We wanted to come here for our honeymoon, but couldn't afford it. 12 years later, we still can't afford it! But through status, points, companion passes...we finally made it happen! But now instead, it's a family trip, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I started my day with an 8-mile pre-vacation run back at home. I've been keeping up heavy mileage since my November marathon running anywhere between 8-13 miles long-runs each week + one short run. This is an incredible advantage as I head into spring, with the Brooklyn Half around the corner.
And, I've been feeling really good. My pace has improved since my 2024 ankle injury. Some days are slow and steady, other days I'm able to experience my pre-injury pace again.
While 2024 was absolutely the year of PRs, 2025 has not been so far. I'm doing much better in training than the actual races. Many of these recent races have been brutally cold and on little sleep. I ran the NYRR Washington Heights 5K in early March, which happens to be my 5K personal best. But I couldn't hit it this year. I tackled the uphill amazingly, but couldn't get enough speed on the downhill which is odd - I was about a full minute off.
2025 might be the year of maintenance and level setting for me.
BUT: I do think there is hope for two distances in particular - the Half and the Marathon. The shorter distances require such effort for such small change, essentially an all out sprint. The longer distances provide more opportunity for small improvements over time.
I'd like to really attack my Half time this year.
I'll have two opportunities - Brooklyn (May 17) and Staten Island (October 12). I wasn't satisfied by my marginal PR in Brooklyn last May. I trained so much better than what actually happened that day (same old story).
This year I'm trying something new. I'm currently in a "plan" to overtrain a bit to 15 miles and a longer two week taper. This avoids doing the last long run just 7 days before the race, and bumps mileage up past the 13.1 that I actually need to run for the Half. We shall see the output of this madness!
Additionally, I've been really focusing on weightlifting this winter - being more consistent about CrossFit and utilizing my new YMCA membership. I might have said it wasn't my year for big running PRs, but I've certainly hit a few lifting ones.
Deadlift = 115#
Back squat = 110#
Strict press = 50#
Overhead squat = 35#
The kids have also been active with us. Pietra ran her first NYRR "mini" race in Washington Heights with me. And Giovanni joined the whole gang for this year's local Saint Patrick's race. Dude took like 20 minutes off his time from last year (little legs!) He told me he likes the finish line feeling the best - don't we all buddy.
Looking forward to getting in a short run to explore old San Juan this weekend. Travel running is the best form of therapy.
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