Two weeks after the 1st long run and a week after the wind storm that knocked down many trees in Malverne, NY, I was planning to run the 2nd long run. Yet the day before, I still wasn’t sure if it would happen. I was not feeling 100% fit to run a long distance and I would close the week with 60 miles—my record so far. My legs were already sore from those previous 42 miles.
These subjective circumstances were not the only reason I didn’t want to run. I was also affected by the state of the course. While jogging around the Hempstead Lake the day before, I accounted several huge trees blocking the bridal path.  The raised water in the pond flooded the path at one section alongside the Southern State Parkway. One had to halt completely, sneak through the branches, or climb a slope covered with brushes. It was effectively slowing the pace of the run.
I discussed the situation with Ron Darress who wanted to join and run, too. We agreed we would do it despite the obstacles and meet at 8 on Sunday. There was no bailing out. I could always run slower, if I didn’t feel well.
We started, our minds set on the steeplechase course ahead of us. At about the first mile mark, we got to the place where we expected the first tree laying across the path. To our surprise the path was clear. Just huge logs scattered around were identifying the spot. It means that between Saturday 2 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. the maintenance crew cut the trunk of the tree. We were relieved, as nothing is more annoying than changing the pace when running a long distance.
We increased our pace. After a while, Ron and I separated, as he is not preparing for the Boston marathon. He doesn’t need to run so many miles. I continued running and was wondering if the other trees disappeared as “miraculously” as the first one. They did. The path was completely clear. Just the flooded section was still under the water.
The part of Hempstead Park located North of Southern State Parkway surprised me as well. The path lining the Hempstead Golf Club property, with deep tracks caused by heavy machinery and always full of water, was leveled into a flat soft road creating absolutely ideal conditions for running.
I was energized and finished the first 5-mile loop in 35:47, second and third in 35:46 each. It represents the pace of 7:09 per mile. It is not fast, but it is not bad either, and the resulting times are consistent. My next long training run for Boston Marathon will be the AHEPA Suffolk Half Marathon in Selden on March 28, 2010.