New Yorkers Polite, Runners Unite!

Feverishly working the day away on the left coast, I am exhausted from my volunteer activities.  I am so glad I knew this would happen in advance so as not to waste a trip and hefty expenses to run the Boston marathon on today. But now why am I getting so many calls and FB messages and text messages asking me if I am okay? Oblivious to the news unless it is sports-related, I check twitter.  Yes my source of quick no-chaser info.  It appears there was a bombing near the finish line.  WTH!

After about 10 minutes looking at the jambalaya of mixed reports, I start responding to everyone's emails, calls, text messages.  First my dad who was already comforted in knowing that "he knew I wasn't there".  Of course I did not want him to go through the same feeling of not-knowing for hours on end as he did with the World Trade Center incident.  Next a general post to Facebook because most people are glued to that.

Now here I go again in disbelief, two days later after trying to understand how the world of sports was crumbling (in my eyes) with the Kobe torn ACL and the Tiger penalty post-Masters play.  This one was closer to home because it could have been at ANY marathon in ANY city in ANY country that I run.  Talk about blessed and highly favored!

What an awful experience for the traditional only-elite qualification major run in the country?  But how do these people put their lives back together again after this tragedy?  The injuries, the memories, the feeling of no accomplishment after crossing a finish line marred with drama, the aftermath, the nightmares?  I have no idea but one thing is for sure, marathoners know what it is like to persevere.  Marathoners understand mind over matter.  Marathoners don't quit.  Marathoners will walk or crawl to the finish line because we will make it.  Marathoners will continue to run and not let this take away their freedom.

So tomorrow, in honor of those impacted in Boston (marathoners, families, and innocent bystanders), this New Yorker will rep her blue and yellow.   Giants and Jets fans don't care about the Patriots today; we love the Americans that are Patriots fans.  The Bronx Bombers will stand with Boston and the Knicks will honor Boston too regardless of the bitter sports rivalry.   That's what New Yorkers will do.  Now when it comes to the Knicks taking on the Celtics in the playoffs, we still have to route for the 'orange and blue' but we will still clap for the 'green and white' because New Yorkers know what it feels like to be invaded on what we considered safe territory.

Brrr It's Too Cold to Run

My UnderArmour Beanie

I will be your friend to the end but I am a fair weather runner all day all year.  I don't have anything to prove to run a marathon (26.2 miles) in extremely hot weather, rain, or below freezing conditions. Call me a bit of a prima donna if you like but that does not matter to me because I have been delivered from other's opinions of me for years. I digress....Not knowing the weather this morning I stepped out of my hotel at 6am ready to get in a run and brrr.

I felt the chill that I felt in my bones in the first mile of the Suntrust marathon in D.C. two years ago in March where it was 26 degrees F at the start and 38 degrees F at my finish.  I ran with gloves the entire length and never warmed up and I promised I would not do that again. So I kept the promise to myself...I went back to the hotel after 6 miles and completed 6 miles on the treadmill followed by some weight training. 

Do I feel defeated or less accomplished?  No not at all, a lot wiser to know that it just isn't that deep for me to be cold in my extracurricular time. So next outdoor run in the winter - South Beach before 8am.  Oh because then I would be blogging that it would be too hot. 

13 Miles Just Because - Mind Over Matter

Being an only child, solace is sometimes being siloed and it is where I operate the best and plan the most. New goals. Another marathon (26.2 miles) is not one of them, been there accomplished now more than 40 in 36 months. I am focused on full body, core strength and training, boxing, and dancing.  That equates to having lots of fun with only positive people around me.  No classes, no negative fitness instructors - only my trainer, Gregg Miele, boxing trainer, KG, and choreographer, Kennis, and my, myself, and I.

