Roasted Garlic Meatballs with Angel Hair pasta

Ran 7 miles on the canal with John today. We took it easy for the first 3.5 and picked it up for the return trip. John is training for Boston and I hope to make the trip with him possibly to pace him the final 15 miles.

When I go for a long run, it usually means I want to cook later in the day if I have time. At first I was thinking about osso buco which I love but the market didn't have veal shanks so my fall back was a dish I came upon in one of my recipe books. It was roasted garlic meatballs served over angel hair pasta. It looked like a relatively quick recipe and had lots of flavor.

I had to roast 2 bulbs of garlic in some chicken broth for 90 minutes then remove from the skin. I pureed the garlic and added it to equal parts of ground beef and park. Added some bread crumbs, egg, shallots and thyme and formed the meatballs.

I fried the meatballs and then put them in the garlic infused chicken stock while the pasta was cooking and then combined. I know it was good because my son Micheal liked them.

There was lots of flavor in those meatballs. Not moms or Ro's traditional meatballs but really good. I am adding that recipe to my rotation.

Hamilton YMCA Spooky Tails & Trails 5K

Time - 20:36
Pace - 6:38
Runners - 125
Place - 7
Age Place - 1st
Heart Rate Average - 155
HR peak - 166


Since I didn't run last weekend I was looking for a race this weekend but I needed it be to be close since I didn't feel like traveling more than 30 minutes. I also wanted to set up a RWTV5K table to encourage runners to sign up for my race next week. My choice was the Spooky Tails & Trails 5K in Hamilton, a race I have run before. I ran it 2008 with Dale and Blaze. It is a small race held in Veterans Park with a nice course. They also have a dog costume contest after the race which is kind of cute.

Some of the runners were in costume since it was the day before Halloween. Flash was there and he certainly was the odds on favorite, because he was Flash.

I was planning on going hard since my knee was feeling better and I figured I could place in the top ten. Weather was a bit chilly, first real cold morning of the fall race season, but short sleeves were still in order.

My first mile was 6:34 and I didn't feel like I was going hard which gave me a bit of confidence going into the 2nd mile. I kept hearing about a hill but I didn't remember a hill so I kept pushing the pace. There was one guy on my tail who kept trying to pass me but every time he got on my shoulder I pushed it harder. This became my goal for the rest of the race. I usually fade in mile two so I had to work to keep in front. The guy had a few Ironman tattoos so I was figuring he was a good runner. I hit mile marker 2 at 13:25 so I had held my pace and now just finish strong. Mister Ironman tattoo tried one more time to pass me, but it was at the hill, which was more like an incline, so I really pushed the pace. At the top of the hill I saw mile 3 so I broke out into my 50 year old sprint. I hit the tape in 20:39 which was good for 7th overall and 1st in my age group. Flash came in 2nd overall, he was beat by a high schooler.

I was happy with the results and my 5K times have been pretty consistent since the weather became cooler. Next up is my race, the 6th annual Run with the Vikings 5K.

My one critique of this race was it didn't start on time and was 15 minutes late and the raffle drawing at the end. I hate when they hold a raffle and start calling the race numbers when half the runners have left.

No running - Just eats

I haven't blogged in awhile, mainly because I haven't run a race in two weeks, but I have dined at a few nice places.

I was in Boston over the weekend visiting my son Bobby who is in his second year as a pre-med student. It was parent weekend so Ro, Michael and I took the trip up to see him. Boston has a lot going on and is a great running town. There are always hundreds of runners jogging along the Charles. There was a regatta going on with hundreds of rowers on the Charles. I love running there but this weekend I was taking a few days off.

We arrived on Friday a little late for the first activity so we headed to Uburger, "Above All Burgers" is their slogan. I like their burgers and so did my family. Bobby wanted Thai but we needed something quick.

On Saturday we headed to Thai Dish which is adjacent to Uburger for lunch. I had the Pad Khee which was very good although a bit spicy. After lunch we basically strolled all of Boston working our way to the North End shopping along the way.

We had our sights on Pizzeria Regina on Thatcher but there was over a 1 hour wait so we settled for a place called Push Cart Pizza. It was good, but nothing like Regina and the wait was 30 minutes and we only had 3 folks in front of us.

After the pizza we headed to Mike's Pastry which looked like the wait was 90 minutes so we passed that up. Everyone was tired so we took the T back to the hotel.

