Ugly Mudder 7.25 Mile Run - Reading, PA

I had a number of local race options this past weekend for running, but when John mentioned that he was running the Ugly Mudder in Reading, I knew I wanted to join him. Ron Horn of Pretzel City Sports organizes great races in and around the Reading, PA area. It it is a two plus hour drive so it has to be a great race for me to go that far in one day.

The Ugly Mudder runs on the same trails as the Dark & Dirty 6.66 mile run in the Spring which John and I ran last year. I like trail runs, but this course is treacherous in my opinion. There are lots of rocks, brush, tree stumps and roots. You really need to watch your footing and keep your head up.

John and I left Monmouth Junction at 7:30 and after one stop to get some coffee, arrived at the Liederkranz where the packet pick was taking place. We actually got there before they were open and were one of the first to get our t-shirt and numbers. It was a good thing because they had over 200 same day registrations which delayed the start by 20 minutes.

We were getting lucky with the weather as temps were in the 40's and the sun was out although we weren't going to see much of it in the woods. Before the start we chatted up the race with other runners and got ourselves ready to run.

No one seemed to know where the exact start would take place as Ron organizes many races in these parts and starts them in all different locations. When Ron did show up near the start, John and I found ourselves at the front of start line. We are fast but not to be confused with serious runners so we had to have a plan to get out of the way when the gun went off. These trail runners are crazy and take no prisoners when it comes to running the hills.

After a brief run on the roads we headed into the woods and quickly climbed to the point where I was breathing real hard. It is so hard to get into a rhythm when running uphill right out of the gate but I tried. I think it was mile 2 when I got my breathing under control and began talking to anyone who listen to me on the trails. I think I was even annoying people with my talking but I wasn't going to go all out as a way not to get hurt.

John and I were running together and I was taking many photos. It was such a great course and pretty day, I had to take pictures. We hit the famous Pagoda at mile 2.5 where I took some great shots. At the Dark and Dirty last year this was a beer stop but not here.

The first 2 plus miles seemed like it was all uphill including some hiking portions. Once we got to the Pagoda we were overlooking the city and started going downhill. Normally I would fly down the hills but with rocks, tree branches and tree stumps, I made sure I stay under control. There was no personal best today so i just wanted to enjoy the run and not get hurt.

We hit the beer stop at 4.5 miles and it tasted real good. At this point we were already running for 60 minutes. the last 2.75 miles were a combination of sharp downhills and hard climbs up rocks. In fact, there was one climb that just stopped everyone in their tracks but it was fun. The course got muddy towards the end of the race but only on your shoes. As we approached the final 1/2 mile we had a steep decline which quickly went back uphill. We had to cross a road then start climbing the last 1/4 mile uphill.

At this point all the finishers are lining the course sitting waiting for the rest of the finishers, cheering us on. They were urging us to try to pass people and push the last 200 yards. There was no running this portion so you just wanted to get up without getting hurt. Once we got to the top it flatten out and a sprint to the finish.

John was slightly ahead of me as he takes the downhills much faster than me. I was calling him Johnny Downhill. I could see him ahead of me but just wouldn't go all out on the downhills.

John finished in 1:26:48 and I finished in 1:27:19 which amount to 12 minute miles. Before the race, I told John I would like to go under 1 hour for the race. He laughed at me then and now I could see why. After getting a bagel and some chips we headed to the breakfast of pancakes and eggs which was included in the cost of the race. After quickly eating that we headed inside for a beer and to hang with other runners. We both tried the Warsteiner beer from Germany, which I thought was pretty good, but after running today, any beer would have tasted great.

Although we both wanted another beer, we knew with a two hour ride home it wasn't a good idea. We stopped again for coffee on the way home just to keep our eyes open.

Once I got home, I felt like making German food. I searched the internet and came up with potato pancakes and Tarragon Ragout - Estragon Geschnetzeltes in Rahm which was chicken in a cream wine sauce. I use a Riesling for the wine and I thought in tasted great.

Not sure what my next race will be, but I am scheduled to run the NYC half on March 20th. I would like to get one more race in before that day.

Run, Swim and Eat - A full day in Brooklyn

Today was all about two friends. Frank, a friend who I have been running with for 15 years and Bob Croce, a friend who I haven't seen since graduating Lafayette HS in 1977.

