Millrose Recap

Millrose Games Track.

I was supposed to run a 4:08 mile for one of America's best distance runners (Galen Rupp) to help him out with the first half of his 2-mile run on the tight turns and sharp banks of the Millrose Games track. Instead, I took the pretty good field of runners (Stephen Haas has been running well this winter) through a mile in around 4:18 and then stuck around because I was still in prize money position for an extra 600 meters or so before stepping off the track at Madison Square Garden.

All in all it wasn't a great run for me, but it was a payday as a rabbit job. Plus, it's always fun to run at Madison Square Garden and be a part of the history of the Millrose Games. However, looking at the half filled (or half empty) stands made me wish that Millrose Games could be an even greater meet.

The main problem with Millrose Games is that the ticket prices make you think you're going to a Knicks game. And here's the thing. Other than the Wanamaker Mile, you really aren't seeing the talent level in all the events that would suggest that (although the Knicks have sucked in recent years). They get a few good people in each event, but overall, there are probably 3-4 really good events at the Millrose Games. If they are going to be charging $70 for somewhat good seats to a track meet, it needs to be one hell of a track meet. Other than the Wanamaker Mile, Millrose isn't quite there yet.

That being said, I wish Millrose Games could fill up the Garden. There is a fun energy when you're at a meet in MSG. The place is filled with history, its loud, and you can't ask for a better place to star than New York. But in order to fill up the Garden, we need to get great athletes in every single event. New York City is a great place for a track meet, hopefully some athletes can see how great a meet Millrose can be and can make next year a great year for the meet.

Training has been slacking a little bit with all the racing (meaning mileage has been down), but it looks like I may be up in Boston next weekend for a fast mile and then we'll really get back to piling on the miles and putting in the work. We look at indoor season as the NBA's pre-season and we're using it to get ready for Outdoors. Will have a post midweek letting you know the rest of the Indoor season plans.

Effin' Snow

Complaining is for wusses. But excuse me while I wuss up for a little bit...

Whoever thought of this "I Heart NY" slogan didn't live in New York right now. This place sucks. Last year I had snOMG in DC and now it's just a Sh*t Storm of Snow (that's what I'm coining it since I feel that way about the pattern of snow every four days). I luckily missed the first big storm right after Christmas, but now this snow just keeps piling up. Plus, some of it melts, then it freezes, and the resulting slush is disgusting. I have been running on cement or treadmills for a while now, and I could really use some soft surfaces. Plus, these indoor tracks have some tight turns.

And that's that. No more complaining. You either run on the cement, or you don't. Plus, now that the NJ-NY Track Club has a logo (with t-shirts to boot!), life is good:

T-shirts available for $100

I am going to rabbit the Millrose 2-Mile on Friday night. The race goes off at 8:27pm and I'll be asked to lead the first mile of the race. There aren't many racers, so I'll be there to lead Galen Rupp through and hopefully he can keep the pace up. I am getting a little payday, add that into last week's and I'm starting to feel like a professional runner for once. Should be fun!

Snow sucks.