Since our hotel was north of Boston we had to pass through the North End on the way back to Bobby's dorm so my plan was to get some cannolis at Mike's on the way home. No line and 3 cannolis later we were on our way back to Bobby's living quarters so say goodbye. Before we left though we got a few cannolis at Modern Pastry so we can compare. Mike's were a lot better.

Usually the Running Gourmand just doesn't eat but this weekend that's all I did. All the food was good but I need to get back on the roads.

John Ragone 5K & Lory's Lakeside

Time - 23:40
Pace - 7:38
Runners - 221
Place - 44
Age Place - 4th
Heart Rate Average - 141
HR peak - 161

The John Ragone 5K is the 3rd leg of the Brunswick Cup series and is one of the oldest races in NJ celebrating it's 33rd year. My brother in law Dale was in town so he was joining me and liked the fact that the race has an early afternoon start. I had to pick up the "Senator", Ken V who is recovering from major knee surgery. Ken loves to be around the race crowd and is always hawking his Freezing Cold Hash race in January.

I have been nursing a sore right knee and just wanted to take it easy today. Dale and I ran together for the first two miles and I got a chance to snap a bunch of good photos. Dale was running well today and we passed a number of runners along the way. My plan was to run with Dale for the first 2 miles then if I felt good, pick up the pace and finish strong. Knee wasn't bothering me so that is what I did. I finished with a 7:15 minute mile after a 7:30 first mile and a 7:45 2nd mile.

The race is a very popular local run and the Raritan Valley Road Runners do a good job organizing this event. I saw plenty of my running friends there and the weather couldn't be any better for an early fall day.

While there I set up a table for folks to sign up for my race, the 6th annual Run with the Vikings 5K. Sign up early and get a free t-shirt and glass. I think I got a dozen entries today.

After the race we headed over to Lory's Lakeside in North Brunswick. The place has a great location, and the day was perfect to sit outside and drink beer. Lots of laughs and Ken gave us great tips in case we ever get stopped for driving under the influence.

When I got home, I showered up and proceed to make a quick appetizer of peperoni and shrimp. see recipe below.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 (16-ounce) pepperoni, 1/2-inch dice
• 1 head garlic, peeled and chopped
• 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 1/2 pounds (16 to 20 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Crusty chewy bread, for sopping

Directions

In a medium saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat and saute the diced pepperoni until it releases some of its oil, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining oil and garlic and lower the heat to medium-low. Let flavors infuse over the low heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix together the adobo, paprika, and cayenne. Add the shrimp and coat them evenly with the spices. Let rest for 15 minutes on the counter to come to room temperature. Add the shrimp to the garlic oil, raise heat slightly to cook, stirring and turning to cook the shrimp evenly, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks and crusty chewy bread, for sopping.

Little Silver Classic

Time - 20:40
Pace - 6:40
Runners - 442
Place - 31st
Age Place - 2nd
Heart Rate Average - 153
HR peak - 165

I decided to run a 5K today with Ken White and meet up with the Lynches instead of running 18 miles on LBI. I wanted to run 18 but only if someone would run a portion of it with me and since my brother wasn't around, I opted for the easier run.

Since I really didn't run hard at the Hounds and Harriers I thought I would go all out in Little Silver. I figured I needed to go sub 21 to place in the top three.

Taugh, Durie, Brady Ann, Connell, were all running. Ken was hoping to go sub 22 again and is running as well as at any time in the last 5 years.

It was an absolutely perfect day for a run with temps in the low 60's and no wind with the sun shining. I got off to a good start and hit the first mile at 6:45 and my heart rate was 156 so I knew I had a little more to give. The course had some minor rolling hills and I pushed on the downhill. I just wanted to pass a few folks along the way and hopefully finish strong.

I usually have a poor second mile but I hit the split at 13:25 and was happy i was still on 6:45 pace. There was a nice downhill in mile 3 so that gave me a little breather and then the track finish. I like track finishes because the surface has cushion and I feel like I push it more. I hit the tape at 20;40 and was extremely pleased with the effort. It was my best time in the 5K since late April when I ran 20:12.

Ken White finished in 21:49 which was good for 1st in his age group and I took second in the 50-54 age group. No trophy but a $25 gift card.

Next up is the John Ragone 5K in East Brunswick.

