Baby Runner Girl

Meet the newest runner of the New York Flyers community: Willa G.

Flyer Angela G's baby Willa -- sooo sweet!

 While four week old Willa can’t exactly run these days, she has grand plans to enter the running world in the future.  In addition to the million and one things I do for Willa each day (read: feed, burp, change, repeat), I’ve also been showing her some potential running routes to satisfy her future running endeavors.  Not only has this been beneficial for Willa, it also has enabled me to get outside on some beautiful walks and make my own plans for my gradual return to running.

The first place I felt Willa had to see was Central Park.  Anyone who runs in New York City has probably done a loop around the park.  It’s a convenient escape from the city and provides a variety of terrain.  Plus, you’re certain to run into someone you know in the running community.  After I pointed all of this out to Willa, she snoozed in her stroller and happily dreamed about how she’d someday tackle the Harlem Hills.


Willa tours Central Park



Willa strolls Riverside Park

Central Park isn’t the only popular place to run. I also had to show her Riverside Park.  In my opinion, Riverside Park and the path along the West Side Highway is the perfect place to up your mileage on flat ground.  It’s also slightly less congested, especially in the early morning hours, but there is a strong wind off the Hudson in the winter and not much shade in the summer.  Willa noted all of these facts and drifted off into a peaceful slumber with visions of her future self in a running skirt and compression socks cruising along the riverfront.

Angela G at 36 weeks!

 Now that I’ve exposed my daughter to some of the popular running destinations in Manhattan, my next task is to focus on my own running goals.  I ran up until my 36th week of pregnancy and then decided to stop. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

Perhaps Willa did not agree with my decision because she decided after only two short weeks into my running hiatus that it was time for her to see the world.  If you ask me, she was bored in there and missed the regular runs.  She probably also knew that the sooner she got out of there, the sooner she could get into that jogging stroller!  But that won’t be for a few months.  For now, I’m planning a short run in another couple of weeks. I want to make sure I’m completely recovered and ready to run.  When I do return to the roads, I’ll employ a “reverse taper” strategy until I get my running legs back. Who knows, with this kind of sensible approach, I may find myself ready to rock the Club Champs in August!

Happy Mothers Day!

Angela G.

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Running For Two

Angela G.

Paula’s done it. Kara’s done it. It seems that these days, running through pregnancy is quite common and even encouraged. The old way of thinking had women exercising very little, or not at all. But times have changed and studies show that staying active during pregnancy may improve your health and your baby’s. Even if your job doesn’t depend on your running performance, you can still gain the benefits of running while pregnant, but you will need to make some adjustments.

I’ve been a runner for over thirteen years and have never imagined myself purposefully abstaining from the sport I love. When I found out I was pregnant, one of the first questions I asked my doctor was, “Can I still run?” Because of my vast running experience, my doctor gave me the green light. But she warned that I might get tired more easily and to take it easy. With all the reading I had done about professional runners sailing through nine months of running for two, I figured that cutting my mileage and decreasing my speed would do the trick. I imagined myself running several times a week, like I had done pre-pregnancy, and maintaining my status as a regular runner. But, I soon realized that pregnancy is hard work! Being tired all the time was an understatement, and I hardly had enough energy to eat regular meals, much less run a loop in Central Park. I’ve since adjusted my expectations and now I run for the fun of it. What used to be an average six or seven miler, has now been cut to three or four. I stop and walk if I feel the need, and I hydrate before, during, and after my run. Though I still daydream about marathons and marathon training, I don’t set goals for myself other than to listen to my body (and have fun out there!). I stay on even surfaces and steer clear of slippery spots and ice patches. Speedwork and hill repeats are a distant memory.

Just like a rookie runner, I’m finding that I enjoy running for the sake of running these days. Though I don’t run nearly as much as I had envisioned, the rewards don’t disappoint. When I finish a run, I have more energy and feel peaceful at the same time. If you’re thinking about running through pregnancy, here is a brief list of my (non-expert) advice:

Paula Radcliffe, World Record Marathoner

• Get your doctor’s permission
• Listen to your body
• Now’s not the time to race or train
• Choose even, well lit surfaces
• Stay hydrated
• Be careful not to overheat

Using these pointers during my pregnancy, hopefully I'll eventually be able to run like Paula and Kara, too!

Happy Running (for Two)!
- Angela G.

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New Jersey Marathon – Sunday, May 2, 2010

Congratulations to everyone who participated in yesterday’s races down the Jersey Shore! In addition to the finishers’ medals, we all took home sunburns and tired legs as souvenirs. The New Jersey Marathon provided many with battle stories and tales of woe, but for others it was a test of determination and perseverance just to finish. Runners battled temperatures flirting with 90 degrees. The stifling heat, along with the dying wind and relentless sun, forced many to significantly alter their racing plans. 


Many thanks to the police and EMS officials—they provided essential aid to a considerable number of suffering runners. Many were treated for dehydration, muscle cramps, and heat exhaustion. Thanks is also in order for the volunteers who manned the water stations; hydration is always important during long races, but yesterday it was particularly crucial. Sprinklers, ice, and cold water along the course provided small bits of relief in the blazing heat. Lastly, I’d like to acknowledge the spectators who stood outside all day cheering. The creative signs and words of encouragement really made a difference!

The Flyers had some nice representation at yesterday’s events. We gathered by the bag check shortly before the race and hoped it wouldn’t be as bad as we thought. There was still a cool sea breeze in the morning hours, which seemed to put our minds at ease. Shortly after the start, we realized what we were in for. As early as mile three, it was obvious that race strategies would need some adjusting. Most of the course was away from the shoreline, where the breeze waned and shade was sparse. The second of the two-loop marathon course was especially difficult. Each mile marker passed was a step closer to the finish line. The women's winner was Lauren Uhler of the Manhattan Track Club. The men's winner, Mike Arnstein, of the Van Cortlandt Track Club, said, “it was like running in an oven.” I concur. 


In some ways, this race made it easy to feel like a failure. Being forced to walk the last few miles, I felt pretty defeated watching my time slowly increase. Several times I wanted to quit. I battled dehydration, wheezing, and stomach cramps. If not for the salt tablet that Nick J. gave me at the finish line, I might have needed medical attention myself. Luckily, all of the Flyers were safe and no one needed to be rescued in the ER. Finishing a race like this one required something deeper than what is needed for the average marathon. When it felt like we were swimming upstream, we gutted it out and thought of the glory of finishing. Thanks to everyone who was a part of yesterday’s toasty race! We couldn’t have done it without you. -Angela G.

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