Today it's just me so I decided to whip out one of my blue Sauconys and see if I still had the ability to run semi-long distance. Miles 1-4 were a breeze.  Miles 5 - 6 I was thinking "you're almost there and you can quit after 6". After Mile 6 I was telling myself "You don't quit this. This is about you". Miles 7-9 I started enjoying the run and taking in the scenery. Miles 10 and 11 I started wishing I had more time to get in at least another 10 miles. Mile 12 was a coast. Mile 13 I felt like I hadn't accomplished anything.

That's the feeling of a marathoner at heart. Mind over matter.

My Guilty Dedication to Nike

Lets face it, Nike probably does not make the best athletic gear but they are the absolute in marketing brilliance in their industry and beyond. If you are a marathoner like me, Nike is not on the top list of shoes but their marketing campaigns make me feel like I  need to buy a pair of their shoes or at least their workout gear. But why do I feel the guilt?  It is because time again Nike has a forgiveness like no other when it comes to the so-called fallen athlete who has endorsed them in the past.

Tiger Woods, arguably the best golfer in the world, single-handedly brought excitement to the game of golf.  He brought more money to the sport than any other competitor. It was the right endorsement choice for Nike because viewership for any tournament Tiger participated increased with even the young  spectators.  That Nike swoosh was familiar and Nike Golf was here to stay. And when he had an overexposed fidelity issue, Nike got it.  It was a family issue and they stuck with him and that swoosh is still memorable today as he continues to be the best. 

Both Kobe Bryant, my favorite active NBA player, and Michael Vick ( the quarterback that has been throwing and running like a wide receiver way before RG III , Cam Newton, and Colin Kaepernick) had their issues. Nike let the dust settle and these athletes came back stronger with rebuilt images and a much larger consistent fan base that thirsts for their skills.  

Not only do I buy shoes, shirts, and paraphernalia, I have believed with Nike that everyone deserves a second chance. It reminds me of having true friends who stick by me through thick and thin. Now that's the best marketing any company can put together - forgiveness and dependability. I guess I am going to the Nike store today.  

The H-Town Comeback

With two hours of sleep I am up and ready to get it done.  Nervous but ready!  I walk over to the start hype.  Ultra Lite has a major display and the people working there are nice.  No beer for me, EVER, but I am not judging those who are whooping one down for the carb-load right now.

Off to the starting corral and this is a lively bunch.  I will not run with my iPod today unless I feel like I can not make it.

And we're off!

Mile 1 - Here we go with the mix of the half and the full marathoners making for tight quarters. And my Lord - men you are right - women do talk a lot.  I have to shake this group of women who just won't shut up!

Mile 2 - Where are we?  I have never been in these parts before.  People are hanging clothes on a clothestring on their porch.  I have not seen that in ages.  Nice friendly people cheering us on though.  

Mile 6 - Going steady and going strong.  No worries.  Not bad for someone who has not run in 2 months.

Mile 12 - The breaking point for the half-marathoners.  You're almost there - best of luck!

Mile 16 - Oh yes the Galleria.  Something about knowing there is a mall nearby with the best mix of discount, luxury, and quality is helping me to run.

Mile 20 - Okay I am almost to Memorial Drive and this is my ULTIMATE stopping ground and I have hit an early wall.  Time to stretch because I have to take this on in to the finish.  Let me run a little and walk a little.  And there is the Ultra Lite group handing out beers.  Wonder if that works.  I will try these Sports Beans instead.

Mile 21 - 25 And now it's time for the iPod.  Some strength came from somewhere as I am running through River Oaks.  Timeout:  I get my strength by running through the expensive residential areas. Evaluate that later!

I am running past Otto's and wishing I had a turkey barbecue sandwich on a wheat bun.  Wow! The last time I will pass this place.  I am sad that they are closing tomorrow and I stop and walk and take it in.

Mile 26 - Downtown I see you.  The finish is on the way.  I am doing a lot of waving and thank yous to the volunteers.  Let me just smile.  I need all the energy I can get.

