away”, yet visit any gym and you’ll likely find it littered with dumbbells, plates and other heavy metal within minutes of opening. Leaving weights on the floor is inconsiderate and unsafe. Listen to your mom and pick up after yourself. In that same vein, mom certainly wouldn’t approve of your leaving a puddle of sweat for the poor slob who has to follow you onto the treadmill or bench. Most gyms will provide you with a towel, or at least paper towels that you can use to wipe down the equipment.
Lastly, if you wear headphones while you workout, remember that the rest of us can hear you if you sing along. Every gym has one aspiring Destiny’s Child member who sings out loud (and usually off key). At first it’s amusing, but eventually it’s just plain annoying. Save it for karaoke night, and keep it to yourself in the gym.
A DAY AT THE RACES
One of the great things about running races is that anyone is welcomed. If you’re a middle-of-the-packer, or even a slow runner, most times you can do the same race as elite runners. Still – just because you’re on the same road as them, doesn’t mean that you should line up next to them. The widely accepted procedure is that faster runners start at the front, and slower runners at the back. Forcing the speed demons to weave around you during the first few hundred yards because you want the glory of leading a race for five seconds, or because you want to get a photo op for the local paper is a major no-no. With the wide use of chip timing at most races, there’s no reason to cheat your way up to the front. Sure, there’s always a little gamesmanship and the 8-minute milers usually line up in the area marked off for the 7-minute milers, but don’t get crazy. Be fair, and line up appropriately.
GET WET
Swimming can be one of the most relaxing forms of exercise, and at first glance there’s really not much that can go wrong – just go from one end of the pool to the other and come back – right? The problem arises when swimmers fail to observe a couple of simple rules of decorum.
Perhaps your kindergarten teacher was also a swimmer, because everything you need to know can be summarized in those brilliant words of wisdom, “share, share, that’s fair.” Most folks are fine if they need to split a lane with one other swimmer, but introduce a third variable into the equation, and suddenly that spirit of cooperation disappears faster than you can say “flip turn”. While John Stewart is not a kindergarten teacher, he is a popular New York swim coach who offers advice on how to share. “Circle swimming [a counterclockwise rotation that allows three or more swimmers to share a lane] is quite simple, and shouldn’t hamper your workout. Stay to the right as you swim, veer left as you approach the wall, and leave the middle open for passing. Faster swimmers have the right-of-way, so if you’re being overtaken, stay to the right but don’t stop swimming. If you need to rest, hold onto the wall at the right side, so as to not impede the progress of the others.” If you were an only child and don’t like to share, you should aim for off-peak hours, but (unless pool rules dictate otherwise) it’s never acceptable to refuse to circle swim.
The other big peeve among swimmers is others who ignore the classifications for the lanes. In case you’re wondering, no one cares about those flirty indiscretions the last time you had too many cocktails at the office party. That big sign that says “FAST LANE” refers to the speed of your swimming – not your social life. If you can’t keep up, move to another lane.
One last tip – no matter how much chlorine is in the water – it’s never acceptable to spit, pee or otherwise share any other bodily fluids in the pool.
Keep these guidelines in mind and you’ll make friends everywhere you exercise.
Planning Your Race Calendar
I'll be at the Union Square JackRabbit shop tonight at 6:30 to discuss planning your season. Come on by to say hi and talk training. Here's the event description from JRab.
Do you have multiple races this season? Is your half-marathon training conflicting with your Olympic tri program? Learn how to intergrate multiple races into your training schedule so you're performing your best on the day that matters the most. Join Jonathan Cane, CityCoach founder, as he helps you avoid the pitfalls that can derail any season.
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