Anytime I have a chance to run a race in Brooklyn I like to do it. When I suggested the Cherry Tree 10 miler in January, Frank was eager to run it as well, so I put it on my schedule. This would be my 3rd Cherry Tree in 4 years. It is a well run race put on by the Prospect Park Track Club held exclusively in Prospect Park. It is 3 tough laps around the park which includes one long ass hill that seems to go on for 2 miles. Although the temps were in the 30's and the sun was shining, it was still windy and it seemed to be in our face for the whole race. Our plan was to take it easy and enjoy the run and the get together. We were running 8 minute miles so it wasn't too bad on the legs except the last hill was tough.

Both Frank and I were satisfied with our 1:20:15 finish time and it serves as a good tune up for me leading up to the NYC 1/2 marathon in March. After the run, Frank and I enjoyed really good Brooklyn bagels in the basement of Bishop Ford HS where the post race awards would be held. After a quick free massage I was off I went to event number 2 for the day.

Now Bob Croce and I use to pal around together back at Lafayette HS in Brooklyn in the mid 70's. We were good friends that once asked the same girl out for a date back in '76 (she chose him). After HS we went our separate ways, not to get in contact with each other until Facebook came into prominence. It is on FB that I saw he had a passion for taking a dip in the Atlantic in the months, November thru March aka the Coney Island Polar Bear club. He is a committed dipper and the club raises money for Camp Sunshine with the annual January 1st dip.

I didn't realize that they met every week at 1pm on Sundays regardless of the weather and conditions. Once we got talking online I decided to show up one Sunday to join him and catch up on old times. I did my first Polar Bear plunge on December 26th at Asbury Park in a blizzard, so I figured today's dip would not be so bad, boy was I wrong.

Maybe it was because I had too much time to think about the cold waters as I drove from the race to the beach. This group of Polar Bears are a hardy bunch and they look forward to their swim every week. Once the President of the club, Dennis Thomas, makes a short speech, he leads the charge, and off to the beach everyone goes.

We disrobe near the shoreline and in we go. These guys and gals don't just go in and come out, they frolic and play in 40 degree water. They all hold hands and circle to the left and right, waist deep in the Atlantic. There is another group of Polar Bears further out just hanging out catching up on last night's news. After about 60 seconds of holding hands I take my full body plunge which was numbing. I tried to stay a bit longer, but just couldn't do it. Meanwhile Bob and others spend 10 minutes in the ocean which I later found out was the norm every week. Ten minutes would have stopped my heart for sure. The cold water dip felt good for my tired legs and I am sure help the swelling, but it took me 15 minutes to get warm again.

Bob and I caught up on 30 plus years, chatting on the sun drenched boardwalk. It was great seeing him and I told him I will be back. While chatting he introduced me to a guy named Gary Atlas who was riding his bike on the boardwalk. Gary is a man after my own heart. He is 60 years old and has run the length of the Coney Island boardwalk and swam in the ocean for over 1200 straight days. The New York Times did a story on him in January and he is well known in the area. I just love these stories about folks who are dedicated.

The last event for the day was two Nathan Famous hot dogs for lunch. I have no desire to challenge Joey Chestnut for the hot dog eating contest, but I needed to enjoy a couple although I was heading to mom's for a Sunday Italian meal. I have to say the manicotti and veal Parmesan really hit the spot after a full day of activity.

I met some great people today who really show a passion for what they do. Life is not a spectator sport and these folks understand it fully.

Next up for me is the Ugly Mudder 7.25 run in Reading, PA which is another fun unique race.

Hard Core Hash

I made a resolution in 2011 to run 12 events that I have never run before, so today's Hard Core Hash was perfect. The only other Hash I participated in was the Freezing Cold Hash in Edison and wanted to try a Princeton hash house harrier event. Races are scarce in January & February so when I came across this one, I figured I would jump in and join fellow RVRR runner, Mark Strawn.

Hashes are not really races, but more of social events with some drinking along the way. The meeting spot was the intersection of Agress Road and Rising Sun Tavern Road in Millstone, NJ. The hash was to start at noon, but I hear most hashes don't start on time, mainly because we are drinking before hand. This was a small intimate hash with 17 hounds, one hare (Mark Covitz), and Max a very friendly pooch.

We hit the roads at 12:26 and into the snowy woods we went. There was some running, but we all soon realized that knee high snow was not conducive to jogging. The hare set out a good course through the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area with plenty of hills. I would like to see this course in the spring because it must truly be beautiful. Tough to see the beauty with 2 feet of snow.