FINISH - I did it. I can't believe this - under 5. Wow!  Take 2 months off and perform the best. And here's my medal for my Houston comeback.  BUT I have to walk to the farthest end of the convention center to get my finisher's shirt and mug.  SAY WHAT!!!!  

Timeout:  I just ran 26 miles and I have to walk the equivalent of 3/4 mile to get my well-deserved Under Armour shirt.  Hell keep the mug but the shirts should have been given with the medal.  Lord have mercy!

I brave the walk like a little old lady with a walker afraid to walk after a fall. I return outside of the Convention Center and there is a bike taxi - just like in San Diego.  Price is not a worry - take me to the hotel!

Cold bath for 15 minutes - NO ICE! Not an athlete yet!

Pack up and head to the airport.

Continental hold me down.  Oh wait, no legrests!

Without Adversity There is no Growth

I have breakfast with Lou in Montreal at the Queen E and of course, grab about 10 of those delicious French crepes (the real crepes).  Before we leave, Lou grabs about 4 croissants for his train ride back to Albany.  I walk him to le station du gare before I head to the airport for my quick trip to Quebec City.

A lovely two days with Father #2 in a very chilly Montreal for this time of year.  Quebec City must be freezing...and when we de-boarded the plane the cold air hit me like I was back in Albany in the middle of January.  My taxi ride to the hotel is quite depressing as the rain hit the windshield and the wind is blowing pretty hard.  The driver tells me that the weather will be like this tomorrow.

I check into into my hotel and head across the street to the Expo to pick up my bib.  What a small "expo"...it's more like a meeting in a gym.  However I need to purchase a hat and a jacket with a hood.  I was not expecting this weather.  Sugoi to the rescue.

I brave the wind and take a taxi to have dinner at La Cremaillaire.  It is supposedly the best in Quebec City and I was not disappointed.  They were nice enough to make me a special pasta dish.

I finish dinner and they were gracious enough to call a taxi for me because the 40mph wind and rain was not my queue to walk back to the hotel.  After waiting another 35 minutes for a taxi, my mind is racing as the Maitre D tells me that this is the coldest summer night they have had in over 30 years.  I don't want to run tomorrow.   

The taxi driver informs me of the weather tomorrow before he drops me off in front of the hotel.  I pass other marathoners in the lobby and head to my room.

Will I really run in this weather?  I have not trained for that.  The weather channel did not say rain and wind and the temperature was supposed to be 20 degrees higher.  I get on Facebook and send my friend Marc a message.  His response - "Without adversity, there is no growth."  

I start preparing my running gear for tomorrow saying this phrase about 15 times.

The Day Has Come

3:30AM - Wake up and stream service at my church.
5AM - Shutdown computer.  Pray again and place bib on shirt.  Throw on Powermax wristband because I was sold, yes sold, that this would give me strength.  Drink some orange juice.   Take shower and get dressed.  Place the energy jelly beans in the back pocket of my Under Armour capris.
5:30AM - Take taxi to the start.  Brave the drizzling rain and sit on sidewalk.  OMG I would never imagine rain on marathon day.  Note to self:  Pray the rain away!
6:00AM - When will this start?  The drizzle is now real rain.  Drums are sounding.  It must be hype time!  And now let's sing the Star Spangled Banner and wait for the announcer to give a thousand thank yous.
6:30AM - Finally the start!  As I start running I am wondering how all these people can group together to run 26.2 miles.  When will all these people drop off?  Oh Lord, people are just flying by me like I am not even walking.  Maybe they are late or started in the wrong corral.

