Pace Projection Race #2: Sunday!

Don't forget: Our next pace projection is in just two days! Before we leave for the run, we’ll ask you to gauge how long it will take you to complete our regular 4- or 8-mile routes. Leaving your watches behind, you’ll then shoot to stick to your designated pace throughout the run. At the end of the run, we’ll see how close you get to your projected time. The top five runners who most closely match their predetermined pace will win a fabulous adidas prize. Last time, Urban Runner Dario Banalotti was just 42 seconds off his predicted time. Think you can do better? Join us on Sunday!

Raffle Redux

Boosted by (relatively) mild weather and the collective need to burn off all of that Thanksgiving grub, we had an excellent turnout on Tuesday's run. But we got so caught up with chatting and taking part in the adidas FootScan that we completely lost track of time. Since most of you had left before we realized we hadn't drawn a name for the monthly shoe raffle, we're going to pick a winner next Tuesday, 12/4, instead.

So for those of you who still want a shot of winning a brand new, top-of-the-line pair of adidas running shoes, come out to next Tuesday's (12/4) adidas Urban Run. We promise we won't forget this time!

Trotting Before the Turkey

Every Thanksgiving for the past five years or so, I've made a point to run a turkey Trot prior to the big feast. Not only is it a great way to build up a huge appetite for T-Day (usually that's not a problem for me, but I have to go to two--that's right, two--meals in one day, so I need any help I can get!), but it's also a fun opportunity to get in a rare mid-week race. Usually, I'll do a 10K on a rather tough course, but this year I opted for a more manageable 5K in Northern Virginia. About 3500 runners toed the line on the balmy, bright morning, and I found a spot in the front of the pack just before the gun went off. My plan was of course to finish in a respectable time, but also to see if I could run evenly (I have a tendency to go out too fast in races). After a few near-trips over some high school kids running zig zag in front of me, I settled into my groove and darted toward the first mile. We crossed that mark in 6:20, and immediately I put on the breaks. Too fast. Even though I felt great, I wanted to focus on keeping a strong pace throughout. So I backed off into about 6:40 pace, which I managed to hold onto all the way through the slightly uphill finish. My final time was 20:41: Not my best, but faster than what I've run lately. And even better? I felt like I could run another 5K at the end, making me think I can hold 6:40 pace for a 10K with a bit more training.

So, did any of you get to trotting on Thanksgiving? If so, tell us about your race experience!

Hope to see you at the adidas Urban Run this week!
~Sarah

Wanna Race?

After all of those long, easy runs up and down the West Side Highway, you're probably ready for a little speed. So test out your fast-twitch muscles at the NYRR Holiday 4-Miler on December 15. I'm organizing a group of Urban Runners to join me in this fun, festive and--most importantly, short--race. Sign up here, then let me know you've done so at the next Urban Run. I'll give you an adidas Urban Run t-shirt (so you can show off your team pride during the race!), and more details on meeting up at Central Park before and after the race. (Pssst...reindeer ears not required, but if you have 'em, wear 'em!).

~Sarah

FOOTSCAN® AND RAFFLE NIGHT: 11/27

Need an extra excuse to run (besides burning off all of that turkey!)? How about a chance to win free shoes! On Tuesday, 11/27, we'll give you the opportunity to do just that with our monthly shoe raffle. All you have to do is try out the adidas footscan®—which analyzes how your foot moves and exactly where you need support when running—and you'll be automatically entered in the raffle, to be drawn after the night's run. Easy as pumpkin pie!

Urban Run - 11/13/07

Thank you all for a such a lively run last night! We could have not asked for better weather. All 14 of us headed south on the runners path. Jaci led the 4-mile group, while I, and two other runners, looped around battery park in a 7-mile course.

Stay tuned for upcoming Adidas Urban Run events: Our monthly raffle, Q & A sessions with elite athletes, races, and more!

November Shoe of the Month is (drum roll please!)...

ADIDAS RESPONSE TRAIL 14



If you are looking for:

* an entry level trail shoe
* a proven off road shoe

then,
this is it!





Happy Running,


Joe Franza

It's cold! Ur-brrrr-an Run low down for 11/11/07

Hi all,

Joe Franza here reporting from the Urban Run Headquarters. :P

So, our in-house blogger and project lead, Sarah, is off to sunny Belize. Let's hope my post is, at least, half as interesting, articulate, and well written as hers...

Yep, it looks like we have transitioned from summer into winter almost overnight! Just when you thought you'd be gearing up to those pleasantly cool and breezy autumnal Urban Runs, the onset of nearly freezing temperatures caught you off guard!
Congrats to all the brave runners who fared the unseasonably cold wind this morning! Our uptown run was crowded and cheerful... and kudos to Eric for picking up on my attempt to cheat the runners into running 5 miles (as opposed to our usual 4).

For all of our Urban Runners who participated in last week's 2007 ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON: Good Job! I know most of you are still enjoying your well deserved break; we look forward to hearing all about your marathon experiences.

On Tuesday 11/13 at 7pm we will meet at the Urban Run Office and will be heading downtown. The 4 mile group will turn around at Stuyvesant High, whereas the 8 mile group will continue down to the end of the runners path and run back on the promenade (you can't beat the view!).

Hope to see you all there!

Joe

Baby, it's cold outside...

...but we're still running! The weather outside may not be too frightful (yet!), but we're gearing up for a wonderful Urban Run winter. And whether we get walloped with a wintry mix or simply subjected to sub-zero windchills, the Urban Run will go on! So layer up and join us in greeting ol' man winter with a fun four- or eight-mile jaunt up and down the West Side Highway. (Sure beats logging miles indoors on a boring treadmill, right? Right!)

Meet Your Lead Runners: Joe Franza

HOMETOWN: New York, NY

SCHOOLS ATTENDED: Columbia U. (Undergrad) & U. of Illinois (Grad)

DAY JOB: Architect

FAVORITE DISTANCE TO RUN: 5K (3.1 miles) when racing, 8-12 miles when training

FAVORITE PLACE TO RUN: Anywhere there's a running path, trail, or an unobstructed stretch of land.

WHAT'S ON YOUR RUNNING PLAYLIST?

Bloc Party, Keane, Embrace, Blondie, various remixes, and a bunch of 80's

FAVORITE ADIDAS ITEM: Adidas Supernova Cushion... all the way!

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO RUN? the Runner's high!!

adidas BELIVES IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING. WHAT’S YOUR UN-IMPOSSIBLE MOMENT?: Running the 2006 New York marathon under 3 hours.