Hounds & Harriers - October 9th - Morristown, NJ

Time - 22:09
Pace - 7:23
Runners - 128
Place - 27th


This is the first time I ran this race without Blaze. As one of the sponsors this year I felt like I needed to run but just needed a 4 legged partner. Chris & Debbie Kelly have 3 dogs and he offered one up. Murphy who is a poodle/terrier mix was an eager runner. One week before the race I ran with Murphy, Chris and his partner Brody, a Weimaraner rescue dog, at the canal. Murphy was no problem and really enjoyed running and was quick. He really had fun running with his older & bigger "brother".

I rode to the race with Chris, Debbie and the 3 dogs with the three of them in the back of the jeep. Those doggies were excited and barking the whole way up to Morristown. They even tried to squeeze their way to the back seat where I was sitting.

Once we got to the park they calmed down and were happy to be around the other dogs. Chris told me that Murphy could handle me running a 6:40 pace so my plan was to go hard for the 3 miles with hopes to make it in the top ten. Barbara Rushman who organizes this race does a great job and attracts many fast runners and dogs so a top finish is hard to do. Blaze and I finished in the top ten about 6 years ago but that was before this race became really popular. Debbie was running with Nickie, a Carin who is low to the ground and very cute.

Chris and I get elite start status which is a good move by Barbara because you wouldn't want slow runners with dogs and leashes getting in the way of the faster runners. The start is always noisy with 140 dogs barking and howling. Somehow we heard Barbara say go and off we went. Chris planned on running with me and Murphy although he is a least 20 seconds per mile faster than me. We hit the first mile in 6:22 which is much faster than I wanted to run and I knew I could keep that pace up for 3 miles but was willing to try. My only issue was could Murphy handle the pace. He seemed fine for the first mile and liked running along side Brody and Chris. I told Chris to take off and try to finish in the top ten and I would be fine. He picked up the pace and Murphy and I kept passing runners and dogs.

Chris was a good 150 yards ahead of me at mile 1.5 when Murphy just stopped. He looked back and seemed lost. I think he was looking for Chris and Brody and for the last 1.5 miles I had to stop and start and try to coax him to the finish. We finished strong but lost too much time to place in the top 10.

This has to be one of the best races in NJ. The dogs love it and the runners have fun while Barbara puts so much time and effort into the race.

Chris ran a 19:33 and finished 9th while I ran a 22:09 and finished 27th. Debbie finished strong with Nickie.

On the way home the dogs were quiet and got some sleep until we got near the Kelly's home. It was great morning of running and always a lot of fun.

SteepleChase 25K

52 degrees
2:04:04
32 out of 147 runners

I wasn't planning to run long this weekend, but I was feeling pretty good this week so I made up my mind to do to a long race. The Jersey Shore 1/2 marathon was the logical choice and I knew a few friends that were running it. I was all set to make the committment then Chris Kelly mentioned the Steeplechase 25K in Hillsborough. It was 2+ miles longer and 45 minutes closer to home. The only thing I was concerned with would be the rolling hills of Somerset. Chris convinced me it would be rather flat so 15.5 it was.

I now started thinking about doing a November marathon with hopes of qualifying for Boston so I could join John who qualified last December in Charlotte while I faded. My thoughts were to run the 15.5 at the same pace as Philly's race two weeks ago or a bit slower. If I could finish the race at a 7:45 pace and feeling rather strong, I would seriously think about running a marathon.

I usually like to get a decent night's sleep before a long race but I was in Brooklyn visiting with some old friends who grew up on West 8th street. They moved to California when they were about 12, but we recently got in touch via facebook. It turned into a big reunion with lots of folks that I haven't seen in a while. Of course we went to L&B and I ate just about everything. I got home at 11pm but stayed up until midnight.

I had a restless night of sleep but was excited about running the race. Chris was running a much faster pace so I was on my own. Start slow and finish strong were my thoughts. It didn't work out that way. I started slow and got slower. The rolling hills weren't really an issue but I never got into a rhythm. I adjusted my goal to 8 minute miles and I barely made that. I could have placed in my age group but let two guys pass me at mile 9 and didn't attempt to catch them.

If I do LBI next week, I need to get lots of rest this week. Its flat but boring. That November marathon may be out because I am not in 3:30 shape and I don't want to run one unless I could go under 3:30.

When I got home from the run, I was in the mood to cook a few different things. I made mini pizzas with flaky dough and roasted tomatoes and a pepperoni and shrimp appetizer. Both came out great.