Big Congrats To Stephanie & Everyone Else who finished The Tokyo Marathon & Series of World Major Marathon!

Huge accomplishment and so cool!

2022 NYC Running Year in Review & beyond

Happy New Year! At the close of 2022, I’m filled with reflection, gratitude, and joy. It will be my 15th year as a full-time coach in NYC and the weight of this isn’t lost on me. Getting let go from Citi in 2008 after the financial crisis turned out to be a true blessing in disguise. At the time, filled with dread, I started coaching part-time while working at a running shoe store on the UES, thinking I’d return to a Wall St. firm as soon as possible. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be here today - in 2023 - counting my blessings each day that I found coaching and all the wonderful people I’d meet along the way (many of whom I hope are reading this now). I couldn’t have imaged a better profession for me or dreamed of all the different directions and outlets it would take me.

Over the years, going back to 1998 - the year I started running competitively, I’ve seen the NYC running scene change dramatically. Some of the outsized trends and remarkable happenings include: the coming and going of great runners and club teams; the corporatization of club teams including major sponsorship deals; the remarkable growth of the NYRR and emergence of a valid competitor - NYCRUNS; the goodbye of a few long time local running shoe stores; the opening of world class track facilities: Icahn Stadium & Ocean Breeze; the Millrose Games move from Madison Square Garden to the Armory; the overall proliferation of new runners and clubs; running-related podcasts; the advent of ‘underground’ racing events; and so much more. Most of this points to the largest trend: growth. And Central Park Coaching has grown with it. 

I’m pleased to say 2022 was another good year for Central Park Coaching. Marked by a 12% YOY increase in website traffic and 5% YOY increase in training sessions. I’ve taken on larger roles as a established contributor to mainstream media articles (GQ, NYMag, SHAPE, etc.) providing expert running-related advice and work as a Running Technical Advisor working with photographer Carlos Serrao and New Balance. The new year will continue to bring change and growth I’m sure, and I plan on contributing to that as I have a few new things in store for 2023! So I’m excitedly working on that and looking forward to another year immersed in the NYC running community, filled with joy and gratitude. 

Summer Running Is A Great Time To Work On Speed

Ken is doing 100 meter sprints. The warm temperture is ideal for short, fast sprinting which develops all-out speed, strength, and form efficiency. 

Warm Up Before Strength Training

This is a short video of my typical warm up routine before doing full-body strength training geared specifically to make me a more balanced, efficient, and faster runner. 

High School Outdoor Track Nationals

This is short video I made of a final tune-up workout before Nationals of two of the fastest High School runners in New York City and the country.   

Summer Training for Youth Runners

Summer running in New York City is great for young runners learning the importance of safely building up consistent mileage; injuring preventing stretches; and running form drills to improve efficiency and economy. 

SpringTime High Intensity Interval Training On The Bridle Path In Central Park

With the warmer temps, running fast and comfortably is the natural progression after the cold winter months. New York City running is some of the best in country. 

Winter Running In Central Park

With the appropriate apparel, running in the winter is easy and a pleasure.  Don't let chilly temps keep you away, visit a proper running store to get the right gear and get out there and start enjoying the outdoors all year long. 

Running Speed Intervals in Central Park

Central Park is fertile training ground for running. Carefully measured, inspirational locations, help with the getting most of out of our workouts.  

Central Park is Perfect for Speed Training for Runners

In this video, high school freshman and rising New York City miler, Ali, is working on her "top-end" running speed doing near all out 200 meter and 300 meter repetition sprints. Excellent for building speed and speed endurance which will improve her mile racing time and her fitness for lacrosse.   

High School track runner doing sprints in Central Park on the east drive  

Treadmill Running Like A Pro

Fall Running 2015

The Fall season in New York City is the best time for running!!