We hit the first beer stop after 45 minutes of slogging thru the snow. Not sure how they got a case of Coors in the middle of a 6300 acre preserve, but it tasted great and less filling, ooops wrong beer.

My running shoes and socks were soaked at this point, but not cold so another 20 minutes of running would be fine. I decided along with Mark and a few others to take the long way back to the start. The rest of the course was not marked so we followed the hare back, which took a lot longer than I anticipated. We did some running, but it was getting harder so it turned into a snowy hike. My thighs were starting to get tired, but I knew we getting close to the finish.

Met up with every one at the finish and enjoyed a few beers and lots of pretzels. These guys and gals were a great bunch of folks and I am sure I will hash again with them.

Got home and took a 45 minute nap because I was beat despite the 16 oz Wawa coffee. I woke up to make my Stromboli, but I won't go into it because it turned out bad. It tasted good but had no bottom because it exploded in the oven. I need to work on my stromboli more often.

On-on fellow runners. Looking for a few good races in February as well as a few new running friends.

Short Ribs & Snowshoes

Snowstorm #4 was in the process of dumping another 17 inches on South Brunswick so I decided to make a slow cooker hearty meal for the family. I came across this Guinness Short Rib recipe in a recent issue of Men's Health. It looked really good so I knew I wanted to try it.

The snow started coming down at 6:30 am on Wednesday and according to the weather folks, it wasn't going to stop until Thursday, so I needed to get out of the house to buy the ribs and Guinness. I am not a huge Guinness drinker but I like to drink it every so often and I don't usually have it in the house. My only concern was that Glendale Liquors wasn't open until 10am. I left at 8:45am and once I left the house to get the ribs, I wasn't planning on going out again. I didn't think the roads were going to be bad so early, but I was wrong. Once I get a recipe in my head, I have to make it, so I needed to get everything in one shot.

I got the ribs, then headed over to the liquor store to get the Guinness. The recipe would only take 4 hours in the slow cooker so I didn't need to do anything for a few hours. I got some work done then headed out to shovel and plow.

At 2pm I began prepping the dinner. I browned the ribs and cut the veggies and threw everything in the crock pot.

While that was slowly cooking, I decided to go snowshoeing. I tried it last week and it was fun. I did about 2 miles on the shoes which felt like 4 miles with my Brooks. This time I was planning on going out for 30 minutes through the woods behind my house. There are some good trails and it leads to Woodlot Park.

I headed out the door and through my yard and began running. It had stopped snowing briefly and the sun was out so I though it would fun. This time around it was much more difficult. The snow was so deep that I really had to pick up my feet and the snow was flying all over my legs and ass. I did this for about 6 minutes and decided just to hike. I was mildly disappointed, but I just started using the snowshoes so I have to work out the kinks. I hiked for about 20 minutes and returned home before it got dark. I was hoping to see some deer but that never happened.

Dinner was ready at 7pm and Leigh, Mike, Ro and I enjoyed the short ribs. I also made some polenta and biscuits to go with it. I think they all enjoyed it. Leigh and I also shared a Guinness with the dinner.

Freezing Cold Hash - Edison, NJ

Ahhh the Freezing Cold Hash. I am not much of a hasher but I do like this one. Ken Vercammen is the organizer of this annual event and puts on a good show which he does much of it by himself. This year it was particularly difficult because he was coming off knee surgery and was limited to how much running around he could do. He got a lot help from fellow runners like Mike W, Dan Fabrizio, Jim, Chris (bartenders), Charlotte and SueAnn and Brian Borden.

If you are not familiar with a hash, it is not really a run but a gathering of folks. Some bullet points on hashing

• To promote physical fitness among our members
• To get rid of weekend hangovers
• To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer
• To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel

The Freezing Cold Hash starts at the Law Office of Ken Vercammen. There is lots of drinking before, during and afterwards. There is an official bartender and he was mixing margarita's in a blender that probably hasn't been cleaned out from the previous hash run.

The run also starts at a weird time, 10:17, which I am not sure the reason for that. Before heading out we all take a group photo in front of the office. This year Ken had the largest crowd by far. There had to be over 200 hashers.

Off we went through some one's backyard and into an open field. The course is laid out that morning and there are false turns to throw us hashers off. I was running with good friends Taugh Lynch, Tommy Ryan and Brennan Davis. I also knew the guys & gals from RVRR. Everyone seems to go there own way and when you find the right direction you yell, on-on to let people know you have found the way.