Mile 1 - Water stop but I am not thirsty.  Am I supposed to stop at every water stop?  Is there a methodology that I am supposed to follow?  I am a scientific person and there should be a proven approach.  Okay maybe not for runners like me that don't like to carry water bottles for 26.2 miles.  I stop to get water and I am off and running again.
Mile 1.5 - Elvis is running next to me.  A band is playing.  I run two blocks and there is a reggae band playing some Bob Marley.  If marathons are always so supportive with music, I might run a couple a year. 
Mile 2 - 12 - Enjoying the sites. Intermittent stops for water and running by the bands.  Drizzle changes to mist and the weather lands on cloudy.  Balboa Park (check), Gaslight Village (check), and Grant Hill (check).
Mile 12 - Time to play a sermon on the iPod.  This will at least take an hour of my time and a word from the Lord would be great right now.
Mile 18 - It worked.  Okay another sermon it is.
Mile 22 - Note to Self:  I am 2 miles short.  Either the preacher decided to let everyone go home early that day or I am fading and have hit my wall.  No this preacher never preaches less than an hour.  How am I going to make it?
Listening to another sermon I don't think I can run anymore.  Who is going to tear down this wall?  Out of the blue, a lady walked beside me and complemented me on my shirt.  Note to self:  It's just a white Nike shirt. I hope she does not think that is a pickup line. I might be tired but I don't roll like that.
She asks me if can she walk with me because the words on my shirt were encouraging her along for the last 3 miles.  Oblivious to what she is talking about, it must have shown on my face.  She repeated the Bible verse on the back of the tee-shirt that was underneath my white long sleeve tee shirt.  "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me".
That's amazing that I have been dragging along hitting a wall and someone has been motivated by a shirt I am wearing.  And that is my life, encouraging others unknowingly when I am going through things myself.  A timely angel - we walked together right when I needed the motivation.  She further talked about the Christian services they are having for runners that evening and the Christian athletic association she founded at her university employer.
Mile 24 - She says to me let's run and finish.
Mile 25 - She tells me to go ahead because she is going to have to walk.  I stopped with her until she caught her breath and she ran for about 5 minutes and told me to go ahead.  Instead I encouraged her to jog with me and that we were going to the finish line together.
Mile 25.7 - The marines were out with their "bootcamp" antics shouting words of encouragement.  If I ever felt sorry for those in the Armed Forces, I feel worse for them now.  God bless them for having to deal with this order-taking screaming.  Now I am telling my new running buddy that I can not make it and she points to the finish line.  My God my God - it is within reach.
Mile 26 - With tears on the verge I feel like that woman in the Bible that said "if I can just touch the hem of His garment".  The finish is almost here if I can just push along.  As shouts pour out from all the spectators, we approach the finish line and put our hands up.
Mile 26.2 - THE FINISH.  We hug each other as we cross the finish and thank each other for the motivation.  I am done with my newfound proof there is nothing I can not accomplish.  It may take me longer than others but I can get there.
Now how do I get out of this Finish Area.  Medal. Picture.  And now the pain in my hips, leg, and feet.  Where is the street so I can take a taxi back to the hotel.  It's been 30 minutes and I am still walking out of this barracks.  WTH! Don't the race organizers know we have just run 26 miles.  Are they on crack?
My feet are on fire and I am watching finishers walking slowly in even flip-flops.   Oh how quick the bliss of the finish line is OVER.  Let me out of here and get me to my hotel so I can sit down.  Finally I see an exit and a military employee tells me my hotel is about 3 miles away.  Lord hold my tongue because I am about to cuss.  THE PAIN!!!
Finally I cross the street at the light and there is a bicycle taxi.  There is another guy that wants to take it and we agree to share since his hotel was on the way to mine.  The cost was $20 but it could have been $120 that day and I would have paid it. Awww the seat feels so good.  Being off my feet feels fabulous.
I did not remember until I got to the door of the hotel the elevators were a million miles from the lobby.  Here I go again!  I make it to the elevator and these other "happy" fnishers tell me to take an ice cold bath for 15 minutes and I will be just like new.  Don't be all happy after 26 miles and walk around like nothing and tell me about an ice cold bath.  Don't they know that I just want to lie down.
I get to my room and the bed never looked so good.  Bending down to take off my sneakers, barefoot never felt so perfect but my feet were still on fire.  Thank goodness for Platinum status for late check-outs.  30 minutes after lying on the bed and calling my dad to tell him about the race, I head for a cold shower and an Epsom Salt bath.  Ice in the tub was not happening.  I get dressed, call for the car, and take what seems to be a million mile walk to the hotel lobby.
Valet pulls the car to the bottom of the driveway.  Is he kidding me?  Timeout:  The guy saw me limping and saw me raise my hand for him to stop the car and he kept going.  What is he - the devil?  I make it to the car and he says that he needed to move the car out of the way so someone could pass him.  Note to self:  Say nothing. Smile and just downsize his tip.
I get in the car and drive back to Los Angeles to spend the night before my flight out to my favorite hellish project.  I arrive in LA and head straight for the bed with two ice packs for my knees.  I go to sleep and was not braced for the after-effects the next three days of "Let the Pain Begin".

