RAN INTO A FILM SHOOT..."Win, Win" 3/25/10

I have experienced many different events and sights in my years of road running. I have run in Hong Kong, run to Shea Stadium and watch an inning of baseball, found lost wallets and articles, run through many scenic vistas (Boston, San Franicisco, Pittsburgh, Napa, New York City and Central Park). I have run to Jones Beach and back and many other South Shore locations. But what I experienced Thursday is very unique. I stumbled on a film shoot of an upcoming movie, "Win, Win", staring Paul Giamatti. Directed by Tom McCarthy ("The Visitor"), the film is a comedic exploration of allegiances and bonds among unlikely characters, due out in 2011. Because of the location shoot, a wide area of streets were closed to traffic in Rockville Centre. I initially thought they were closed mainly because of falling tree danger. Anyway, as a runner, these roadblocks to not apply and I continued up Burtis Avenue to Walnut Street where there was a flurry of activity. Trucks, lights, catering trucks, etc. I spoke to one of the Master Grips (electricians) and he told me what was going on. one of the scenes that they staged was a tree falling. I guess you can count that among the 400 or so that fell in Rockville Centre during the recent storm including my beautiful 80 foot blue spruce.

First Run after Napa

Did my first run today after last weeks Napa Marathon. Strange thing that there were police cars everywhere and I had the road mainly to myself due to the amount of fallen trees and wires. Very surrealistic compared to last week's natural beauty on the course. Next up - the Long Island Marathon (which could be the most boring marathon course in the world).

NAPA Completed

Finished 4:38. Not bad for training sporadically in the winter. The course was beautiful (vineyards and wineries everywhere) and the scenery was as expected. There was only 1 traffic light on the course which started in Calistoga, CA to Napa. The course was much hillier than expected. The race finished at Vintage High School (no kidding). I wonder if they need a chorus teacher there? Taking the red-eye back to NY tonight.

Wine Tasting in Napa

This is unique. The runner's expo for the Napa Valley Marathon features wine tasting. Well, what do you expect, it's Napa.

Heading Out To Napa, California

I will be running in the Napa Valley Marathon this weekend. Heading out to San Francisco tomorrow. I am very excited to run this course which is supposed to be beautiful. It is a smaller marathon with only 2,300 entered. It has been hard training for this race due to the conditions in the northeast. I did manage a 20 mile run in late January and have been very consistent running my usual 4.5 daily miles the last three weeks. I had a chance to run at the BU fit rec 2 weeks ago which is a nice indoor track. I will post my results and comments on Twitter (bradfrey) and it also should be linked to my Facebook account.