Taugh and I got split up from Tommy and Brennan and we ended up running with Janet (Taugh's friend) Lianne and a few others. We were confused and kept running into Pizza Box girl, who was dressed up like a pizza slice including an old pizza box attached to her. There were lots of folks dressed strangely.

After running up and down through some of the superfund sites of Edison we finally found the correct trail but we had to hop a 5 foot barbed wire fence. Not really my idea of fun, but luckily there was a snow pile on the other side.

I think we were the last 6 back to Ken's office. No food or beer left so we headed to the Green Derby. This is a dive bar across from Ken's office. Place is actually a lot of fun. The crowd in the bar was huge and festive.

Ken gives out awards and not the categories you would image. Best smile, Miss congeniality, banana eating and special talent.


I hope to do a few other hash runs this year to get a different take on it.

Hamilton Hangover 5 Mile Run

After a great night out with the wife in New Brunswick for New Year's eve, I wasn't planning on racing today after I found out the Westfield race was canceled. I had a few martinis and woke up a little sluggish, but by 10:30 I was feeling better and now wanted to run a race. The only choice was the Hamilton race at 12:30.

I got myself together and off I went to the race. One of my running resolutions is to run races in 2011 with friends and not go to races alone, but here I was going to my first race alone. I did run into Eric Davis which is always a pleasure. He is a great runner and a good person. Another resolution is to run at least 12 new races in and around NJ.

The 5 miler was changed to a 5K due to the snow conditions which was bit disappointing but not really a big deal. The crowd was larger than usual since the only other New years races were Hillsborough (no race day entries) and Westfield which was canceled due to poor park conditions (pussies).

I wasn't planning on running hard so I positioned myself behind the front runners knowing full well I would get off to a slow start. My first mile was 7:40 but that was only because it took a while to get over the start line. I ran my 2nd & 3rd miles in 6:52 which felt good. I finished in 22:04 which was fine for me.

Next up is the always fun Freezing Cold Hash.

Polar Bear Run - Asbury Park, NJ

I was planning on running this race last year and taking a plunge in the ocean after the run, but was injured and passed on it. It would have been the perfect ending to Bob's 50@50. I have been running with a bum right knee the last few months, but have been running pretty well and running a bunch of races so I wanted to finish the year strong.

This would be my last race of the year and I planned to actually go into the ocean. The Senator was swimming so I figured I would go in as well. Taugh decided to join us which was going to make it special.

I was picking up Ken at 11:15, but there was just one problem, a blizzard was approaching. It wasn't snowing when I left my house but when I got to Ken's it was coming down. Route 18 was a mess with many cars all over the road including a few that flipped over. The go was slow and it looked like we might not even make it on time. Ken wasn't running but volunteering.

We got to the start with 10 minutes to spare, used the bathroom, and stripped down to my running shorts and off we went. The race was originally a 5 mile run, but they smartly cut it back to a 3 mile run. The course was an out and back from the convention center times 3. Running away from the convention center, the wind was at your back, coming back we ran into a 35 mph head wind. I could barely see where I was running with the snow pelting our faces. It was definitely one of the worst weather runs I have done.

After completing the race, I still had to jump into the Atlantic in 25 degree temperature and in a blizzard. I finished the run in 25:45 got warm and then ready for the plunge.

Ken had his bathrobe on, Taugh had his boat slippers and I had a beach towel. After a short walk to the beach, we all started to disrobe including Lauren Rhatigan who was the Polar Beach plunge cheerleader. She really was a trooper, yelling and screaming about it and looked darn good in a bikini.

I think there was about 20 of us who took the plunge. The ocean was pretty angry with waves about 4 feet high and choppy. Surprisingly, the water wasn't that bad when I walked into it but I knew I had to go under. Usually on a summer day I hate having to dive in but on this day, I just went under and it was a total adrenaline rush. After about 1 minute of frolicking, I started to get dressed. I couldn't get my shoes back on so I stood on the snowy beach barefoot and my feet were starting to get numb & frozen. I ran the length of the beach back to the boardwalk and to the convention center barefoot and my feet were numb which was the worst part of the day by far.

I will definitely do a Polar Bear plunge again but it has to be with a run as well. After getting dressed, we headed to McCloones for a well deserved beer. In the meantime, the storm was intensifying so we couldn't hang out too long.

The drive home took 2 1/2 hours but we made it safely which is all that mattered.

Next up is a New year's race then another crazy run, The Freezing Cold HASH.