Too Late To Turn Back

Had a good breakfast at the Luxe before my trek to San Diego.  OMG, these ladies at the table next to me are from San Diego.  Note to Self:  Say nothing and ignore them.  You're there for a purpose of running the marathon and not sight-seeing.
They are getting up from the table.  Whew! I made it.
I get to the rental car and map out the trip without 405. (Any thought process of 405 for 2 hours does not even compute in my inner being.)  Hertz Neverlost has me on my way.
2 hours later - I am here!  It pays to do road trips when there is no traffic. I even bypassed the lines at the hotel to check-in.  Convention center is next door.  Off to bib pick-up I go!
I walk into the Convention Center and am stunned by the EXPO.  INCREDIBLE!  Life size Oakley and Under Armour booths.  After picking up my bib and race chip, I walk around to see that EVERY VENDOR has something that will help me finish, run faster, regain energy and relax afterwards but nothing here says pain-free.   Walking around some more and here is Saucony and Under Armour - my absolute favorite workout gear.  Alright I have been here 2 hours, time to get a meal and go to bed.  Because I have no will power of the fun time at the marina, I ordered take-out at the restaurant overlooking the marina - NO PASTA just a burger and fries!

The Reality Has Not Kicked In

On my connecting flight out of here through Dulles.  That was quite a long walk to the end of the C gates.  I pray I don't have to walk this far to get to my connecting flight on Monday morning after this marathon.  Well there is always requesting one of those carts to take me to my gate.  Wow.  How sad would I look?
Should I be nervous?  What am I to expect? Note to self: You ran 22 so you can walk 4 miles if necessary.  Relax and go to sleep until you arrive in LAX.  Then worry!

The Ultimate Test

I wake up at 6AM and make some mental notes to myself.  (I rode around last night and am aware of 6 miles from Point A to Point B from the city to Westchester County.  If I run it once I am good and if I get to the last 4 miles, I can run a half-marathon.)

This is my long run so I will have some orange juice.  I did not read about what to eat so good old Tropicana will have to do the trick.

Mile 1 - 8:  I am cruising along listening to some sermons on my iPod.
Mile 9:  I think I am parched.  I need some water.  There is store on the right and I am going to get me 1 Liter of cold water.  I drink it as I walk and throw the empty bottle in the trash can outside of the hardware store.  Time to go!
Mile 14:  I can not believe I am still going.
Mile 18:  I am thirsty again.  It is time to stop at the store and get some more water.  This time 1 liter of Fiji is great.  I walk three blocks as I drink my Fiji.  All gone...now time to go.
Mile 20:  No turning back because I am in the middle of the run and the house.  I have to do a round-trip to get back to the house.  Legs you can do it.  And they did.
Mile 22 COMPLETE and MARATHON it is!!!

Now my legs feel like I did 3000 squats and my feet are on fire so can I crawl up the steps to my bedroom?  How will I put shoes on for church tomorrow?  Flip flops for the rest of the day and minimal movement.