Final Long Run Before SFM

Just completed my final long run in preparation for the San Francisco Marathon (August 3, 2008). Distance was 20.7 miles as I did the usual 5 mile loop course 4 times. It was hot. Started a little after 2 PM and used my house as the aid station (water and gel). Anyway, pretty smooth. Mild knee pain and stiffness towards the end but I feel I am ready for San Francisco.

As a bonus to the run I went over the 1,000 mile mark since I purchased my Nike Nano in April '07. Nike 1000 Mile Club.

In Training for San Francisco

Started training for the San Francisco Marathon, August 3, 20008 runsfm.com. I have been on a shorter program than the one for the Long Island Marathon. Last week ran a 13.2 run (half marathon) to East Rockaway Inlet. Last Saturday (June 28) ran from my home (Rockville Centre) to the Atlantic Ocean (Long Beach). Suffered extreme knee pain after the 14 mile mark and was pretty uncomfortable during the 8-13 mile mark. Had to do much walking on the return journey but made it safely home. Here is a map of my route - RVC-Long Beach.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Ran 15 miles today on the usual loop course 3 times. No pain! Will practice on hills this week and do a 20 mile long run next weekend.

Swampscott to Nahant

June 14, 2008

Took an early run this morning while staying with my sister in Swampscott, MA, a lovely and impressive seaside village on the North Shore of Boston. I was amazed at the amount of joggers and walkers there were along the ocean path that leads all the way to the "almost island" peninsula town of Nahant. Beautiful and warm, the 9.2 mile run was refreshing and different. Slight hills and all on either roadway or cement path. There is something to experiencing a New England Seaside town that made this run very memorable.

NikePlus run stats

Long Island Marathon - May 4, 2008

After running for over 30 years, I finally entered and finished. I was used to half marathons and 10K races, but this was very challenging. I trained for 6 weeks prior with long training runs to Queens and Wantagh from Rockville Centre. Though fairly flat, the Wantagh State Parkway can become very difficult negotiating not only the grade of the roadway but also the slope from side to side. In any event the run went as follows:

Got to the start an hour before the gun. Warmed up with the usual walking and bending that I am accustomed to. I really do not stretch as much as I should, but never had much difficulty during the race. I lined myself up in the 9 minute mile corral as the race started. Stayed on pace with no unexpected developments during the first 8 miles. It was a little damp and cold for me so I wore a mylar jacket until about mile 10 when we entered the Wantagh State Parkway. Most of runners were entered in the half marathon so they exited at Old Country Road and all of a sudden the road cleared with the full marathoners. I have to say I was pretty proud when I continued with the full marathoners as I usually run the half. Took gatorade at almost every water stop after mile 10. I do walk the water stops as I find it too difficult to drink while running. Made it past the halfway point (13.1) around my old hometown of Wantagh. Past my elementary school and the fields I used to play ball at. I found the run at this point pretty relaxing. Worked my way up the Wantagh State back north and developed some knee pain. I ran through it and popped an Advil at mile 19. I really can't remember when or if I hit the wall. I kept pushing myself and was pretty much in the zone mentally. I kept repeating the General Patton quote: "Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired." I felt alone most of the time with just a few runners spaced out by 100 yards since there were less than 500 full marathoners. The sun finally broke out of the clouds around mile 18 and it became very warm on the asphalt roadway. In addition to the knee problems I did develop a strained right calf. It was not very painful but it felt uncomfortable. In any event there was no way I wasn't going to finish this race. By the time I exited the parkway at mile 21 I knew that this mission would be accomplished. The closer I came to the finish the stronger I felt and by the time I entered the park (Eisenhower) I was probably putting up my best mile split. Came to the finish line which was practically deserted, but the announcer called out my name "Brad Frey from Rockville Centre" and as I saw the timing mats, I jumped up and landed on both feet with a scream. Received my medal and went to the medical tent for some ice. After returning home I took and ice bath. My thoughts stayed on the race and my first finish. 1-1. Next up. The San Francisco Marathon, August 3, 2008 www.runsfm.com.

FOREST HILLS TO SHEA STADIUM

September 24, 2006

This was one of my more interesting runs. Dropped Jake off for his guitar lesson in Forest Hills, parked the car and ran north into Flushing Meadow Park, crossed the Expressway, passed the Unisphere and headed over to Shea. Asked a person who was leaving the Mets game for his ticket and attempted to get in. Since these tickets are now scanned, you can not reuse them so I told the attendant that I forgot something. He let me in and I went down to my regular seats, watched the 8th inning then ran back on the return to Forest Hills. Total miles: 7.3. Good stuff.

New Website: www.bradfrey.com

Check out my new website www.bradfrey.com for the latest information on shows and events. Also on the site is music from my professional projects.

TOCALO - I'm in a band again!

It's been over 10 years since I have played professionally in a band. I have been thinking about ending the drought for the past year and finally had enough nerve to audition for this band, TOCALO. The band is comprised of three outstanding musicians, Bill, Joe and Adrian and a fabulous singer, Brenda. They recently recorded a CD (prior to my joining) and it is for sale on CD Baby http://cdbaby.com/cd/tocalo and on I-Tunes (just search TOCALO). The band is a hybrid of light jazz, latin and pop. I highly recommend their CD. I have learned all the songs on the recording and the band does play them live. TOCALO has appeared in many venues in the metropolitan area. For more information on TOCALO www.tocalomusic.com

NYC 1/2 Marathon 8/27/06

This was fun. Besides the fact that I had to catch a 5 AM train and run in the morning (which I dislike), I ran my best time ever for a half. 13.1 miles in 1:53:46 at an 8:41 per mile pace. I came in 3,480 in a field of 10,294. In my age group I placed 120 out of 542. Central Park was the toughest part, extremely hilly (the course spent about 7 miles in the park) before we busted out on to 7th Avenue when it started pouring. I made my way down 7th to 42nd Street, turned west to 12th Avenue and straight down to Battery Park. The thrill of running in the city can only be topped by the Full NYC Marathon in which I could not get in this year (lottery).

LI 1/2 MARATHON Run

Sunday, May 7, 2006 It was a beautiful day and my best run yet. Ran the half in 1:58:45 with a pace of 9:04 per mile. My actual chip time was even better - 1:57. Nice course. Enjoyed the scenery. I was actually thinking of going all the way and doing the full marathon at the split before I decided against it.

Frey on the Run

Summer of 2006

I ran a total of 178 miles (as of 8/29) . Most memorable runs were the NYC Half Marathon and Wantagh to Jones Beach (and I mean the beach). Other runs were local: East Rockaway, Rockville Centre, Lynbrook and Hempstead Lake State Park.

4/19/06 RVC to Long Beach Run.

Ran 16.2 miles today in preparation for the LI Marathon (1/2). Beautiful day but lots of traffic to dodge running down Long Beach Road. Crossed Reynolds Channel and had a great view of the city. Made it to the Boardwalk and then ran back through Island Park.