For those that have never been afflicted - ITBS (Iliotibial Band Syndrome) could be one of the more painful and frustrating injuries a runner can have. At this point in time, one of the members of DOFB is howling in pain due to this injury. Howling, I tell you.
ITBS is technically due to inflammation of the iliotibial band, a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs down the outside of the leg. What this means to you is the outside of your knee hurts when you run. The pain does not start right away but usually after a few miles and is especially painful when going downhill.
As you may have guessed from previous blog posts, I have no medical training so do not look to me for diagnosis. If you do believe you have ITBS I recommend two treatments , The Stick and this stretch below which was provided by the good folks at Rice University.
Now that it is finally fall with winter fast approaching, one of the hardest parts of running is what to wear when the weather gets cold. Everyone is different and experience is best, but for those of you that need help there is a great tool.
Runners World has a What I Should I Wear tool on their site that is pretty spot on with their recommendations. Until you figure out what you are comfortable with, try this out
I believe the NYRR racing season is coming to a close and think the final race of the season for the Dukes of Flatbush will be the Hot Chocolate 15K. If you are looking to get one last race in this year, this is the one, come on out before the deep freeze sets in.
This is always a nice long run, very relaxed, where they do not have hot chocolate at the water stands, but do serve up hot chocolate and bagels after the race.
Now if they really wanted to step it up next year, NYRR would hire Hot Chocolate to perform. I am sure these guys could use the gig.
This quote comes from a great 80’s movie, Gotcha! and involves Anthony Edwards and Linda Fiorentino and somehow came to mind today as I went out for my first post-marathon run.
It was a perfect fall day, ideal for running, but my body felt it was the first day it has ever been out there. My stride was out of sorts, knees felt strange and my shins had that dull aching pain that I have not felt in awhile.
Only ended up running 4 miles and will probably take another few days off to let my body recover. Guess the lesson is do not try to come back too quickly after running 26.2 miles and then eating 4 pounds of lamb in a 7 day period.
This past weekend was the annual Taste of Fall held in its new location, Shelter Island NY. One of the highlights of the weekend was the spit roasting of a whole lamb. For those who have dreamed about attacking a whole beast and roasting it on an open fire, we highly recommend the adventure, it is a lot of work, but as you can see, well worth the effort.
Due to unforeseen circumstances all modern gadgetry was rendered useless during the cooking process and we really went caveman style on the spit.
Motorized rotisserie - not working, lights - no chance, this was really cooking under the stars, supported by Birch’s constant hand cranking and everyone’s burning desire for lamb chops.
The pictures below highlight the adventures of roasting a whole lamb, a process I highly recommend for you amateur bbq folks out there.
The Menu
With 3 days out, here is the 2007 Taste of Fall menu and proposed schedule. With over 5 1/2 hours of eating planned, this looks like it is going to be a fantastic Taste of Fall. Thanks for all of the guest chef’s planning and preparations thus far, it’s going to be legendary!
3pm Welcome Toast with Roast Oysters and Chestnuts
4pm Fondueà laWhitney Browne
5pm American Pickle and Pâté “Restrospective”
6pm Soup and Salad Course: Potato & Parsnip, Pumpkin-Ginger and Salads à la Wendy, Sam & Bill
7pm The Lamb is served… Hobo Packs of Roast Vegetables & NG’s Polenta Secret with Mint Yogurt Sauce and Red Wine Reduction
8:30pm Amy and Lydia present: Dessert
Due to irregular cook times or excessive hilarity, this plan is subject to change.
Middle Earth Pumpkin Farm, North Fork
Way too much information to process right now. We are completely overwhelmed.
Overall just an amazing, amazing day. Dukes of Flatbush had an amazing showing.
Still waiting for official results but looks like Birch absolutely destroyed the race and ran a 3:12 and your truly snuck in just under the 3:30 mark for an unofficial 3:28.
Thanks for the post race food bonanza prepared by MFP, it was incredible.
The last thing I want to say before passing out, is special thanks to all the people that came out to the streets of NYC to cheer on the Marathon runners. It really makes the day for us.
Extra special thanks to everyone that screamed “Go Jeff” as I ran by. The inner ham in me loved it.
Somebody sent me this picture earlier today and it really hit home, the 2007 NYC Marathon is here.
I think this will be the final post before the big day and the Dukes of Flatbush hit the streets of New York City for 26.2 miles of pure enjoyment, so there is a lot to say today, and hopefully more good news to follow.
It has been a long year in training for the team as we pushed towards this date. We started out the year in January with just three of us running the Manhattan Half Marathon in 17 degree weather (sorry Preyer) and from that experience started to build momentum. We slowly pulled our friends into this insane sport of running and the Dukes of Flatbush became a real team. Some got on the road for the first time in their lives (John 9) and some got back on the road after years of injuries (GJ). This team building concept peaked in Shelter Island when the Dukes of Flatbush took over the Shelter Island 10K and ruled the streets with 10 of us out there menacing folks with our black shirts. It was a site to behold!!!
For some readers it may be hard to comprehend but this team used to see 6am as a time when the night was about winding down, not time to wake up for the day and run 10 miles. That is not to say we are not ready for a good party here and there, but we have evolved. OK, maybe not evolved, how about progressed?
Now that the big day is here, we are ready to get out there to Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island and run already. We also encourage you to go out there as well and cheer us on. For the runners there is no greater feeling then the millions, yes millions of people that come out to the streets of NYC to cheer us on. I know it may sound old and tired, but the fans really do get you energized and keep you going. For those of you who want to cheer with the DOFB fan club head out to mile 8.5 to the corner of Adelphi and Green in Brooklyn for some good times.
Check out the NYRR Web site for a full map on where you can go to watch and cheer.
Before you do go out to cheer I do have one request and that is to visit Birch’s fundraising page and make a donation. For the past 3 years one of the members of the Dukes of Flatbush has run the NYC Marathon for a charitable cause, raising $10,000 in the process. This year the honor goes to Birch who is running for Fred’s Team - Fred’s Team is raising money for the Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research which specializes in treating a number of types of cancer in children, especially cancers of the blood and lymph system like acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Here is the link one more time and thank you for supporting our cause.
Now it is time to rest up, eat pasta, watch movies and freak out for the next 40 hours. My only distraction will be helping planning the Taste of Fall / Lamb Jamb, post marathon celebration discussed here earlier. If anyone has a good recipe for lamb eyeballs or possibly the gallbladder please pass them along in the comments. We are not going to leave leave one bit of this lamb untouched. Good times are heading our way.
Did you forget we care about BBQ as much as running???????
See you Sunday - and remember, never go with a hippie to a second location
DOFB
Once in awhile we need to go in the compete opposite direction and alert you to other important matters. Today that topic will be bacon, specifically The Bacon Book.
This is a great little book with 101 Bacon Recipes, which I may decide to carry around with me at all times and best of all it is spiral bound. Check it out
DOFB
